Fancy finding Indian street food deep in the bowels of the Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, what a lovely surprise! Great food too. I was wondering if they’re part of a chain, but it doesn’t look like they are.

What on the menu at Ghara Indian Street Food?

Well, Ghara live up to their name. They’ve got a fairly extensive menu with plenty of street food classics like Vada Pav, Bhel Puris, Pav Bhaji, Dabeli, plus 3 different types of samosas (everybody knows what a samosa is, right?), 4 if you count the samosa chaat.

They also have classic curries, a selection of biryanis, as well as dosas (four to choose from), Indian toasties, and all day breakfasts. A long list of drinks, too, hot, cold and iced, including drinks as dessert (well, mango lassi is a dessert in my books), beer, cocktails and mocktails. If that isn’t covering all the bases, I don’t know what is. Yeah, wine is missing. Never mind.

The taste test

And what does the food taste like?

I had the plain dosa and the vada pav, plus a mango lassi, though you’ll have to take my word about the mango lassi, since somehow it didn’t make it into the photos.

The vada pav came in a bagel. OK, it wasn’t a bagel, it was the fluffiest, most pillowy bagel-shaped pav (or, in other words, bun) It’s not the first vada pav I’ve had, but it’s the first one I see in that shape. The vada itself was topped with a delicious tamarind chutney and nestled in a ring of spicy green chutney. The whole thing was a tiiiiiny little bit too spicy for my taste, and I only ate half of it, but that really wasn’t a problem: the dosa was huge and delicious, and plenty enough for a whole meal, especially with the 4 chutneys (of varying heat) on the side.

Now, I’m absolutely not qualified to pass judgement on whether this is authentic (and nor do I care, to be honest). All I know is that it was yummy.

The Ghara space

The space feels very airy, or at least as airy as a place in the lower ground floor of a shopping centre can feel, with plenty of tables large and small. The dining area has strong colours and south Asian themes murals; the open kitchen at the back is all shiny white tiles.

And Ghara is also a shop. They sell a selection of teas and street food snacks (more than you’d find in the average supermarket, and way beyond Bombay Mix). Also on offer are handcrafted kitchen accessories, such as cutting boards and pretty bowls.

Final thoughts

I highly recommend Ghara if you’re in the neighbourhood, and even if you’re not (they do take-away, too). They’re an ideal place to visit if you’re hungry and have a little time before taking the coach or the train to Stansted Airport.

I, for one, will definitely be back.

Where do you go from there?

Wondering where to go next? You can hop on the Elizabeth Line, get off at Farringdon and visit the Museum of the Order of St John and the fascinating history of the Knights Hospitaller and then take a leisurely stroll through Clerckenwell, one of London’s loveliest neighbourhood. Good shopping, too. And then it’s a short walk to the Charles Dickens museum. There’s a lovely garden and cream scones. Just sayin’…

Or for a London somewhat off the beaten track, take either the DLR (direction Woolwich) or the Jubilee line, get off at Canning Town, and visit the wonderful Trinity Buoy Wharf. Or stay on the Jubilee line, get off at Waterloo, and explore the Leake Street Arches and Lower Marsh.

Or else you could get off at Westminster and explore this unmissable neighbourhood, with the help of this handy Westminster guide.

Psssst… If you’re in Croydon, check out Paratha Inn and their delicious paratha rolls.

Ghara Indian Street Food: useful information

Ghara on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fh5e14vicfA3663q7

Address: Ground Floor, 15 Great Eastern Market Lower, London E20 1GP

Nearest public transport: Stratford (Central line, Jubilee line, Overground, DLR, Elizabeth Line, BR)

Website: they don’t have one, it seems