Cafe Diwali in Wiltshire

The most authentic South Indian cuisine!!! Having grown up with multi cultural food culture, I have high expectations when come to type of food or cuisines that get used to back home. What can I say - you make a man very happy today! That Poratta (aka Roti Canai 😁) was exactly how it should be made. I’ll be back! 🙌

We called in for lunch. Service was quick and efficient. There was a lot of choice on the menu. We've eaten dosas in many restaurants: these were the best. They were delicious and filling and the Dal samba was piping hot with an accompanying really tasty coconut dip and tamarind sauce. Highly recommended. We will be back the next time we're in Salisbury and we'll make sure it's not a Monday when the restaurant is closed.

A great find. Our dosas were freshly prepared and absolutely delicious. We will be back.

Ordered and really enjoyed a takeaway for the family last week. The team were super accommodating and the food was all delicious. The family are still raving about the dishes that we ordered and enjoyed, from flavours, variety and all of the food was very ‘clean’ (with us all being pretty health conscious). This was the define time that we’d enjoyed their takeaways, and certainly won’t be the last. Thank you.

The most delicious and freshly cooked curry delivered hot and on time. Thank you!

Great street food, l recommend going for lunch as the platter is awesome! Feel the service has dropped off since I last visited. Table hadn’t been whipped.

The reception committee looked a little startled, yes working class people have money, the northerners aren't going to eat you-once they'd got over their initial shock (it's an ongoing problem round here) started with the Samosa Chat which is a visual explosion and a flavour explosion too, it blew my mind ...which is why the curry follow up was a little disappointing, size small, tasted okay but not outstanding (Malabar Beef Kuruma). I couldn't get into it, didn't get the coconut overtones, it tasted more like a fortified Curry sauce from Heron's, no flavour, no zing... ...maybe I chose wrong thing, the prawn dish and the chicken dish are intriguing. I suppose I'm used to Bradford and Manchester, where portions are a mountain. The sweet naan served with it more than made up for the loss of flavour in that dish. Will go back, a little high priced for the lack of oomph.

Lovely meal. Very high quality. Our favourite place to get a curry in Salisbury

This is one of my favourite restaurants in Salisbury. The food is amazing! I just wish I could go more.

Delicious food. Rude front of house.

We ate here recently. The service, staff and food were all excellent. We really enjoyed it all and loved the surroundings, such so we are returning next week to sample the lunchtime menu. The staff were attentive without being intrusive.

I had a delicious meal at Cafe Diwali. The samosa chaat was delicious and different than anywhere else I've ever had it (in a good way). The fish curry was exquisite. The rice is very fine; I'm not sure if it's special rice, or they shave it smaller than normal rice, but that made the curry even better. The fish curry was a delicious swirl of flavors. The staff was very friendly and the service was excellent. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very quant. If you're in Salisbury and you're looking to enjoy a great meal, Cafe Diwali is highly recommended.

Great meal - best meal I've had in ages!

Brilliant meal,recommend to anyone

Amazing place, with exceptional food. Can't wait to go back

Try to visit every time I'm in Salisbury

Delicious food friendly staff and such a beautiful cosy cafe.

Super place to eat. Lovely staff too.

Food was amazing lovely lunch good service

My husband and I are visiting from Canada and were looking forward to Indian food in Britain. We were very happy with the service, menu suggestions, and relaxed atmosphere on the back patio. The lamb curry was particularly well done.

I think I have found a new favourite eating place, The food was amazing. We went early evening, 6pm, which was lovely and quiet. It soon picked up & got a lot busier at about 7pm.

Delicious food! Very polite and caring staff. Highly recommend it.

We were in Salisbury for the first time, for a family reunion, and ate here for lunch on our 2nd (last) day. We both had a large glass of Sicilian Grillo white, perfect with this food,. I had a Dhaba Chicken Curry Thali and my wife the Aubergine Thali. Lots of interesting tastes. A good choice.

Food was absolutely beautiful, I thought it was better than Mowgli! And that’s saying a lot. Our favourites were the chats on the starter menu and the vegetable curry with the naan on the main. Really good service too. My only criticism is that they charged us £3.50 for some raita, which was expensive. Nothing there was cheap, however, I would still would still highly recommend.

