“ad” – Why is this here?

Every time I walk through the doors of the Taj Tandoori on Cherry Hinton Road, I feel like I am coming home. I have been visiting this place for over a decade now, and I have watched it transform from a humble, basic curry house into one of the most stylish and atmospheric restaurants in Cambridge.

But it isn’t just the stunning interior and the warm friendly welcome I always get, it is the innovative menu that is constantly transforming and pushing the boundaries of what they call Pan Asian cuisine. I simply cannot keep away!

Starters

We started the afternoon with an off-the-menu surprise: a fish cake that was light, flaky, and perfectly seasoned. It is always worth asking the team if there are any specials on the go, as Jools – who is an award-winning chef for his famous Mackerel 3 Ways dish – is constantly experimenting in the kitchen.

Eggsplosion!

Next up was the Hash Eggsplosion. This is a must-try starter for anyone visiting, featuring an in-house hash brown with a perfectly runny egg yolk hidden inside, sat on a bed of saag bhaji and topped with their signature chillinaise. The moment you break into that crispy shell and the yolk oozes out into the spinach, you know you are in for a good time, and good times were had indeed! It is the stuff of dreams and easily one of the most creative uses of a hash brown I have ever seen.

Shamee Burger

Their iconic Shamee burger has gone through some changes since my last visit. Previously, it was stacked so tall that you would need to unhinge your jaw to take a bite, and it almost always resulted in a right mess. Despite this, it has held a high spot on my burger league table for some time for its flavour and creativity. This latest reinvention, however, feels much more grounded and balanced, and I actually really enjoyed these changes as they made the burger feel far more practical to eat. Even though it might have lost a little bit of its previous grandeur in terms of height, it still offers something entirely unique that you won’t find anywhere else in Cambridge. By using ingredients like grilled paneer, a ghee-toasted brioche bun, and an onion bhaji, it remains a glorious masterpiece that delivers a massive depth of flavour and complex textures. The fresh salad inside provides a crunch that completes a burger that simply has it all without falling apart in your hands.

Bangladeshi Sunday Roast

We couldn’t visit without having one of their Lamb Sunday Roasts, which is served on Sundays. This is where the Taj truly shows off its innovation and creative thinking with a Bangladeshi fusion of the classic British roast. This is exactly the sort of thing that being a foodie is all about and I challenge you to find anything else like it in the city!

You get a generous slab of tandoori roasted lamb shoulder that is so soft it practically falls to pieces. You can really taste the herbs coming through, which hit you with that nostalgic roast lamb and rosemary flavour. It takes you right back to a traditional roast dinner as a child, essentially keeping the heart of a classic roast despite the dish being fresh and exciting.

When you mix that tender meat with the spicy gravy, it essentially combines into a rich lamb curry right there on your plate. You get a choice of regular or spicy gravy; naturally, I picked the spicy version. It was a fair portion that was just about enough for the large block of lamb and that giant Yorkie. It has the thickness and texture of a curry sauce with a milder flavour that really brings the dish to life. It is an exciting, unique take on a tradition that can often be a bit beige elsewhere, but here it is vibrant, full of life, and right up my street!

It is served with cumin and coriander infused roast potatoes and a paneer and nigella Yorkshire pudding. The spices are bold while still feeling balanced enough to prevent the dish feeling gimmicky. The Yorkshire pudding was large and soft, with the ghee offering an almost buttery texture while still managing to be crispy on the edges. The Kashmiri chilli glazed carrots were another highlight; soft and sweet with the chillies offering a delicate warmth. What I really appreciated was that although every vegetable on the plate had its own unique twist and flavour profile, they weren’t so loud that they overshadowed the rest of the meal. They played their part perfectly, allowing the rich lamb and that incredible spicy gravy to keep centre stage where they belong. It is a level of balance that prevents the plate from becoming overwhelming and ensures it still eats like a comforting Sunday roast.

BYOB & Chai

One of my favourite things about the Taj is its long-standing BYOB policy. This allows you to bring your own alcohol and drink it on site, saving you from the oppressive prices of a pint often served around Cambridge. It also allows you to pick a drink that isn’t limited to a set menu, so if you enjoy a very particular wine or a specific favourite beer, you can have exactly what you want while shaving a good amount off your final bill.

Despite the temptation of a beer, I decided to order a masala chai to finish. Thick, creamy, and aromatic, this was a perfect end to a rather heavy lunch and a great way to sit back and soak in the atmosphere.

Sweet treats

But before I left I couldn’t help but partake in a cheeky dessert. I was recommended a beautifully presented and incredibly vibrant pistachio and almond crumble. This is apparently a traditional speciality which the staff team claims is exclusive to the Taj Tandoori.

The warm crumble and raspberry jam offered a lovely contrast to the cool raspberry ice cream, making it feel incredibly refreshing. What really tied it all together was the cardamom-infused custard, which added a creaminess that worked so well with the textures on the plate. It was a sophisticated finish that managed to be sweet and satisfying without being too heavy after such an extravagant dining experience.

For the foodies

The Taj Tandoori remains one of my absolute favourite restaurants in Cambridge for a reason. Whether you are there for the award-winning talent of Chef Jools or the incredible hospitality from the team that make me feel so at home, you are guaranteed a meal that pushes boundaries without losing its soul. It is rare to find a place that can master such a high level of food innovation while still making you feel like you are sitting down to a comforting, home-cooked meal.

The Sunday roast is a perfect example of this balance – exciting, unique, and a massive win for the Cambridge food scene. It is a hard act to pull off, but the Taj manages it with a level of consistency that keeps me coming back year after year. Combined with their long-standing BYOB policy, it is easily one of the best value and most interesting dining experiences in the city. If you are stuck in a bit of a food rut and fancy something that will genuinely surprise your palate, get your arse down to Cherry Hinton Road and see why I call this place home.

I’ll be back again soon – after all, you can’t stay away from home for too long!

Thanks for reading!