Enjoy a vibrant taste of India at Mowgli Street Food restaurant, now open in Newcastle city centre.
Newcastle has a twinkly-new Indian restaurant on Nelson Street, just a short walk from Grey’s Monument and set inside a building that was once home to Cafe Royal.
And when I say twinkly, I do mean twinkly!
The restaurant is filled with fairy-lights in every nook and cranny, creating the most magical, ethereal setting.
Alongside glass jars filled with shimmering lights, you’ll also find bird cages, twisty tree branches, and rope swings for seats.
It’s spread over two levels, with the tables overlooking the ground floor undoubtedly among the most coveted dining spots in the restaurant.
Authentic street food
Mowgli was founded by former barrister, Nisha Katona, and her restaurant chain is all about ‘serving the kind of food Indians eat at home and on their streets’.
Street food isn’t a new concept, but it’s certainly all the rage at the moment.
At Mowgli, your food arrives in shiny tiffin boxes as and when it’s dispatched from the kitchen. I love this style of casual dining, where you can share your dishes with your plus one, while tucking into a few different things.
The menu
The main food menu is split into four categories – there are no starters or mains, you just pick and mix as you please. Our waiter suggested we each order two or three dishes, so we followed his recommendation. Most of the food is reasonably priced, too, at under £10 a portion.
From the ‘Street Chat’ selection, we went for the Fenugreek Kissed Fries – potato with turmeric, fenugreek and Mowgli masala. In a word: moreish.
We were tempted by many of the ‘Street Meat’ dishes, but went for the Sticky Chicken in the end, consisting of sweet and crunchy chicken poppers smothered in a lip-smacking glaze. Wow, these were so good!
The ‘Hindu Kitchen’ features meat-free dishes, with the likes of Temple Dahl and Mowgli Paneer (although we didn’t order anything from this section).
And for the star attraction: the curries – these all sit under ‘House Kitchen’.
We loved the sound of the Mother Butter Chicken – Tandoori chicken pieces simmered in a rich, sweet, spiced tomato and yoghurt sauce finished with butter. We both ordered a portion and this was divine, with a little kick!
To accompany our curries, we had roti breads and basmati rice. It’s worth noting, you won’t find naan bread or any other varieties of rice on the menu.
To finish, we shared Gulab Jamun – three syrupy doughballs served warm with vanilla ice-cream. I could have scoffed more of these gorgeously sweet creations. Try to leave some space in your tummy for dessert, if you can!
The drinks
As a cocktail gal, I made a beeline for the cocktail list and quickly settled for the Lychee Rose Martini. Garnished with pink petals, this sublime fusion of vodka, homemade rose syrup, fresh lychee and lemon juice was packed with flavour and not overly sweet.
Alongside the cocktails (all priced under a tenner), you’ll also find mocktails and red, white, orange, rosé and sparkling wines.
Bottled beers, teas, coffees, soft drinks and Lassi – a light yoghurt slung with fragrant mango and a hint of mint – also feature on the drinks menu.
Worth the hype?
You might be thinking, do we have the appetite for another Indian restaurant here in Newcastle, especially with several new additions opening in the last few years alone?
My answer would be a resounding ‘yes’.
Mowgli has brought its elegant and somewhat elevated interpretation of Indian street food to our local dining scene, with dishes you won’t find elsewhere in the city.
And, combined with its signature fairy-lit decor, it offers a completely different ambience and dining experience to its rivals in Newcastle.
For me, it’s the perfect date night spot, with its glittering interior coming to life after dark – and I can’t wait to return and try out one of its swings!
For more information about Mowgli, visit www.mowglistreetfood.com. You might also enjoy reading my article on five of the best Indian restaurants in Newcastle.
