Ministry of Flavours by British India

Ministry of Flavour

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87 reviews

#30 of 126 Restaurants in Penzance₹₹ - ₹₹₹, Indian, Asian, Vegetarian friendly

+44 7777 202517+ Add website

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Hours

Mon

5:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Tue

5:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Wed

5:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Thu

5:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Fri

5:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Sat

5:00 pm - 8:30 pm

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

87 reviews

#30 of 126 Restaurants in Penzance

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Indian, Asian, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

“Different & wonderful ..BEST Indian like forever!”

“Fantastic Thali experience”

“... with a side of flavourful, aromatic rice instead of nan as I'm gluten free.”

Location and contact

12-13 Chapel Street, Penzance TR18 4AW England

+44 7777 202517

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Does this restaurant offer delivery?

Yes

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About

Embark on a culinary journey at Ministry of Flavour, savouring India's diverse flavours through snacks, meals, and feasts. Discover popular dishes from all corners of India, a unique experience unavailable elsewhere in the UK. Our chefs, hailing from traditional culinary backgrounds, ensure authenticity in every bite, making you feel like you are in Little India. As the best restaurant in Penzance for dinner and one of the top family restaurants, we are your go-to spot for an unforgettable dining experience. Explore the best of Penzance's dining scene with us – whether you are dining in or grabbing takeaway, Ministry of Flavour promises a taste of India in every bite.

PRICE RANGE

₹1,268.00 – ₹2,642.00

CUISINES

Indian, Asian

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Dinner, Drinks

FEATURES

Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Non-smoking restaurants

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4.5

87 reviews

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Paula L

6 contributions

Unusual menu in lovely surroundings

Apr 2024 • couples

We visited this restaurant while on holiday in Penzance. I'd read some good reviews on Google and we were not disappointed. It's not a typical curry house so don't go there if you want a chicken tikka masala or vindaloo (neither of which exist in India). The 'feast' menu was good value at £19 - it was like a set menu of around eight dishes, half of which offered a couple of choices, so if there are two of you can choose different things and try each other's. The food was lovely and the service good. Wine reasonably priced as well, with the house being around £21 for a bottle.

Written 15 April 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ministry of Flavour Penzance

Thank you so much for choosing Ministry of Flavour during your holiday in Penzance. We're thrilled to hear that you found us based on good reviews and that we didn't disappoint. We're proud to offer a unique dining experience that goes beyond the typical curry house fare. We proudly say that we are one of the best Indian restaurent in entire UK. It's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the food and found our service to be good. We truly appreciate your detailed feedback and are grateful for your visit. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Ministry of Flavour in the future.

Written 20 April 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Roy S

1 contribution

Authentic,tasty, Indian food

Feb 2024 • couples

This was a perfect venue for my birthday treat. We decided to try the set feast meal & really enjoyed it. Spicy but not too hot. A bit different to the usual Indian eating experience as you choose the protein part of your meal & that is served with a variety of accompanying small dishes. All served at the same time on a large wooden board. Drinks were reasonably priced. Decor is lovely with plenty of space between the tables. The restaurant manager served us & was genuinely interested to know if we'd enjoyed the food experience he was offering. We will definitely visit again.

Written 20 February 2024

Ministry of Flavour Penzance

Thank you so much for choosing Ministry of Flavour to celebrate your birthday! We're thrilled to hear that it was a perfect venue for your special occasion. We're delighted that you enjoyed our set feast meal and found it to be a bit different from the usual Indian eating experience. It's fantastic to know that the dishes were spicy but not too hot, providing a balance of flavors. Our concept of choosing the protein part of your meal and serving it with a variety of accompanying small dishes aims to create a unique and enjoyable dining experience. We're pleased to hear that you found our drinks reasonably priced and that you enjoyed the lovely decor with plenty of space between the tables. It's wonderful that our restaurant manager took the time to ensure you had a great food experience, as guest satisfaction is our top priority. Thank you for your kind words and for mentioning your positive experience. We're delighted that you'll definitely visit us again. We look forward to welcoming you back to Ministry of Flavour for another enjoyable meal!

Written 20 April 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jo L

Camborne1 contribution

Great evening at Ministry of Flavours

Apr 2024 • friends

I had an absolutely delicious meal , Balheer was most helpful in advising, explaining and describing the menu and best options. The service was good , all staff were polite and friendly. The setting was comfortable and relaxing . We had a fantastic and enjoyable evening.

