A steel tray of curries, rice, flatbread and cooling sides that Bristol adopted as its own, complete with a reusable steel tiffin-tin takeaway ritual all of its own.

Bristol's thali habit began with a cafe in Montpelier serving festival-style Indian food on compartmented steel trays. The format grew into a small local institution, winning Observer Food Monthly award notice, and its reusable steel tiffin scheme, where a £20 tin buys your first takeaway and endless refills, became a small piece of Bristol food culture in its own right, years before packaging-free shopping went mainstream.

Where to eat Thali in Bristol

1 editor pick for Thali in Bristol, ranked by editorial score. All Bristol signature dishes · Thali across every city.

Book food experiences in Bristol

Bristol Chocolate Tour★ 5.0 (29)

Viator · 2 h

Bristol Chocolate Tour

Bristol’s rich history has a sweet side, with a long chocolate making heritage. From the Georgian’s first imports of sugar and cocoa, to Fry’s producing the first cho...

fromGBP 18 Check dates
Bristol Old City Food & drink Tour★ 4.8 (21)

Viator · 3 h

Bristol Old City Food & drink Tour

Join us for a food and drink tour through the heart of the Old City. At each stop you'll have the chance to sample some delicious hearty food (think burgers, bhajis, c...

fromGBP 74 Check dates

See all 210 food experiences in Bristol

More places near Thali Montpelier

Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.

Make it at home

Serves Serves 41 hr 30 minIntermediate

Ingredients

  • 200g red lentils for dal, with turmeric and cumin
  • 400g tin of chickpeas for chana masala
  • 1 onion, tomatoes, garlic, ginger and garam masala
  • 300g basmati rice
  • 4 chapatis or flatbreads
  • 150g natural yoghurt for raita with cucumber
  • Mango chutney and lime pickle

Method

  1. Simmer the lentils with turmeric, water and salt into a loose dal, finishing with cumin seeds fried in hot oil.
  2. Cook a quick chana masala: soften onion, add garlic, ginger and spices, then tomatoes and chickpeas, and simmer 20 minutes.
  3. Steam the rice, warm the breads, and stir grated cucumber into the yoghurt for raita.
  4. Serve everything in small bowls arranged around rice on a tray, with chutney and pickle in the smallest bowls.

Editor tip. A thali lives on contrast: one wet dish, one dry, one cooling, one sharp; balance those and the plate composes itself.

Common allergens: Dairy, Gluten.