A warm, Bengali welcome awaits you at Ragini – bringing cooking traditions passed down through generations to inquisitive Devon diners. Founded by Rupa and her husband just before the initial lockdown, the restaurant/takeaway offers visitors a chance to try dishes you wouldn’t normally see from Bengal and Bangladesh.

Traditional favourites sit alongside unique offerings to cater for varying levels of adventurousness. There’s a wide range of vegan and vegetarian dishes and a popular classic curry selection plus tandoori kebabs, signature Bengali dishes and the Thali – a great chance to enjoy the six different flavours of Indian custom through sweet, salt, bitter, sour, astringent and of course spicy.

Ragini translates to the English word, melody, and like the makeup of a joyful tune, the ingredients in the variety of dishes on the menu aim to combine flavours, textures and aromas to make your tastebuds sing.

The Pijau – a crispy lentil fritter – made for a great starter that was light and full of flavour, as well as the Prawn Luchi – a deep fried flatbread – which offered sweet, spicy prawns with a delicious salad. The Lamb Kata Masala we tried had a subtle savoury flavour interspersed with hits of whole garlic, ginger and chillies while the Lamb Haripuri cooked in a sweet, sour and spicy sauce was probably my star of the meal.

While the ambience is homely and informal, the décor is still stylish and well looked after. The same goes for the presentation of dishes where an emphasis on home-cooked, authentic flavours still pairs well with beautiful serving styles. The whole experience is indulgent and exclusive, while feeling like you’re part of a big friendly family.

What’s more, Ragini firmly support the local foodie scene, getting involved in pop-up foodie events locally and even offering a street food approach outside the restaurant throughout summer.

It’s clear that Ragini take their food very seriously and have successfully worked hard to introduce a range of delicious meals to a new audience. For Rupa this focus on the dishes of her homeland is very important, and her words capture the experience perfectly: “Ragini is not just a brand – it represents everything we stand for, it is our culture, our family, our neighbours, our traditions, our religion, our gardens, rivers, jungles, evening tea, sunsets, festivals and parties. It is a tribute to our mothers who taught us all we value today.”

Words: Steve Fothergill