To queue or not to queue.

This is a dilemma many a London restaurant-goer must answer.

Especially if your dinner plans include a visit to one of the JKS restaurants. Including their latest venture, Hoppers.

Of course you could put your name down and go for (quite a few) cocktail down the street while you wait for your table to be ready.

Or you could do as we did and go at some sort of weird hour. Early, late, or bang-on in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday, your call.

And if you can time it right, Hoppers is worth the wait.

When you eventually make it to your table, you’re going to want to make the most of it and totally over order!

Mutton rolls with a side of truly excellent sambal.

Hot Butter Devilled Shrimps

Super spicy (definitely not one for the faint-hearted!) but absolutely more-ish!

And a few different karis/currys to share.

With a side of Egg hopper (a pancake made with a fermented rice and coconut milk batter)…

Somewhere at the crossing between a pancake, a crumpet and sourdough and absolutely delicious!

And a dose of dosa…

The fish kari, fragrant with coconut milk and spices, was my favourite by far.

We might also have gotten some Roti to whip off the last of the karis, but it was so flaky and irresistible that it didn’t make it on the pictures… (do get it though!)

All washed down with some rather beautiful-looking cocktails.

Kandy Gunpowder (Amrut Single Malt, Passion Fruit, Green Peppercorns, Fino Sherry) had lovely spicy and sour notes. 

Colombo G&T (Colombo No.7 Gin, Fresh Curry Leaves, Cinnamon, Cardamom Tonic), a South Asian take on the British classic.

They don’t do desserts (or at least, we were not offered any…), so I’ll have to give them a naan out of ten (and come back for more of that fisk kari!)

Hoppers, 49 Frith St, London W1D 4SG