Tamila comes to us from the same team behind both Tamil Prince and the Tamil Crown – a pair of South Indian-style restaurants that share a laid-back gastropub vibe up in North London.
This new spot however is in Battersea, sitting on Northcote Road, just a stone’s throw from Northcote Records and Ploussard, and not only has it been stripped of its royal titles, but it isn’t a gastropub either. Instead, this is more of a simple & casual restaurant, an upgrade from the small food stall that they’ve been road-testing at Hackney Bridge for the last few months.
So without so much as a Tamil Dukedom, does it still work? Yes. Yes it does.
The space is a simple sleeve lined with a few tables, and a couple of booths. There are a few paintings on the walls, but it’s not the decor you’re here for, it’s the food. And that food is reasonably priced, flavourful, and satisfying.
The menu is short, but plays all the Tamil hits: roti, curries, tandoor specials, you name it. The chicken lollipops are ultra-crispy, and well-seasoned. The onion bhaji is like a beautiful bird’s nest of tangled, brittle goodness. And the curries carry enough punch to slap your tastebuds awake without completely immolating them. Oh, and get a couple of their flaky dosas to mop them up with, it’s practically the law.
As for drinks, expect a cocktail list featuring their The Gunpowder Margarita, Tamil Negroni, and Charcoal Old Fashioned, alongside a house Tamila lager and a concise selection of draught wine. It’s all designed to pair with the high-powered flavours on the menu.
It’s looking like it’ll soon be one of Battersea’s new crowning glories.
NOTE: Tamila is open now. You can find out more, and book a table at their website.
Tamila | 39 Northcote Rd, SW11 1NJ
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