Krishna's Inn

As a seasoned visitor to South India and Kerala in particular, and always eating at the places in which the locals eat, I have been generally disappointed by the lack of genuine keralan restaurants in the UK.

Krishna’s is not only genuine, i.e. it is run by Keralans, not bangladeshis for example, but the food is as authentic as I’ve had in Kerala and the malabar perottas (kerala perotta/paratha/barotta) are out of this world!

My partner and I went to Krishna's for my birthday celebration in February as we both like South Indian food and he misses the cooking he grew up with. He's a near-vegetarian, I'm a near-carnivore, and both of us avoid gluten; but the menu offered each of us several options. He had pakora to start and dosa as main; I had some sort of pancake (can't remember the name) to start and a lamb dish for the main course. Everything we ate and drank was good.

The service was acceptable - not polished, but sufficiently obliging and efficient. We arrived at about 7:30 on a Saturday night and found the restaurant busy but not full.

The clientele was mixed - several couples and pairs of friends, an Asian family, a large group of young people. Decor was basic but inoffensive (less bad than you might expect from the very blue exterior).

Overall, a good evening meal for a reasonable price.

I used to eat regularly at the Krishnas Inn. I worked locally and, as a South Indian restaurant, it served a good selection of vegetarian dishes. Although the service was generally indifferent, with the usual over the top pushiness often associated with downmarket Indian restaurants to oversell the poppadoms and drinks, I always left a tip. I did this largely because I was a regular. However, on checking the bill, I found that the number of items and the figures didn't tally and I discovered, that as a matter of course they add on a 10 per cent service charge - in the total. This service charge is not itemised on the bill and difficult to find unless you go through it. When questioned, the waiter said "the boss told them to do it like this". It's not a problem adding service, as long as it is clearly itemised on the bill - both in the description 'service' and the amount which neither is. The problem is that I and probably countless others then go and add a further 10 per cent - so they are getting it twice - at least 20 per cent. Krishna's Inn are not stupid. This is a deliberate tactic. They realise that if the service charge is obscured, then people may add more. After a gap of a year or so, I revisited the restaurant this week and found they are still doing it. It wouldn't be so bad except the service is rubbish (we were ignored for at least 30 minutes after they had cleared the table and it wasn't as if they were busy - we were one of only three tables occupied in the place). The food is realy not great - it is mostly from frozen and microwaved and all has a rather sloppy consistency. Krishna's Inn is worth a visit if you order something that needs to be made fresh - such as a Dosa - and if you are careful to avoid their dodgy and dishonest accounting.

And I had a takeaway, although I have eaten in before. Wonderful hot, spicy Southern Indian inspired food (not English Indian food). We are currently unable to get past the Chani Puri, awesome spicy chick peas in a little sauce encovered by a light pastry dome. The value is extraodinary, lovely waiters and Kingfisher. Truly perfect.

Krishna’s provide lovely Kerelan (Southern Indian) food in a relaxed friendly setting. There menu has so many delicious vegetable dishes (erussery, a pumpkin dish, is my favourite) that I’ve never tried the meat or fish dishes, but friends have tried and enjoyed them. Highly recommend their dosas (savoury pancakes filled with potato and served with a coconut chutney) and delicate but very spicy lentil soup.

I work just around the corner from Krishna’s and it is a great place to eat! Friday lunchtimes are usually 'Dosa days’ which means the office going for one of their amazing, and very reasonably priced too. They are very accommodating, and always friendly. The birianis are also great, and have great flavour. the only thing I would say is that a service charge is always added onto the bill, but in non-legible handwriting, just be aware! (they deserve the tip anyway)!

Ok. I’d really like to give this place 5*s. But the last time I went there, it wasn’t as good as it always has been. I’m wondering if there has abeen a change in management…I hope not! Let’s presume it was a one-off.
This is the bees-knees! This is tip-top South Indian Cuisine. And completely authentic, I am delighted to say. This is exactly the kind of food you can eat in India - delicious, fresh and interesting food. Typical dishes are there -dosas, idli, sambar, dry green beans with coconut. But it’s difficult to get the full range of dishes they offer here when you’re eating in India. I’d put this on a par with Kastoori’s in Tooting, London, which is Indian-Kenyan food.
If the management/chef has not changed, this could well be the best Indian restaurant in Bristol, though I haven’t been to them all! :D