Indian & Nepalese

Bristol

AHMED’S CURRY CAFE
1e Chandos Rd, Redland, BS6 6PG
Tel: 0117 946 6466/07747 034886 (daytime reservations), web: www.ahmedscurrycafe.co.uk
● Much more relaxed than your usual Indian restaurant, this cosy curry cafe does a great range of food at unbelievably great prices. Food is fresh, GM-free and prepared in an open kitchen. The traditional thalis are a great way of trying out different flavours, and if you’re a regular fan you can join the Gourmet Tiffin Club to take those great flavours home for £12.50 (getting two mains, one side, pilau rice and naan bread in your very own reusable stainless-steel tiffin). It’s fully licensed, so there’s an extensive wine list alongside the usual Indian beers. Also do takeaway and delivery, and you can book online. Described as a ‘very special little restaurant’ by the Evening Post. Price ALC: starter £2.50-£4.20/main approx £4.80-£8.95. SD: early bird happy hour deals available daily, check website for current offers Wine list Extensive, plus Indian beers. HW approx £10 btl Open Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Home delivery service. Keep an eye out (or phone) for regular happy hour deals & offers. Tiffin takeaway club. Disabled access - ring in adv.

AL’S TIKKA GRILL
33 Ashton Rd, Ashton, BS3 2EG
Tel: 0117 985 3016/953 5950
● A long-standing fave with Venue readers, this working man’s cafe by day turns into cosy, candlelit Indian BYO bistro by night, considered by its many aficionados to be a real find. The vibe is very community cafe, and the food is very good, although modest in scope, with tandoori, korma, balti, jalfrezi and more. Unusual selection of side dishes. Very busy at the weekends, when booking is advised. Price Breakfast approx £3.50-£5, ALC dinner: starter approx £2-£4.50, main approx £5-£8 Wine list Unlicensed but welcome to BYO (small corkage charge) Open Tue-Sat 7am-2pm & 5.30-10.30pm (11pm Fri-Sat), Sun 8am-12noon. Disabled access but not to toilet. Parties of 20+ welcome.

BOLLYWOOD SPICE
2 Jacob’s Wells Rd, BS8 1EA
Tel: 0117 930 4194
● With its modern interior, spacious layout and Bollywood film/music soundtrack in the background, old India meets the new world here to great success. Serves excellent grub, too. Price ALC: approx £3-£5/approx £6-£10/approx £2-£4 Wine list Beers, lagers, spirits. HW from approx £11 Open Mon-Sat 5.30-11pm, Sun 6-10.30pm. Disabled access. Parties welcome.

BOMBAY SPICE
10 The Mall, Clifton, BS8 4DR
Tel: 0117 970 6066
● Fresh, modern restaurant combining Anglo/Indian decor to create a sense of open spaciousness, with individual booths and a comfortable, relaxing feel. Menu is extensive, celebrating the regional diversity of Indian cooking with a contemporary touch. Bangladeshi options are a speciality and there are new additions to the menu including a popular monkfish curry. As we went to press, lunchtime’s ‘Tapas Curry’ special brought you five dishes for £10.95. Price ALC: starter approx £3.50-£5, main approx £6.25-£8.95 Wine list Some Indian beers. HW from approx £17 btl Open Mon-Thur 12noon-2pm & 6-11.30pm, Fri (closed lunch) 6pm-12midnight, Sat 12noon-2pm & 6pm-12midnight, Sun 6-11.30pm. Disabled access - call for details. Private bookings, up to 54. Parties of 20+ welcome.

BRISTOL RAJ
36 Alma Vale Rd, Clifton, BS8 2HS
Tel: 0117 973 1414, web: www.bristolraj.co.uk
● Warm, inviting and bright contemporary Indian diner serving stylishly updated versions of Indian subcontinent classics at wallet-friendly prices. Happy Hour means £6.95 for one of the many popular curries (Mon-Sat 6-8pm, Sun 6-11.30pm). They introduce new dishes regularly - check website for details or to order online. Price ALC: starter approx £3-£4.95, main approx £6-£13 Wine list Extensive, interesting. HW: French, from approx £11 btl. Indian wines & beers Open Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Disabled access, but not to toilets. Takeaway discount 20%, student discount 15% (eat-in only). Home delivery service. Available for private hire (weekdays), up to 60. Parties of 20+ welcome (group discount).

BRUNEL RAJ
6-7 Waterloo St, Clifton, BS8 4BT
Tel: 0117 973 2641, web: www.brunelraj.co.uk
● Popular upmarket, intimate (it only sits 48) Indian eatery serving popular, upmarket Indian food. After many years experience in catering, brothers Saleh, Musleh, Muflay and Tufayel Ahmed decided to bring their talents together and opened the Brunel Raj in 1997, and their multi-award-winning restaurant is testament to their vision. It’s listed as one of the Top UK Restaurants by Hardens in 2001 and 2003, and comedian Justin Lee Collins found it ‘absolutely sensational - one of the very best’. Price ALC: starter £3.20-£6.20/main £7.50-£15.50. SD: 3 + sides £40 for 2 people Wine list Mainly European. HW: £12.50 btl, £3 gls. Some Indian lagers Open Daily 12noon-2pm, Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Disabled access but no toilet. Takeaway discount 20%. Private hire Sun-Thur, up to 48. Parties of 20+ welcome.

