Tikka Tikka (Swindon) — Restaurant in England

We visited this newly opened restaurant on a Saturday night. We were greeted immediately and shown to our seats and given a menu and poppadoms. The initial service was great! There were a few communication issues with our waiter regarding the menu and offers which we overcame.

The restaurant started filling up to capacity very quickly and that is when we saw the service start to slip a little around us. It became disorganised and seemed as though they were rushing around or congregating at the bar instead of taking any action. For example, we asked to order some more food from a waiter and then watched as he went back to the bar and did nothing. We saw this across several other guests making requests.

The food menu has good potential but needs better execution. We ordered the 'Avocado Pani Puri' which came with bits of mango. However when we received the order we counted one small cube of avocado in each puri with some mango and all only half filled. It was not as we expected when avocado is in the main name of the dish and not value for money.

The bao bun was dry though filling was tasty! The gunpowder chips needed more spice and seasoning. The popcorn gobi was lovely overall but needs improvement: had a large bit of what tasted like raw flour and batter which was unpleasant. The boozy lassi was great as was the paneer stuffed mushrooms. When we asked for the dessert menu the waiter was unsure and so asked another member of staff and then reported back that dessert is not on the menu which we were surprised at.

It's clear that there are a few teething problems which come with a new restaurant opening. With better front of house service, perhaps one less table to create more space between diners and fixing the issues with the food (perhaps introducing dessert!) and with supply of drinks (no chai liquor for cocktails, blue syrup or Cobra beer) it has great potential. Will say that overall the atmosphere was lovely and really hope they can...

First a bit of context - we booked for four and turned up as two due to illness. Mentioned it as we arrived and got put on a table for two which was fine.

First observation - service was a bit over attentive - felt like we were being rushed to choose a drink, then a starter, and then mains. My partner commented “ah it’s more enthusiasm than being rushed”.

Anyway, finish dinner and genuinely feel like I’m mid soaking up some gravy with a bit of naan as my partners plate is being cleared.

Bit rude perhaps, but ok. We order some cocktails as a ‘dessert’ and a few minutes in we’re asked to vacate the table. Look we’re not looking to be awkward but we had booked and 1hr 20mins into the meal and we’re being chased out (or at least it felt like it). Ok we say, we’ll finish our drinks and we can pay as we do. Duly bill is brought over, all ok - two minutes later and tables are being re arranged around us and we’re being asked if we can leave or move to the ‘bar’ (a small low table in the window). Well, nah, no thanks. We got up and left at this point as we know where we’re not wanted right?

Anyway checked with those who booked the table and we should have had it for 2hrs but were being hustled out within 90 minutes at best!

Look, the food was really nice but service, although friendly, was categorically rushed and, at the end, borderline rude. And then had the audacity to ask for a google review. Happy to oblige! Based on our experience. Would not recommend to friends etc....

Truly shocked at how bad this was, and I'm not a fussy eater.

Firstly there's a DJ playing house music on a random Sunday evening, really weird atmosphere. Turns out that was actually the best part.

Got "complimentary" poppadoms which was actually one poppadum with some stale crisps underneath. The three dips were poor quality.

Ordered three tapas. First the 'avocado pani puri'. It's basically some spherical crackers with a bit of avocado inside, served with some fruit juice that doesn't fit at all. Poor value 0/10 dish.

Next the trio of dosa. All three were stodgy and did not taste fresh. You could do so much more with the fillings. Another poor dish.

Finally the chicken tikka bao buns - absolutely dreadful. I was expecting nice freshly cooked and sizzling hot pieces of chicken tikka. Instead it's a few bits of pre-cooked chicken with some cheap hot sauce drizzled over. Not fresh, not satisfying, just really lazy.

Even the beer on tap was flat.

Update after owner's reply (obviously AI written btw): it does not change the fact that this is the worst Indian food I've ever had in my life, and I've eaten in dozens of different restaurants.

Honestly just look at the positive ratings - almost all have only one or two reviews on Google and have clearly been told to leave a positive rating by the owner. Anyone giving this five stars knows absolutely nothing about good food.

I hope this place goes bankrupt and shuts down. An insult to...