The Refa Tandoori in Wiltshire

Firstly I’d like to say I have eaten here a few times and normally the food and service are fabulous, however I recently went with quite a number of friends for a Christmas meal and was very disappointed. We arrived at 7pm having pre ordered and paid. 18 of us were crammed into a back area where we were so closely packed in, it was difficult to move. The food arrived at 8.30, mine had a skin on it and was cold. I had no plate and no rice to accompany the dish, I requested the food was heated up while I waited on the rest. It was returned heated but still no rice or plate, by the time they came, it had cooled down again. As I said there were quite a few people around 50, they were clearly struggling to deal with that number of people, surely it would’ve been advisable not to take a large booking if it was a problem. Then on top of that we were later told the price some of us had prepaid was the take out price and more was asked for. I will certainly be thinking twice before going again.

As a Melksham local, the Refa Tandoori has been the go-to takeaway/restaurant in my family since I can remember. Whether I've ordered a takeaway meal or had a sit down meal in the restaurant, I have never had a disappointing meal. The food is fragrant, fresh and tasty, the staff are welcoming and friendly and the environment is warm and comfortable. I will never hesitate to recommend the Refa Tandoori to anyone who is in Melksham and hope to be able to enjoy their food for many years to come.

Wow, these guys are serious about their food, it was absolutely outstanding, so full of flavor, the meat cooked to perfection. I was starving and just the generous main filled me up, I needed time before the desert which was delicious too. And their "shake" (can't remember what it's called) was a relly pleasant surprise. My first time to the city and I'm so glad I came here, Refa is just as good if not better than my 2 favorite curry houses in Southampton. It's a shame I live 70 miles away.

I used to frequent this restaurant over 20 years ago and thought I would try whilst in the area. I was not disappointed. The restaurant is as good as ever! From the moment we entered the restaurant, the staff were welcoming, friendly and professional. The food was so flavoursome and plentiful and so reasonably priced. I cannot recommend Refa highly enough. Superb!

The 4 of us had an absolutely amazing meal here last night (24/09/24). From friendly and helpful staff to the fantastic food, I couldn’t fault anything. Will definitely be returning and wouldn’t hesitate to to recommend to anyone else.

Probably the biggest and nice restaurant among Melksham, Chippenham and other surrounding areas. The owner and employees are cordial enough to make you comfortable. I really couldn’t find any item which is not tasty. It's delicious and affordable.

Had a lovely meal here as always - lovely food and lovely staff. Highly recommend a visit if you are visiting the Melksham area.

Friendly staff yummy food what more could you ask for

I went for my 60th birthday Sept 10th. The food was amazing. The service was amazing. Great food great value.

Tasty fresh food, huge portions at reasonable prices. Was greeted by and looked after brilliantly by Hamza who was cheerful & attentive, and really friendly and helpful - suggesting places to visit in the area, as we are on holiday here. Highly recommended. Thank you.:)

Very enjoyable food all around with plenty of choice to suit your taste and dietary requirements. A nice friendly atmosphere where you can sit and eat in comfort. Highly recommend to anyone who has yet to experience the Refa. Also, their Onion bargees are one of the best starter dishes to wet your appetite.

Brilliant food, service and very friendly!

Always so polite and friendly.The food is fantastic as always. Thank you all.👍

Wow. What can I say. Not a lot after trying their recommended new dish. I like hot. This wasn’t vindaloo or madras. More somewhere in the middle. The tika lamb was as tender as I’ve ever had. And the sauce grew with the more I ate. A ginger beer (Ice cold) was a welcome addition to the table. Oooh it was so nice. What I couldn’t finish was boxed up for take away. It was mostly the rice. Dessert was the chocolate boulle which was a cooling refreshment to ease the fire that was in my mouth. We have had take away from here a few times and always commented “we should book in”. Well tonight we dined well. Will most definitely return and recommend for those liking a traditional Indian cuisine. Bring your own alcohol if that’s your thing. The staff were so polite to everybody that came and went. Nothing seemed too much trouble. Will be seeing you again Hamza.

