There’s something about stepping into Mowgli Street Food in Cardiff that never fails to charm.
Tucked away on Church Street, just a short stroll from the city’s bustling shopping arcades, this twinkling hideaway has been part of the Cardiff dining scene since 2019. From the moment you walk in beneath strings of fairy lights, past wooden sharing tables and playful swing seats, you’re transported somewhere warmer, livelier and more soulful.
Mowgli has always been about more than food, it’s about capturing the essence of an Indian home kitchen, alive with generosity, bustle and joy. So when news broke that founder Nisha Katona MBE had created a brand-new autumn menu, we couldn’t resist heading along to try it for ourselves.
The new menu is designed with darker nights in mind, bringing comfort and celebration to the table with dishes that warm you from the inside out. But one of the things we love most about Mowgli is how it balances fresh ideas with old favourites. The new dishes bring excitement, but the classics, the ones that first made you fall in love with the brand are still firmly in place and just as delicious.
We began with the Yogurt Chat Bombs (£6), which had been recommended to us by the team as a must-try, especially for first-timers. They’re a Mowgli signature and quite the experience. These delicate, crisp spheres come filled with chickpeas, spiced yoghurt, tamarind, coriander and topped with a bright pomegranate seed. You pop one whole into your mouth and it bursts with flavour – tangy, creamy, sweet and spicy all at once. It’s the sort of dish that leaves you speechless for a moment.
Next came Maa’s Lamb Chops with Fenugreek Kissed Fries (£13.50) followed, and these were another highlight. The chops, marinated in an aromatic spiced yoghurt with ginger and garlic, were tender and deeply spiced. Served alongside a tomatoe chutney for freshness, the dish also comes with a portion of fenugreek fries. Golden, crisp and seasoned with earthy fenugreek added an extra dimension. Hearty and indulgent, it’s the sort of plate you plan to share but secretly want to keep to yourself.
Vegetarians will be pleased with the Mowgli Black Dahlia (£7), which quickly won us over as the ultimate comfort food dish. Velvety black lentils are simmered with bright spices, tangy tomatoes, ginger and garlic, before being finished with cream for richness. It’s soothing, full of depth and exactly the sort of dish you want on a chilly autumn night.
We also ordered the Garlic and Coriander Paratha (£4.60). Simple but perfect, it was soft and flaky, fragrant with garlic and herbs, and ideal for dunking into curries. On the side, we added a portion of Mowgli Basmati Rice (£3.90), steamed with cracked cumin seed, which paired perfectly with the Mother Butter Chicken and the Mowgli Black Dahl.
Alongside it, the Mowgli Chicken Biryani (£16) arrived and this for us, was the standout of the evening. A traditional dish of fragrant spiced rice and tender chicken, served with miniature poppadoms for a satisfying crunch, it had everything you want in a one-pot meal. Even better, it came with yoghurt on the side, perfect for those who prefer a gentler spice. Comforting, fragrant and moreish, it was probably our favourite dish of all.
Of course, we couldn’t leave without revisiting one of Mowgli’s icons: the Mother Butter Chicken(£10). Rich, creamy and deeply indulgent, it’s a reminder of why some dishes are destined to stay on the menu forever.
That balance of new discoveries alongside familiar comforts is what makes dining at Mowgli such a joy. Dishes arrive as they’re ready, filling the table with plates that can be shared (or not), and that sense of generosity makes the whole experience feel wonderfully sociable. You find yourself passing dishes back and forth, trying a little of everything, and going back for just one more bite of your favourite. It’s how meals should be: shared, relaxed and joyful.
It also means that every visit feels fresh, no matter how many times you go. Sometimes you’ll order Tamarind Treacle Fries, other times Gunpowder Chicken or Temple Dahl, but you never eat in quite the same way twice. It creates a kind of tastebud amnesia, where even familiar dishes feel like new discoveries and it never gets old.
A big part of that warmth comes not only from the food but also from the people. On our visit, manager Miguel and the team couldn’t do enough for us. Friendly, attentive and clearly passionate about the food they serve, they made the experience feel extra special from start to finish.
Speaking about the autumn menu, founder Nisha Katona explained:
“The food I create for Mowgli is always about authenticity, the dishes Indians eat in their homes and on their streets, full of taste, life and soul. This autumn, I wanted to bring a sense of comfort and celebration to the table, with dishes like Lamb Bunny Chow and Diwali Cauliflower that warm you from the inside out. Whether you’re sharing plates with friends under our fairy lights or finding the solace of a bowl of Black Dahl on a chilly evening, these are dishes that bring joy.”
Since opening its first site in Liverpool in 2014, Mowgli has grown into a national favourite with 27 restaurants across the UK. In Cardiff, it has become a firm fixture – the kind of place people go not just to eat, but to celebrate, reconnect and share. Beyond the food, the brand is also known for its values, having donated over £2.6 million to local and global causes through The Mowgli Trust, and for being named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work three years running.
The new autumn menu captures everything that makes Mowgli special. From indulgent comfort dishes like the Black Dahlia to vibrant new plates such as Diwali Cauliflower, and the ever-faithful Mother Butter Chicken, it’s a line-up that feels both celebratory and comforting. Whether you’re a long-time fan or walking through the fairy-lit doors for the first time, it’s a menu that invites you to share, savour and enjoy.
Mowgli’s autumn menu is now available at all 27 restaurants across the UK, including Cardiff. To see the full menu or to book a table, visit www.mowglistreetfood.com.
