Diwana Bhel Poori House image

Diwana Bhel Poori House

Restaurant Vegetarian restaurant Indian restaurant Vegan restaurant

Casual Indian vegetarian restaurant furnished in wood, specialising in dosa and poori dishes. People often mention Indian, good, service, vegetarian, great, buffet, time, nice, years, Diwana,


Address

121, 123 Drummond St, London NW1 2HL, United Kingdom

Contact

+44 20 7387 5556

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

3.70 (1.5K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 12 to 10:30 PM
  • Thursday: 12 to 10:30 PM
  • Friday: (Good Friday), 12 to 10:30 PM, Hours might differ
  • Saturday: 12 to 10:30 PM
  • Sunday: 12 to 9:30 PM
  • Monday: 12 to 10:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 12 to 10:30 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Indian (22) good (19) service (16) vegetarian (14) great (12) buffet (12) time (10) nice (10) years (9) Diwana (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 3/5 Mimi V. 2 years ago on Google
    I've been frequenting Diwanas on and off since the 1970s but hadn't been since before 1st lockdown and, altho' place looked the same and food was as consistently brilliant as ever, everything else was different! The menu lacked choice with some favourites gone, the prices hiked up and, despite being a Friday evening at 8 o'clock, it was quite empty! Unheard of prior Covid. Please go back to your former glory Diwanas! Returned recently (08-02-2022) and was fairly disappointed. The food has taken a downturn and is now not as good as it once was and bill was quite pricey all things considered. The interior is in dire need of an upgrade. It's definitely under new management and they don't impress.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tanny G. 1 year ago on Google • 173 reviews
    A true hidden gem for vegetarian food, this place keeps the tradition of service industry keeping everything so simple that the focus has been on food , one of the best places in London for BYOB ! Always a delight to eat great food cheap and wash it down with something you like! I have been coming here for years , not sure this visit if the management has changed ? The Sambhar has not been rasam like it was more daal like , the Dosa was amazing , the filling was a bit hash botch of veg put together! Still all in all good could have been better , the chaat was wet but tasty ! I am sure if you do not know the food from basic it will be very much enjoyable!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Stu R. 1 year ago on Google • 218 reviews
    First time at Diwana and it didn't disappoint. Tucked away around the back of Euston station you'd never know it was there but thankfully our friend is a regular here and recommended we tag along. Diwana is not your regular Indian restaurant, its no frills approach to decor allows you to concentrate on the food. Which for those of you more used to the traditional chicken tikka masala and other boringness will come as a great surprise. The South Indian Dosa is the house speciality and comes in both vegan and vegetarian. I have a Thali which was excellent and a good introduction to a number of the dishes on the menu. Prices for central London are very reasonable, we paid just over £15 per head including service. If you need to collect drinks to take in there are pubs and off licences in the local area. I will certainly be back again to try to one of the Dosa next time.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Raj Midda (. 1 year ago on Google
    Good authentic food in relaxed cafe style decor. Hadn't changed in the 20yrs since my last visit. Still a good can't go wrong choice for authentic vegetarian Indian food.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 J B. 1 year ago on Google • 21 reviews
    Having been here, on special occasions, as a child (about 30 years ago), it is lovely to frequent this place again (been twice in the last 3 years). Back in the 1980's there wasn't many Vegetarian Restaurants, hence we'd travel into London for our "fix" as a treat. To be fair, nothing's changed and it looks almost the same as it did back then. Could do with modernising and decorating. The food was fast and tasty. Definitely hasn't lost that quality and feeling of nice home cooked food, at a reasonable price. Which for the location (Central London) was good to see. We also came earlier in the year, but the service was terrible from one particular rude waiter, hence not 5 stars. However, on this Visit he wasn't there, and the waiters were generally much younger. The service was very good.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris R. 3 weeks ago on Google • 315 reviews New
    One of the better south Indian vegetarian restaurants. I love the lunch buffet. Not as inexpensive as it used to be but still worth the visit.

