Karma - Exeter

I wasn't able to dine at this restaurant because they never pick up the phone to take reservations. I've given up trying. How does anyone manage to secure a tab... read more I wasn't able to dine at this restaurant because they never pick up the phone to take reservations. I've given up trying. How does anyone manage to secure a table here? This is Exeter, not the posh West End of London. Please start answering your phone, it's frustrating!

My partner and I visited here on a date night tonight. Situated within the Great Western Hotel by St David's train station. I have eaten in many Indian restaura... read more My partner and I visited here on a date night tonight. Situated within the Great Western Hotel by St David's train station. I have eaten in many Indian restaurants over the years, in both Exeter and the West Midlands where I am originally from. Being a Chef myself, I love to make my own curries both at home and as specials in the place I work. Because of this, I can be hard to please when it comes to dining out for a curry. Sadly, a lot of places in Exeter don't live up to what I had hoped for, compared to so many of the amazing Indian restaurants in the Midlands, but Karma is not only an exception, but an absolute gem! Fantastic service and the flavours, spices and aromas from the food are simply divine! I had the Lamb Karahi Gosht with Mushroom Rice, my partner had the Chicken Dhansak with Garlic Rice and we shared Garlic and Coriander Naan breads. Sometimes I have had Lamb curries where the Lamb has either been undercooked and chewy or overcooked and dry. I am pleased to say the Lamb here is cooked to perfection! My partner said her Chicken was also cooked perfectly. Both dishes were labelled as medium and were just that. As a fan of Indian food for many years, I have to say if you are in Exeter (I'm lucky, I live here) and you are looking for top notch Indian cuisine then you need to visit this place. Wonderful service, excellent food and very reasonably priced compared to other places closer to the city centre. Well worth a visit and we will be returning again soon!

We received a very friendly welcome upon our arrival at this restaurant. The service was efficient and welcoming, and the food was some of the best Indian cuisi... read more We received a very friendly welcome upon our arrival at this restaurant. The service was efficient and welcoming, and the food was some of the best Indian cuisine I have ever tasted. Each of us ordered a different main dish, and they were all delicious. I highly recommend this place, as they have excellent COVID safety measures in place which made us feel very safe.

Food was delicious minor moan waiter hovered to much for order and waitress cleared table before I had finished eating read more Food was delicious minor moan waiter hovered to much for order and waitress cleared table before I had finished eating

The Karma is a little different to many Indian restaurants, firstly it is situated inside the historic Great Western Hotel, thus it wouldn't be right to decorat... read more The Karma is a little different to many Indian restaurants, firstly it is situated inside the historic Great Western Hotel, thus it wouldn't be right to decorate it with the flock wallpaper etc that is typical of its rivals. There are a number of other twists, due to being part of the hotel it is one of very few Indians that serve any draught beers other than Cobra or Kingfisher. Then we have the food, poppadoms are served in quarters in a bowl rather than whole on a plate. The onion bhajis were huge , larger than a cricket ball and delightful. We chose chefs special lamb curries, full of spice flavours, not in any way overpowered by curry powder. Even the rice was served with a little fried onion garnish in the middle of the bowl. We will definitely be visiting again when we are in Exeter as it is nice to see an Indian restaurant move beyond their stereotype