Stayed over in Melksham for business Really fancied an Indian meal. So glad we chose this place, what a gem! Great staff , lovely food and the best side dishes we have ever had.

This is not my first experience here and definitely won’t be my last! Whether dinning in or getting takeout you won’t be disappointed. The food is second to none and the service is outstanding. The friendly and welcoming staff can’t do enough for you. Thank you so much 😊 Wendy & Kim.

Absolutely first class service last night when I went to a Special Birthday celebration at Refa Melksham . The staff are amazing the atmosphere is so fabulous with great lighting and the food was wonderful. Thank you Refa 🙏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Went here for my sister in laws birthday meal. I loved it that much that I went again a couple of days later with my partner and my mum. Both experiences were amazing. The service was very warm and welcoming. The food looked and tasted amazing. It’s very clean and tidy. The toilet facilities were impressively clean too. We will definitely be going back to try out more of their menu. I will recommend them in the future. From one very happy customer. Wendy x

Had a takeaway delivery from this restaurant and it was one of the best Indian meals we have had for a long time thank you Refa

Lovely food and really clean environment. Would recommend to everyone.

First time visiting Refa Tandoori, absolutely fantastic customer service from all members of staff, especially Hansa (apologies if I have got the name wrong!) brilliant food and atmosphere, would highly recommend anyone trying this place!!

What a great experience at the Refa Tandoori. Food and service was exceptional. Will 100% be coming back!

What an amazing Indian restaurant! Staff super friendly and knowledgeable Great decor and ambiance The food was delicious and the portions HUGE And brilliant value for money especially as BYO One person in our group is gluten intolerant but the chef was able to cover this, including popadoms and bargees Can not rate this place high enough

Fantastic food. Quality service. Love your work

We shared our sons 18th birthday here last week. The staff were amazing. So friendly and accommodating. Had some young children with us but it was no problem. They couldn't do enough for us. AND ........the food was stunning. So fresh and mega quick service. I had a jalfrezi and my mouth is still watering. Thank you for having us Refa Tandoori. We loved it.

I was staying at the Travelodge for work and I was craving for a decent curry. I ordered a Takeaway from there after seeing positive Google reviews and I must say it lived up to my EXPECTATIONS. The food and service was 10/10, I Would definitely recommended people to try this place out.

Visited Refa Tandoori yesterday evening what a treat. The staff were lovely very friendly and chatty. The food was exceptional, I have never had such a fabulous Sagh Aloo. Every dish was delicious. The restaurant is well appointed, comfortable seating and very clean. The toilets were immaculate. Highly recommend if you are able, do have a meal at Refa Tandoori.

Great restaurant. Food was delicious, atmosphere chilled and absolutely lovely staff, so charming and attentive, but no rush to eat. Totally recommend.

Very good, well worth the effort to get there

My wife my family and friends all had a really great time last night in the Reefa Tandoori Melksham market place celebrating my birthday 🎉 Great food, great service and bring your own alcoholic drink, soft drink is supplied by the restaurant.

1st time in the restaurant for around 8 years, but the Refa is still doing the most awesome currys in the area 👏

Brilliant standard as always. Lovely food with an extensive menu. Went for a friends birthday all very happy.

Great service and friendly staff, The atmosphere was relaxing. The food was spot on freshly cooked and just how I like it. Would recommend every time.

Friendly waiters who were working flat out. Delicious food. Will be back.

We visited The Refa Tandoori for our sons birthday and were not left disappointed. The staff were really helpful with food selection and when the food arrived it was hot plentiful and amazingly tasty. It offers decent value for money, and you're allowed to bring your own drinks. I'm definitely visiting again ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My family and I had a lovely meal at the Refa Tandoori,

I came to see the worker Mohammed shah but ended up staying for the beautiful food

Food is good, you need to tell them the spice level as per your taste

Delicious food. busy time Service 10 out of 10

Food was gorgeous and hot. Service a little slow at times. Friendly helpful staff.

