food review
Taj Bar and Kitchen, Prestwick
Catherine Lawson
Taj Bar and Kitchen has been a much-loved institution on the Prestwick food scene for over 40 years. When it changed hands in 2025, the new owner was determined that the legacy of the founding family would continue to be reflected in a menu which aimed to blend traditional, authentic Indian dishes with modern culinary excellence. The result, as I found out when I recently visited with a friend, is a more innovative approach to the dishes and flavours we associate with South Asia.
From the minute you open the menu you can see that creating and adapting dishes which cater to different tastes and dietary needs is very much at the centre of the kitchen ethos. Allergens are clearly listed and options are plentiful whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian or omnivore. You’ll find old favourites on the menu alongside bold new dishes, which means everyone from the steadfast korma fan to the devil-may-care spice maverick is going to be spoilt for choice.
Everything we sampled from the starter menu was delicious, however, there were some which were particularly noteworthy. The tapka chicken – lightly battered tender chicken breast pieces cooked in a sweet chilli sauce – is a hearty option packed with familiar flavours: if you’re sharing several starters, this one’s a crowd pleaser. The vegetable pakora topped with crispy kale is another one worth noting. These crisp, golden pakora bites are a delight; they’re mildly spiced, non-greasy, and packed with vegetables which still have some bite. Take a moment to enjoy the crispy kale too – it’s perfection.
The biggest surprise, however, was the vegan haggis tikki served with tamarind sauce. A thin, crisp exterior yields to a soft, fragrant filling with a flavour as close to the real thing as I’ve ever tasted. If you’re open to something different, this is the starter I’d most recommend.
It’s in the main menu that you can more fully appreciate the authentic spice blends and aromatic complexity that define the rich heritage of Indian cooking. All the old favourites are there – korma, chasni, bhoona, biryani, saag and so forth – and they can be prepared with your choice of meat, prawns, vegetables or paneer. The butter chicken – their best seller – is rich and delicious and can even be made without dairy which in no way compromises the taste or the texture. Of the curries we sampled, the South Indian garlic chilli hit all the right notes with its intense flavours, luxurious texture and earthy little nuggets of slow cooked garlic. Served with a tandoori chapati to mop up the sauce, it’s spice artistry at its best. The dhansac was equally sublime – a deeply satisfying dish of slow simmered lentils infused with warming spices. Try it with a side of mushroom rice for the ultimate comfort eat.
For authentic Indian dishes with a fresh twist this much-loved Prestwick institution is well worth a visit. Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or returning to savour an old favourite, it’s a place which invites you to re-connect with the ancient spice trails which continue to delight our palates today.
