Breaking news
On the move again… but this time just around the corner. Shaftesbury Capital reports the business will relocate to a much larger unit at nearby 38-40 Rupert Street in the first half of 2026. Asma Khan and has partnered with Shaftesbury Capital moving into a larger 5,600 square-foot space with 130 covers. Asma Khan, founder of Darjeeling Express, said: “I’m so proud of how far Darjeeling Express has come in the last few years – what started as a passion project for me has become a mainstay of Indian dining in London, and a successful example of female empowerment in hospitality. As we continue to grow, Shaftesbury Capital has supported us with a space that allows our all-female team to remain front and centre, while taking the next step in our exciting journey.”
Harden's says
Back almost where it all started, Asma Khan's all-female team will be once again cooking their family recipes in Kingly Street from January 2023.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Love this place!” – “fantastic, authentic Indian food is cooked by an all-female team” at this former supper club in Carnaby’s Kingly Court, from “the very impressive Asma Khan” – TV chef, writer and activist as chef-advocate for the UN Food Program and co-leader of a global campaign for gender equality in the kitchen (among her many talents). “The wonderful ethos alongside the amazing fare makes the experience even better” – and the staff are “fabulous”. Top Tips – “lunch is better than the thali-style dinner”; “the biryani evening is wonderful, and highly recommended”.
Summary
Back in Carnaby’s Kingly Court, where it began in 2017, this former supper club wins praise for “excellent” Indian dishes cooked by an all-female brigade of ‘housewives’. High-profile founder Asma Khan was one of Time magazine’s ‘100 most influential people’ of 2024, and “it’s great to see her still walking the tables”. The setting, though, can seem a bit “canteen-like”; and a disappointed minority are just not sold on its performance generally (“I simply do not understand the enduring hype around this utterly mediocre restaurant. The food is simplistic, basic and just not especially good”).
For 35 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Darjeeling Express?
Kingly Ct, London, W1B 5PW
Restaurant details
Darjeeling Express Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Wonderful set menu"
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner | £65.00 |  |
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| Pretheatre | £55.00 | |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £11.00 | £23.50 | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £39.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
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| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 13.50% |
Kingly Ct, London, W1B 5PW
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑10 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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