The Permit Room: Dishoom’s new Portobello Road all day diner

The Permit Room takes it’s name from the Bombay Prohibition Act of 1949 when only permit holders were allowed to drink alcohol in the city’s bars.

Like its sister restaurants, the Portobello venue gives off a mid-century colonial vibe, with dark wood, retrot lighting, and lush colours – but here there’s also contemporary art on the walls.

The restaurant is in a former Notting Hill corner pub and is decorated in colonial style. (Image: The Permit Room) Unlike Dishoom you can book – although they welcome walk-ins – and there are two top floor en suite bedrooms with a lounge “for lounging”.

Portobello Market was in full swing when we dropped by for brunch in August, and the locals were sipping chai at tables outside the former corner pub, watching the world go by.

Breakfast is served until a very lazy 11.45am so I dived into The Full Permit (£15.90) – an Anglo-English take on the fry-up with smoky streaky bacon, a meaty sausage and a grilled mushroom dished up with spicy masala beans and akuri.

That’s a creamy Indian scrambled eggs with fried onions, tomato and green chili just to make sure you’re wide awake – all mopped up with a soft buttered bun.

The breakfast spread at The Permit Room is hearty, flavourful and I’d definitely go back. (Image: The Permit Room) Washed down with fresh orange and coffee, the dish was hugely satisfying, the kick of spicing adding welcome flavour to the usual full English.

My teen tucked into French Toast (£14.80) with cinnamon spiced eggy brioche and soft fried cheese dipped in warm chili honey with fresh berries and streaky bacon.

He nodded approval at the cooling and satisfyingly thick Mango Lassi as we sat at our table on benches that resembles a colonial railway waiting room.

The crumpety eggs Kejriwal sounded like one for a return visit, with fried eggs, chili cheese and bacon. There’s also granola, fruit, porridge and yoghurt but you’d be crazy not to indulge in something more substantial.

People also come for the Naan rolls, spread with chili jam and cream cheese and packed with bacon, egg or sausage – and the relaxed, friendly service in a lively atmosphere.

It’s all very relaxed and welcoming, you might be tempted to order a Bloody Mary or Martini and stay on for the snacks, delicious curries, salads, chaats and savouries on the all day menu.

The bar serves cocktails, wine, and cold beer, and with seats at the bar you can just pop in for snacks and a drink to enjoy one of the DJ sets that are sure to lure in the Notting Hill crowd on Thursay evenings.

The Permit Room is at  189 Portobello Road, Notting Hill. www.permitroom.co.uk