Punjab Restaurant has served traditional North Indian food since 1946 and has occupied Neal Street in Covent Garden since 1951. Founded by Sardar Gurbachan Singh Maan, it remains in the Maan family and preserves the welcoming spirit of a home away from home through recipes passed between generations.
Pakora, potato tikki and other appetisers introduce the kitchen’s careful use of herbs and spice. Tandoori dishes bring smoke and char to meat, fish and vegetables, while breads made with wheat and vegetable ghee reflect the agricultural traditions and staple ingredients of Punjab.
Butter chicken, Grandad’s Kali Daal and Kadu Puri are among the restaurant’s best known specialities. Lamb curries, seafood, biryani and a broad range of vegetable dishes provide further choice, with flavour and texture kept at the centre rather than heat alone.
Lassi, Indian beer and traditional desserts can complete the meal, while five connected dining rooms give the restaurant scope for families and larger groups. Walk in dining remains central to its character, with limited reservations, private hire, takeaway, delivery and catering also available.
Address: 80 Neal Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9PA, United Kingdom
Punjab Restaurant Covent Garden Menu
Appetisers
PAKORA (V) (4pc)
Onions cooked in chickpea batter with herbs & spices
ALOO TIKKI ROLL (V) (2pc)
Lightly spiced potato croquette served with our signature tamarind sauce
PUNJABI SAMOSA (V) (2pc) – Punjabi Speciality
Traditional handmade village samosa, triangular pastry with smashed vegetable
PANEER PAKORA (V) (4pc)
Punjabi fritters filled with warm & smooth homemade paneer cheese
KADU PURI (V) – Punjabi Speciality
Golden pumpkin on a crispy puri (bread), favourite among regulars
TANDOORI CHICKEN WINGS (5pc)
Order early! Roasted for 20 minutes, back by demand!
AMRITSARI FISH (5pc) – Punjabi Speciality
Delicacy of the holy city of Amritsar, popular in Punjab & throughout India. Mouthwatering tilapia fried fish pakora
PRAWN PURI
Lightly spiced prawns on crispy puri bread
LAMB SHAMI KEBAB (2pc)
Smooth silky round patties of minced lamb and lentils shallow fried. Invented by a highly skilled chef for a toothless Maharaja
Tandoori
The traditional Punjabi clay oven is truly the heart of all Indian barbeques. All our tandooris are served on a sizzling bed of onions in a tradional skillet, accompanied with refreshing mint sauce.
TANDOORI VEGETABLES
Marinated mixed vegetables roasted in the Tandoor
TANDOORI PANEER (V) (5pc)
Homemade paneer cheese marinated with herbs and spices
TANDOORI KING PRAWNS (3pc)
Mildly spiced succulent king prawns
CHICKEN TIKKA (8pc)
Small chunks of boneless chicken marinated in tandoori masala and roasted on skewers
CHICKEN TIKKA SPECIAL – Flambé Speciality
Chicken Tikka (8pc), served flaming at your table with a shot of brandy, we are notoriously known for this historic flambé dish
CHICKEN ACHARRI TIKKA – Punjabi Speciality
Takes the classic chicken tikka to new heights, (8pc) marinated in acharri masala and lemon juice
CHICKEN TANDOORI – Punjabi Speciality
World Famous Punjabi roast chicken, served on the bone. Marinated in fresh youghurt and tandoori masala
LAMB SEEKH KEBAB (4pc)
Spiced minced lamb kebab, delicately threaded and cooked on skewers in the tandoor
TANDOORI LAMP CHOPS (4pc)
Marinated lamb chops roasted in the tandoor
TANDOORI MIXED GRILL
Pieces of tandoori chicken, chicken tikka, seekh kebab & acharri tikka
Chicken Curry
ACHARRI MURGHA – Family Speciality
Punjabi chicken curry cooked in a traditional pickling spice mix, tasty, tangy & medium spiced, has to be experienced at least once in a lifetime!
PAHALWAN AMAR’S MINT CHICKEN – NEW
Yes, you too can have a body like Amar, our family Pahalwan (wrestler), just eat plenty of this delicious mint medium spice dish, avoid strong drink and stand on your head for at least three minutes a day.
BUTTER CHICKEN – Family Speciality
The Godfather of all Punjabi dishes, tandoori chicken on the bone served in a creamy sauce laced with butter. First introduced in 1954 when rationing ended.
CHICKEN KORMA
Delicious, creamy mild chicken curry.
CHICKEN KARAHI
Succulent chicken cooked with tomatoes and green peppers in a traditional medium spice Punjabi sauce.
