Bonoo restaurant named global 'hidden gem' by Tripadvisor

Bonoo, an Indian tapas restaurant situated at 675 Finchley Road in NW2, has been recognised by Tripadvisor as one of the world's best hidden gems. The restaurant achieved this status as part of Tripadvisor's Traveller's Choice Restaurants 2026 awards.

This designation places Bonoo among under-the-radar eateries globally, alongside venues in countries such as Peru, Greece, and Japan. It is the sole UK establishment to be named in the hidden gem category. The award is based on a customer rating of 4.9 out of 5, compiled from 3,981 reviews submitted on Tripadvisor.

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Award criteria

Tripadvisor's Best of the Best lists acknowledge exceptional quality in travel, awarded to establishments that gather a significant number of highly positive reviews over a 12-month period. The hidden gem category specifically highlights places that are somewhat off the typical tourist trail but are recognised for their taste and local character. Fewer than one per cent of the eight million restaurants listed worldwide attain this recognition.

Restaurant offering

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Bonoo, which has been open for a decade as of 2026, specialises in upscale Indian street food with a focus on healthy preparation. Its menu features a variety of tapas-style dishes, tandoor-grilled items, curries, and a substantial selection of vegetarian options. The tapas offerings highlight seasonal ingredients and include dishes like Indian chaats, biryanis, classic curries, kathi rolls, and tandoor specialities.

Customer feedback highlighted the restaurant's quality. One reviewer described their experience at the Finchley Road location as "amazing," praising the "speedy" service and "excellent" food, and noting the staff were "lovely." Another review stated the food was "delicious" and the staff "really lovely," leading to a high recommendation. A third customer described the establishment as "amazing eats" with "fantastic" food and service, calling it a "north London gem."