When in Bombay Shoreditch…

Dog friendly restaurant review: Dishoom, Shoreditch

If you’re looking for a quiet, intimate restaurant with a minimalist menu, Dishoom might not be the place for you…

But that’s what I love about it. With a vibrant atmosphere and a menu that stretches across two sides of a broadsheet newspaper, this dog friendly restaurant celebrates all things Bombay.

Environment

With a rather unassuming entrance on one of the roads behind Shoreditch High Street, it’s pretty easy to miss. Despite that, there’s always a queue stretching out of the door by 7:30pm. Shoreditch High Street is the nearest station, or you can hop on the 149 or the 212, which both stop just down the road. Parking is notoriously difficult around this area, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to drive.

Once you head inside, you’ll get a buzzer to let you know when your table is ready in the veranda (this is where they allow dogs). Don’t worry – it’s completely covered and they have heaters. The decor feels inviting and authentic, with dark wooden tables, traditional accents and hanging plants. A few things to keep in mind though – as dogs are only allowed in the veranda, you might have to wait a bit longer in the queue, but the staff will bring you some free chai or free lemonade. It’s also pretty loud inside and it’s quite compact, so if you have a larger or more reactive dog, this is something to consider.

Price

The meals here are served as small plates. The price of a grilled main dish ranges from £9 to £18, while the price of a curry averages at around £15. Sides, like rice or rotis, are listed separately and are around £4 each. Because of this ‘small plate’ approach, it’s not particularly cheap. However, the dishes are absolutely delicious and it’s definitely worth trying at least once.

Taste

The menu is vast, so there’s something for everyone. It’s all served ‘from Bombay with love’ and the dishes pay homage specifically to Irani cafes. Our favourite items are; the Khichia and Chundo – a crunchy snack to start with a spiced apple chutney; the Okra Fries, which are incredibly addictive; the House Black Daal, which is cooked for 24 hours to make it super creamy, and the Ruby Murray, a delicious chicken curry in a rich tomato sauce. These dishes aren’t too spicy, so you can opt for something hotter if you’d prefer that. Grab a mango lassi and a side of raita if you’re on the ‘mild side’.

Service

But enough about the food. What about our four-legged friends? Although dogs are only allowed in the veranda, the staff are really accommodating and are incredibly dog friendly. They know our pup by name and always give him such a warm welcome whenever we visit.

*Tip* Ask your server for a Dishoom token. Next time you visit, you’ll have the chance to get your meal for free if you roll a six on the dice.

So, what’s the PETS (Price, Environment, Taste and Service) rating for Dishoom, Shoreditch?

• Price: 3.4/5
• Environment: 4.2/5
• Taste: 4.5/5
• Service: 4/5

Overall, this dog friendly restaurant scores 4 out of 5. It would be higher if they allowed dogs inside the main venue, but it’s definitely worth a visit.

There’s never a ‘dahl’ moment in Dishoom and the food is second to ‘naan’.

Check out their website here.