The Rajasthan I

The Rajasthan I is a halal Indian restaurant in the City of London, operating within the crowded lunchtime and post-work dining scene of the Square Mile and catering to a clientele that is increasingly mixed — British Asian professionals, Muslim bankers and lawyers who want a reliably halal meal during the working day, visiting clients from the Gulf, and a steady stream of City workers of every background who have figured out that the food is dependably good. The menu is Rajasthani and North Indian in emphasis: a focus on rich tomato-based curries, tandoor-grilled meats with the distinctive smoky char, a strong biryani section with the long-grain basmati cooked separately and layered with meat and spices, breads from the clay oven, and a dal that is the traditional slow-cooked test of any serious Indian kitchen. The halal sourcing is explicit: lamb and chicken from certified suppliers, beef avoided in deference to Hindu colleagues in the industry, and no alcohol in the kitchen though wine is served at the tables for non-Muslim guests. Lunch is the main business: a brisk service for office workers on limited time, with set menus that deliver a starter, main, and rice or bread within the hour. Evening service is quieter and more relaxed, suitable for a longer meal with clients. The dining room is polished, the service professional, and the prices reflect a City-of-London location rather than a high-street curry house. For Muslim professionals working in the Square Mile, the Rajasthan I is a useful regular, and for Muslim visitors to London on business, it is a reliable lunchtime fallback a short walk from most of the major financial institutions. During Ramadan the restaurant adjusts its service to accommodate fasting workers who arrive for iftar just after sunset.