Grilled by Ajay Kumar

In the heart of Glasgow City Centre, Grilled by Ajay Kumar brings a contemporary Indian sensibility to the fore.

The cooking leans into freshness and finesse, with an a la carte menu that moves from lively chaat to slow-cooked comforts, all guided by balance, texture and a confident hand with spice.

Small plates set the tone. Samosa chaat layers spiced potatoes with sweet yogurt and a crunchy salad for a riot of tang and snap, while cauliflower pakoras arrive feather-light and crisp, their chaat masala and tamarind chutney delivering bright, teasing acidity. It is the kind of snacking that invites conversation, a poppadom and chutney or two encouraging a leisurely start.

From there, the kitchen deepens the groove. Delhi’s butter chicken, made with smoked chicken thighs in a silken tomato and butter sauce, is pure comfort. For those drawn to rice and aroma, grilled chicken is folded through biryani, the grains perfumed with spices, finished with ghee and a scattering of burnt onion.

Desserts keep their poise: vermicelli payasam with saffron and raisins, and a charcoal kulfi pavlova that pairs mango and mint caulis with a whisper of ash.