We had a fantastic lunch at The Tamil Prince on a wet Tuesday afternoon. Despite the weather, the restaurant was busy, a clear sign that it’s one of those places people go out of their way to book ahead of time. Housed in a handsome old pub on the corner of Hemingford Road in Barnsbury, they serve bold, comforting dishes inspired by the flavours of Tamil Nadu. If you’re craving South Indian food, planning lunch in Barnsbury, or looking for dinner spots in London’s N1 area, The Tamil Prince is a must-visit.
“With its concise, curated menu of South Indian dishes and stripped-back old pub setting, the food takes centre stage,” Homegirl London.
The Tamil Prince South Indian Menu
You’ll find around seven small plates on the starters list, ranging from vibrant street food to rich, aromatic dishes. Chicken Lollipop comes with a sticky, sweet chilli chutney for dipping, while the King Prawn and Curry Leaf Varuval delivers bold, dry-spiced flavour. Varuval is a classic Tamil preparation where the sauce is reduced until the spices cling to the main ingredient, in this case, prawns.
Most of the small plates are vegetarian or vegan, which worked well for our birthday celebration. We wanted dishes everyone could share. Skipping the Indian Desi Salad and Dal Makhani, we chose three vegetarian dishes to start.
I can honestly say that the Okra Fries looked as good as they tasted. Piled high, they were crisp, delicately spiced, and seriously addictive. Another fried dish was the golden Onion Bhajis, served with a refreshing mint chutney that lifted the richness. Four Bhajis came on the plate, and of course, the last one had to be split between us.
Next came the Prince’s Special Masala Dosa. Generously filled with warmly spiced potatoes, it had a decent chilli kick and plenty of flavour. It’s a bit tricky to split evenly between the three, as the filling sits mainly in the centre, but it’s worth the effort. Starters range from £7 to £13.50.
For the main course, I chose Channa Bhatura over the Paneer Butter Masala. A glorious puff of deep-fried bread arrived alongside a generous portion of chickpea curry. Piercing the bread to release the steam was oddly satisfying. The chickpeas were hearty and warming with just the right amount of spice.
My partner ordered the Monkfish Curry Special. Served in a rich, deeply fragrant sauce, the monkfish was perfectly cooked and full of flavour. He murmured his way through the dish in quiet delight, not keen to share.
The birthday boy went for the Chettinad Lamb Curry. This Tamil Nadu classic is known for bold spices and serious heat, and it didn’t disappoint. To soak up the sauces, we added Coconut Pilau Rice and a buttery Roti.
Other mains include Thanjavur Chicken Curry, Robata Lamb Chops (served as a half rack), and Tawa Grilled Seabream. These cost £10.50 to £35.
Too full for pudding, we skipped the Gulab Jamun. Mango Lassi was also listed under desserts, which my partner ordered, as it’s his go-to whenever we visit an Indian restaurant. We tried a couple of light, refreshing mocktails. The drinks list also includes a well-chosen selection of natural wines, bottled and draught beers, low-alcohol options like Lucky Saint, and classic cocktails.
Helpful Information About The Tamil Prince
The space still retains the bones of a traditional pub, with wooden floors, dark blue walls, and a nostalgic anaglypta-painted ceiling. A window into the kitchen adds a bit of theatre, and we sat right in front, so we had a front-row seat to our food being prepared. Outside, you’ll find picnic tables ready for when the sun appears, which, sadly, was not on the day we visited.
The Tamil Prince is located at 115 Hemingford Road, London N1 1BZ. The nearest stations are Caledonian Road on the Piccadilly Line and Caledonian Road and Barnsbury on the Overground. Check the various opening times online. Reservations are strongly recommended. The restaurant is dog-friendly, and you can find more information or book a table at The Tamil Prince website.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about eateries where I had a good experience. I recommend you do further research as standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please check if the establishment is still in business and what the opening times are before you go. If you discover this restaurant has closed, contact me to remove it from my blog.