Diwali is set to light up London later this month, with more celebrations taking over the city than ever before. This year, Diwali takes place on October 20, and it signifies the return of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshman after defeating the demon king Ravana. It is a chance to celebrate light over darkness and good over evil; a concept which seems to be more important than ever right now.
The festival of Diwali isn’t exclusively celebrated by Hindus. For Jains, it commemorates Lord Mahavira's liberation, and Sikhs celebrate it as Bandi Chhor Divas, marking Guru Hargobind's release from prison. Regardless of religion, it’s a great opportunity to get together and celebrate with good food and music.
The annual Diwali event at Trafalgar Square remains an unmissable centrepiece in the city, set to draw in huge crowds with its lineup of comedy, music, dance, and displays. But the festivities don’t stop there. Restaurants across the capital are rolling out special Diwali menus, from indulgent sharing feasts to contemporary twists on classic Indian dishes. Whether you’re heading to Trafalgar Square or planning a celebratory meal, London’s got plenty going on for the festival of lights. Here’s where to celebrate.
Kanishka
Executive Chef Atul Kochhar has developed a six-course culinary experience for the Diwali period. The meal begins with canapés, followed by festive favourites such as achari paneer tikka, lehsuni palak chenna with garlic-sautéed, spiced spinach, and the house speciality, Rogan Josh Wellington. What’s for dessert, you ask? Guests will be served a gulab jamin saffron brulee, which comes with milk dumplings and saffron custard.
When? October 14-19
How much? £95
17-19 Maddox St, W1S 2QH, kanishkarestaurant.co.uk
Ambassadors Clubhouse
Looking to celebrate Diwali in style? London’s chicest Indian restaurant, Ambassadors Clubhouse, is serving a limited edition five-course Diwali feast that showcases the best of Punjabi cuisine. The non-vegetarian spread starts with achari duck chaat, Ambassadors’ famed BBQ butter chicken chop, and a tawa masala crab cheela, with the option to indulge further in the decadent shahi patiala lamb chop. For mains, diners can enjoy a slow-cooked lamb curry, guinea fowl changezi, and lobster curry. The vegetarian menu is equally dazzling. It opens with gol gappas and chaat, followed by paneer tikka and a vegetable kebab. Heartier courses include pindi chole with Amritsari kulcha and the indulgent malai morel paneer mattar, which comes with a chickpea biryani served with velvety Punjabi black dal. For pudding, guests can choose from a trio of desserts: gur malai toast, burnt ghee ice cream, or dark chocolate and peanut kheer with banana chikki. Bring your appetite for this one.
When? October 18-27
How much? Vegetarian £110, non-vegetarian £115
25 Heddon Street, W1B 4BH, ambassadorsclubhouse.com
The Cinnamon Club
Chef Vivek Singh’s Cinnamon Club remains one of the coolest Indian restaurants in town. It’s located in the old Westminster Library, a Grade-II listed building. For Diwali, they are serving a five course meal with the option to add a wine pairing for £40 per person. The meal begins with canapés such as green pea kachori and aubergine crisp, followed by larger plates including chargrilled partridge breast with mushroom pickle and spiced pear chutney, and moreish grilled shrimp skewers with smoked chilli sambal. To finish, the meal concludes with a trio of desserts: saffron pistachio kulfi, carrot halwa roll, and rasmalai tres leches.
When? October 1-31
How much? £65
The Old Westminster Library, Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU, cinnamonclub.com
Cinnamon Bazaar
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for your celebratory Diwali meal, both the Cinnamon Bazaar restaurants are offering an impressive eight-course feast for £39 per person. The meal includes a Diwali-inspired cocktail, along with crowd favourites such as beetroot pao bhaji with toasted brioche and potato, Amtritsari batter fried bream fillet and their famous lamb rogan josh shepherd’s pie. For dessert, guests are served an almond and rose kulfi. There must be a minimum of two diners in order to book.
For something between the Cinnamon Bazaar and Cinnamon Club, Vivek Singh’s two Cinnamon Kitchen sites are also doing a Diwali feast for £45-48 per person.