After a sunny day exploring Stonehenge and Salisbury, we were searching for a taste of Indian cuisine and stumbled upon Cafe Diwali thanks to TripAdvisor. Our visit happened to coincide with an Indian festival at the cafe, making the experience even more vibrant and special. As a tourist couple with two young children, we were particularly grateful for the staff's warmth and patience. They guided us through the menu with expert advice, ensuring we enjoyed the festival flavors and felt comfortable, even though we were new to Indian cuisine. Their attention to our needs was truly appreciated. The food was absolutely fantastic—full of rich, flavorful dishes that made our meal memorable. The festive ambiance added to the charm of the evening, making Cafe Diwali a highlight of our trip. If you're in Salisbury and craving a delightful Indian dining experience, Cafe Diwali is a must-visit. Their combination of delicious food and exceptional hospitality creates an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Excellent food. More expensive than usual for an Indian, tho.

Had an excellent meal. Service was really good, staff were really helpful. Food was delicious. They had a festival menu which was a set price for 2 courses and you got 2 starters, 2 mains and a nibble. Smaller portions of each so you could try more dishes. The Samosa Chat was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend.

We booked an early evening table before going to the theatre. It's a lovely bright and friendly café. The menu has a little of everything and everything was very tasty. Beautifully presented and expertly spiced! Yum!

Best Indian in town with a decent selection of street style dishes. The samosa chat is incredible.

This is an exceptional cafe/restaurant. We booked a table one evening with our friends when visiting Salisbury. The menu is quite small but the food is absolutely amazing. So fresh and delicious and they were able to cope with my dairy and wheat intolerance with no issues. We have travelled to India (South Goa and Kerela) quite a few times and this food reminded us so much of our trips where the food is a highlight. It was really authentic and you can tell it is freshly cooked with fresh herbs and spices. I have to also say the staff were so friendly and helpful. When visiting Salisbury in the future, I’ll be back here like a shot!

Now I like a curry, I've had a few in my time. This place is so good I cannot leave without saying this was a bit special. If you ever find yourself in Salisbury don't go anywhere else.

Very tasty and authentic food. The service was very nice. We'd love to come back.

We received a warm welcome here. Unfortunately for us the menu was underwhelming and limited, and it was a little pricey, but we are used to Bradford eateries.

Had the lamb thali a mix of lots of dishes naan rice pickled and papadoms. Best Indian meal in years delicious. Recommended

Highly recommend , Food good Rear garden to eat outside on a sunny day (we did) Reasonable price Next time we’re in Salisbury we will be eating here again.

Had the lamb curry with dal of the day and naan. It was all delightful! The curry, to my surprise, had a great heat without being too much. Amazing flavor, and very tender. The staff, though I was early in the evening, were on point, courteous, and didn't hover. Try this place out; you'll be happy

our camera A highly recommended restaurant. It was a great experience for us. The waitress consulted with the chef who came to the table. The chef understood the limitations and preferences and recommended dishes for us and also adapted them. Every dish was delicious. The sweet naan bread with the coconut filling is just as wonderful as I remembered. Thank you

Although we hadn't booked the staff accommodated us on a busy Saturday night. Brought friends for an Indian that is different from the usual. Everything was delicious. Service prompt and attentive. Well done all!

We arrived not long before the kitchen closed but we were welcomed and given time to decide and order. The seating area in the conservatory at the back is very pleasant. The food was beautifully presented and tasted wonderful. I would recommend this restaurant to those interested in this type of Indian food (street food style). I will be going back for sure.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 An Absolute Delight! My experience at Cafe Diwali was simply fantastic! The staff were incredibly welcoming and attentive, adding a personal touch to the evening. Now, let's talk about the food—it was phenomenal! Every dish was full of flavor and beautifully presented. It's clear that the chefs are passionate about their craft. Another standout feature was the cozy yet elegant atmosphere. Despite its upscale vibe, the restaurant felt warm and inviting. Overall, I can't recommend Cafe Diwali enough. It's an exceptional dining spot with top-notch service, mouthwatering food, and a welcoming vibe that will keep you coming back for more!

I'm assuming the in dining experience would be better than the pretty expensive takeaway option we chose. The main course options we chose which included chicken and vegetarian dishes were very heavy on sauce and incredibly light on the main protein. They tasted good but were not trail blazers of street food, or remarkable in flavour. The rice was good, but again for the price was light in volume. Naan was delicious. A takeaway meal for 2 costing in excess of £40 was not fabulous and in fact was a bit of a disappointment

This is an authentic dining experience friendly staff service good easy to book online,this is from lunch dining have not tried evening yet

Went here for lunch with my husband. Welcomed on arrival and excellent food and service. I had the aubergine thali and my husband the open naan spicy paneer kebab, with a side of spinach pakoras. Huge amounts of food all freshly cooked. We struggled to finish it all. The sauces were all tasty and the aubergine dish exceptionally good. With regard to previous reviews regarding food not being spicy enough, presumably they meant heat, as we could not fault the flavours of each dish. Spicy doesn’t always have to mean hot! Maybe a little more attention could be paid to housekeeping but the rest aura at was not grubby and dirty as some reviewers have portrayed. For the amount and quality of food, we thought it was very good value indeed.

