Last updated: February 11, 2025

If you’re looking for Indian cuisine and buzzy vibes right in the heart of London, Paro Indian Restaurant in Covent Garden a great choice.

Drawing inspo from the rich culinary heritage of Calcutta, Paro on Wellington Street is the perfect spot to grab a pre-theatre dinner before heading to the Lyceum Theatre which is a stone’s throw away, or indeed any of the nearby theatres in the capital’s ‘theatreland’ area of London.

Paro’s lounge area as you enter will take you by surprise with its ornate, fully stocked central bar, and ceiling absolutely covered in beautiful upside down umbrellas which flood the space with vibrant colour. If you’re waiting for a table, it’s a pleasant bar area to hang out in, and when your table’s ready, you’ll be guided through the double doors and into the restaurant which was absolutely packed on the night we visited.

Staff are attentive and happy to recommend dishes if you’re unsure what to go for. While the tables are pretty close together, it adds to the overall ambience of Paro’s dining area and there’s a real energy about the place that’s difficult to find in some of Covent Garden’s many dining spots.

Paro’s menu prides itself on a secret 48 spice recipe which many of the dishes use in their preparation. This closely guarded spice secret has been passed down through the generations and apparently only 5 family members know the exact formula.

With Chef Niaz at the helm (you may know him from his various TV appearances or his award-winning restaurant City Spice in Brick Lane), Paro offers up a modern interpretation of traditional West Bengali dishes.

There’s a wide range of starters, mains, veggie dishes and sides to choose from with useful coding which tells you whether they’re ‘homestyle and authentic’ West Bengal, or Anglo-Indian fusion style.

We start with a classic Old Fashioned but the cocktail selection is plentiful and innovative and there’s a range of spirits which is always good to see. The Dum Dum Duck Masala starter consists of a thick sauce and huge chunks of duck, decorated with pretty yellow edible flowers. It’s a rich dish and a little ‘meaty’ for me, but my partner enjoys it, while my own starter – the Prawn Puri has that lovely rich burnt orange colour – tasty shrimps, cherry tomatoes and a good hit of ginger and garlic atop a fluffy puri bread. A good squeeze of lime gives it that additional citrus hit which is always a good lift for puri spices.

For mains, my partner goes for the Paro flagship which is the Lamb Shank. This slow roasted lamb leg shank contains the elusive 48 spice mix as well as chilli, garlic and coriander. The lamb indeed melts in the mouth while the spice mix provides layers of flavour from deep, earthy notes, to lingering heat.

My Paro Butter Chicken is another recipe which has been passed down from Chef Niaz’s great grandfather and the turmeric heavy sauce isn’t your average butter chicken, but a rich, sweet and smoky combination of flavours. We load up our garlic naan with the sauce and devour every last mouthful, along with a pilau rice on the side.

While we’re too full for desserts, we enjoy more cocktails back at the bar before heading out into the cold. While this isn’t Indian food as you may know it, it’s nice to try something a little different, while Paro’s location, ambience and service make this a sure fire winner every night of the week.

Heading to the theatre? Check out Paro’s excellent value pre-theatre menu with 2 courses for £21 of three courses for £24.