Cricket Lounge, based on London Road in North Cheam, was opened by Rohit Kalia in November 2021.
(Image: The Cricket Lounge)
Less than four years later, it has become Sutton’s most popular Indian restaurant, according to both Google and TripAdvisor reviews.
The 49-year-old owner told Your Local Guardian: “I always wanted to open something of my own.
“I’m passionate about cricket, and I come from Delhi, so I thought, why not combine the two?
“The vision was to open something cricket in mind, so the menu is designed with that in mind.
“So, the cricket bat is the for the food menu, a cricket ball for the drinks, and cricket-themed souvenirs around the venue.”
Rohit explained that the menu was created with a fine-dining twist, collaborating with a chef who had previously opened a restaurant in Shoreditch.
At the Cricket Lounge, everything is fresh and authentic, and Rohit said the dishes are mostly from North India and prepared daily in-house by himself and Head Chef Asrar.
He added: “We teach people what the food is and how it should be.
“Everything is cooked fresh, and we don’t rush our guests.
“We want them to enjoy the hospitality and the food.”
The restaurant is also known for its cocktails and mocktails, all freshly made rather than canned.
“Our drinks are a big part of the experience,” Rohit said.
“People come for the food, but they also notice the freshly made cocktails.
“We’ve put a lot of effort into creating something different here.”
From 2022 to 2024, Cricket Lounge received the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award and has stayed at the top in 2025.
Out of roughly 450 to 460 restaurants in southern England, few Indian restaurants in the UK have managed to keep such consistently high ratings.
It also has a 4.9 Google rating with over 1,000 reviews.
Rohit said the consistency is what sets the restaurant apart.
He explained: “No matter when you come, whether we’re busy or not, the quality and service are the same.
“We’ve always focused on making sure people leave happy and want to come back.”
He highlighted some of the most popular dishes, including the restaurant’s signature black lentils, which are slow cooked overnight in a tandoor oven.
The recipe is a reportedly famous one from Delhi, and Rohit said people travel from 100 miles away just to try it.
Other highlights include handmade samosas, kurkuri bhindi, lamb chops, soft shell crab, scallops, and slow-cooked lamb leg.
Rohit added: “We try to give something that’s not only authentic but memorable.
“The biryanis, for example, are cooked under a dough lid so the flavours really come through when you open it at the table.
“We take the time to explain the menu, guide people through their first visit, and make sure they enjoy themselves.
“We don’t rush anyone.
“That’s something our guests really appreciate.”
Cricket Lounge also hosts events like birthday parties and corporate catering.
One of the things that stand out at Cricket Lounge is the Sunday Buffet, where, between 12.30pm to 4pm, everything is unlimited, freshly cooked, and made for sharing.
He said the restaurant has attracted a wide range of customers, from local families to tourists, and even some high-profile visitors.
Rohit shared: “We had the local MP Luke Taylor visit recently.
“He was so impressed he even sent a thank-you letter from the House of Commons.”
As the owner, Rohit said his favourite thing about running The Cricket Lounge is seeing guests enjoy themselves.
He added: “We’re very established in our food and service, but many people still don’t know about us.
“When someone comes through the door, they’re often surprised at what we offer. That keeps us motivated.”
The Cricket Lounge is open from 5pm to 10pm on Mondays to Thursdays, 12pm to 3pm and then 5pm to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12pm to 9pm on Sunday.
Rohit added: “We provide a homely, family-friendly service.
“Food is important, of course, but the wow factor and making people feel welcome is what keeps us going.”