Worst indian takeaway i have had in my life

Really great food I have always used takeaway bit decided to eat in foods even better and more spicy when you eat in, you can bring your own alcohol which is a bonus so not making the evening too expensive,

One meal from our takeaway ruined the evening as the worst parts of the chicken (fatty neve/grizzle) how can any so called chef think that putting the bits of chicken normally saved for the bin onto a main course. It’s a shame because other parts of the takeaway were ok. Sadly I will never use or refer the Refa tandoori to anyone again! This was our first time ordering for over 5 yrs due to the last takeaway falling short. We had hoped it had changed but afraid not!!

Website says closed at 10:00 came in to order a takeaway at 9:40 to be told that they are closed and they won't take my order by a scruffy bloke who works in the kitchen not the front of house staff who should be speaking with me. they took my order in the end I should have walked out because the kitchen staff was so rude talking to me. they have gone down hill rude staff and the nan bread was black and burnt solid. I told the front of house staff about the rude behaviour of the kitchen staff but he didn't seem interested. Won't be using them again manners cost nothing keep kitchen staff out back if they have no people skills because he's lost you a customer

First time tried Refa and honestly THE BEST takeaway I've ever had!! Absolutely amazing!!

Phone to book. No online booking. Kept waiting when we arrived. Grubby menus. Tasteless food. Cheap and BYO was a bonus Will not be revisiting.

Food took over an hour to be served. Seemed to be prioritising takeaways over people eating in the restaurant. When it finally arrived it was pretty disappointing. Chicken tikka masala was bland, fluorescent red and the chicken was a weird texture. Won't be coming again.

Just had the most amazing, tasty,beautiful aromatic curry,lovely delivery driver highly recommended 👌

Probably the best Indian meal ever!

Very few restaurants seemed to be open on a Tuesday evening in this part of the country so we were pleased to to see REFA was open. Onnenteringnwe had a friendly greeting and were seated away from exisitng diners to give us privacy. The staff were immaculately turned out and very polite and welcoming, the restaurant itself was spotlessly clean. We ordered drinks and they came quickly as did our main meal soon after. Quite simply it was the best curry I think I've ever eaten. I had Korai chicken tikka and it was tasty, beautiful chicken, full of flavour and fresh, I just couldn't fault it. Sadly Refa is a long way from where we live otherwise this would be our go to restaurant for good, it's just fantastic beginning to end!

Fantastic food at a very friendly restaurant in a lovely town. Very well looked after and reasonably priced

Absolutely love this place .Fablous food and great service not to expensive either.Would highly recommend

100% worthy...best in the town.. Food was absolutely delicious..

The service and food were excellent last night. Poppadoms crispy, not a speck of oil absolutely gorgeous chutneys. My lamb roghan Josh was delicious, lots of fresh tomato and perfectly spiced. Highly recommended.

Good food/great service/friends staff. Would recommend.

4 bits of meat in dish , tasteless sauce undercooked bread , wouldn’t go back at gunpoint !

Food is usually excellent but our recent experiences of service have been poor. Wrong order last time & long wait this time. Hopefully this will get back to the usual service standard soon 🤞🤞

Waited over 2 hours for our food, had to keep asking for service, e.g. for drinks over 1/2 hoir after we arrived and poppadoms, then again for starters and mains, staff tipped a bottle of coca cola down my daughter back did apologise and help wipe it up, the staff were running round appearing to be for take away orders, 2 staff behind counter answering phones for take away orders and not interested in customers in the restaurant, had to ask for the bill 3 times and was not interested in compensating the long waits or the fact they tipped a drink all down my daughter's back just kept saying we are busy, in my opinion if you got a restaurant gull of customers most complaining about the wait on service and food then they should shut off the phones for take away orders even the delivery guys were complaining about the wait for the orders, the food was good when finally arrived but customer service was absolutely appalling wont be going back in a hurry

Went with a large group for a birthday, food was good, coped well with large group order, service good and very helpful. Good value.

