Nirvana – Deanshanger

Rating: 3 out of 5.

£££

Nirvana Review – January 2026

Lionel

Nirvana Indian Fusion: A Hidden Gem Worth Seeking (with a few service quirks)

Having visited this location several times under different guises (most recently as the New Taj), I can confirm that Nirvana Indian Fusion continues a familiar narrative: it’s a restaurant that truly defies its unassuming exterior. If you were merely driving past, you’d likely be unenthused, but take the time to step inside and savor the food, and you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised. This is the epitome of “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Once inside, the transformation is evident. The interior is immaculately maintained, boasting a great layout and a genuinely inviting ambiance. Our table was ready upon arrival, and the initial service was friendly and welcoming. I also appreciate a restaurant that pays attention to detail, and Nirvana’s facilities were notably clean and comfortable.

Overall, our dining experience was very satisfactory, though, as expected with a group as eclectic as ours, we encountered a few individual issues. We believe our insights, therefore, offer a well-rounded perspective. From my personal viewpoint, every element of my meal was excellent. The server’s personal recommendation was particularly well-received and genuinely appreciated.

A significant highlight is the kitchen’s flexibility. They are incredibly amenable to off-menu requests and, crucially, personal spice preferences. This latter point is a huge bonus, catering beautifully to both the less spice-adventurous (like myself!) and the braver few who crave serious heat.

However, a couple of quirks did temper the overall experience. The primary one was the serving approach: taking each meal stage order one at a time. This meant ordering starters, then waiting for them to return for drinks, then again for mains, and so on. We much prefer placing our entire order at once and felt we weren’t given the opportunity to do so.

The other major drawback occurred at the very end of the evening. Requesting a split bill for meals and drinks somehow took over 30 minutes to provide. This lengthy wait was, unfortunately, a significant factor in our decision to award a 3-star rating.

As I mentioned at the outset, this is a restaurant that struggles with its location. It’s not particularly accessible or convenient. The nearest pub is a 10-minute drive, it’s not walkable, and it’s a fair distance from the major residential areas of Milton Keynes. Unless you’re local to the immediate vicinity, it requires a dedicated journey. So, when asked, “Would you come back?” my honest answer would be “probably not,” unless I had another specific reason to be in the area. Despite its quality, the logistical challenge is hard to overlook.

Nirvana Indian Fusion offers excellent food and a lovely atmosphere, making it a good quality dining spot. If you’re willing to overlook its location and a few service idiosyncrasies, you’ll be rewarded with a very satisfying meal.

Also, check out the scores and the common curry.

Common Curry – Average cost in the current economic climate and indicative of general price increases
Certificate –  No certificate awarded.
Web site –
https://nirvanaindianfusion.co.uk/

PositiveNegative
Good service and friendly staffThere was some disappointment with the overall spice of some of the meals – not as spicy as advertised and the comment was that it was more of a tasty stew than a curry
Well maintained interior and facilitiesPiecemeal order taking was too slow for us
Adaptable menu and amenable to special ordersProviding an itemised bill was too much of a challenge for the staff and dragged out the evening
Excellent quality food – especially tender lamb
Unique chicken lollipop starter that was exceptionally good
Everyone enjoyed the poppadoms and the dips