The term “Gymkhana” is a colonial reference to sports’ clubs in India, and has been fading out of the popular vocabulary since the 1950s, when the peninsula’s gentlemen’s clubs began to shutter. On a quiet corner of Mayfair, this restaurant has attemped to recreate the traditional sports’ club’s mystique, with sumptuous decor—think dark, polished timber, printed fabrics, and lazy ceiling fans. Since it opened its doors in 2013, the perfectly crafted cardamom kheer, minced goat, muntjac biryani, and, of course, curry, have been staples on the menu, and the restaurant has attracted stars as diverse as Taylor Swift and David Beckham. Yes, Indian food in London is everywhere, but this is the place to have it. It’s also had a Michelin star for nine years. —Elena Clavarino

Elena Clavarino is the Senior Editor at AIR MAIL