Purple Poppadom is a contemporary Indian restaurant on Cowbridge Road East in Cardiff’s Canton neighbourhood. The dining room brings colour and a sense of occasion to a setting that remains welcoming for lunch as well as dinner. Its approach is rooted in regional Indian cooking and presented with a modern eye.
Spice is used to build aroma, warmth and contrast rather than simply heat. Curries, grilled dishes and vegetable preparations draw on different parts of India, with fresh ingredients and carefully layered sauces at the centre. Seafood, lamb, chicken, paneer and seasonal vegetables give the menu a broad range of textures and flavours.
A discovery tasting menu provides a guided route through the kitchen, while the weekend set menu and weekday thalis offer more concise choices. The thali brings a starter, curry, vegetable, rice, bread and poppadom together on one plate. Vegetarian and vegan versions are available, and staff can advise on allergens and suitable alternatives.
Wine, beer, spirits and non alcoholic drinks are chosen to work alongside the food’s spice and richness. Desserts bring fruit, dairy and aromatic ingredients into lighter conclusions after the savoury courses. Purple Poppadom combines recognisable Indian hospitality with creative presentation, giving diners several ways to explore the menu without losing its regional foundations.
Address: 185A Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AJ, United Kingdom
Purple Poppadom Menu
Starters
A LA CARTE
Sheekh Kebab
Lamb mince with fragrant spices and cooked in the tandoor. Dietary Requirements: D
The Streets of Mumbai
Aloo Tikki – potato cake served on a bed of spiced chickpeas | Bombay Chat – pop-in-the mouth semolina pastry snack filled with yoghurt and homemade chutney, topped with gram flour vermicelli | Tangy Puffed Rice Salad with tamarind chutney. Dietary Requirements: D, G
Vegetable Variations
Delicately spiced mushroom cake | Mirchi Pakoda – Green pepper stuffed with spiced potatoes | Broccoli floret marinated with cheese, finished in tandoor. Dietary Requirements: D, G, M
Paneer
Paneer – Indian cottage cheese, bell peppers marinated with Kashmiri chillies, cooked in tandoor. Dietary Requirements: D
Crab
Crispy soft-shell crab dusted with curry leaves and garlic | A spiced crab cake encased in crispy breadcrumbs. Dietary Requirements: C, G, M
Salmon Duo
Salmon infused with dill leaves and cooked in tandoor | Spice-infused Salmon cake. Dietary Requirements: D,F, G, M
Scallops
Pan-seared Scallops with a moilee sauce of garlic, ginger and coconut milk, topped with shallot and chilli relish. Dietary Requirements: C, D
King Prawns
King Prawn, polichathu masala, finished in the tandoor, served with greens tossed in a moilee sauce of garlic, ginger and coconut milk. Dietary Requirements: C, D
Chicken Connoisseur
A trio of chicken breast: marinated with mint and coriander | Kashniri chillies | creamy cheese. Dietary Requirements: D
Pidi with Tharavu
Duck in a classical Syrian Christian creation – Kottayam style | ‘Pidi’ steamed rice dumplings poached in a spiced coconut sauce topped with Tharavu – cubed duck cooked with spices, Crisp of duck leg confit. Dietary Requirements: M
Keema Pau
Beef mince delicately cooked with aromatic spices, brioche and Quail eggs. Dietary Requirements: D,G
Vegetables
Available as Main Dish | Side Dish. Our vegetarian dishes can be made vegan, except for Dal Makhani. Please request when ordering.
