BINDI, Palma

The spirit of Asian food in Santa Catalina

2019, Mar 25th

Bindi is a popular restaurant in the bohemian Palma district of Santa Catalina. It offers delicious authentic Indian cuisine, based on fresh products and traditional spices. British woman Bindu Shah and Patryk Kusiak own this restaurant, which has been pleasing fans of Indian food since 2014 and attracts an international clientele.

 
The restaurant is on a corner facing the Sant Magí church. It has a cosy ambience and attractive but unfussy décor. In the warmer months, a few tables are set out on the terrace area across the road, alongside the church.

 
Bindu offers a warm welcome and is happy to explain any unfamiliar dishes. It’s good to know that the chefs will adjust the spice level of your chosen dishes to suit your own taste.

 
The à la carte menú includes starters of street-food dishes, including the crispy-coated onion bhajis and good lamb-and-vegetable samosas we tried. Main-course dishes are in two menu sections: from the north and the south of India.

 
I had the Southern Indian dish prawn ghassi, a delicious and perfectly spiced concoction of plump prawns in a delicate tamarind and coconut sauce, served with rice, naan bread and raita. My companion opted for one of the five specials (the list changes weekly): lamb dohi – saying the lamb was tender and the spicing as he had requested. The menu includes vegetarian and vegan choices.

 
In addition to the main menu, Bindi offers a traditional thali menu in the evenings – of starter, three curries, rice, naan, raita, and dessert (including a glass of wine, beer, or water) – for 22,50 €. On weekday lunchtimes (except Tuesday when Bindi is closed), there’s a menu for 11,90 €.

 
The attractive bar offers a range of drinks including Indian beers, cocktails, and their refreshing home-made ginger and lemon beer – a perfect accompaniment to the flavourful and evocative Indian cuisine at Bindi restaurant.

Photos: Jan Edwards / Bindi