Review: Thali Cafe, Bristol

The Thali Cafe, North Street, Bristol 

Starting out as a popular food stall at festivals, Thali Cafe now has 5 restaurants across Bristol serving the Indian street food the owners missed after returning from their travels. 

Thali refers to the way the meals are eaten - a selection of dishes served together on one plate, which is usually compartmentalised. They've won awards from the Observer and Radio 4 for their tiffin take out scheme - you buy the tiffin tins and can get refills for as little as £8.50! 

On my visit I had their Dairy Free Thali, and it was really delicious.

The dhal was one of the best I'd tasted in a while, and the rice was lovely, fragrant and tasty. There was also a broad bean and coconut rice dish which was my particular favourite - and a replacement for the paneer in the vegetarian thali, so I definitely thought I'd gotten the good end of the deal there. I'd never had coconut with rice before, it's definitely something I want to try at home. 

The salad was crunchy and fresh, and the vegetable curry was pretty spicy but full of flavour. 

It was all absolutely delicious, and I munched it down with a warm chapati. 

The portions were huge, which I obviously thought was excellent. There was so much food that I couldn't actually finish it, and I tried really hard to!

I passed on the weird flavoured vodka shots (violet and cloves, anyone?!) and spent the rest of the evening thoroughly stuffed.

Do you have a favourite restaurant that does delicious vegan food, or is really helpful and lovely when you explain your veganosity? Let me know!