  • 1/5 Nachiket K. 2 years ago on Google
    Ok it was atrocious. 1) You CANNOT call 1 pakora, 1 kebab, 1 samosa and 1 spring roll a Platter. That is snacks for 1 person at best. 2) Diwana Thali was the saddest Thali I have ver seen. Its supposed to have 2 curries and 1 SPECIAL curry, we did not get that. And this Thali will not fill up a 10 year old. The description does not match the plate. 3) The food could have tasted better.. Loads better. As a Chef, I know the efforts in the kitchen so normally dont review, but this was disgraceful. Might impress others but Indians will be truly annoyed. Overall a dissapointing experience.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Shreya D. 6 months ago on Google • 54 reviews
    While wandering around Drummond Street, we stumbled upon Diwana Bhel Poori House, an Indian restaurant. I was delighted to find that the restaurant was purely vegetarian. The food was decent, but I felt it was a bit expensive for what was served. A cup of Masala tea was priced at £3.90, which seemed excessive for the pre-made chai they served. We ordered a Mixed Starter, Dahi Bhalla Chaat, Bhindi ki Sabzi, and Roti. The food was enjoyable, and the ambiance of the place was quiet and pleasant. However, I would recommend that they reconsider their drinks menu as it currently doesn't offer good value for money.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Sandy J. 3 months ago on Google • 222 reviews New
    I went in at lunchtime and had their Bhel Puri, which had been recommended by a friend. It was a bit watery, towards the end I felt it was sickly sweet, that I struggled with the last few spoonfuls, despite it being a small dish. Wasn't much of a service, had to wait a while for someone to come and take my order, when I asked for the bill I was told to pay at the counter, despite others being bought their bills. They then had the cheek to add on a service charge...what for?! I was given a table with a dodgy leg. Needless to say I won't be going back there any time soon.

  • 4/5 Jordan “Bertie” B. 2 months ago on Google • 220 reviews New
    Great evening meal, it was lovely to get a wide variety of dishes for a great price. We left absolutely stuffed! The dishes were all vegetarian and were delicious. The seating is a bit compact but staff were quick to seat us and serve us. The service was fast and didn't wait long for anything.

  • 1/5 Gary L. 1 year ago on Google
    Hands down the worst Indian food i have had in my life. My wife & i were very hungry but we literally stayed for two starters each & paid & left. We were also getting some stern looks from the older man that was serving. I don’t know why. Absolutely shocking.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Asif Y. 2 years ago on Google
    Rude front of house staff who do not know basic decorum. Long-standing issue with establishments on Drummond Street, but shouting at customers "No dessert without food" over and over again at the door is probably not the best way to do business. Also, have you done the math? You had empty tables. You had staff waiting. Unless you sell dessert at a loss, exactly why would you turn away customers? Ridiculous behaviour. Feel free to justify your policy. You absolutely cannot justify the behaviour of your receptions guy.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Asif R. 1 year ago on Google
    Not even worth a 1 star. Visited with family and quickly seated but then it all went down hill. Terrible and tasteless food. Sprinkling curry powder on top doesn't make it Indian. Along with terrible service from an older man.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Anshu K. 7 months ago on Google
    Poor ethics of the restaurant operators, a third of the bowl of dessert on their signature thali platter, mixing plain rice in biryani.. Pathetic.. definitely could be done better
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Himanshu Anil S. 8 months ago on Google
    One of the best south Indian restaurants In London. Great food, in a typical Indian atmosphere, with reasonable prices & a great selection. The lunch buffet is amazing for choice & value for money. Vegetarian food only, and no alcohol served, but you can bring your own beer & wine, with no corkage charge.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Simon K. 9 months ago on Google • 32 reviews
    Amazing food served in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. Try their delicious selection of dosas or their legendary curry of the day. Authentic, efficient and reasonably priced. A Drummond Street institution.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sally B. 4 months ago on Google • 91 reviews
    I have been coming here for forty years. The food is lovely and the staff great. No longer eat there as often as I would like. Dosas are always delicious but it's the buffet I go for when I can. Never had a bad meal. Reasonably priced. Thoroughly recommend.

  • 5/5 Craig L. 2 months ago on Google • 85 reviews New
    Fantastic indian veg buffet £12.95 all you can eat. Been here for years a real London landmark. If in the Euston / KIngs Cross well worth a visit!

