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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Namaste Village Norwich
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
Namaste Village is a family run Indian fine dining restaurant located in the centre of Norwich in a beautiful historic building which was built in the year 1887. Decorated with Indian village theme and dishes served by Indian chef makes Namaste Village a unique experience where authenticity and rich Indian culture is shared with our guests. The owners of Namaste Village are from Gujarat and chefs are from Rajasthan, Kerala and Gujarat to cook those regional dishes. It is not just one of those typical curry houses but a truly authentic Indian restaurant.
Features
CUISINES
Indian, Healthy, Street Food
Meal types
Dinner, Drinks
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Digital Payments
Discover
Family style
Free off-street parking
Free Wifi
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Non-smoking restaurants
Reservations
Seating
Street Parking
Table Service
Takeout
Visa
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Free off-street parking, Street Parking
Menu
Top 3 reasons to eat here
Sponsored by: Namaste Village Norwich
"I am a HUGE meat eater but really did not miss meat"
Amanda L
"group had also visited India and said the food was quite authentic.
"
BridieReviews
"From the moment we walked in every person was treated like royalty."
KaileshKhyati
Order delivery
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 10:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 - 14:3017:00 - 21:30
Monday
17:00 - 21:00
Tuesday
12:00 - 14:0017:00 - 22:00
Wednesday
12:00 - 14:0017:00 - 22:00
Thursday
12:00 - 14:0017:00 - 22:00
Friday
12:00 - 14:0017:00 - 22:00
Saturday
12:00 - 14:0017:00 - 22:00
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4.8
2,594 reviews
Excellent
2,357
Very good
134
Average
56
Poor
30
Terrible
17
The Chef's Wife.
Norfolk918 contributions
Sept 2024 • family
I visited here with my mum for a mid-week evening meal.
I have been many times before but this was my mum's first visit.
There is no dedicated parking but there is a small open air car park opposite or you can walk from the City Centre in about ten minutes.
The restaurant is really big and there is plenty of seating. I wish it was spaced out a bit more though as the tables are really close together. We were the first in there when it opened and two males came in not long after and were sat right next to us which was awkward in a very quite, large room.
The menu is large and there is something for everyone. I don't like so much how they've started offering 'fake' meat and fish dishes and wish they'd go back to just serving good quality vegetarian and vegan meals without the fake products.
As my mum hadn't been before and hasn't eaten a lot of this cuisine, I took the lead and ordered the vegetarian Thali for us both so she could get a taste of a few different things.
There was a little wait for the food but nothing excessive and if it means things are cooked fresh I don't mind that.
The food was really tasty. You only get small portions with the Thali but it is more than enough due to the variety you get. The tables aren't big enough to accommodate two Thali, drinks and naans though so it was very cramped.
My mum really enjoyed her first ever Thali. She found one dish a bit too sweet and creamy so couldn't eat a lot of it but liked everything.
Mine was also very good.
I normally go here for lunch and always wonder where this amazing service is that I keep hearing about because at lunchtime the waiter is quite sullen and barely speaks. They must keep the good staff back for the evening service though because I finally got to sample the great service.
We were served throughout by a young female who was absolutely delightful. She was so sweet and friendly. She recommended ways to try eating the Thali and recommended dishes to my mum if she ever visit's Norwich again. She 'upsold' us the Sunday buffet without it feeling like she was pushing other things on to us and was by far the best service we have had in there in all the years I have been visiting. I am afraid I didn't get her name but I cannot fault her at all.
Namaste isn't the cheap option for dining. But I think for what you get the Thali plates are good value.
They stick an expensive service charge on your bill though which wasn't appreciated. Unknown to me, my mum had left a tip on the table as she had a great experience so we probably tipped them about 35% between the cash tip and the service charge which was way too high. I understand one for large parties, but this was two people on a mid-week evening.
I will definitely return. It's a lovely place to eat.
Written 12 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namaste Village
Thank you so much for your detailed and thoughtful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you and your mum had a lovely evening with us. We're glad your mum enjoyed her first Thali experience, and we're happy to know that our food and service made a positive impression. We appreciate your comments about the spacing and the 'fake' meat options—we’ll take that into consideration as we continue to improve.
It's also great to hear that our evening service, particularly from our young female staff member, made such a difference for you. We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to her. Regarding the service charge, we understand your concern, and we will certainly review how we communicate this to our guests to ensure transparency and fairness.
