Mantra

The address at 37 Crutched Friars places Mantra in the City of London's EC3N postcode, a neighbourhood defined by financial district workers and a lunch trade that demands more than the ordinary. Contemporary Indian cooking in this corridor tends to either chase the quick-cover model or attempt something more considered; Mantra positions itself toward the latter. The dining room makes an immediate statement through its design: glass floors, glass-topped tables, a back-lit floor with shifting colours, plasma screens running psychedelic visuals, and red swivel chairs anchored beneath a large chandelier. It is a deliberate aesthetic, one that signals the kitchen intends to do something beyond the conventional high-street Indian formula. The menu reflects that ambition in places. Alongside familiar North Indian preparations, dishes such as deep-fried sea bass with mango powder and tandoori broccoli suggest a kitchen willing to move past the standard repertoire. Food critic Andy Hayler, reviewing the restaurant, described the cooking as "a cut above the high street" — a specific editorial endorsement that carries weight given Hayler's documented record of visiting restaurants across the price spectrum. Pricing at the time of that review sat in the mid-range, with starters running from roughly £3.95 to £6.95 and mains from £6.95 to £8.95. For anyone working or visiting in the EC3N area, Mantra offers contemporary Indian cooking in a setting that takes its interior design as seriously as its menu. The Hayler endorsement provides a useful reference point, though prospective visitors should confirm current pricing and hours directly with the venue, as available data reflects an earlier review period.