It has been over three years since my last visit at the Shilpa in Papworth Everard. I remember the last time I was here back in late 2022, the place was absolutely electric celebrating their BCA Restaurant of the Year award. I even featured their signature Butter Chicken in my “The Best Indian Food in Cambridge” list back in 2023. I’ve passed it countless times on my travels since then, and with the Easter break in full swing, I decided it was time to see if they were still hitting those award-winning heights.

For those who don’t know, the Shilpa sits in a great spot with ample parking, which is always a massive plus for me. There is nothing worse than starting a meal stressed about where to leave the car 🤣

The restaurant has a minimalist and stylish traditional feel. It sets itself up as a more sophisticated, high-end Indian rather than a cosy local, which did set my expectations to be a little pricier than your typical Indian but with the inevitable quality that follows.

The team here were highly attentive, friendly, and formal, providing a professional level of service that matched the decor. It is a clean, polished setup that clearly aims for a more refined dining experience.

Papadums

We started, as always, with the popadoms and four sauces. The onion salad was a highlight of the four – beautifully prepared and finely chopped with cucumber, tomato, and red onion. The mango chutney was smooth and sweet, and the yogurt was mild and thin. However, we hit a bit of a controversy with the lime pickle. It had been replaced with a thin chilli sauce. While it had a lovely tangy, spicy kick to it that could be compared with mixed/lime pickle, both my wife and I are big lime pickle fans, so we were a bit disappointed to miss out on that traditional hit.

Rosemary Lamb Chilli

For the main event, I decided to stray from the famous Butter Chicken and try the Rosemary Lamb Chilli. It was a Sunday afternoon and felt almost like a Bangladeshi fusion joint of lamb.

I have to say, the execution was faultless. The lamb was soft and incredibly tender, and the presentation was spot on. However, looking at the menu, my lamb dish was £19, and with the £4 rice which it felt expensive, even by today’s standards. At £23 for a single curry and rice, you expect something special, and while the dish was delicious, the price point is certainly something to consider.

Holding on to traditions

It was great to see a hot towel, an After Eight chocolate, and a couple of lollipops for the kids. With rising costs and overheads, it is very tempting for struggling restaurants to cut these as a cost-saving measure, but not here. It may sound trivial, but I feel it is the little details like this that set Indian restaurants apart from other types of cuisine. It shows a level of hospitality that you may not get elsewhere.

The Verdict

The award might have been from 2022 but the quality in 2026 is still very much there. It is great to see that the Shilpa’s still got it, producing high-quality fusion dishes that stand out from your average Indian. The execution of that Rosemary Lamb was flawless and was an interesting dish I had never had before, even if the price point is a little on the steep side for a casual meal.

​If you are unsure on the price but still want to explore their menu, then it is worth taking a look at their Shilpa Night Package every Wednesday. For £20 per person, you get a starter, main, side, and rice or naan. Given the price of the a la carte menu, this deal is an absolute result and probably the best way to experience their award-winning cooking without the sophisticated price tag.

If you find yourself near Papworth, do yourself a favour and pop in – just maybe check the calendar for a Wednesday to get the best bang for your buck!

​Thanks for reading.