Press & Accolades

Guides

The AA Restaurant Guide 2025

In business since the mid-1980s, Babur is a pioneer of modern Indian cuisine. Outside there’s a life-sized model tiger on the roof, while inside is an upmarket, contemporary, brasserie-style space decorated with Indian artworks. Ingredients are never less than excellent, and they’re put to good use in exciting, original cooking. Well-chosen, spice-friendly wine list.

The Michelin Guide London

Good looks and innovative cooking make this passionately run and long-established Indian restaurant stand out. Influences from the south and north west feature most and seafood is a highlight look out for the ‘Treasures of the Sea’ menu.

Waitrose - The Good Food Guide 2025

‘Serving up exceptional curries since 1985,’ Forest Hill’s beloved Babur just keeps on rolling – and it’s still the go-to option for locals wanting prettily plated Indian food that’s a cut above your average high-street curry house. It’s also family-run, ‘rooted in the local community‘ and run by kindly staff who give everyone a ‘genuinely warm welcome’. Over the years, it has become increasingly stylish and distinctive, with a hand-painted kalamkari horoscope in the foyer, low-hanging lights, exposed brickwork and wooden partitions holding elaborate floral displays.

Meanwhile, the kitchen scours the Subcontinent for regional ideas while offering dedicated menus for those with special dietary needs. The full repertoire bypasses kormas and dhansaks in favour of more intricate, modern ideas such as goat tikka with a cumin puff and aubergine mash, steamed shoulder of lamb (marinated for 100 hours) with beetroot rice, or spiced stone bass with chana masala yoghurt and papaya chutney. Vegetable dishes and sides are also full of promise – think garlicky spinach with sweetcorn and mushrooms or thinly sliced fried potatoes dusted with mango powder.

To finish, try the milk sponge cake with saffron gel or the chocolate fondant spiced with cumin. On Sundays, Babur’s ‘help yourself’ family buffet is something of a local institution in its own right. The wine list has been knowledgeably assembled with food in mind, but it would be remiss to ignore the zippy Asian-themed cocktails.

Harden’s London Restaurants 2025

“Love having such a unique Indian locally” – this “culinary stalwart of South East London is still going strong after nearly 40 years”. “Staff welcome you like an old friend” and chef Jiwan Lal’s cuisine is “at least as good as that of the West End’s fine dining establishments”, in the view of many locals; and “magnificent value for this level of cooking”. Top Tip – “good value buffet on the weekends”.

Press

The London Economic - August 2023

“Overall this is serious food from a serious chef served in a stylish but welcoming environment by staff who bring pride and professionalism to the whole evening, and what an evening. I don’t care if you have to look up Forest Hill on a map (in the interests of disclosure, and never having lived outside zone 1, I confess I did), if you are interested in Indian food, or really unusual haute cuisine and do not make it to Babur then you are simply missing out on one of London’s more unusual and interesting places. So don’t miss out. Just go.”

The Nudge - January 2023

“Fantastically inventive cocktails aside, Babur is first and foremost a restaurant – and if you’re wondering how the food can measure up to a drinks list that good, trust us when we say this is some of the most delicious Indian food in London.”

Secret London - August 2023

“A popular South London spot, the Forest Hill-based Babur has been keeping peoples’ bellies satisfied since it first opened its doors all the way back in 1985, and for good reason. The food at this critically-acclaimed gem is absolutely out of this world. No wonder then that it features on our roundup of 50 of the best restaurants in London…

Metro - August 2023

“A succulent slow-cooked lamb curry is testament to the chef’s skills and wisdom of Bihari cooking techniques. Fragrant lotus flower pudding with green cardamon and rose brings a gentle end to the feast.

There’s also an entire list of smoked cocktails, infused at the bar and served in your own personal bottle. The pineapple Hookah, with dark rum and salted caramel notes, tempered with woody smoke, is not to be missed.

This family-run destination just gets better with age. If you’re not local, it’s more than worth the trip.”

Design My Night - December 2022

“Having gained almost legendary status among my friends for its gourmet dishes, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to try it. My friends weren’t wrong – Babur is an absolute delight. From the service and quirky cocktails to the dishes and even the toilets, this babe had all the fixings of an upmarket eatery but without the exclusive pretense and price tag.“