{"id":1127,"date":"2014-09-01T16:55:53","date_gmt":"2014-09-01T15:55:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/wp\/?p=1127"},"modified":"2026-02-09T18:13:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T18:13:08","slug":"ma-goa-dinner-on-your-doorstep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/ma-goa-dinner-on-your-doorstep\/","title":{"rendered":"Ma Goa, Putney \u2013 dinner on your doorstep – restaurant review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Ma Perhaps \u2018dinner on your doorstep\u2019 is, for most of us, a bit of an exaggeration, but if you live in Putney it\u2019s a fact and you will likely be grateful for that Ma Goa proximity. It has that comfy and cosy neighbourhood ambiance that is missing in some Central London restaurants, which have a local catchment only of office workers and tourists. This restaurant is full of local residents and those in the know. Ma Goa is conveniently located just 2 minutes away from Putney British Rail and 5 minutes away from East Putney Tube.<\/p>\n

Ma Goa might be a neighbourhood restaurant but it\u2019s celebrated by Indian food aficionados across the city. It has a host of culinary accolades and they are deserved. This small restaurant doesn\u2019t drip glitz but it contrives to offer diners a relaxing and home-like environment in which to unwind and enjoy superb food with friends and family. Yes, even children are welcome!<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t a restaurant dynasty conjured from the imagination of an enthusiastic PR company. This isn\u2019t an Indian restaurant marketing equivalent of Mother\u2019s Pride.\u00a0 Ma Goa does, surprisingly, have a real Ma as the figurehead and inspiration. She is the elegant Mrs Kapoor who, with her son Deepak, continue this family business which has been an icon in Putney since 1993.<\/p>\n

The Ma Goa team prepare favourite family dishes using recipes that truly have been passed down from generation to generation. One of the menu items celebrates that lineage with Aunty Bella\u2019s Lamb Kodi, which is diced boneless lamb slow cooked with tomato, whole garam masala and Goan red masala. If you have any doubt about the verity of that family member then staff will take the picture off the wall and show you the originator of the recipe \u2013 the real Aunty Bella!<\/p>\n

\"MaAll dishes here are freshly made. I overheard a diner on an adjoining table explaining to her guests that the food here is exceptional and that so many diners are regulars. That\u2019s a fine recommendation, and an unbiased and honest one. I must state that I do have a bias. Ma Goa was included in my book, Capital Spice. It has its own chapter, along with better known establishments and Michelin-starred restaurants. I think the food here can hold its own with the best. Yes, it\u2019s all down to personal taste, but Ma Goa ticks all my epicurean boxes.<\/p>\n

Stuffed Papard is a Ma Goa Classic as it states on the menu. It\u2019s a simple starter of lentil-flour parcels filled with spiced potato then pan-fried. These are moreish and an aromatic start to a meal here. But I have a favourite dish on this menu and it\u2019s one I am reluctant to share with even my most loved ones. The portion of Balchao, as with all other dishes here, is substantial but these shrimps in tomato and a spicy \u2018balchao\u2019 pickling masala is positively addictive. It does have a belt of heat but great flavour and richness. It\u2019s a must-try at Ma Goa.<\/p>\n

Seafood Biryani is another Ma Goa classic and it has great impact. They don\u2019t skimp at Ma Goa. Saffron-laced Basmati rice is topped with flaked salmon, prawns, squid and mussels. Those prawns are split and grilled and take on flavour from the delicate char. The mussels are the largest I have ever seen and presented a delicious and substantial addition to the dish rather than a mere garnish. This is a luxurious and mildly spiced seafood showcase, but at a surprisingly reasonable price.<\/p>\n

Perhaps that\u2019s the key to the success of Ma Goa. They have consistently presented the best of ingredients, cooked with dedication and offered at prices that don\u2019t demand a mortgage. The dishes are flavourful and hearty and even those who are regular Indian restaurant-goers will find new temptation on this unique menu. Don\u2019t be surprised if Putney estate agents advertise property with the amenities listed: Handy for schools, good transport links, convenient for Ma Goa.<\/p>\n

\"Ma<\/span>Opening Times
\nLunch:
\nClosed for week-day lunches in August
\nSun: 1.00pm – 2.45pm – (Monday Closed)<\/span><\/p>\n

Dinner:
\nTues – Thurs: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
\nFri – Sat: 6.30pm – 11.00pm
\nSun: 6.00pm – 10.00pm – (Monday Closed)<\/p>\n

Ma Goa
\n242 – 244 Upper Richmond Road
\nPutney
\nLondon SW15 6TG<\/p>\n

[This venue is now closed.]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Restaurant review by Chrissie Walker \u00a9 2018<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Perhaps \u2018dinner on your doorstep\u2019 is, for most of us, a bit of an exaggeration, but if you live in Putney it\u2019s a fact and you will likely be grateful […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24583,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,7],"tags":[58,269,73,8,1928,244],"class_list":["post-1127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asian","category-restaurants","tag-curry","tag-goa","tag-indian","tag-london","tag-ma-goa","tag-putney"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1127","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1127"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1127\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25366,"href":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1127\/revisions\/25366"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24583"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1127"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1127"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mostlyfood.co.uk\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1127"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}