Vegan Lunch at Dishoom Battersea – Spices, Memories and a Feast to Remember

The now sleek Battersea Power Station

There’s something quite magical about returning to a neighbourhood you used to call home — especially when it’s changed almost beyond recognition. We lived on Queenstown Road for a few years, back when Battersea Power Station was still a hulking shell of itself, looming over the river like a sleeping giant. So, with an old friend that we house-shared with on Queenstown Road back in the 1990s visiting from Australia, it seemed the perfect opportunity to show him how much had changed since we lived nearby.

In amongst the retail units was this Daliesque piece of art, the pupil was brown on the other side

Dishoom Battersea sits just outside of the restored power station — an extraordinary building that has managed to keep its industrial soul while making space for cafés, shops, and people-watching aplenty. There’s a lovely energy about the place now, with families, couples and curious wanderers drifting in and out, coffees and cameras in hand.

The rather sleek interior

Inside, Dishoom is as gorgeous as ever — all low lighting, rich wood, and vintage Bombay touches. It feels like stepping into another time and place, and that sense of occasion is part of what makes it so special. We visited for a weekday lunch and were delighted to find a really thoughtful vegan menu — not just token options, but dishes that feel genuinely cared for.

We were in the mood for something satisfying and flavour-packed, and the vegan menu more than delivered. We ordered a few dishes to share — Vegetable Samosas to start, which arrived hot and crisp, stuffed with a gently spiced potato and pea filling that was just the thing to kick off a leisurely lunch.

Dishoom House chaat, samosas and a varitey of chutneys

Then came the Dishoom House Chaat, which was a total revelation. A gorgeous mess of golden-fried sweet potato topped with cool oat yoghurt, pomegranate, beetroot, radish and carrot, finished with a tangy tamarind drizzle and green chutney. It was warm-cold, sweet-tangy, and wildly moreish — a riot of texture and flavour that somehow stayed balanced, fresh, and deeply comforting all at once.

The Tandoori Chaat

We also shared the Tandoori Chaat, which really did ignite the senses. A tangy tumble of pineapple, sweet potato and Padrón peppers charred and spiced with bright vigour, and tossed in Jaadu Masala and lime. It's one of those dishes where every bite is a little different — sweet, smoky, sharp — and completely delicious. Insist on having, as the menu says. And yes, you absolutely should.

Not the most photogenic, but a gorgeous dish none the less - the Gunpowder potatoes

Then came the absolute highlight — Gunpowder Potatoes. I’ve had versions of this dish before, but nothing like these. Roasted to perfection and tossed with crushed coriander seeds and smoky spice, they were bold and addictive — the best I’ve ever had, without question.

Basmati Kheer complete with candle

We were both properly hungry when we sat down, but this feast was more than ample for two. We even (reluctantly) turned down dessert — or at least, we thought we had.

But as it was my birthday, the lovely team at Dishoom surprised us with a dessert to share — the Basmati Kheer. A silky, caramelised basmati rice pudding gently cooked with vanilla-infused coconut milk, cardamom and cashews, then cooled and topped with a generous layer of blueberry compôte. Creamy, fragrant, and quietly celebratory — the perfect sweet note to end on, and such a thoughtful gesture.

After lunch, we wandered through the refurbished Battersea Power Station, admiring how cleverly they’ve repurposed it without losing its grit and grandeur. There’s something lovely about returning to an old neighbourhood and finding it both unrecognisable and strangely familiar — full of new life but with just enough memory tucked between the bricks.

Whether you’re after a quick bite or a long lunch like ours, it’s well worth the trip. And if you’re nearby (or used to be, like us), go — and taste those potatoes. And if it happens to be your birthday? You’re in very good hands.

It was such a joy to be back in Battersea — familiar streets, new energy — and Dishoom felt like the perfect way to mark the moment. It’s worth visiting whether you’re plant-based or not, there's something for everyone. Everything we had was flavourful, generous, and made with heart.

You’ll find Dishoom Battersea at 42 Electric Boulevard, SW11 8BJ - entrance on the first floor.

Bookings are available at www.dishoom.com/battersea, but they do keep space for walk-ins if you’re in the area.

Highly recommend for a slow lunch, some high end retail therapy, a wander by the river, and a gentle bit of time-travel.