We look forward to welcoming you both back again soon, and we truly appreciate your continued support over the years!"
Written 17 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gino B
1 contribution
Feb 2025 • family
I'm not very familiar with Indian food and so I was willing to try whatever would be safe with our allergies. We were pleased to see that gluten free and vegan options were really clearly marked on tht menu, and the server Nahima was careful to ask if our veganism is ethical or if we have severe allergies, so they could take extra care in the kitchen.
We also need to avoid soy, so as we placed our order she drew on her knowledge of the kitchen to say that some of our choices would be cooked in a fryer that might compromise our dietary needs, so she went to the kitchen to confirm, and come up with options for us.
She also realised that the dairy free creams used in some of the dishes would be prepared with soy milk, so she carefully steered us toward a number of delicious options so we could still have a small sharing feast on the table. There was a good variety and enough there that everyone in my party was pleased, and no one felt like they were excluded from enjoying the same food as everyone else.
I want to especially mention chefs Pradip and Chetan who were understanding, patient, and diligent in making sure our food was delicious, attractive, and met all our needs - and was great value for money. The whole experience far exceeded all our expectations. They get all the stars for service, food and experience.
Wonderful!
Written 9 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namaste Village
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! We’re so happy to hear that Nahima, Pradip, and Chetan could accommodate your dietary needs and make your experience enjoyable. Our team is dedicated to providing delicious, safe, and inclusive meals, and it’s wonderful to hear that we were able to exceed your expectations. We really appreciate your kind words and can’t wait to welcome you back for another amazing meal
Written 15 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sue H
10 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
On Saturday evening we had another delicious meal at Nameste! We were taken good care of, as always. This had prompted us to book a cookery course for Sunday morning. The course was just what we wanted! Lots of information on how and when to use spices and a nutritional guide to each dish. Making a dosa at the end of the session and eating it in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere was the icing on the cake! We will return!
Written 24 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namaste Village
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had another delicious meal at Namaste Village and that you felt well taken care of, as always. It’s fantastic to know you enjoyed the cookery course and found the information on spices and nutrition helpful. We’re glad you loved making and enjoying a dosa in such a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming you back soon and can’t wait to have you join us for another great experience!
Written 26 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lauren
29 contributions
Feb 2025 • friends
When we arrived staff couldn’t find our booking for 13 made a week prior and questioned where we had booked through. I showed them the text they had sent me 10 mins prior to the booking and the email confirmation etc and they said they could accommodate us. Took over 40 mins for a drinks order to be taken but staff were so friendly and helpful. Food came quite quickly and was mostly lovely - the curries themselves were very flavourful. Some of our party felt the sauces were too thin and there weren’t enough veggies/paneer in the dish though. Then very slow service after food again - not offered a second drink at all, and then had to wait over 30 mins for the bill which proved to be one of the more expensive curries we’ve been for. Probably wouldn’t go again, which is a shame as it’s definitely the most beautiful curry house we’ve visited!
Written 20 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namaste Village
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We truly apologize for the initial confusion with your booking and the delayed service you experienced. It’s disappointing to hear that your visit didn’t meet the high standards we aim to provide, and we’ll be sure to review our processes to ensure a smoother experience in the future. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the food overall, but we’ll take your comments about the curries and service to heart in order to improve. We genuinely appreciate your kind words about our restaurant’s ambiance, and we hope you might consider giving us another chance to deliver a more seamless and enjoyable dining experience next time."
Written 27 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
selvaprem
3 contributions
Jun 2024 • solo
1. The service was excellent. Friendly and attentive staff.
2. No problem with food price but the quality of the food served is not justified with the price. The size of dosa served has reduced tremendously in diameter and there is no consistency on other dishes as well. Rice was getting stale (not fresh) had strong smell.
3. Have been coming to this restaurant whenever I visited Norwich. Sometimes I feel disappointed. Hope the quality and quantity can be improved in the future.
Written 25 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holly A
Norwich40 contributions
Nov 2024 • family
Having been here before and found it exceptional many years ago, I was disappointed to find this was unfortunately not the same feeling on our visit this time. We had family here from the north and having raved about the place were pleased to get a table booked. As always, the food was beyond brilliant which affords this review a 3 star where it would have been less if solely based on service. Whilst the servers are pleasant and polite, the service on this occasion was lacking. The food arrived quickly initially, however despite it not seeming absolutely stacked out, the service slowed. The bill ended up incorrect. Bearing in mind the Desserts involved two drinks and just some scoops of ice cream, this took a lot of time to arrive at our table. Our visit was 2.5hours and this was largely because of delays in serving staff taking orders/taking time to bring out food/having to resolve an incorrect bill.
