Here’s what to order (and skip) on the Gymkhana menu

Gymkhana is the kind of restaurant in Mayfair that you save for a special occasion. Think birthdays, big moments, and evenings when you want to lean fully into indulgence. So when we sit down for my sisters birthday dinner, expectations are high from the start. I’m thinking about the Gymkhana menu, the dishes I remember loving, and the ones I hope still hit just as hard.

Gymkhana still feels like a restaurant that understands occasion. The room is warm and glamorous, and the service feels polished but friendly. And most importantly, the Gymkhana London menu reads like a greatest hits list of rich Indian cooking. That said, not every dish lands with the same impact, and after this visit I have very clear thoughts on whats worth ordering, and what you can probably skip.

So strap in as we take a tour of the best things to eat at Gymkhana, Mayfair.

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Which snacks and small plates to order at Gymkhana

We start with snacks and small plates, easing ourselves in to the Gymkhana menu rather than rushing. This always feels like the right move here, given how rich Gymkhana food can be.

Straight away, the quail seekh kebab arrives. It looks promising, and it tastes nice enough. However, while it’s well cooked and pleasant, it lacks that deep punch of flavour I am hoping for. I keep waiting for a spice note to really bloom, but it never quite does. It’s fine, but it’s not the best thing to eat at Gymkhana.

The paneer tikka with corn chaat follows, and again, it is enjoyable without being exciting. Which is interesting, because when Gymkhana first opened, it was my favourite thing on the menu.

The paneer is soft, and the corn adds sweetness and texture. Still, compared to other dishes on the Gymkhana menu, it feels slightly muted. I remember this dish being bolder on past visits, and this time it simply does not have the same oomph.

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The one starter you should order from the Gymkhana menu

One of the more exciting dishes of the night is the lobster with malabar paratha. This dish is playful and luxurious at the same time, while also being deeply moreish. The lobster is sweet and served in a rich duck egg scramble, and the paratha is flaky and indulgent. We tear off chunks of the buttery paratha and dredge it through the creamy, eggy lobster.

It feels like a dish designed to impress, and it succeeds. I keep going back for more, even though I know I should probably save room for other things. It’s definitely one of the best things to eat at Gymkhana London.

The bread basket dilemma, and a raita that is lovely

We go ahead and order the bread basket, as many tables do. It arrives warm and fragrant, and technically there is nothing wrong with it. But, as the meal goes on, it becomes clear that we probably don’t need it. By the end of the meal, much of the bread basket has been untouched.

Remember – Gymkhana mains are both generous and rich. The breads are good, but they quickly become surplus to requirements. The raita, however, earns its place. It’s cool, creamy, and calming, and it balances the spice and richness of the other dishes beautifully.

If I were ordering again, I would keep the raita and skip most of the breads.

The must order dish – muntjac biryani

Then comes the moment that matters most. The muntjac sharing biryani arrives, and everything about it feels indulgent. This is, without question, the standout dish on the Gymkhana London menu, and it’s an absolute must order.

The biryani is huge. It arrives sealed beneath a golden pastry crust that feels deliberately naughty. The pastry is buttery, rich, and deeply satisfying to crack open at the table. What’s more, it immediately signals celebration. It’s a theatrical and generous dish that is perfect to clink glasses to and celebrate.

Underneath the pastry, the rice is fragrant and perfectly cooked, and the muntjac is tender and deeply spiced. Every spoonful demands the next. The richness builds slowly rather than hitting you all at once, which means you can keep going long after you think you should stop.

If you’re celebrating something at Gymkhana, this dish should be the heart of your meal – everything else orbits around it.

Rich mains that really deliver from the Gymkhana menu

Alongside the biryani, we order the lamb shank roganjosh. This is another highlight from the Gymkhana menu, and is one of the best things to eat here. The shank is gorgeous and rich, slow-cooked until it yields effortlessly. The sauce is deep, warming, and full of spice without feeling overdone.

This is comfort food dialled up to a luxury level. We take our time with it, and every bite feels intentional.

We also order the butter chicken masala, which does exactly what you want it to do. It is smooth, rich, and comforting, with just enough sweetness to keep it indulgent rather than cloying. It may not be surprising, but it is executed well, and it earns its place on the table.

Final thoughts on the Gymkhana menu

By the end of the meal, we are completely full, very happy, and much lighter of wallet. Gymkhana is not subtle about its pricing, and this is undeniably a special occasion restaurant.

However, when ordered well, the Gymkhana menu delivers exactly what you want from a celebration meal. The muntjac biryani is unforgettable, while the lamb shank is deeply satisfying, and the lobster and paratha feel indulgent and joyful.

The weaker points, for me, are the paneer tikka and the quail seekh kebab, which lack the depth and punch of the standout dishes. They’re not bad, but they feel unnecessary when the menu offers so many stronger options.

Overall, this Gymkhana restaurant review leaves me convinced that Gymkhana remains one of London’s best places for a big, indulgent meal. It is expensive, yes. But for birthdays and milestones, when you order the right dishes, it still feels worth it.

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What to order from the Gymkhana menu
Address – 42 Albemarle St, London W1S 4JH
Nearest Tube – Green Park