Together In Bloom runs at Babur in Forest Hill until 20 September, with dishes and cocktails developed from herbs and botanicals foraged in the Horniman Gardens during a visit by the restaurant team last spring.
What happens when two South London institutions that have been doing their thing for a combined 166 years decide to celebrate each other? In this case: wild lavender and cat mint in the cocktails, thyme and rosemary meeting Babur’s signature spices on the plate, and a limited-edition menu that tastes genuinely of Forest Hill.
Together In Bloom is a collaboration between Babur, the Forest Hill Indian restaurant that has been earning AA Rosettes and loyal followings since 1985, and the Horniman Museum and Gardens, which has been bringing the world to SE23 since 1901. This year Babur turns 41 and the Horniman turns 125. The anniversary menu, running now until 20 September, is their way of marking both.
How it happened
The collaboration started with a walk. Babur founder Emdad Rahman, Executive Chef Jiwan Lal and Head Mixologist Rupam Talukdar toured the Horniman Gardens with Errol Fernandes, the Horniman’s Head of Horticulture, last spring. What they found there, the medicinal and dye gardens, the herb beds, the botanicals growing through 16 acres of green space with views across London, sparked the idea for the menu. It’s the kind of origin story that makes the food more interesting before you’ve tasted it.
The menu
Together In Bloom is available as both a tasting menu and à la carte. The dishes draw on wild lavender, cat mint, thyme and rosemary from the Horniman Gardens, woven into Babur’s established spice vocabulary in a way that makes the collaboration feel like a genuine conversation rather than a branding exercise. Babur has been quietly chasing a Michelin star for several years now and the kitchen’s ambition shows in how seriously this menu has been taken.
The drinks programme is equally considered. Rupam Talukdar, who has been building Babur’s cocktail reputation alongside the food, has created garden-inspired serves using the same botanical ingredients. A limited-edition commemorative gift set of two bottled cocktails inspired by the Horniman Gardens is also available from the restaurant, via Babur’s website and in the Horniman gift shop, at £12.95 per set.
The London x London Take: Babur is one of the most underrated restaurants in London, full stop. The Together In Bloom menu gives you a reason to go if you haven’t been, and a reason to return if you have. The Horniman is one of South London’s great free institutions and the fact that their gardens directly inspired what ends up on your plate is the kind of detail that makes a meal feel like more than a meal.
Need to Know
- Where: Babur, 119 Brockley Rise, Forest Hill, London SE23 1JP
- When: Now until 20 September 2026
- Price: À la carte and tasting menu available
- Book: babur.info or 020 8291 2400
- Cocktail gift set: £12.95, available from Babur and the Horniman gift shop
