Rara in Richmond upon Thames

Delicious foods with reasonable price and good service

Sandhya, the waitress was so kind, welcoming and accommodating. We arrived at the restaurant 40 mins before the closing time and Sandhya, who I previously talked to via phone, made sure we could have dinner somehow (at the table or takeaway). When we arrived, the table was already set. She explained their signature dishes and we followed her suggestions. We had Korma, Rice, Nepalese special rice, pagari peero lamb and sahazaadi masala (my fav). All delicious. We were not expecting such delicious meals. Thank you

Unfortunately we were charged £66.65 for 2 curries , 2 rice , a sag aloo , I nan and 4 popadom .. and this was a delivery !!! The food was nice but not worth this price it is scandalous !! We weren’t given a price on ordering and no receipt ! Will definitely NOT be using Rara again !

Nestled in the heart of the Kew, RARA offers an unparalleled dining experience that seamlessly blends authentic Nepalese flavors with impeccable service and gracious hospitality. From the moment we stepped through the doors, we were enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth and sophistication, promising an evening of culinary delight. The restaurant’s ambiance exudes elegance, with tasteful decor that subtly hints at Nepalese heritage while maintaining a modern, chic aesthetic. Soft lighting and carefully curated music set the perfect backdrop for an intimate dinner or a special celebration. Our culinary journey began with a selection of appetizers that were as visually stunning as they were delicious. The momo dumplings, a house specialty, were flawlessly crafted, their delicate exteriors giving way to a savory filling that was bursting with flavor. The accompanying sauces, each meticulously prepared, elevated the dish to new heights. As we moved to the main courses, we were continuously impressed by the chef’s artistry and attention to detail. The lamb curry, slow-cooked to perfection, was a symphony of spices that danced on the palate, while the vegetarian thali offered a delightful array of textures and tastes, showcasing the rich diversity of Nepalese cuisine. Each dish was presented with an elegance that spoke to the restaurant’s commitment to excellence. The service at Rara was nothing short of exemplary. The staff, attired in attire that subtly echoed traditional Nepalese dress, were attentive and knowledgeable, providing insightful recommendations and ensuring that every need was met with grace and efficiency. Their genuine warmth and professionalism enhanced the overall dining experience, making us feel like cherished guests rather than mere patrons. In conclusion, Rara is a true culinary gem that stands out not only for its exquisite food but also for its exceptional service and hospitality. It offers a dining experience that is both luxurious and authentic, a rare find that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on any discerning diner. We highly recommend RARA for those seeking a refined and memorable exploration of Nepalese cuisine.

Great Lamb chops,Dhansak lentil soup, the king prawns were pretty amazing too. I have been back quite a few times and I’ve never had a bad meal.

Had chicken korma and chicken masala - they were excellent. We arrived early before posted hours, but staff graciously invited us to stay and received great service.

Delicious dinner with great view and the service is excellent. Had the momos with the chutney, tandoori mixed grill, chicken jalfrezi along with garlic naan is amazing. Generous portion of rice alongside. I recommend to make reservation on the weekends.

I am very happy with the Authentic Indian Nepalese fusion. just loved the way they served Momo, it was simply amazing. Nepalese special rice was great with Chilli chicken. I will definitely visit again. 5 star food and service.

Really friendly staff, could have been slightly more present on the restaurant floor, seemed a recurring theme that diners were left waiting for the attention of a waiter/waitress. Food was ok - chutneys were quite bland which was a shame. Momos were nice, curry was standard but tasty. Wouldn’t personally return but definitely would recommend giving it a go!

Really bad experience, I booked through the Fork app and got 50% off deal but in the end, the manager charged a service charge which we asked them to remove it but the manager said it's compulsory like really in 2024 is he really in 2024, we doubted but we didn't wanted to create any scenes that's why we left the place but really he was not ready to remove the service charge which against the law

The food was very delicious no complaints but the manager is very rude. We booked the table by using The fork app where we got a 50% discount coupon for this restaurant so we went through to try it. But i felt somewhere we were being served in the smaller bowl than usual. But still i like the taste of the food, In the end when I asked for the bill the discount was applied but there was a service charge which i then asked it to be removed then the manager came itself to us and said it is compulsory to pay the service charge as the discount being applied already but according to the law it’s our choice either we want to pay the service charge or not. It’s 2024 they have to mention before we order food it’s really not done. I am also putting a complaint to the local council. Hope they get themselves sorted. Thank you

We’ve been visiting Kew for the last 5 years, love the gardens and always stay a couple of nights. Pleased to say we discovered the Rara on our first visit and always return. The welcome is lovely and the food is stunning, we can just never manage to eat all the food that is presented. Wish we lived here then we could take it home for another night (or 2). We’ll see you next time we’re here but will ask for smaller portions, happy with the price just don’t like to waste food. Planning to come next month, see you again soon and thank you.

