The amazing diversity of Kilburn as an area is reflected in the vast array of cuisines you’ll see advertised when simply walking down the high street. From award-winning curry houses to hipster-style pizza joints, it really feels like you could eat your way around the world here. Fortunately, many of these restaurants are now offering delivery services, to help locals keep their taste buds alive during lockdown. So, if you’re based around NW6, here are some of the best takeaways in Kilburn that you simply HAVE to try:

For Chinese: Lucky Cat

Lucky Cat in Kilburn
Photo by Kate Samuelson

For a mind-blowingly good Chinese, check out Lucky Cat. Not to be confused with Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, a high-end restaurant in Mayfair, this great-value Kilburn takeaway joint is hard to beat. From dim sum to duck and pancakes, the menu contains everything you could ever want from a Chinese and it’s only ever exceeded our expectations. So it’s easily our pick for the best Chinese takeaway in Kilburn!

You can order Lucky Cat takeaway on Deliveroo and Just Eat

For south Indian: Vijay

Vijay in Kilburn
Photo by Kate Samuelson

Vijay may look unassuming from its exterior, but it’s astonishingly good. Don’t just take that from us, the restaurant actually won South Indian Curry Restaurant of the Year at the 2019 London Curry Awards. Vijay offers authentic south Indian cuisine, including Keralan ginger chicken, aloo chilly and lamb Malabar. You can bring your own drinks to the restaurant. But there’s no reason not to enjoy it with a drink from the local off-licence in your own home!

You’ll need to phone in to make an order. Check out the menu here

Quartieri: The best takeaway pizza in Kilburn

Quartieri in Kilburn

For filling and flavourful Naples-style pizza, try ordering from Quartieri. It’s an Italian restaurant with hipster vibes just a stone’s throw from Kilburn tube station. With a 4.4 star rating on Deliveroo, even pizza purists will be impressed by the authenticity and quality of the produce used. Opt for the £15.00 Tartufata—with a black truffle salsa—for a dinner you won’t soon forget.

You can place your Quartieri order on Deliveroo

Meaty Buns: The best takeaway burgers in Kilburn

Meaty Buns
Photo by Kate Samuelson

This American-style burger and milkshake joint is great value for money, with single patties starting from just £5.49 and shakes from £4.50. Vegetarians might be put off by the name alone. But a handful of tasty, non-meaty options are available too. These include shroom burgers and halloumi and falafel burgers.

You’ll find Meaty Buns on Deliveroo and Just Eat

For Japanese: Sushi Express

Sushi Express
Photo by Kate Samuelson

Sushi Express on Willesden Lane is express by name and by nature—it generally arrives at lightning speed. The sushi tastes extremely fresh and there’s a good selection to choose from. The ‘black dragon roll’ with spicy tuna, avocado and black pepper is particularly delicious. If you’re not a big sushi fan, there are other Japanese favourites to choose from, including yakisoba, ramen and katsu curry.

You can order Sushi Express on Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo

For general Indian: Holy Cow

Holy Cow takeaway
Photo by Kate Samuelson

Holy Cow is an Indian restaurant/takeaway franchise with several outlets. So far, they have branches in Kilburn, Angel, Archway and Hammersmith. They describe their food as “fit for a Maharajah”, and we have to agree. All the popular favourites are available, from pakora to lamb tikka masala. But the real specialities are the comforting biryanis, with prices starting from £9.95.

You can order from the Holy Cow website or on Deliveroo, where it has a 4.7 star rating

For Turkish: Usta Charcoal Grill

Usta takeaway Kilburn
Photo by Kate Samuelson

For eclectic Turkish cuisine, check out Usta on Kilburn High Road. It’s a safe bet for all the classics, including meze platters, kebabs, pide (flat breads), salads and lahmacun (dough topped with minced meat or vegetables—or both!). Perfect for sharing with friends or family, it’s always a crowd-pleaser—one of the best takeaways in Kilburn.

You can find Usta Takeaway on Deliveroo

For Thai: Spicy Basil

Spicy Basil Kilburn
Photo by Kate Samuelson

Last but certainly not least is Spicy Basil—home to the best pad Thai I’ve ever tasted. Spicy Basil is a true locals’ favourite. It’s not just one of the best takeaways in Kilburn. Ordinarily it’s one of the busiest restaurants around full stop—sometimes with a queue trailing out the door. The menu is a who’s who of Thai favourites. Better yet, prices start at just £5.50 for a main.

You’ll need to order from Spicy Basil over the phone. You can check the (very basic) website here

Written by:
BIO: Kate is a freelance journalist and the founder of the CHEAPSKATE London newsletter.
Filed under: Eating & Drinking

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