Discover five Indian restaurants in Poole worth trying, from contemporary small plates and cocktails in Ashley Cross to Nepalese dumplings, tandoori dishes and traditional curries near Poole Quay. Whether we are planning a sociable sharing meal, searching for something beyond the familiar curry-house menu or arranging a relaxed family dinner, these Poole restaurants offer different settings, regional influences and approaches to Indian cooking without placing them in a strict ranking.
2nd August 2026
Poole’s Indian restaurants are more varied than a quick glance at their menus might suggest. Alongside familiar dishes such as jalfrezi, biryani and tikka masala, we can find Indian street food, Nepalese momo, clay-oven seafood and contemporary dishes designed for sharing.
This guide highlights five places with distinct reasons to visit.
indi’s brings a contemporary bar-and-kitchen approach to Indian dining in Ashley Cross. The restaurant combines traditional curries with tapas-style street food, cocktails and a brighter, more sociable atmosphere than we might expect from a conventional curry house.
Small plates make it particularly suitable for groups who would rather share several dishes than commit to one main course each. The menu includes Indian street-food influences alongside tandoori dishes, curries, rice, breads and lighter options, allowing us to build a meal gradually around the table. The restaurant also promotes a lunchtime tapas offer, with selected small dishes served alongside rice or naan.
Its cocktail menu and later weekend opening help indi’s feel like part of a wider Ashley Cross evening. We can begin with food, stay for drinks or continue to one of the surrounding bars without needing to travel into central Bournemouth.
This is the strongest choice for diners who want Indian flavours in a modern, informal setting rather than a traditional white-tablecloth restaurant.
Worth visiting for: Sharing plates, cocktails and a lively evening in Ashley Cross.
The 29029 Parkstone combines Indian and Nepalese cooking in a more refined restaurant environment. Its kitchen uses ingredients, herbs and spices associated with Nepal while also offering familiar Indian dishes, giving diners the option to stay within their comfort zone or try something less predictable.
The Nepalese side of the menu is where the restaurant becomes particularly interesting. Starters include momo - dumplings filled with spiced lamb mince - as well as chilli squid, salmon tikka and duck prepared with tandoori spices. Main courses extend to Gurkhali chicken or lamb, Nepalese-style monkfish and duck cooked with herbs and spices.
Vegetarian diners are given more than a token vegetable curry. Choices include sweet pumpkin and asparagus thoran, chickpeas with baby aubergine in Gujarati spices, paneer dishes and Nepalese-style okra.
The softly lit interior and more elaborate presentation make The 29029 suitable for birthdays, date nights and meals where we want the evening to feel like an occasion.
Worth visiting for: Nepalese specialities, creative presentation and a more polished dining experience.
The Gurkha Spice on Ashley Road provides another opportunity to explore the food of Nepal alongside Indian favourites.
The restaurant places traditional Nepalese dishes at the centre of its identity, including momo and dal bhat, rather than presenting them as occasional additions to an otherwise standard menu. Its wider selection includes aromatic rice dishes, curries and grilled meats influenced by the cuisines of Nepal, India and the surrounding Himalayan region.
This makes it an appealing choice for diners who already know their preferred Indian curry but would like to try something different. Momo provide an accessible introduction: steamed or fried dumplings filled with savoury ingredients and typically served with a flavourful dipping sauce.
Dal bhat offers a more complete traditional meal, built around lentils and rice with accompanying dishes. It reflects a different style of eating from ordering a single rich curry, naan and rice, and helps distinguish The Gurkha Spice from Poole’s more conventional curry houses.
Worth visiting for: Traditional Nepalese dishes and discovering flavours from the Himalayan region.
Quay Spice is one of Poole’s longer-established curry houses and occupies a convenient position on the High Street, close to Poole Quay and the Old Town.
Its approach is more traditional than indi’s or The 29029. The menu balances familiar curries with house specialities, making it easy for groups where some diners want their usual choice while others would prefer to explore something new. The restaurant describes its dishes as being prepared with traditional recipes and carefully selected ingredients.
The location is one of its greatest strengths. Quay Spice can be combined with a harbour cruise, an afternoon at Poole Museum or evening drinks beside the water. It also works well when visitors want a proper sit-down meal without travelling away from the town centre.
Its established curry-house format means we can expect the familiar rhythm of poppadoms and chutneys followed by tandoori starters, curries, rice and freshly baked breads. That familiarity can be reassuring rather than predictable, particularly for families and larger groups.
Worth visiting for: Traditional curry-house favourites close to Poole Quay.
Tandoori Nights is another established High Street restaurant, offering dine-in meals as well as collection and delivery.
As its name suggests, clay-oven cooking forms an important part of the menu. Tandoori dishes are marinated with herbs, spices and yoghurt before being cooked at high heat, producing a different flavour and texture from meat simmered directly in a curry sauce.
The broader menu covers popular curries and side dishes, so diners can pair grilled chicken, lamb or seafood with rice, naan and vegetable accompaniments. Staff can also help explain the heat and character of less familiar dishes, which is useful for anyone who wants to move beyond their usual order without choosing something unexpectedly hot.
Its central position makes it practical for a straightforward dinner before or after visiting Poole Quay. The restaurant also advertises group dining arrangements, making it a possible option for birthdays and larger gatherings.
Worth visiting for: Tandoori cooking, familiar curries and a central Poole location.
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