Paro Covent Garden is led by Chef Niaz Caan, winner of the BCA Awards’ Chef of the Year Award 2018 and 2021. Hailed as the face of modern Indian cookery in the UK, Chef Niaz is also the mastermind behind City Spice restaurant in London, an award-winning venue that is widely recognised as one of the UK capital’s finest restaurants.
Having grown up in a family of restauranteurs, Chef Niaz Caan has worked in some of the most celebrated Indian restaurants in the UK, learning from leading Bangladeshi chefs. Chef Niaz makes regular appearances on national television, showcasing his expertise and flare for Indian cookery. He recently appeared on Channel 5, sharing the secrets of cooking chicken tikka masala, Britain’s all-time favourite dish, albeit with Chef Niaz Caan’s unique City Spice twist.
Situated in Brick Lane, Shoreditch, City Spice has pioneered Indian cuisine in Britain, combining classic Indian with contemporary accents. City Spice offers a tantalising array of Indian culinary experiences, including the renowned City Spice Challenge. Drawing on traditional Indian and Bengali fusion cookery, City Spice has elevated the flare of South Asian cuisine in the UK.
Paro Covent Garden, Chef Niaz Caan’s most recent offering, is situated right in the beating heart of London’s theatre circuit. Drawing on his experiences establishing City Spice as one of London’s most revered Indian restaurants, Chef Niaz brought his team to Covent Garden, creating not only delicious dishes, but evoking emotions and memories, and celebrating their shared passion in Indian gastronomy.
Cultivating the magic of spices and a warm embrace that only Indian cookery can offer, Paro Covent Garden is a world that transcends boundaries, borders and binaries to present unparalleled dining experiences. Each dish served at Paro Covent Garden is a unique tale of traditions and tastes, taking diners on a gastronomic journey to celebrate unity, diversity and a shared love of Indian food with each bite.
Drawing heavily on the cuisine of Kolkata, a city with a rich and diverse food history, Paro Covent Garden offers delicious seafood, masterfully blended curries, and sumptuous desserts. At Paro Covent Garden, the curries are crafted from a proprietary blend of 48 aromatic spices sourced from India’s bustling bazaars. From the entrees to the desserts, each dish tells its own unique story, bringing tales from India’s vibrant cities to the heart of London’s West End. Every plate served at Paro Covent Garden is not just a meal, but a heartfelt message from India’s bustling, spice-laden streets.
A pioneer of the Indian culinary landscape, Chef Niaz Caan leverages his vast energy and expertise to elevate the art of Indian gastronomy. Hailed as a trendsetter and lauded for his creative interpretations of classic Indian dishes, Chef Niaz draws on his considerable experience and culinary mastery to present diners with the finest Bengali dishes, providing meals with unique flavour, texture and aromas. Each dish reflects Chef Niaz Caan’s dedication to excellence. From his careful curation of the finest ingredients to Paro Covent Garden’s secret spice blend, Chef Niaz is continually experimenting with regional tastes to ensure that Paro Covent Garden’s menu is truly representative of the vibrant tapestry of India’s culinary heritage.
Situated next door to the iconic Lyceum Theatre, Paro Covent Garden is ideally located for theatregoers. Chef Niaz Caan and his team invite diners to embark on an unparalleled dining experience, the venue having been named by Esquire Magazine as one of its ‘59 Top Restaurants to Dine In’, Paro sharing the spotlight with some of London’s most renowned establishments.
A culinary gem located in the heart of Covent Garden, Paro invites patrons to immerse themselves in an ambiance reminiscent of a traditional Kolkatan village, indulging in sumptuous Bengali dishes while enjoyed unparalleled hospitality and service.