The start of an Indian meal is half the fun. Before the curries arrive, there is a whole category of crisp, spiced, shareable things designed to be passed around the table with a cold drink.
The crisp ones
Onion bhajees are the classic opener: onion fritters with aromatic spices, fried until crisp and served hot with chutney. Samosas, filled with spiced vegetables or seasoned meat, are just as popular. Chicken 65 and Paneer 65 bring crunch with curry leaves, chilli, ginger and garlic, and Hara Bhara Kebab offers crisp spinach, pea and potato patties for vegetarians.
Tangy and bright
Chaat is India's great street snack: crisp bases topped with chutneys, yoghurt and spice. Our Vegetable Samosa Chaat and Chicken Chaat bring that sweet, sour and savoury mix to the table, and the King Prawn Puri serves prawns in a tangy masala on crisp puri.
From the tandoor
The grill turns out some of the best starters: Chicken Tikka, Paneer Tikka, Seekh Kebab and Tandoori Lamb Chops. Smoky, charred and easy to share, they make a meal in themselves if you order a few. Read how the oven works in inside the tandoor.
Built for sharing
The point of a starter spread is variety. Order a mix, something crisp, something from the tandoor, and a Chutney Tray, and let everyone pick. The Maharaja Signature Mix Platter does the job in one go. It is the most sociable way to begin.
Start here
Browse the starters on our menu, ideal for the table at Charing Cross, and see more ideas in the best Indian dishes for sharing.
Coming as a group? Every guest on our group set menu starts with the Maharaja Mixed Starter, followed by a main, pilau rice and plain naan. Please tell us about allergies when you book. Our kitchen handles nuts, dairy, eggs, gluten, fish, shellfish, soya and sesame. Book a table and let the starters get the party going.