Amazing food and service with lots of vegan options!

Serving authentic Nepalese food. Very delicious.

Nepalese restaurant menu varied and interesting not oily, asked if anyone had any allergies, dumplings for starters very similar to Asian or Polish. Lamb melt in the mouth, salmon yummy worth a visit mine was a birthday treat.

Sandhya was so warm and kind and gentle. She is amazing and made our evening very special with her smiley face while serving ❤️

Their Bhindi Sukha is amazing! I had lemon rice on the side, veggie samosas and a generous amount of mango lassi. Very good food.

Food is great but place is not hygienic. There was a spider web on the table & lots of mold at the door.

First time back in a long time and the food was more delicious than ever. Really tasty King Prawn Miteri

Love it. Really nice tasty food. Well flavour, nicely spiced, delicious proper tandoor tasting chicken. Breads were very nice. Great friendly and attentive service. Shame we do not live local!! Best Indian I have had in a long time, well worth the price.

This is a fantastic place for a Nepalese curry. Food is absolutely wonderful. I was welcomed warmly and seated quickly, though I’d imagine it’d be worth booking Friday/Saturday. Staff were friendly and helpful. As it’s Nepalese some of the menu you be less familiar to those who are more experienced with Indian menus, but it’s easy to work out and the menu is very helpful in this regard. They provide a full drinks menu but I’d recommend the Nepalese Gurkha beer. It comes in large (660ml) bottles and, to my palate, is superior to Cobra/Kingfisher. Top meal.

After a very cold and wet walk around Kew Gardens yesterday morning I was looking for a meal to warm myself up and I found the perfect place here less than 10 minutes walk away from the Victoria Gate and very close to Kew Gardens station. The menu is extensive and the prawn puri starter chosen was delicious with a spicy kick to it and for the main course I had the chicken signature dish, thoroughly recommended. The portions were very generous and there was certainly no need for me to eat again that day. Service was very attentive with a smile from a wonderful waitress. This was my first visit of I'm sure many more to come in order to work my way through all the many dishes on offer.

I met a group of old friends here for a curry on a drab February evening.We picked this restaurant as it was central to us all but was recommended by a friend in Kew.The food was of high quality, well presented and the portion size was very good.As already mentioned in another review the menu was varied and had some interesting dishes. I’d certainly recommend this restaurant.Thank you for a lovely evening.

The service was outstanding, making us feel right at home. The food was delicious with generous portions. Highly recommended!

This restaurant has been here for a long time which should say a lot for its quality. It was our local go-to spot for Indian when we lived here 14 years ago. I stopped in today for dinner when visiting London. The chicken jalfreezi was as I remembered. Very good! And very spicy!

Absolutely delicious food and a warm friendly atmosphere inside. Would highly recommend visiting this spot.

This is one of the best Indian restaurants in the area. OK, prices are a little above average, but you get what you pay for - i.e. really fresh, original flavours, high quality ingredients and very generous portions. There are dishes here you will not see elsewhere, including several 'chef's specialities'. Try them. You will not be disappointed.

We had a late lunch here just before Xmas. We shared a vegetarian meal together and it was really great. Very tasty and good sized portions. The menu had a lot of choice. The momo was particularly good. The service was also very good. The person who served us was very attentive but at just the right level. The only reason I marked down atmosphere was because we were the only people in the restaurant at the time as our late lunch was the opening time of the restaurant. I will definitely return and recommend others to eat there.

We had an absolute shocking experience today. It started when we arrived. They didn’t seem to have our reservation, waiter looked surprised that 6 people turned up. Table was of course not ready, table cloths dirty. We didn’t receive a drinks menu, only after asking for one. 1h in we only had starters. 2 hours in we received some mains. The food with sides like rice, naan bread etc didn’t come at the same time as the main dish which was really annoying. Waiter then asked if everything was ok only to find out that the last two mains and a side had been forgotten so 2 people didn’t had their food after 2h waiting. Our kids got really restless by that time. We cancelled the remaining dishes, paid and left. If you are so understaffed on the 1st of Jan don’t open or don’t provide the full menu. Forgetting 2 mains for a table of 6 with only 2 other tables in the restaurant is really poor. Sorry but can only say stay away, what a waste of time.