Vegetarian Platter
A delicious mox of dishes: Paneer Lababdar | Saag Khumb | Dal Bhindi, Served with steam rice and naan. Dietary Requirements: V,D,G,M,N
Bhindi
Okra simmered in an aromatic coconut sauce infused with home-made curry powder & pandan leaves, tempered with mustard, shallots and curry leaves. Dietary Requirements: VG,M
Bombay Aloo
New potatoes stir-fried with onions and tomatoes and tempered with cumin seeds. Dietary Requirements: VG
Dal Makhni
Slow-cooked classic black lentils, finished with butter and cream. Dietary Requirements: D
Thoran
Experience our traditional Kerala dish of vegetables tempered with mustard and fresh coconut. Dietary Requirements: VG, M
Subz Kadai
Seasonal vegetables gently tossed with onions, tomatoes, and kadai spices. Dietary Requirements: VG
Chana Masala
Chickpeas cooked with onions, tomatoes, and Chef’s blend of spices. Dietary Requirements: VG
Saag Khumb
Leaf spinach and mushrooms gently sautéed with chillies and garlic. Dietary Requirements: D
Dal Tadka
Yellow lentils tempered with cumin seeds and garlic. Dietary Requirements: D
Vegetable Curry
Seasonal fresh vegetables simmered in an aromatic coconut sauce infused with home-made curry powder & pandan leaves, tempered with mustard, shallots and curry leaves. Dietary Requirements: VG, M
Vegetarian Platter
A delicious mix of dishes: Paneer Lababdar | Saag Khumb| Dal makhni | Bhindi, Served with steamed rice and naan. Dietary Requirements: V, D, G, N
Sides
Saffron Pilav Rice
Dietary Requirements: VG
Raita
Dietary Requirements: V, D
Speciality Bread Basket
Dietary Requirements: V, G, D, N
Lamb Keema Naan
Dietary Requirements: D, G
Laccha Paratha
Dietary Requirements: V, D, G
Tandoori Roti
Dietary Requirements: VG,G
Peshwari Naan
Dietary Requirements: V, D, G, N
Garlic Naan
Dietary Requirements: V, D, G
Mint & Coriander Naan
Dietary Requirements: V, D, G
Plain Naan
Dietary Requirements: V, D, G
Coconut Rice
Dietary Requirements: VG
Steamed Rice
Dietary Requirements: VG
Poppadoms & Chutneys
Dietary Requirements: V,D,M
All Together Now
Indian café-style thalis served Monday to Thursday, 12 noon – 4.45 pm (last orders). Each platter includes a starter, sides, and fixings.
Chicken
Chicken Tikka Salad, Murgh Makhni, Seasonal Vegetable, Steamed Rice, Baby Naan, Poppadom
Lamb
Sheek Kebab, Salad, Lamb Rogan Josh, Seasonal Vegetable, Steamed Rice, Baby Naan, Poppadom
Prawn
Prawn Fry, Salad, Prawn Curry, Seasonal Vegetable, Steamed Rice, Baby Naan, Poppadom
Vegetable
Paneer Tikka, Salad, Paneer Makhni, Seasonal Vegetable, Steamed Rice, Baby Naan, Poppadom
Vegan
Onion Pakora, Mango Chutney, Nadan Vegetable Curry, Seasonal Vegetable, Steamed Rice, Baby Naan, Poppadom
Weekend Set Menu
3-Course Set Menu – served every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, available 12 noon – 4.45 pm (last order 4.45pm). Vegetarian option available. Price: 24.95 per person.
Aloo Tikki
Potato cake served on a bed of spiced chickpeas
Mushroom cake
Chicken Breast marinated with mint and coriander then finished in the tandoor
Prawn Moilee
Tiger Prawns steeped in a moilee sauce of garlic, ginger, and coconut milk
Murgh Labadar
In the Mughlai style of cooking of North India, famous for its rich heartwarming food, tandoori chicken tikka in a spiced onion and tomato sauce
Thoran
Experience our traditional Kerala dish of vegetables tempered with mustard and fresh coconut
Crème Brûlée
Mains
Discover real curry! Reflecting the regional variations of Indian cooking from the mountains of the north, to the coconut fringed backwaters of the coastal south. Dietary legend: (V) = Vegetarian | (VG) = Vegan | (N) = Contains Nuts | (G) = Contains Gluten | (D) = Contains Dairy | (C) = Contains Crustaceans | (F) = Contains Fish | (M) = Contains Mustard | (E) = Contains Egg.