CHICKEN MADRAS
Chicken served in a hot fiery spice sauce.
CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA
No standard recipe exists for this classic medium spice dish, however our 1973 formula continues to withstand the test of time. Chicken Tikka served in tandoori masala & tomato based sauce.
CHICKEN JALFREZI
Tender julienne pieces of chicken in a creamy medium spice sauce studded with green peppers and onions.
Lamb Curry
ACHARRI GOSHT – Family Speciality
Pickle-styled lamb curry, suffice to say that Punjabi’s go crazy for this delicious, tangy & irresistible medium spiced dish.
METHI GOSHT – Family Speciality
Succulent pieces of lamb cooked with fresh fenugreek, a favourite Punjabi herb. Distinctive medium spiced curry.
PUDINA GOSHT- Punjabi Speciality
Majestic Punjabi mint lamb curry medium spiced, gorgeous and delicious, fit for any Punjabi Maharaja.
LAMB KORMA
Delicious, creamy mild lamb curry.
KARAHI GOSHT
Succulent pieces of lamb cooked with tomatoes and green peppers in a traditional medium spiced sauce.
LAMB MADRAS
Lamb served in a hot fiery spicy sauce.
PUNJABI CHOPS MASALA (4pc)
Tandoori Lamb Chops served in a spicy masala sauce.
Seafood Curry
KING PRAWN BHUNA
Cooked with King prawns.
BENAAM MACCHI TARKARI
Nameless Punjabi style tilapia fish curry.
Vegetable
In 1951, Grandfather was forced to relocate the Punjab to be closer to the Indian Embassy, where many officers were homesick for authentic Punjabi vegetarian dishes. Our vegetable dishes are medium spiced and also available as side dishes at £9.95 each, only when ordered with a main dish.
VILLAGE TARKA DAAL – Punjabi Speciality
Nutritious home made Punjabi yellow lentil dish, indispensable and full of protein.
GRANDAD’S KALI DAAL – Family Speciality
Our classic mixed black daal taken from our Grandad’s recipe.
SAAG PANEER
Diced paneer cheese cooked with spinach and spices.
SAAG ALOO
Spinach cooked with potatoes in spices.
BAIGAN – Punjabi Speciality
Whole stuffed aubergines cooked Punjabi style, sensational and healthy.
BAIGAN KA BHARTA
Legendary Punjabi roasted aubergine mash with a smokey spicy flavour.
VEGETABLE KOFTA
Spicy supercalifragilisticexpialidocious bottle gourd dumplings.
MAHARAJA KARAM SINGH’S PANEER BUTTER MASALA – NEW
When the Maharaja called for Paneer, it had better be just right: lavish, rich and sublime. Or else!
AMRIT’S AMRITSARI CHOLE
The boss’s version of the famous chickpea curry of Amritsar – Super scrumptious!
KARAHI PANEER – Punjabi Speciality
Paneer cheese sauteed with green peppers and ginger-garlic paste in a spicy tomato based gravy. Popular Punjabi & Dehli delicacy.
BOMBAY ALOO
Spiced curried potatoes, particularly good with chicken or vegetable curries.
ALOO GOBI
Cauliflower and potatoes lightly spiced and sautéed. Every Punjabi mother passes down this classic recipe to her daughter.
BHINDI SABJI – Punjabi Speciality
Ladyfingers/Okra sautéed in true Punjabi style.
KADU SABJI – Family Speciality
Sumptuous sweet pumpkin curry.
Accompaniments
PAPADUM PLAIN or MASALA (SPICED)
Served with chutney, pickles & onion salad.
DAHI
Natural nutritious yoghurt, Punjabi homes are seldom without.
CUCUMBER RAITA
Natural yoghurt with fresh cucumbers, delicious and cooling.
MIXED RAITA
With fresh tomato and onion.
KACHUMBER SALAD
Chopped cucumber, tomatoes and onion.
Basmati Rice
Fresh silky, aromatic rice from the Himalayan foothills.
PILAU RICE
Flavoured rice with cumin seeds.
PLAIN RICE
White rice boiled to perfection.
Biryani
Rice cooked in thick gravy, layered with your choice from four great options. Served with vegetable curry or raita.
VEGETABLE BIRYANI
CHICKEN BIRYANI
LAMB BIRYANI
PRAWN BIRYANI
Punjabi Breads
The traditional Punjabi clay oven is truly the heart of all Indian barbeques.
BUTTER NAAN
PLAIN NAAN
CHEESE NAAN – Punjabi Speciality
With a thin layer of smooth light French cheese. This also makes a delicious starter!
