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Welcome to Tindli's comprehensive Christmas menu FAQ guide. Whether you're planning an intimate family dinner or a larger festive celebration, we've compiled answers to all your questions about our Christmas offerings, booking procedures, dietary accommodations, and what makes our Kerala-inspired festive menu unique in Croydon.
Yes, advance booking is highly recommended, especially for:
We recommend booking 2-4 weeks in advance for weekdays and 4-6 weeks in advance for weekends and Christmas Eve/Day to secure your preferred date and time.
While we do accept walk-ins when space permits, Christmas season demand is high, and we cannot guarantee availability without reservation.
You can book your Christmas table through three convenient methods:
When booking, please specify:
We understand plans can change. Our cancellation policy is:
For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day reservations, we require 72 hours notice for free cancellation due to high demand.
To cancel or modify your booking, please call +44 7990 375727 or email info@tindli.com as soon as possible.
For parties of 8 or more guests, we require a deposit of £15 per person to confirm your reservation. This deposit is deducted from your final bill.
For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bookings of any size, we require a £10 per person deposit to secure your table.
Deposits are fully refundable with 72 hours notice (48 hours for regular dates). Payment can be made via card over the phone when confirming your booking.
Yes! We're open Christmas Day with two seating options:
Christmas Day is our busiest date, so early booking is essential. We typically begin taking Christmas Day reservations from early November, and most tables are booked by mid-December.
If you're planning Christmas Day dining, we recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
For larger celebrations, we can arrange semi-private dining areas for groups of 12-20 guests. While we don't have a fully enclosed private room, we can section off areas of the restaurant to provide your party with a more intimate atmosphere.
For corporate Christmas parties or large family gatherings, please contact us at info@tindli.com or call +44 7990 375727 to discuss options. We can accommodate groups up to 40 with advance notice.
Private area bookings may require minimum spend commitments depending on date and party size.
Tindli's Christmas menu celebrates the rich traditions of Kerala's Syrian Christian community, one of the world's oldest Christian populations. While incorporating familiar Christmas proteins like turkey, we prepare them using authentic Indian techniques and spices.
Key differences include:
This fusion honors both British Christmas traditions and authentic Kerala Christian festive cuisine, creating a unique dining experience unavailable elsewhere in Croydon.
Syrian Christians (Saint Thomas Christians) trace their faith to the Apostle Thomas who arrived in Kerala in 52 AD. Their Christmas cuisine blends Middle Eastern Christian heritage with Indian coastal ingredients, creating distinctive festive dishes.
Traditional Syrian Christian Christmas features:
These dishes appear in Syrian Christian homes every Christmas, passed down through maternal lineages for centuries. Chef Karnavar brings authentic family recipes to Tindli, honoring this living culinary heritage.
The Kuttanadan Duck Roast is prepared using traditional Kerala methods that require patience and precision:
Step 1 - Marination: Duck pieces marinate in a complex spice blend including fennel seeds, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, and chili powder for several hours.
Step 2 - Slow Braising: The marinated duck slow-cooks in its own juices until tender, typically 60-90 minutes on very low heat.
Step 3 - Pan Roasting: Once tender, duck pieces are pan-roasted with sliced onions, curry leaves, whole spices, and a touch of coconut vinegar to develop the characteristic dark, caramelized exterior.
Step 4 - Final Touch: Potatoes are added and roasted with the duck, absorbing the rich spices and duck fat.
The result is meat that falls off the bone yet maintains structure, coated in an intensely flavorful, slightly tangy spice mixture that defines Kerala Christmas dining.
The Aalappuzha Style Fish Curry with Raw Mango is a signature Kerala dish that showcases coastal culinary traditions.
Key ingredients:
The preparation: The fish gently simmers in thin coconut milk with raw mango until cooked through. Thick coconut milk is added at the end for richness. The curry is never stirred (only swirled) to prevent fish from breaking.
The result is a perfectly balanced curry—tangy from mango, creamy from coconut, aromatic from curry leaves, with tender fish that flakes beautifully. It's one of the most celebrated dishes in Kerala Christian cuisine.
Our Christmas menu offers a range of spice levels to suit various preferences:
Mild dishes:
Medium spice dishes:
Bolder spice dishes:
The family-style service allows you to control your spice experience by taking larger portions of milder dishes. If you're sensitive to spice, focus on the fish cutlet, chicken tikka, and vegetable dishes.
We can also prepare milder versions of most dishes upon request when booking. Please inform us of spice preferences in advance.
Absolutely. Chef Karnavar's 30-year culinary career has taught him that authentic Indian cuisine demands authentic ingredients. We never compromise on quality or take shortcuts.
Our sourcing standards:
Every ingredient is selected for authenticity and quality. This commitment ensures flavors match what you'd experience in Kerala homes and establishes Tindli's reputation for genuine Indian cuisine.
Yes! The Christmas menu includes extensive vegetarian options as part of the standard offering. Indian cuisine naturally celebrates vegetables, and our menu reflects this diversity.
Vegetarian dishes included:
Vegetarian guests enjoy the same £30 complete menu (or £26 without dessert) and receive substantial, satisfying portions. The family-style service means you can have unlimited servings of all vegetarian dishes.
Yes, we can adapt most dishes for vegan guests. Please inform us when booking so our kitchen can prepare appropriately.
Vegan-friendly dishes (or easily adapted):
Dishes we cannot make vegan:
For vegan guests, we can offer fruit salad as dessert alternative. The vegan Christmas menu would be £24 per person (reflecting removed items).
Many dishes on our Christmas menu are naturally gluten-free, though cross-contamination risks exist in any kitchen. We take precautions but cannot guarantee 100% gluten-free environment.
