London Curry House in Baltimore: North Indian cooking in Fells Point

London Curry House is a sit-down North Indian restaurant in the Fells Point neighborhood that specializes in tandoori chicken, lamb curries, and breads baked in a traditional tandoor oven. The dining room seats around 60 across a single level, with exposed brick and warm lighting that suits both casual weeknight dinners and small group reservations. It occupies a narrow storefront on Thames Street, fitting into Fells Point's mix of older bars, seafood spots, and casual ethnic restaurants.

What the kitchen actually does

The menu centers on Punjabi and Mughlai traditions rather than South Indian or regional variations. Tandoori preparations anchor the protein offerings: tandoori chicken (bone-in quarters or boneless breast), tandoori shrimp, and tandoori paneer arrive charred and lightly smoky, typically cooked to order in 15 to 20 minutes. Curries include butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, chana masala, and saag paneer; most can be ordered vegetarian, meat-based, or seafood. Rice dishes, dals, and breads (naan, paratha, roti) round out the selection. The kitchen will adjust spice levels on request, though dishes arrive at medium heat unless you specify otherwise.

Menu range and pricing

An appetizer sampler (vegetables, meat, or mixed) runs $8 to $11 per order. Tandoori entrees and curries range from $14 to $18, with vegetarian options at the lower end and lamb or shrimp at the higher end. A full dinner for two (two entrees, rice or bread, and a shared appetizer) typically costs $50 to $65 before tax and tip. Lunch prix fixe menus are available Tuesday through Friday and cost $11 to $13, including an entree, rice or bread, and a small appetizer. Beer, wine, and Indian soft drinks are available; the restaurant does not serve alcohol beyond beer and wine. Prices should be confirmed by calling ahead, as menu pricing can shift seasonally.

How it compares to other Baltimore Indian restaurants

Charm City Curry, located in Canton on O'Donnell Street, leans toward South Indian specialties (dosas, idlis, sambar) and caters to a lunch crowd. London Curry House is better suited if you want North Indian tandoori and curry standards in a sit-down dinner setting. Akbar, in Harbor East, operates at a higher price point ($18 to $26 per entree) and emphasizes fine-dining presentation; go there for a special occasion, and to London Curry House for a straightforward, moderately priced meal. For vegetarian-focused Indian food, Lemongrass in Canton offers Southeast Asian curries and is comparable in price but less specialized in North Indian meat cookery.

Who this suits and who it does not

London Curry House works well for families with young children (quiet enough for conversation, familiar spice escalation), professionals grabbing a weeknight dinner, and small groups who want to share plates without high ceremony. It does not cater to fine-dining expectations or extensive wine lists. If you need a fully vegetarian menu with detailed labeling for allergies, ask when you call; the kitchen can accommodate, but verification is worth doing ahead of time.

What a first visit involves

Arrive and give your name to the host; wait times on weekends (Thursday through Saturday) can reach 20 to 30 minutes during 7 to 9 p.m. service. You will be seated at a cloth-topped table and given menus printed on both sides. Servers are attentive but not intrusive. Order an appetizer while considering entrees; most tandoori and curry dishes take 15 to 20 minutes. Bread arrives warm and freshly baked. If you are ordering tandoori for the first time, start with the chicken; it serves as a clean reference point for the oven's character. Finish with chai or mango lassi if available.

Hours, parking, and logistics

London Curry House is open Tuesday through Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 to 11 p.m., and Sunday 5 to 9:30 p.m. It is closed Mondays. Street parking on Thames and the surrounding blocks fills by 7 p.m. on weekends; a public lot two blocks north on Bond Street costs $2 per hour and usually has space. The restaurant is not wheelchair-accessible on the main dining level; call ahead if access is needed.

This is one of Fells Point's steadier Indian options and has held its place for over a decade by maintaining consistent tandoori technique and keeping prices within reach of the neighborhood's mixed income base.