Amaya Grill and Bar
London, United Kingdom · Belgravia
Insider Compass
An expert assessment built on data, context and gastronomic judgement.
RECOGNITIONS
About Amaya Grill and Bar
Tucked off Lowndes Street in Knightsbridge, Amaya Grill and Bar has held a Michelin star since opening its doors, bringing theatrical open-kitchen grilling to the forefront of modern Indian cuisine. The kitchen showcases three distinct grilling techniques—sigri charcoal grill, tawa griddle, and tandoor oven—transforming premium ingredients into tapas-style sharing plates that balance refinement with bold, authentic spicing. Under the direction of Chef Sanchit Kapoor, the menu celebrates India's regional grilling traditions while embracing contemporary plating and precision. It's a destination for diners seeking elevated Indian food without the stuffiness, where the scent of smoldering charcoal and the rhythm of the brigade create an immersive experience.
Good to know
Embrace the tapas-style format and order across categories—mix seafood, meat, and vegetable plates to experience the full range of grilling techniques.
The chef
Sanchit Kapoor
Chef Sanchit Kapoor leads the kitchen at Amaya, bringing a refined approach to India's regional grilling traditions while maintaining the restaurant's signature focus on live-fire techniques. His philosophy centers on sourcing premium ingredients and allowing the sigri, tawa, and tandoor to reveal their natural qualities through precise spicing and expert heat management. Under his direction, the menu balances authenticity with modern plating sensibilities, offering both devotees of traditional Indian cuisine and newcomers a compelling entry point into elevated subcontinental cooking. Kapoor's approach emphasizes the importance of mise en place and timing, ensuring that each plate arrives at the peak of its expression.
The Insider Compass
Four dimensions, each assessed independently against the same criteria everywhere we rate.
Plate
The kitchen's mastery of live-fire cooking shines through in signature dishes like the black pepper chicken tikka—deceptively simple but remarkably juicy—and the tandoori lamb chops, which arrive with a perfect char and deep spice penetration. Seafood receives equal attention, with grilled scallops, prawns, and oysters showcasing the brigade's ability to coax sweetness from the ocean while layering in spice without overwhelming delicate flesh. Vegetarian plates like the kerala ghee roast potato and grilled aubergine tikka demonstrate that this isn't just a meat-focused operation—the understanding of texture, heat, and umami runs across the entire menu.
Vibe
LivelyThe open kitchen dominates the space, creating a lively, energetic atmosphere where the clatter of the tawa and the glow of the tandoor become part of the theater. The room hums with conversation and the scent of charcoal smoke and toasted spices, giving the space a kinetic warmth that feels more vibrant than hushed. It's a spot where celebration and serious eating coexist comfortably—refined without feeling overly formal.
Service
The brigade operates at scale with impressive coordination, with multiple team members working in sync to reset tables between courses and deliver dishes as they come off the grill. Servers demonstrate genuine knowledge of the menu, guiding diners through the tapas-style ordering with thoughtful pacing suggestions and explanations of each grilling technique. The occasional hiccup—like condiments arriving late or items emerging out of sequence—can occur during peak service, but the team's attentiveness and willingness to course-correct keep the experience on track.
Setting
The Belgravia location off Lowndes Street feels discreet from the outside, with the entrance tucked around the back of the building, adding a sense of discovery. Inside, the design centers on the theatrical open kitchen, where the glow of the charcoal grills and tandoor ovens creates a warm, smoky ambiance that's more dynamic than decorative. The space strikes a balance between elegant and approachable, with sleek lines and contemporary finishes that let the cooking take center stage.
These four dimensions are a handful of the attributes we review. The Insider Rating also draws on research the compass does not display — among them the wine programme, the size and quality of the cellar, the location, and how long the house has operated. It is not an average of the scores above.
Go for
- Theatrical open-fire cooking showcasing three distinct Indian grilling techniques
- Michelin-starred modern Indian cuisine designed for sharing and exploration
- Exceptional vegetarian options that rival the meat and seafood preparations
Don't go for
- A quiet, intimate dining experience—the energy is lively and the kitchen creates constant movement
- Expecting traditional curry-house formats—this is tapas-style plating with dishes arriving as they're ready
Details
Off Lowndes St, London SW1X 8JT, UK
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