Akshaya - The Picture Drome

You'll walk past this place a dozen times before realising it's exactly what you've been looking for. The modest frontage on Kensington gives nothing away, but step inside and you're transported by the smell of proper spices and the sound of sizzling hoppers. The Sri Lankan dishes here aren't watered down for British palates – the kottu roti arrives with serious heat, and the fish curries pack the kind of complexity you'd expect from someone's amma's kitchen. The South Indian selection is equally impressive, with dosas that arrive crisp and enormous, and sambar that actually tastes like it should. Staff know their stuff and aren't shy about steering you towards the good stuff. It's the kind of place where regulars have their usual orders, and newcomers leave planning their next visit.