When? October 1-31
How much? £39
28 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7JS, cinnamon-bazaar.com/covent-garden, 31 Kew Rd, Richmond, TW9 2NQ, cinnamon-bazaar.com/richmond
Diwali On the Square
Every year, central London comes alive for Diwali on the Square, a free festival celebrating the festival of lights. The day is packed with colourful dance and music performances from London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities. Expect lots of musical entertainment on the main stage, interactive zones, sari & turban tying workshops, yoga, meditation, children’s activities, and plenty of delicious food. As the sun sets in the evening, there’ll be a special light up moment to symbolise unity, hope and the triumph of light over darkness.
When? October 12, 2-8pm
How much? Free entry
Bombay Bustle
Bombay Bustle is marking Diwali with a limited-edition feasting menu created in collaboration with Great British Bake Off alumna Chetna Makan. Running from 9–26 October, the £75 thali menu brings together dishes such as palak patta chaat, Kashmiri lamb rogan josh and a masala chai tres leches cake. Diners can toast the festival with a Diwali Blush cocktail, while those celebrating at home can order boxes of mithai and the restaurant’s playful “Gangster Ladoos” via Deliveroo. It’s a refined, celebratory nod to India’s festival of lights in the heart of Mayfair.
When? October 9-26
How much? £75 per person
29 Maddox Street, W1S 2PA, bombaybustle.com
Jamavar
Mayfair’s Michelin-starred Jamavar is celebrating Diwali with an opulent six-course tasting menu running from 20 to 24 October. The line-up includes Kawari soft-shell crab with blueberry-ginger chutney, duck galouti scented with black cardamom, and the restaurant’s signature Old Delhi butter chicken, alongside elegant vegetarian dishes such as kofta dilkhush in saffron cream. The feast concludes with a classic gajrela. Guests can book a table in the main dining room or opt for private spaces, offering a suitably luxurious setting for the festival of lights.
When? October 20-24
How much? £75 per person
8 Mount Street, W1K 3NF, jamavarrestaurants.com
The Tamil Prince and Tamila
London’s favourite Desi pub, The Tamil Prince, and its sister restaurant Tamila, will be honouring Diwali by serving a special banana leaf thali during the festive period. Executive chef Prince Durairaj has crafted the Diwali banana leaf thali, which boasts all the best bits of the restaurant all on one plate (or leaf in this case). Expect vadai (a South Indian savoury doughnut), beetroot pachadi, aubergine thokku, prawn curry leaf masala, mutton ghee roast, poppadoms and spiced fried cauliflower alongside the acclaimed cocktail and drinks menu.
When? All day on October 26
How much? Vegetarian £30, non-vegetarian £33
15 Hemingford Road, N1 1BZ, thetamilprince.com, 39 Northcote Rd, SW11 1NJ, tamila.uk
Diwali at Dishoom
Diners at Dishoom can look forward to an action packed evening of sensory South Asian storytelling and entertainment. The event is being curated by Ryan Lanji, and the party is due to go on late into the night with the likes of Baluji Shrivastav OBE, Renao and Raghav on the lineup. Bring your dancing shoes, apetite and something glam to wear. Guests can choose between a vegan or vegetarian food option when they book. There’ll be a mixture of Dishoom classics and special dishes available on the night.
When? October 16
How much? £40
1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL, dishoom.com
Randall and Aubin
From 20–27 October, Karan Gokani of Hoppers (and author Indian 101: Real Indian Recipes Made Simple) joins forces with Soho’s seafood institution Randall & Aubin for a one-week-only collaboration menu. Taking centre stage is a lavish Goan seafood curry, featuring the day’s freshest catch — think John Dory, cod, sea bream, plump prawns and clams — simmered in fragrant spices and served with turmeric black lentils, spiced grilled potatoes, lemon and garlic spinach, basmati rice and tomato chutney.
When? October 20-27
How much? £25
16 Brewer Street, W1F 0SQ, randallandaubin.com
Kokum
This Dulwich based Indian restaurant is running a limited festive menu for the week leading up to Diwali. The à la carte menu features dishes such as mussels moilee, malai paneer kofta and crispy spinach and kale chaat. On Sunday October, 19 a day before Diwali, KOKUM will be giving guests a complimentary piece of homemade barfi.
