Michelin-starred chef Aktar Islam to bring Awadhi cuisine to London with new Borough restaurant

Award-winning chef Aktar Islam will open his first London restaurant this spring, bringing the rarely seen Awadhi cuisine of northern India to the capital. The new venture, named Oudh 1722, will be located in Borough and will occupy a listed Victorian building spread across three floors.

Islam, who is best known for his Birmingham venue Opheem, currently holds two Michelin stars – making Opheem one of only two Indian restaurants in the UK, and four worldwide, to achieve this distinction. Oudh 1722 will mark the chef’s debut in London and will focus on dishes inspired by the royal courts of Lucknow, a city recognised by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy.

The new eatery’s name references both the historical region and the year 1722 in a nod to the roots of the food. Awadhi cooking uses refined techniques and slow-cooking methods such as dum pukht, where ingredients are gently cooked over a low flame to build depth and flavour. The menu is expected to feature signature dishes of the region, including silken kebabs, layered biryanis and aromatic curries.

Islam began his career working in his father’s restaurant at the age of 13 and has spent more than two decades working to reshape perceptions of Indian food. Alongside this work, he has made appearances on television programmes such as Great British Menu and MasterChef: The Professionals, and is involved in mentoring young chefs and community initiatives in Birmingham.

Speaking about the launch, he explained: “Awadhi cuisine represents a rich culinary tradition I have always deeply respected, yet one rarely seen in its authentic form here in the UK. With Oudh 1722, the intention is to bring the flavours of Lucknow to London, drawing on the techniques, generosity and sense of hospitality that defined the Nawabi courts of Lucknow.”

Oudh 1722 is expected to add a new focus on regional Indian cuisine to London’s restaurant scene, offering a dedicated space for Awadhi culinary traditions. The opening is scheduled for spring 2026, with further details to be released closer to the launch date.

Food Desk

Oudh 1722 is scheduled to open in spring 2026 at 66 Union Street, London SE1 1TD. For further information and updates, visit the restaurant’s website here.