Thikana

On Upper Street in Islington, Thikana brings North London a confident, contemporary reading of India’s culinary map.

It's the kind of room built for conversation: a place where dinners stretch into the evening and every detail feels thoughtfully calibrated. Rooted in the heritage of Delhi yet decidedly modern, it marries bold regional flavours with stylish design.

In the kitchen, tradition is honoured and reimagined. Aromatic daal shorba opens proceedings, followed by tandoori chicken with a smoky blush and pav bhaji with comforting swagger.

Mains move from the depth of Kashmiri rogan josh to the silk of dal makhani and paneer lababdar, with dhaba murgh makhi offering a creamy classic, polished for the city. Perfumed murgh dum biryani and basket-fresh garlic naan and lachha paratha round out the experiencei.

With its lively yet composed atmosphere, Thikana suits date nights, casual catch-ups and full-throated celebrations alike. Consider this your next stop on Upper Street: book in, settle back and let the spices do the talking.