CURRY HOUSE
393 Bath Rd, Brislington, BS4 3EU
Tel: 0117 977 9090, web: www.curryhouse-bristol.co.uk
● Established for more than two decades. Cool but elegant surroundings perfectly complement the contemporary, cosmopolitan, modern and traditional Indian dishes that make up the menu selection here, combining old-world heritage with distinctly new-world flair. Seafood dishes and chef’s specialities such as quail or kangaroo meat come highly recommended. Lounge bar opens in summer for cocktails, and if you spend too long there, you can make use of the chaffeur service – a smooth ride from restaurant to club to home. Price ALC: starter £2.10-£3.95, main £4.95-£8.95 Wine list Thoughtful, well-chosen. HW approx £11 btl. Cocktails, lagers, beers Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2pm, Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Disabled access possible, but call for advice. Takeaway & home delivery service within south Bristol, free delivery on £15+ orders.

EASTERN SPICE
269 Two Mile Hill Rd, Kingswood, BS15 1AX
Tel: 0117 935 2335, web: www.easternspice.co.uk
● Delightful neighbourhood curry house, established in 1997, that recently introduced a new and slightly more upmarket menu, but still offers great food at ridiculously cheap prices. Extensive menu with all the favourites, plus a fair few dishes you’ll struggle to find elsewhere. Chef’s specials are highly recommended. Wine list Small, European. HW from approx £11 btl. Indian beers. Price ALC: starters approx £2-£4, main approx £4.50-£10.50 Open Daily 12noon-2pm, Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Open bank hols. Parties welcome. Takeaway 10% discount.

EASTERN TASTE
94 St Marks Rd, Easton, BS5 6JH
Tel: 0117 952 0718, web: www.easterntaste.co.uk
● A friendly old favourite, with a warm community vibe and bargain-basement prices for top-notch fare. BYO. Delicious Bangladeshi home-cooking is offered in plentiful quantities by charming staff, either in the refurbished restaurant or as a takeaway. Price ALC: £1.90-£3.50/£5.90-£8.50/£2.50. Thalis £9.50-£11.50. Set meals £20.90-£24.90 (min 2 people) Wine list Not licensed, but BYO available. Indian sweet/salty/mango lassi Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2pm & 6-11pm (11.30pm Fri-Sat). Disabled access, but not to toilets. Parties of 20+ welcome weekdays. Takeaway.

GANESHA
74 Bedminster Parade, BS3 4HL
Tel: 0117 953 3990, web: www.ganeshaindiancuisine.com
● Small, independent, family-run venture offering authentic Indian cuisine from all corners of the subcontinent via a menu that’s a million miles away from your average curry house. The restaurant is small, seating just 30, the decor tasteful and modern, and the soundtrack low-key Bollywood. You won’t find a madras, vindaloo or jalfrezi anywhere on the menu - whereas your classic Indian mainly serves Bangladeshi-style food, Ganesha are keen to specify the origins of their menu with recipes from Goa and Kerala flagged up as well as Maharashtra, home state of the owners and chef. Lunchtime thalis £5.95. Price ALC £2.50-£5.95/£4.95-£11.95/£3.45 Wine list HW £12.95 btl, £3.95 gls Open Tue-Sat 12noon-2pm, Tue-Sun 6-11.30pm. Takeaway available: 10% discount. Free home delivery (four-mile radius, min £15).

GANGES
368 Gloucester Rd, Horfield, BS7 8TP
Tel: 0117 924 5234, web: www.gangesbristol.co.uk
● The long-established Ganges, proudly displaying its Les Routiers and Egon Ronay awards and certificates, has been serving authentic Indian food for more than two decades now. It’s vividly decorated with large, glittering chandeliers and offers a menu that’s equally as vibrant, focusing on the three main regions through which the River Ganges flows: it rises in Tibet, flows through India and reaches the sea at Bangladesh. The major influence, though, comes from north India, so you’ll find the most popular curries – from mild lamb pasanda to a fiery vindaloo king prawn – alongside biryanis. Very popular, very good. Price ALC: starter approx £3-£6/main approx £6.50-£11. SD: £16.95-£19.50pp. Special offers: call or see website for details Wine list Good choice of beers & spirits. HW £11.95 btl Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11.30pm (12midnight Fri-Sat). Disabled access. Separate dining room for groups, 25-30 max. Takeaway 10% discount.

JORNA
27 Badminton Rd, Downend, BS16 6BB
Tel: 0117 957 5550 web: www.thejorna.co.uk
● Licensed, contemporary Indian restaurant serving up gorgeously prepared, authentic specialities, including marinated murgh, gosht and jhinga, cooked in the tandoori oven with tasty spices and sauces. Discount if you pay the bill in cash. Check website for details. Price ALC: starter approx £3-£6/main approx £6-£13 Wine list HW £13.95 btl Open Sun-Thur 5.30-11pm, Fri-Sat 5.30pm-12midnight. Takeaway 10% discount, free delivery available. Parties/large groups welcome - call for details.

