Shipa Tandoori Restaurant

This is a long established restaurant which offers an extensive menu of traditional and special dishes. Its a real shame that twice i’ve been served cold food. The first time, the rice was cold and a curry dish, lukewarm. The other time both rice and nan bread were tepid. The food was taken away and warmed up leaving the food already served to go cold. The second time, after waiting about five minutes the food was returned just as cold as when it was sent back. This is either complacency or incompetance, which is surprising as there are many other indian restaurants in the area. When busy, the restaurant is noisy and the table layout more suited to groups than couples. There are two seating areas, one by the bar and one consisting of just tables. Avoid the bar area if you plan a relaxing meal as this doubles as the takeaway waiting area and is by the door which is in constant use by smokers going out for a cigarette.

We have visited this restaurant three times now, and each time have very much enjoyed the experience. The restaurant has a nice intimate ambience, low-​lit, with dark wood furniture and trim. The tables are quite close together, which can feel a bit tight on a Tuesday or Sunday when the place is busier. This is no doubt due to the excellent offer on these days where you can have a starter, main course, side dish and other sundry such as nan bread for only £10! The service can be fabulous, although on one occasion the waiter was a little slow and unsmiling. We got the impression he might be new, so decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, he was certainly no less poilte than the more polished and cheerful members of staff. Shipa’s menu is varied and you find all your favourites as well as a few more original offerings. The food is of a very high standard, with generous portions for the starters, large fluffy nan bread, and tasty rice that is not at all starchy. All in all I would highly recommend Shipa for dining out.