Dhaba Indian Street Food

Authentic Flavors With Warm, Friendly Service

When one embarks upon a quest for culinary authenticity, especially from a cuisine rich with tradition like Indian fare, nothing stirs the soul quite as fervently—or insidiously—as supposed promises unmet. I recently found myself navigating the tempest that is Dhaba, a sui generis establishment in Battersea, known to invoke polar opinions with the fractious intensity of a Bollywood melodrama. The tangled skein of reviews promised everything from substandard service and comical squabbles over bottled water, to food so divine it bordered on a spiritual experience. These were claims I could hardly resist investigating.

My journey to Dhaba served up more mysteries than my last Hercule Poirot novel. There were sumptuous undertones of tandoori-resplendent dishes singing notes both tantalising and elusive. A vibrancy nestled cheekily alongside dishes decorated with authentic touches—a coconut cream chicken that instantly endeared itself to even the most jaded of taste buds. However, charm faltered in the regrettable clash between serene ambiance aspirations and less-than-mellow service encounters—a reminder that even five-star curries can lose their magic if served with surliness. Yet amidst this curious confection, Dhaba emerged as a restaurant defying pigeonholing—heartily recommended for the glorious peaks but venture down wary for hidden troughs lurking beneath. — Penelope Savory