Review: Namaste Village

Namaste Village is a more recent addition to Oxford’s dining scene.

It is a veggie Indian restaurant with lots of variety, reminding you that you don’t need meat to make a great meal. I was invited to try the Diwali thali – a one-plate mix of curries and sundries that was introduced to celebrate Diwali. When I went to review the Diwali thali, I noticed that the restaurant was decked out for the occasion. The room was made brighter by banners and colourful stickers, outside floral garlands and inside flickering tealights. It celebrated without going overboard, striking a balance between traditional and modern forms.

Costing £22.95 per person, the Diwali thali featured a selection of dishes: starters of poppadoms and a samosa; mains of undhiyu (mixed vegetable curry), kaju paneer masala, and tadka dhal; sides including butter naan, saffron pilau rice, boondi raita, chutneys, Indian pickle, and a fried green chili; plus a dessert of gulab jamun. Everything was served on one large metal thali, with each item portioned in small bowls.

It looked colourful and inviting, but practicality fell slightly short. The deep dishes made it tough to mix curry and rice, and the section for chutneys, rice, and poppadoms felt a bit cramped. With 2 of us eating the thali, the plates stacked up, 8 dishes each, 16 dishes in total, plus a rambunctious toddler meant that the meal felt cluttered. It would have felt a tad more practical if there was a larger thali for two that we could share.

Food-wise, it was mostly a hit. The samosa had a proper crunch and a nice touch of tamarind; the undhiyu (a mixed vegetable curry with fifteen different vegetables) was the star for me. Earthy, comforting, and spiced with real depth. The kaju paneer masala was mild and slightly sweet, with a tomato base that seemed a bit less complex than the others, while the tadka dhal brought back the spice and balance.

My partner raved about the naan, thin and crispy, just how he likes it. The poppadoms, on the other hand, seemed like they were the packet kind – fine but forgettable. I found the raita portion oddly large, especially next to the tiny smudge of chutney. The fried green chilli packed a punch (not at the bottom, but be careful eating all the way up to the top!), and the gulab jamun at the end was exactly what it should be – soft, syrupy, and comforting.

Service was friendly, though a touch slow. We had to ask twice for water after I made the chilli mistake, but otherwise the staff were kind and helpful. They moved our booking time without any fuss, brought a highchair straight over, and didn’t blink when I leaned down to blow out a tealight before my toddler could grab it. It’s not specifically a family restaurant, but it was calm, clean, and very welcoming.

For nearly £23 a head, I expected either larger servings or a bit more flexibility – maybe the option to top up a favourite curry or share a bigger platter between two. It reminded me of the generous thalis that used to be served at Delish on The Plain roundabout, where you could go back for seconds without guilt.

Namaste Village’s Diwali thali is thoughtful, colourful, and beautifully themed. It’s a lovely way to celebrate the festival – especially for anyone who wants to explore vegetarian Indian food – but with a few tweaks to portion size and presentation, it could feel a little more special for the price.