South Indian Flavours Take Over Soho at Tamila

Tamila has been on my restaurant list for some time, so when I hear that a new branch has opened in Soho, I don’t need much convincing.

Add in one of the first properly warm days of the year and suddenly a lunch trip to central London sounds like a very good idea.

Seventeen degrees in late February. Bliss. I stand outside Tamila Soho in the sunshine, coat on at first, then off as it dawns on me that I’m actually warm. The kind of warmth that makes you hungry.

If this Tamila review sounds slightly giddy, it’s because the whole thing feels like a small seasonal turning point. There’s sunshine outside, and spice inside.

Let’s eat.

Quick info on Tamila, Soho

• Restaurant: Tamila
• Location: Soho, London
• Known for: modern South Indian cooking, dosas and rotis
• Must order: the chilli cheese dosa, gulab jamun
• Skip: lamb curry

Find out more in our Tamila Soho review below.

The Tamila Soho space

Tamila in Soho feels polished but relaxed. Tables cluster around the street-facing windows, and there’s counter-style seating that sits at normal table height, which makes it perfect for solo lunches or a casual meal for two.

I slide into a window seat and settle in.

Soho drifts past outside while the room hums gently around me. No one rushes or hovers, and it’s easy to disappear into your plate and your own thoughts.

So far so good.

Chilli cheese dosa

The headline act from the Tamila menu

We start with the chilli cheese dosa, and within seconds I know this will define the meal.

The dosa arrives golden and slightly puffed, thin and crisp at the edges, soft and spongy inside. When I tear it open, melted cheese stretches lazily between pieces. It’s a tactile, fun and slightly messy.

I drag a piece through the tomato chutney – its sharp and sweet, and cuts through the richness of the dosa perfectly. The coconut chutney is good, but the tomato one wins this time.

This is the dish from the Tamila menu that justifies the trip. It’s bold and indulgent, and I’ll be thinking about it long after this Tamila review goes live.

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Chettinad lamb curry

Fragrant but smaller than expected

Next, we try the Chettinad lamb curry.

The warm aroma of the curry hits first, then the look of it – a glossy sauce that promises depth. The lamb is tender and medium hot, and I spot a very serious looking red chilli resting on top like a warning.

Flavour wise, Tamila gets this mostly right. The spice builds gradually and feels layered rather than blunt.

However, the portion is noticeably modest. We count seven small pieces of lamb, some edged with fat. It works as part of a wider spread, but on its own it might feel restrained for the price.

It’s alright, but next time I’d try something different from the Tamila menu.

Garlic masala tiger prawns

Heat with precision

Two large tiger prawns arrive, coated in garlic masala and looking unapologetically fiery.

Each prawn gives about three solid bites. They’re tender, properly spiced, and confidently cooked. The heat here is assertive, and it climbs steadily and leaves a pleasant glow.

Tamila London clearly knows how to handle spice.

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The famous Tamila roti

Worth the hype

If you’ve seen Tamila on social media, you’ve seen their famous roti being torn apart in slow motion. All flaky and buttery, soft in places, crisp in others.

In person, it’s just as good.

Layered and flaky, with a subtle buttery richness, this roti pulls apart in soft ribbons. It has that faintly fried warmth that suggests time on a hot thava. I use it to scoop up lamb curry and mop up every last trace of sauce.

I can see why the roti is a cornerstone of the Tamila Soho experience.

Mango lassi

Almost a dessert in disguise

The mango lassi appears in the dessert section of the menu, but I order it at the start of my visit. Having an Indian without a mango lassi seems criminal, in my book anyway.

But after the first sip, I understand why its on the dessert menu. The mango lassi is super thick and creamy to the point of indulgence. From a flavour point of view its sweet but balanced by the natural buttery depth of ripe mango.

Served in a hammered metal cup, it feels substantial in your hand. It almost demands a spoon.

If you’re reading this restaurant review wondering whether to order it, the answer is yes. Just pace yourself.

Gulab jamun for dessert

A soft, saffron soaked finish

We finish with gulab jamun from the dessert menu, and it closes the meal beautifully.

The gulab jamun sit in a fragrant milk, flecked with saffron, and soaked in syrup. It’s warm, comforting and deeply satisfying without feeling heavy.

Different from versions I’ve had elsewhere, but confident in its own right.

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Final thoughts on Tamila in Soho

Tamila Soho delivers a sun soaked, spice layered lunch that feels joyful from start to finish.

The chilli cheese dosa alone makes this Indian restaurant worth visiting. The roti impresses and the prawns bring heat. And definitely don’t leave without getting the gulab jamun.

Overall, this review lands firmly on the positive side. The cooking is confident, the space feels welcoming, and the flavours are alive.

On one of the first warm days of the year, Tamila Soho gives me exactly what I want. Sunshine outside. Spice inside.

And yes, I’ll be back for that dosa.

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Tamila Soho restaurant review
Address – 19-20 Poland St, London W1F 8QF
Nearest Tube – Oxford Circus