Rooted in vibrant, home-cooked flavours and the street food traditions of India, Mowgli may draw you in with its glowing fairy lights and swing seating, but the real showstopper is what’s on the plate.
This season, Mowgli welcomes Autumn to Castle Street with a brand-new menu, blending the restaurant’s beloved classics with a few exciting new additions. From the fragrant Diwali Cauliflower to the Lamb Bunny Chow that serves curry in a hollowed-out loaf of bread, we were spoilt for choice and eagerly anticipated our evening meal.
We couldn’t resist starting with the cocktail menu and the Chilli Mango Margarita instantly caught my eye. Although warned by our waiter, Ash, that this drink brings the heat, it delivered a perfect balance of spice and sweetness with a punchy kick.
Mowgli serves its dishes in true street food style, inviting diners to order multiple small plates that arrive fresh from the kitchen as soon as they’re ready. With this in mind, we shared a mix of dishes to experience the full flavour of the menu.
The food arrived promptly, served in traditional metal tableware that added a rustic, homemade touch – we hardly knew where to begin, everything looked and smelt so amazing!
I started with the Mowgli House Chicken (pictured bottom right), a must-try for anyone who prefers a milder curry. Made with coconut milk and ground almonds, this dish had the richness of a korma, full of flavour but gentle on spice. The chicken was tender and melted in the mouth, pairing perfectly with the Basmati Rice and the warm, flaky Garlic & Coriander Paratha (pictured top left), a step-up from the usual naan bread accompaniment.
Our waiter Franklin also added some Yoghurt Chat Bombs to our order (pictured middle left), and we were so glad he did. An absolute explosion of flavour and texture, the creamy spiced yoghurt contrasted beautifully with the crisp puff breads and finished with a pop of sweetness from the pomegranate seeds. It’s one of those dishes I might have overlooked on the menu but is a definite must-order for next time, though its worth noting they’re best eaten in one bite to avoid any mess!
The second drink of the evening called for a larger glass, and the Chai Rum Sling was the perfect choice. Made with apricot syrup, apple and a garnish of mint, lime and sugar, its blend of fruity sweetness and warming spices made it a refreshing, unique Autumn cocktail.
Finding it hard to decide between the chicken dishes, I also opted for the Mowgli Sticky Chicken and it turned out to be my favourite plate of the night. The crispy chickpea-battered chicken was drenched in a sweet, sticky sauce and was out of this world, I’d come back for this dish alone!
Despite how full I felt, the Himalayan Cheese Toast sounded too good not to try and it definitely didn’t disappoint. The golden, crisp layer of cheese concealed a warm, melting centre and the accompanying Indian pickle provided a clever, cultural twist on an all-time comfort favourite.
Even after all of that, we surprisingly still had room for dessert, choosing the coconut and mango ice cream cones which came served in a traditional stand. Both flavours were refreshing and light, offering just the right amount of sweetness to round off an incredible meal. As we sank back into our swinging chairs, feeling far fuller than when we arrived, we reflected on one of the best meals we’d had in a while and started planning when to visit again!
Overall, Mowgli has quickly become one of my new favourite restaurants in Cardiff, everything from the vibrant food to the welcoming atmosphere felt perfectly considered. What made the evening extra special though, was the attentive, knowledgeable and friendly staff, whose recommendations for both food and drink made all the difference.
A special mention to Matty, the deputy manager, who took the time to chat with us after our meal, a gesture that really went a long way and rounded off the perfect evening.
Mowgli is one of those restaurants that doesn’t just offer a meal, but a whole experience and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who’s after an intimate, cosy dinner that’s perfect for this season.
Reviewed by Katie Bowen
Mowgli Street Food Cardiff
Unit C, 5, 10 Church St, Cardiff CF10 1BG