We hope to visit again as the food is delicious but I'm concerned about the organisation.
Written 2 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stan B
1 contribution
Jan 2025 • family
It was with great intrepidation that I agreed to eat at Namaste, since I am not a vegetarian. When we arrived we were welcomed warmly by Manvi, who almost single-handedly managed the front of house. She was very knowledgeable about the food choices and recommended an exiting, delicious meal. In addition to her enchanting conversation, she sang happy birthday to me and another client. To top it off Namaste provided a complimentary home-made brownie with ice cream. An excellent meal and a great evening!
Written 6 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namaste Village
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience at Namaste, despite your initial hesitation. It’s wonderful to know that Manvi made such a positive impression with her knowledge, warmth, and thoughtful gestures. We’re so happy you had an excellent meal and a memorable evening, complete with a special birthday surprise! We can’t wait to welcome you back for another delightful experience!"
Written 10 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kirsty A
3 contributions
Dec 2024 • couples
Based on the excellent reviews, we booked to come here on a recent trip to Norwich. This restaurant is in a really interesting building which adds to the atmosphere of the place. We had the 'love to share' starter, which was interesting and tasty, but were surprised by the small number of (unimaginative) mains on offer. I picked sag paneer (a dish I usually enjoy) as my main, as many of the others looked to be very highly spiced. The sag paneer was a mistake: I've never known anything like it - aside from the lumps of paneer, there was absolutely no texture to the dish, like it had been put through a liquidiser before being brought to the table. I described it to the waiter at the time as being like eating baby food. In fairness, he did offer to change it, but I hate that whole thing where one of you has finished and the other hasn't yet got their meal, so declined. Maybe we should have asked for a discount off the bill instead...
Written 31 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namaste Village
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We're happy to hear you enjoyed the atmosphere and the 'love to share' starter. However, we're sorry to hear that the sag paneer did not meet your expectations. We take all feedback seriously and will certainly review the dish's preparation to ensure it aligns with the quality we aim to provide. We also appreciate your understanding when it comes to service, and we will continue to work on making every part of our guests' experience as enjoyable as possible. We hope you'll consider visiting us again and allow us the chance to offer a more satisfying meal next time.
Written 3 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ezra W
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • couples
Went for dinner with my partner and had a lovely time! Staff were very polite and attentive, everyone made sure to check for allergens/dietary requirements at each stage of the meal. Portion sizes were good and everything tasted amazing.
Wait staff noticed my partner struggle with the spice level of one of the dishes and recommended a dessert which was lovely, and also made sure to let us know about lunch and weekend menus for the future. Will be back!
Written 21 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namaste Village
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you and your partner had a lovely time at Namaste Village. It's fantastic that you found our staff polite, attentive, and mindful of your dietary requirements throughout the meal.
We're glad that you enjoyed the portion sizes and found everything to taste amazing. It's wonderful to hear that our wait staff provided great recommendations, including a delicious dessert, and informed you about our lunch and weekend menus for future visits.
We look forward to welcoming you both back soon for another enjoyable dining experience at Namaste Village!
Warm regards,
The Namaste Village Team
Written 6 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Florence F
1 contribution
Dec 2024 • couples
We had a really enjoyable time having delicious food in a relaxed environment. The staff were all very friendly and welcoming, regularly checked in to ask how we were/if we needed anything. The food was so flavourful - the perfect level of spice - and as two vegans we loved having such a wide range of dishes to choose from!
Written 28 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namaste Village
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear that you had an enjoyable time with us and loved the food. It's great to know that you appreciated the wide range of vegan options, and we're thrilled that the spice level and flavors were just right for you. Our team works hard to make sure everyone feels welcome and well taken care of, and we’re glad it showed. We look forward to welcoming you back for another fantastic meal soon!"
Written 3 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Roger L
Ipswich13 contributions
Mar 2025 • friends
Charming decor, attentive friendly and professional staff. Relaxed atmosphere. Comprehensive menu with helpful grouping of dishes. Interesting "dish of the month". The very helpful scoring system for "spicy heat" 😊
Difficult to choose because everything looked delicious. We chose the vegetarian thali, Saag paneer & garlic butter Naan all to share.