  • 5/5 Cova T. 2 years ago on Google
    Very good traditional Indian food. I had a curry and it was delicious. Highly recommended
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Sandeep A. 1 year ago on Google
    A value for money eatery gone downhill since COVID. The last time we visited with family in 2019, the food, service was superb. In 2022 however, the picture was different, either you have buffet or set meals and based on your choice, you and your whole party can decide where to sit. This is a deal breaker as this didn't exist in 2019 and the current management thinks one buffet can feed off their company, in which is downright insulting. Sad to say but avoid and visit their neighbour instead. Did I mention that the buffet is now more than 2x the price?
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Angela D. 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely food even though the much loved buffet is no longer offered due to Covid restrictions.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 mo h. 2 years ago on Google
    Overpriced and poor service, unless you pay a tip. Only the lunchtime buffet is any good. I think they've discontinued the buffet.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Subhash V. 1 year ago on Google
    I used to be a regular visitor to Diwana before the pandemic and their buffet lunch used to be amazing. However was a bit disappointed with the taste of the food when I returned last week. The price also is now fairly expensive even considering the inflation.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Gavin A. 1 year ago on Google
    The plain dosa was tasty. Pani Puri also good along with the samosa chat.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tsholo M. 2 years ago on Google
    Loved it! Served by a very kind young man(son of the owner) with extremely good hospitality skills ❤️ Food was well done and very DELICIOUS 💯👏Definitely recommend! 😊
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Abel M. P. 1 year ago on Google
    Very good treatment, delicious food, the waiters are very friendly and the atmosphere is very cozy. We have felt very good
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 B L. 2 years ago on Google
    Delicious Indian vegetarian. Super practical for Euston. Surprised it’s not ranked higher.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Dan K. 2 years ago on Google
    The buffet is currently off the menu.. The food was average.. Nothing special. And for the second time they asked "are you going to add tip" Not impressed at all by that. Let me add it on if I feel like it. Don't ask me for it...
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bob S. 1 month ago on Google • 23 reviews New
    It has been several years since we visited Diwana due to living a long way from London. I reckon I have been coming here since the late 1970's and some things have changed but not the food. This is a fantastic vegetarian Indian restaurant. Tightly packed small wooden tables, steel plates or dishes but usually busy and reasonably priced. Service can be variable but I can genuinely say the food is right up there in taste and texture. Really close to Euston Station, a few on street parking spaces nearby. Best Bhel Poori starter, fantastic Diwana Thali, great Masala Dosa and Kulfi Mali to finish.

  • 5/5 Mr A. 5 months ago on Google • 14 reviews
    Delicious Dosas on Drummond Street Great tasting South Indian dosas - perfect for a quick meal before catching the train from Euston. It’s worth making the effort to get past the HS2 works along the pedestrian route to Drummond Street. Authentic food (vegetarian) made by friendly people at a reasonable price. We will be back again next time we take the train home from Euston.

  • 4/5 Kevin C. 2 months ago on Google • 13 reviews New
    I enjoyed dinner at this vegetarian Indian restaurant with my nephew. It was my second visit. It was a quiet evening in the Diwana Bhel Poori House. I enjoyed my samosas and vegetable curry with biryani rice. They don't serve alcohol, so l brought my favourite tipple. I recommend this restaurant if you enjoy Indian vegetarian food.

  • 5/5 Marian S. 2 years ago on Google
    Superb! The food is tasty and the staff very nice, not expensive at all either! Very close to the train station if you want a quick bite before you travel!

  • 5/5 wendy d. 2 months ago on Google • 4 reviews New
    We have been coming here since the 1980s and it’s possibly my favourite place and never disappoints. Friendly staff and really great authentic South Indian food. Excellent value too.

  • 2/5 Anvay B. 1 year ago on Google
    I have been a regular here for many years now but writing review for the first time. If you want good india food and authentic - this is the place. Interiors are not great but then it’s not a fine dinning place. You go here for the taste and not the ambience. Taste has not changed over the years and I hope this remains the case. Love their mater paneer and paratha. Edit - posting an edit to my earlier review. Went to this place again last week and something has changed. May be they have changed their cook or management or both. - Dal makhni and paneer had bell peppers and that too big pieces. Taste was not good. Parathas not well made. Added a service charge for the first time (this is not a problem though and I anyways used to tip about 10%).

  • 3/5 Monica C. 2 years ago on Google
    Average food. Bhel puri was the best item we tasted. One time visit place

  • 5/5 Robert C. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely fantastic place, lovely staff, have been going here for about 10 years now. BYOB which is always nice too. The dosa of the day is always stunning, get a few starters for the table (all worth sampling!), and finish with a chai masala, they're also great! :)