Lamb Chops
Grilled lamb chops, stir-fried greens, roasted new potatoes, dates and aubergine chutney, with its own sauce reduction. Dietary Requirements: D
Tandoori Kebab Platter
Lamb Chop, Paneer Tikka, Chicken Tikka, Sheek Kebab. Dietary Requirements: D
Raan Akbari
A classic dish of slow-braised lamb shank marinated with spices finished in the tandoor, served in its own sauce reduction and roasted potatoes. Dietary Requirements: D
Tiffin Sea Bass
Anand George’s signature dish, commemorating Chef’s winning of the Tiffin Cup 2008 & 2013, for Best South Asian Restaurant in the UK; sea bass, pan-seared and served on a bed of curry leaf infused mashed potato; in a tongue-tickling raw mango, ginger and coconut sauce with beetroot pachadi. Dietary Requirements: D, F, M
Seafood Platter
The stars align with Tandoori Prawn, Tandoori Salmon, Soft Shell Crab, Scallop. Dietary Requirements: C, D, F
Malabar Biryani
Our Biryani is created in the authentic Kerala style, served under a flaky crust, for maximum flavour and tenderness, enhanced by fragrant spices, and accompanied by homemade Raita. Choose from: Chicken Tikka, Lamb, Vegetable, Prawn (C). Dietary Requirements: Please see selection above
Burrata Lababdar
Burrata cheese, served on our classic Lababdar sauce – A Mughlai Delicacy. Dietary Requirements: V, D, N
Paneer Makhani
Indian cottage cheese steeped in a rich tomato sauce flavoured with fenugreek leaves. Dietary Requirements: V, D, N
Prawn
Choice of: Alleppey sauce: A clever blend of raw mango, ginger and coconut Moilee sauce: Garlic and turmeric-infused sauce laced with coconut milk. Dietary Requirements: C
Murgh Makhani
Tandoori chicken tikka in a rich tomato sauce flavoured with fenugreek leaves. Dietary Requirements: D, N
Murgh Lababdar
In the Mughlai style of cooking of North India, famous for its rich heart-warming food, tandoori chicken tikka in a spiced onion and tomato sauce. Dietary Requirements: D, N
Coconut Chicken
Delicious chicken thigh curry with Pandan leaves, shallots, spiked with home-made curry powder, turmeric and coconut milk. Dietary Requirements: M
Lamb Rogan Josh
A classic dish of lamb slow-cooked for ultimate tenderness, in authentic Kashmiri style with onions and spices, finished with fennel seeds and saffron. Dietary Requirements: D
Saag Gosht
A traditional dish from North-Western India – lamb cooked with leaf spinach, onion tomatoes and spices, flavoured with fenugreek leaves. Dietary Requirements: D
Calicut Beef
Beef brisket simmered in a perfect combination of spices and flavours, inspired by street food of Calicut on the Malabar Coast of Kerala. Dietary Requirements:
Discovery – 7-course Chef’s Taster Menu
Seven courses. 65.00 per person. Add 40.00 for matching wines. Vegetarian option is available. Booking is essential. Dietary Requirements: (C) = Contains Crustaceans | (D) = Contains Dairy | (E) = Contains Egg | (G) = Contains Gluten | (M) = Contains Mustard | (S) = Contains Sesame Seeds. Allergens: Prepared in a kitchen that handles nuts.
Amuse Bouche
Salmon
Salmon infused with dill leaves & cooked in tandoor. Served on a bed of curry leaf infused mash potato & Malabar sauce. Paired with Esencia Divina Albarino, Rias Baixas, (Spain) – 75ml.
Burrata
Burrata Cheese, served on our classic Lababdar sauce; a Mughlai delicacy. Served with mint & coriander naan. Paired with Great Bear Zinfandel Rose California (USA) – 75ml.
Chicken
Chicken breast marinated with creamy cheese, cooked in tandoor, served with chicken thigh pickle. Paired with Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) – 75ml.
Lamb
Grilled lamb chop, stir-fried greens, cumin potatoes, date & aubergine chutney. Paired with Lunaka Pinot Noir (Chile) – 75ml.
Sorbet
Dessert
Chef’s selection of desserts. Paired with La Perle D`Arche Sauternes, France – 50ml.
Sunset Set Menu
A weekday evening set menu – two or three courses. Served every Monday to Thursday, 5 to 9 pm (last orders). Vegetarian option available. Two Courses 24.95 Per Person, Three Courses 29.95 Per Person. An optional service charge of 10% is added to the bill.
Salmon Cake
Salmon fillet blended with spices and bread crumbed
Alloo Tikki
Potato cake served on a bed of spiced chickpeas
Chicken Tikka
Chicken Breast marinated with cardamom and cheese, finished in tandoor
Prawn Alleppey
Inspired by seafood cooks of the backwaters of Alleppey, Kerala South India, tiger prawns in a tongue tickling raw mango, ginger and coconut sauce
Saag Murgh
Chicken Tikka cooked with leaf spinach, onion tomatoes and spices, finished with fenugreek leaves
Dal Makhni
Slow cooked classic black lentils, finished with butter and cream