(06 June 2023) We hear that this site may reopen soon as an Indian restaurant, under the original ownership of the Manzil restaurant which operated there before the Gurkha Durbar. The fascia has been repainted but no signs or other activity have been seen. 

Headley Road, Grayshott, Hindhead.  The restaurant is on the B2003 Headley Road in Grayshott, about half a mile from its junction with the A3 and not far from Crossways and St Luke's Church. 

Web site www.thegurkhadurbar.com

Phone: 01428 605855 and 01428 607272

Blog articles tagged Gurkha Durbar <click here

We visited Grayshott and the excellent Gurkha Durbar, sister restaurant to the Gurkha Chautari in Liphook, which hosted our January meeting.  Now under the same ownership, there seems to be a healthy rivalry between the two.  The Grayshott restaurant has had the upper hand, but Liphook is really good and improving too - so we expected a very good evening.

We enjoyed excellent food at the Gurkha Durbar, our venue for October.  Due to half term, holidays in Cyprus, or France, or wherever, it was our smallest turnout of the year, but nonetheless we had a great time. 

The manager chose our menu, and did very well.  Starters included choila (spicy char grilled lamb), momo (steamed lamb dumplings), sinka prawns, and aloo khaja.  Of course we couldn't pass by a chance of enjoying kalejo bhutuwa (fried chicken livers), and these were as good as ever.

Main courses included Katmandu ko wasa (lamb), piro jhinge maccha (hot prawns), tarai khukura (hot chicken), khasi bhutuwa (chicken in a thick sauce), rasilo khasi (mild lamb) and a lamb and chicken sizzler.  These were accompanied by a generous selection of plain, sweet and garlic naans, and mushroom and pilau rices.

In all, it was a great evening.  Gurkha Durbar was at its best - as usual.

Will writes...

The Petersfield Curry Club began its tenth year with a visit to the roundly-approved Gurkha Durbar. 15 of us, a XV, fitting given the club's Rugby origins. For my part, I'd only been to Grayshott once before, to help Nan buy a carpet (my advice was only bought by the promise of an ice cream), so it was mostly new to me. 

Aperitifs in the ‘Lounge Bar’ of the Fox And Pelican, rather plush, then up the road to the restaurant, small and immaculate inside, pristine white walls draped with occasional Gurkha green flags, and a varnished wooden floor you could see your reflection in. In John’s absence, Trevor fixed the menu and drinks were ordered.

Poppadoms came with mint yogurt dip, mango chutney and something vaguely reminiscent of Branston pickle, different and tasty.  We were served 4 starter platters between us, including deliciously moist Aloo Khaja (potato cakes with carrots, peas, ginger) as well as Chicken Liver (aka Kalejo Bhutuwa) that combined superbly with sweet roast red peppers and onion.  Rather too salty char-grilled lamb only made it into 50% of mouths; Sinka Prawn and the famous Momo were enjoyed by all. 

The main course included a couple of clay oven dishes, Chicken and Lamb (thumbs up), one each of several others.  This time some of the milder dishes were stand outs:  Rato Kukhura, CTM cum Rezala, sweet, nutty, resplendent orange and Mayalu Khasi, Lamb like a velvety Korma.

I'm a stickler for veg, and Aloo Chana delivered super taste, Aloo Tama Bodi, bamboo shoots, black eyed beans and spuds, lovely mountain home-style flavour to savour. Rice and Naans too… Afterward, everyone invited back to Grayshott social club feeling well satisfied but by no means stuffed, besides the season has passed for stuffin’ (Turkeys everywhere breathe a collective sigh of relief).

For my 23rd birthday and enjoyed slow paced evening in relative peace and calm.  Informed by one waiter that in 2 weeks since Telegraph review restaurant has been fully booked, Monday the first quiet night.  Glad of it?

Unlikely, hard work second nature to a Gurkha and the team have just agreed a takeover of the Gurkha Palace at Liphook making for another going concern.

After exchange of pleasantries our party of 6 set about ordering.  House White, Pinot Grogio, a safe companion to curry meals, light, crisp, cutting through the spices, hitting top notes.  Starters included aforementioned potato cakes (Aloo Khaja) and chicken livers (Kalejo Bhutuwa), one offering of deep fried Aubergine.  Sensible portions - countless curry houses forget these are only supposed to be ‘appetisers’ - simple, fresh presentation. 

Chicken livers good depth and richness of flavour.  Mains too many to mention.  I chose Monkfish in a smooth, light tomato orange sauce, that sang of several spices, accompanied by a moist aromatic saffron gold rice, creamy homestyle black lentils (Kalo Daal), delicious and mild, as well as cumin spiced fried potatoes (Aloo Jeera), bit on the floury side.  As per usual I scavenged, gladly stole Dad’s keenly marinated, clay oven cooked Lamb strips.

Reflecting now on my experience of the Gurkha Dubar it’s a fairly unique purveyor of ethnic cuisine, where one is able to enjoy dishes each with individual character. I’ve experienced greater taste sensations elsewhere but it deserves a 4 out of 5 rating nonetheless.

The venue was Gurkha Durbar, Grayshott.  Good restaurant, but unfortunately most people were away. Piro Khasi - very hot lamb curry was good - so was the prawn and the chicken curry.

Next visit: July 2008

August 2005, January 2006, July 2006, January 2007, October 2007

Non smoking restaurant

Refurbished May 2005 - modern decor.

If you're taking a train, taxis are available from Haslemere and Liphook stations.