Tucked away in a quiet corner of Raffles City Shopping Centre stands this regal dining room, bustling with guests enjoying authentic North Indian cuisine. Alongside the friendly service, sounds of traditional live music fill the room.

Dishes are familiar and well-executed. Start with bhindi pakoras for spicy okra in crispy batter. Papdi chaat, a kind of Indian-style nachos topped with tangy chutney and mint yoghurt, is a bold plate of colour, flavour and texture. Paired with interesting wines from India, both are excellent for sharing–as many dishes here are.

It would be remiss not to order something from the tandoor. For a glorious selection, try the tandoori milawat: a plate that arrives sizzling and spitting with chicken and fish tikka, huge garlic prawns and seekh kebab. There are plenty of meat-free options too; try the paneer makhani for soft cheese in a luxurious, velvety tomato sauce. Grab some naan or roti from the bread selection and mop up every last drop.

To finish, try the kulfi sampler platter for delicately-flavoured ice cream sprinkled with pistachio, or for those with a sweet tooth, tuck into the classic gulab jamun–pillowy milk balls doused in rose-scented sugar syrup.

Address: Raffles City Shopping Centre, #03-21B, 252 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179103

Opening hours:
Mon-Sun, 12pm to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm

Tel: 6235 8840

shahimaharani.com