The story
Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai brings regional Indian cooking to Fitzrovia, anchoring a two-room dining concept on Mortimer Street since 2022. Head chef Mahesh grounds the menu in coastal Maharashtrian and Goan traditions, favouring slow coconut milk reductions and clay oven finishes over heavy cream sauces. This precise method earned a Good Food Guide rating last year and captured the FACT Dining Awards title for the city’s finest Indian kitchen in 2025.
Signatures like the Kandhari lamb chops carry a south Indian tadka carrot salad that cuts through the rich yoghurt marinade. Guests frequently order the mangalore bun and crab sukkha, where fennel seeds and ginger brighten a dense coconut reduction. The heritage biryani jackfruit pairs tender vegetable pieces with smoked paprika and a separate banana chilli salan to keep textures distinct. Even familiar formats like butter chicken receive a rework featuring cardamom and fenugreek alongside a cashew base.
A hidden staircase leads guests past the main dining floor into the Bandra Bhai bar, a low-lit space inspired by 1970s Mumbai nightlife. The cocktail program leans on local spirits, highlighting curry leaf gin and jaggery sour formulations. Brass fixtures and woven cane chairs anchor the upstairs room, creating a setting that feels more like a well appointed private club than a commercial venue. Regulars often linger here long after their final course to explore the extensive Indian single malt selection.
Recognition
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