Bold flavours, bright colours, big portions – Teneriffe newcomer Kamala isn’t holding back, especially when it comes to first impressions. The brainchild of Shahil Shah and Jasmine Graham softly opened on Vernon Terrace last week, taking over a space at the base of the London Woolstore previously home to Siffredi’s Spaghetti Bar. It’s not the first rodeo for Shahil, whose family runs a neighbourhood Indian restaurant in Toowoomba, but at Kamala – named in honour of Shahil’s mother – the couple are looking to spice things up with a more contemporary approach to Indian cuisine. “We love to travel, we love community, we love to have a drink and we love Indian food,” says Jasmine. “So I think we wanted to put our own twist on it. We would call it a mix of trendy and fun – it’s a modern approach.” Kamala is a far cry from your local takeaway spot – a cosy inside bar area is bathed in pink hues courtesy of a vibrant neon sign, with a new wall mural matching the eye-catching aesthetic. Outside, guests can congregate around sturdy timber tables filled edge to edge with cocktails, craft beers and a colourful array of curries.

Kamala’s debut menu is built on a strong foundation of freshness and versatility. Everything is made from scratch (no pre-made curry pastes in sight) and though the offering is set to expand, there’s already something for everyone. “Our main menu at the moment is targeted for everyone to be able to eat,” says Jasmine. “There’s vegetarian and vegan options and all mains are gluten-free.” And what about the heat levels? “We can tone down the spice a little bit or make it hotter,” Shahil assures us. Kamala’s menu is best enjoyed in a share-style format, with big long platters filled with curries, breads, rice and sides giving groups a feast for the eyes, and their bellies. The offering starts with entrees like golden vegetable samosas, tender chicken tikka, crispy samosa chaat and plates of tenderly tandoor-cooked lamb cutlets. From there, Kamala serves a selection of main plates, from velvety butter chicken, creamy korma, aromatic vindaloo and fragrant biryani – with naan and rice rounding out the current menu. Shahil and Jasmine are eager to add more inventive options in the coming months (there’s talk of butter chicken sliders) and tweaks on other family recipes. Kamala’s bar is equipped with a bank of beer taps pouring cold ones from Your Mates Brewing Co., while a cocktail list showcases signature twists on classics, including a cinnamon margarita and a Fireball sour. The wine list is evolving, so vino lovers are encouraged to pop in regularly to see the new varieties on offer.

Kamala is now open to the public – operating hours and contact details can be found in the Stumble Guide.