We stumbled upon Mowgli when we were eating next door; so many people were coming out of their doors looking like they had just had the time of their lives inside, so we knew we wanted to try it out soon after. Turns out it’s actually a pretty big chain restaurant throughout the UK, but you wouldn’t think so once you’re inside. The atmosphere is very cool, and the interior design is so unique and intentional that it seemed like a standalone restaurant, and we thought we’d found a hidden gem (not so hidden after all, but still a gem).

Not your typical dining experience, Mowgli offers a fresh take on Indian food, highlighting the lightness and expertise of home-cooked Indian cuisine. The restaurant's modern, relaxed interiors and subtle Indian touches set the stage for its famous sharing plates, which elevate the usual curry house offerings. Specialising in chaat and tiffin boxes, some of Mowgli's must-tries include treacle tamarind fries, a Himalayan cheese toastie, yoghurt chaat bombs, and Mother Butter Chicken.

After encountering a few delays, this well known Indian street food brand is set to open in Leicester before the end of August. Mowgli focuses on serving the kind of food that Indians eat at home and on their streets - food that is healthy, often vegan and always packed with fresh flavour. The brand was founded in Liverpool in 2014 by former barrister Nisha Katona - who was awarded an MBE for her services to the food industry in the New Year Honours list earlier this year.

Mowgli has been a success story since its humble origins in Liverpool. After branching out with two venues in its home city and in Manchester, Mowgli has gone further afield, with several restaurants in towns and cities throughout the UK (but no plans to give in to the pull of London – which is a pleasant change of approach from many successful independent restaurant chains). https://www.instagram.com/p/B5yAkJ2hEGR/

Relaxed and spacious, not busy on a Tuesday night but welcoming and attentive staff. The vegan tiffin was tasty and filling, rice, potatoes, chick peas and dahl washed down with a couple of craft beer cans. £28 for a full meal with drinks plus voluntary charity donation and tip so not cheap and perhaps not so authentic but I enjoyed it.

Due to the owner’s love of dogs, ever Mowgli restaurant is dog friendly. You’re welcome to take your pups to dine with you at any time. “I build my restaurants like I build my home: around my two legged AND four legged family – why should you leave the latter behind when you nip out for dinner – nah.

You can try a Street Food Collective Tasting Board at Rutland & Derby for £14, or sample the sharing menu at Mowgli for £19.50. Get a taste of Argentina at Sonrisa and choose three small plates for £20 from a specially curated menu. Enjoy any beer and any burger from the menu at Parcel Yard for £15.

Whether you fancy noodles at Pho, great food and a vegan menu at Prana, Indian street food at Mowgli, the excellent coffee and cakes at Bread & Honey, or delicacies from Bryter Moon Deli in Silver Street, come along, bring the doggie and explore the city centre.

With a choice of restaurants including Mowgli, Chutney Ivy, Desi Street Food, Giggling Squid, Pai, Crafty Burger, Sonrisa, Chinese Snack Box, Cocoa Amore and more, there is plenty of choice to keep stomachs full whilst enjoying the music line-up.

Our September visit was an excursion into an alternative Indian cuisine where most of our members sampled Indian Street Food for the first time during our experience at Mowgli Street Food Restaurant in St Martin’s in the centre of Leicester.

Bang smack in the middle of the city centre on 12 St Martins is the famous Mowgli, whose owner is none other than celebrity chef, Nisha Katona. The menu, which is fully Halal, is inspired by India’s vibrant street food.

All the gluten free dishes were very nice and the variety was great. Would definitely eat here again. It’s so great to see a gluten free menu displayed outside alongside the other menus.