Launching on 18 July, Bulbul is a contemporary Indian restaurant and bar set to bring vibrant small plates, inventive cocktails and immersive design to Tudor Street in the heart of the City.
Just moments from Blackfriars, the South Bank and St Paul’s Cathedral, the opening introduces a bold new perspective to London’s Indian dining scene, pairing food made for sharing with expressive drinks and a striking setting conceived for long, lively evenings.
One of only a handful of Indian-origin restaurant brands to open in the capital since 2022, Bulbul is the latest creation from chef and restaurateur Rohan D’Souza, one of the defining voices in India’s F&B landscape, and award-winning Twinkle Keswani, named Young Restaurateur of the Year by The Economic Times in 2023.
Together they have launched acclaimed restaurants throughout India, from celebrated venues in Goa and the Himalayan town of Leh to the backwaters of Kerala, as well as in Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
Their venues are known for distinctive spaces, strong storytelling and innovative, flavour-driven cooking, a spirit they now bring to London with Bulbul.
Here the approach to cuisine begins with a simple idea: Indian food is far broader than the handful of dishes most of the world already knows.
Before finalising the menu, the founders travelled across India with a clear purpose – to learn directly from regional cooks, home kitchens and local markets, exploring recipes and techniques that rarely travel beyond their place of origin.
That same depth and diversity is reflected in Bulbul’s kitchen, where Chef D’Souza is joined by Chef Yash and Chef Ashfaq Shaikh in a collaborative three-way approach, each shaped by a different micro-cuisine from across the subcontinent.
Some dishes on the menu remain close to their roots, while others take a different direction, pairing deeply rooted Indian flavours with contemporary techniques and subtle global influences.
The Forest Pepper Crab Dosa pairs a Tamil Nadu-style dosa stuffed with crab meat and tossed in a punchy forest pepper masala, served with house pickle, while Goan Shrimp Balchão layers 48-hour aged and braised shrimp balchão over crisp melba toast.
Elsewhere, Jim Corbett Hunter’s Murgh Mussallam showcases rustic Mughlai chicken slow-cooked with warm whole spices, while Lobster Ghee Roast brings a coastal South Indian note to the menu, drawing on the depth of Mangalorean ghee roast masala and served with cauliflower poriyal purée, mustard and coconut.
The cocktail programme at Bulbul takes its cue from the restaurant’s namesake bird, celebrated for its song and often used as a term of affection.
Flight of Bulbul travels across India through flavour, with each drink inspired by a different region, ingredient or culinary tradition.
Rather than relying on the expected clichés of Indian cocktails, the drinks reinterpret familiar ingredients in unexpected ways, combining regional references with modern methods and a global spirits list.
The restaurant’s setting is as thoughtfully considered as the food and drink, shaping the atmosphere and overall experience.
At Bulbul, the Indian forest is reinterpreted through maximal design, art and texture.
Designed by Mumbai-based Right Brain Design Studio, the interiors layer contemporary art, craft and colour to create a space that feels theatrical, warm and immersive.
A striking floral installation by design studio Oorja greets guests at the entrance, while bespoke carpets by Jaipur Rugs, whose international clients include Wimbledon and leading luxury hotels, bring texture and depth throughout.
Staff uniforms are the creation of cult Mumbai fashion label Papa Don’t Preach, adding a playful, fashion-led edge.
Bulbul also features an intimate 10-seat private dining room for celebrations, brand dinners and special gatherings.
Bulbul is designed to capture the warmth, generosity and energy of Indian hospitality. Conceived as a place for conversation, great food and cocktails, it is somewhere to settle in and let the evening unfold around the table.
Bulbul, 25 Tudor Street, London EC4Y 0DD
