Purple Poppadom

The unassuming first-floor dining room of this popular Indian restaurant has all the curry-house trademarks (rich colours, subtle lighting, simple, modern fittings), but visitors don’t single this place out for its interiors: it’s all about the excellent cooking. Fans of Anand George’s top-flight ‘nouvelle’ Indian cooking at Mint & Mustard (also in Cardiff) will know what to expect here: fresh ingredients, fresh flavours and fresh ideas (alongside a few trusty favourites).

Located in Canton, two miles west of Cardiff city centre, Purple Poppadom is a neighbourhood Indian with a difference. People travel from far and wide, either because they’ve been before and loved it, or because they’ve read about the numerous accolades and awards it’s received over the years. And it’s not just the food that people love about Purple Poppadom – the staff are as friendly and welcoming as can be, whether you’re popping in for a quick bite or dining with friends on a special occasion.

At the heart of Purple Poppadom is the chefs’ passion for creating imaginative Indian cuisine, Specialities such as Bombay chaat, Keralan calamari, Kashmiri rogan josh and Malabar biryani (cooked under a flaky pastry crust) show the kitchen’s regional scope, while one reader singles out “the most incredible soft-shell crab” (dusted with curry leaves and garlic). Also don’t miss Anand’s signature ‘tiffin sea bass’ served on curry leaf-infused mash with a raw mango, ginger, coconut sauce and beetroot pachadi.

The seven-course tasting menu – a recent addition – promises a grand tour of the taste experiences from around India. Coming in at under £50 per person (plus an additional £20 if you’d like matched wines), it’s a bit of a bargain and an excellent way to sample the best of what the kitchen has to offer. If you can manage, try the renowned ‘chocomosa’, tandoori pineapple or a brace of exotically fragrant crème brûlées for dessert. “Best Indian in South Wales”? We wouldn’t disagree.

Anand George's flagship restaurant of fine Indian cuisine, the Purple Poppadom, is found in Cardiff. The team’s perception of Indian cuisine is nothing short of magical, and they are on a mission to present you with authentic Indian dishes, created in a vibrant array of colours, spices, and flavours, infused with some of Anand's unique culinary twists. The dishes and way that the kitchen works is a fusion of traditional heritage recipes from diverse cities and villages across India, utilising premium ingredients while incorporating a touch of unique flair.

The accolades that the Purple Poppadom have echo their commitment to excellence, having garnered plenty of prestigious awards, including Best South Asian Restaurant in the UK and Best in Wales at the Asian Restaurant Awards 2023 and the British Curry Awards 2022. The restaurant has also been featured in The Michelin Guide for 2021 and 2022.

Why not start your meal with a plate named the streets of Mumbai, made up of potato cake served on a bed of spiced chickpeas, a pop in the mouth semolina pastry snack filled with yoghurt and homemade chutney, and a tangy puffed rice salad with tamarind chutney. Another delicious starter is the pidi with tharavu - a dish of duck in a classical Syrian Christian creation, made of steamed rice dumplings, poached in a spiced coconut sauce, and topped with cubed duck and crisp of duck leg confit.

Anand George’s signature dish is the tiffin sea bass, which is a dish of sea bass, pan seared and served on a bed of curry leaf infused mashed potato, in a tongue tickling raw mango, ginger and coconut sauce with beetroot pachadi.