Emsworth · North Indian · Mughlai · Goan

Where heritage is plated with pride

Darbar means a royal court. Step into our corner of Emsworth for flavours that once crowned dynasties: tandoori classics from the Mughal kitchens, bold North Indian curries and the vibrant coastal tastes of Goa, cooked by chefs with over 25 years of experience.

Book a Table Explore the Menu

★★★★★ 4.5 on Google from 434 reviews Prefer OpenTable? Reserve via our OpenTable page

Our Story

A royal court in the heart of Emsworth

At Royal Darbar we do not just serve food, we share a legacy. Across two inviting floors with fully licensed bar areas, you will find authentic Indian cuisine crafted with care, served with warmth and presented with pride.

Mughlai cooking was brought to North India by the royal chefs of the Mughal Emperors in the 16th century, turning cooking into art. Our chefs recreate that richness with the finest local produce, aromatic spices, saffron, nuts and fresh fruits, alongside Goan specialities where coconut, chillies, tamarind and vinegar come together in perfect harmony.

Around 60 percent of Indians follow a vegetarian diet, and we proudly carry that tradition with an incredible choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes, plus options for gluten and dairy intolerances.

OpenTable Diners’ Choice winner · thank you, Emsworth

The team of chefs at Royal Darbar, Emsworth — Our team of expert chefs from India, sharing over 25 years of experience.

Taste the Real, Taste the Difference

Three traditions, one table

Every dish is rooted in tradition and cooked with care, from time-honoured recipes and carefully chosen spices to our clay tandoor oven.

Tandoori lamb grilled in the clay oven at Royal Darbar

North Indian & Mughlai

Kebabs, biryanis, naans and tandoori classics, cooked with care in our clay oven and simmered in the rich, regal sauces of the Mughal kitchens.

Goan Specialities

The vibrant flavours of coastal India, influenced by Portuguese cuisine: seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes built on coconut, chillies, tamarind and vinegar.

Authentic Indian spices used in the Royal Darbar kitchen

Regional Festivals & Indian Wines

Seasonal festivals celebrate India’s vast regional cuisine, paired with exclusively imported Indian wines and spirits. What grows together, goes together.

Our Menu

From the tandoor, the clay pot and the coast

Rich Mughlai classics, North Indian favourites and vibrant Goan specialities. A selection from the dinner menu is below; every dish is prepared with authentic spices and time-honoured techniques.

Lunch: Tapas-style Thali

Experience the essence of India with our Thali meals, a vibrant selection of assorted dishes served on a traditional Indian platter. Perfectly portioned for a satisfying midday feast. The full à la carte menu is also available at lunch.

Veg Thali

A colourful assortment of vegetarian delights, cooked with authentic spices

9.95

Meat Thali

A hearty selection of succulent meat dishes with fragrant sides and curries

12.95

Starters

Punjabi samosa

Homemade pastry, deep filled with cumin and spiced potato, mint and tamarind chutneys

5.50

Pakora-e-Darbar

Our signature crispy onion and spinach bhajis, served with chutneys

5.50

Chilli paneer

Indian cottage cheese tossed with onions, peppers, chillies and lime in a sweet and sour sauce

7.50

Murg tikka

Chicken marinated in yoghurt and spices, slow cooked in the tandoor, fresh mint chutney

7.50

Delhi seekh kabab

Lamb mince with onion, garlic, ginger, green chillies and fresh mint, cooked on a skewer

8.50

Makkhan garlic prawns

Prawns tossed in butter, fresh garlic, chilli flakes and coriander

9.50

Chicken & Meat

Murg tikka butter masala

Clay oven chicken simmered in butter and cream sauce with fenugreek, cashew nuts and honey

13.50

Shahi murg korma

Chicken in a rich gravy of almonds, cashew nuts and cream. The Mughals’ favourite

13.50

Goan chicken xacuti

A Goan favourite, cooked in a rich gravy of coconut and exotic Goan spices

15.50

Railway goat curry (on the bone)

Traditional goat curry as served on Indian railway journeys

15.50

Lamb rogan josh

Tender lamb, slow cooked in a thick sauce of onions and tomatoes

14.50

Nalli gosht lamb shank

Slow cooked spiced lamb shank, a delicacy savoured by Mughal emperors

19.50

From the Ocean

Goan fish curry

Seabass in a coconut and hot spice gravy with curry leaves, a traditional Goan delicacy

15.50

Goan prawn curry

King prawns in coconut and hot spice gravy, flavoured with curry leaves

16.50

Kerala seafood moilee

Prawns, calamari and fish in a coconut curry sauce

18.50

King prawn masala

King prawns in a chilli-based sauce with peppers, shallots and tomatoes

18.50

Goan prawn vindaloo

Prawns cooked with tangy vinegar, chillies and onion

17.00

Tawa seafood

Fish, prawns and calamari cooked semi dry with onion, tomato, peppers and chillies

18.50

The Tandoor

Tandoori chicken (on the bone)

Marinated with yoghurt, garlic and ginger paste, a favourite North Indian speciality

