A Memorable Indian Christmas Dinner in Bournville, Birmingham
The festive season is upon us again, and here at Kolkata Lounge, we absolutely love celebrating Christmas with our diners! As an Indian restaurant in Bournville, we always get lots of inquiries about enjoying a delicious Indian feast on Christmas day instead of the usual roast turkey and all the trimmings. I’m here to tell you that indulging in aromatic curries and flavourful biryanis with your loved ones can make for an incredibly memorable Christmas day. Read on for my tips and recommendations on experiencing a fantastic Indian dinner on Christmas in Bournville, Birmingham.
Why Have An Indian Christmas Dinner?
Having grown up in a traditional Indian family, Christmas Day was never really a big celebration for us. However, since moving to the UK many years ago and opening Kolkata Lounge, I’ve come to appreciate the warm festive cheer that Christmas brings. One of my favourite parts of the season here in Birmingham is welcoming diners from all walks of life into our restaurant on Christmas day and giving them a taste of Indian hospitality.
Over the years, more and more people have been opting for a change from the standard turkey lunch and have been discovering how perfectly a spicy Indian feast suits the occasion. For starters, it’s a great way to bring extra flavour and excitement to your Christmas celebrations. Our aromatic curries using cumin, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves add a wonderfully festive aroma and taste.
A wide range of vegetarian and vegan options also makes Kolkata Lounge an ideal choice for groups with special dietary needs. Plus, for large families and friends getting together, sharing style dishes like biryani and thalies offer a very sociable dining experience on Christmas day.
Of course, we appreciate that not everyone celebrates Christmas for religious reasons, so dining at an Indian restaurant can be an excellent inclusive option for mixed groups of friends. At Kolkata Lounge, we aim to make Christmas a happy occasion centred around togetherness, joyful celebration and outstanding Indian cuisine – no matter your background.
Top Indian Restaurants Open in Bournville on Christmas Day
Now that I’ve tempted you to indulge in Indian food on Christmas day let’s talk about the top restaurant options that will be open here in Bournville. While we only have a few Indian eateries scattered around Birmingham, the good news is that they are all excellent choices for enjoying an Indian feast over the festive season.
Kolkata Lounge – Authentic Indian Dining on Christmas Day
I have to mention our own critically acclaimed Kolkata Lounge first! We are a 70-seater restaurant just a 5-minute walk from Bournville train station, serving authentic North Indian and Punjabi cuisine. Our Christmas day menu has festive favourites like roast lamb biryani, chicken tikka masala and paneer tikka lababdar. We offer set menus for groups and large parties starting from just £39.95 per person.
I’m particularly proud of our extensive vegetarian and vegan selection, too. For Christmas, we always prepare special dishes like mattar paneer, baingan masala, navratan korma and dal makhani, made with delicious seasonal vegetables. Many customers have told me our vegetable sides and curries are the best they’ve tried outside of India!
To add to the festive atmosphere, we decorate Kolkata Lounge with glittering lights and colourful Indian decorations. Our staff also wear traditional dresses, and we have ambient Indian music playing.
“We had an amazing Christmas dinner at Kolkata Lounge this year – the food was outstanding and the decorations were so colourful and vibrant. It really made for a unique and unforgettable Christmas day.” – Mary, diner
The Dil Raj Tandoori
This small but mighty Punjabi restaurant on Linden Road is another excellent spot for indulging in Indian cuisine on Christmas day in Bournville. Run by my good friend Raj, who is an outstanding tandoori chef, they serve sizzling hot grilled delights alongside rich curries and biryanis. For Christmas, Raj creates a set menu with a number of his specialities, like tandoori salmon and chicken tikka, plus dal makhani and pilau rice for a very reasonable price per head. With his excellent cooking and welcoming service, it’s no wonder The Dil Raj Tandoori gets booked up months in advance!
Barsaat Indian Diner
This contemporary Indian restaurant down the road in Selly Oak also makes for a great Christmas day option if you want to venture just outside of Bournville. Barsaat has a stylish and modern setting, serving a fusion of North and South Indian cuisines. Their sharing menu on Christmas day is excellent value per person. You’ll be treated to many starters and mains, followed by delicious desserts like gulab jamun cheesecake and rasmalai. With funky cocktails, Barsaat promises a festive Indian feast with a fun twist.
