We Check Out Mowgli – the Newest Glitzy Food Haunt at McArthur Glen, Bridgend

Approaching Christmas, the Need to See IT team decided to have our traditional meal a little early this year, so Laura, Mark and I, accompanied by Laura’s other half Kev, thought we’d check out a new Indian street-food -style restaurant that recently arrived at McArthur Glen.

Situated right on the corner between the cinema and the shoppers’ car park, we’ve been eyeing this place up for months.  With windows bathed in glamorous sheets of tiny lights, and dining couple’s swings with more lights, the look is inviting and romantic and catches your eye as you walk en-route to enjoy your outlet shopping fix.

Known for its street food-inspired menu and stylish, welcoming interior, Mowgli Bridgend has quickly become a favourite destination for those looking to indulge in the vibrant tastes of Indian cuisine. Mowgli Bridgend is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience. The impressive theme continues inside, with floor to ceiling fairy lights, solid wood benches and service we found second to none.

The magical bar

The decor features hanging plants, fairy lights, and rustic wooden tables that evoke a cozy, lively atmosphere. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the food. This level of service enhances the dining experience, ensuring each guest feels taken care of from start to finish.

Our friendly waiters Nathan and Callum introduced themselves and explained that Mowgli’s street food is a little like Indian tapas, so they recommended we each order 3 dishes.  I have to say, these guys delivered excellent service throughout, were very knowledgeable about the menu and were an absolute credit to the restaurant.

Even though there are only 4 of us in our little office, the Christmas Feasting Menu is excellent value.

The Mowgli Christmas Feasting menu begins with a glass of bubbles or a cold beer at the table alongside the iconic Mowgli Chat Bombs. Street Chat & Meats includes the heady Fenugreek Kissed Fries, punchy Gunpowder Chicken, and the crowd-pleasing Himalayan Cheese on Toast with the wintry spiced ooze of strong cheddar.

For the main event, there’s a selection of towering tiffins of meat and vegetable curries with rice to share. These recipes are family heirlooms, freshly cooked each morning. To give you that real Indian home kitchen thrill, the dishes are chosen and curated by the chef – tiffin roulette is total pot luck, as it is in India. The team will gladly adapt the menu for any vegan and gluten-free guests.

Christmas Feasting is rounded off with the indulgent Mowgli Chocolate Brownie with ice cream or Mango Sorbet served in waffle cones.

Outside the season, there is also an affordable fixed sharing menu for £20 per person, which gives a wide choice for everyone to share.

However, given that my husband Mark is like Joey from friends and ‘doesn’t share food’, we decided to order individually.  It was a wise choice, although we all tasted each other’s food anyway, it was too tempting not to!

Authentic Indian Street Food Experience

One of the standout aspects of Mowgli is its dedication to authenticity. Inspired by the bustling street markets of India, the menu at Mowgli Bridgend delivers a unique blend of traditional and modern Indian dishes that pack bold flavours and fresh ingredients. From classic street food favourites like Pani Puri (crispy shells filled with spiced water) to the beloved Yoghurt Chaat Bombs (a playful take on savoury snacks), each dish brings the spirit of India to your plate.

We made light work of the unique Chaat Bombs!

The first thing to arrive was the unique Chaat Bombs, something none of us had tried before, and a definite ‘experience’.  These tiny buns, filled with yoghurt, literally explode in your mouth and we cannot recommend them highly enough.

My delicious Sticky Chicken!

The ‘street meats’ section was next to arrive and right up our street.  We ordered Gunpowder Chicken, 2 portions of Angry Bird and Mowgli Sticky Chicken (to die for!) – being all committed carnivores, it was perfect and despite ‘not sharing food’, we just had to try all of them – and we were not disappointed.

For mains, we agreed to sample the Mother Butter Chicken (2 portions), plus Mowgli House Chicken and the unusually named ‘Bunny Chow’ (you’ll be relieved to hear it doesn’t contain bunnies – it’s a fruity, hot, chicken & potato curry served inside a bread loaf), and this was perfectly accompanied by rice and roti breads.  We were still not really sharing but we all had a taste of each of the dishes – and the butter chicken was my personal favourite, although the lovely Mowgli House chicken was similar to a Thai green curry, and definitely something I would order again.

Butter chicken with Rice and Roti was our Favourite, but we loved the other curries too!

The street food portions were generous – while the bowls looked small they were very deep and we didn’t manage to finish everything.  Nonetheless, we enjoyed a chocolate brownie each for dessert – which completely rounded off a very pleasant evening and we will definitely go again.

The ever- popular Brownie was delicious!

A Menu That Caters to All Tastes

It should be said that while there is a massive range of meat dishes for carnivores like us, Mowgli has so many options that everyone will find something to suit their palate, making it a fantastic choice for groups with diverse tastes.

The extensive vegetarian and vegan options are refreshing, allowing plant-based eaters to enjoy the full flavour and creativity of the menu. Signature dishes like the Holy Chow (a fragrant mix of spiced chickpeas and tangy tamarind) and the Mowgli Chip Butty (an Indian twist on the classic sandwich) offer rich flavours that appeal to all palates.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, catching up with friends, or enjoying a casual meal out, Mowgli Bridgend is the perfect setting. With a wide variety of small plates and shareable options, as well as curries, it’s easy to try a little bit of everything.

The restaurant also offered a tempting selection of cocktails, each crafted to complement the bold flavours of the food – although we aren’t big drinkers on a school night and it was soft drinks all round apart from one well-enjoyed glass of rose!

All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and this is a place that is very different from any Indian food I’ve had before.  It’s fair to say I have had cheaper curries, and if all you want is a cheap balti, a naan and a lager this is probably not the place for you.  However, Mowgli is in a class of it’s own and it is nothing like your average high street offering, Mowgli stands out from the crowd with a wide selection of food and a totally different experience that needs to be tried and appreciated.

Mowgli Bridgend isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a journey through the rich and diverse flavours of India. The combination of authentic, flavourful food, beautiful ambiance, and first-class service makes it a must-visit for anyone in Bridgend. Whether you’re an adventurous eater, a fan of high quality, out of the ordinary Indian food or simply someone who appreciates a delicious, thoughtfully prepared meal, Mowgli Street Food is bound to impress.

In a world full of restaurants serving the same, boring, freezer-to-fork selection, Mowgli Bridgend stands out as a vibrant, exciting, and flavourful dining option that celebrates the rich heritage of Indian street food in a truly beautiful, romantic setting. Definitely a culinary adventure and a Christmas meal the team won’t forget!

 

Header image:  Mowgli

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