15.50

Lamb boti tikka

Boneless lamb marinated with yoghurt, spices and fresh mint

16.00

Darbar special shashlik

Chicken and lamb morsels grilled on a skewer with peppers, onions and tomatoes

17.50

Tandoori king prawns

King prawns marinated with yoghurt, garlic, ginger and aromatic spices

18.50

Paneer tikka shashlik

Indian cottage cheese grilled on a skewer with peppers, onions and tomatoes

14.50

Tandoori subzi

Mushrooms, broccoli, baby potatoes, tomato, onions and peppers with fennel seeds, served with naan

13.50

Vegan & Vegetarian

Homestyle tadka dal

Assorted lentils with ginger, garlic, onion and tomatoes, tempered with cumin, mustard and curry leaves

9.00

Dal makhani

Black lentils in a creamy sauce. Slow cooked signature dish from North India

9.50

Goan butternut squash curry

Butternut squash in coconut sauce with a hint of whole mustard

10.50

Ripe mango & green beans

Chunks of ripe mango with green beans in a mild curry

10.00

Paneer tikka makhani

Clay oven paneer simmered in butter and cream sauce with fenugreek and coriander

10.50

Chana masala

Chickpeas cooked with spices, topped with fresh coriander

9.00

Biryani, Breads & Sweets

Signature clay pot biryani

Saffron basmati layered with spiced chicken 15.00, lamb 16.50, king prawn 18.50 or vegetables 13.00, slow cooked in a clay pot with curry sauce

from 13.00

Garlic naan

Leavened clay oven bread with garlic

4.50

Peshawari naan

Stuffed with coconut, raisins and cashew nuts

5.50

Gulab jamuns

Milk and flour dough balls, golden fried and dunked in rose and cardamom syrup

4.50

Kulfi

Firm Indian ice cream made with reduced whole milk, mango or pistachio

5.50

Ras malai

Soft cheese dumplings in creamy sweetened milk with saffron and cardamom

5.50

Homemade desserts, a curated wine list by Ellis Wines of Richmond and Indian wines and spirits from Maharaja Drinks complete the menu. A children’s menu is available, and vegan, gluten free and dairy free needs are happily catered for. Please tell our team about any allergies when ordering. To book, call 01243 430095.

Takeaway

The taste of India, at home

From hearty clay pot biryanis and tandoori favourites to comforting vegetarian curries, our takeaway menu is packed for sharing or savouring solo. Order direct from the restaurant and enjoy 10 percent off takeaway.

Delivery is also available via Deliveroo, or collect from us on North Street. Call 01243 430095 to order.

Private Dining & Events

Host with distinction

Our upstairs private dining area offers an elegant, fully exclusive setting for up to 50 guests, with a private bar, dedicated facilities, screen and projector, and microphone and audio setup. Perfect for birthdays, wedding receptions, corporate events, christenings and wakes, with customisable menus and veg and vegan options.

Outdoor catering with our fully portable clay oven, for events of 25 to 75 people
Food tasting events and home style cooking demonstration classes
Darbar Dining Club: free membership with wine pairing evenings, live cooking demonstrations and chef’s table experiences

Enquire on 01243 430095

A Royal Darbar chef cooking live at an outdoor catering event

The dining room at Royal Darbar, Emsworth

Paneer curry served in a traditional karahi

Tandoori chicken platter at Royal Darbar

Spinach based curry served in a copper pan

Royal Darbar on North Street, Emsworth, at night

Homemade gulab jamuns in rose and cardamom syrup

A traditional Indian thali platter at Royal Darbar

Word of Mouth

Guests are welcomed with the utmost honour

★★★★★ 4.5 out of 5 · 434 Google reviews

“An excellent meal with excellent service. This restaurant is certainly different than the typical British Indian restaurant. The Darbar offers different dishes with different combinations of spices, and it is easy to see why. A lovely meal, we will be back.”

Phil · Guest review

“We had such a lovely meal at Darbar this evening. The food was amazing and the team were incredible. We were given great recommendations, encouraging us to try more authentic dishes, which we absolutely loved.”

Olivia N · Guest review

“Authentic Indian food, wonderful selection of dishes outside of the normal English takeaways.”

Jonathan · Google review

Read our Google reviews

Guest reviews as published on royaldarbar.co.uk and Google.

Find Us

On North Street, Emsworth

Royal Darbar
36-38 North Street, Emsworth
Hampshire PO10 7DG

Bookings and enquiries

01243 430095

Opening hours

Monday	Dinner only, 5pm to 10pm
Tuesday to Thursday	12pm to 2.30pm, 5pm to 10pm
Friday and Saturday	12pm to 2.30pm, 5pm to 10.30pm
Sunday	Closed

Parking and getting here

Free on-street parking after 6pm, with a large public car park behind Tesco Express on North Street. Emsworth Station is just a five minute walk away, and the Stagecoach 700 bus stops nearby.

Good to know

Children’s menu available · Vegan and vegetarian options · Gluten and dairy intolerances catered for · Two floors with fully licensed bars · Takeaway with 10 percent off when ordered direct