The Great Tastes of India
Originally from Kerala, South India, Chef Anand George opened Purple Poppadom ten years ago, having brought his innovative new style of Indian cuisine to Cardiff in 2008.
We love combining culinary heritage dishes from Kerala in the south to Kashmir in the north, and all points in between with our very special interpretations. Enjoy!
Anand cooking Biryani in Kerala
About Purple Poppadom
We have won many awards since, including Best South Asian Restaurant in the UK. We are featured in The Michelin Guide and in 2021 and 2022 won the title: ‘Best in Wales’ at the prestigious British Curry Awards.
Drinks at Purple Poppadom
We have a fully stocked bar and offer a wide range of wines, spirits, beers, cocktails, mocktails and many soft drinks, which marry perfectly with our style of cuisine
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Restaurant Menu
Following our exciting refurbishment, we are open for dining with a new menu. To celebrate our 10th anniversary we now feature some of our all-time favourite classic dishes. Please explore with us.
A La Carte
Starters
Chicken Connoisseur
Chicken Tikka three ways: marinated with basil, with Kashmiri chillies and with cheese
Dietary Requirements: D
£9.50
Sheekh Kebab
Lamb mince with fragrant spices and cooked in the tandoor
Dietary Requirements: D
£9.50
The Streets of Mumbai
Aloo Tikki – potato cake served on a bed of spiced chickpeas | Bombay Chat –
pop-in-the mouth semolina pastry snack filled with yoghurt and homemade chutney,
topped with gram flour vermicelli | Tangy Puffed Rice Salad with tamarind chutneyDietary Requirements: D, G
£9.95
Vegetable Variations
Aubergine Pakora – stuffed with cheese and batter fried| Beetroot Pattice – a delicately spiced beetroot cake | accompanied by fritters of onion, potato and spinach
Dietary Requirements: D, G
£8.50
Fresh from the Creamery
Paneer – Indian cottage cheese with a hint of saffron and finished in the tandoor | Caws Aur – golden triangle of grated cheese interlaced with green chillies, cashew nut and fresh coriander | Warm goats cheese with a peppered beetroot and spinach salad
Dietary Requirements: D, G
£9.95
Nandu
Crispy soft-shell crab dusted with curry leaves and garlic | Spiced crab cake encased in crispy breadcrumbs
Dietary Requirements: C, D, G
£11.50
Scallops
Pan-Seared Scallops with a moilee sauce of garlic, ginger and coconut milk, topped with shallot and chilli relish
Dietary Requirements: D
£9.95
Pidi with Tharavu
Duck in a classical Syrian Christian creation – Kottayam style | ‘Pidi’ steamed rice dumplings poached in a spiced coconut sauce topped with Tharavu – cubed duck cooked with spices, Crisp of duck leg confit
£10.95
Mains
Discover real curry! Reflecting the regional variations of Indian cooking from the mountains of the north, to the coconut fringed backwaters of the coastal south
The Classics
Presenting our selection of Purple Poppadom all-time favourites as chosen by our diners
Raan Akbari
A classic dish of slow-braised lamb shank marinated with spices finished in the tandoor, served in its own sauce reduction and salad
Dietary Requirements: D
£19.95
Tiffin Sea Bass
Anand George’s signature dish, commemorating Chefs winning of the Tiffin Cup 2008 & 2013, for Best South Asian Restaurant in the UK; sea bass, pan-seared and served on a bed of curry leaf infused mashed potato; in a tongue-tickling raw mango, ginger and coconut sauce with beetroot pachadi
Dietary Requirements: D
£18.95
Vegetarian Platter
A delicious mix of dishes
Paneer Makhani | Saag Kumbh | Thoran | Yellow Dal Tadka
Served with steamed rice and naan
Dietary Requirements: V, D, G
£20.95
Tandoori King Prawns
Juicy King Prawns marinated with Kashmiri red chillies and chef’s blend of spices then finished in the tandoor oven
Dietary Requirements: C, D
£19.95
Malabar Fish Curry
Halibut cubes soused in chilli and Kodampuli (smoked fish tamarind), tempered with ginger, garlic, mustard seeds and curry leaves and finished with coconut milk
£17.95