Naturally gluten-free dishes:
Contains gluten:
For celiac disease, please call ahead (+44 7990 375727) to discuss preparations. We can designate separate cooking utensils and take extra precautions, though we cannot eliminate all cross-contamination risk.
Gluten-free guests should focus on curries, rice, and vegetable dishes while avoiding breads and fried items.
We take food allergies extremely seriously. Please inform us of any allergies when booking so we can prepare safely.
Common allergens in our Christmas menu:
For severe allergies: Please call to speak directly with Chef Karnavar about your requirements. We can often modify dishes or suggest safe alternatives, but some allergies may limit menu options significantly.
We maintain allergen information for all dishes and can provide detailed ingredient lists upon request.
Yes, all our meat is halal-certified. We source from trusted halal suppliers to ensure our Muslim guests can dine with confidence.
This includes:
Fish is sourced fresh from reputable suppliers and does not require halal certification under Islamic law.
Many guests following Jain dietary practices or personal preferences avoid onion and garlic. While challenging with our Christmas menu (which traditionally uses these ingredients), we can accommodate with advance notice.
Dishes that can be prepared without onion/garlic:
Dishes where onion/garlic are essential:
For strict no-onion/garlic requirements, please call us at +44 7990 375727 at least 48 hours before your reservation. We can prepare special Jain-friendly versions of select dishes, though the Christmas menu may be limited.
Alternatively, consider dining from our regular menu (if available) where we have more flexibility for no-onion/garlic preparations.
Our Christmas menu uses family-style service, traditional in both Indian culture and Christmas celebrations. Here's how it works:
Starters: Served on sharing platters with appropriate portions for your table size. Each person receives samples of all starter items.
Main Courses: All curry dishes arrive in serving bowls placed in the center of your table. Rice, breads, and accompaniments are also served family-style. Each person can serve themselves according to preference.
Unlimited Servings: Main courses are unlimited—when bowls run low, simply request refills. Try everything, return to favorites, and eat as much as you like.
Dessert: Served individually plated for each guest.
This service style encourages interaction, allows everyone to sample all dishes, and creates the communal atmosphere central to festive celebrations. It's also practical—if someone loves the duck roast, they can have extra portions without others missing out.
Plan for 2-2.5 hours for the complete Christmas dining experience. This includes:
This is a celebration feast, not a quick meal. The pacing allows proper enjoyment of each course and conversation between dishes.
If you have time constraints (theater reservations, transportation schedules), please inform staff when booking and upon arrival. We can adjust pacing, though we recommend allowing full time for the best experience.
Yes! We offer Christmas menu takeaway for those preferring to celebrate at home. However, takeaway requires pre-ordering at least 48 hours in advance.
Takeaway pricing:
To order Christmas takeaway:
Reheating instructions are provided with each order. Most dishes reheat beautifully, though we recommend consuming within 2 hours of pickup for optimal quality.
We do not offer delivery of the Christmas menu due to the need to maintain proper temperatures and food safety standards for this extended feast.
Tindli remains open throughout the Christmas season with the following hours:
December 1-23, 2025:
Christmas Eve (December 24):
Christmas Day (December 25):
Boxing Day (December 26):
December 27-28:
Last seating is typically 90 minutes before closing time to allow proper dining experience. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day may have adjusted last seating times—please confirm when booking.
Yes! Tindli gift vouchers make perfect Christmas gifts for food lovers and can be used toward our Christmas menu or any dining at Tindli.
Voucher options:
To purchase:
Vouchers can be redeemed for dine-in or takeaway. They cannot be exchanged for cash but can be used toward any amount with additional payment covering the difference.
Tindli Restaurant
5-7 St James's Road
Croydon
CR0 2SB
Transport links:
We're located in central Croydon, easily accessible from across South London, Surrey, and greater London.
Yes, Tindli is wheelchair accessible. We have:
If you have specific accessibility requirements or concerns, please mention them when booking so we can ensure appropriate table placement and any necessary accommodations.
Tindli has a smart casual dress code. We want guests to feel comfortable while maintaining the restaurant's elegant atmosphere, especially during the festive season.
Appropriate:
Please avoid:
Many guests dress up for Christmas celebrations, and festive attire adds to the occasion. We welcome traditional Indian clothing (saris, salwar kameez, kurtas) and encourage guests to dress in whatever makes them feel special.
Tindli has a corkage policy for guests who wish to bring their own wine:
We offer an extensive wine list featuring selections chosen to complement Indian cuisine. Our staff can recommend pairings for the Christmas menu.
The mulled wine included in starters is non-alcoholic by default but can be prepared with alcohol upon request (no additional charge).
Yes, we accept all major payment methods:
For group bookings, we can split bills by individual, by couples, or any arrangement you prefer. Please inform your server at the beginning of the meal if you'd like separate bills.
A 12.5% service charge is automatically added to bills for parties of 6 or more. This is discretionary and can be adjusted if service doesn't meet expectations.
Absolutely! We love helping guests celebrate special occasions during Christmas season. Please mention any celebration when booking.
What we offer:
If you're celebrating an anniversary, birthday, engagement, or other milestone alongside Christmas festivities, let us help make it memorable. Contact us in advance to discuss any special requests.
While Tindli doesn't have dedicated parking, several options exist nearby:
Public Car Parks (all within 5-minute walk):
On-street parking:
We recommend using public transport when possible, especially for Christmas Day celebrations when you may wish to enjoy wine without driving concerns.
If your question wasn't answered here, we're happy to help! Contact Tindli Restaurant:
Chef Karnavar and our team are passionate about providing exceptional Christmas dining experiences. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or special requests.
We look forward to welcoming you this Christmas season!
Experience authentic Kerala Christmas traditions combined with exceptional service at Tindli. Book now to secure your preferred date during this special season.
