New Nepalese restaurant Gurkha Swindon opens in town centre

Gurkha Swindon has set up inside the former home of a Bangladeshi diner on Byron Street, near Regent Circus to offer a taste of freshly home-cooked Nepalese food to its customers.

Tucked away round the corner from Imperial Express is a decorated door and staircase which leads to the renovated restaurant area.

Chef Ravi Sharma cooks up a storm as son-in-law Suraj Bhandari greets guests as the front-of-house staff and his family help out. They have decades of experience and are now starting their own new venture.

Yesterday, they welcomed their first customers and invited Swindon's deputy mayor Coun Abdul Amin to try a buffet of different delicious dishes and desserts.

Suraj told the Adver: "Last year, we decided to do a home kitchen and got such good feedback that we decided to find a place where we could start our own restaurant.

"It's in a brilliant location, we can build up and make it work. We want to offer familiar favourites as well as different flavours.

"I've worked in the industry for a long time and worked for big businesses while my father-in-law has cooked in big restaurants in London and elsewhere.

"It's a tough time for the industry but this is a proper team effort and we're determined to make this a success."

Coun Abdul Amin added: "It's great to see something positive happening in Swindon, which is a growing and resilient town. This is already the talk of the town and I have no doubt the restaurant will go from strength to strength.

"I've known them for a long time and they have the skills and experience to offer high-quality cuisine. It's a wonderful family-oriented business, you can never go wrong with those, they'll do a fantastic job."

Gurkha Swindon offers dine-in, delivery and collection options for meals.

Suraj highlighted the Mo:Mo Nepalese dumplings which can include vegetables, chicken or mutton, as well as the Gurkhali Gunpowder chicken or lamb curry, and the Nepalese Lamb Handi, as some of his favourites from the menu.