Found in Southmead, on Southmead Road, Thikaana is an authentic Indian restaurant with varied menus packed with traditional dishes, alongside Indochinese specialities, and more common British-Indian takeaway staples. It’s a local favourite for relaxed evenings with friends, casual date nights, family celebrations and impromptu evenings out.
The interiors are modern and pared back, featuring artworks and prints that reference India’s heritage, with lots of seating, fairy lights, banquettes, and outdoor, street-side tables at the front of the restaurant for summertime. The restaurant also offers a takeaway service, which is often used by locals.
As for the Thikaana menu, expect a contemporary take focused on regional small plates, grills, and modern interpretations. It’s all best when shared, allowing guests to sample a range of Thikaana’s boldly spiced, layered dishes. To start expect classics like vada pav layered with green chutney and sweet tamarind, dabheli with masala peanuts and chilli and tamarind chutney, samosa, samosa chole chaat, pani puri, aloo tikka chat, oli bhel, and handa bhaji.
There’s also a selection of tandoori street plates, ranging from chicken and malai chicken tikka to paneer tikka shashlik, Mumbai sheekh kebab and a mixed grill. Then there’s a set of roadside curries, such as Desi chicken curry, Rajasthani laal maans, and Kokani fish moilee. Indian-Chinese plates include chicken lollipops, boneless chilli chicken, chicken momos, steamed momos, and gobi Manchurian (cauliflower topped with ginger, garlic, chopped onion, coriander and soya sauce).
Classic Indian curries, meanwhile, offer up choices like jorma karma, bhuna, tikka masala, dhansak, madras, jalfrezi, and vindaloo, matched with a menu of biryani that stretches from vegetable to chicken and lamb. Almost every dish is available as vegetarian, with a solid list of vegan options too. Thikaana desserts offer up classic gulab jamun, gajar halwa, kulfi and ice creams.