The Tamil Prince is a neighbourhood pub restaurant on Hemingford Road in Barnsbury, combining the relaxed rhythm of a London local with Tamil and South Indian cooking. Lunch and dinner run through the week, while weekend breakfast gives the kitchen a different morning expression.
Small plates and snacks encourage sharing, drawing on fried, grilled and spiced preparations that work naturally with a drink. The cooking uses curry leaves, coconut, tamarind and carefully built spice mixtures, creating layers of sourness, heat and richness rather than relying on chilli alone.
Charcoal cooking gives meat, fish and vegetables a smoky edge, while curries and dals bring slower cooked depth to the table. Roti, rice and fresh accompaniments allow a group to combine several dishes, balancing crisp textures from the grill with sauces intended for scooping and sharing.
The pub format keeps the experience informal, with beer and cocktails alongside the food and outdoor tables available in suitable weather. Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday adds a concise selection influenced by South Indian morning dishes, making The Tamil Prince as relevant early in the day as it is for a lively evening meal.
Address: 115 Hemingford Road, Barnsbury, London N1 1BZ, England
The Tamil Prince Menu
Snacks
Okra fries
(ve)
Onion bhaji with mint chutney
(v)
Chicken lollipop with sweet chilli chutney
Indian desi salad
(ve)
Prince’s special masala dosa
(v)
Dal makhani
(v)
King prawn & curry leaf varuval
Grill & Curry
Chettinad lamb curry
Thanjavur chicken curry
Paneer butter masala
(v)
Channa bhatura with raita
(v)
Robata lamb chops, half rack
Tawa grilled sea bream, whole
Extras
Buttery, flaky roti
(v)
Coconut pilau rice
(v)
Desserts
Mango lassi
(v)
Gulab jamun
(v)
Breakfast
Medhu Vadai
(V) 2 savoury “donuts” made from a lentil & onion batter served with coconut chutney and sambar.
Gunpowder Idily
(V) Made from a lentil and rice fermented batter, 2pc of Idily served with coconut chutney, tomato chutney & sambar.
Masala Dosa
(V) A batter of fermented rice and lentil into a thin and crispy sheet filled with a lightly spiced potato masala. Coconut chutney, tomato chutney & sambar on the side.
Uttapam
(V) Savoury Indian style “pancake” topped with gunpowder beetroot, carrot & onion. Served with coconut chutney, tomato chutney & sambar on the side.
Poori masala
(v) Wheat flour puffed fried bread served with coconut chutney & potato masala on the side.
Breakfast Dessert
Kuzhi Paniyaram 5pc
(v) Pan fried dough balls made from lentil, rice, jaggery & cardamon batter. Served with syrup on the side.
Breakfast Drinks
South Indian filter coffee
Masala Tea
Fresh OJ
Cocktails
Gunpowder Margarita
Mezcal, Agave, Chilli, Lime
Tamil Negroni
Gin, Vermouth, Bitters, Tamil Spices
Espresso Martini
Vodka, Coffee Tequila, Black Cardamom, Espresso
Pondicherry Spritz
Gin, Aperol, Campari, Prosecco, Seasonal Fruits
Alcohol Free
Grapefruit Sour
Grapefruit, Lime, Egg White
Desi Spritz
Mint, Mango, Soda
Virgin Masala Mary
Masala Spice, Tomato, Celery, Lime
White Wines
125ml and 500ml available upon request for wines with only 750ml price.
Arinto Blanco, A Desconhecida, Lisboa, Portugal
Chardonnay, Chateau de Gaure, ‘campagne’ Pierre Fabre, Limoux, France
Albarino, Noelia Bebelia, Riax Biaxas, Galicia, Spain
Sauvignon Blanc, The Darling Organic, Marlborough, New Zealand
Red Wines
125ml and 500ml available upon request for wines with only 750ml price.
Kanon Keg, St Cyr, Beaujolais, France
New Theory Wine, Growing Pains, Cinsault, South Africa
Grenache Noir, Et Si On Respirait, Artisans Partisans, France
Malbec Estate Reserve, Finca Sophenia, Mendoza, Argentina
Sparkling
125ml and 500ml available upon request for wines with only 750ml price.
Prosecco ERA, Italy
New Thery Wine, Pot Luck, ‘Pet Nat’, South Africa
Classic Cuvée Bloomsbury, Ridgeview, Sussex, England
Champagne Lombard Extra Brut France
Draught Beer
Crown Lager
(GF) 4%
Harbour Pilsner
(GF) 5%
Harbour Beach Party Pale Ale
(GF) 3.4%
Guinness
4.2%
Bottled Beer
Peroni
5%
Cobra
4.5%
Kingfisher
4.8%
Breton Cider
5%