Surrey’s hidden Indian gem that places Central London’s high curry spots to disgrace
OPINION: Step into Bombay Social in Esher and discover a sexy, vibrant Indian dining experience. Creative dishes, bold cocktails, and atmosphere that rivals London’s hottest spots
Bombay Social is located in Esher(Image: @bombaysocialesher/Instagram)
From the moment you step inside Bombay Social, you’re swept into a sexy Saturday night atmosphere that feels a world away from your typical Indian restaurant.
With tropical house beats in the background and a sultry, dimly lit interior, you quickly forget you’re on Esher High Street and feel more like you’ve landed in one of London’s trendiest dining spots.
The service was exceptional from start to finish. The team could not have been more welcoming or attentive, and owner Shiraz’s passion for food and hospitality was truly infectious.
He took the time to talk us through the menu, offering tempting recommendations and explaining each dish with such enthusiasm that we could not wait to start ordering.
Once we were settled at our table, we started with drinks and they were just as exciting as the food. Bombay Social’s cocktail list is bold, playful and perfectly balanced.
The Spicy Margaritas were a huge hit around the table, while the Amaretto Sour was smooth and indulgent, and a crisp Chenin Blanc paired beautifully with the dishes that followed. It was the perfect way to ease into the evening and set the tone for what was to come.
This is the kind of place that works perfectly for any occasion such as date night, girls’ night, a catch up with friends or a special celebration. You can pop in just for cocktails and Indian tapas or go all out with the a la carte menu, which showcases beautifully progressive Indian cuisine.
We kicked things off with a poppadum sharing platter and an array of vibrant chutneys, which instantly got everyone’s taste buds going. Then came a beautiful selection of starters that really showcased the kitchen’s creativity.
The vegetarian platter was a standout in itself, featuring soft, smoky Paneer Tikka, crisp golden Aloo Tikki and delicately spiced Onion Bhajiya. Alongside it, the Bang Bang Prawns stole the show as perfectly crispy prawns tossed in bold Indo Chinese spices and finished with a silky drizzle of spicy mayo. My personal favourite was the Gobi Manchurian, light, crunchy cauliflower dumplings coated in a punchy, tangy sauce that kept us going back for more.
For mains, the menu continued to impress with bold flavours and creative twists. The Tiger Prawn Malabar, a Southern Indian coastal curry, was exceptional with succulent prawns cooked to perfection in a rich, aromatic sauce that perfectly balanced spice and creaminess.
Equally memorable was the Chicken Karahi with tender chicken simmered with peppers, chilli and onions in a fragrant, savoury sauce that had just the right amount of heat. We also tried the Seafood Moilee, stone bass and prawns in a silky, creamy coconut sauce that was both comforting and indulgent. To complete the meal, we shared fragrant pilaf rice and warm, buttery garlic naan, perfect for soaking up every last drop of those incredible sauces.
We were there celebrating a friend’s birthday and the team surprised us with what they described as an cinnamon spiced sticky toffee pudding, which the birthday girl absolutely loved, a lovely, thoughtful touch that made the night even more special.
Bombay Social really is a stunning pocket of Indian paradise in Surrey. The quality, creativity and atmosphere rival some of the hottest restaurants in central London.
As a group, we all agreed this was more than just a meal, it was a full experience. We cannot wait to return and would wholeheartedly encourage anyone to check it out.
For more info please check out Bombay Social on Instagram here or check out their website here.
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