Nawabi Chicken
A dish from the Moghul emperors, chicken supreme marinated with creamy cheese, with a touch of cardamom and mace finished in the tandoor. Accompanied by a boneless bhuna chicken thigh served with makhani sauce
Dietary Requirements: D, N
£19.95
Curries
Lamb Rogan Josh
A classic dish of lamb slow-cooked for ultimate tenderness, in authentic Kashmiri style with onions and spices, finished with fennel seeds and saffron
Dietary Requirements: D
£17.50
Saag Gosht
A traditional dish from North-Western India – lamb cooked with leaf spinach, onion tomatoes and spices, flavoured with fenugreek leaves
£17.50
Murgh Makhani
Tandoori chicken tikka in a rich tomato sauce flavoured with fenugreek leaves
Dietary Requirements: D, N
£15.95
Murgh Lababdar
In the Mughlai style of cooking of North India, famous for its rich heart-warming food, tandoori chicken tikka in a spiced onion and tomato sauce
Dietary Requirements: D, N
£15.95
Kozhi Curry
Delicious Kerala- style chicken thigh meat curry with roasted coconut, tomatoes, and spices
£15.95
Alleppey Prawn Curry
Inspired by seafood cooks of the backwaters of Alleppey, Kerala, South India, tiger prawns in a tongue-tickling raw mango, ginger and coconut sauce
Dietary Requirements: C
£15.95
Paneer Makhani
Indian cottage cheese steeped in a rich tomato sauce flavoured with fenugreek leaves
Dietary Requirements: V, D, N
£13.95
Paneer Lababdar
Indian cottage cheese in a spiced onion and tomato sauce – a Mughlai preparation
Dietary Requirements: V, D, N
£13.95
Malabar Biryani (D, G)
Our Biryani is created in the authentic Kerala style, served under a flaky crust, for maximum flavour and tenderness, enhanced by fragrant spices, and accompanied by homemade Raita
Choose from: Chicken Tikka, Lamb, Vegetable, Prawn (C)
Dietary Requirements: Please see selection above
£17.95
A La Carte
Vegetables
See also Mains for Vegetable Dishes
Enjoy our selection of traditional vegetarian dishes either as a side or main course. Our vegetarian dishes can be made vegan, please request when ordering
Dal Tadka
Yellow lentils tempered with cumin seeds and garlic
Dietary Requirements: D
Side:
£7.50Main:
£10.50
Bombay Aloo
Potatoes stir-fried with onions and tomatoes and tempered with cumin seeds
Dietary Requirements: VG
Side:
£7.50Main:
£10.50
Aloo Bhindi
Okra and potatoes tossed with onions, tomatoes, and spices
Dietary Requirements: VG
Side:
£7.95Main:
£10.95
Saag Khumb
Leaf spinach and mushrooms gently sautéed with chillies and garlic
Dietary Requirements: D
Side:
£7.95Main:
£10.95
Chana Masala
Chickpeas cooked with onions, tomatoes, and chef’s blend of spices
Dietary Requirements: VG
Side:
£7.95Main:
£10.95
Subz Kadai
Seasonal vegetables carefully tossed with onions, tomatoes, and kadai (Indian wok) spices
Dietary Requirements: VG
Side:
£7.95Main:
£10.95
Thoran
Our traditional Kerala dish of vegetables tempered with mustard and fresh coconut
Dietary Requirements: VG
Side:
£7.50Main:
£10.50
Nadan Vegetable Curry
Delicious home-style Kerala vegetable curry with roasted coconut, spices and tempered
with shallots and curry leavesDietary Requirements: VG
Side:
£7.50Main:
£10.50
Sides
Poppadoms & Chutneys
Dietary Requirements: V
£4.95
Steamed Rice
Dietary Requirements: V
£3.95
Saffron Pilav Rice
Dietary Requirements: V
£3.95
Coconut Rice
Dietary Requirements: V
£3.95
Plain Naan
Dietary Requirements: V, D, G
£2.95
Chilli & Coriander Naan
Dietary Requirements: V, D, G
£3.50
Garlic Naan
Dietary Requirements: V, D, G
£3.50
Peshwari Naan
Dietary Requirements: V, D, G, N
£3.50
Tandoori Roti
Dietary Requirements: V, G
£2.75
Laccha Paratha
Dietary Requirements: V, D, G
£3.50
Lamb Keema Naan
Dietary Requirements: D, G
£4.25
Speciality Bread Basket
Dietary Requirements: V, G, D, N
£7.95
Raita
Dietary Requirements: V, D
£2.95
Early Bird: £14.95
Our Indian cafe-style thalis are a complete platter of tasty dishes surrounded by sides including dal, aloo, vegetable, naan, and rice. Available Tuesday to Friday, from 5 pm to last order at 6.30 pm.
