A birthday dinner for a crowd needs three things: a table that fits everyone, food that arrives without a long debate over the menu, and somewhere to carry on when the plates are cleared. Our restaurant at 19A Charing Cross Road, a minute from Leicester Square tube, is built for exactly that kind of night, and we are open until midnight every day.
Here is how to plan it so the person whose birthday it is gets to enjoy it, rather than spending the evening organising the order.
Why a group set menu makes birthdays easier
Ordering from a full menu for a big table can take longer than the starters. Our group set menu removes that problem. Every guest gets the Maharaja Mixed Starter, one main, pilau rice and plain naan, so the food arrives together and nobody is left waiting for a forgotten side.
There are three levels, and all guests in a party dine from the same option:
- Option A, Classic: mains are Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Paneer Butter Masala, Paneer Chilli Masala, Shashlik Masala or Chicken Traditional Curry.
- Option B, Maharaja: mains are Original Masala, Mango Chicken, Chettinad Chicken or Lamb, Railway Lamb Curry, Staff Lamb Curry, Sizzling King Prawn or Chingri Malai Curry.
- Option C, Royal: the Maharaja Special Shank, or any Option B main instead.
Vegetarian choices are available, so friends who do not eat meat are looked after within the same option. For a milestone birthday, Option C is a nice way to mark the occasion, with the slow-cooked lamb shank as the centrepiece.
Choosing the right option for your group
Think about who is coming rather than what you would order yourself.
- A mixed crowd with cautious eaters: Option A is full of familiar favourites like butter chicken and tikka masala, with two paneer mains for vegetarians.
- Friends who like more variety and spice: Option B brings in Chettinad, Railway Lamb Curry and the on-the-bone Staff Lamb Curry.
- A big birthday that deserves a bit of ceremony: Option C adds the Maharaja Special Shank.
If you are unsure how to balance a table, our guide to the best Indian dishes for sharing is a helpful read before you decide.
Open until midnight near Leicester Square
Birthday dinners rarely end when the food does. We are open every day, Monday to Sunday, from 12:00 to midnight. That means a Friday or Saturday booking can start at a relaxed hour and run on through the evening, with a full drinks list to keep the toasts going: Prosecco and Moët by the bottle, cocktails such as the Espresso Martini and Pina Colada, Indian lagers, and mocktails for anyone not drinking.
If the celebration starts after a show, a later table here is a good answer, with the Shaftesbury Avenue theatres a short walk away. Our page on late-night Indian food in London has more on eating later in the evening.
Tips for booking a birthday table
- Book early for weekends. Friday and Saturday nights are popular, so give yourself time to secure a table for your whole group.
- Confirm numbers. A final headcount before the night helps us set the table properly.
- Agree the option in advance. Because everyone dines from the same option, settle on A, B or C when you book.
- Tell us about allergies. Please tell us about allergies when you book. Our kitchen handles nuts, dairy, eggs, gluten, fish, shellfish, soya and sesame.
- Want more privacy? For a more exclusive setting, have a look at our private dining page.
What to add to the table
The set menu covers a starter, a main, pilau rice and plain naan for every guest, which is plenty for most birthday tables. If you would like to talk through anything beyond that, such as extra breads or sides from our full menu, mention it when you book and we will let you know what we can do. It is far easier to sort out in advance than on the night, when the table is busy and the toasts have started.
The main thing is that the person celebrating gets to sit back, eat well and enjoy the company, while the food takes care of itself.
To plan a birthday dinner for a crowd, book a table for our group set menu at Charing Cross and tell us your numbers, your chosen option and any allergies when you book.