KULCHA NAAN
With spiced onions.
GARLIC NAAN
If you have any erotic activities planned for after you leave us, perhaps you should resist this sensational garlic naan.
BULLET NAAN – Punjabi Speciality
Spread with chopped fresh chilli and garlic.
PESHWARI NAAN
With dry fruits and coconut.
LACCHA PARATHA
Crisp unleavened whole wheat bread.
ALOO PARATHA
Stuffed with spice potato.
TANDOORI ROTI
Whole wheat flatbread cooked in the tandoor.
Homemade Lassi
Authentic Punjabi chilled beverage – whipped whole milk yoghurt drink.
PLAIN LASSI / SWEET LASSI / SALTED LASSI
MANGO LASSI / ROSE LASSI
Water
STILL WATER
750ml
SPARKLING WATER
750ml
Soft Drinks
GINGER ALE
330ml
TONIC WATER
330ml
SODA WATER
330ml
LEMONADE
330ml
SPRITE / COKE / COKE ZERO
330ml
Fruit Juice
PINEAPPLE / ORANGE / MANGO / CRANBERRY / APPLE
330ml
Vodka
ABSOLUT 40%
25ml
GREY GOOSE 40%
25ml
Rum
CAPTAIN MORGAN 40%
25ml
KRAKEN BLACK SPICE 47%
25ml
Gin
GORDONS 37.5%
25ml
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE 40%
25ml
MALFY GIN ROSA 41%
25ml
Brandy
COURVOISIER VS 40%
25ml
REMY MARTIN VSOP 40%
25ml
HENNESSY VSOP 40%
25ml
Liqueurs
AMARETTO DISARONNO 28%
25ml
BAILEY’S IRISH CREAM 17%
25ml
DRAMBUIE 40%
25ml
LIMONCELLO 27%
25ml
SAMBUCA 38%
25ml
Tequila
JOSÉ CUERVO ESPECIAL 38%
25ml
American Whiskey
JACK DANIELS 40%
25ml
Blended Scotch Whiskey
MONKEY SHOULDER 40%
25ml
FAMOUS GROUSE 40%
25ml
CHIVAS REGAL 12YR 40%
25ml
Single Malt Whiskey
GLENFIDDICH 12YR 40%
25ml
LAPHROAIG 10YR 40%
25ml
Irish Whiskey
JAMESON’S 40%
25ml
All Mixtures
All Mixtures
200ml
Bottled Indian Beer
COBRA PREMIUM 4.8% ABV
660ml
KINGFISHER 4.8% ABV
330ml
Draft Beer
PERONI 5.1% AVB
1/2 Pint
Non-Alcoholic Beer
PERONI 0.0% ABV
330ml
Bottled Cider
MAGNERS 4.5% ABV
330ml
KOPPERBERG – STRAWBERRY & LIME
500ml
White Wines
Glasses also available in 125ml size.
INDIA GROVER’S SAUVIGNON BLANC, NANDI HILLS
Refreshingly full-bodied white wine. A good accompaniment to mildly spiced Indian cuisine.
COLOMBARD BLEND, CUVEE JEAN-PAUL
Very dry, with lovely fruit flavours – perfect house wine.
KARDOS, DRY FURMINT
Quality dry white wine. One for more adventurous fans of Sauvignon Blanc – a revelation!
ALBARINO, VALMINOR
Aromatic and citrusy – wonferful with fish dishes.
PINOT GRIGIO, MASTRI VERNACOLI
Soft pear flavours – easy to drink.
SAUVIGNON BLANC, ‘CIRCUMSTANCE’ STELLENBOSCH
Wonderful, textural Sauvignon, with savoury notes as well as tropical fruits.
CHABLIS VIELLES VIGNES, BURGUNDY, DOMAINE DE LA MOTTE
Very classy with a touch of vanilla richness.
SANCERRE ‘LES CHASSEIGNES’, DOMAINE DU PRÉ SEMELÉ
Elegance personified, a French classic.
Sparkling Wines
PROSECCO, SPUMANTE BRUT, LUNETTA
Perfect fizz for a birthday celebration…or a Tuesday night.
CHAMPAGNE, SÉLECTION BRUT, GREMILLET
Served in consulates the world over – special and memorable.
Red Wines
Glasses also available in 125ml size.
INDIA GROVER’S LA RÉSERVE, NANDI HILLS
A rich red wine with delicate spicy overtones make it an excellent accompaniment to Indian cuisine.
NERO D’AVOLA, IL MERIDIONE
Plenty of complexibility for a house wine and food friendly.
