Raj Mahal — Restaurant in Bristol

RayMahal has clearly stood the test of time, having been around for 35 years, and after my visit, I can absolutely see why. From the moment I walked in, I was met with warmth and genuine hospitality. The staff were incredibly friendly, attentive without being intrusive, and made sure everything was just right throughout the evening.

Onto the food, because that’s where RayMahal truly shines.

No Indian meal is complete without poppadoms, and RayMahal does them just right. They were crisp, fresh, and served with a generous tray of dips and sauces. The standout for me was the mango chutney, sweet and tangy, and the perfect complement to the crunchy poppadoms. It’s the kind of simple starter that sets the tone for a great meal.

For the main course, I had the lamb pasanda, a sweet and creamy coconut based curry that was absolutely delicious. The sauce had a beautiful balance, rich without being too heavy, with that subtle sweetness from the coconut that paired perfectly with the tender lamb. The meat was cooked to perfection, soft, juicy, and full of flavour in every bite.

The rice was fluffy, fragrant, and cooked just right, not oily or clumpy, which is always a good sign. I also ordered the chilli cheese naan, which brought a nice kick of spice and a cheesy richness that paired wonderfully with both the pasanda and the chicken tikka.

The chicken tikka was another highlight. It’s a dish that’s often served too dry in other places, but here it was juicy and full of flavour. The smoky tandoor seasoning was spot on, and it worked beautifully with the chilli cheese naan.

Even the toilets were clean, and to me, that always says a lot about a restaurant. It shows they take cleanliness seriously across the board, not just in the dining area.

All in all, RayMahal exceeded expectations. The combination of friendly service, high quality food, expertly cooked dishes, and a clean, welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to see why this place has been a favourite for decades.

I will definitely be coming back, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend RayMahal for a work do or a group meal. It’s a gem of a restaurant that clearly takes pride in...

Possibly the worst experience of dining in any restaurant ever. On entering we were made to feel welcome and shown to our table. Huge restaurant but on five tables occupied. Ordered, papadams and wine arrived, an hour later still waiting for food, wine finished and papdams had been finished and cleared away ages ago. Food finally arrived, to be told my husband dish takes a while to be cooked, but mine looked like it had been cooked ages ago. It was cold and congealed on the plate, it was taken away and returned in less than a minute on a plate which had a huge chip on it. By then I gave up as I had lost my appitite and asked to speak to the manager. Who ever came out was the rudest person ever. To be informed that our order was last on so yes you will wait an hour and insisted on forcing the food on the table. I did not eat it, just a little rice from a seperate dish. Food standards for restaurants clearly state you can not serve food on broken crockery as this is a harbenger for bacteria. To have the food forced on us and to be treated with such distain was shocking. We did not pay for my dish but paid for everything else. Word to the wise...

I have been visiting the Raj whenever I have been in Bristol since it opened in 1992 - hundreds of times over the years - and it’s great that they are back after a having been closed for so long first for building work and latterly because of Covid restrictions. The owner and his team were as convivial as ever and the food strikes its intended balance of being well loved and deeply satisfying British-Indian whilst challenging the boundaries just a little. We noticed a few developments in the menu since the reopening including more use of sauces and garnishes and less tempering with hot oil - which were all good and everything was really yummy. The main developments are in look and feel of the restaurant from a sleek, light and airy dining room to lovely new facilities, to new modern cutlery and plates. It is great to have Raj and his team back, they were sorely missed and we wish them well -...