Ruby Kwartz reviews plant based food options at Barsana, a cozy vegetarian curry restaurant in Harborne

Written by Ruby Kwartz
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Images by Ruby Kwartz

The menu introduces you to the inspiration for the restaurant, which is named after the village of Barsana in north India

Only a 15-minute walk from the centre of campus, there is a hidden gem tucked away at the end of Harborne high-street. Serving authentic vegetarian curry, Barsana offers a homely environment combined with absolutely delicious food that will have you coming back to this small, independent restaurant again and again.

The menu introduces you to the inspiration for the restaurant, which is named after the village of Barsana in north India. They stress the importance of vegetarian cuisine as part of the ‘village’s devotion to a peaceful way of life’ and describe their unique take on Indian cuisine as ‘a blend of traditional Indian flavours and innovative vegan creations’. Purely vegetarian restaurants are hard to come by, and whilst some of my meat-eating friends were sceptical about a plant-based meal the first time we went, they were quickly won over by the wide variety of dishes and their vibrant flavours. Ever since our first meal there, Barsana has become our regular spot for birthdays, celebrations or just a mid-term treat when we feel the need to get out of Selly Oak and enjoy some truly good-quality curry.

whilst some of my meat-eating friends were sceptical about a plant-based meal the first time we went, they were quickly won over by the wide variety of dishes and their vibrant flavours.

The restaurant environment is warm and cozy; with only a few tables and soft music playing in the background, you immediately walk into an intimate and welcoming space. The staff are extremely friendly and happy to answer any questions about the menu or the spice level, which can be adjusted between mild and hot for each dish. The menu itself has lots of variation, from Indian staples such as various types of dahl, paneer and biriyani, to some more imaginative Indo-Chinese fusion dishes.

Whilst they offer large main meal plates, ordering multiple dishes to share with the table is the best way to ensure that you can try as many options as possible. Some of my regular favourites include the saag paneer, which is cooked in a creamy spinach sauce, and the papdi chaat, which are bite-sized explosions of potato and chickpea topped with yoghurt and pomegranate that draw on India’s iconic street food scene.

However, if cheese and yoghurt aren’t your thing, there are still plenty of delicious vegan options. The dahl makhani is a warm and comforting staple, and the bhindi dopiaza is a group favourite, which introduced me to okra for the first time, and is cooked in a soft tomato and onion sauce. They also offer a range of cocktails and mocktails, and have a fairly comprehensive selection of soft drinks.

you will leave Barsana with a warm, comforting feeling and a very full stomach

Once you add on some obligatory poppadoms, rice and garlic naan, the bill usually works out at around £15-20 per person, although this definitely varies between how many dishes you order. Whilst it isn’t the cheapest curry you can get in Birmingham, the quality of both the food and the service are worth far more than they charge, making it excellent value for money.

Barsana is the perfect place for both comforting and extremely delicious and flavourful food. Whilst I would love to gatekeep this restaurant, I also want as many people as possible to experience the joy of eating their amazing plant-based dishes. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough, even if you are a meat-eater in your day-to-day life, you will leave Barsana with a warm, comforting feeling and a very full stomach.


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