Choose from:
CHICKEN THALI (D, G)
LAMB THALI (D, G)
PRAWN THALI (C, G)
VEGETABLE THALI (V, G)
VEGAN THALI (VG)
Super Sunday Taster Menu: £24.95
Enjoy all three courses of our set menu below. Served every Sunday 1 pm – 9 pm.
(A vegetarian option is available)
– STARTERS –
Trio of Bombay Chaat, Sheek Kebab, Crab Cake
– MAIN COURSE –
Alleppey Prawn Curry | Saag Chicken |Chana Masala
Served with rice and naan
– DESSERT –
Crème brûlée
Chef’s Tasting Menu
A complete 7-course menu as Chef takes you on a journey of the taste experiences around India
* Also available paired with matching wines
– AMUSE BOUCHE –
*Paired with: Prosecco Spumante, (Italy) – 100ml
– SECOND COURSE –
Tandoori king prawns marinated with Kashmiri red chillies|
A spiced cake of crab encased in crispy breadcrumbs |
Pan-Seared Scallop with a moilee sauce of garlic, ginger, and coconut milk
*Paired with: Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) – 75ml
– THIRD COURSE –
Duck in a classical Syrian Christian creation – Kottayam style |
‘Pidi’ steamed rice dumplings poached in a spiced coconut sauce
topped with Tharavu – cubed duck cooked with spices, Crispy confit duck leg
*Paired with: Riesling Dr Loosen (Germany) – 75ml
– FOURTH COURSE –
Chicken Tikka, Sheek Kebab,
Warmed goats’ cheese with a peppered beetroot and spinach salad
- *Paired with: Bodega Privada Malbec (Argentina) -75ml
– MAIN COURSE –
Kozhi Curry, Aloo Bhindi, Rice, Naan
* Paired with: Oude Kaap Chenin Blanc (South Africa) -75ml
– SORBET –
–
– DESSERT –
Chef’s selection of desserts
*Paired with: Tabali, Late Harvest Muscat, Limary valley, Chile – 50ml
59.95 per person, Served for a minimum of two
Add 29.95 for matching wines
Cocktails/Mocktails
Bliss on The Beach
Campari Cosmo
Crazy Singh Lassi Gin
Espresso Martini
Mango Margarita
Pineapple Punch
Mocktail Mango Bianco
Mocktail Strawberry and Mint Mojito
An optional service charge of 10% is added to the bill (to be shared amongst the kitchen and service team)
Allergies: Some of our dishes contain nuts. We have a complete list of allergens listed and welcome inquiries from customers who wish to know whether any meals contain particular ingredients. Please ask your waiter to suggest an alternative dish.
(V) = Vegetarian | (VG) = Vegan | (G) = Contains Gluten | (D) = Contains Dairy | (C) = Contains Crustaceans
What People Say
“I love all curries as it’s as if the angels are dancing on our tongue…”
Sian Lloyd, Television Presenter‘…the Purple Poppadom in Cardiff is a fantastic Indian restaurant’
Ruth Jones, Actor, Screenwriter, AuthorA long-awaited return to @purple_poppadom in Cardiff. And as usual, blown away by the flavours and textures of the dishes. Stunning soft-shell crab and fantastic Nawabi chicken. Lovely to see my old friend Raman. Handsome dining room too.
Neil Cammies, Wine Writer & Tasting Host, Twitter@purple_poppadom smashing it out of the park. Best Indian restaurant in #Cardiff no contest
Imran Nathoo , @KitchenCloncOne of Cardiff’s best Indian restaurants, the food was really tasty and well presented. We were a large party and everyone enjoyed their meals. Extensive menu with plenty of veggie options. The new contemporary interior brings a nice ambience to the space.