KASHMIR
15 High St, Easton, BS5 6DX
Tel: 0117 952 0004, web: www.kashmirrestaurant.co.uk
● The brightly lit screen in the window showing Bollywood highlights belies the calm oasis of stylish brushed steel furniture and pink, art-laden walls within. Kashmir’s not licensed, but will happily let you BYO, though the atmosphere, bargain prices, fab food and friendly service go straight to your head anyway. ‘Delicious food in a classily distinctive restaurant,’ was the Venue verdict. Excellent veggie options and fabulous special dishes sit happily alongside a familiar (and not-so-familiar) range of curries, sides, etc. Price ALC: £2.50-£4.95/£4.80-£9.50/approx £3.25 Wine list BYO Open Sun-Thur 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-12midnight. Takeaway 10% discount, free home delivery service (min order £10). Student discount 10%. Outside catering service. Parties/large groups welcome - call for details.

KATHMANDU
Colston Tower, Colston St, BS1 4XN
Tel: 0117 929 4455, web: www.kathmandu-curry.com
● Indulgent staff and beautifully prepared food. This family-run restaurant brought ALC Nepalese dining to the city, first in Easton and then to the elegant but comfortable location across from Colston Hall. The family import their own spices from their home village (Bhajungle, which is next to Kritipur in Nepal, gourmet fact-gatherers), giving their fresh, light cuisine a unique flavour, with traditional seafood dishes (including lobster) a speciality alongside excellent vegetarian and vegan options. There’s enough on the menu to please curry-house regulars, but venture into Nepalese territory if you want to get the full flavour of what’s on offer. Price ALC: £3.95-£4.95/£7.50-£15/£2.50. Set menus £15.50-£19.50pp Wine list HW £13.95 btl Open Daily 12noon-3pm, Mon-Thur 6-11pm, Fri-Sat 6-11.30pm, Sun 6-10.30pm. Disabled access, ring in adv. Parties welcome, ring in adv. Home delivery/takeaway service (25% discount).

NEW
KOHI NOOR
211 Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2XS
Tel: 0117 973 3823, web: www.kohinoorbristol.co.uk
● Having taken over the premises of Clifton Tandoori, Kohi Noor steps things up a notch, offering southern Indian classics including Rajasthani specialties, which can often include dried fruits, spices and yogurt. ‘There can’t be many restaurants that have a window full of glowing reviews before they even open the doors for business,’ wrote the Evening Post, ‘but then the owners of new Indian restaurant Kohi Noor have arrived in Bristol with a reputation that precedes them. Nazir Ahmed and Nur Moni were the men behind Kasturi in London EC3 – the old City of London – and it’s attracted rave reviews from influential food critics such as Charles Campion and Jay Rayner, two men whose opinions on such matters really do count.’ Price ALC: starter £3.25-£7.25/main £6.95-£12.95 Wine list HW: £11.50 btl, £2.75 gls. Indian beers Open Daily 12noon-2pm, Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Disabled access possible, ring in adv. Takeaway discount 15%. Parties of 20+ welcome, ring in adv.

KRISHNA’S INN
4 Byron Place, The Triangle, Clifton, BS8 1JT
Tel: 0117 927 6864
● Part of a small, family-owned chain that offers a light and healthy take on the cuisine of the Kerala region of southern India. Our Venue reviewer and his guests were impressed: ‘These were the very niceties my guests had enjoyed on holiday in the very same Kerala, and each mouthful, it seemed, brought back a memory, whether crisp uppama, doughy vadai or mouthfuls of ginger-rich chicken in gravy. No questions about authenticity then.’ Very reasonable prices and a sturdy selection of dishes: ‘The dark gravy of Kerala mutton curry had a deep, dry flavour with perfectly tender lamb chunks that melted in the mouth, the ginger chicken had an assertive richness and fire, while soothing dahl & spinach and the crunchy shreds of beetroot thoran helped to refresh the mouth.’ Excellent vegetarian and vegan range. ‘A consistently delightful meal in such smartly congenial surroundings.’ Price ALC: approx £3-£6/approx £5-£11/approx £2-£3 Wine list Small but perfectly formed bar selection, inc Indian beers. HW approx £11 btl Open Daily 12noon-3pm, Sun-Thur 6-11pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. Disabled access – call in adv. Parties welcome – call in adv.

