Tap & Tandoor — Restaurant in Great Britain

Tap & Tandoor is far more than your typical Indian restaurant. It’s a vibrant hybrid – equal parts dining room, cocktail bar and social hub – where classic Indian flavours meet contemporary British flair. With its well-crafted interiors, the space strikes a careful balance between casual and polished. Upstairs, the dartboard and shuffleboard tables add a playful twist, making this place as much about experience as it is about food.

We came here for Sunday lunch, and what a refreshing take on a British institution it turned out to be. The Lamb Shank was beautifully tender, falling off the bone into a rich, spiced gravy that tasted like hours of careful cooking. The Chicken was equally impressive – packed with flavour, resting on a generous plateful of vegetables and a pillowy paratha instead of the usual Yorkshire pudding. It was both comforting and exciting: a proper Sunday roast, reimagined with Indian soul.

For dessert, we shared the Chocolate Fondant, Vanilla Cheesecake, and Chocolate Brownie. All were well-made, but the Fondant stood out – perfectly baked with a molten centre and just the right balance of sweetness and richness. A real treat for those who appreciate a thoughtfully executed pudding.

The drinks menu deserves its own spotlight. Tap & Tandoor clearly takes cocktails seriously, with a list that’s inventive and carefully curated. My favourite was the Alphonso Kenth – a bold blend of gin, mango, and Indian spices that delivered complexity without losing its freshness. You get the sense that the bar team really know their craft.

Service was lovely throughout – friendly, attentive, and happy to explain or recommend. The whole experience felt well considered, from the pacing of the meal to the positive energy of the staff. Whether you’re here for a proper meal, a drink with friends, or a bit of both, this is a place that delivers with...

I’ve now visited Tap & Tandoori twice, once in Portsmouth and now in Bournemouth and unfortunately, both experiences have been disappointing.

On my first attempt in Portsmouth, we were turned away rather abruptly for not having a booking, so I avoided returning for some time. This visit in Bournemouth started better as we were seated, but the overall experience still fell short.

The food was average. In today’s world, when fresh Indian ingredients are so easily available in the UK, I was surprised to find store-bought paneer in the tikka and ready made mint sauce in the dips. The dal makhni was the highlight, and the Amritsari fish and chilli chicken were also enjoyable. However, our food took 45 minutes to arrive.

Service was disorganised, with multiple mistakes in orders — not just ours. Dishes were brought to tables without the staff knowing where they belonged, and they often had to ask customers if they had ordered them. While the team did try to correct things, by then it was too late to salvage the experience.

I was hoping for comfort food and attentive service, but sadly, I left feeling disappointed. I hope the restaurant can address these issues, as the atmosphere itself is pleasant and...

We (my family and I) went to Tap and Tandoor in August. This place was totally amazing. The food was 10/10. There were 10 of us, and we all enjoyed the food. The flavours were excellent, and the curries and grill went down well with the foreign beers.

Raj was the manager, and both he and his team members were particularly helpful. The atmosphere within the pub was very good. Everyone (including other customers) seemed to be happy or enjoying the food. That included my 2 year old son!

As an added bonus, we came across the games area, where we played darts (so much fun and no maths or working out of scores needed, as it was done for you!) There were boules-esq type of table games too, which we also very entertaining and fun to play. We had a great time and think anyone would be hard pressed to find a better pub in Bournemouth.

We will definitely return when were back in Bournemouth. Id very much recommend this place to anyone looking for a night out, or even a relaxing time with good food and drinks.

Very Well done to...