Restaurant Review: A vegan feast at Mowgli Cardiff

1 day ago
2 min read

We were invited to try the brand-new vegan menu at Mowgli Cardiff, a fresh plant-based addition to the restaurant’s vibrant Indian street food offering.

Tucked along the bustling stretch of Church Street, Nisha Katona’s much-loved Indian street food concept has built its reputation on bold flavours, playful interiors and a fresh take on home-style Indian cooking. Known for small plates designed to share rather than the traditional curry house format, Mowgli promises vibrant, punchy dishes inspired by the food Indians eat at home and on the streets, with plenty of personality thrown in.

The Cardiff restaurant embraces the enchanting aesthetic that defines the brand. Twinkling fairy lights, mirrors and clever use of space give it a lively, glowing charm, while the famous rope swings add a playful touch, they do lean slightly gimmicky and may feel a bit uncomfortable during a longer meal. The atmosphere is undeniably fun and perfect for casual dinners, date nights or a lively catch-up with friends.

We opted for the £25 vegan set meal, which arrived as a colourful spread of small plates showcasing the range of flavours on offer. As is typical with small-plate dining, dishes arrived slightly staggered rather than all together, something to bear in mind if you prefer a more traditional, synchronised service style.

The meal kicked off with Vegan Yoghurt Chat Bombs, crisp puffed breads filled with chickpeas, spiced yoghurt, tamarind and coriander, topped with bursts of pomegranate. They were bright, tangy and instantly addictive, setting the tone for the courses to follow. The Fenugreek Kissed Fries were undeniably tasty, perfectly spiced and moreish, though they felt more like a familiar comfort side than a particularly distinctive or standout dish.

The real highlight was the Tea Steeped Chickpeas, simmered in a richly spiced Darjeeling tomato and spinach sauce. Deeply comforting with layers of warming flavour, this was easily the most memorable plate of the evening and a dish worth returning for.

The Picnic Potato Curry offered a lighter contrast, slow-cooked with pickling spices, turmeric and tomatoes, mild, gently spiced and refreshingly simple.

Soft vegan roti and fragrant basmati rice studded with crackled cumin seeds made ideal companions for scooping up the sauces, rounding out a meal that leaned into comforting, friendly flavours. The small-plate format encourages sharing and exploration, though bigger appetites may find themselves tempted to order an extra dish or two to feel fully satisfied.

Dessert arrived in the form of coconut ice cream, creamy, fragrant and surprisingly indulgent, delivering a satisfying sweetness without the heaviness of dairy and providing a clean, refreshing end to a spicy feast.

Mowgli Cardiff’s vegan menu delivers strong value and plenty of approachable, flavour-packed dishes in a lively, feel-good setting. Not every plate breaks new ground, but the standouts, paired with the warm, buzzing atmosphere, make it well worth a visit.