The only reason I didn’t give this a 5 star review was because we had a bit of a slow start with the service. That aside, the food was excellent and plentiful. Certainly one of the best meals I have had for a long while. Beer took a while to get going in the right condition but then again we were a group of thirsty chaps

Visited this restaurant after Christmas as a large group, and we ordered a good variety of dishes ... pakora, chilli paneer, saag paneer, three different chicken curries, and a mixed grill plus three different types of naan, and the quality of every dish was outstanding. The service was superb, and the bill was very reasonable. In the end, we left thoroughly satisfied 😌

Excellent food and great atmosphere, five stars in every dimension. Perfect for celebrating with your friends and/or family.

Service was friendly, food arrived promptly and was delicious

Yet another great in a charming restaurant in Kew Gardens. Excellent authentic Nepalese cuisine served by heartful staff, terrific tastes and scents are going to remain with me for a long time. Recommended to anoyone who wants to enhance their food pallete for such exotic and simultaneously blissful cuisine. I would like to especially recommend a signature dish of this place, which is Royal RARA.

We received a warm welcome and were offered drinks and papadum I ordered chicken dhansak which was quite good.The vegetables were delicious. The service was excellent

Great place to go for a meal with a good menu to choose from

Incredible, amazing food and exceptional service.

Delicious food and thoughtful, friendly service

Fantastic dine-in meal this evening. I had the Royal Rara with peshwari naan and my partner had the lamb korma, with mushroom rice and plain naan. The service was excellent and the prices reasonable, but the food, crikey, exceptional. The Royal Rara was a stunning dish, and I would definitely have this again. The menu choice is fantastic, a superb blend of both Nepalese & Indian food. I'll try more dishes next time. Mwahhhhh xx Paula xx

Very good cuisine and attentive service. Their signature wine n white dish is delicious as well as the garlic nanas.

Rara kew offers a truly delightful fusion of Nepalese and indian cuisine with expertly blended flavors, alternative service, and a warm atmosphere. From the plenty of cooked Chicken Tikka Masala to the refreshing Mango Lassi, the restaurant's dedication to quality and unique culinary offerings make it a standout destination for an authentic and memorable dining experience.

Rara Kew captivated me with its seamless fusion of Nepalese and Indian flavors, showcased through expertly crafted dishes and a warm, inviting atmosphere. From the delightful momo platter to the standout Lamb Rogan Josh, the restaurant's commitment to culinary excellence and thoughtful presentation make it a must-visit for those seeking a harmonious blend of traditional and innovative flavors.

Visiting London from Devon, went after Kew Gardens night trail, warm welcome, staff were a delight, food was excellent, Malabar fish curry amazing, will be visiting again when we next come to London, thank you for a fabulous meal ❤️

Perfect little restaurant in a quaint area near Kew Gardens. The food was delicious and the servers were extremely attentive. If we’re in the area again we will definitely visit again.

My friend and I came here for a late lunch today. The welcome was warm and genuine, the staff were so friendly and last but not least the food was delicious.

With the pops of Diwali going off all around London we headed to RARA in Kew. An amazing dinner, fantastic service, and wonderful hospitality. Highly recommended

Wonderful dinner. One of the best. Highly recommend.

Good food and good portions - but spoilt by no rose wine . There were two good rose wines on the menu, but they had run out of both . And no coffee or tea at the end of a meal - this is very bad. Rara restaurant just does not seem bothered by this. Slack service in a small restaurant with only two other tables with customers when I was there. I ordered my starter and my main, I was then asked did I want it all together ? No, this is such bad service. At the prices Rara charge and in the very nice area of Kew / Richmond, I would really expect coffee and tea at the end of a meal. Also spiced tea , rose wine , and friendly and professional service . I will not be coming back.

Fantastic Indian food in Kew, I always say you can't beat a London curry and RaRa does NOT disappoint. Absolutely wonderful food and a very nice atmosphere too.

Tasty food, with wonderful service. We received our food and beverages expediently and enjoyed a warm and happy atmosphere throughout our meal.

Excellent food good service good choose of wine abosulty wonder experience at Rara kew

Great delivery service with this resturant just a little time i have been waiting for pick the foods👌

Lovely service and the atmosphere of this resturant..I'm giving five star ⚡⚡ because of food.Mostly i have experience with chicken tikka masala, papadum busket, Nepalese special rice, pulau rice 😊 so i will consider rara kew resturant for everyone.

