Frequently lauded by the press, Paro Covent Garden has been distinguished as one of the best Indian Restaurants in London, sharing the spotlight with a hand-picked selection of renowned establishments. Situated adjacent to the Lyceum Theatre in London’s Covent Garden, Paro has become incredibly popular for its delicious Indian cuisines, the restaurant retaining a key focus on Bengali food and the region of Kolkata in particular.
Paro Covent Garden was recently included in Esquire Magazine’s ’59 Top Restaurants to Dine In’, the venue showcased alongside some of London’s most prestigious restaurants. Drawing on years of expertise, Chef Niaz Caan invites diners on a journey infused with the spices and warmth of Kolkatan cuisine, the award-winning chef having meticulously crafted a menu that promises to tantalise the senses with every bite.
With capacity for up to 120 guests, Paro Covent Garden is the ideal venue to enjoy a pre-theatre dinner, as well as catering for private parties and company socials. Crafted from a closely guarded secret spice mix incorporating 48 elements, each Paro curry tells its own unique tale from the India’s vibrant, spice scented streets. At Paro, each plate is much more than a meal, telling its own unique story from Kolkata’s rich culture and history.
Situated next door to the Lyceum, home to the Lion King, Paro Covent Garden’s food is unabashedly, unapologetically, and proudly fusion. As diners arrive at the venue’s impressive corner entrance and make their way to the bar, they are met with dripping foliage and vividly painted frescos at every turn, the vibrant interior and ambiance reminiscent of a palatial home in Kolkata.
Paro Covent Garden draws heavily on Chef Niaz Caan’s roots in Kolkata, incorporating an array of homely dishes served in Indian households, some every day, and some reserved for special occasions. Paro’s offerings also incorporate some Anglo-Indian fusion dishes, reflecting the multiculturalism of its surroundings.
Popular starters at Paro Covent Garden include Toddy Shop Tiger Prawns, a dish featuring Paro’s proprietary 48-spice mix in a sweet and spicy tomato, plum, garlic and ginger sauce. Served atop a disc of tender, fluffy puri bread, Prawn Puri is infused with sweet paprika, ginger, garlic and turmeric.
Comprising black lentils cooked for 48 hours, Bally Black Daal is a rich and intense dish emanating from Bally, India. Paro Covent Garden’s Tandoori Grill Curry is a classic platter featuring lamb tikka, chicken tikka, tandoori chicken and paneer tikka. Paro’s flagship dish, Lamb Shank, features slow-roasted lamb shank infused with Paro’s 48-spice mix along with charred garlic, coriander and chilli flakes.
In addition to its carefully curated lists of beers, wines and spirits, Paro Covent Garden also serves a selection of bespoke cocktails, each with their own Bollywood or colloquial Hindi twist. Chuni Lal Likes It Old Fashioned is an Indian take on the classic Old Fashioned, expertly blending aged whisky, orange and bitters with a garnish of maraschino cherries. Nana No Permit Negroni, a vibrant blend of gin, Campari and rosso vermouth, is a reflection of a bygone Indian age when a permit was required to buy alcohol.
Situated right at the heart of theatreland, directly connected to the Lyceum Theatre, home of The Lyon King, Paro Covent Garden is the quintessential spot for enjoying a pre-theatre meal. Proudly branded as Kolkata’s love letter, each of Paro’s dishes tell their own compelling culinary tale, from the enigmatically dubbed Classic Curry British Indian Style to the Welsh-grass fed lamb samosas.
At Paro Covent Garden, service is informal, personable and attentive, true to the traditional hospitality style. With options available for vegetarians and vegans, Paro embodies the infectious energy and ambition of Chef Niaz Caan, who at 23 years old owns not one but two leading London restaurants, having established his brands as the pinnacle of Indian cuisine in the UK.
