Nothing comes closer to Punjabi home cooking than Roxy — one of the oldest restaurants in old Southall. Formerly known as Sagoo & Takhar, generations have been coming here. A Punjabi brunch is a must. Pick from a range of excellent paratha (roti breads): aloo (potato), methi (fenugreek leaf), mooli or gobi with yoghurt, butter and a cup of masala tea. Fancy something comforting and indulgent? Then chole bhature (fried bread made from maida flour with chickpea curry) is the tip. A little less calorific, but no less delicious: saag makki di roti (spinach with corn bread) is a winter classic. Snacks: samosa chaat will hit the spot. Broken pieces of samosa with chickpea curry, yoghurt and imli (tamarind sauce). £15 per head will satisfy most appetites. Be patient with the service.

Delhi Wala is a down to earth spot for snacks, sweets, deserts and comfort food. Don't be fooled by the shabby and tacky interior. Service is speedy and the food comes out fast. Best here are the starters and specials on the menu. The Punjabi samosa (DW specialty) is a must. Possibly one of the best samosas in the UK. Perfectly soft and crispy on the outside with a warm and well seasoned interior. Two for £1.50, can't go wrong. For the same price dahi wada chaat (soft lentil dumpling with yogurt and imli) is a cooler option to line the stomach. Grab the chilli paneer for £5.50 mixed with capsicum, onions and spicy tomato gravy. Finish up with rasmalai, a rich cheesecake without a crust resting in creamy milk.

Mehfil is the most up-market restaurant and priciest on this list. A traditional 'Indian' with good service and a cosy interior. Serving all the Punjabi classics, and known dishes such as chicken madras and chicken tikka. Amritsari Machchi is a must: A famous street food from the holy city of Amritsar and home to the Golden Temple. Amritsari fish is often a white fish coated with mixed flour and spices. It is fried to achieve a crispy texture giving it that unique taste of northern India. Follow that up with butterflied kesari king prawns cooked in a slow fire charcoal oven. The unique taste comes from saffron and hung yoghurt. For a meat version try the murg malai kebab. Finish up with a gajrela tart, made by reducing fresh carrots in milk and ghee.

As the name suggests, jalebi is the specialty here. Are these the best jalebi's in west London? Jalebi is made by deep-frying maida flour batter in circular shapes and soaking in sugar syrup. Grab three circular pieces for £1 at the counter. Either eat while walking the streets of Southall or take home to enjoy.

Open since 1968, Rita's is as authentic as it comes. And boy does it live up to its reputation. Packed from lunch times onwards, there’s a real buzz from the moment one sets foot inside. If there's one restaurant that encapsulates what 'Indian' food is then it's Rita's: Authenticity and quality of the food bring all the local communities together in one place. Take a pick from the seven signature dishes. Highlights include dahi puri, chole bhatura, saag and makki ki roti, and Amritsari kulcha. Away from the signatures dishes, Rita's offer an extensive range of chaats. Definitely the best place for chaat in London.

Similar to Desi Tadka, Raunka’s bare brick walls decorated with Punjabi ornaments, Indian trucks and women spinning cotton. There's also a Royal Enfield motorbike towards the back of the restaurant. Rajma chaal (kidney beans with rice) is a household favourite, simply satisfying, filling and hearty. Bhindi Masala (okra with onion and peppers) and baingen da bartha (fresh aubergines cooked in pickled sauce) are stand out dishes not often found in restaurants. For meat and fish eaters tandoori bhad shah, tandoori fish tikka and jeera chicken wings will go down well. Best for classic vegetarian dishes and Punjabi desserts.

Gifto's is a meat eaters heaven. A Pakistani restaurant with roots in Lahore, which was the former capital of Punjab, pre-partition, until 1947. The largest restaurant on the list has a modern decor. Service is quick and efficient. The succulent and meaty lamb chops here surpass those of Tayyabs and Lahore Kebab House in east London. Definitely the best mixed grill in Southall despite plenty of competition from similar Pakistani grills on the Broadway. Great value for money as the chicken grill (10 pieces) is only £9 and mixed grill (16 pieces) only £13.50. Don’t leave without trying the mango lassi. However the grill is trumped by the tava lamb (curry), best eaten with tandoori naan.

Away from the main streets of Southall is the Prince of Wales, a hidden gem. It’s a cult classic with the locals. A Punjabi pub with a drinking and eating area. An upbeat and bustling atmosphere with plenty of seating. Televisions at every angle so you don't miss the football and cricket. Bhangra and Punjabi music bounces off the walls of this recently refurbished establishment. A unique experience. Sixteen-piece mixed grill costs only £13.50. Go for the obvious favourites such as onion bhaji, veg samosa and tandoori chicken for starters. Lamb curry, chicken curry, daal, yogurt and naan for mains. Wash it down with some Kingfisher. The best South Asian pub in London.