Review: Dosa Darlings

What happens when you combine contemporary South Indian cuisine with a quirky cocktail menu on the Cowley Road? You get Dosa Darlings, a sweetheart of a restaurant for your cosy date night or relaxed dinner. I had a lovely evening there recently: thanks, Bitten!

The restaurant is owned by the same team who run Bhoomi Kitchen in Headington, though this new offer has a more informal, funkier vibe to match the location. It’s an atmospheric space, split into a large bar area and two dining rooms full of plants and trees. Larger groups can sit at one of the tables a leafy canopy. The smaller tables are nestled behind the bar in a darkly moody space.

Want a pre-dinner drink? They’ve got an appealing list to choose from, and you might even see them put on a show with the cocktail shaker.

Our location near the bar really paid off at that point. I ordered a ‘blurred lines’ concoction of rum, mango juice, tamarind puree, lemon, and sugar, which went beautifully with a bowl of crispy plantain chips.

The main food menu features a series of small plates, including familiar favourites such as bhaji and idli. We started with the mutton rolls and chilli chicken, which were both tasty rather than outstanding.

However, the main courses were a real hit. We had a well-spiced lamb curry with a deliciously flaky parotta bread on the side. Yes, always order the parotta when you have chance. This combo was definitely a case of brown food that was designed to please my taste buds rather than Instagram, and so worth it. We also ordered a date and almond dosa: a little unusual, medium sweet, and a whole lotta tasty.

We continued on a high note with two desserts: cool, sweet kulfi and a bowl of Halwa. This traditional carrot pudding was indulgently sweet and rich with the taste of ghee. A nicely decadent finish to dinner that sent us off happily on the bike ride home.