“Never underestimate the power of good food. Eating delicious food can be a life-changing experience,” said the author Shon Meta. This rings true for a prestigious Indian restaurant in London’s Belgravia, where every bite tells a story through India’s renowned spices, from the fiery heat of the chillies to the comforting hug of the creamy curries.  At Amaya, your taste buds will travel to incredible India, a land of contrasts. Prepare for a feast for the senses, with its colourful festivals, aromatic cuisine, and diverse music and dance and of course its delicious cuisine.

Amaya is an award-winning Indian restaurant sandwiched between the affluent neighbourhoods of Knightsbridge and Belgravia. Two years after opening in 2004, Amaya earned a Michelin star and continued to receive accolades including being recognised in The World Restaurant Awards. Foodies will embark on a captivating culinary journey through India’s finest flavours when they visit Amaya. The elegant restaurant offers a vibrant dining space with an open kitchen as its centrepiece. There they’ll see talented chefs regaling guests with captivating culinary theatrics as they prepare marinated meat, fish, and vegetables grilling them in tandoor oven, tawa, and sigri.

Indian food has been influenced by trade for thousands of years and is known for its diverse flavours. There are four regions in India, each with its unique culinary traditions. The North, once influenced by the Mughal dynasty, is known for saffron, almonds, and cream in its rich, creamy curries. The tandoor, a clay oven for baking bread, traces its origins in Afghanistan. South Indian cuisine features coconut as a key ingredient. In the West, there is a mix of vegetarian and seafood dishes. In the East, Bengal’s main foods are rice and fish. All of these styles are embraced at the restaurant which elevates the food to another level.

During the 18th century, there was a significant milestone in the global appreciation of Indian cuisine. British merchants stationed in India developed a deep affection for the curries they consumed on the subcontinent. Upon their return to England, they brought back recipes leading to the first Indian takeaways, which rapidly gained popularity.

Following the conclusion of the Second World War, Indian cuisine began to get wider appeal and today it is one of the most popular tastes in the UK.  The owners of Amaya also own Veeraswamy, one of London’s oldest surviving Indian restaurants  – founded by an Indian princess in 1926. Their portfolio of Indian restaurants also includes Chutney Mary, on Regents Street.

Amaya showcases all of these regions and Indian flavours while emphasising fine dining. Instead of heavy dishes, they champion small, artfully plated morsels and sharing plates. Guests may start with a mixed or seafood platter, followed by wild chicken biryani flavoured with herbs and basmati rice cooked in a sealed pot at the table.

At the same time, others may opt for hearty dishes such as tarragon chicken or tandoori duck tikkas or lighter bites of paneer and seafood. The restaurant’s emphasis on smaller portions allows diners to savour a diverse and compelling menu, featuring standout dishes such as the aromatic smoked chilli lamb chops, alongside an array of tempting vegetarian options. The drinks menu is equally enticing with the choice of mango daiquiri or cucumber and mint margaritas which complement the food.

A visit to Amaya is a captivating experience sure to ignite a love for Indian fine dining.  If you are a fan of Indian food and fine dining then this restaurant is one you will want to put on the top of your list.