  • 3/5 Edwin M. 2 years ago on Google
    Drummond St is the non tourist trap version of Brick Lane. Nestled behind Euston Station, it is a much smaller, and more vegetarian friendly location than the famous Lane of Curry. Whilst there aren't as many restaurants, I feel there are more varied options than you find on Brick Lane, with its cookie cutter restaurants that only seem to vary in decor. Drummond St is quite popular with the office worker crowd from around the area, so do expect it to be busy on weekday lunchtimes! The Diwani is one of the older looking choices, but fully vegetarian. Its decor might be a bit old and tired, but the food is fresh and tasty. I'll do my usual pros & cons: Pros: 1) Handily located by Euston 2) Plenty of room inside, and outside 3) Friendly service, and relatively fast too, (I guess they're used to dealing with the lunchtime crowd) 4) The decor is a bit worn round the edges, and has lots of wooden tables, and small diners booths, but is not the cliche British Indian restaurant decor, and more reminiscent of what you would find travelling around India on the backpacker trail. 5) The menu is smaller than many, but has more than enough choice, and a good selection of Dhosas. 6) The price was what you'd expect for central London. About £10 per head for a full plate of food, and not bad value imo. Cons: 1) The food, whilst nice, was nothing to write home about imo. I went with my mother and two elderly friends of hers, after a funeral, (as you do), and we all enjoyed it; especially the one lady who hadn't eaten much curry before, and had never had a dhosa. She adored it, and the level of heat was perfect for her; but the other three of us requested it to be quite spicy hot, and were all disappointed. The mango lassi I had was ok, but reminded me more of a thick Yop. 2) A I said, I went with three elderly ladies. Though I had mentioned it gets busy at lunchtime, this was a Monday in the arse end of Covid Times, so the place was only quarter full at most. Despite this, my mother was told they were full, and all the tables were reserved, (they did have "reserved" notices on), so were told the only available space was one of the booths, right by the service counter. Dining booths are tricky to get into at the best of times, but these ones were either designed to maximise space, or for Pygmies; and were a total pain, for not only the three more mature ladies to get into, but a squeeze for me sitting on the outside edge. Most annoying aspect of this was that not a single one of the other "reserved" tables was used the entire time we were there. In fact the only people to come in were two men. The place was empty! So all that discomfort was for nothing. Not impressed! 3) Whilst the value was fair, it was no better than most. I also didn't appreciate when it came to paying the bill, the waiter didn't hand over the card reader until he had asked if you wanted to add a tip on. Whilst I always tip, (according to the service), I didn't appreciate his tactic of not leaving the customer to quietly decide for themselves, but making them say out loud to his face, yes or no, and how much! If I had been paying, it would have been a firm "No" from me! All in all, pretty nice food, not so great experience overall. Would have gone again if it didn't still rankle about the seating issue. Seeing three ladies in discomfort for no reason leaves a bad taste in the mouth, even if the food didn't.

  • 4/5 Birgir M. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely food at good prices. I can reccomend this one.

  • 5/5 Richard R. 2 years ago on Google
    Superb southern Indian Vegetarian restaurant. When we visited, late on a Saturday evening in late July 2021, there was plenty of space. There is also covered outdoor seating available.

  • 4/5 Adrian M. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent dosas and also enjoyed the dhal, aubergine, muttar paneer and pilau rice. Great value for money and great for vegetarians. Some of the booths a bit cramped. Bring you own or buy your beer next door

  • 5/5 Denisa I. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing service! They catered a work lunch which was a HUGE success. Tasty food that is well priced and feeds loads of people. Staff were very helpful and the service was great!

  • 4/5 saba M. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice place to eat if your near by Euston station. We ordered the thali, and masala dosa

  • 5/5 Lopa S. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is brilliant and the food is amazingly good and cheap too. Felt like authentic food like my mother used to make. Worth going and ill be back.

  • 5/5 dsuk A. 2 years ago on Google
    ++ 👍😎 So nice experience, nice food and very nice friendly staff. I would recommend this place fully (p.s. and v. nice gesture Fruit Salad ,,On House,, thx

  • 5/5 Justin S. 2 years ago on Google
    Drummond Street is home to many excellent Indian restaurants and Diwana Bhel Poori House does not disappoint with its delightfully authentic and delicious Indian vegetarian food. Some really delicate dishes and quite different from the b ubiquitous tandoori/pashwari naan offerings in many Indian restaurants.

  • 4/5 Prakhar G. 2 years ago on Google
    A nice place to enjoy tangy flavors of India. Sambhar and coconut chutney need massive improvement though.

  • 2/5 Julian L. 2 years ago on Google
    Very average Indian food. Veg curry made with frozen veg combo. Heavy on corn kernels and carrot slices. A weird dish claimed to have come from Mumbai seafront…not when I was there. Papadum good. Better elsewhere.

  • 5/5 Anuna C. 2 years ago on Google
    Really amazing food! Honestly the best dosas and samosas I've found in london! Staff are so friendly and attentive, and its unbelievably cheap, a true gem!


Call +44 20 7387 5556 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Halal food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Free water refills
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Curbside pickup

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