Mowgli has long been a Northern favourite, a bustling chain born in Liverpool and built around the idea of serving the food Indian families actually cook and eat at home. Now Mowgli has made its way to London, it brings with it not only a refreshing alternative to London’s fancy curry houses, but also the personal style of founder Nisha Katona. A barrister-turned-restaurateur, cookbook author, and increasingly, a familiar face on British food TV.
I’ve been walking past their first London outlet on Charlotte Street for ages, but haven’t had a chance to stop by until now. You can’t help but be drawn in by the fairy lights in the windows. The decor inside is young and fun, but it can get a bit loud when full. The Charlotte Street venue has a private dining room that can fit up to 30 people for private functions.
First Impressions: Bright, Playful & Instantly Welcoming
Mowgli restaurants have a distinctive look, warm lights, hanging rope swings (at some tables), and a street-food–inspired vibe that feels familiar. The London location keeps the same formula, casual Indian dining, modern but comfortable.
Just like in the northern branches, the energy is fast, fun, and family-friendly. Nothing about it feels intimidating, and that fits perfectly with Katona’s mission to make Indian food feel like home. They serve their food in casual tiffin tins and for lunch, they offer a surprise menu, which includes some items in tiffin tins and the chef’s special of the day.
The Menu: Indian Soul Food with a Street-Smart Edge
Mowgli’s menu is made for sharing. Dishes arrive as they’re ready, family style, which encourages grazing, mixing, and discovering new combinations. Prices are very reasonable by London standards, making it a good-value option.
Signature Dishes You Shouldn’t Miss
The Black Dahl
A certain London chain is famous for its black dahl, but for me, this Mowgli version is better. Slow-cooked, rich and silky, balanced spicing and very comforting. This is one dahl found in every Bengali home. Mop this up with some puri, fried flat breads. I think this dish is going to find a cult following.
Mowgli Yoghurt Chat Bombs
Their chat is one of the most popular dishes on the menu. A flavour bomb with the crispy shell filled with chickpeas, spiced yoghurt, tamarind, and coriander. Sweet, tangy, crunchy, with the perfect hit of tamarind and yoghurt.
Angry Bird
The name doesn’t give anything away but this was our favourite dish. This is a dish with hidden depths. Chicken deeply flavoured with a spicy yoghurt marinade, slightly charred on the grill and served with a Mowgli slaw. This is a dish I’d go back for more.
Mother Butter Chicken
This is butter chicken as found in Indian homes, Creamy, tomato-rich, and not sweet. Made with Tandoori chicken pieces simmered in a rich, sweet, spiced tomato & yoghurt sauce. This dish is now ubiquitous in Indian restaurants in the UK and this is great, not a dumbed-down and sweetened version as found in some flock wallpaper establishments. I love to eat this with buttery naan, perfect for swiping all that delicious sauce.
My dining companion had heard good things about their Goan Fish Curry. This is a boneless fish simmered in a deep, mahogany spiced sauce with tamarind, ginger, coriander & smoky Kashmiri chillies. The flavour profile is very Southern Indian, and doesn’t really go with all the creamier curries above. But don’t miss this if you like fish, have it with rice and/or paratha.
Other interesting dishes I spotted on the menu but didn’t try are the South African-inspired lamb bunny chow (curry served in a loaf of bread) and one I definitely need to go back for, the Mowgli Chicken Biryani.
Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly
Vegetarians have quite a few options here, although we didn’t order any of these options. The Tea-Steeped Chickpeas and Tamarind Treasure were recommended by our server. Many dishes also have vegan options, which is a thoughtful touch seldom seen in more traditional Indian restaurants.
Drinks: Fun, Fruity & Approachable
As with most places, there is a cocktail menu too. The Cardamom Old Fashioned is a standout, but if you prefer a mocktail, I can recommend the Mowgli Twister. They also do a mean mango lassi.
An Indian meal is never complete without a steaming hot Masala Chai or in this case, a really delicious Chai Latte. Add on a cone of mango sorbet, a lovely sweet ending.
In this area of Central London where Indian dining can be pricey, Mowgli is refreshingly affordable. Most small plates fall in the £6–£10 range, meaning you can comfortably share 4–6 dishes between two people without breaking the bank.
Mowgli brings a refreshingly different addition to London’s Indian food scene, with many of the dishes rooted in family kitchens rather than restaurant tradition, delivered with warmth and a sense of fun. It’s the kind of place you can visit for a casual midweek dinner, a quick lunch or whenever you want comforting Indian flavours without the fuss.
Mowgli Charlotte Street
5 Charlotte Street,
London W1T 1RE
Phone: 020 3778 1705
EatCookExplore was a guest of Mowgli
