Karma

You would not be mistaken if you took your surroundings and location for a high-end part of central London‘s frequented restaurants. The décor is effective enough to convey warmth and a sense of the exotic. Better still is the genuine warm welcome you will receive on your entrance. The waiters are very professional and transparently convey 'we want to make your experience one that you will naturally want to share with others'; well, that is exactly what I am now doing about Karma.

BK LUWO - a charity for women whose name means 'Living Together in Harmony Brings Holistic Wealth' - wanted to recognise their diverse women on the up-coming Mother's Day. We hadn't heard from a superstore that we had requested food from and with only two days to spare we asked Karma.

The attentive and professional manner of the manager conveyed a genuine interest in the customer being important, satisfied and focussed-on. He listened attentively to our plight and kindly consented to catering for ten of our women. The order was taken professionally and agreed upon, as if we were ordering the most expensive dish on the menu. I couldn‘t help looking around and observing the pleasing decoration and cleanliness of the place. In fact the outside is so inviting, the only thing missing is a touch of a bright summer night or day.

When I went to collect the order, the waiter greeted me courteously with a warm smile and asked me to take a seat whilst I waited to collect our donated order. The Veg Pillou was fluffy, cooked just right, not too greasy. Then the Daal was ample, seasoned with sufficient garlic, if that‘s what you like.

I actually wonder how many people have discovered this restaurant? This is a restaurant of great quality with excellent food. Thank you Karma.

Flo Grace (DI User), 15/03/12

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One of the best curry houses in Oxford. We live in Florence Park and consider us extremely lucky to have this restaurant just around the corner. They are always extremely professional and friendly. The food is amazing. We tried their online ordering for delivery the other night and thoroughly recommend it. Fast and no fuss service.

DD66 (Unverified), 30/12/11

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Had a disappointing meal here last Friday. Restaurant was pretty empty, so no problem getting a table. We ordered beers and tap water - beers came quickly, but we had to ask three times for the water.

Food was ok, but nothing special. They didn't check our order after we gave it, so appeared with the wrong vegetable side dish. Credit to them - they made no fuss, but brought us the right one free of charge. Plates were cold, and none of the dishes were much to write home about. The smoked haddock starter was OK, but I wasn't entirely convinced it was smoked haddock.

I was sorry not to have a better time - we've had some really nice meals here in the past, but it just felt like they weren't bothering.

gordon (Unverified), 08/02/11

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Well done Karma, the best Indian Restaurant in Oxford: well worth going to the other side of Oxford.

The restaurant is very well presented, the staff give excellent service, timing is perfect, you are never rushed- all very relaxing. Food is also of a very high standard. Looking forward to my next visit

Spicy (Unverified), 29/08/10

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We live near Summertown, within walking distance of several decent Indian restaurants, but find it well worth the trip up the Cowley Road to get to Karma. In the evening the parking is easy (on the wide pavement outside the closed shops.) The restaurant itself is pleasantly contemporary, with tables spaced a comfortable distance apart. The servers are congenial and expert.

But it's the food which sets Karma apart: it tastes fresh, with delicate, nuanced flavours... cooking of a very high order. Presentation is great too, with a much more 'nouvelle cuisine' approach than most Indian restaurants. Even better, in these straitened times, are the reasonable prices: three of us ate amply, with a couple of beers each, for just over £20 a head. Highly recommended.

Roving Chester (DI User), 11/06/10

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We have tried lots of Indians around Oxford and Karma is by far and wide the best Indian in Oxford. All the people I have introduced to Karma have never turned back and one friend travels from out of town to get takeaways there. I would highly recommend it, especially the honey glazed duck! We now don't go anywhere else!

Anonymous (Unverified), 05/11/09

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I was there last Friday and they were very busy. The waiter was friendly. He offered us drinks while we waited for our table as they were full.

It's one of the best Indians I have had.

Timms (Unverified), 03/11/08

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Myself and my partner dined at the Karma on Saturday night. How they can get away with charging such high prices is beyond me. The service was ok (ish), until, that is, we declined the offer of dessert. Then the waiters turned rude and unfriendly, dumping the bill on our table. We paid and left asap as we felt uncomfortable, There was no "thank-you" or "goodbye", just a grunt from the bar man! We will not be returning to the Karma nor, will we be recommending it to any of our friends, family or work colleagues.

