March 10, 2025
Oorja, meaning “energy” in Hindi, is a new addition to London’s culinary landscape. It offers a modern twist on traditional North Indian cuisine. Located at 117 Shaftesbury Avenue, this two-floor establishment is the brainchild of restaurateur Gobind Chona, known for his previous venture, Gura Gura in Covent Garden. Oorja restaurant in London aims to redefine casual Indian dining in the city.
Opened in February 2025, Oorja represents Chona’s vision to bring the warmth and authenticity of North Indian comfort food to London. The restaurant offers an all-day dining experience, a first for Chona’s establishments, and a diverse menu catering to various palates. Oorja encapsulates India’s culinary heritage, from hearty breakfasts to sumptuous dinners.
The interior of Oorja blends modern elegance and traditional Indian aesthetics. Terracotta panelling and beige furnishings create a warm atmosphere, while soft lighting enhances the dining experience. The downstairs bar area is perfect for intimate gatherings.
Oorja Restaurant London Menu
One of Oorja’s unique offerings is its all-day dining menu, which includes breakfast. Diners can start their day with dishes like Egg Burji on Toast, featuring three spiced and scrambled eggs served on sourdough. There’s also the Vegan Dalia Porridge, a combination of house-made dalia, banana, coconut cream, and seasonal berries. The Oorja Sawera Kebab Platter offers chicken tikka, lamb kebab, saffron rice, grilled tomato, and fried egg for hearty meals.
Oorja also presents a unique Sunday Roast with an Indian twist. The Tandoori Spiced Roast Beef comes with crispy Yorkshire puddings, golden roasted potatoes, mixed vegetables, and a garam masala-infused beef gravy.
Oorja’s menu celebrates North Indian flavours, featuring various dishes catering to different tastes. Notable items include the BBQ Butterfly Chicken. This Indian-style fire-grilled spatchcock chicken is marinated in a signature BBQ sauce with fenugreek and cream cheese, served with mint chutney and onion salad. The Railway Lamb Curry is cooked with aromatic black cardamom, mace, and an onion-based sauce, reminiscent of the curries served on Indian railway journeys. Chickpeas Masala are overnight tea-soaked Kabuli chickpeas cooked with dry mango, pomegranate, and spiced onion gravy, offering a tangy and flavorful vegetarian option.
To finish off, the Gulab Jamun Brûlée is a fusion dessert combining the classic Indian sweet, Gulab Jamun, with a decadent French crème brûlée.
The downstairs bar features a curated cocktail menu inspired by Indian ingredients. Drinks like the Basil-Indian Masala-Mangosteen and Tequila-Vetiver-Indian Spices-Lime Sherbet blend traditional flavours with contemporary mixology.
Oorja Restaurant London Bookings
Capital A List members can make bookings for Oorja below.
Oorja Restaurant London Cuisine, Dress Code & Address
Cuisine: Indian
Dress Code: Casual
Area: Covent Garden
Address: 117 Shaftesbury Ave, London WC2H 8AD
Website: https://www.oorja.co.uk/
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