Bulbul: Bold Indian Small Plates Coming to Tudor Street 2026
A New Indian Restaurant Is Putting Tudor Street on the Food Map
The City of London is gaining an exciting new dining destination this summer, as Bulbul prepares to open its doors at 21 Tudor Street, EC4Y. Sitting within easy reach of Blackfriars station, St Paul's Cathedral and the South Bank, the location makes it a natural stop for office workers, tourists exploring london attractions, and locals looking for something fresh and flavourful. The restaurant comes from a strong creative partnership: chef-restaurateur Rohan D'Souza and Twinkle Keswani, who was recognised as Young Restaurateur of the Year by The Economic Times in 2023. Together, they already oversee a collection of successful restaurants across India, bringing proven experience and a clear culinary vision to this London debut. For City residents and workers, Bulbul represents exactly the kind of independent, chef-led opening that adds genuine character to the neighbourhood. Tudor Street, tucked between the bustle of Fleet Street and the river, has long been a quiet corner of EC4. Bulbul looks set to change that, drawing food lovers away from the usual tourist trail around Trafalgar Square and into one of London's most historically rich but often overlooked dining quarters.
Regional Indian Cooking Takes Centre Stage on the Menu
What sets Bulbul apart from many other Indian restaurants in London is its commitment to genuine regional diversity. Before finalising the menu, D'Souza and Keswani undertook an extensive research journey across India, visiting home kitchens, street markets and local eateries in search of dishes that rarely travel beyond their place of origin. The result is a small plates menu that reads like a culinary map of the subcontinent. Diners can expect Tamil Nadu-style dosa filled with crab and a fragrant forest pepper masala, and a Goan shrimp balchão where slow-braised shrimp is served atop crisp melba toast — a nod to Goa's Portuguese-influenced coastal cooking. For those wanting something more substantial, larger plates include Jim Corbett Hunter's Murgh Mussallam and a Nilgiri Beef Short Rib Korma, both drawing from lesser-known regional traditions. This approach to menu building reflects a broader movement among London's top restaurants to move beyond generalised representations of world cuisines and instead celebrate specific, localised food cultures. For londoners attending local london events or simply seeking a midweek dinner with real depth and story, Bulbul's menu promises to be a genuinely educational as well as delicious experience.
Maximalist Interiors and a Regional Cocktail List Complete the Experience
Bulbul is not just about the food. The interior design, created by Mumbai-based Right Brain Design Studio, is a full-on maximalist forest fantasy — think saturated jewel tones, layered textures, intricate artwork and an atmosphere that feels a world away from the grey steel and glass of the surrounding City streets. It is the kind of space designed to be noticed and talked about, offering a visual experience that matches the boldness of the cooking. At the bar, the Flight of Bulbul cocktail menu takes a similarly regional approach, with each drink inspired by a specific corner of India — whether a particular ingredient, landscape or cultural tradition. It is a thoughtful touch that ties the entire experience together, ensuring that the spirit of the team's research journey runs through every element of a visit. For the local community, openings like Bulbul matter. They bring investment, creativity and employment to the neighbourhood, while also giving City workers and residents a reason to stay local rather than heading west to Soho for a special night out. With an early summer 2026 launch on the horizon, anticipation is already building. Follow the team at @bulbullondonofficial for updates.
Source: New Indian Spot Bulbul Is Bringing Small Plates and Big Design Energy to the City
