Victoria Terminus c.1928.
One January morning in 1928, a young Irani – not long arrived in Bombay – was waiting to collect a parcel at Victoria Terminus.
Quickly, he found himself in a vast, airy shed filled with the hubbub of a thousand industries crossing paths.
Railway workers shouted to one another in a dozen languages: Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bihari.
That day, standing there in the vastness of that old godown and watching the men at work, he felt a keen sense of opportunity.
You are within a former railway transit shed. To Londoners this would be a warehouse, but to Bombayites, it is a godown. For over 100 years this building passed goods between Britain and the rest of the world. Between London and Bombay. Dishoom King’s Cross found a home in an old Victorian industrial building and tells the story of Indian Independence through its design and artwork. All are welcome.
Begin your day at Dishoom with breakfast, which might be a Bacon Naan Roll, a Parsi Omelette or House Granola. Then, lunch lightly 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 for upward and onward journeys.
King's cross Specials
Nihari – a famously hearty and robust dish – is synonymous with celebration. Made into a biryani, it is doubly so. Tender shank of lamb is layered with rice and caramelised onions then sealed beneath a pastry blanket. Enriched further with kaleji (chicken liver) raita and nihari gravy. Best when shared.
Oak-aged mandarin shrub, ginger, Hayman’s Gently Rested gin, dashed off with quinine and Szechuan pepper. Note for scholars or nit-pickers: Parsi merchant Sir Jejeebhoy sent three weavers to China to learn the art of brocade silk. ‘Tan’ is three; ‘Choi’ is the teacher’s name.
Reservations
at King’s Cross
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.
In the veritable artery that is the godown, with a thousand industries crossing paths, a man, smiling, serves cups of Chai and pau to workers and passers by. The sense of opportunity is rife, both for his stall, and for independence. Look carefully and you will see original posters and countless other details that tell the story of India’s freedom and the people who struggled to obtain it.
ABOVE: Sarojini Naidu was an Indian independence activist and poet
ABOVE: India’s first woman photojournalist, Homai Vyarawalla
ABOVE: This sign on our back wall is based closely on an original sign protesting the Simon Commission from 1928
ABOVE: Bhagat Singh was an Indian socialist and one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement
ABOVE: Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej co-founded Godrej Brothers, today a major international conglomerate
ABOVE: A show of hands: voting for Partition, 14th June 1947
ABOVE: A portrait of Pravina, co-founder Kavi's Great Aunt
ABOVE: Princess Sophia Duleep Singh
ABOVE: Gandhi with wheel
ABOVE: Rani Lakshmibai was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857
Bombay via London
Planning your visit
Dishoom King's Cross
5 Stable Street
London
N1C 4AB
Tel: 020 7420 9321
Monday–Wednesday 8am to 11pm
Thursday–Friday 8am to 12am
Saturday 9am to 12am
Sunday 9am to 11pm
Nearest Tube Station: King's Cross St. Pancras
Outdoor seating
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible lift
Wheelchair-accessible seating
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.
His welcome is as warm as the chai is hot, and every guest goes on his way feeling that he has found a small source of solace and joy in the old godown behind the great Victoria Terminus.
The story continues
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story
Celebrating Homai Vyarawalla
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