Get Your Curry On – Delicious Indian Cuisine in the Heart of Old Bristol

[Nicholas Kontis]

Old India Restaurant – Avant Garde Indian Cuisine

 

If you are ever in Bristol, England and crave scrumptious Indian cuisine, then a visit to the old Bristol Stock Exchange is in order. Located in an old 100 year plus old structure, the old home of the Bristol Stock Exchange, is now the home to Bristol’s premier Indian Restaurant, ‘Old India.’

Old India Restaurant is worth a visit for the ambiance and décor alone. Although the old Victorian interior is deteriorating a bit, the grand old building has a charm like no other. High ceilings in a large open room, ornate décor, makes you feel like a Maharaja.

 

The structure is magnificent. Tales of a Victorian era gone bye. High ceilings, antique décor The interior gives a special ambiance, complete with a genuine, historic bathrooms. Granted, the structure could use a makeover but, the deco of the building makes it look like old India or old England.

The story of Old India started in Dec 1999 with a vision to start up the first restaurant in the country to offer the real cuisine of the mogul kings and princes with contemporary style. After many months of waiting for planning to come through from the powers of English Heritage and following an elaborate refurbishment program the restaurant finally opened its doors in 2002.

The mostly Bangladeshi staff serve up scrumptious plates of pure Indian delight.

If you visit the Great Cities of Old India, there are fantastic examples of work carried out by various Victorian and Edwardian Architects reaching a climax with ”Lutyens’ Design for the Government and civic Buildings for New Delhi. These Architects were able to create a successful fusion of details from the Classical World and elements from Indian Architecture. This has been the inspiration behind the conversion of this Magnificent Mahogany paneled Grade II Listed building into an Indian Restaurant, creating a Colonial Club Atmosphere that would be both recognizable to British Residents and Indian Princes alike.

An atmosphere fix for a mogul king.

The food is cooked to perfection. I am a curry aficionado , a nice excellent hot Jalfrezi curry is to die for. I can confidently say this is one of the best Indian meals I have ever had. The palak chingri (prawns and spinach) with pilau rice, was cooked to perfection, and pshwari naan and by god they were all tasty, fresh and vibrant.

Excellent starters of poppadoms and pickles followed by seekh kebabs and the lovely dal. Then onto the vindaloos. The Murg Dum Hundy was sublime. Wash it all down with an ice cold Kingfisher. Also featuring a respectable wine list . Friendly service makes this a place well worth visiting.

Make sure to pay a visit to the loo, the colonial style, railroad, ornate, tiled bathrooms is a step back in time.

Will 100% return on my next visit to Bristol.

 

About the Author:

Nick Kontis is the founder of World Travel List, a social media travel web site. Read more of Nick’s travel tales on Trip Rambler by Word Travel List.

www.trip.worldtravellist.com

[Nicholas Kontis]

Yes, perhaps the avant garde is not completely the correct catch phrase, but wonderful food.

[Vicky Picks]

I went there on a visit to Bristol with a friend just over a year ago, and I really liked the setting and the food.  It was quite busy even though it was a Thursday so it must be heaving at the weekend.

[Nicholas Kontis]

Well, they can market any way they wish, but I enjoyed the food and the setting...The servers, at least are Bangladeshi. I found this quite common in the U.K. as also in Stratford the wait staff were also from Bangladesh.  Yes, not quite sure how avant garde it is, but well worth a visit.

[Max Pesling]

Good question, Donna. I also like how it promises "avant garde" but is called "'Old' India."

[Donna Esposito]

This looks wonderful. On the awning it says "avant garde" cuisine. In what ways is this Indian food avant garde?