Wonderful flavours. I had some kind of coconut chicken curry and the roast coconut gave it a superb rich flavour! Came with a lovely dhal and rice. Shared a naan with that and I was totally satisfied. Staff were lovely. Service prompt and decor fun. I’ll look forward to returning!

The front of house is rather drab and slightly off putting but the staff are friendly and welcoming ,the food presentation is exactly what you get in India, a number of bowls with your choice plus dal, pickles etc on a large tray, this made our visit most enjoyable as compared to an Indian restaurant we ate in a week previous which was standard fare,we shall visit Dewali again

Always enjoy eating here, one of my favourite places. Never had a bad experience.

Great atmosphere. We were here for a family party. The food was delicious and very well presented. My husband was very pleasant surprised with his meal.

Amazing food and service... heavenly!

We visited this place on 14th Feb to celebrate our Valentine’s Day. It was lovely experience overall. The atmosphere was good and food was nice! The service was pretty quick. Parking was not outside you have to find out the place on nearby street, that was bit hectic. Place was quite small but nicely arranged. The owner was welcoming but refused to give us table outside(can’t understand the reason), menu is limited so do not expect too many Indian options in the menu card. Recommended!!

This place has gone down hill since it opened. We walked in and booked a table for the next day. Arrived the following day and was told we didn't have a reservation by the woman we spoke to, in person the day before. We were then dumped on a filthy table and given second rate service. The food was ok, but the woman who works out front on the reception is not doing the business any favors. We also met up with some friends earlier in the day an asked them if hey wanted to join us. They said they had had a booking messed up and thought the place was average, so didn't come.

Visited a couple of weeks ago and had a fabulous lunchtime meal. The food was fantastic and staff were very welcoming and attentive. We’re going back hopefully next week👍

Very good food. Interesting range of dishes. Well worth a visit.

Lush time with lush old friends, lush food and lush staff xxx

This food is made with love and it shows. The freshest ingredients and the skill to combine spices which send tingles down your tastebuds. Honestly it beats most top Indian restaurants. A simple decor with first class service. I travelled miles to get here but I’d do it again tomorrow!

We were Very nicely greeted and taken to our table, and our waiter Vicky explained the menu and gave us a few recommendations. The food was superb. The recommendations were brilliant, all over great value for money and a lovely place to go. I will be back

Very accommodating owner, was keen to please. Energy +. Food was excellent, not just a typical restaurant of it's type.

: in meinen Leben erstmalig indisches Essen genossen (gut Ding will Weile haben). Keine Ahnung mehr, welche Namen die Gerichte hatten. Farbige Geschmacksexplosionen von mild bis scharf, mit neuen unbekannten Richtungen. Wird vertieft, gerne wieder ...

We've tried Cafe Diwali four times now so I think we've given it a good try. Sadly we can't understand why it's rated number 1 in Salisbury. In our experience, front of house is pretty unfriendly (every time) & the food is fine but nothing special. It's also incredibly inconsistent: my partner orders the same dish every time & each time it's been DRAMATICALLY different - not just tweaks but completely different. I'm a massive fan of Indian food & have been lucky to live in London & Birmingham so have had some pretty good locals - I wouldn't put Cafe Diwali anywhere near the best of those. Average & not very welcoming. Won't be trying it a fifth time. Sorry :/

Quick service and a fun dinner with plenty of options. I highly recommend the poppadum starter and paneer buttermasala. The only reason I did not give a full 5 stars was because we were a bit disappointed with the vegetable biryani. Overall, we had a very pleasant experience here, and I would recommend for Indian cuisine lovers.

Super small, bijou restaurant Nice decor and freindly staff Excellent food - nicely presented Prompt efficient service

Brilliant food, atmosphere and service! We will definitely be going back, thanks Cafe Diwali

Food and service is incredible would highly recommend and would definitely come back

Lovely find, well laid out... Great food and good service.

