Cinnamon Kitchen - Battersea Power Station, a review.

Vibrant fusion of Indian flavours and modern elegance at Cinnamon Kitchen, where impeccable service and vibrant street food await in a cosy railway arch.

A Quick Overview

Cuisine: Indian

Price: ££

Location: 4 Arches Ln, Battersea Power Station, SW11 8AB

Food: Colourful, crunchy food with the classic flavours of India and a dash of British

Vibes/Aesthetic: Modern, exposed brick alcove with moody lighting

Cinnamon Kitchen - London Restaurant Tour

Visited: 19/04/2024

Cinnamon Kitchen, the younger sibling of Chef Vivek Singh's renowned Cinnamon Club, offers an all-day dining experience at a more affordable price point. Nestled under a railway bridge, its tasteful design, featuring dark panelling, cosy lighting, creates an inviting and chic atmosphere.

During our visit, the staff were exceptionally attentive, providing some of the best service I've experienced in a while. Constantly refilling our water glasses and accommodating our request to change the dessert on the set menu, their flexibility and dedication were commendable. There was no service charge at this restaurant and so we willingly left a tip due to the quality of service. (Without a gun to our head we gave more money! If that doesn't tell you it was good I don't know what will).

Opting for the £39 per person 9-dish feast, we found the price reasonable for the array of dishes offered. Although the menu listed kulfi for dessert, they graciously substituted it with their garam masala sticky toffee pudding and cinnamon ice cream upon our request.

The feast unfolded in waves, starting with Samosa Chaat and Achari lamb fillet, we also ordered a mixed grill off the main menu. Highlights included the perfectly crisp samosa chaat, elevated by multiple chutneys and curried chickpeas, and the spiced lamb was extremely tender. The second wave brought Tikka chicken, Tandoori salmon, and Battersea Bhel Papdi, (think sophisticated crunchy Bombay mix) accompanied by the tender meats it was a smart contrast leaving you with multiple textures from crunchy, chewy to a burst of sweetness from the pomegranate in each bite.

Moving to the main course, we sampled creamy black lentils, paneer butter masala curry, Keralan shrimp curry, and lemon rice. While well-cooked, the curries lacked depth, appearing somewhat restrained in spice, perhaps catering to a more sensitive British palate - it felt underwhelming off the back of dishes bursting with flavour and colour. Further, additional rice had to be requested as there wasn't enough compared to the number of people, which felt like an oversight. We also ordered the classic chicken biryani from the main menu, which again was well cooked. There was juicy chicken, fluffy rice with fresh herbs dotted throughout but it would have benefited from richer aromatics and more layering of spices that India has come to be known for.

For dessert, a fusion of classic English sticky toffee pudding with Indian flavours showed promise, but the portion size left something to be desired. Nevertheless, the soft, sweet cake and creamy cinnamon ice cream delivered a satisfying conclusion to the meal. (Though a bolder presence of garam masala could have elevated the experience.)

Cinnamon Kitchen impresses with its modern interiors, impeccable service, and vibrant street food offerings. While the curries and rice could use a flavour boost, all the meat we sampled were cooked exceptionally well. The overall dining experience is commendable, particularly for shoppers seeking a vibrant atmosphere that won't break the bank.

If you’re in the Battersea Power Station and want a lunch or dinner spot – I would recommend.