The Pukka Peacock — Restaurant in Bristol

I went to the Pukka Peacock on 11th December for a private event of about 20 people. I had been there before with my wife so knew that I should expect good things. What I got was one of the best meals I've had. Saritha (and Kabir!) welcomed us warmly, and the tables were decorated in a fun and tasteful way. Although there were about 20 of us at two tables, getting the food out to all those people at the same time was done effortlessly and quickly by the friendly and helpful team. The food itself was, as I expected, wonderful. I started with three delicious Crab and Mackerel Cakes, which came with a punchy kasundhi mustard mayonnaise. My main was a Malabar Beef Short Rib Bhuna with crispy kale and flatbread. When I ordered this I was wary as I had thought that Bhuna was very very hot, but this was beautifully spiced so that all the flavours came through. The Beef was beautifully tender and delicious and the crispy kale a great textural accompaniment. We had sides of Rice and Bean Poriyal--I don't know what was in the Beans but they were very tasty. I finished with a Green Cardamom sponge with a coconut and saffron sauce. This was the highlight for me--the sponge delicate and light and not overpowered by cardamom, and the sauce complemented it perfectly. It as a wonderful evening, and I highly recommend the PP for private events or for a lovely evening out. Food this good at these prices is an amazing...

We arrived for our booking at 6:45pm and the place was packed which is always a good sign. Our anticipation was soured immediately however as we saw the waitress wiping the lamb dish off the board. The last one had just been ordered. With two staunch carnivores in our party, this was a big disappointment as the only remaining option on the mains menu was pukka fried chicken, and chicken kebab was the only meat in the starters. We ordered one of each starter on the menu to share and they were all delicious. 2 of our party had chicken and the other 2 had baked paneer for mains. My paneer dish was excellent, Beautiful flavours, a delicate hand was used with the spices. We ended with the baked pears, again, lovely flavours. The wine was overpriced, served in a carafe, obviously from a wine box. I would prefer wine in a bottle so I know what I’m drinking. Not impressed with a 12.5 service charge either, as the service was not particularly good. I really enjoyed the food, I would definitely visit again, however I will have to find someone else to go with as the two meat eaters in our group would not go again because of the lack of choice of...

From the moment we walked into The Pukka Peacock, we knew we were in for something special. Chef Dhayalan and Saritha turned what could have been just another meal out into a truly memorable experience. Their warmth, passion, and attention to detail made us feel more like honoured guests than customers.

The food itself was nothing short of outstanding – every dish bursting with flavour, beautifully balanced, and clearly made with love. It’s rare to find such incredible cooking that feels both authentic and creative at the same time.

The atmosphere is cosy, welcoming, and full of charm. It’s the kind of place where you can relax, take your time, and savour every bite. Honestly, the value is unbelievable – it could be three times as expensive and it would still be worth every penny.

If you’re anywhere near Sandy Park and haven’t yet been, you’re missing out on something truly special. A heartfelt thank you to Dhayalan and Saritha for giving us such an unforgettable evening – we’ll be back...