We were invited to the soft opening of the new Dishoom Borough restaurant in the historic Hop Exchange near Borough Market. It was a wet, windy London day, but we battled through and were glad we did. A warming curry was just what we needed. I hadn’t visited Dishoom in a while, so it was lovely to return and share a selection of vegetarian dishes with my partner. If you’re looking for Indian food near Borough Market or London Bridge, this new opening is well worth a visit.
“Dishoom delivers the comforting flavours of Bombay, with delicious curries, tempting small plates and plenty of vegetarian choices,” Homegirl London.
Dishoom Borough All-Day Menu
The Dishoom Borough menu is full of tempting dishes inspired by Bombay’s Irani cafés and street food. We started with the Pau Bhaj, a buttery, spicy mashed vegetable dish served with soft, toasted homemade buns.
We also ordered the Okra Fries, which were delightfully crispy and moreish. I especially loved the dipping sauce. The menu didn’t say what it was, but I think it was tamarind. Other tempting small plates include Vegetable or Lamb Samosas, Chilli Cheese Toast, House Chaat and Bhel, priced from £7.50 to £10.90.
We couldn’t visit Dishoom without ordering the famous House Black Daal. Slow-cooked for more than 24 hours, it’s wonderfully rich, creamy and full of flavour. We enjoyed ours with Steamed Basmati Rice, perfect for soaking up the sauce. Other curries include Mattar Paneer, Chicken Ruby, Homestyle Lamb Curry and Goan Monkfish, priced from £11.50 to £21.
Another favourite was the Saffron Cauliflower, served golden from the grill, soft and buttery with warming masala spices. Other grilled dishes to try include Gunpowder Potatoes, Makhamali Paneer and Masala Prawns with green chutney. Grilled options cost between £10.70 and £14.70.
You may want to add a couple of vegetable sides. After considering the Chilli Broccoli, Grilled Greens and Kachumber, we settled on a half portion of the Pineapple Chaat Salad. It’s a lively combination of juicy pineapple, sprouted beans, bulgur, crisp leaves, vegetables, toasted pine nuts and tangy tamarind dressing. Sides range from £6.50 to £8.70.
We still found room for something sweet. We shared the Dishoom Chocolate Pudding, a melting-in-the-middle chocolate dessert served with a scoop of Kashmiri chilli ice cream. We also sampled a Chocolate Mint Fudge, with a cool peppermint filling and dark chocolate. Other tempting desserts include Pistachio Cream Cake, Basanti Kheer and Mango Kulfi. Puds range from £6.90 to £13.50.
The drinks menu is just as enticing, whether you fancy a cocktail, something fruity or a traditional lassi. My partner enjoyed his Mango and Fennel Lassi, while I opted for the Nimbu Soda, a refreshing lemon drink.
Helpful Information About Dishoom Borough
The restaurant occupies two floors of a Grade II-listed Victorian building called The Hop Exchange, with atmospheric dining rooms. Overall, the interiors are grand yet cosy, with dark wood, Bombay-related imagery, and varied seating, so it doesn’t feel too uniform. There are two entrances: one on Southwark Street, where you can admire the striking Hop Exchange building, and another at 11-13 Park Street, which leads directly to a separate, dog-friendly, covered veranda. The closest station is London Bridge, or you can walk a short distance to Borough Station. Opening times are currently advertised as Monday to Thursday 8 am–11 pm, Friday 8 am–midnight, Saturday 9 am–midnight and Sunday 9 am–11 pm. For menus and further information, visit the Dishoom Borough website.
If you want to explore the area, you may find this article of interest:
Ten Reasons To Visit Borough Yards London SE1
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about coffee shops or eateries where I had a good experience. I recommend you do further research, as standards and opinions fluctuate. Please verify the establishment is still open and check its opening times before visiting. Disclosure: We enjoyed a complimentary meal at Dishoom Borough during its soft opening.