LAL JOMI PAVILLION
2 Harcourt Rd (off Coldharbour Rd), Redland, BS6 7RG
Tel: 0117 942 1640, web: www.laljomi.co.uk
● Excellent and much-loved traditional Indian restaurant that’s been serving curry lovers for well over 20 years now. Intimate booths and the tent-like canopy ceilings lend an exotic air, making it a great place for everything from an (excellent-value) blow-out to a romantic dinner date. Recommended by the Good Curry Guide. Price Starters £2.50 to £5.50 Mains £6.30 to £11.50 SD: £28-£31pp (min 2) Wine list Extensive, international. HW btl Indian beers Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 6-11.30pm (Fri-Sat till 12midnight). Disabled access. Parties welcome. Takeaway available (up to 20% discount).

NEW
MADRAS EXPRESS
223 North St, BS3 1JJ
Tel: 0117 966 9008, web: www.madras-express.co.uk
● New curry house offering freshly prepared food including healthy options such as vegetarian thalis as well the usual suspects in this friendly Bedminster setting. But one main, get one free, Mon-Wed. Price ALC: approx £2-£5/main approx £6-£12. SD: £26.95-£28.95 (for 2 people) Wine list HW: £9.95 btl. Full range of wines, beers, spirits Open Mon-Sat 5.30-11pm. Disabled access. Groups welcome. Delivery & takeaway available.

MYRISTICA
51 Welsh Back, BS1 4AN
Tel: 0117 927 2277, web: www.myristica.co.uk
● Spanking new premises for this spiffing eatery that specialises in authentic, regional-specific Indian food and is much admired round these parts. Venue’s own curryophile said: ‘Myristica uniquely offers the chance to have a smart and interesting dinner experience, enjoying unusual Indian dishes with confidence - and the music’s pretty good, too.’ Dishes range from traditional street food/beach snacks to full-on Raj cuisine, cooked up by a full brigade of chefs with impeccable credentials, each specialising in their own area of expertise (curry, tandooris, sauces, vegetarian dishes, desserts, etc). Large vegetarian selection and, unusually for an Indian restaurant, a decent selection of desserts. The Evening Post waxed lyrical: ‘Myristica is arguably the most exciting and forward-thinking Indian restaurant in Bristol or Bath. It’s already the one against which others should be judged.’ Also run a cookery school. Price ALC: £4.95-£5.95/£5.95-£14.95/£2.95-£3.95. Lunch platter £5.95 Wine list Extensive. HW £12.95 btl, £3.25 gls Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2pm & 5.30-11.30pm (last orders 11.15pm), Sun 5.30-10.30pm (last orders 10.15pm). Disabled access – call for advice. Parties, celebrations, corporate events, etc, welcome. Private dining up to 30, whole restaurant can be hired for weddings, etc - call for adv. Home delivery available.

OH! CALCUTTA! INDIAN KITCHEN
216 Cheltenham Rd, BS6 5QU
Tel: 0117 924 0458, web: www.ohcalcutta.co.uk
● Buzzing, informal canteen-style dining in chic, modernist surroundings. Top-notch Indian subcontinent food, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, ranges from the traditional to the exotic, with regional options, daily specials and great fish specialities. Big screen silently projects Bollywood classics while you dine. Excellent vegetarian and side dishes, and the mango lassi is a particular favourite. Price ALC: starter £2.90-£4/main £7.50-£11.50 Wine list HW from approx £11 btl. Beers (inc Indian varieties) Open Daily 6pm-12midnight. Disabled access, but call ahead for advice. Parties welcome - call for details. Takeaway/home delivery service.

OLD INDIA
34 St Nicholas St, BS1 1TG
Tel: 0117 922 1136, web: www.oldindia.co.uk
● This rather special restaurant in the heart of old Bristol is remarkable both for its setting and its high-class, authentic menu. This is the real cuisine of the mogul kings, mixed with contemporary-style avant-garde Indian fare. Occupying a stunning mahogany-panelled grade ll-listed building (you could easily imagine yourself in a colonial clubhouse), the restaurant serves the finest meat and vegetarian dishes prepared with exceptional attention to detail. It’s strongly Venue-endorsed, too, as our man noted: ‘The smart set-up and efficiently friendly service mark it as a worthwhile indulgence.’ Save yourself a bob by choosing from the set lunch (two courses £6.95, three £8) or pre-theatre menu (£12, 6-7pm). Price ALC: £3.25-£3.95/£6.50-£12/£2.50-£4.50 Wine list HW £12 btl, £3 gls Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 6pm-12midnight. Disabled access to restaurant but no toilets (downstairs). Parties of 20+ welcome - book in adv

