We visited Chaat West Kirby to try the food, drinks and kids’ menu, and it seriously impressed us. Here’s my review.
Indian tapas is perfect for people like me who cannot commit to one dish. Chaat Indian Tapas & Lounge is a new chapter for the much-loved Karma restaurant, still owned by the Miah family. The menu is built around small plates, bowls, curries and sides, so you can order a bit of everything without having to choose just one main.
We’ve visited a few times now, and it has consistently impressed us with both the food and service. Here’s what we thought of Chaat West Kirby, including what we ordered, and why it is such a lovely spot for an Indian meal out in West Kirby.
Our first impressions of Chaat West Kirby
Chaat still has that lovely family-run feel we remember from Karma, but the restaurant is now more modern and spacious.
It is such a pretty space, with gorgeous decor and a relaxed lounge-style atmosphere that works just as well for a family meal as it would for date night or dinner with friends. When we visited, there was a nice mix of loyal customers and new faces.
The staff were brilliant from the start. They were friendly, helpful and really good at recommending dishes. Exactly what you want when the menu has so many tempting options!
How does the Chaat menu work?
The menu at Chaat West Kirby is really easy to mix and match, which is one of the things I liked most. They recommend choosing two to three Chaat-style small plates with a side, or going for a bowl with a small plate if you want something a bit more filling.
Dishes arrive from the kitchen as soon as they are ready, so it is ideal if you like sharing, picking at a few different things, and not having to commit to one main meal.
Each dish is numbered, and there is a spice guide on the menu too, from mild to hot. The staff are also happy to adjust the spice levels if you ask, which is handy if you know exactly how brave you are feeling.
What we ordered at Chaat West Kirby
We ordered a mix of small plates, curry, biryani and sides. Chaat has a main menu, vegan menu, gluten-free menu and kids’ menu, as well as off-menu specials that change regularly, so it is worth asking what is available when you visit.
The Lamb Biryani was one of my favourites. It came with basmati rice cooked with whole spices, served on top of an onion-based curry sauce blended with biryani spices. It was full of flavour and such a comforting dish.
We also tried the Veg Samosa Chaat, a savoury fried pastry filled with spiced vegetables, served on a bed of chickpeas and topped with mint mayo. This is a great small plate because it has loads of texture and flavour in one dish.
The Roosht was another really tasty choice, with pan-fried chicken thigh marinated in a bold, tangy masala. We also had the Highway Chicken, a Bengali-style rustic curry made with whole spices, chilli and a slow-cooked curry base.
And of course, we ordered the Masala Fries, because fries coated in masala spices are exactly the kind of side I want with everything.
Is Chaat West Kirby family-friendly?
Yes! The kids’ menu is a big part of that. We sometimes struggle to find restaurants like this with good options for children, but Chaat had loads of choices.
Elijah had the Murgh Makhani: chicken tikka in a spiced tomato, ginger, curry leaf and rich butter sauce, served with masala fries and naan bread.
It felt like a proper Chaat dish, not a plain children’s option added on as an afterthought, and Elijah gave it 9.8/10 stars, which is basically a Michelin review in child form.
For us, this is what makes Chaat West Kirby such a good family-friendly restaurant. You can enjoy the small plates, curries, cocktails and mocktails, knowing there is something genuinely nice for the kids, too.
Cocktails and mocktails at Chaat West Kirby
Chaat also has a fab drinks menu, including cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks.
We tried the Mango Colada and the Dragon Fruit Cooler, and both were delicious. The Mango Colada is made with Mango Rubicon, coconut, juice and lime. It was fruity, creamy and really refreshing.
The Dragon Fruit Cooler is made with dragon fruit, mango, vanilla and soda, and it tasted way more refreshing compared to the usual mocktail options.
I always appreciate it when restaurants actually put effort into their non-alcoholic drinks!
Upstairs dining and private events at Chaat West Kirby
Another thing worth mentioning is the upstairs dining area at Chaat, which is perfect for private bookings and celebrations.
It has its own bar, plenty of space and a slightly quieter feel, so it would work really well for birthdays, Christmas meals, family get-togethers or a meal out with a bigger group.
It is always handy knowing somewhere local that can do good food, good drinks all in a proper private space. Especially somewhere as central as West Kirby in Wirral.
Chaat is the kind of place that works for lots of different occasions, whether you are going for a family meal, a date night, drinks and small plates with friends, or a bigger celebration upstairs.
For us, Chaat is an easy one to recommend. The food is full of flavour, the service is brilliant, and the whole menu has that “I’ll just try one more thing” energy that makes you want to go back.
If you’re planning a visit, I’d definitely recommend booking a table, especially if you’re going at the weekend.
Location: 9 Grange Rd, West Kirby, Wirral CH48 4DY
FAQs about Chaat West Kirby
Where is Chaat West Kirby?
Chaat is located on Grange Road in West Kirby.
When is Chaat West Kirby open?
At the time of writing, Chaat West Kirby is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 5 pm to 9 pm. I would always check their website before visiting, just in case opening times change.
What should I order on my first visit?
I would ask the staff for recommendations, especially if you are not sure where to start. We really enjoyed ordering a mix of small plates, curry, biryani and sides so we could try a bit of everything.
Is the food spicy?
Each dish is numbered, and the menu has a spice guide from mild to hot. The staff are also happy to adjust the spice level if you ask.
Does Chaat West Kirby have vegan or gluten-free options?
Yes. Chaat has a main menu, vegan menu, gluten-free menu, kids’ menu and sweets menu, so there are plenty of options depending on your needs and preferences.
Is Chaat better for a family meal or a night out?
I think it works for both. It is relaxed enough for a family meal, but the small plates, cocktails, mocktails and lounge-style feel would also make it ideal for date night or dinner with friends.
Can you book Chaat West Kirby for private events?
Yes! Chaat has an upstairs dining area with its own bar. It would be perfect for birthdays, Christmas meals, family get-togethers and private celebrations.
Is Chaat West Kirby expensive?
Chaat can work for different budgets depending on how much you order. You could keep it lighter with a few small plates and sides. Or go for the full experience with curries, drinks and extras. We felt it was good value for the quality of the food.
We were kindly invited down to Chaat West Kirby to try the menu. But as always, all thoughts and opinions are completely honest and my own. If you’d like to work with me on a review or feature like this, you can get in touch.