PINOT NOIR, LE FOU
Lighter in style. A red for seafood and white meat dishes.
RIOJA, VEGA DEL RAYO
Lots of fruit but savoury too, a classic match with lamb.
SHIRAZ, SOLDIER’S BLOCK
Big and rich in style – well suited to lamb chops.
MAN WITH THE AXE, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CALIFORNIA
Rich, hedonistic red full of Californian sunshine, Ripe blackcurrant & wild berry fruit on the nose, black cherry on the palate with a soft juicy long finish.
MALBEC, NIETO
Rich and creamy but with a more delicate and floral side.
BEAUJOLAIS, FLEURIE, LA REINE DE L’ARENITE ‘LA MADONE’
Not as light as some Beaujolais and real food wine – try with Tandoori Paneer or Chicken Tikka.
CAIRANNE CÔTE DU RHÔNE VILLAGES, BOUTINOT ‘LES SIX’
An absolute stunner – made for Mixed Grills and the best Punjab has to offer.
Rosé Wines
Glasses also available in 125ml size.
GRENACHE ROSÉ, BELLEFONTAINE
Light and fruity with juicy berry flavours.
CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ, RIMAURESQ CRU CLASSÉ
Plenty of complexibility for a house wine and food friendly.
Punjabi Desserts
N – Contains Nuts
KULFI
Famous Indian dairy ice cream. Choose from two great flavours: MANGO (N) or PISTACHIO (N)
RASMALAI – (N)
Soft white round patties immersed in delicious creamy milk syrup, made from milk and flavoured saffron, cardamoms and pistachios.
GULAB JAMUM – (N)
Soft spongy dough balls flavoured with cardamom and pistachio nuts in sweet warm syrup.
GAJAR HALWA – (N)
Made with sweet carrots and flavoured with cardamoms, pistachios and almond flakes.
Ice-Cream
Made with fresh double cream with no artificial colours or flavours in any of our ices.
DOUBLE CREAM VANILLA
CHOCOLATE CHIP
HONEYCOMB
MINT CHOC CHIP
Chai
MASALA CHAI
Aromatic spice tea with milk
TEA
GREEN TEA
Green Tea, Peppermint
Coffee
FILTER COFFEE
DECAFFEINATED COFFEE
ESPRESSO
DOUBLE ESPRESSO
CAPPUCCINO
PRIVATE ROOM
SET MENU A – 4 COVERS
£46 per person; £48 per person (with Dessert); £55 per person (with Tea/Coffee & Dessert). STARTERS: 4 Papadams with Mango, Mixed Pickle, and Mint Chutney PLUS Choose any 4 Starters from the Main Menu. MAINS: Choose 3 Curries: Chicken Curry or Lamb Curry from the Main Menu, excluding Lamb Chops Masala. SIDES: Choose any 2 Sides from the Vegetable section in the Main Menu, PLUS 2 Pilau Rice PLUS 2 Naans from the Main Menu.
SET MENU B – VEGETARIAN – 4 COVERS
£43 per person; £46 per person (with Dessert); £50 per person (with Tea/Coffee & Dessert). STARTERS: 4 Papadams with Mango, Mixed Pickle, and Mint Chutney, Paneer Pakora, Samosa, Aloo Tikki, Kadu Puri. MAINS: Choose 5 Vegetable Dishes from the Main Menu. SIDES: 2 Pilau Rice PLUS 2 Naans from the Main Menu.
GROUP BOOKING – MAIN RESTAURANT
SET MENU A – 4 COVERS
£38 per person; £44 per person (with Dessert); £48 per person (with Tea/Coffee & Dessert). STARTERS: 4 Papadams with Mango, Mixed Pickle, and Mint Chutney PLUS Choose any 4 Starters from the Main Menu. MAINS: Choose 3 Curries: Chicken Curry or Lamb Curry from the Main Menu, excluding Lamb Chops Masala. SIDES: Choose any 2 Sides from the Vegetable section in the Main Menu, PLUS 2 Pilau Rice PLUS 2 Naans from the Main Menu.
SET MENU B – VEGETARIAN – 4 COVERS
£31 per person; £37 per person (with Dessert); £41 per person (with Tea/Coffee & Dessert). STARTERS: 4 Papadams with Mango, Mixed Pickle, and Mint Chutney, Paneer Pakora, Samosa, Aloo Tikki, Kadu Puri. MAINS: Choose 5 Vegetable Dishes from the Main Menu. SIDES: 2 Pilau Rice PLUS 2 Naans from the Main Menu.