Tribe — Restaurant in Oxford

Really disappointed by this place. The food was good but the service really let us down and left me very upset when I came home on Valentine’s Day. Had booked for 8:30 with my boyfriend and ended up leaving at 11:30. 3 hours for a 3 course meal is inexcusable and we were frequently kept waiting by staff.

It’s a shame because the food was good, I liked the ambience and there was even a live guitar player. The restaurant gave us a complementary photo of the two of us which I appreciated as well. I would’ve had a positive experience of this restaurants if it were not for the service.

I lost count of how many times I had to ask before someone remembered to bring something basic like a spoon or a takeaway box. I think they should’ve informed us first of all that the restaurant was only serving the Valentine’s set menu while I was under the impression we could also order from the main menu if we fancied. 71 pounds for the two of us is not a cheap meal and I felt ripped off for how poor the service was. It felt like they kept forgetting to give us food and I checked my phone- it took an hour for our starters to arrive.

My boyfriend was kept waiting at least 20 minutes for his beer. Mains were relatively prompt but what annoyed me the most was when I was already tired and it took at least 40 mins for our desserts. It does not take 40 mins to microwave a brownie. I felt unheard by whoever came to ask about our meal at the end. When we expressed our unhappiness at the wait times and service, he seemed sheepish and apologised but offered nothing where I would at least expect an attempt at compensation. In fairness, they did offer us a bottle of Prosecco in apology but that was only when we had to double back as I had forgotten my purse, there was nothing initially and I would have expected them to compensate some of our meal, especially when they initially made a mistake on our bill and had charged us 10 pounds under. I would’ve expected them to not go back and change the bill especially when we had conveyed our issues at this point.

My boyfriend also went to the toilet at one point and said they were kept in an extremely untidy condition and looked as if they had not been cleaned properly in a long time. The toilet seat and walls were dirty, and parts of the floor were uneven and collecting who knows what type of liquid.

All in all not a positive experience for Valentine’s day that left me unhappy upon arrival at home. I felt that the restaurant didn’t seem to care that we had been kept waiting for so long. It wasn’t as if one part of our meal was delayed- but it was nearly everything we asked for.

Unfortunately won’t be...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Tribe Indian Restaurant on Cowley Road in Oxford, and I must say it was a delightful experience. As a vegetarian, I opted for their paneer dish, and it truly exceeded my expectations. Here's a review of my visit.

Upon entering the restaurant, my party and I were greeted with warm smiles and a welcoming ambiance. The staff was attentive and made us feel right at home. The menu boasted an impressive selection of vegetarian options, which was a pleasant surprise. After much contemplation, we decided to try the paneer dish, and it turned out to be a fantastic choice.

The paneer was perfectly cooked, with a delectable blend of spices that tantalized our taste buds. The dish was rich, flavorful, and satisfying. The portion size was generous, ensuring we left the restaurant feeling fully satisfied .

To our delight, the staff surprised us with complimentary drinks and starters. This added touch of hospitality was much appreciated and only enhanced our dining experience. The drinks were refreshing, and the starters were flavorful and provided a delightful teaser for the main course.

However, one minor disappointment was that the Thali's, particularly the Thali options, were not available for order during our visit. It would have been wonderful to sample the Thali options-cuisine at Tribe Indian Restaurant, as we had heard rave reviews about it. Nevertheless, the extensive range of vegetarian options compensated for this slight setback.

The overall ambiance of the restaurant was pleasant, with a charming decor that reflected Indian culture. The staff's attentiveness and friendly nature further contributed to the positive atmosphere.

In conclusion, Tribe Indian Restaurant on Cowley Road offers a fantastic vegetarian dining experience. The paneer dish was exquisite, and the complimentary drinks and starters were a delightful surprise. Although the Thali options were not available during our visit, the extensive vegetarian menu ensures there is something for everyone. If you're looking for a memorable vegetarian meal in Oxford, I highly recommend giving Tribe Indian Restaurant a try.

Note: Please keep in mind that this review reflects my personal experience, and the availability of...

I have been fortunate to enjoy Tribe many times since its opening early in 2022. The fact that I eagerly return despite the numerous options throughout Oxford and beyond should speak for itself, but if not, let me say this– there is good reason why 100+ other reviewers have found Tribe deserving of 5 stars. Every facet of the experience makes for a wonderful yet affordable dinner out. Three things are exceptional– the food, the decor, and the owner. The food is varied, ranging from Indian staples to egg fried rice to chicken sandwiches, but the highlights undoubtedly are the Lollipop Chicken, Oriental Paneer, & Chettinad Lamb. You can't go wrong with a meal in that sequence! Plus, as you wait while your order is prepared, you'll be treated to a few surprises, but you'll have to go to find out what they are:) The decor is a project of love by the owner, who has a good eye for fun restaurant interior design and even painted the walls with hand-drawn designs inspired by the Warli tribe of western India. That brings me to the final and ultimate reason why you should give Tribe a try. You'll likely be greeted by the owner Rohit Shet, the establishment's founder who is striking out on his own after an experienced career in the industry. By enjoying a meal at Tribe, you won't only be treating yourself, you'll be supporting a local business and the dream of its owner which deserves every 5-star...