Imperial Lounge & Restaurant, Croydon Airport: Inside London’s First Airport Terminal

The story behind Imperial Lounge & Restaurant begins long before the first plate leaves the kitchen.

Today, it's known for contemporary Indian and Indo-Chinese food served inside Airport House in Croydon. But decades before it became a restaurant, this building welcomed passengers preparing to board flights to India, the Middle East and the Far East. It was once London's first major international airport, and the airline that made those journeys possible was Imperial Airways.

That connection is what makes Imperial Lounge & Restaurant unlike almost anywhere else in London. You're not simply sitting down for a meal. You're dining inside one of Britain's most important aviation landmarks, in a restaurant named after the airline that helped shape international travel from this very terminal.

If you're looking for a restaurant that combines history with good food, this is one of London's most unusual dining experiences.

Why Croydon Airport still matters today

Airport House was originally the passenger terminal for Croydon Airport, which opened in 1920 as Britain's first purpose-built commercial airport. During the 1920s and 1930s, it became London's primary international airport and one of the busiest aviation hubs anywhere in the world.

This was where international air travel began to feel accessible. Travellers passed through its Art Deco terminal before flying to destinations that were considered remarkably distant at the time.

One airline became synonymous with those journeys: Imperial Airways.

Although Croydon Airport closed in 1959 as larger airports such as Heathrow expanded, much of the original terminal survived. Today, Airport House remains one of the best-preserved examples of early commercial aviation architecture in Europe.

Walking through the building, you'll still find many of the original design elements that once welcomed passengers almost a century ago. That history gives every visit to the Imperial Lounge & Restaurant an extra layer that few restaurants can offer.

What is the Imperial Lounge & Restaurant?

The restaurant's name isn't simply a reference to aviation history. It deliberately acknowledges Imperial Airways and the routes that once connected London with India from this very building.

Now, the Imperial Lounge & Restaurant occupies the same terminal where some of Britain's earliest commercial flights to India first departed.

The restaurant embraces contemporary Indian cooking alongside Indo-Chinese cuisine, creating a menu that reflects both traditional recipes and modern influences.

The interiors also match that approach. Modern lighting, comfortable seating and contemporary décor sit comfortably inside the historic shell of Airport House without competing with the building's architectural character.

What you’ll find on the menu

Imperial's menu combines familiar Indian favourites with dishes inspired by the Indo-Chinese cooking style that developed within Indian communities.

The kitchen allows the two cuisines to complement one another, giving you plenty of variety whether you're visiting for lunch, dinner or drinks.

The menu begins with classic Indian street food and sharing starters before moving into grilled dishes, curries, rice dishes and Indo-Chinese specialities.

One of the restaurant's strengths is that vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners are equally well catered for.

Popular starters include the Chilli Aloo, which combines crispy potatoes with a spicy Indo-Chinese sauce and has become one of the restaurant's most frequently recommended dishes.

The menu also features Mumbai-inspired chaats, bringing street food from India's bustling markets into the mix.

Indian classics that are the stars of the menu

While the Indo-Chinese dishes attract plenty of attention, many regular diners consider the traditional Indian cooking to be the restaurant's biggest strength.

The chefs here have previously worked in luxury hotels across India, and that experience is reflected throughout the menu.

Expect rich Mughlai curries, clay oven kebabs, fragrant rice dishes and classic North Indian favourites prepared with contemporary presentation. One dish that receives particularly consistent praise is the Kadhai Paneer, often recommended alongside spiced rice by vegetarian diners.

The clay oven section also deserves attention, with rustic kebabs remaining among the restaurant's signature offerings.

Apart from focusing on serving Indian curries, Imperial gives equal importance to grilled dishes cooked over charcoal, creating deeper flavours and better texture.

Explore the Indo-Chinese cooking technique here

If you've never tried Indo-Chinese food before, Imperial is a good place to start.

Indo-Chinese cuisine developed within Chinese communities living in India, particularly in Kolkata. This cuisine combines Chinese cooking techniques with Indian spices and flavours.

The result is something entirely different from traditional Chinese cuisine.

Expect bolder spice, stronger seasoning and sauces that lean towards Indian tastes while retaining familiar Hakka and Sichuan influences.

This is not your regular Chinese favourite. Instead, Imperial embraces this distinctive culinary style on its own terms.

Many diners specifically recommend trying at least one Indo-Chinese dish alongside more traditional Indian plates to experience both sides of the menu.

Cocktails and desserts

Imperial's drinks menu goes well beyond the usual restaurant staples, with a cocktail selection that combines classic recipes with contemporary twists.

If you enjoy fruit-forward cocktails, the French Martini variation blends vodka, black raspberry liqueur, pineapple juice and champagne for a refreshing finish. The lychee vodka cocktail is another popular choice, while the elderflower and London dry gin cocktail offers a lighter, more floral profile. Mojito lovers will also find both the classic version and berry-infused variations on the menu.

When it comes to dessert, Kulfi remains the standout if you want to end your meal with something traditional.

The dessert menu also includes a selection of Indian-inspired sweets alongside more contemporary options, giving you plenty of choice after a generous meal.

How to get to Imperial Lounge & Restaurant

Imperial Lounge is located inside Airport House on Purley Way in Croydon.

If you're travelling by public transport, Waddon Marsh Tram Stop is the closest stop and is only a short walk from the restaurant.

East Croydon and West Croydon railway stations also provide convenient connections, with buses and taxis available for the final part of the journey.

If you're driving, Airport House sits directly on the A23 Purley Way and is easily accessible from South London, Gatwick and the M25. Parking is available within the Airport House complex.

From central London, the journey usually takes around 30 to 40 minutes by train followed by a short onward connection.

Tips before you visit

A little planning can make your visit even more enjoyable.

• If you're planning to visit on a Friday or Saturday evening, reserving a table is recommended, as these are the busiest times.
• The Indian dishes consistently receive the strongest reviews, particularly the clay oven kebabs, Kadhai Paneer and Chilly Aloo, making them excellent choices for a first visit.
• Allow yourself enough time to explore Airport House before or after your meal. If the Croydon Airport Visitor Centre is open, it adds valuable context to the building's history and is well worth including in your plans.
• Finally, come with an appetite. Portion sizes are regularly described as generous, and many diners mention comfortably sharing main courses.

Quick information

Restaurant: Imperial Lounge & Restaurant
Location: Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon CR0 0XZ
Cuisine: Contemporary Indian and Indo-Chinese
Opening Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Price: Approximately £22 to £31 per person
Recommended Dishes: Chilly Aloo, Kadhai Paneer, clay oven kebabs and Kulfi
Nearest Tram Stop: Waddon Marsh
Also Inside the building: Croydon Airport Visitor Centre
Reservations: Visit the Imperial Lounge & Restaurant website

Few restaurants allow you to dine inside one of Britain's most significant aviation landmarks. The connection between Imperial Airways, Croydon Airport and the restaurant adds a sense of history that makes the experience unlike anywhere else in London.

Whether you're interested in aviation history, London's hidden landmarks or simply looking for somewhere different to eat, Imperial Lounge offers a dining experience that's about much more than the food. The menu will give you a reason to visit, but the building is what you'll remember long after your meal ends.