Gymkhana (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder | Jyotin Sethi, Karam Sethi, Sunaina Sethi |
| Headquarters | Mayfair, London , United Kingdom |
| Products | North Indian cuisine, sauces, chutneys (Gymkhana Fine Foods) |
| Parent | JKS Restaurants |
Gymkhana (/ʤɪmˈkɑːnə/) is a distinguished dining establishment located in Mayfair, London, recognized with two Michelin stars. Founded in 2013, it received its inaugural Michelin star in 2014 and achieved a second in 2024. The restaurant’s name draws inspiration from traditional Indian social and sporting clubs, and it focuses on authentic North Indian cuisine. Honored as National Restaurant of the Year in 2014, Gymkhana has broadened its brand by introducing Gymkhana Fine Foods, a retail line featuring sauces and chutneys. The brand has also extended its footprint internationally, including a branch in Riyadh.
History
JKS Restaurants was established by Jyotin, Karam, and Sunaina Sethi, launching their initial venue, Trishna, in 2008. Five years later, they opened Gymkhana, which rapidly earned critical acclaim; notably, Giles Coren of The Times awarded it an exceptional 10/10 score in 2013.
Gymkhana secured the National Restaurant of the Year award at the National Restaurant Awards in 2014 alongside its first Michelin star. Following a fire incident, the restaurant temporarily ceased operations from June 2019 until February 2020 and reopened after undergoing a redesign led by Samuel Hosker.
The company ventured into international markets by inaugurating Gymkhana’s first Middle Eastern outlet in 2022. In October 2023, Gymkhana Fine Foods launched exclusively at Whole Foods Market UK, offering a range of cooking sauces, marinades, and chutneys.
Marking its tenth anniversary in September 2023, the London location was awarded a second Michelin star in 2024. This achievement made it the first Indian restaurant in London to hold two Michelin stars and one of only four Indian establishments worldwide to earn this honor.
Food
Gymkhana’s culinary focus is on traditional Indian cuisine with an emphasis on Northern Indian dishes. The menu has been lauded for its creative yet comforting approach, featuring items such as Tandoori Masala Lamb Chops, Kid Goat Methi Keema, and Wild Muntjac Biryani. Co-founder Karam Sethi has received recognition for crafting intricate and flavorful dishes presented with elegance and finesse.
International
The brand expanded globally by opening its initial Middle Eastern site in 2022, followed by another location in Riyadh in June 2023. On August 6, 2025, it was announced that Gymkhana plans to debut its first U.S. restaurant by year-end at the ARIA Resort & Casino, part of MGM Resorts International, situated in Las Vegas.
Retail
Gymkhana Fine Foods entered the retail sector exclusively through Whole Foods Market UK in October 2023 and has since become available at major retailers including Ocado, Selfridges, and Harrods. This venture is supported by U.S.-based venture capital firm CAVU Consumer Partners. Four out of nine products within the lineup received accolades at The Great Taste Awards 2024 from The Guild of Fine Food.
42 Cocktail Lounge
In November 2023, Gymkhana unveiled its inaugural cocktail lounge located above the main restaurant. Featuring "maximalist" interior design elements, the lounge was shortlisted for the 2024 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.
This cocktail venue has been spotlighted in publications such as British Vogue, Bloomberg, FT How To Spend It, and Condé Nast Traveller. Its beverage offerings incorporate distinctive Indian ingredients like Banasura peppercorns and Chaprah chutney derived from weaver ants.
Awards
- 2014: National Restaurant Awards – honored as National Restaurant of the Year
- 2014–2023: Maintained a one-star rating in the Michelin Guide
- 2018: Recipient of the SquareMeal Gold Awards
- 2024: Elevated to two stars by the Michelin Guide