For a vegetarian Indian restaurant in Fulham, Pure Indian Cooking offers far more than a token curry: four chaats, two vegetarian dishes from the tandoor, eight vegetable and lentil mains and a full bread basket, all on the same menu as everything else. Most vegetarian mains are £11, and a meal of starter, main, bread and rice for one can come in at around £30 before drinks and service.
At a glance
- Chaat from £9, vegetarian tandoor dishes £11
- Eight vegetarian mains, £9 to £11
- Vegetarian choices on the early dinner and weekend set lunch
- Allergens marked on every menu; always tell our team about allergies
Why is Indian cooking so good for vegetarians?
Vegetarianism has deep roots in India, and generations of home cooks have built whole meals around pulses, vegetables, dairy and spice. Lentils provide body, paneer provides richness, and a tempering of hot oil or ghee with seeds and curry leaves (the tadka) gives a simple dish real depth. Nothing has to stand in for meat, because the dishes were never designed around it.
That is how we treat the vegetarian part of our à la carte menu. The same kitchen and the same care go into the lentils as into the lamb.
Which vegetarian starters should you order?
Chaat to begin
Chaat is India's street-snack tradition: crisp, sweet, sour and spicy all in one bite. We serve four.
- Papadi Chaat (£9, six pieces): crispy wafers topped with potatoes, onion, tomato, chutneys, tamarind chutney and sev.
- Dahi Puri (£9, six pieces): crunchy puris stuffed with chickpeas, tamarind and sweet yoghurt, finished with pomegranate seeds.
- Pani Puri (£9, six pieces): crisp hollow puris filled with chickpeas and tamarind chutney, with mint water to pour in. Eat each one in a single bite.
- Patra Chaat (£11): colocasia leaves with yoghurt, date and tamarind chutney, pomegranate, onion, tomato and sev. Critics at The Infatuation and The Resident both praised it, and we have written a whole post on patra chaat.
There is also the Spinach, Sundried Tomato & Goat's Cheese Samosa (£10), served with mint, tomato and beetroot chutney.
From the tandoor
The clay oven is not only for meat. Achari Broccoli (£11) is marinated in pickling spices and served with smoked sweet chilli yoghurt and toasted almond flakes. Malabari Paneer Tikka (£11) is cottage cheese marinated in yoghurt, curry leaves, mustard and red chilli, stuffed with sultanas. Order both for the table and you have a vegetarian mixed grill.
What are the best vegetarian Indian mains?
Our vegetarian section has eight dishes. Here is how they compare:
| Dish | Price | What it is | Good if you like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dal Makhani | £11 | Black lentils, slow cooked overnight, mildly spiced | Rich, creamy comfort |
| Dal Tadka | £11 | Yellow lentils tempered with tomatoes, cumin, mustard seeds, curry leaves and garlic | Lighter, everyday dal |
| Lasooni Palak | £11 | Creamy spinach with brown garlic and dry fenugreek leaves | Garlic, greens |
| Bhindi Anardana | £11 | Bhindi (okra) masala with dry and fresh pomegranate | Something different |
| Baingan Bharta | £11 | Roasted aubergine with tomato, onion, roasted cumin and ginger | Smoky flavours |
| Paneer & Peppers Masala | £11 | Cottage cheese and bell peppers in a creamy mild sauce | Mild and gentle |
| Aloo Ghee Roast | £11 | Potatoes with a special spice blend and curry leaves | Spiced potatoes |
| Asparagus Poriyal | £9 | Asparagus tempered with mustard and curry leaves, with coconut | Fresh, South Indian style |
If you only order one, make it the dal makhani. Harden's 2026 guide names "the best black daal" as its top tip, and The Infatuation counted it among the best dals its reviewer had eaten in London. Our guide to dal makhani explains why it takes a night to cook.
How should a vegetarian group order?
Indian meals work best shared. For two people, we suggest one chaat, one tandoor dish, two mains (one dal and one vegetable), rice and a bread. For four, add a second chaat and two more mains. Try to mix textures and richness: pair the creamy dal makhani or lasooni palak with something brighter such as bhindi anardana or asparagus poriyal.
Which breads and sides go with vegetarian curries?
Breads come from the tandoor: Butter Naan (£3), garlic or chilli coriander Naan (£3), Cheese Naan (£4), sweet Peshawari Naan with coconut, cashew and cream (£4), Tandoori Roti (£3) and flaky Laccha Paratha (£4). Note that the Kheema Naan is stuffed with minced lamb, so it is not vegetarian. For rice, choose Saffron Pulao (£4) or Steamed Rice (£3.50), and add Raita (£4) to cool things down.
Are there vegetarian options on the set menus?
Yes. On the early dinner (every day 5.30pm to 6.30pm, two courses £27 or three £33), vegetarians can start with Patra Chaat or Malabari Paneer Tikka and follow with Lasooni Palak or Baingan Bharta, with steamed rice or naan.
The weekend set lunch (Saturday and Sunday, two courses £21 or three £25) has the widest vegetarian choice: Patra Chaat or Malabari Paneer Tikka to start, then Lasooni Palak, Bhindi Anardana, Baingan Bharta, Dal Tadka or Dal Makhani. Finish with Broken Wheat & Nuts Halwa, the Gulab Jamun Chocolate Brownie, ice cream or sorbet.
The tasting menu includes meat and seafood courses as listed. If you are vegetarian and interested in it, please speak to our team before booking.
What about allergies and vegan diets?
Allergens are marked on every menu, and many vegetarian dishes contain dairy, gluten, nuts or mustard. Please tell us about allergies or dietary needs when you book and again when you order. If you eat no dairy at all, read our guide to vegan Indian food and ask our team which dishes can be prepared for you.
Planning a visit to a vegetarian-friendly Indian restaurant in Fulham?
We are at 67 Fulham High Street, close to Putney Bridge station; hours and directions are on our visit page. You can book a table online, or order online if you would rather enjoy the dal at home.
Frequently asked questions
How many vegetarian dishes are on the menu?
The à la carte menu has four chaats, a vegetarian samosa, two vegetarian tandoor dishes and eight vegetarian mains, plus vegetarian breads, rice and sides.
What is the best vegetarian dish to try first?
Our Dal Makhani (£11), slow cooked overnight, is the dish critics mention most, with Harden's 2026 guide calling it "the best black daal". Patra Chaat (£11) is a popular starter.
Is there a vegetarian weekend lunch?
Yes. The Saturday and Sunday set lunch (£21 for two courses, £25 for three) has two vegetarian starters and five vegetarian mains to choose from.
Is paneer vegetarian?
Paneer is a fresh Indian cheese, usually made by curdling milk with an acid such as lemon juice, so it is generally suitable for vegetarians. Please ask our team if you need specific details.
Book a table at Pure Indian Cooking
67 Fulham High Street, London SW6 3JJ · 020 7736 2521