ONE STOP THALI CAFE
12 York Rd, Montpelier, BS6 5QE Tel: 0117 942 6687
1 William St, Totterdown, BS3 4TU Tel: 0117 933 2955
64-66 St Marks Rd, Easton, BS5 6JH Tel: 0117 951 4979
NEW
1 Regent St, Clifton BS8, 4HW
Tel: 0117 974 3793, web: www.onestopthali.co.uk
● This ever-expanding innovative local fixture has gained a reputation over the past decade serving hundreds of thousands of Thali meals to the people of Bristol and festival-goers country-wide. Both Venue and the national press have written about it in equally glowing terms - it recently won Best Takeaway in Radio 4’s Food & Farming awards. Little wonder, really: this is simple, fresh, homemade food based on traditional Punjabi ‘thali’, combinations of complementary dishes served on a steel platter, inspired by Asian street food. An entire evening meal (selection of six dishes, vegetarian, chicken or fish) costs you an unbelievable £6.95 or as little as a fiver on Sun, with your plate replenished until you’re full-up. Venue’s food editor tried the Totterdown location on for size: ‘The decor was always their trademark haphazard mish-mash of ‘recycled’ stuff, with the trademark loosely draped mannequin and Indian posters and photographs framed on the deep pink walls but, more importantly, the staff are lively and visible at all times.’ And as the menu informs you, they’ve gone to great lengths to tick all the right boxes for health, sustainability, seasonality and local sourcing. Price Thali: veggie £6.95, fish £7.95, chicken £8.95. Tiffin take-away (reusable, refillable) £7. Check the fun website for offers, news and developments. Wine list HW: £7.95 carafe, £2.75 gls Open Montpelier: daily 6pm-close (last orders 10pm). Disabled access accept for toilets. Totterdown: daily 6pm-close (last orders 10pm). Disabled access. Easton: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, daily 6pm-close (last orders 10pm). Disabled access. Clifton: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, daily 6pm-close (last orders 10pm). Disabled access. Cheque & cash only. Parties of 20+ welcome - call in adv.

POSH SPICE
9 The Mall, Clifton Village, BS8 4DP
Tel: 0117 973 0144
● Eat-in or takeaway contemporary Indian cuisine. Huge menu offers lots of regional specialities and, unusually, loads of duck and fish dishes among the more regular tandoori and balti favourites. Not just for the Clifton-ites any more - worth a trip! Price ALC: approx £2-£5/approx £6-£12/approx £3 Wine list HW from approx £15 btl. Indian lagers Open Daily 12noon-2pm, Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12midnight. No disabled access. Takeaway discount 20% on orders £12+. Free Indian beer with takeaway orders over £20.

RAJ BARI
183 Hotwell Rd, BS8 4SA
Tel: 0117 922 7617, web: www.rajbaribristol.co.uk
● Mostaque Ahmed, after many years’ apprenticeship in some of London’s best curry houses, opened Raj Bari in 1991, a contemporary Indian restaurant in Hotwells, aiming to provide customers with a distinct and classy dining experience - believing that as well as the taste of food the environment you dine in is also important. It seems to have worked, too: drop by and you might end up rubbing shoulders with luminaries such as Sir Terry Wogan, Rolf Harris or Tom Baker as well as local celebs Tony Robinson, Eddie Large and Gareth Chilcott. Endorsed by the Good Food Guide. Price ALC: £2.65-£5.65/£6.45-£13.95/£2-£4 Wine list HW from approx £12 btl. Indian lagers Open Daily 5.30-11.30pm. Lunchtimes available to pre-booked parties of 10+. Takeaway discount 20% on orders over £10.

RAJ TANDOORI
King St, BS1 4DZ
Tel: 0117 929 1132, web: www.raj-bristol.co.uk
● Snug, friendly, long-established (since 1981) restaurant set in the basement of a lovely grade ll-listed building, with trad-contemporary menus and an exceedingly warm welcome. Owner Hasan Ahmed and head chef Bodrul Khan insist that only the finest ingredients are used in the kitchen, recreating many of the traditional Indian dishes Bodrul learned in his homeland of Sunamganj in Bangladesh. Try the new early bird menu (5.30-7.30pm): three courses for £11.95, including a drink. Price ALC: starter £3.60-£5.50/main £5.50-£12.30 Wine list HW £10 btl. Lagers, beers, spirits, etc Open Mon-Sat 6pm-12midnight, Sun 6-11pm. No disabled access. Takeaway discount 25%. Party bookings welcome (special party room seats up to 30).

RAJPOOT
52 Upper Belgrave Rd, Clifton, BS8 2XP
Tel: 0117 973 3515, web: www.rajpootrestaurant.co.uk
● Smart, sophisticated restaurant set in a gorgeous Georgian building, offering the ultimate in luxury and comfort. From the moment you walk under the welcoming green awning, it’s like stepping back in time, with crisp linen tablecloths, comfortable chairs and menus embracing the principal regions of India - extensive and impressive. The front terrace is a great place to eat alfresco on warmer evenings. Lots of fish and seafood dishes. Price ALC: £4.50-£6.50/£9.95-£12.95/£2.95-£4.95 Wine list Extensive. HW approx £12 btl. Draught Indian beers, full range of spirits & non-alcoholic drinks Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11pm. No disabled access.Takeaway available.

ROSHNI
63 High Street, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3ED Tel: 0117 985 9999
● An authentic taste of India at the heart of a lively Bristol suburb, offering elegant eat-in options alongside a takeaway service. Indian sub-continent classics - both traditional and contemporary - are freshly cooked and easily adaptable to both heat addicts and cool customers alike, while children and vegetarians are exceedingly well looked after too. Price expect to pay around £25 for three courses. Wine list Indian beers, globally-sourced wines HW approx £13 btl Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6pm-11.30pm (12 midnight Fri-Sat) Disabled access/group bookings: call in adv.