Written 4 April 2024

Ministry of Flavour Penzance

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an absolutely delicious meal at Ministry of Flavour. Our team takes great pride in delivering excellent service, and we're glad that you found the staff to be polite and friendly. Creating a comfortable and relaxing setting for our guests is important to us, and we're pleased to hear that you had a fantastic and enjoyable evening. We truly appreciate your kind words and are grateful for your visit. We look forward to welcoming you back to Ministry of Flavour for another delicious meal and wonderful experience.

Written 20 April 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

CentralScrutinizer69

Penzance6 contributions

Be prepared to be filled up on Carbohydrates and very little protein.

Dec 2023 • family

I have tried this new place twice now and have mixed feelings. On the plus side, the restaurant is very nicely decorated and when busy has a great atmosphere. The biggest drawback for me is the lack of clarity on the menu. It is a thali restaurant and you have an unclear choice of three different sized and priced menus. You pick one or two "main courses" that go with the thali. All of the food arrives at the same time and was far less food than what we were expecting, with most of the named side dishes being very, very small little ramekins. I do know what a thali is and have spent time in India but for a shared thali plate that is £48.00 for two people (the most expensive of the three thalis) you don't get very much. There was just not a lot of protein on the plates. You get dal and nice naan bread, potatos and chickpeas, but the main courses were sadly really disappointing and cheap looking. I really don't want to have to fill up on carbohydrates! Our fish dish was tiny and dry and tasted a bit unpleasant. The prawn dish was just about okay but was only four or five over-cooked and dry prawns lost on the thali plate. The Mutton Biriani was probably the best of the dishes but was nowhere near as nice as the first time I visited. The Matter Paneer was small and unremarkable. The chicken breast dish we ordered arrived with legs instead of breasts and was also poor. The bottled beers are small and over priced. The place looks great and for what they are charging, you just expect a lot more money to be spent on the ingredients. The cost price of the food must be next to nothing. I hope they re-jig the format as it has potential to be so much better. Either drastically lower the prices or give a lot better value or better still, both! I am sad to have to write such an unenthusiastic review as I was so excited by the look of the place and the interesting looking menu. It just didn't deliver.

Written 26 December 2023

Ministry of Flavour Penzance

Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback with us regarding your experiences at Ministry of Flavour. We truly value all feedback, whether positive or critical, as it helps us to continually improve. We're glad to hear that you appreciated the ambiance and decor of our restaurant, creating a pleasant atmosphere during your visits. However, we are truly sorry to learn that your dining experience did not meet your expectations, particularly in regards to the clarity of our menu and the portion sizes. We apologize if the thali format and the different menu options were not clearly communicated. Your comments about the portion sizes, especially for the shared thali plate, are concerning, and we understand your disappointment with the lack of protein and the quality of some dishes. Your feedback about the fish dish, prawn dish, Mutton Biriani, Matter Paneer, and chicken dish has been noted, and we will certainly review these items to ensure they meet our quality standards. Additionally, we apologize if the bottled beers were not to your satisfaction in terms of size and pricing. We appreciate your suggestions regarding the pricing and value of our menu items. We are continuously working to improve and provide a better dining experience for our guests, and your feedback will be taken into serious consideration as we re-evaluate our offerings. We are genuinely sorry that we did not meet your expectations, and we hope you will consider giving us another chance to provide a better and more satisfying experience in the future. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to making the necessary improvements. Thank you again for your feedback and for visiting Ministry of Flavour. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back and exceed your expectations.

Written 20 April 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ian S

Seattle2 contributions

Opaque pricing

Sept 2023 • couples

While the food at Ministry of Flavours was commendable, the lack of clarity on pricing was a disappointment. We were led to believe our bill would be much less than what we were ultimately charged. It's important for diners to ask about costs upfront to avoid surprises at the end. The dishes are decent, but clearer communication on prices would improve the overall experience.

Written 26 September 2023

Ministry of Flavour Penzance

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We're glad to hear that you found the food at Ministry of Flavour commendable. We apologize for any confusion or disappointment regarding the pricing during your visit. We understand the importance of transparency and clarity when it comes to costs, and we sincerely apologize if there was a misunderstanding in this regard. Your feedback about the need for clearer communication on prices is valuable to us, and we will certainly take this into consideration to improve the overall experience for our guests. We always aim to provide a pleasant and transparent dining experience, and we regret if we fell short of this during your visit. If there was any discrepancy in the billing, we encourage guests to bring it to our attention during the visit so we can address it immediately. Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and we appreciate your feedback. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for a more seamless and enjoyable experience.

