Urban Masala in Bristol has collected numerous awards for its authentic Indian cuisine, including the Good Food Awards and British Curry Awards. It’s not hard to see why. Step into the buzzy restaurant and you’ll be greeted by delicious aromas and pleasing decor. Plants are dotted around, as are various nicknacks and souvenirs from India, while the wall of fame displays various awards and accolades. On the menu, meanwhile, you’ll find an enticing and expansive selection of authentic Indian dishes, including chaat, grilled dishes, curries, biryani and more. To drink, there is a short and to-the-point wine list as well as Indian beers such as Cobra.
Every Indian restaurant does poppodums its own way. Here, they come with mint yoghurt, beetroot and mango chutney, chopped salad and spicy veg pickle. The starters here are best enjoyed shared (that way you can try as many as possible). We recommend the tandoori spiced lamb chops, calamari, onion and spinach bhaji and vegetable samosas, although the whole selection is worth trying. In keeping with the theme of covering as many bases as possible, the mixed grill is a great option too, featuring kasoori chicken, boti kebab, gilafi seekh kebab, lasooni prawn and chutney. The Malabar tiger prawns are also a must, grilled in a clay oven after being marinated in plenty of coconut and spices.
When it comes to the curries, it’s a pretty tough decision. Those who like it fiery should try the Goan vindaloo while those less adventurous can stick to a tikka masala or dhansak. Once you’ve chosen your curry, you can choose between chicken, lamb or prawn. Vegetarians, meanwhile, can enjoy dishes like dal makhni, paneer makhanwala or aloo pindi channa (soft chickpeas with potatoes cooked in spices). Sides are also on hand to supplement your feast, including Bombay aloo, tarka dal and rice.