Food arrived after a reasonable but not annoying delay. Well presented and most importantly delicious. Fresh flavours for all.
First visit & will not be the last!
Written 12 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amandadagg
Norwich6 contributions
Sept 2023 • family
I had been here before and enjoyed it so was excited to bring my whole family for my birthday celebration. However, this turned out not to be ideal. It was so noisy in the restaurant (even though we sat on the side edge near the door) that my parents just could not hear the rest of us.
My (adult) coeliac daughter had looked at the menu before we came and decided what she may potentially have as there seemed a lot of gluten free options. However, she was very disappointed when the waitress came over to explain that ALL of the starters that said gluten free on the menu were NOT suitable for coeliacs! If they are not gluten free it should NOT say they are! So she then sat while some of our party ate papadums and then starters while she could not have any of them.
The food was tasty and the staff were very knowledgeable and helpful.
It was an expensive night out, which we don't usually mind, except for the fact that some of the party couldn't hear and our coeliac guest did not have the choice we expected.
12.5% service fee was added, which we also felt was wrong. Although the staff were very helpful and we would have left a tip anyway, we felt this should be left to the customer, not just added on.
Whilst I would eat here again, I would not bring anyone who could not hear very well and definitely not any coeliacs!
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ketan Vaghasiya
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us, and we appreciate your previous visits to our restaurant. We're genuinely sorry to hear that your recent birthday celebration didn't meet your expectations.
We apologize for the noise level in the restaurant, which affected your parents' ability to hear. We understand how this can impact the overall dining experience, and we'll make efforts to address this issue to provide a more comfortable environment in the future.
Regarding the gluten-free options, we sincerely apologize for any confusion. We take dietary restrictions seriously, and we will review our menu to ensure that it accurately reflects which dishes are suitable for coeliacs. Your daughter's disappointment is valid, and we'll work to improve this aspect of our service.
Regarding the 12.5% service fee, we appreciate your feedback on this matter. It is always an optional thing which we mentioned on the menu as well.
We genuinely value your input, and we hope you'll give us another opportunity to provide you with a more enjoyable dining experience in the future. If you have any further comments or concerns, please feel free to share them with us. Your feedback helps us improve our service.
Written 3 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
missyhall
Norwich257 contributions
Apr 2023 • friends
Met friends for dinner. Ambience good. Pleasing decor. Clean. The 3 waiting staff were kept busy as around 2/3 of the tables were occupied. As such service was mostly fairly prompt.
Chairs are curved so jackets fall off. Found the cushion pushed me forward too much but without it was too deep.
Had poppadoms and pickles start. Barely enough pickles for the 4 of us.
Mains nicely presented. 3 of us chose mains without the chilli symbol, which meant dishes were classed as mild. Mine made my nose sweat and my glasses steamed up; more like a medium to hot rather than the mild I'd wanted. Disappointed also by lack of different veg in mine. It was tasty but hotter than I really like. 1 of the others didn't finish for the same reason. The jackfruit biryani was presented with each part in a separate dish rather than on 1 plate and described as nice enough.
We all had deserts served (with sundae spoons ✔). The carrot halwa was enjoyed. The chocolate brownie was a bland light sponge not the density expected. Chocolate Cake and doughnuts described as nice.
12.5% service charge added to the bill - didn't notice if this was mentioned on menu but spotted when bill arrived.
Written 2 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luca C
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • family
Absolutely amazing vegetarian restaurant. Brilliant service too. I would recommend a dish but they have all been wonderful. The waitress even removed a chai masala tea off the bill as I thought I’d try it and didn’t like it.
Written 29 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namaste Village
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the food and service. It’s great to know that our team was able to accommodate you with the chai masala tea as well. We truly appreciate your recommendation and can’t wait to welcome you back for another amazing experience!
Written 7 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sophie B
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • family
What a lovely place! Great ambience, staff could not be more helpful or attentive, and the food was just delicious. Perfect authentic South Indian food, I really enjoyed the thali and must make a return trip to try out the dosas in future!
Written 17 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namaste Village
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the ambience, the attentive service, and, of course, the delicious food. It’s fantastic to know that the thali was a highlight for you, and we can’t wait for your return to try the dosas! We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back for more authentic South Indian dishes soon!
Written 26 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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