A polished, regionally varied Indian restaurant with genuinely strong food and a lively London Bridge setting, but mandatory mains, service charges, variable service, and defensive management responses require careful expectations.
Indian Gourmet delivers solid food quality across curries, biryanis, and tandoor dishes, anchored by strong positive feedback from repeat diners. However, inconsistent execution in recent visits, occasional service friction despite generally attentive staff, and some concerns around food safety prevent a stronger grade. The Borough location near London Bridge adds convenient appeal, but the restaurant falls short of the consistency and polish needed to approach grade A territory.
Indian Gourmet is a polished, busy Borough High Street restaurant that feels more like a proper London Bridge dinner than a quick curry stop. Reviews describe a modern, cosy room, lively music, window tables, and staff who can be remarkably welcoming—one repeat visitor said it would become their London stop every time. Its location near London Bridge station makes it especially convenient before or after sightseeing, though the compact room can fill quickly. The cooking is the main draw: a broad, regionally minded menu moves from butter chicken, biryani, and tandoori chicken to Lal Maas, Kori Gassi, Keralan fish curry, momos, and vegan dishes. Many diners praise the layered spices, tender meat, aromatic rice, and generous curry portions, while a smaller group reports oiliness, excess salt, occasional blandness, or overcooked seafood. The food is not a bargain basement dhaba experience; current menu prices are moderate for the area, with a typical full meal around £28-35 before drinks, and the reported 12.5% service charge deserves attention. Families can make it work, especially with familiar choices such as butter chicken, chicken tikka, biryani, naan, samosas, and mild vegetarian dishes. The current menu is substantially more vegetarian- and vegan-friendly than one older review suggested, with dedicated vegan mains and numerous vegetable sides. However, the reported evening rule requiring one main per person can be awkward for children, light eaters, or families who prefer sharing starters and sides, and one review notes that no high chair was available.
Area vibe: Historic, transport-linked area mixing tourism, offices and local commerce.
Safety: Generally busy and well-lit with good evening footfall though pockets can be quieter late at night.
What's nearby: Close to London Bridge station, Borough Market, the Shard, riverside walks and several office blocks and theatres.
The safest route is a momo or tandoor starter followed by one of several richly spiced regional curries, with prices starting around £7.50.
Plan for a lively room, an added service charge, and a reported evening rule that can make sharing or ordering lightly difficult.
Vegetarian and vegan diners can choose from dedicated mains, biryani, momos, and vegetable sides, but gluten-free options are not identified.