Written 20 April 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

lucy r

1 contribution

Menu too confusing didn’t eat - left

Jun 2024 • couples

Feel like we should leave a review as it was a strange experience. The menu is extremely confusing, beyond baffling and does make me think it’s intentional regarding price. Basically the only choice (which was pushed upon us) was a royal feast at 25 pp. the choices are unusual for a typical indian and also low value for money. The Diet Coke came in a small tumbler and £8 for a small bottle of beer! Sad to say after all the above we didn’t stay to eat so can’t comment on the food but looking at some other reviews I’m glad we didn’t. No hand drying facilities in the toilet either just toilet paper - odd

Written 9 June 2024

Foodyinheaven123

London62 contributions

Good food, poor service

May 2024 • couples

Pre-booked to eat here as it was a bank holiday weekend. Arrived on time to be told our table wasn't ready, appreciating they were busy we agreed to return 15mins later. Some 20+ minutes later we returned to be told the table still wasn't ready and to wait outside (unsure why we couldn't wait inside as it was raining). We were eventually seated, and drinks took some 20minutes to arrive, and were told we had to wait before we could order our food. Over an hour later after sitting down our food eventually arrived. We ordered the sharing feast which consisted of '12' plates... to be quite clear these are small tapas sized dishes, except for 1 main course and 1 which was labelled a main course but was infact just 2 pieces of chicken. We couldn't fault the food, it was delicious, but overpriced for what you get. The service was poor from the manager, and having worked in hospitality it doesn't take much to apologise for the wait, or to just to acknowledge the customer and advise on the current situation. I wouldn't return based on the overall experience.

Written 27 May 2024

Alva

Penzance9 contributions

Good in parts

Sept 2023 • family

We visited here as a party of seven pre booked. I have sent these comments to the establishment but received no reply so I felt I could in all fairness now share our experiences. The welcome was warm but one of the waiting staff knew absolutely nothing about the menu. We as a party found the menu a little confusing as it was hard to see what came with rice or breads and what did not. It was also hard to work out what was main course and which was starter. Two of the main courses were off but we were not informed of this before we began choosing our main courses. So then we had to choose replacements in a hurry. The disparity in the sizes of main courses was very noticeable. There was no non alcohol beer we were offered coke instead! This is not very inclusive in this day and age. The toilets had a box of tissues to dry your hands. They need paper towels tissues don't do the job. The actual food was really good but the overall experience was not. I messaged these comments but nobody bothered to reply to me.

Written 26 September 2023

Ministry of Flavour Penzance

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We truly value your feedback and would like to extend our sincere apologies for the aspects of your visit that did not meet your expectations. We're pleased to hear that you found the food to be really good despite the challenges. However, we understand that the overall experience fell short of your expectations, and for that, we are truly sorry. We have taken your feedback seriously and have made significant improvements since your visit. We would love the opportunity to welcome you back for a remarkable experience. Please feel free to reach out to us directly so we can ensure your next visit with us exceeds your expectations. Once again, we apologize for the inconveniences you experienced and appreciate your valuable feedback.

Written 20 April 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

J S

Bath5 contributions

Disappointing experience, meal over in 45minutes.

Jul 2024 • family

Very disappointing. I like Thali ( a tray with a number of small dishes) -and we are vegetarian so liked the menu was mostly non meat but it was so limited in choice-- lentils, chickpeas, potatoes and bread. Option to add on a small meat dish for extra cost if you ate meat on and one paneer dish as an add on protein if you didn't want meat. No vegetable dishes whatsoever- no okra, spinach, aubergine, mushroom or even just a mixed vegetable dish. Thin watery daal that tasted salty but little else. Thin watery chickpea dish that had maximum 10 chickpeas floating around in it. Potato dish that was boiled salty potato with apparently little other flavouring, I have had thali plenty of times before and enjoy the mix of several little dishes of a variety of things and some breads and usually some rice. No rice available which was fine as it is North Indian cuisine. Pressured to order as soon as we sat down. because it is thali based there were no starters so all food came at once and we had finished eating within 45minutes of arriving. Hardly an evening out but soent over £100 including a couple of drinks each. If you normally go to an indian restaurant and usually eat popadoms and pickles, then chicken tikka massala and rice then it might seem different. But the wateriness of the dishes, the lack of flavours and the lack of any vegetables on the entire menu means we would not come back.