SHEESH MAHAL
13a Gloucester Rd, BS7 8AA
Tel: 0117 942 2942
● Popular Indian restaurant, established in 1979 and still serving a traditional range of dishes to a mix of students, businesspeople and post-pub revellers alike. Snug booths, nice atmosphere and good food, with the standard curry-house menu complemented by a range of ‘Sheesh Specialities’ with particular regional flavours. The prawn dansak is highly recommend. Price ALC: approx £2.50-£5/approx £6-£11/approx £2-£4 Wine list HW, French, from approx £11 btl Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 6-11.30pm. Good disabled access & toilet. Available for private hire (lunchtime only), up to 65. Parties of 20+ welcome.

SPICE OF INDIA
13 Small St, BS1 1DE
Tel: 0117 929 9222
● Simple, comfortable restaurant with an extensive menu that concentrates on dishes from Bangladesh and other parts of the Indian subcontinent. Good selection of vegetarian dishes and authentic, homemade chutneys and pickles. Price ALC: approx £3-£6/approx £5-£11/approx £2-£4 Wine list HW approx £12 btl. Indian bottled beers (Kingfisher, Cobra) Open Daily 6-11pm.Takeaway available. Disabled access - call in adv.

TIKKA FLAME
South Building, Anchor Square, Canons Rd, BS1 5UH
Tel: 0117 316 9393, web: www.tikkaflame.co.uk
● Fronted by a couple with over 10 years’ experience in creating authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisine, this stylish, lively contemporary Indian brasserie makes the most of eclectic flavours and influences drawn from Pakistan and India. Vibrant surroundings include a big screen showing Bollywood classics, and there are plenty of mix ‘n’ match flavours to keep small or large parties happy. ‘First and foremost, it’s a smart, stylish eating place,’ said Venue. ‘There’s a crisp, contemporary hush to the decor, as far removed from flock ‘n’ Formica as Bristol is from Bombay. A high standard of cooking gives a satisfying meal in comfortably smart surroundings.’ Grills, light bite menu (including pizzas and nachos alongside vegetable thalis and stirfries), great lunchtime deals, and a really good bar selection. Check website for offers like 2-4-1 mains. Price ALC: £2.80-£7.30/£9.95-£14.95/approx £3.95. SL: 2 £9.50, 3 £11.50 Wine list HW £13 btl, £3.30 gls Open Mon-Thur 12noon-3pm & 6-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-11.30pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm (inc bank hols). Disabled access. Parties 20+ welcome - book in adv. Mezzanine floor or private hire/functions. Outside catering service for parties, weddings, etc.

Bath

BENGAL BRASSERIE
32 Milsom St, BA1 1DG
Tel: 01225 447906, web: www.bengalbrasseriebath.com
● Popular restaurant offering an extensive trip through the very best curry house flavours at very reasonable prices, in recently refurbished surroundings. A typical feast might consist of prawn puree, rogan josh, keema rice and a tandoori roti, but the set menus are worth exploring for those who prefer to take a more exotic spice route. Price ALC: starter £2.30-£5.50/main approx £6-£9/sundries (rice, bread, etc) £2-£3. SD £14.95pp Wine list HW £11.95 btl. Indian lagers Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11.30pm (12midnight Fri-Sat). Disabled access - call ahead for advice/details. Discounted takeaway menu. Group bookings welcome – call in adv.

BOMBAY NIGHTS
Lower Bristol Rd, BA2 3EB
Tel: 01225 460400/339413, web: www.bombaynights-bath.com
● Authentic Nepalese and pan-Indian delights served in a contemporary setting (slate floors, white walls, slick furniture) but with just the right amount of human touch and graciousness added to the mix to lift it from canteen status to elegant dining experience. Extensive, well-balanced menu, with a strong emphasis on ‘exotic’ fish and seafood standing out above solid, perfectly executed favourites (dhansaks, murghs, biryanis, tandooris) and excellent veggie options. Price ALC: starter £2.95-£8.95/main approx £6.95-£15.95/sundries (rice, bread, etc) from approx £3 Wine list HW approx £11.95 btl. Well-stocked bar, inc Indian lagers Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11pm. Disabled access - call ahead for advice/details. Discounted takeaway menu. Online ordering facility via website. Private, parties & group bookings welcome (up to 85).

