Zaffrani is a family run Indian restaurant at 47 Cross Street in Islington. Established in 2006, it brings dishes from several regions of India into a relaxed dining room near Upper Street and the Almeida Theatre. The menu moves beyond familiar curry house favourites through a particularly broad selection of seafood, regional recipes and clay oven cooking.
Starters include onion bhajia, vegetable or meat samosa, spiced fish cakes and prawns served on crisp poori. The tandoor produces chicken tikka, lamb kebabs, chicken and lamb shashlik, king prawns and Kashmiri chilli lamb chops. Marinades built around yoghurt, mint, ginger, garlic and whole spices help each grilled dish develop its own character.
Modern classics include chicken in creamy fenugreek masala, jalfrezi, rogan josh, saag gosht and a fiery Rajasthani laal maas. Regional dishes range from Assamese green chicken with lemongrass and lime leaves to braised lamb, butter chicken and beef with roasted cumin. Monkfish with tamarind, king prawns with coconut and chilli, and fish in a light coconut sauce give seafood diners substantial choice.
Paneer, lentils, spinach, chickpeas, okra, aubergine and seasonal vegetables appear across both main dishes and sides. Chicken, lamb or vegetable biryani can be paired with raita, while pulao, lemon rice and mushroom rice offer alternatives. Naan, roti and paratha complete the meal, including breads filled with coconut, dried fruit, minced lamb or cheese.
Address: 47 Cross Street, Islington, London N1 2BB, United Kingdom