When you think of Indian restaurants, wine probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But Chatora City is challenging that, with more than 120 bottles to choose from, alongside a modern food menu. But that's not all that this place has got going for it. After the success of the former Michelin Guide-rated Chatora in Richmond, owner Jam Rahman set his sights on the City, installing a traditional tandoor grill and bringing a personal touch to the venue - winning Opentable Diner’s Choice award in 2024. And recently, he has welcomed Executive Chef Imamuddin Khan, who previously worked at The Cinnamon Club, among many other restaurants across London and Dehli. With so much to be excited about, and such a convinient location, I couldn't wait to try this place for myself.
DesignMyNight’s Review Of Chatora City London
The interiors at Chatora City are filled with gold.
Need To Know:
- Address: 4 Great St Thomas Apostle, City of London, EC4V 2BH
- Area: City of London, close to Bank
- Cuisine: modern Indian
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: the venue had an understated charm to it, with a spacious dining room that was busy but nicely spread out. The dark colour scheme, made up of black floors and deep blue leather booths, contrasted well with touches of gold throughout. We couldn't have asked for a warmer welcome, as owner Jam greeted us personally, and he went above and beyond to ensure that we had the best experience throughout.
- Perfect For: dining in the city - whether it's after work or you're making the trip in on a weekend, it's well worth it.
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For
Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: around £160 for two, including three courses and two drinks each
From small plates to curries, the Chatora City menu takes you on a culinary journey across India.
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Honey-chilli cauliflower (£9.50) - a starter with a kick to it, this glazed, sticky cauliflower featured gochujang and roasted spices. It was spicy without being overpowering, and really livened up the vegetable.
- Butter chicken (£23) - it's important to see how a restaurant handles the classics, and owner Jam built up our expectations on this one. But they were definitely met, as the expertly grilled chicken was tender and juicy, coated in a moreish, creamy butter sauce and topped with cashew crumbs. There was also a generous amount of meat in the portion, something which is often lacking in this style of dish.
- Kadhai panner (£19) - similarly, this curry was packed full of the soft cheese, alongside toasted green peppers, cubed and served in a rich San Marzano tomato sauce. It had an indulgent, slightly buttery flavour to it, pairing well with the garlic naan that we scooped it up with.
- Chatora black dal (£10) - we weren't originally going to order this, but I'm glad that we were convinced as it ended up being my favourite dish of the night. Continuing the theme of our meal, it was made with home-churned butter that gave it that elevated flavour, and the slow-cooked lentils were also prepared with burnt garlic. I could have carried on eating this all night long.
- Gajar halwa (£10) - just about squeezing in a dessert, we tried something new here, a traditional North Indian sweet treat made with carrots, milk and sugar. It was described as a carrot fudge, but I'd say the consistency was more flaky than typical fudge, served warm with a scoop of coconut sorbet. I really enjoyed the delicate flavours, and I would definitely order it again.
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Gavi di Gavi (£13.95 for 175ml) - we were recommended this Italian white wine to pair with our meal, and it went down a treat. It was light and refreshing, perfect to accompany a very rich dinner.
- Rose and Cucumber Collins (£12.50) - though they are famed for their wine, Chatora also offer a range of classic and signature cocktails. This floral pick was summer in a glass, made up of gin, rose syrup, cucumber, lemon and soda - great for cooling your palate.
- Mango Maharani (£12.50) - if you prefer your drinks a little more tropical then this one is for you - featuring Cointreau, tequila, mango, coconut and lime for an ultra-fruity flavour.
Our Overall Experience At Chatora City
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is genuinely one of the best Indian meals I have ever had, made even better by the attentive, friendly service. We were made to feel incredibly welcome, and could see that other diners were getting the same experience, and the team were always on hand to make recommendations for both food and wine. Their curries were excellent, as were all the starters and sides we had - and if you try anything from their menu, make it the black lentil dal. I will certainly be returning here to try even more of their delicious dishes.
