Kathmandu
Situated across the road from Colston Hall, on the ground floor of the imposing Colston Tower building, Kathmandu has long been regarded as one of Bristolâs best-kept secrets. Family-run for well over a decade, the smart and attractive restaurant stands out from the crowd thanks to its focus on Nepalese cuisine.Â
Those looking for standard British Asian offerings should look elsewhere. But for those with a sense of adventure, thereâs much on the menu to get the pulse racing. Nepalese cuisine is subtly different from that found in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, with hints of all three, plus influences from Tibet and Thailand.
This is well reflected in Kathmanduâs menu, which includes authentic regional curries â try, for example, the dark, exotic, whole-spice lamb dish Masa Kirtipur â and some superb seafood options. Of these, the restaurantâs signature dish, Sunkoshi â sea bass, salmon or king prawn in a delicious sauce, accompanied by pan-fried potatoes, asparagus and saffron rice â is a revelation.
Although a large restaurant, service is efficient. While the modern-meets-traditional dĂ©cor and furnishings wonât be to everyoneâs taste, they certainly add a touch of class. Given the quality of the food, though, itâs almost an irrelevance.