Londonist asks that most pressing of daily concerns: where to go on your lunch break.
Indian YMCA Student Hostel
41 Fitzroy Square, London, W1T 6AQ
Nearest Tube: Warren Street
020 7387 0411
Lunch served 12pm-2pm (Monday – Friday), 12.30pm-1.30pm (Weekends and Bank Holidays)
Visit the restaurant’s website for breakfast and dinner hours
Expect to Pay: around £5
Rating: 9 out of 10
Two amply filled bowls of curries, a heaping mound of pilau rice, and a yummy chapatti to sop it all up with … for a mere £4.25? Yes, Fitzrovia's unassuming Indian YMCA Student Hostel serves up tasty Indian food at remarkably low prices. Although this cafeteria-style setting might not be the most evocative or romantic place to eat, the dining area is pleasant and inviting (despite the fluorescent lights), and with its long tables the Indian YMCA is especially ideal for large groups. It also appears to be one of the cleanest eating establishments in London. We are always surprised when there isn’t a huge queue here (which is fairly often).Über foodies, Dos Hermanos, appreciate the Indian YMCA for “dishing out dirt cheap canteen style Indian grub to a motley assortment of tourists, students and Indian businessmen” and consider the eatery to be “one of the great treasures of London dining and well worth searching out … when you want a change from the bog standard curry houses.” To that, we heartily agree. The Indian YMCA’s freshly made dishes (plenty of veggie options) are all a safe bet and extremely good value for money.
Photography by Chris Osburn © 2007