It’s a cute place in the heart of Salisbury, lots of lights inside making it cheery but to be honest, on the 1st of December 2023 We could’ve also done with some heating, Only one of us actually took our coats off!! It was that chilly. So it’s a cute place. It’s also a bit grimy & could do with a really good clean. The paint was tired & the toilets blocked! there was a step at the table and we saw three people trip down it so that could to do with some hazard tape, the food was proper boring, no spices, no heat, nothing, just coconut, in every single dish it felt like, really sad because a friend came from London and spent some hours getting there and then several hours getting back home and it was just very very disappointing ……

Food arrived two hours after ordering, over an hour after the estimated time. Needed reheating when arrived. The food was delightful, but very disappointed with just eat

Our experience at Cafe Diwali was awesome. We started with Papadums, moved on to Pakoras and coconut beef, then shared a tandoori platter. Everything was exceptionally good but the papadums, pakoras (with Tamarind chutney) and the tandoori chicken were standouts. The waitstaff was exceptionally friendly and had very helpful suggestions and all for a great value. Definitely eat here!

We had a lunchtime visit here, and the welcome, food and service were all great. We sat in the conservatory area. The mainside downside is that everywhere was in need of a good clean. The windows and sills were really black around the edges, everywhere needed repainting. The roof windows would let more light in if they were cleaned and it would look much better if the blinds were cleaned or renewed. The ladies toilet was clean, but the sink and around the tap was really grimy and the carpet needed hoovering. We will return because we've always liked it. However, if the cleanliness doesn't improve, the food alone would not be a reason to keep coming back.

Super delicious food and friendly staff

Bloody lovely curry. What a find

I very much enjoyed my visit to Cafe Diwali. In terms of quality, the food is on a par with other decent Indian restaurants, however, the way they present it feels more authentic. I particular, I like the way many of their mains are served with a naan bread, rather than rice as standard. The menu is quite limited, but well put together, but lacks some of the classics that some people would like. They have a good selection of drinks as well. The atmosphere is great. It was quiet when I went, but it must be even better when the place is buzzing. The staff were friendly and attentive and we didn't have to wait long for our food. The only reason it dropped a star is the price. In my opinion it is expensive. £5 - 7 for a starter (not bad), but £17 - 19 for a main course (curry + naan), with another £4 - 5 if you want a rice. In my experience this makes it the expensive option for a curry in Salisbury. If you can swallow the cost then I would definitely recommend it.

Great but limited menu really nice food though, well done and tasty. A great find

Amazing food as always - friendly staff and very helpful. Great atmosphere whether it is quiet or busy and did I mention the food is superb?! Will definitely be back before too long.

Great Indian in Salisbury. Nice idea of the mixed plates, though I went for a marsala dosa.

This really is great food. Not a wide range of food on the menu - which is a positive as this isn’t a typical ‘curry house’ Relaxed cafe feel but I have been twice, once for a special occasion and once because we had no food in the house- and it felt appropriate both times. Price OK, just under £20 for pj t and a curry (pp). I recommend giving it a try.

Absolutely delicious! One of the most authentic indians in Salisbury. Staff were extremely helpful and attentive and the food was 10/10, and the restaurant itself has a lovely warm atmosphere 100% recommend

Came here for lunch whilst visiting Salisbury, didn't have any great expectations but the food was incredible. Very authentic and flavourful tasting indian food, the thali for lunch was particularly good. For the price I left feeling very full. Not your usual curry/balti type fake indian food but the real deal!

The thali was quite delicious, with the lamb curry being full of flavour. Good service at a decent price point.

had the pleasure of dining at Cafe Diwali yesterday, and I was thoroughly impressed. I ordered the aubergine curry and the sweet corn pakora, and both dishes were absolutely delicious. The aubergine curry was rich and flavorful, with a perfect balance of spices. The sweet corn pakora was light and crispy, with a generous filling of sweet corn and coriander. In addition to the excellent food, the service at Cafe Diwali was also top-notch. Our server, Sheila, was attentive and friendly, and she went out of her way to make sure we had a great dining experience. She was especially helpful in explaining the menu and recommending dishes to our taste. Overall, I had a wonderful dining experience at Cafe Diwali. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a taste of authentic Indian cuisine. Special mention to Sheila, the manager, for her outstanding service. She is a true asset to Cafe Diwali, and she made our dining experience even more special.

I had a delightful meal at Cafe Diwali yesterday. The chicken biryani was flavorful, and the aloo tikki chaat was a perfect balance of spicy and tangy. What impressed me equally was the impeccable service and the brilliant atmosphere. It was a truly satisfying dining experience."

I had a wonderful meal at Cafe Diwali yesterday. I ordered the chicken platter and hariyali chicken kebab, and both dishes were delicious. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the flavors were amazing. The service was also excellent. My server, Ollie, was very attentive and friendly. He made sure that I had everything I needed and that I was enjoying my meal. I would highly recommend Cafe Diwali to anyone looking for a delicious and authentic Indian meal.