When: October 14-19
How much: Dishes are priced individually
56-80 East Dulwich Road, SE22 9AX, kokumlondon.com
Brigadiers
Whether you're looking to celebrate Diwali with a big or small group, Brigadiers is the place to be. With plenty of seating and a private dining room, the restaurant is ideal for chic festive celebrations. Their feasting menu is far from your average Indian menu. Highlights include achari duck, oxtail and sweet potato samosa, and Goan scallop and chorizo. For mains, you can expect tandoori guinea fowl tikka changezi, dum venison biryani or cod kalimirch. Each main is served with daal makhani, pine nut and onion pilau, aloo baingan masala and a bread basket.
When? October 17-26
How much? £100
1-5 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR, brigadierslondon.com
Sopwell House
Just outside of London, but too good not to mention. Sopwell House is bringing back its sell out Diwali bash for the third year on October 18. For one night only, the luxury country hotel in St Albans will host an evening of culture, entertainment, exceptional dining and fireworks to mark the festival of lights in style. Festivities begin at 7pm with a welcome reception, where guests can enjoy expertly crafted Indian canapés and starters served from vibrant street-style food stations. The celebrations then move into the main venue to enjoy a sit down dinner in the setting of striking table sculptures and chandeliers. The meal promises authentic dishes, including Hyderabadi mutton biryani, old Delhi-style butter chicken, Malabar king fish curry, and slow-cooked dal makhani.
If you’re looking to celebrate with a larger group of 10 or above, there is a VIP price of £129 per person, which guarantees premium seating near the dance floor and two bottles of champagne for the group.
When: October 18
How much: £139
Cottonmill Lane, AL1 2HQ, sopwellhouse.co.uk
Trishna
Trishna in Marylebone will be inviting guests to celebrate Diwali with an exclusive luxury menu which features everything from lobster cafreal to the tandoori lamb chop. There is also a dedicated vegetarian menu with dishes like coconut and corn tikki and Kashmiri morel. Both the meat and vegetarian menus come with the option of a wine pairing for £90 per person. If you’re looking to celebrate in a more intimate setting, book their private dining room, which seats up to 12 people.
When: October 13-22
How much: Exclusive menu £130, vegetarian menu £120
15-17 Blandford St, W1U 3DG, trishnalondon.com
Benares
Benares in Mayfair have a wonderful tasting menu, created by Chef Sameer Taneja, that spotlights festive dishes from around India. The menu offers elevated versions of Indian classics such as the goat’s milk paneer, seekh kebab and dal tadka. Stand out dishes include the oyster and sea bream chaat and hiran boti tikka. The restaurant invites you to join on Diwali day to celebrate the festival of lights. Each guest will recieve a complimentary special dessert of petit fours for the occasion.
When? October 20
How much? Two courses for £43, three courses for £49
12a Berkeley Square, W1J 6BS, benaresrestaurant.com
Ambassy
AMBASSY club is located in the belly of Ambassadors Clubhouse restaurant, in their basement space. This Diwali, they’re throwing a party like no other, with a star lineup of Rishi Rich, Kushi Kaur and Bobby Panesar. Punjabi R&B pioneer Rishi Rich will be bringing the garage anthems of the 2000s to the club for a night of desi classics, dancing and Diwali celebrations. If you’re looking to make a whole night of it, guests can book the five-course Diwali feast menu upstairs before taking celebration into the night.
When? October 18
How much? £35
25 Heddon Street, W1B 4BH, ambassadorsclubhouse.com
Dishoom x The Tamil Prince
Is this the greatest Diwali collab of all time? For the first time ever, Dishoom has collaborated with The Tamil Prince for a limited Diwali special: Coconut & Green Mango Malai Kofta with Laccha Naan. The aromatic dish is filled with flavours of coconut, green mango and comes with chunks of malaii kofta. It comes served with a fresh buttery flaky laccha naan.
When? October 13-28
How much? £19.50
All Dishoom sites, Permit Rooms, The Tamil Prince and delivery