‘Best Indian Food, Look No Further: Went to this restaurant following a good feedback on internet. I must say I found a gem indeed. The food was absolutely delicious. Ordered Malabar Fish Curry, Malabar Prawns Biryani, Garlic Naan, and a desert which was named after Chef Anand I believe. All of the dishes were so amazing, it won’t be wrong to say even better than some of the Michelin star restaurants dishes I have tried. The staff was very friendly. We’re served by Mr. Pradeep and his team who were very attentive and quick. I am in Cardiff on a tour for couple of days and wish to possibly have my every meal in this restaurant until I am here, to that extent I loved it. I am staying in Cardiff city center and it was a 30 min walk to get to the restaurant. The entrance of the restaurant isn’t very impressive but don’t let it stop you from having such a scrumptious food. The ambience is nice though.’
“Takeaway takes our breath away”
We have eaten here a few time and had a few takeaways during lockdown but never left a review. Our latest takeaway was the Valentine’s Day special. It was stunning, every dish was beautifully thought out and wonderfully flavoured, the addition of the chocolate brownie dessert was really lovely too.
The food is always amazing, yo do pay more than a usual takeaway or meal but this is NOT usual, if you haven’t tried it, do it! The winter takeaway deal is of brilliant value and gives a unique taste experience.
‘We have eaten at Purple Poppadom before and loved it. During the lockdown, they are of course only available to do takeaway which we tried last night and were not disappointed. From the first mouthful it was clear this was not just another Indian takeaway: absolutely delicious food, and with 20% discount for collection, not too expensive. Very good portion sizes too: lunch today is sorted as well!’
‘Trailblazing a path for ‘nouvelle Indian’ cuisine, chef and author Anand George adds his own twist to dishes from all over the subcontinent – from Kashmir to Kerala. Thankfully, the emphasis is on the perfection of tried-and-tested regional delights rather than anything unnecessarily wacky.’
In his words, the chicken tandoori was ‘next level’! We all loved it. Diolch yn fawr!
So I think @Purple_poppadom might just be the best #IndianTakeaway I’ve had!
‘Purple Poppadom is probably already Cardiff’s most acclaimed Indian restaurant before even picking up its latest accolade.’
‘We recently had a little celebration at Purple Poppadom. The food was delicious. The food was great, full of flavour and well presented. We had no complaints, everything was superb.’
@thefoodboys.cardiff, January 2022We came in for a meal last week and commented that it was the best curry we have ever had! This is so well deserved (The British Curry Award, Best in Wales) – amazing food, staff, and ambiance. Well done.
Tuesday to Saturday: 5pm – 11pm
Sunday: 1pm – 9pm
Tuesday – Saturday: 5 pm – 11 pm
Sunday: 1 pm – 9 pm
We are closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Open on New Years Eve and New Years Day
For Reservations please click here
Group Bookings – Special Opening Times
We accept group bookings for daytimes when the restaurant is closed to the public. For group bookings of 6 or more people we will open especially.
For bigger group events, you may also be able to have exclusive use of the restaurant. People opt for this for events such as charity lunches, business meetings, staff-gatherings, workshops and seminars and of course, Christmas Parties!
To arrange your exclusive use group booking please call us or email us.
Tel: 029 2022 0026 info@purplepoppadom.com
How to Find us
Purple Poppadom is an atmospheric first-floor restaurant, located halfway between the junctions of Wyndham Crescent and Severn Road.
We are a 2-minute drive/10-minute walk from Cardiff City Centre. Located within a 1-minute walk of two pay and display car parks, both offering 2-hours of free parking and free parking after 6pm.
Local Car Parks
Severn Road, Pay and Display Car Park, 104 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF11 9DX
Wellington Street, Pay and Display Car Park. Cardiff, CF11 9BL
Address
Purple Poppadom,
185a Cowbridge Road East,
Cardiff,
CF11 9AJ
Get in touch
If you have any queries please contact us using the form below, or email us directly or telephone us. We are only too pleased to assist.
