India-based restaurateurs to open contemporary Indian diner in the City of London

Two India-based restaurateurs are to open their first UK restaurant in the City of London this June.

Chef and restaurateur Rohan D’Souza and award-winning young restaurateur Twinkle Keswani are planning to launch contemporary Indian restaurant and bar Bulbul on Tudor Street with the support of chefs Yash and Ashfaq Shaikh.

D’Souza and Keswani have together opened several restaurants across India, including the Lazy Goose in Goa, Café Montagne in the Himalayan town of Leh, and the Backwaters in Kerala.

Bulbul takes inspiration from the pair’s travels across India and will serve a menu of vibrant small plates and cocktails.

Dishes are set to include forest pepper crab dosa with house pickle, Goan shrimp balchão with melba toast, nilgiri beef short rib korma and Jim Corbett Hunter’s murgh mussallam.

The restaurant, which also consists of a 10-seat private dining room, has been designed by Mumbai-based Right Brain Design Studio, featuring a floral installation from Oorja and bespoke carpets from Jaipur Rugs.

Meanwhile, staff uniforms have been supplied by Mumbai fashion label Papa Don’t Preach.

Keswani told The Caterer: "Opening Bulbul in London feels like a big leap of faith. It’s exciting, because there’s so much of us in it. We’ve built this with a lot of care, instinct and research back home, and now we’re taking that same energy to a completely new audience. It feels personal, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how people connect with it.

D’Souza added: "For me, Bulbul in London is about translating everything I’ve gathered working across India into a menu that feels honest and well put together. The focus is on providing a good meal, without overcomplicating the plate. It’s exciting to bring that diversity to a new audience and share a perspective of Indian cuisine that goes beyond the familiar."