Full Venue Hire at Empire Empire

Harneet Baweja’s Notting Hill outpost brings the Gunpowder group’s reputation for bold Indian cooking to All Saints Road — and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within six months of opening in 2023. Empire Empire is a private dining venue where the food does serious work, but the room it works in has character that most restaurants in this bracket can’t touch: a 1970s Indian disco theme anchored by a custom-made vinyl-only jukebox that plays from the moment you walk in. The cooking draws from Punjab and Northwest India — charcoal-grilled kebabs from the open fire grill, biryanis built for sharing, and the kind of punchy, uncompromising flavour that earned Baweja her reputation at the original Gunpowder in Spitalfields. For private events, the proposition is a Bib Gourmand kitchen producing food specifically designed for the table, in a room that provides its own atmosphere without any additional production.

The Private Dining Room

The dedicated private dining room seats up to 25 guests in its own enclosed space, separated from the main restaurant but sharing its design identity and energy. The 1970s aesthetic runs through everything: coloured tiled flooring, dark wood furnishings, and vintage album covers of Indian disco performers on whitewashed walls, alongside original artwork by Jorgensen Chowdhury and Rabin Mondal. The custom vinyl jukebox at the entrance sets the soundtrack. It’s a postmodern take on the curry house — retro-glamorous and done with conviction rather than irony. The room is intimate without feeling compressed — designed for celebrations, corporate dinners, milestone birthdays, and group bookings where conversation matters as much as the cooking. White tablecloths and oval-shaped lighting keep the atmosphere warm and focused. For larger groups, exclusive hire of the full restaurant accommodates approximately 40 seated guests across two dining areas, plus some outdoor seating in warmer months.

The Menu at Empire Empire

The open fire grill is central to the kitchen’s identity — charcoal-grilled Lucknow lamb chops, King Prawns Kadhai Masala, and kebabs that benefit from direct flame. The lamb shank biryani, sealed under a pastry crust and broken at the table, has become a signature. Butter chicken, tikka dishes, and a roster of sharing plates round out a menu that’s designed to work communally — ideal for the private dining format where dishes move around the table. The wine list leans toward biodynamic and natural producers alongside champagne, curated to complement the food’s intensity rather than politely accompany it. Cocktails and a full bar programme are available. In-house catering only, which at this level guarantees consistency — the kitchen controls the full experience from first canapé to final course.

Getting to Empire Empire

All Saints Road sits in the quieter, more residential stretch of Notting Hill — away from the Portobello Road crowds but connected enough to feel part of the neighbourhood. Westbourne Park station is a five-minute walk. The restaurant operates both lunch and dinner service. The compact scale of the space means it books quickly for private events, particularly Friday and Saturday evenings — early enquiries tend to secure the better dates.