So there you have my top picks for enjoying authentic and delicious Indian food on Christmas day in Bournville and the surrounding areas. I can assure you that my fellow restaurateurs and I all aim to provide outstanding service and cuisine to make your Indian Christmas celebration one to remember.
How to Book an Indian Restaurant for Christmas Dinner
If you’ve decided to be a little adventurous this year and try having your festive meal at one of our Indian restaurants, here are some booking tips:
- Call us as early as possible – ideally a month or two in advance. Indian restaurants tend to get booked up very quickly for Christmas!
- Ask what set menus or specials will be served on the day itself. That way, you can get a taste of the spread that awaits.
- Don’t forget to let the staff know if anyone in your group has special dietary requirements or food allergies. We cater for all!
- Make sure to check the timings for lunch or dinner sittings. They tend to be set schedules on Christmas day.
- Confirm your final numbers and booking a week before Christmas. It gives us a chance to prep enough food!
- Prepaying a deposit helps guarantee your table. We can also keep the deposit in case of any last-minute no-shows.
- Set up a courtesy call or email reminder from us a couple of days before – avoid any accidental forgetfulness on the big day.
Following these tips will ensure a smooth booking process and help us provide you with an incredible dining experience on Christmas day. My team and I look forward to welcoming you to celebrate with us!
Getting to and from the Restaurant
One logistical matter you’ll need to figure out is how to get to your chosen Indian eatery on Christmas day itself. Driving yourself is usually the most convenient option. But if you’d rather not stay sober or the weather looks dicey, here are some good alternatives:
- For restaurants in central Bournville like us, the train station is just a 5-10 minute walk away. Birmingham New Street has regular services running on Christmas Day.
- Metro line 1 also has trains every 15 minutes between Birmingham and Bournville on December 25th. Just a short stroll from the station stops to our restaurants.
- Prebook a taxi or minicab well in advance. The day itself is hectic for drivers but they’ll honour Christmas reservations. Uber or Bolt are also fairly reliable options nowadays.
- Designate a sober driver from your group to do pickups and drop offs. We’re happy to serve non-alcoholic drinks!
- Bundle up and walk over together! It’s an excellent way to build an appetite while enjoying Bournville’s Christmas lights and decorations.
We wish you a very happy and safe journey to and from your Indian restaurant on December 25th. Focus on enjoying the outstanding food and company once you arrive!
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, we’ve been asked just about every question under the sun about having an Indian Christmas dinner! Here I’ll try to answer some of the most common FAQs:
What are the best Indian restaurants open on Christmas day in Birmingham?
My picks are Kolkata Lounge in Bournville, The Dil Raj Tandoori and Barsaat Indian Diner in Selly Oak. All serve delicious authentic Indian food with great festive menus and atmosphere!
What type of food do Indian restaurants serve at Christmas?
You’ll find a mix of popular curries, biryanis, tandoori dishes and vegetable sides. We create special set menus featuring festive favourites and seasonal ingredients. Portion sizes are generous too!
Do I need to book an Indian restaurant in advance for Christmas day?
Absolutely – we tend to get booked up months in advance. Call your chosen restaurant as early as possible to secure your table. Popular times get filled quickly.
Are Indian restaurants expensive to dine at on Christmas day?
Many of us offer very reasonable set menus, costing around £35-45 per person. Considering you get starters, mains and sides, that’s fantastic value! We want everyone to be able to enjoy an Indian Christmas feast.
Can I request vegetarian or vegan Indian food on Christmas day?
Of course! We cater extensively for both vegetarian and vegan diets. Just inform the restaurant about your requirements when booking. You won’t be short of options for delicious plant-based Indian dishes.
Well, those are the main frequently asked questions we get about spending Christmas day at an Indian restaurant. Feel free to get in touch if you have any other queries – we’re always happy to help!
So there you have it – my ultimate guide to indulging in a mouthwatering Indian feast this Christmas, without having to cook or clean! We can’t wait to welcome you and your loved ones to Kolkata Lounge or one of the other excellent Indian restaurants serving festive menus here in Bournville, Birmingham. Give us a call today to start planning your Indian Christmas celebration to remember!
