It may be tucked away down a side street in Covent Garden, but with its bright and vibrant setting, buzzy atmosphere and inventive dishes, Cinnamon Bazaar certainly stands out from the crowd.
Part of famed chef Vivek Singh’s Cinnamon Collection, the restaurant offers a relaxed and informal dining ambiance, designed to transport you to the markets of India with all the spice-filled fusion-inspired dishes you would expect. And the recent addition of a Richmond location is proof of just how popular this concept has been.
First of all, let’s talk about the interior. Outside, a pink façade and lime green awning hint at the colourful space waiting just past the striking panelled door, and those who like a bit of atmosphere won’t be disappointed. Rose gold mosaic-painted walls combine with pink silk awnings, lanterns and plants hanging from the ceiling to create a unique vibe that invites diners to fully immerse themselves in the dining experience. (It’s worth noting the new Richmond location looks just as playful, too, with pink, green and blue furnishings coming together for an aesthetically-pleasing attack on the senses).
 | Rose gold mosaic-painted walls combine with pink silk awnings, lanterns and plants hanging from the ceiling to create a unique vibe that invites diners to fully immerse themselves in the dining experience. |
Of course, it’s not just about looks – and luckily this place isn’t an example of style winning over substance. In fact, the striking atmosphere is mirrored by the vibrancy and punchy flavours of the food, with the menu boasting a great variety of choice to suit all palates.
It’s split into snacks and chaats (small dishes that set the tone for your meal) and bazaar plates (larger meals), along with sides and puddings. This is a menu that works well shared between guests, which only adds to the sociable atmosphere. Prices are reasonable too – with most main courses between £15 and £18.
We took the recommendations of our friendly and knowledgeable waiter, Sahabi, ordering three small plates to share between two of us and a main each, and were rewarded with treat after treat.
The small plates are thoughtfully created, with colour, flavour and texture all playing a part in the eating experience. Our highlights included the Samosa Chaat (featuring curried white peas and a tangy tamarind chutney, beautifully presented with pomegranate jewels and coconut) and the Indo-Chinese Chillia Paneer, stir fried with Schezwan spice. Other items on the menu looked equally tempting - the Copra Patties (crisp potato cakes filled with tangy coconut) and the Bhejetable Cake (made from spiced beetroot) also catching our eye.
 | The small plates are thoughtfully created, with colour, flavour and texture all playing a part in the eating experience. |
For our mains, we opted for the Lamb Rogan Josh Shepherd’s Pie which is one of the restaurant’s most popular options and somewhat of a signature dish, with its buttery mash potato and tangy, cardamom-infused lamb, along with the Jungle Chicken Curry. This latter dish is up there with the best curries we’ve ever had – the chicken being bathed in a mind-blowingly fragrant sauce that we still can’t stop thinking about.
Flavours here are bold, but never overbearing and there’s a real sense of balance. The presentation is wonderful too.
Making a choice is no mean feat – with a huge spread of delicious-sounding options to deliberate over. Next time we want to sample the double-cooked pork belly, done ‘Koorg’ style with curried yoghurt and Malabar Boatman’s Kingfish Curry.
Puds are well worth saving room for. The Rasmalai Tres Leches (a moist, soft sponge with saffron whipped cream and almond) was an absolute standout for us.
Oh – and did we mention the cocktails? Fresh, fiery and with the just the right amount of kick – there are some great combos. Don’t leave without trying the Falooda Swizzle, a tongue-tinglingly good drink with white rum, basil seed, creme de apricot, white wine, lime, cherry vermouth and amaranth cress.
Needless to say, we’ll be visiting again very soon – and we recommend that you do too.
You can find Cinnamon Bazaar at Covent Garden on Maiden Lane, or the Richmond location on Kew Road. For more information visit cinnamon-bazaar.com
Vivek Singh is a judge for the Great British Food Awards. Find more of our judges, past and present, here.