A warm welcome and very friendly team - outstanding, authentic Indian food. Lamb curry was epic!

Lovely food with good vegan options!

I had the pleasure of dining at Cafe Diwali Indian restaurant yesterday, and it was an absolute delight for my taste buds. The flavors and authenticity of the dishes I tried left a lasting impression. The Fish Curry was a standout dish. The fish was tender and perfectly cooked, and the curry sauce was a symphony of aromatic Indian spices. It struck a harmonious balance between rich and tangy, making it a memorable culinary experience. The Gobi Manchurian was equally impressive. The cauliflower florets were crisp and coated in a flavorful sauce that struck a wonderful contrast between sweet and spicy. Each bite was a burst of delightful flavors and textures. The restaurant's commitment to delivering authentic Indian cuisine was evident in every aspect of the meal. The ambiance was cozy and welcoming, and the service was attentive, adding to the overall dining experience. Cafe Diwali has undoubtedly earned a spot on my list of favorite Indian restaurants, and I look forward to returning to explore more of their delicious offerings. Thank you for sharing your recommendation, and I hope others have the opportunity to savor the flavors of Cafe Diwali as well!

I've been to cafe Diwali a couple of times now but this was my first visit in a very long time. The food never disappoints but they seemed to have let there standards drop with cleanliness. Very dirty and dusty through out the restaurant and toliets.. makes you wonder how clean the kitchen is!

Don't know why this place has 5 stars. The food was ordinary and the service very slow. And it's over-priced in my view.

Very very tasty and well made Indian meals, authentic and complete meals. We loved it and wish that we could eat at Cafe Diwali in Salisbury regularly and we highly recommend the place. Kind, helpfull service with lots of smiles and good atmosphere.

What a wonderful surprise! This is not your usual British Indian restaurant, Beautiful home made recipes, good service and a nice casual atmosphere. It’s no surprise that even on. Tuesday it was packed - one of the best Indian restaurants in the country

Great Indian restaurant in Salisbury. Polite and customer friendly service. All staffs were very helpful in choosing dishes. They have some must try signature items .Place was very soothing and welcoming. Completely happy and satisfied with the dishes. Would go again .

Best place to have Indian food in Salisbury. Dishes were very authentic in taste. Tried Gobi Manchurian, Samosa chaat, Chicken Xacuti,Butter Naan & Steamed Rice with Dal. These dishes are must try. Ambiance was superb and staffs were very friendly. Loved it. ❤

went here a while back and was severely disappointed… firstly, i was presented with the wrong curry, a fish curry. I said that this was not what I had ordered and the hostess told me that if was… It definitely wasn’t as I am allergic to all fish products… I then heard her moaning about the situation to another staff member within ear shot of us and claiming she knew that was what I had ordered (it certainly wasn’t) it was then very uncomfortable atmosphere… then when we got the correct food it was awful anyway! Far better Indian food around Salisbury !!!

One of my favourite places to eat in Salisbury. The food is just so falvoursome and always consistent, hard to beat !

Was very much looking forward to visiting after not visiting since pre covid. The food was ok, but sadly nothing special, small and not that tasty, perhaps cutting back !?There are a lot of younger waitresses, no frills from them. Yes like many others have said, dirty surroundings, toilets are the worst, no toilet roll either. I feel they are cruising on minimal effort resting on a good reputation in the past. A shame.

My friend and I are both vegetarian / vegan. The mal we ordered was very delicuous, we hat several options to choose from. The people working there are very friendly and welcoming. We highly recommend thus nice restaurant and will come back for sure on our next travel to the UK. Thank you everybody @ Diwali! :-)

Not new to salisbury but new to delivery this place is authentic, great quality and fresh. They are not a typical curry house, they don't have a the English "traditional" curries, korma, tikka masala etc. But they are all the better for it, serving interesting flavours and a cracking vegan option. Have had chicken, squid and vegan and all are really good.

Didn't receive my order at all.

Arrived as a weekday walk-up, which slightly startled the staff. Limited menu but the two dishes we had were very good. The acid test for us is would we return, to which the reply is oh yes indeedy.

Excellent authentic Indian food, far surpasses the generic 'curry house' great value, limited menu changes frequently ensuring food is cooked fresh - our favourite place to eat out

Such amazing food all staff were super friendly, whole experience was fantastic, thank you for a delightful evening

Totally fabulous, even had a kids menu. Couldn’t recommend highly enough.

It tasted mighty nice just needed more cauliflower x