Madhras Dosa
Indian, 76 Old Dumbarton Road, Glasgow G3 8RE
£35 for 2 mango lassis, 1 starter and 2 mains
Affordable South Indian Street Food Near the University of Glasgow
It had been a while since we last dined out, but we recently decided to visit Madhras Dosa, a small eatery near the University. Interestingly, this spot was formerly known as Banana Leaf, a well-loved haunt for students, famous for its budget-friendly meals. With the rebrand, we were curious to see if it still lived up to its reputation for offering good value for money.
A Café That Serves Dinner
The first thing to note is that Madhras Dosa doesn’t quite feel like a restaurant. If anything, we’d call it a café that happens to serve dinner. The space is incredibly small, and the open kitchen adds to the casual, almost street-food-style experience. You can see them preparing food in massive pots and using large frying pans, which adds to the authenticity but also means the dining space is compact.
Seating was another factor that reinforced the café vibe. The table we sat at was rather uncomfortable, and the overall layout didn’t lend itself to a leisurely dining experience. If you’re looking for a place to settle in for a long, relaxed meal, this probably isn’t it.
The Food – Hits and Misses
If you expect a well-made, affordable South Indian meal, then Madhras Dosa delivers.
• Mango Lassi – Both of us had a mango lassi, and it was delicious. Creamy, refreshing, and a perfect start to the meal.
• Chicken 65 – Described as a popular deep-fried, spicy chicken appetiser originating from Madras, this dish was quite enjoyable. The chicken was tender, though it could have used a bit more seasoning. It was a decent starter, nothing mind-blowing but satisfying.
• Madras Dosa – I enjoyed the dosa and thought it was a well-made version of the dish. My partner, Basil, however, wasn’t impressed. It’s essentially a large pancake with a potato filling and chutneys on the side. While the filling was tasty, he found the sheer amount of extra pancake excessive and unwieldy. Basil wasn’t sure how to eat it and felt uncomfortable with using his hands, preferring cutlery instead. While I appreciated the traditional aspect of it, he felt it was too much effort for too little payoff.
• Paneer Curry – We had a paneer curry (we think it was an Itala curry, but we’d need to double-check), which was one of the meal's highlights. Unlike the rich, heavy curries we often find in Indian restaurants, this one was much lighter. One thing I really appreciated was that I didn’t experience the usual post-Indian-food reflux, which was a rare and welcome change. It felt more like home-style cooking than restaurant-style, which was a refreshing difference.
Would We Go Back?
Would we return to Madhras Dosa? The answer is yes, but with caveats. If we were in the area and wanted a quick, inexpensive Indian meal, it would be a solid choice. However, it’s not somewhere we’d take friends for a long catch-up or a proper evening out. It’s great for a casual lunch or a no-fuss dinner, but not a place to linger.
Three Things to Know About Madhras Dosa (Glasgow):
- It’s more of a café than a restaurant – A small, no-frills space with an open kitchen and limited seating. Great for a quick bite, not ideal for a long meal.
- Solid, affordable South Indian food – Highlights included the mango lassi, Chicken 65, and a light, home-style paneer curry. The dosa was well-made, but the portioning may not suit everyone.
- Great value, but not somewhere to linger – Prices are student-friendly, and the food is satisfying, but the space isn’t designed for comfort or long visits.