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]
Food
Gymkhana serves classic Indian cuisine of largely Northern Indian origin.[16] The menu was described by The Independent restaurant critic Lisa Markwell as being "exemplary of the fine line between comforting and imaginative".[17]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".[18]
Dishes include Tandoori Masala Lamb Chops, Kid Goat Methi Keema and Wild Muntjac Biryani.[19]
International
In 2022, Gymkhana opened its first international site in the Middle East. It opened its second in Riyadh in June 2023.[20]
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.[21] The business is backed by US venture capitalist, CAVU Consumer Partners.[22] Four of the nine products in the range won stars at The Great Taste Awards 2024 from The Guild of Fine Food.[23]
42 Cocktail Lounge
In November 2023, Gymkhana opened its first cocktail lounge above the restaurant. The "maximalist"[24] interiors have been shortlisted in the 2024 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.[25]
^Willingham, Marion; Cross, Inès; Tyndall, Alexander; Simons, Baya; Wise, Louis (2024-03-07). "12 things to see, buy and eat in March". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