Mia (Unverified), 23/06/08

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A friend and I dined in Karma last night. Most of the reviews stress the good service and the good quality of the food, but the last two times I have been I felt even the food was mediocre at best. The sauces for the popadoms were of low quality, while the popadoms themselves could have just come out of a packet. I ordered a biryani, the food was okay (though only okay). When we declined a dessert, the bill was automatically dumped on our table, though we had not finished our drinks or indicated we wanted to pay yet. The food is vastly overpriced - I see no evidence of the quality of food or service that would justify it.

Ilyas (DI User), 23/05/08

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We have been eating at the Karma for many years now & have never had a bad meal - my husband & I have worked our way through many dishes & each was as good as the last.

The staff are always friendly & we always receive a complementary drink at the end (please don’t say you all get one, as it makes us feel very special!!).

There are many good Indian restaurants in Oxford - we should know, we’ve eaten at mostly all of them over the years - but we always come back to the Karma for good food & service, & that’s just where we will be heading this evening.

Jane (Unverified), 04/01/08

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Ate at the Karma last night after reading the reviews on this site. Have to say, the food was excellent! I had a "Karma Special Chicken", which was a beautiful mix of chicken and minced meat with really lovely special rice. Sundries were also excellent. If I had one slight moan, it was that the plate could have been hotter, and whilst the service was friendly and informative, it was bordering on a bit tardy...

Overall, though, one of the finest curries I've ever eaten. Nice one.

John-Boy (Unverified), 19/12/07

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Absolutely excellent curry, best in Oxford without a doubt. Atmosphere is lovely, with a contemporary feel, music not too loud and also modern. Only gripe is they don't serve Bangla, only Cobra and Tiger, but thats no biggie. Takeaways also excellent value as you get a 10% discount with collection. Try the Sizzlin Sizzler, lovely and also the Methi is excellent!

Max.T (Unverified), 28/10/07

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Excellent food, friendly and helpful service. We asked the waiter what he would recommend and he produced a very large selection of starters and main courses for £15 each! The food was delicious. We only wish we had space for more. We think this is the best Indian resturant in Oxford.

Rc (Unverified), 13/10/07

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Karma is my favourite place to eat. I first went there with friends who live nearby but I then began traveling in to Oxford to eat there, it was so good. I now live just round the corner and it's just as good as ever. The staff are fantastic and food is fatastic and the whole experience is spot on. I have been there for a girlie night, with family and with my boyfriend and each time has been as good as the other.

kellybean (Unverified), 02/10/07

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The best place in Oxford. You rarely see a restaurant with this much class. As for the food it's amazing - made by a chef who had come third in Britain's chef competition. But I have to say the staff there are wonderful!

isabell (Unverified), 22/08/07

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Just had a take away from the Karma. King prawn shashlik, lamb pasanda, duck patia, sag aloo and brinjal bhaji. Very good indeed. All dishes were excellent, thoroughly recommended.

Nicholas Name (Unverified), 15/07/07

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For many years we travelled around Oxford looking for somewhere special. Then we visited Karma and have not ventured else where since. This restaurant somehow caters for all without disturbing other parties, whether it be a romantic meal, a lads night out or a family gathering, you are always made to feel welcome. The Staff are always polite, friendly and helpful. We visit Karma at least weekly (sometimes more) and have even been known to pop in whilst passing to say hello and have a quick half. And as for the food (why do you think we go each week) - it's fantastic. I have even been tempted to stray from my normal meal of choice and am working my way through the menu trying other dishes. We would highly recommend Karma to everyone.

Ellen (Unverified), 17/01/07

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Friendly staff, good service and quality food, this makes it one of my favourate place to eat curry. Wide variety of vegetarian/vegan dishes. They can make a vegetarian version of a meaty curry on request. The food is delicately cooked, spicy, non-greasy, the closest to homemade Indian food I have tasted in Oxford. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. Karma is worth each penny. But it's a shame that it's not in city centre. Ambience is good and classy. If you are looking to spend a good evening, then go for it

IK (Unverified), 01/01/07

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The presentation and quality of the dishes is excellent. Service is good and staff are friendly. I have been many times over the last few years and have always been impressed.

