For many, a good Indian is one of the most firm favourite culinary delights in Britain. After all, isn’t Chicken Tikka Masala considered in some ways as being a national dish of ours?
And, luckily for us here in Bristol, recent years have seen a range of Indian restaurants open its doors in the city. But, as a downside, this can make it near impossible for us to choose where to eat when we fancy some Indian cuisine.
We’ve taken a look around at guides, reviews, recommendations, awards recipients – and also our own favourites – to put together a list of some of the best rated and much loved destinations for an Indian meal, be it to eat in or takeaway, in Bristol. And we’ve compiled a list below to help you when you’re next deciding on where to go.
Can’t see your favourite on this list? Let us know by emailing [email protected] and we will be sure to check it out.
Urban Tandoor
Address: 211 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, BS8 2XS & 13 Small Street, BS1 1DE
No list of Bristol’s best loved Indian restaurants would be complete without Urban Tandoor, known by many worldwide for its creative parodies of music hits, with a spin which gives a nod to items on its menu in the lyrics. From The Killers’ ‘Mr Brightside’ becoming ‘Mr Riceside’, to Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’ (changing the lyrics here to “you are the dhansak queen”), fans can’t get enough.
And the same can be said for its food and service, too. Urban Tandoor has won numerous awards since launching in March 2014, and it’s also regularly ranked in TripAdvisor’s list of best Indian restaurants in Bristol. What’s more, boasting 4.8 stars on Google, diners commend it for not only its food and service, but for being a perfect place to go for a celebratory occasion.
Achari Indian Kitchen
Address: 44 Cotham Hill, Cotham, BS6 6LA
Winning big at the Asian Curry Awards, Achari Indian Kitchen, which is located on Cotham Hill, was awarded the title of Best Restaurant and chef Kamrul Islam received the Best Asian Chef Award at the national awards ceremony back in 2024. In fact, it came less than a month after the restaurant was also recognised at the BCA Awards (Bangladeshi Catering Association), winning the gongs for Best Restaurant and Best Chef there, too.
Achari Indian Kitchen has been a staple of Bristol’s foodie scene since 1992, when it first opened as Indian Ocean. Serving up a vast menu of classic Indian dishes – with curries including Korma, Tikka Masala, Bhuna, Korahi, Rogan Josh, Madras, Jalfrezi, Vindaloo, and more – the restaurant boasts a 4.9 star rating on Google, with some 2,400 reviews to its name at time of writing.
Indian Kitchen
Address: 61 High Street, BS9 3ED
In January, BristolLive reported that Indian Kitchen, which is located on the High Street of Westbury-on-Trym, had been shortlisted in one of the nine award categories for the 2025 National Curry Awards – ‘Curry Kitchen of the Year’. Indian Kitchen specialises in fast food and Indian cuisine with a menu that boasts ‘great food at affordable prices’. It offers takeaway and delivery options, as well as the option to book a table and eat in.
It boasts a 4.2 star ranking on Google, with reviewers commending it for its food, spices, and service. One reviewer visiting three months ago said: “Fantastic food and great service from very friendly staff. The lamb Hyderabadi biryani was the best I’ve ever had, and it was nice to have a choice between vegetable curry or raita as an accompaniment. Definitely recommend a visit.”
Mowgli
Address: 35 Corn Street, BS1 1HT
At the end of 2024, Mowgli was named among the best in the UK according to the British Indian Food Guide‘s Top 100. Mowgli Street Food on Corn Street opened in December 2023 and was a hotly anticipated opening on Bristol’s foodie scene.
Sitting in a Grade II-listed building, and boasting 4.4 stars on Google, Mowgli has since impressed diners with its food and enchanting decor. One reviewer, shortly after it opened, wrote: “So glad there is now a Mowgli in Bristol, had such a lovely evening here! The décor is so pretty (especially if you’re a sucker for fairy lights like me).
“The food was amazing, such a great selection of meat and vegetarian dishes. Would definitely recommend the chat bombs and monkey wrap. The desserts we had were delicious and you can’t go wrong with any of the cocktails too. The service we received was fantastic, cannot wait to come back again soon!”
