BOMBAY, 1949
A sultry June evening. Lights glow golden.
Candles flicker in the warm breeze that arrives gently through the large open windows of the café.
I watch, entranced, as Ruby brings the last bars of her song to a wistful close.
Cheers erupt from the audience. She stands at the microphone, grins bashfully.
Her sari, draped and perfumed, is bottle-green and gold. She bows slightly.
Welcome to Dishoom Covent Garden
Early silver screen talkies brought an intoxicating world of adventure and liberty to Bombay. Thrilling “all talking, singing, dancing” Indian-made dramas cast a glamorous spell over picture houses, and over the city.
The thrill and amazement of the Talkies era is captured within ‘New’ Dishoom Covent Garden. Open all day, every day, serving Bombay comfort food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening tipples. All are welcome.
Food & Drink at Dishoom Covent Garden
Begin your day at Dishoom with breakfast, which might be a Bacon Naan Roll, Akuri or The Big Bombay. Then, lunch deliciously on a Paneer Roomali Roll and fancy Salads, or linger with a feast. Refresh your afternoon with a drop of Chai and a small plate or two. Dine early or dine late. Or just join us for a tipple – perhaps an India Gimlet, or the Premier Padmini Negroni?
Covent Garden
Specials
PRAWN PATHIA
Most celebratory dish, befitting for auspicious occasions. Succulent prawns are marinated overnight in ginger, garlic and lime juice, lightly charred by the grill then nestled in a fiery-sweet-tangy tomato masala. All is accompanied with an onion salad for freshness and Roomali Roti for mopping. Best when shared.
DIAMOND THRILLER
Swashbuckling mix of Cointreau, cranberry and Finlandia vodka, with chilli and lime shrub. A nostalgic nod to films starring stuntwoman ‘Fearless Nadia’, who captivated 1940s Bombay.
Sate the audience, hold their gaze
Reservations at Covent Garden
Dishoom is mostly a walk-in café. All are welcome, any time, no reservations needed. However, if you'd like to make a reservation, groups of any size may book during the day. After 6pm, we accept bookings for groups of six or more.
It’s 1949, and the thrill of the Talkies era is in full swing. While cine stars chatter self-importantly, the wealthy hobnob with the beautiful, the rakish and the occasional ne’er-do-wells. Stop – admire our walls. The myriad of artefacts, photographs, portraits, collectables. In their stillness they depict the vivacity, life and glamour of 1930s and 40s Bombay.
ABOVE: The intrepid, swashbuckling stuntwoman, fearless Nadia
ABOVE: Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman in “C.I.D”
ABOVE: Liberty Cinema showing Bicycle Thieves in 1949
ABOVE: Devika Rani – Tagore’s granddaughter and founder of Bombay Talkies Film Studio with her husband Himansu Rai
ABOVE: A film poster for Beti Bete from 1964
ABOVE: Co-founders (and cousins) Shamil and Kavi’s grandmother. Her name is Hira-bhen
ABOVE: Leela Chitnis was a much-loved actress in the Indian film industry
Bombay via London
Planning your visit
Dishoom Covent Garden
12 Upper St. Martin’s Lane
London
WC2H 9FB
Tel: 020 7420 9320
Monday–Thursday 8am to 11pm
Friday–Saturday 8am to 12am
Sunday 8am to 11pm
Nearest Tube Station: Covent Garden, Leicester Square
Nearest Bus Stop: Cambridge Circus, Leicester Square
Indoor-outdoor verandah
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible lift
Step-free access to the front door
Loo on the same floor as the dining area
Disabled loo
We accept bookings online up to four months in advance for up to 16 guests and accept enquiries for 16+. For larger parties or for specific event requests, do get in touch with us directly to book.
She dreamed again, this time to turn the café into a place where everyone could be everything they imagined and more.
The story continues
Browse latest stories from Dishoom Covent Garden
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A poem on Dishoom Covent Garden
By Joe Winter
Fellow guest-walla