Written 31 August 2024

Paradise12907285392

1 contribution

Could’ve been better

Nov 2024 • friends

Very delicious food but I guess the restaurant ran out of plates because we were served our chicken briyani in a very narrow container. it was very hard to consume the briyani since most bits of the rice was falling by the side. I feel the restaurant should invest in more plates than chopping boards cause we were all given one. Also the fact that we’ve got to order a thali and then only be able to add on the briyani was such an exceptional deal. I’m Asian and usually 9/10 of the times a set of thali would satisfy my hunger. i’m not sure how it is here in the UK cause for a person to be able to eat thali and a chicken briyani in one go is absolute insane ! this person would honestly deserve an award. The only reason i’m voicing this out is because of the fact that the prices stated on the menu were way off compared to the price in the receipt. yes, we were informed that the protein would be around 12 quids for an ala carte but like i said, it just doesn’t make sense. maybe just separate the rice dishes then. anyways still a cool place and 100% recommended if you have a belly as big as Kumbakarna 😉

Written 9 November 2024

Juliana W

1 contribution

BEST FOOD IN CORNWALL

Oct 2024 • couples

we are from Penzance, and we are trying to go Ministry of Flavor from summers, but they were very busy in summers. and last night we get the table there. We went to India every year because we love to travel, and we know about the Indian food taste. The good thing is that which you can see very rear that Chef personally serve your food. The freshness and aroma we can feel in the food. After having the food I was thinking I am sitting in North India. I want to say specially thanks to Chef Anup who serve the real taste of India. Highly recommended and must visit again and refer go my friends and family to visit this place ..

Written 1 November 2024

Julian G

1 contribution

Cuisine to remember

Feb 2024 • couples

The venue is light, open and attractive, maybe once a double-fronted emporium on one of old Penzance's main streets. The host is friendly and engaging. The food offering is truly different: a selection of menus for large, small and vegetarian-vegan meals, each including small side dishes, sauces and breads, with choices of different pulses and proteins. The dishes themselves are aromatically rather than fiercely spiced. Finally the wine list is small but intelligently selected and reasonably priced. Outstanding.

Written 1 February 2024

Ministry of Flavour Penzance

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you found Ministry of Flavour's venue to be light, open, and attractive. We're also glad that you found our wine list to be intelligently selected and reasonably priced. It's fantastic to know that your overall experience was outstanding. Thank you for your kind words and detailed feedback. We truly appreciate it and hope to welcome you back to Ministry of Flavour for another exceptional dining experience!

Written 20 April 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Venture43234601434

3 contributions

Best meal I have eaten!

Mar 2024 • family

First thing I noticed as we walked in was the lovely decor,service was good,the waiter was very helpful explaining the menu. The food was the best Indian food we had eaten.I had the chicken keema thalidomide which was delicious,all the side dishes flavours were delicious,my daughter is vegan and she also loved the flavoursome food. Shall be recommending to friends and family.

Written 16 March 2024

Ministry of Flavour Penzance

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you noticed and appreciated our lovely decor as you walked in. Providing a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere is important to us. We're pleased that you found our service to be good and that our waiter was helpful in explaining the menu. It's fantastic to know that you had the best Indian food you've eaten at Ministry of Flavour. We're glad that you enjoyed the chicken keema thali and found it to be delicious, along with the flavors of all the side dishes. We're also thrilled to hear that your vegan daughter loved the flavorsome options available to her. Catering to different dietary preferences is important to us, and we're delighted that we could provide delicious options for her. Thank you for recommending us to your friends and family! We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back to Ministry of Flavour soon for another memorable dining experience.

Written 20 April 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

AnthonydiNola

Sevenoaks31 contributions

Food actually tastes as it does in India.

Jul 2024 • family

Menu based around North Indian street food, Thali (Platter with lots of tasters) and a great selection of different unleavened breads. Uncomplicated and delicious. The dishes really did taste as they do in India! No pre-prepared sauces & masalas as used by most British ‘Indian’ restaurants in sight. Really enjoyed it. The extremely capable, friendly& unflappable Polish waitress succeeded in making the evening even more pleasant.

Written 25 July 2024

Komal R

1 contribution

Best Indian food in Cornwall UK

Jan 2024 • friends

I went there 2 times last week. I really enjoyed all food specially Gol-Gappe, Delhi chat and vegi fest. My son and daughter enjoyed Badam Halwa and they're made all food with pure desi ghee.Staff was very polite and understanding. Service was also good, I really appreciate because I went lots restaurant in cornwall but no one maintained indian taste in there food.

Written 30 January 2024

Ministry of Flavour Penzance

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We take pride in using authentic ingredients like pure desi ghee to bring out the traditional flavors of Indian cuisine. We're delighted that you found our staff to be polite and understanding, and that you appreciated the service. Maintaining the true Indian taste in our food is our priority, and we're thrilled that you noticed and appreciated it. Thank you for your kind words and for choosing Ministry of Flavour. We can't wait to welcome you and your family back for more delicious meals!

Written 20 April 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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