Dishoom - overrated?

[Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain]

I had to go away from the London office to the Birmingham office for an away day recently. Yeah one of those forced enjoyment things...

So we had a poll to decide what to eat that night and we decided on Dishoom. I've been to Dishoom a couple of times in London and found it edible.

When I went and ate there this time, honestly, I ate it because I was hungry and we'd booked the table but I thought it was awful, especially because there are so many nice Indian restaurants in Birmingham. What also stuck in my craw was about £10 for a gin and tonic!

So is this a one off bad experience? Have they gone downhill? All my colleagues were raving about Dishoom.

Very much so for the price.

We paid £70/head for a family meal, which left me silently fuming when there are so many good takeaways in Birmingham for much less.

It wasn't even a great atmosphere - it was just pitch black!

I love their ethos, especially ‘a meal for a meal’.
https://www.dishoom.com/journal/20-million-meals-dishoom/

Really enjoyed their delivery breakfast meal kit naan, during lockdown. Sent them as gifts to others.
Dishoom treat all of their staff really well, with their commitment to mental health and their thanks through the family melia.
https://www.dishoom.com/careers/join-the-team/

I especially love Dishoom in Edinburgh, the atmosphere we try for a window seat.
The atmosphere is great, aged Bombay.

They don’t even advertise as ‘Indian’ food it’s clear that it’s Iranian inspired Indian so everyone going there expecting authentic Indian food will be disappointed?

Yep agree, massively overrated

£70 a head????!!!! What on earth were you eating/drinking????

I thought Dishoom was ok (I love their black daal!) but didn’t match the hype and is no better, and perhaps even worse, than than a load of other Indian restaurants I can think of.

I love the breakfasts

Dishoom is epic

I used to go in Akbars all the time but you’re right, it isn’t what it once was and I find everything in there tastes pretty much the same…I do love their massive naans though!

It’s supposed to be styled as an Irani cafe. That’s not the same as Iranian. Such cafes, in India, serve Indian food albeit with some parsi influence. Iranian food is very, very, different.

But as many have said, it’s not that it’s inauthentic per se, it’s just not very good. (And real Irani cafes in Bombay are excellent!)

Hence ‘Iranian inspired’- my husband is Iranian.

I really wanted to go there and try the bacon naan but when I looked into booking the service charge put me off so I didn't bother. I understand adding a service charge to bills for large parties but not for a couple of breakfasts!

This is what I thought, the spicing was bad and the flavour lacked layers/depths etc.

I did visit Dishoom before when it first opened and it seemed much better the first two times I ate there (both to meet up with friends, one set visiting London).

The chai tho...

That’s interesting about Irani cafes. One of my friends is Zoroastrian Indian (he looks more Iranian than Indian).

Its okay but honestly I make nice Indian food at home.

This is exactly what I thought! I’m not a brilliant chef but I could’ve done a better curry myself, hardly the treat I was after.

It is very much overrated now but their chilli cheese on toast is divine. I make it at home now and we have it for breakfast sometimes on Sundays with a cup of chai.

Yeah the massive naans are brilliant aren't they. I'm sure everyone has a picture of the family naan on a tree somewhere in their photo gallery 😂

Ooh I quite like it and I eat a lot of Indian food - perhaps not as good as a REALLY good independent but definitely a decent lunch option. The cookbook is very good though and I do find I prefer the bits I’ve made at home.

Most upmarket restaurants aren’t necessarily about style either though.

Dishoom is very hipster cool.

I loved it years ago, but agree it’s gone a bit downhill.

However, I do think the general ambience is amazing. It feels like an experience. So many great curry places are lacking in vibe and ambience.

also the drinks and cocktails are great which adds to the experience.

I like it for the reliability. Never had a bad meal. I love the brócoli chilli side. Breakfasts are great. Staff always nice.

I've never rated Dishoom. I live in east london and there is way better Indian food in Brick lane. Such a shame you didn't get to go to a non-chain restaurant in Birmingham, i hear they have some of the best curry houses.

Nailed it with the first post! Dishoom is ok but really not worth the queues!

I like Tipu sultan but if I wanted veggie I'd head to somewhere in Handsworth - it's the wrong area for south Asian vegetarian food. Somewhere like the Grove or Garden gate.

I miss the jug of ale too 😔