Used to eat here quite a lot before it was refurbished, when it was run by the family and always had a good evening and a yummy meal, so booked on a Saturday night for 8:15pm, for 6, when we arrived we found our table had been double booked but this was sorted. Thank you. Once seated a dark haired waitress stormed over and demanded to know if we had booked a table, then went to double check??????? We asked for some glasses as we had brought our own wine - as advertised, was told they didn't have any but no other options turned up, a good time later asked again, the same answer. Finally got some which were practically thrown at us. Had to ask for our order to b taken, the Manager had to take it as when he asked the dark haired waitress, I could see she gave him a mouthful at the front counter, she didn't look as though she was busy????. We finally got our food at 10pm, after about an hour or so, which was mediocre...we were starving. At 10:30 we got our bill practically thrown at us by the waitress, as they wanted to go home, so couldn't have had pudding even if we wanted to. They seemed to be looking after their regulars rather than new business. Wouldn't go back to there even for takeaway. Beware.

Had a big birthday meal here last year and the staff were awesome. The food was incredible too. Highly recommend for eat in or take away! Onion bhargi 110%

Best Indian in town! Never disappoints really attentive staff, and soft napkins

Food took to long 10pm to late to eat

Best Indian in Melksham! Large party in on the night we visited but staff were attentive and active. Pushed food out as quick as possible. BYOB is a great style too. No worrying about drinks. Top guys

Always a first class experience.

didn’t really know much about melkshams indians but decided to go here because it was 4.5 rating, later realised the good reviews were from a while ago. got the chicken passanda and honestly did not taste indian at all, was meant to be a curry and the sauce just tasted like a mixture of mayo and burger sauce, really disappointed considering i spend £20 on my meal just for myself.

Food taste was lost with overuse of garlic.

Work Christmas get-together. Lovely food, good service, and friendly staff. What more could you ask for?

Bangla style food Nice location - okay ambience - food was ok- kulfi ice cream was tasty Appreciate the variety on menu

Enjoyed my recent visit to this Indian restaurant in a Wednesday evening, bonus being bring your own. They offer a meal deal on Wednesday for around £20 a person. The chicken chat to start was lovely, fresh and meat very moist. Nice to speak to the owner and son making sure everting was good.

Bang average, not much flavour sadly!

First time using this restaurant.. lovely tasty hot food.. will definitely be using again! Had the chicken tikka vindaloo and chicken tikka butter chicken .. all big portions and not oily .. mopped up with a garlic chilli naan bread 👌🏼

The service was very prompt and friendly, but I'm afraid the food was dismally bland. I don't like super-hot curries, but several dishes had no flavour at all, let alone any heat. Maybe we just caught them on a bad night, given the other reviews here.

Convenient location, nice manager etc but meat not cooked enough simple as that so be wary ......

They were rushed off their feet at 7pm on Saturday when we arrived, and it stayed that way all the time we were there. The chap who seemed to be in charge (and working very hard) was apologetic and did his best to keep us happy, and we were. However me and another of the group had the chicken dhansak, and while they nailed the hot, the sweet and sour seemed to be missing. And my wife had the chicken malaber, which I tried a bit of, and we agreed that it didn't live up to the menu's description. Seemed quite plain. So nothing bad, just a bit disappointing. Might try again when they're less busy. The bring-your-own booze makes it good value; definitely approve of that :)

Super delicious food And very lovely service !

Absolutely brilliant service and food. Six of us tonight for a family gathering. A wonderful time had by all. (Two of us will be back on Saturday.)

Great you can take own alcohol 👍

yummy, well priced food. very kind and friendly staff and quick service. dine in and takeaway both perfect every time

Reefa always gives attentive, friendly service and very good food. They don't serve alcohol but you are welcome to bring your own and Reefa supply glasses. Soft drinks are available. The menu is extensive with all the usual and excellent Chef's Specials. I highly recommend Reefa Tandoori.

Food was okay, ate here twice now and the curries seem to taste quite bland.