One of the amazing resturant in kew garden. I will recommend you guys for eating delicious food with your friends and family 💝

We were in London on holiday from Australia and by chance some of our friends came across this lovely restaurant. The food was genuinely fantastic and the service from the whole team exquisite. Lovely little restaurant in a beautiful area of London. Do yourself a favour and stop in.

Rara provided evening catering for my wedding by delivering a bulk order of freshly cooked samosas to the venue. Their service was incredible, fantastic value and the food was delicious. Highly recommended to anyone needing to feed the masses!

We went for dinner on a Monday night. Not crowded, nice considerate owners and waiters, we had a nice Nepalese dinner (well, really Indian in my case). The food was good and we stayed under £30 per person.

We visited here on a whim for a mid-week meal. What a great decision! The food was incredible, with some of the best Momo we’ve ever had! The staff are brilliant and could t have been more helpful. A real family vibe about the place too, helped out by our waiter Agnelo! We’ll definitely be back soon.

I went to Ra Ra with a work colleague for a curry. We arrived at 9pm and were told that we had to order straight away as the kitchen would close at 9:45. Fair enough. We ordered and received our meal We chose 3 main dishes 2 x rice 1 x naan and 2 beers. The service was OK but the food was very bland and extremely expensive for what it was We paid £80 for a very ordinary meal in what is now a very ordinary restaurant. Its quite sad as I have frequented this restaurant for many years and have always recommended it to friends and family as being of outstanding quality Sadly I believe standards have declined whilst prices have soared. I for one will not be going again

The restaurant is very clean ,&very well run by helpful friendly staff portion size is good ,would highly recommend 👌

Absolutely fantastic food, very friendly helpful staff, would highly recommend

I enjoyed dining at the restaurant , and I ordered the Lamb Chettinad dish. The flavors of the Lamb Chettinad were outstanding – rich, aromatic, and packed with spices that gave it a delightful kick. The tenderness of the lamb was spot on, and it paired wonderfully with the fragrant rice. The portion size was satisfying, and the presentation was visually appealing. Overall, it was a delicious and memorable dining experience.

Having attended the restaurant a couple of times, I have to say, the service and quality of food is excellent. Having eaten Indian and Gurkha food all over the World, this restaurant rates very highly and draws us back on every visit to Richmond.

Such a great experience ! We were running late with a party of 7.. we had to call several times to change the time of arrival. They were always so accommodating … when we arrived we were waited on like we were the royals ! The food was so good, so authentic ! We finished everything ! Taken great care of by Agnelo our server

A wonderful experience from start to finish. An array of dishes that were so flavoursome, and fair in price. We will definitely be back with friends! Lastly, a shout out to the staff, attentive and made us feel like we are regulars from the start. We will be back Richard and Rachel

Had lovely dinner with My friend. Food was authentic Nepali / Indian (excellent). Customer service was outstanding, very polite and accommodating. with glass of red wine. I suggest to new people this RARA Kew is awesome👌

Very nice indian/nepalese restaurant with great food and helpful staff.

We turned up without a reservation and were very warmly invited in. Very attentive staff. We didn’t really know what we fancied so we were advised by the owner/manager, after he had discussed what we liked/didn’t like. The food was awesome and so were the staff. If you are ever around this vacinity give them a go!! Thank you very much 👍👍😁😁

simple Nepalese restaurant with a lovely ambience serving nice authentic cuisine. Good staff, great service and reasonable prices. We ate Chicken momos Gulkali lamb Pokrali daal good value for Money significantly. All meals were good, both in size and flavours. Karahai chicken was so good, full of flavour with a good kick. As always, drinks are so good but very good night. Its was a lovely time spend over there. I would like go back and try some new dishes.

Worst Dinner experience I ever had. Poorest long ireland ice tea cocktail i ever had. Most of the items in the menu either were not available or which were available and suggested by the staff were pathetic. From the starter we tried chilli chicken, pahadi lamb( rahari lamb) and chicken momos. We were only able to eat momos and other we had to give it back as those were with full of red chilly without any taste. Although I love spicey food but it was only filled with red chilly. Won't suggest to anyone 😞.

My wife and I were visiting from Australia and had an excellent meal at Rara. The service was fantastic, the owner is friendly and very generous. The Momo and Saag Paneer were particularly delicious. Looking forward to coming back again.

Authentic meal in a nice atmosphere. The cooking is superb!

