Gymkhana (restaurant)

Gymkhana (/'ʤɪmˈkɑːnə/) is a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Mayfair, London. Opened in 2013, the restaurant earned its first star one year later, followed by a second star in 2024.[1] The name is taken from the Indian social and sports clubs of the same name.[2] Known for its classic, largely North Indian cuisine,[3] the restaurant was named National Restaurant of the Year 2014[4] and has since launched a retail brand, Gymkhana Fine Foods,[5] and opened internationally.[6]

History

Jyotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi founded JKS Restaurants with their first restaurant, Trishna, in 2008.[7] Gymkhana, their second restaurant, opened five years later. The Times critic Giles Coren cited it the "best restaurant I have ever been to" in December 2013,[8] giving Gymkhana his first 10/10 rating.[9]

In 2014, Gymkhana won the title of National Restaurant of the Year[4] at the National Restaurant Awards and gained its first Michelin-star[1] that same year.

The restaurant was forced to close after a fire, from 6 June 2019[10] to 18 February 2020, with the space redesigned by Samuel Hosker.[11][12]

In 2022, JKS Restaurants opened Gymkhana's first international site in the Middle East[6]

Gymkhana Fine Foods, the restaurant's range of cooking sauces, marinades and chutneys,[9] came to market exclusively with Whole Foods Market UK in October 2023.[13]

The London restaurant celebrated its 10th birthday in September 2023.

Gymkhana was awarded its second Michelin star in 2024, becoming the first two-Michelin-star Indian restaurant in London[14] and one of only four Indian restaurants in the world to hold two Michelin stars.[15]

In December 2025, Gymkhana opened a location at Aria on the Las Vegas Strip.[16]

Food

Gymkhana serves classic Indian cuisine of largely Northern Indian origin.[17] The menu was described by The Independent restaurant critic Lisa Markwell as being "exemplary of the fine line between comforting and imaginative".[18] Nicholas Lander, Financial Times, wrote of co-founder Karam Sethi: "Sethi has created a restaurant that delivers highly labour intensive and flavourful dishes with style and wit".[19]

Dishes include Tandoori Masala Lamb Chops, Kid Goat Methi Keema and Wild Muntjac Biryani.[20]

International

In 2022, Gymkhana opened its first international site in the Middle East. It opened its second in Riyadh in June 2023.[21]

On 6 August 2025, it was announced by Priya Krishna of The New York Times[22] that Gymkhana will open its first U.S location. Gymkhana Las Vegas will open at the end of the year within ARIA Resort & Casino, an MGM Resorts International venue.

Retail

Gymkhana Fine Foods launched into retail exclusively with Whole Foods Market UK in October 2023,[13] and is now also listed at major retailers Ocado, Selfridges and Harrods.[23] The business is backed by US venture capitalist, CAVU Consumer Partners.[24] Four of the nine products in the range won stars at The Great Taste Awards 2024 from The Guild of Fine Food.[25]

42 Cocktail Lounge

In November 2023, Gymkhana opened its first cocktail lounge above the restaurant. The "maximalist"[26] interiors have been shortlisted in the 2024 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.[27]

The cocktail lounge has been featured in British Vogue,.[28] Bloomberg,[29] the FT How To Spend It[30] and Conde Nast Traveller.[31] The drinks use Indian ingredients such as Banasura peppercorns and Chaprah chutney, made of weaver ants.[28]

Awards

• 2014: National Restaurant Awards – National Restaurant of the Year[4]
• 2014-2023: Michelin Guide London – one star[3]
• 2024-2025: Michelin Guide London – two stars[3]
• 2018 SquareMeal Gold Awards[32]

See also

• List of Indian restaurants
• List of Michelin-starred restaurants in Greater London