Having a change of plans, and at risk of not having any dinner, we took the advice of our taxi driver and had a takeway from The Refa. Best advice we'd had all week. The food was prepared promptly, and all the standard Indian restaurant meals were present on the menu. As it was late I didn't order from the Chef's specials but if we return, we will make time to explore this part of the menu more. Generous portions meant we had plenty of leftovers for a second meal the following day - and true to form, the overnight rest helped develop the flavours even more. The food was tasty without the reliance on chilli spices which some lesser restaurants use to hide their lack of subtle flavours, or to pass off the same sauce as different recipes. Here each dish tasted like its description, without any hint that it had all come from the same pot. The staff were friendly and helpful - and the decor was upmarket and modern. Next time perhaps we'll eat in.

Fabulous service food fantastic and the staff wonderful

8 friends went to Melkhams for the weekend and decided to try out the local Indian restaurant. We really wished we hadn’t, the food was terrible, tasteless. We had their special Bangali chicken which was just boiled chicken pieces places in a milk/cream sauce with a totally bland taste. There were no spices at all. Even the tarka daal was just boiled daal with no spices. We paid over £200 for our meal and was the worst value for money. Be careful if you want authentic india food since this is not it.

My favourite Indian Restaurant in Melksham if not the whole local area. Service is always top notch and the food is amazing! You can also take your own drinks if you want to eat in which is a bonus.

Very good food and value for money, staff are lovely

Went here recently with my husband , the meal was absolutely First class , we both enjoyed our food and will definitely come here again. The staff couldn't do enough for you and didn't have to wait too long for the food to arrive. Would definitely recommend 👌 👍

Excellent food and friendly service.

Just had a takeaway from here for the first time. Dish I was looking at was listed as 'sweet and sour' so I asked if it was similar to a dhansak. The guy said yes so I ordered it and it was horrible. Nothing like the depth of flavour of a dhansak but more like a Chinese style sweet and sour. Didn't even get half way through. I'm guessing the guy didn't know what a dhansak tastes like. Wouldn't go there again and it was pricey to boot fort what it was.

Good tasting food polite service even on a very busy night, 11 on our table and all the food arrived correct and hot,

My order was fine but the Pasanda was too rich and creamy for my wife.

We had an overnight stop-over en-route to Devon. We chose Melksham for convenience. We noticed that opposite our hotel was an Indian Restaurant and decided to give it a try without really having too much expectation of a small town Indian local. What a surprise. We happened in on a special Wednesday night which consisted of starter, main, side and rice/nan. Every course was delicious. Great quality and much more authentic than the average indian restaurant. This place was exceptional, with great service at reasonable prices. It really is worth going to if you are in the area and love Indian food.

Fantastic takeaway from the Refa on a Friday. The food was delicious & hot, & ready for me to collect on my way home from work, which was perfect timing. By far the best Indian in Melksham. Never had a bad experience with either takeaway or sit down. Would highly recommend.

Excellent food. Great curries, tasty side dishes and lemon rice that another of our party ordered was fantastic. Very full at the end of a delightful meal though disappointed that I couldn't manage more of everyone else's leftovers.

Amazing food Amazing staff. Plus you can bring your own alcohol. Can't go wrong been my local for many years now. Thank you for your fantastic service.

Amazing hospitality by the Restaurant owner and the staff. We are Visiting the town and we ordered some takeaway from Refa Tandoori and food was amazing and very generous portion. We highly recommend this restaurant.

Top quality food and top notch service! A real family feel to the whole dining experience with a touch of class and elegance. Will definitely be visiting again when I'm in the area!

Excellent customer service and food. I would definitely recommend this place

Whilst visiting family in Melksham we decided to order a takeaway curry from Reefa Tandoori. We were very disappointed with the flavourless curries provided. My husband said it was just like gravy and mostly onions with chicken that looked like lamb. They charge high prices for takeaway food and I wish we had stuck to our original plan of dining at a local pub.

Such friendly waiters, delicious food. Thank you