Simon R (Unverified), 22/12/06

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One of the worst meals I've have eaten out in a very long time. After sitting down we should have expected better when we were asked three times by different waiters if we had ordered drinks. Starters came and went, all good.

Then came 35 minutes of sheer inactivity whereupon someone came to ask whether we had ordered our main course which we had when ordering our starters. 10 minutes later the mains arrived. Cold. Sent them back. The excuse was that either they had been cooled by the large and extensive lettuce side salad, or I was simply wrong. The courses came back duly microwaved. The chicken Tandoori was raw on one side, 1 hour after the order was placed. I complained, paid up and left.

Slow service, poor food (clearly prepared hours in advance and heated up, badly) poor waitering and no apology or excuse. A bad place to go. Don't make the same mistake.

Tolerant to most (Unverified), 07/10/06

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Friendly staff, good service and quality food, this makes it one of my favourate place to eat curry.

Don (Unverified), 25/08/06

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Karma is worth each penny. It's the only quality Indian restaurant in Oxford. But it's a shame that it's not in city centre. Ambience is good and classy. If you are looking to spend a good evening, then go for it.

Ruchika (Unverified), 18/06/06

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Wide variety of vegetarian/vegan dishes. They can make a vegetarian version of a meaty curry on request. The food is delicately cooked, spicy, non-greasy, the closest to homemade Indian food I have tasted in Oxford. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxing.

Maj (DI User), 23/02/06

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So far up the Cowley Road it's actually on the Oxford Road, the Karma Bangladeshi restaurant deserves to be added to the canon of quality East Oxford curry houses. It's a bit different, though; the mood here is stylish and modern, with understated coloured lighting, smooth curves and tasteful wall hangings.

As it's just around the corner from my house, the Karma is at the moment my most frequented curry house, but I would exhort anyone who appreciates spicy, flavoursome food and excellent service to make the trip from the Cowley Road. My most recent trip, on a Sunday evening, confirmed my views.

Feeling pretty hungry, after a couple of poppodoms we moved onto starters. Until I started going to the Karma I never had starters with a curry but these starters are something special. On this occasion we shared a very tasty chicken chat and delicious aloo bora, lightly spiced fried potato fritters (both £2.95). The presentation was excellent; the fritters came with a creamy dip, and there was just the right amount to get the taste buds tingling in anticipation of the main event.

For our main course I had chicken pallock (£6.25), my partner had lamb makhani (£6.75), and we shared a portion of pilau rice (£2.15), a garlic nan (£2.15) and for maximum greediness a side order of bombay aloo (£2.95). Partner normally goes for the spicy dishes, but the creamy lamb makhani, served in a garlic, ginger and coriander sauce, was pronounced good, with the lamb tender and succulent. Both of us have tried the garlic chicken and garlic lamb dishes (£6.75) before, which are also exceptionally flavoursome with a spicy kick (but not so good for fresh breath).

The chicken pallock is something special and fast becoming my all-time favourite dish. It manages to combine my two favourite ingredients, chicken and spinach, but instead of being quite bland, like most chicken sag dishes, it's really quite spicy and has a delicious flavour. The meat wasn't quite as perfect as it has been in the past but I this dish has to be tried, and I don't believe I have seen it on the menu at any other East Oxford restaurant.

The accompaniments were also good, and I had to admit defeat before my plate was emptied. The meal was lubricated with a pint of draught Kingfisher; a glass of dry white wine also slipped down well, and a look at the wine list found it ample.

Though there were few other diners, the restaurant seemed to be doing a busy trade in takeaways, probably helped by the fact that you can park right outside. The service was excellent; the staff were attentive while low-key, and the total cost was £40 including tip for the two of us. The only problem with it is the tendency to hum a certain Boy George tune under the breath while waiting for your food to arrive. Don't miss it.

Claire Lishman (Unverified), 09/09/04

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