Popular Hackney takeaway takes over community pub space with help of award-winning Chef Jolly

Brand new Indian Gastro pub - The Great Indian - opens today in Archway, from the owners of a popular Hackney takeaway by the same name. The menu is a journey across India with Chef Jolly using his 30 years' experience to showcase the wealth of regional variations across the Indian subcontinent, with nods to classic pub dishes. The pub opens for service Thursday 9th January from noon, with a soft launch event Saturday 11th – tickets can be purchased here.

The Great Indian started life in entrepreneur Aman Dhir’s home kitchen and quickly evolved into a successful takeaway in Hackney, known as Great Indian. Now Aman is bringing a new concept to a local Archway pub, creating a space that feels like it has always belonged to the neighbourhood. To collaborate on the menu, Aman has brought in renowned Chef Jolly, an award-winning chef, TV personality, and 2025 Michelin recognition holder in Doha, Qatar.

The interiors are split into casual seating and a more intimate dining area which is also available for private events, ensuring locals can pop in for a pint and a snack whilst diners can enjoy a full restaurant experience at the same time. The beautifully designed dining room uses green tones and classic pub tiles, alongside maximalist wallpaper and rattan lightshades and furniture to create a relaxed dining space. Cosy banquettes and stools by the statement green tile bar welcome drinkers to drop in.

The Great Indian offers a mix of small plates perfect for sharing, as well as larger comforting dishes for those looking for something heartier. Highlights include a Lamb Ghee Roast on Malabar bread Taco, Cafreal Tiger Prawns cooked in the tandoor with cloves, cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar, and Chargrilled Chicken Liver served on top of fluffy naan. Other crowd-pleasers, perfect for the pub setting, are TGI Butter Chicken, Slow Cooked Short Rib topped with curried mashed potato, and a Lamb Shank Pie, an entire spiced shank wrapped in pastry served with a saffron-cardamom sauce. The TGI menu also featuring beer bites and small plates, perfect for sharing and snacking, like the Coastal Prawn Mini Dosas and the Jackfruit Croquettes.

A separate section champions Pao or Pav, India’s answer to the slider, with fillings like Goan Portuguese Confit Pork Belly with pickled cabbage and Tandoori Fried Chicken. Each dish is inspired by Chef Jolly’s time travelling and working across India, with evidence of influence from neighbouring regions and colonial legacy. Alongside a huge bespoke tandoor oven, spices are toasted and blended fresh, and an array of freshly made sauces and chutneys produced by the team really elevate The Great Indian experience.

True to the building’s pub roots, TGI will have a wide range of beers on tap including Guinness, Cobra and Beavertown. To ensure the drinks also match the excellent food offering, a strong wine list and a cocktail menu with touches of regional Indian flavour profiles will be on offer. Signature cocktail The Great Indian is kafir lime infused vodka, Sollasa, lime and curry leaves and the Imli Margarita infused with tamarind and chilli. Cocktails stretch to the low and no offering with plenty to choose from including the Gateway of India with pomegranate, rosemary and grapefruit.

With a 100-seater indoor capacity and an alfresco seating area for the summer, The Great Indian is set to become a hub for the local community and food enthusiasts looking for bold, flavour-packed dishes. In the coming weeks TGI will introduce weekend specials as well as tasting and bespoke event menus. A takeaway menu will be available for collection and delivery via Deliveroo or UberEATS.

The Great Indian opens its doors Thursday 9th January at 139 Marlborough Road London N19 4NU.

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