Cafe Diwali, at 90 Crane Street, has been serving Indian street food for nine years and has gathered quite the following in that time, ranking it among the city's top rated establishments according to TripAdvisor. I visited on Tuesday, May 21, soon after hearing that it had been given another 'Quality Business Award'. As you step into Cafe Diwali it's like you've been transported to a different world.
It's very serene and decorative with its fairy lights and exposed brickwork. Inside Cafe Diwali. (Image: Newsquest) The menu at the restaurant cycles every five to six months to bring in new and unique flavours from across India.
I found that by having a smaller menu, I felt less overwhelmed and more intrigued about the dishes. I'd also hope this means the chefs can focus on perfecting the few but varied dishes they serve. All of the food I tried had been part of the menu for four months so you can expect to try something new in July.
Special dishes are offered on weekends, depending on what owner Rasheed Muhammed can pick up from the Charter Market, to give the chefs express their creativity through experimentation. A selection of starters including broccoli 65, fish Amritsari, onion and spinach pakora, kerala chicken fry and tandoori chicken tikka served with chutneys and sauces. (Image: Newsquest) Broccoli 65 (£6.
95) was a stand-out starter and by far my favourite. This unsuspecting dish of deep fried florets, marinated to perfection, has a healthy mix of spice and flavour. .
