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Has it really been ten years since Navadhanya first opened its doors? 😱

I remember visiting when it first opened a decade ago. Their offering of contemporary Indian fine dining was something never seen before in Cambridge and it completely challenged my preconceptions of what Indian food can be. It was a million miles away from the Saturday night curry we all know and love. By taking us on a journey through their tasting menu, it showcased much of what India had to offer. Back then, I gave it full marks and this was an opinion shared by everyone I spoke with. From then on, Navadhanya quickly gained a sterling reputation throughout the culinary circuit, which it has managed to hold onto ever since.

Since opening, Navadhanya has become a restaurant very close to my heart. My wife and I visited for our second date and we returned again for our anniversary. We keep coming back because we know that we are guaranteed a flawless evening, with excellent service, and food that frequently surprises us (it also has a super-dooper romantic atmosphere!).

Navadhanya used to be located at the old ‘Bird In Hand’ pub across the road. Since moving, it is now in a much better location. There is free parking out the front after 18:30 and the venue is much larger (which was probably my only complaint about the last venue). Instead of an old English pub, the new place feels very much like a contemporary Indian restaurant with its own style and identity. It is noticeably more atmospheric, with a warmth that wasn’t present in the old restaurant.

The 7 course tasting menu comes with meat or vegetarian options for £55pp, with a flight of wine on offer for £20.90. People familiar with fine dining will tell you that this is exceptional value.

1st course

The first course was three starter dishes all-in-one, called the ‘Indian classics journey’. This was beautifully presented on a giant leaf.

What I love about Navadhanya is the brief description of each dish upon arrival. This was a culinary journey and our waiter was our guide. This gave us useful and reassuring insight into each dish and helped explain some of the more complex characteristics of each dish not found on the menu.

The ‘mango and passion fruit pani puri’ offered a refreshing take on one of my favourite Indian dishes. Originally being a street food dish, I have never seen the pani puri in a fine dining setting and it made me curious to find out how it differed from others. Everything from the crispy shell to the presentation was executed with precision but it was the mango and passionfruit that gave it a refreshing vitality and sweetness that made it stand out. I have never had anything like it and it really worked.

The butter chicken samosa was very ordinary in appearance but really took me by surprise with its indulgent buttery flavour. I should have known better than to doubt Navadhanya! 

The ‘paddu with cashew coconut chutney’ was a delightful addition to the trio. Both my guest and I are big fans of coconut which worked well with the delicate flavour of the cashew. It had a soft fluffy texture that was light enough to not fill us up too much before the bigger courses came out but had a complex enough flavour to get our taste buds warmed up and ready for what we were about to experience. You could tell that a lot of thought had gone into everything, including the order of the dishes.

2nd course

Next, was the ‘pav slider’. This is made from duck shami kebab, tartlet shell, date molasses and a crowned baked bun. It came presented in a box of wheat on a similar green leaf seen on the first course.

This was another favourite of mine and was surprisingly large for a dish that is often associated as being an appetiser. The crowned baked bun was sweet and soft with the tartlet shell underneath adding a satisfying crunch. It was a little crumbly (so, watch out) but this didn’t take away from the experience. The duck was incredibly tender and had a mix of spices that added a lovely flavour.

3rd course

The ‘yoghurt chat’ was one of the highlights of the evening. I really enjoyed the strawberry and pomegranate salsa but it was the crispy potato nest on top that really gave it a satisfying crunch. The mint and avocado chutney was an unusual choice that I would never have picked myself but it complimented the yogurt well. I particularly enjoyed the creamy avocado base and refreshing hint of mint that followed the initial sweetness of the chutney. This is a classic example of how Navadhanya constantly surprises you and takes you in a direction you wouldn’t otherwise assume.

4th course

Fish can struggle to excite me but Navadhanya’s tawa halibut blew me away.

It came with a jar of clam moilee curry sauce to pour over the fish. The flavours of the sauce are invigorating, while also making sure it was not remotely dry. The fish had a lovely crispy skin and despite appearing small it was surprisingly meaty.  Saffron and cumin potatoes added some fun colour and diversified the flavour options depending on your mood, while the pickled tomatoes added a real vinegary punch.

5th course

We were offered a pallet cleanser to reset our taste buds and take a short break from the savoury dishes with something lighter and sweeter. This came in the form of a guava and chilli sorbet. The guava offered a sweet and slightly tangy flavour as you would expect from a type of tropical fruit. The presentation was basic and I struggled to taste much chilli but it set out exactly what it meant to do. This was just as well as I wasn’t prepared for what was coming next 🤣

6th course

The centerpiece of the evening was something called the ‘taste of lamb’. This was the biggest and most extravagant course on the menu, which could have been classed as an entire meal in its own right. I know some people with larger appetites worry about being left hungry in fine dining restaurant but with a course like this, you needn’t worry.

It came with a lamb chop kebab, a bowl of nihari sauce, a biryani and some paratha.

The lamb chop kebab was well cooked with a slight pinking in the middle. It was tender but not to the point where it falls to pieces. It had a robustness to it that reminded me that I was eating a cut of meat rather than an overly tenderised dollop. It cut beautifully and had a juicy flavour that will charm anyone who appreciates a good lamb.

The lamb was accompanied by a pot of biryani and came with a side of nihari sauce. The biryani was soft and full of flavour but the rich thickness of the nihari sauce is really what brought it to life. This is a thick meat stew (I want to say lamb?) added a spicy meat flavour that also went great with the paratha for dipping.

7th course

By this point we were feeling full but as we all know, there is always room for dessert. We ended the evening with something called ‘Rasmalai Entremet’. This dish consists of a rasmalai mousse, rabri cremeux, pistachio and cardamom and topped off with a chocolate and a saffron glaze. This came with a sprinkle of berries, ranging from raspberry, blackberry, and strawberry.

It was tastefully decorated with an edible butterfly that added a nice touch of flare (I think it was edible – I mean, I ate it? 🤷‍♂️). The butterfly, to me, symbolised the delicate balance of flavours that built up to create something striking and beautiful with the dishes we sampled this evening.

The rabri is a popular north Indian dessert that has a thick creamy base. The rasmalai mousse added some bright colour and a sweet flavour to the dessert. It was a great sign off to the 7 courses we had this evening, that felt light enough to enjoy after such a feast, without lacking substance. A truly refreshing, delicious, and balanced dish.

Conclusion

Navadhanya charmed me again with yet another evening of delicacy and delight. Each dish was different and intriguing, while showcasing us what Indian cuisine can be. You will appreciate the taster menu whether you are a fan of fine dining or after a typical curry, as it has (and is a mix of) both. Better still, Navadhanya offers great value, making it a great place to sample the best without breaking the bank.

I look forward to the next 10 years, as I am sure when we are here celebrating its 20th birthday, it will still be one of my favourite restaurants in Cambridge.

Thanks for reading