Babur in Forest Hill is a charming neighbourhood restaurant and it’s easy to see why it has stood the test of time with its warm service, interesting menu and flavourful food. Writer Alissa Stroud pays a visit to put it to the taste test
Nestled in the heart of South East London, Babur offers an elegant escape from the bustling city streets. The restaurant’s decor strikes a perfect balance between traditional Indian aesthetics and modern sophistication.
The space is simple but stylish, offering an ideal setting for intimate dinners or special get togethers with family. Surely one of London’s longest standing Indian restaurants, it has been welcoming guests for an impressive 39 years.
From the moment you step through the door, you are greeted with warm smiles and attentive hospitality. The staff are knowledgeable about the menu and are more than happy to provide recommendations, which is incredibly helpful given the offering is extensive with oh so many tempting choices.
The attention to detail and the seamless coordination among the staff contribute to a dining experience that is both relaxed and refined.
The Food & Drink
We kicked things off with a couple of starters to share – the Crab Bonda was a delicious dumpling filled with blue crab meat and mint coriander puree. There was a hearty amount of meat packed in that delicate little bite, with the coriander puree bringing a lovely freshness.
We also shared the Clove Smoked Lamb Chop – a perfectly pink chop that was as soft as butter, served with roasted garlic yoghurt and a sweet mango puree which cut through the richness of the meat beautifully.
For mains, we opted for the Punjabi-spiced Stone Bass, accompanied by chana masala yoghurt kadhi and papaya chutney – the fish was delicate yet robust and held up against the blend of spices for a meticulously balanced dish. We also tried the Champaran gosht – slow cooked mutton in a clay pot, with rustic garam masala and plenty of garlic. The sauce was rich and spiced to perfection, whilst the meat was wonderfully tender, ideal to be dunked into with a piece of the gorgeously garlic-y naan.
I think the star of the night, however, had to be the Dal makhni – slowly cooked (for as long as six hours), this incredible creamy black lentil dish was seriously tasty. I could have eaten a whole vat of it just to myself with nothing else. A masterpiece, one they have clearly honed over the many years they have been operating.
The waiter said that they even get customers coming from further afield just to get the daal and take it home and I can totally see why! It’s a must-order.
For pudding, we shared the cumin chocolate fondant with salted caramel gelato and the pistachio kulfi. Whilst the fondant was oozey and gooey and chocolatey in all the ways it should be, the cumin didn’t quite come through and we had been intrigued by this as a flavour combination, so would have been nice for it to be a little more present in the pud!
The kulfi was quite a challenge to eat I’ll admit, but the taste was very light and delicate and it was a good, refreshing note to finish the meal on.
The Wordrobe Verdict
Babur is a charming neighbourhood restaurant and it’s easy to see why it has stood the test of time with its warm service, interesting menu and flavorful food. If you’re ever in the South London area and in need of a touch of escapism via exciting and vibrant flavours, Babur is a must visit.
Make it happen
Where: 119 Brockley Rise, London SE23 1JP
How: Find out more and make a booking via babur.info
Words by Alissa Stroud, writer