Delicious dinner! Space to sit outside too. Had the signature dish (chicken wrapped around a prawn in tikka masala sauce). No idea how that becomes a signature dish but I’m not complaining, was delicious! My grandad had the mixed grill. The rice portion was huge - we shared between 3 - and the peshwari naan was delicious! Washed down with a nice pint of kingfisher after a long day at Kew Gardens. Plenty of pubs nearby for a drink after too.

We had the speciality dish, a lamb rogan josh, the Nepalese special rice and a garlic naan and they were all amazing! Very tasty food and great service, would definitely recommend. Very good prices too!

Went with my family and I ordered Chicken Hariali, Chicken Shashlik, Tandoori Mixed Grill with Pulao Rice. The taste was not just awesome but it had a unique aroma in it which I have never experienced before. The ambience too is very good. I had the opportunity to meet the owner Mr. Zameer and he is a very humble person. He made sure that we were comfortable at all times. I’m definitely visiting again.

V. Tasty food. Friendly staff. Beautiful mural art on the walls.

Great food. Great value. Great service. Lovely restaurant. Thank you Adesh for your attentive service.

Authentic cooking, made by the extremely friendly owner. Absolutely delicious and can’t wait to come back.

Excellent food. Reasonable price. Large portions. Take away with left overs so go Large! Tried 5 different meals. Every one a winner. Quick and friendly professional service.

Lovely food, comprehensive menu. Service was great, esp Agnelo. Very prompt, well mannered and knowledgeable about the cuisine. Would thoroughly recommend it, esp if you're visiting Kew Gardens.

Very friendly staff. My wife rarely strays away from grilled chicken or a hamburger. She had the chicken korma and loved it. I had the Aloo Phool Gobi. Loved it.

Really good food and great service from Sharad and Adesh. Really liked the prawn miteri and the poppadoms and mint chutney that they gave us on the house :)

Super nice food and service by Sharad and Adesh!!!!

We ordered the lamb tikka and chicken masala and were amazingly delicious! Angelo was a great host and the service was comfortable.

Amazing food and service! The best of we tried in London!

We ordered Vegetable Momos, Saag Paneer, Aloo Bhanta, and Tandoori Roti. The food was very good and full of flavour.The staff are friendly and helpful too.

Okish food. The service was good. Not many vegetarian options comparatively. Average restaurant.

Wonderful in every possible way. The food is exceptional. Try the lamb tikka masala if you want one of the best dishes in any restaurant. The service is so gentle and welcoming . And the atmosphere is perfect, you can actually have conversations with friends and hear them ! Time goes so quickly here its so so good.

Amazing delicious food, 5 stars service!!

tasty fresh food, friendly people

Delicious food! Friendly service, we came for early dinner with our two kids and we were happily surprised with the experience. When we finished our food,all four of us were elated. My personal favourite is butter chicken.

Tons of dairy-free options, wonderful service (Zameer), fantastic flavor. Excellent taste, big portions, and high quality ingredients. No doubt why it felt many tables were locals. Our 15 and 20 year old kids loved it too. Zameer added to our Holiday from USA by sharing his Napalese heritage and love of UK.

Adesh and Sharrad both gave us excellent service. Food is great taste, Definitely highly recommended❤️

Absolutely incredible!! The best curry in London. The service from Agnelo and Sharad was impeccable. We will be returning!

It was so delicious! Great service by Agnelo and Sharad

Incredible food, one of the very best Indian meals I’ve had in London. Staff was also so kind and helpful. Will be back

Was visiting Kew Gardens for my birthday and wanted somewhere good to eat very early before we headed for the train home. We like Nepalese food so made a booking here. We were made very welcome and the staff and the owner were very friendly. Meal choices were lovely and we would certainly visit if in the area again. Seemed popular with locals ordering take aways too.

We had an amazing time at Rara this evening, and I'd highly recommend for a great dine-in experience. We arrived early, with no reservation, and they accommodated us warmly. We struggled a bit to find a dish best for our 1.5 year old, and the team at Rara went off-menu to create a special chicken dish for our daughter. The food was top-notch, I highly recommend the Sahazadi Masala, a true treat!

Great menu, service and hospitality. Quick and efficient delivery available in the local area. Can not forget to comment on the fabulous selection of wines to accommodate traditional dishes cooked with passion and love.

great table service, great well cooked food - top notch. added to the fav list. we went on a Thursday afternoon and sat by the entrance where the sun shined. i imagine booking during busier hours is recommended