BOOJON TANDOORI
28 Charles St, BA1 1HU
Tel: 01225 429429/429529, web: www.boojontandoori.com
● Contemporary Indian diner offering a big family welcome from the lovely folk who do all the hard work for you. ‘The staff here are fun, friendly and knowledgeable and, right from the off, you get a literal taste of what’s to come: popadoms are crispy and grease-free, the pickles that accompany them glossy and fresh. Just don’t go too mad, OK? Portions go large here,’ said Venue’s own little onion bhaji recently. ‘Pathias strike the perfect sweet/sour balance, paneers are dreamily, smoothly soporific, and if the jalfrezis don’t give your taste-buds a thorough workout, nothing will.’ High praise indeed, from one who should know - she eats here at least once a fortnight. But such quality doesn’t come at a high price, and what you pay for wine is up to you: this is a BYO, no-corkage-charge affair. Price ALC: starter approx £3-£5/main approx £8/sundries approx £1.95-£2.95 Wine list BYO, no corkage charge Open Mon-Sun 12noon-2.30pm & 6-10.30pm (last orders). Disabled access. Discounted takeaway menu. Parties welcome - call in adv.

CURRY MAHAL
31 Belvedere, Lansdown Rd, BA1 5HR
Tel: 01225 789666/789501, web: www.currymahal.net
● Popular, friendly traditional neighbourhood curry house with a big reputation for excellent food (including fabulous vegetarian options) and a generous sprinkling of lesser-spotted regional dishes (lamb nowabdar, pickled fish steak, satkara chicken, mass-er-salan) against a more familiar backdrop of tandooris, tikkas, dansaks, baltis, etc. Price ALC: starter £2.80-£4.50/main £6.50-£14.95 Wine list HW from approx £11 btl. Bottled beers. BYO option Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 6-11.30pm. Disabled access possible - call in adv. Discounted takeaway menu. Free home delivery on £15+ orders within a 3-mile radius. Parties of up to 30 welcome - private dining room downstairs, but must be booked in adv.

DESH
10 Chelsea Rd, BA1 3DU
Tel: 01225 314413/463388
● Busy, popular, friendly, inexpensive neighbourhood Indian eatery. BYO policy (no corkage charge) means that the drink prices are up to you. Baltis, tandooris and jalfrezis highly recommended. Price ALC: starter approx £3/main approx £7 Wine list BYO, no corkage charge Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 5.30pm-12midnight. Disabled access possible but call ahead for advice. Discounted takeaway menu. Discount of 10% for nurses & students.

EASTERN EYE
8a Quiet St, BA1 2JS
Tel: 01225 422323/466401, web: www.easterneye.co.uk
● The Guardian, Times, Independent, Observer, Harpers, Vogue, Donny Osmond and Venue have all waxed lyrical over the years about this beautiful, award-winning eatery, set in a magnificent Georgian ballroom. But if the surroundings don’t impress you (unlikely), the huge menus will: following a full explanation of how Indian food ‘works’, every dish is flagged up with highlighters denoting heat, sugar, nut, wheat and dairy content, while vegetarians are unbelievably well catered for. A vast selection of bhajis, kebabs, tikkas, dosha, purees and soups leads the way to a gourmet playground of tandooris, baltis, dhansaks, kormas, dopiazas, biryanis, masalas, rogan josh and unique chef’s specials (including excellent seafood options), leading our resident curry queen to litter a recent Venue review with superlatives such as ‘delectable’, ‘really tasty’ and ‘highly recommended’. See website for details of regular Elvis Presley tribute events (yes, really). Price ALC: starter £3.50-£7.50/main £8.95-£12.95 Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11.30pm. No disabled access. Gourmet catering (can supply Indian dinner party in your own home, call for details) and takeaway discount. Parties up to 170 welcome.

JAFLONG
78-79 Lower Bristol Rd, BA2 3BG
Tel: 01225 330144, web: www.jaflongbath.co.uk
● Authentic, multi-regional Indian sub-continent food in recently refurbished surroundings. A gentle proliferation of karais, beguns and palaks appeal to those in search of a more scenic Nepalese route while the tikkas, bhajees, masalas, biryani, etc, offer familiar appeal. Price ALC: starter £3.50-£5.95/main £7.50-£12.95/sundries approx £3 Wine list HW £11.95 btl Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11.30pm (inc bank hols). Disabled access, but call in adv. Takeaway discount, free banquet delivery for £75+ orders within Bath area (notice required). Parties welcome, catering service - call for details.

JAMUNA
9-10 High St (entrance in Cheap St), BA1 5AQ
Tel: 01225 464631, web: www.jamuna-cuisine.com
● Despite a recent makeover that introduced pistachio-hued banquettes and wall-mounted fishtanks to the elegant first-floor dining room, Jamuna is a lovely, old-school Indian restaurant with no pretensions towards anything else. A fairly compact menu trusts that we understand the meaning of tandooris and biryanis, but knows that we still need the massalas, tikkas, kormas, bhunas, etc, to be arranged into mild, medium and hot categories. Meanwhile, a slightly more adventurous ‘chef’s special’ selection ensures that all bases are covered. Abbey views come as standard. Price ALC: starter £2.95-£6.95/main £6.90-£13.50. SL: 3 £6.95 Wine list HW £13.95 btl. Indian lager Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6pm-12midnight. No disabled access. Whole restaurant available for private hire. Parties of 20+ welcome. Takeaway discount.

