I’m always on the lookout for a new Indian restaurant to try out and so when I saw a new spot was opening in the heart of Belfast city centre, I couldn’t wait to give it a go.
Having tried Guru’s restaurant in Newry shortly after it opened last year, I knew what to expect from the good food and welcome hospitality when I stepped through their doors on Wellington Place.
We were invited down on a Friday evening at around 6.30pm and received a warm welcome from the friendly staff, who seated us quickly at a lovely two seater table close to the bar.
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What I immediately noticed was the warm ambiance and design of the restaurant, which created a cosy atmosphere from the start.
Upon being seated, staff quickly offered us drinks, and we were soon enjoying our fresh pints of Cobra beer as a selection of poppadoms arrived to the table accompanied by the usual suspects – mango chutney, a tomato, chilli and onion chutney, and a mint and corriander chutney.
As we both love Indian food, we wanted to get a selection of different items to get a good try of it all. Items at the top of our list included dishes the restaurant are known for, including the starter Kala Chana Samosa Chat (a black chickpea masala topped with yoghurt, tamarind, and mint chutney) as well as Awadhi Nalli Gosht for main (lamb shank cooked with marrow bones in a richly spiced aromatic gravy).
We also shared the Barrah Kebab starter (New Zealand lamb chop marinated in a blend of herbs and spices and grilled) and the Homestyle Chicken Curry for main (Indian home style chicken cooked with kalpasi, fennel, poppy seed and tamarind finished with coconut milk). For sides, we opted for some pilau rice and garlic naan on our waiter’s recommendation.
The service remained brilliant throughout the night, as our starters were brought down soon after we finished up with the poppadoms. We were blown away by both – the Kala Chana Samosa Chat was a stunning mix of fresh and savoury, with the samosa, chickpeas, and pomegranate seeds offering a lovely bit of crunch amongst the yoghurt and chutneys.
The lamb chops for the Barrah Kebab were cooked to perfection; a lovely level of flavour and spice combined with the char from being grilled, with some lovely caramelised bits, while remaining a juicy medium rare.
When it came to the mains, both were lovely, but the Awadhi Nalli Gosht definitely stole the show. The serving size was huge, more than enough for two people with a side, and the flavours were spot on.
The Homestyle Chicken Curry was also impressive, with an impressive range of flavours but not very spicy. We noticed the serving also had a lot more chicken than you would usually get from a restaurant or takeaway.
The sides were equally delicious – with the garlic naan a lovely mix of soft and crispy, with a perfect blend of garlic flavour and ghee throughout. The prices may seem a little steep, but we thought it was worth it for the quality of food and portion sizes on offer, especially for Belfast city centre.
Since we visited, I have been going on about the lovely meal we enjoyed at Guru and can’t wait to head back with a bigger group. Guru is a term used for a person with considerable knowledge and expertise, and I have to say Guru Belfast certainly lives up to this name.
Price for two:
- Two Cobra pints – £13
- Kala Chana Samosa Chat – £6.95
- Barrah Kebab – £11.95
- Homestyle Chicken Curry – £17.95
- Awadhi Nalli Ghost – £21.95
- Pilau Rice – £4.50
- Garlic Naan – £4.25
Total = £80.55
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