Babur restaurant celebrates 40 years in Forest Hill with Ruby Jubilee party and tasting menu

Indian restaurant Babur, located in Forest Hill, will mark its 40^th anniversary with a special event on Thursday 17^th July. The restaurant, which first opened its doors in 1985, will host a one-night-only Ruby Jubilee party featuring a five-course tasting menu, welcome cocktails and live entertainment. The celebration aims to honour four decades of operation as an independent restaurant in a competitive London dining scene. Babur has received recognition over the years, including mentions in the Michelin Guide, AA Rosette and Good Food Guide, and has been featured on platforms such as TopJaw and the Off Menu podcast.

Priced at £75 per person, the anniversary event will showcase a limited-edition menu curated by executive chef Jiwan Lal, who is also celebrating his 20^th year at Babur. The menu is described as a tribute to the restaurant’s history, reimagining classic dishes that have been significant to Babur’s development. Offerings include Lal Maas (a clove-smoked lamb curry from Rajputana), Daab Chingri (a Bengali tiger prawn dish cooked inside a whole green coconut) and Aloo Bukhara Kofta (prune and potato dumplings in a spiced tomato sauce). Dessert will feature Malpua, an Indian sweet given a contemporary twist with chocolate, stem ginger kulfi and beetroot rabdi.

The menu has been developed with input from Babur’s Tasting Group, a tradition where regular patrons are invited to provide feedback on new dishes before they are launched, reflecting the establishment’s ongoing commitment to community involvement and collaboration. Owner Emdad Rahman attributes Babur’s longevity to continuous effort and adaptation, stating that its success is attributed to a quiet ambition to never stop working, evolving and striving for excellence, as well as the dedication of both staff and loyal customers, some of whom have been associated with the venue for decades.

In addition to being served at the 40^th anniversary party, the Ruby Jubilee menu will be available to the public for lunch and dinner from 18^th July to 14^th September. The restaurant will also release commemorative merchandise, including a cookbook titled Babur: Forty Years of Flavour, a chutney trio inspired by signature flavours, and a branded cap. Tickets for the Ruby Jubilee party are limited, and early booking is recommended.

Food Desk

The Ruby Jubilee party takes place at Babur, 119 Brockley Rise, London SE23 1JP on 17^th July 2025. For further information or to book, call 020 8291 2400 or visit the restaurant’s website here.