Restaurant review: Khyber Indian Restaurant
284-288 High Street, Croydon, CR0 1NG
Time from East Croydon: 
12 minutes / 
5 minutes by 119, 466 or 312
Crab and cod cakes. Photo by Joy Akwue-Butler, used with permission
On Friday 27th June 2014 my partner Charlie and I arranged to go for a meal at the Khyber Indian restaurant. We were warmly welcomed by Jay (one of the main waiters) and shown to our table, which was situated by the large mirror near the back. The Khyber is a family-run restaurant that has been around since 1978. The décor is modern, stylish and comfortable.
As we had arrived at the restaurant hungry, we didn’t take too long to decide what we should eat. Another waiter took our order for starters, and Charlie ordered crab and cod cakes – white crab meat and cod infused with curry leaf, stem ginger (£5.95). I ordered the meat platter for one – chicken tikka, lamb tikka, venison chapati and duck somosa (£6.95).
Our starters arrived well-presented. Charlie enjoyed his crab and cod cake, stating that it was light in texture and that the flavours were not too overpowering. My meat platter had a good combination of four different types of meat, all with their own unique flavours. Sometimes when you eat too much meat you are left with a heavy feeling, but not so in this instance – there was just enough of each type of meat, which if anything made you feel that you could have eaten more!
As the evening progressed, the Khyber begun filling up with other diners. Mr Khalique (the owner) appeared and went round each table welcoming everyone, as if we were a guest at a dinner party!
After a suitable pause, we were then served our main courses. Charlie ordered the lamb shank rogan josh – baby lamb shank cooked in smooth brown onion ginger and tomato sauce flavoured with nutmeg and cardamom (£9.95). I had the murgh makhan palak – chicken breast with fresh spinach and mild tomato fenugreek sauce (£9.95). During our meal I had a glass of pinot grigio (£4.45) and Charlie had a pint of Cobra (£4.25). We also ordered a number of side dishes to accompany our meal: bombay aloo – cumin tempered potatoes (£3.25), pilau rice (£2.75) and two portions of garlic naan (£2.50).
Murgh makhan palak. Photo by Joy Akwue-Butler, used with permission.
We served ourselves a little of each dish, enjoying each mouthful, until there was nothing left! Charlie said that his lamb was so tender, it literally just fell off the bone. He also felt that the accompanying sauce, which was medium spicy, complimented the lamb. Overall Charlie said that his meal had been ‘superb!’ My chicken was delicious, tender and full of flavour, the spinach was fresh and the sauce was rich and creamy but not too spicy.
After our meal, we both ordered a cup of mint tea (£1.95 each).
Before leaving I visited the Ladies – they have just one toilet for each sex, but they are spacious and clean.
For Indian cuisine with a modern twist, I would definitely recommend the Khyber restaurant with its relaxed atmosphere & friendly staff.
It is a very good restaurant. Haven’t been there for a while though.