Dishoom Chowpatty Beach

With summer rearing its unpredictable head, thousands of Londoners will inevitably be gearing up to visit their favourite beach of choice to soak up some much needed sun. However, in typical London style, there is no need to actually leave the capital to enjoy the beach thanks to the inventive Indian resident Dishoom.

You see, London’s ‘first Bombay café’ has transformed the South Bank into Chowpatty Beach: a bustling Indian pop-up named after India’s most famous seafront; complete with cocktails, snacks and, most importantly, fake moustaches. Outside you’ll find colourful tables overlooking the Thames, but venture into the beach house and your eyes will become awash with quirky lamps, fluorescent bottles, fabric covered walls and Indian decorations designed, in many cases, to give you a good old chuckle.

Approach the bar and you’ll see only a few alcoholic staples (Pimms, rum, gin, whisky etc.), used to power their small but eclectic range of Indian cocktails (around £6). These include a giant rum-filled coconut, a slinky strawberry iced tea and the truly quaffable Bombay Pimms, packed with fruit, ginger beer and plenty of kick. If you’re not troubled with sensitive teeth, the Naughty Gola Ices (think Slush Puppies) are another treat well worth the eventual trip to the dentist.

Admirably, designated drivers can opt for virgin edition of most of the cocktails at about half the cost. In addition, should you find it all too exciting, the usual soft drink, wine and beer staples are also available, but you may have your moustache forcibly removed if you’re caught.

The food on offer includes Dishoom’s ‘famous Naan rolls’ and a range of snacks, small meals and kulfi lollipops. Although plenty to go at, most items are designed more as a drink accompaniment than a full meal. I tried, liked and returned for the spicy vegetable and chutney sandwiches (starting from £4); puffed rice and pomegranate Bhel snack pots (£4.50) and the beautifully sweet and spicy calamari snack pots (£5) – a personal favourite.

Although not helped by the manky concrete façade of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Chowpatty beach could very easily suck you into believing you were at a proper Bombay blast. Quite frankly, seeing 200 people wearing fake moustaches, chugging rum from a coconut while the sun sets on the Thames is a sight everyone should witness once in their lifetime.

Dishoom Chowpatty Beach
Queen Elizabeth Hall Terrace,
Southbank Centre,
Belvedere Road,
Waterloo
SE1 8XX

(Open until October 4)