Nutmeg
Address: 10, The Mall Clifton Village, BS8 4DR & St Augustine’s Parade
Similarly to Mowgli, Nutmeg, located at The Mall, Clifton Village, was also among the list of the British Indian Food Guide‘s Top 100. It describes itself as “a vibrant, independent Indian restaurant based in Clifton Village, Bristol, with a menu inspired by the diversity of India and its 29 states, which stretch from the pulse regions of the Himalayas in the north, to the spice and seafood abundance of tropical south India.”
It was founded in 2016 by culinary enthusiast Raja Munuswamy, and dishes on the menu include an array of starters, biryanis, sides, mains, breads and rice. With a 4.7 star rating on Google, reviewers consistently commend the food and service, here. One such recent review reads: “One of our favourites in Bristol! Really high quality and fantastic flavours throughout the menu. Would always make sure to book a table as typically very busy!”
There’s also now a Nutmeg Street Kitchen on St Augustine’s Parade, near the Bristol Hippodrome.
Coronation Curry House
Address: 190 Coronation Road, Southville, BS3 1RF
If you were to look on TripAdvisor for a list of the best Indian restaurants in Bristol, you’d see that Coronation Curry House currently ranks at number one in the list. Situated on Coronation Road in Southville, it boasts an ‘array of classic Indian dishes for dine-in and take-away, in a relaxed, family-friendly setting’.
Boasting a 4.8 star rating on Google and plenty of five star reviews on its website, diners commend Coronation Curry House for its dine-in and take-away food, its service and delicious flavours. One said: “A small but super friendly Indian restaurant within walking distance of Ashton Gate football stadium.
“We were greeted with a warm smile and a genuine welcome. The food was tasty, especially the onion bhaji starters and the fresh chilli dip to accompany the poppadoms. The Nan breads were light and fluffy.
Certainly worth a visit pre or post match.”
Indian Rassasy
Address: 275 Hotwell Road, Hotwells, BS8 4SF
Coming in at number two in the TripAdvisor list, Indian Rassasy on Hotwell Road is described as ‘an undoubtedly unique and authentic Indian experience’. On its official website, Indian Rassasy says: “Even our name reflects what we do – the word Rassasy dates back to 15th Century, which means ‘To Satisfy Guests with a Great Meal’.”
Indian Rassasy was the first solo venture for Shamshuddin Bagalkote, who will be a familiar face to Bristol curry fans as he previously worked as manager at the award-winning Urban Tandoor restaurant in Small Street and as a waiter at 4500 Miles From Delhi in the city centre.
Dhamaka
Address: 15 Clare Street, BS1 1XH
Dhamaka is located in the Old City, and was named as Independent Restaurant of the Year for South England and Wales in the 2024 Deliveroo awards. Located on Clare Street, it has been serving up ‘delicious’ Indian cuisine since 2019, and Dhamaka’s menu is completely nut-free, something owner and head chef Vinay Reddy believes he was the first among the city’s Indian restaurants to do.
The menu features small plates that are designed for diners to mix and match. There are also ‘classical nibbles’ such as poppadoms, samosas, and bhajis, as well as a vast range of mains, curries, sharing platters, and a whole host of gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options, too.
Namak
Address: 98 Mina Road, St Werburghs, BS2 9XW
Another award winner on the list, St Werburghs’ Namak, which is located on Mina Road, beat even a Michelin-starred restaurant among others in its category to take the title of best in the city at the British Restaurant Awards 2024. According to the restaurant’s website: “We prepare our food using only the finest fresh ingredients for you to soothe your tastes buds. You can dine in or order online, choosing from traditional curries to chef specials and more.”
It now boasts a 4.8 star rating on Google, with one reviewer writing: “Outstanding in every respect. I love restaurants like this that push the boundaries and what flavour, range and quality of food. Quite amazing. How has it taken us so long to find you! We will be back and enjoy again soon.”