Stories from Our Kitchen
Recipes, culture, sustainability, and the people behind the food.
The Secret Behind The 5,000-Year History of Tandoor Cooking!
The tandoor is one of the oldest cooking technologies still in daily use, and its survival comes down to one thing: results. From blistered bread to perfectly charred meat, the tandoor creates flavours and textures that modern ovens still cannot match. At Rao’s, we use it not for nostalgia, but because tradition and taste still matter.
Behind the Scenes at Rao's Kitchen .The Care and Craft That Guests Don't Always See!
By the time a guest sits at Rao’s, hours of careful, unglamorous work have already happened. Ingredients are checked, stations are arranged, and spice blends are measured to exact ratios because “almost right” isn't good enough. Traditional techniques like slow reductions and tandoor cooking take time and attention, and we refuse to shortcut them. Hospitality is simple: make people feel welcome and well fed. Doing that well requires precise coordination so guests only see the food and the care behind it.
What Makes Indian Fusion Cuisine Different?
Explore how Rao’s Bar and Restaurant blends traditional Indian cooking with modern creativity in East London. East London, in particular, has always attracted people who are curious about food. Diners here do not just tolerate experimentation; they expect it. But they also know the difference between creativity and gimmickry. The bar is high, and rightly so.
Sustainable Sourcing and Fresh Ingredients in Modern Indian Cooking
Learn how sourcing, seasonality, and ingredient quality shape the food served at Rao’s Bar and Restaurant in East London.
Why Vegetarian Food Has Always Been at the Heart of Indian Cuisine
A closer look at why vegetarian Indian food is rich in flavour, deeply rooted in culture, and central to Rao’s Bar and Restaurant. Indian vegetarian food is not an afterthought at Rao’s Bar and Restaurant; it is one of the strongest expressions of flavour and tradition.
Restaurants in Dalston: Discover the Best Indian Restaurant
If you're exploring restaurants in Dalston, Rao's offers authentic North Indian food, handcrafted cocktails, fresh takeaway, and a welcoming atmosphere in the heart of East London.
Best Restaurants in Hackney for Authentic Indian Food in London
Searching for authentic Indian food in Hackney? Explore why Rao's has become a local favourite for traditional North Indian cuisine, tandoor dishes, takeaway, and memorable dining experiences.
The Best Indian Takeaway in Hackney and Dalston
Craving authentic Indian takeaway in Hackney or Dalston? Discover how Rao's delivers fresh North Indian dishes, flavour-packed curries, and tandoor favourites straight to your door.
From Tandoor to Table: Why Rao's Is Dalston's Most Loved Indian Restaurant
If you're searching for the best restaurants in Dalston, look no further. Nestled in the heart of East London, Rao's is redefining what it means to dine out — blending the rich, aromatic traditions of North Indian cuisine with an atmosphere that is as lively as it is elegant. Whether you're a Dalston local or making a special trip, Rao's is the kind of restaurant that turns a meal into a memory with authentic Indian food.
Taste the Story
Come experience Indian fusion at Rao's.
Book a TableThe articles here are written to answer questions people actually ask about what makes Indian fusion food worth seeking out in London, which vegetarian Indian dishes hold their own against anything on the menu, how a tandoor changes the texture and flavour of a marinated lamb chop in ways an oven simply can't. We also write about Dalston, Hackney and East London's food scene as we experience it from our kitchen on Dalston Lane. If you've found your way here through a search for the best Indian restaurants in Hackney, signature cocktails in Dalston or private dining in East London, the blog gives you a better sense of what we do and how we think about it. Then the menu and a booking will do the rest.