Cilantro
Putney, London
Restaurant in London, United Kingdom
Book with PearlThe Read
Southwest London Local Table
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Cilantro is a practical Putney choice when convenience matters more than destination dining. Book it for an easy local dinner, especially if the group wants a low-drama plan on Upper Richmond Road; look elsewhere if the brief needs awards, a named chef, or a clearly published tasting format.
About Cilantro
In London, Cilantro works best as a straightforward option with a smart casual dress code and clearly listed opening hours. It works when those details fit the plan and when you are comfortable checking any menu, seating, group, or dietary questions directly with the venue before you go.
Cilantro can work for an evening visit throughout the week, with lunch also listed on Saturday and Sunday. Choose it when the London setting, schedule, smart casual dress code suit the occasion.
A London option to plan around confirmed basics
The case for Cilantro is strongest for diners who want a London option without building the whole evening around awards, a named chef, or a known tasting format. The smart casual dress code gives guests a useful baseline for planning, but it does not confirm the room layout, private dining, bar seating, or group capacity.
For someone comparing it against other options, the main question is not whether it beats a destination restaurant elsewhere in London. The better question is whether Cilantro's hours work for the meal. It is open Monday to Friday from 5:00 to 10:30 PM, Saturday from 12:00 to 3:00 PM and 5:00 to 10:30 PM, Sunday from 12:00 to 3:00 PM and 5:00 to 10:00 PM.
Use it when the schedule fits
Cilantro is not the right pick if the brief requires named accolades, a known chef counter, or a published tasting-menu structure. It is a better fit when the group values a direct London option and an uncomplicated schedule. If the occasion is important, confirm the details that matter most in advance: seating style, group size, dietary needs, whether the current menu works for everyone.
For broader London planning, use Our full London restaurants guide rather than forcing this into a destination category. Travelers building a wider trip can also pair restaurant planning with Our full London hotels guide, Our full London bars guide, Our full London wineries guide, Our full London experiences guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 244 Upper Richmond Rd, London SW15 6TG, United Kingdom
- Reservations
- Book on SevenRooms
- Website
- cilantro.london
- Phone
- +44 20 3343 9317
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Cilantro reads like a true neighbourhood restaurant: modest from the street and domestic rather than theatrical. The review evokes the low-frequency hum of Upper Richmond Road — buses, cyclists and warm shopfronts — and the kitchen responds to a local clientele instead of chasing destination cachet. The overall tone is relaxed and unshowy: consistent, pleasant cooking in a familiar setting that rewards repeat visits. Expect an intimate, unpretentious evening where the food and the company take centre stage rather than ornate staging or spectacle.
Best For
This is a Putney spot that suits locals and anyone seeking straightforward, reliably good Indian food without the fuss of a city-centre destination. It works well for relaxed dinners with family or friends, easy group nights and low-key date nights where the priority is good cooking and comfortable conversation. The restaurant’s neighbourhood orientation makes it especially convenient for regulars — people who appreciate consistency and an unpretentious atmosphere rather than a theatrical dining occasion.
Ordering Tips
Lean on the signatures when you visit: the butter chicken, lamb chops, chaat and fish curry are highlighted repertoire and sensible starting points for a first meal. Order a selection to share so you can sample a few of the house specialties and get a sense of the kitchen’s range. Given the evening neighbourhood setting, plan for a relaxed pace — arrive for dinner and settle in, rather than treating the meal as a rushed stop.
Venue details
Ambiance
Cozy with dim lighting, relaxing and inviting atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- butter chicken
- lamb chops
- chaat
- fish curry
Planning details
Location
244 Upper Richmond Rd, London SW15 6TG, United Kingdom · Directions
Also consider
Where to look if Cilantro is not the fit
If the group wants another nearby restaurant rather than a central London detour, start with Home SW15. If the brief is more casual or drink-led, Prince of Wales is the more natural fallback.
Restaurant context
How Cilantro compares in Putney
Cilantro is the easiest recommendation when the priority is a simple Upper Richmond Road dinner with low planning pressure. Home SW15 is the more obvious cross-shop if the group wants to stay close but compare room feel before committing. Choose Cilantro when convenience leads; choose Home SW15 when the setting matters more to the decision.
Totide and Kashmir are better alternatives if the meal needs a clearer cuisine-led brief. Cilantro works better as a repeat local booking than as a researched destination, while those peers are more useful when the group wants to decide around a specific food mood.
Bibo and Prince of Wales are the safer backups when atmosphere is the deciding factor. Pick Bibo for a more restaurant-led plan, Prince of Wales for a pub-style fallback, Cilantro when the group wants the least complicated local dinner.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Cilantro guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Cilantro
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Cilantro | London | No published awards |
| Totide | London | No published awards |
| Kashmir | London | No published awards |
| Home SW15 | London | No published awards |
| Bibo | London | No published awards |
| Prince of Wales | London | No published awards |
How Cilantro London compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat at the bar at Cilantro?
Bar seating is not listed, so check with Cilantro before planning around it.
Can Cilantro accommodate groups?
Cilantro is open for dinner Monday to Friday from 5:00 to 10:30 PM, Saturday from 5:00 to 10:30 PM, Sunday from 5:00 to 10:00 PM, with lunch also listed on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 3:00 PM. Confirm group size and seating directly before you go.
What should I order at Cilantro?
The safest approach is to check the current menu with the venue and ask what is recommended on the day.
Is Cilantro good for a special occasion?
Only if the occasion fits a smart casual London venue and the confirmed hours work for your plan. For a higher-stakes meal, confirm the menu, seating, group arrangements, any other important details directly before you go.
What are alternatives to Cilantro in London?
If you are comparing options, you can also look at Home SW15, Totide, Kashmir, Bibo, Prince of Wales, along with other London dining rooms. Check each venue's current hours, style, booking details before deciding.
Is lunch or dinner better at Cilantro?
Lunch is available on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 3:00 PM. Dinner is available Monday to Saturday from 5:00 to 10:30 PM and Sunday from 5:00 to 10:00 PM. The better choice depends on which service window fits your plan.
Does Cilantro handle dietary restrictions?
Contact Cilantro directly and be specific about any restriction before you go, especially if it will determine whether the venue works for your group.
