Refa Tandoori — Restaurant in England

Recently moved to Melksham and we have now found our new regular Indian restaurant. Tried a few others in the area which were OK but decided tonight to try the Refa Tandoori. My wife and I arrived quite early for a Saturday 5.30pm and requested a table for 2 which they were able to provide for us. Although not a huge place, it already had a few customers seated for meals. The two young men who attended to us were amazing. So professional and friendly ! The menu had all the usual curries etc but there was an amazing section of curries I'd never even heard of - and I've been visiting numerous Indian restaurants for over 40 years. Being it our first visit we decided to order our usual choices in order to make a direct comparison with previously visited restaurants- we always do this to make a fair as possible comparison. The food arrived in good time ( about 15 minutes from ordering time) it was hot and well presented. More importantly- it was very tasty. It was well balanced with the spices and both the chicken and King Prawn was not overcooked - remaining soft and succulent. Although they do not sell beer or wine , one of the young men who served us said I could bring my own next time or if I wanted I could pop to the shop and pick some up - which I did as it was literally a couple of minutes walk away. I will remember to bring my own next time. Let's be fair, if you want to be served a tasty Indian meal, in a cosy homely environment from waiters who are genuinely just so nice, and pay a reasonable price for the privilege...... there is no real reason why you would risk going anywhere else but the Refa Tandoori in Melksham. I usually don't bother with writing reviews but having just arrived home after speding a lovely one and a half hours with my wife at the Refa I felt I really had to write them the 5 star review that they so deserve. Don't just take my word for it- go and experience a great meal for yourself. Enjoy ! I did !!...

Upon arriving we received a warm and friendly welcome from the man who appeared to be the owner.

Overall, the food ordered was well presented and tasty. It's a shame that the buffet menu and food presentation was very poor, giving an equally poor impression. The buffet menu was a badly stained, crumbled piece of card with hand scrawled list of food options, complete with crossings out; and the buffet serving area needed a good clean.

Consequently I and a couple of friends would not consider having the buffet. That said, one of our party opted for the buffet and thought the food was pretty good.

In contrast to our arrival, around 10.10 pm it seemed the waiting staff were keen for us to leave so they could close up. (And no, we weren't behaving badly 😀). Some were still eating and the sign said the restaurant closed at 11 pm.

However, the background music was turned off, the waiting staff engaged in loud conversation between themselves, taking individual items off the table literally as they were put down, and commenced cashing up.

We felt it was definitely a sign to leave - which we did!

Would I go back? Probably. Albeit with moderated expectations of an unequivocally "positive dining experience" and "relaxed...

Used to eat here quite a lot before it was refurbished, when it was run by the family and always had a good evening and a yummy meal, so booked on a Saturday night for 8:15pm, for 6, when we arrived we found our table had been double booked but this was sorted. Thank you. Once seated a dark haired waitress stormed over and demanded to know if we had booked a table, then went to double check??????? We asked for some glasses as we had brought our own wine - as advertised, was told they didn't have any but no other options turned up, a good time later asked again, the same answer. Finally got some which were practically thrown at us. Had to ask for our order to b taken, the Manager had to take it as when he asked the dark haired waitress, I could see she gave him a mouthful at the front counter, she didn't look as though she was busy????. We finally got our food at 10pm, after about an hour or so, which was mediocre...we were starving. At 10:30 we got our bill practically thrown at us by the waitress, as they wanted to go home, so couldn't have had pudding even if we wanted to. They seemed to be looking after their regulars rather than new business. Wouldn't go back to there even for...