MOUCHUCK
136 Wells Rd, BA2 3AH
Tel: 01225 333449, web: www.cityofbath.co.uk/mouchuck
● Friendly neighbourhood BYO curry bistro offering a solid range of very reasonably priced tandoori, masala, jalfrezi, korma, biryani, madras, rogan josh, etc, alongside chef specials (achari, pandi, tawa, etc), side dishes and good vegetarian options. All-you-can-eat, serve-yourself buffet Tue eves. Price ALC: starter £2-£3.25/main £3.95-£7.95/sundries approx £2. Tue buffet: £6.95pp (under-12s £5.95) Wine list BYO Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 5.30-11pm. Discounted takeaway menu. Parties/groups welcome, preferably. booked in adv.

PANAHAR
8 Moorland Rd, Oldfield Park, BA2 3PL
Tel: 01225 471999/471899
● Lively, popular neighbourhood Indian eatery with a no-corkage-charge BYO policy (and a really good off-licence conveniently situated just over the road) adding to the appeal. ‘Incredibly friendly, massively flavoursome and refreshingly cheap,’ said Venue’s curry queen. ‘As good as the genre gets.’ Downhome, traditional Indian food, competently cooked – little wonder, then, that it’s a good idea to book in advance on weekend eves. Price ALC: starter £2-£3/main approx £4.95-£6.95/sundries £2 Wine list BYO, no corkage charge Open Daily 12noon-2pm & 5.30-11.30pm. Disabled access. Discounted takeaway menu. Pre-booked parties welcome, but call for capacity details.

PREMIER
4a Argyle St, BA2 4BA
Tel: 01225 462323/442955
● Standards at the long-established Indian bistro and balti house formerly known as Pria remain the same. Offers the latest last-order time in Bath and is renowned for balti/curry favourites and excellent value for money. Price ALC: starter £3-£5.95/main £6.95-approx £10/sundries £3 Wine list HW approx £12 btl. Indian lager Open Sun-Thur 6pm-1.30am, Fri-Sat 6pm-2am. Disabled access, but not to toilets. Discounted takeaway menu. Pre-booked parties welcome, but call for capacity details.

RAJPOOT
4 Argyle St, BA2 4BA
Tel: 01225 466833/464758, web: www.rajpoot.com
● The Rajpoot - almost three decades old and enjoying a reputation as Bath’s most elegant curry house - continues to go from strength to strength, recently adding two more gongs (including a British Curry Awards ‘Best in the South West’ - the curry-world equivalent of the Oscars) to an already impressive collection of national accolades. With two reception areas and several characterful dining areas, this is Raj cuisine with a backdrop to match: a cosy, barrel-vaulted subterranean cave serviced by attentive staff in pristine uniforms. ‘This isn’t just ‘curry’,’ swooned Venue’s own little lentil, ‘this is Bath curry - polite, genteel and serene, and extremely well-executed.’ Chef’s signature dishes include the festive shahi murg mussalam, and fish lovers will dive into the jhol mach tarkari, while classy versions of more familiar dishes provide a nicely maintained, well-beaten track for the less adventurous. The exotically dressed doorman is a local landmark in his own right. Price ALC: starter £3.45-£6.95/main approx £8-£16/sundries approx £3. Wine list Comprehensive, inc Indian selection. HW £13.50 btl Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11pm (11.30pm Fri-Sat). Disabled access possible with assistance, but restaurant is in basement, so call in adv. Discounted takeaway menu. Private hire, up to 28. Parties of 20+ welcome.

YAK YETI YAK
12 Pierrepont St, BA1 1LA
Tel: 01225 442299, web: www.yakyetiyak.co.uk
● Laidback, authentic Nepalese restaurant in a cosy subterranean location. Everything from fresh stocks to the grinding of spices is done on the premises, and if your knees/back/lack of self-consciousness are up to it, you can dine Nepalese-style on floor cushions. Food is flavoursome and funky, the veggie options are fabulous, and even the bill turns out to be a reassuring treat. ‘My lamb bhutuwa featured lamb ductile enough to be a soft toy in a rich, sweet, ginger-infused sauce, the pork in a masuko jhol was tender as the night and immersed in a smooth, well-seasoned gravy, and the chunky hunks of beef in chilli yielded effortlessly into a sauce that started off understated and developed to fiery on the tongue, making for an intelligent, well-executed take on a familiar dish,’ yakked Venue’s resident Sherpa. Price ALC: £4.30-£5.70/£4.70-£9.70/£3.90. SL/early eve (5-6.30pm): 3 £10.50. SD options: £10.50pp Wine list HW approx £12 btl. Lagers inc Nepalese varieties Open Mon-Sun 12noon-2.30pm & 5-10pm (10.30pm Fri-Sat). Call in adv for disabled access & facility details. Discounted takeaway menu. Pre-booked parties welcome (party menus available) - call/visit website for details.

Eating Out West - Bristol and Bath's best restaurant guide, including extra sections on Pubs, Bars, Sandwich Shops, Takeaways, Wine Merchants, Caterers, Dining Clubs and Cookery Schools. To order your copy ring 0117 942 8491. Only £4.95. Yum.