Hello, MK foodies! Have you been walking around Central Milton Keynes recently? Perhaps you are craving some real, flavour-packed South Indian street food. If so, you’ve probably caught the amazing aromas coming from Crispy Dosa Milton Keynes.
Here at What’s On MK, we are always looking for the city’s best independent eateries. Furthermore, we love finding hidden culinary gems. We then add them to our Food and Drink in Milton Keynes guide. Central Milton Keynes is pretty packed with big chain restaurants. However, Crispy Dosa really stands out. It offers a vibrant, bustling, and totally genuine taste of Chennai.
Maybe you’re trying a dosa for the first time. Alternatively, you might be a seasoned street food fan. You could also just be looking for great plant-based spots in MK. Regardless, here is everything you need to know before you visit.
What is Crispy Dosa?
Crispy Dosa is a popular UK restaurant chain. Importantly, they focus purely on 100% vegetarian South Indian dishes. Their Milton Keynes branch is right in the heart of the city at Lloyds Court. Consequently, it brings the busy street food culture of India straight to Buckinghamshire.
If you’re expecting a standard British curry house, think again. In fact, Crispy Dosa is completely different. They are all about the lighter, tangier, and deeply spiced flavours of South India. For example, think of massive savoury crepes (dosas). Additionally, they serve steamed rice cakes (idli) and spicy lentil doughnuts (vada).
What to Order: Menu Highlights
The menu is genuinely huge. Therefore, you might feel a bit overwhelmed looking at it. To help out, here are the standout items recommended by the What’s On MK team:
1. The Signature Dosas
First, you really can’t visit Crispy Dosa without getting one. These are massive, thin, crepe-like pancakes. Specifically, they are made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils.
- The Classic Masala Dosa: This is stuffed with a spiced, savoury potato mixture. Next, it is served with piping hot sambar (lentil stew). You also get a variety of fresh chutneys, like coconut, tomato, and mint.
- The Indo-Chinese Fusion Dosas: Are you feeling adventurous? Then try the Gobi Manchurian Dosa or the Paneer Manchurian Dosa. This option stuffs the traditional crepe with batter-fried cauliflower or cottage cheese. Finally, it is tossed in sticky, spicy Oriental sauces.
- The Family Dosa: Are you dining with a group? In that case, get the 4-foot-long Family Dosa. It takes up the entire table! Moreover, it is always a massive crowd-pleaser.
2. Street Food Starters (Chaat)
If you want a serious flavour explosion, head to the “Chaat Corner.” In particular, we highly recommend the Pani Poori. These are crispy, hollow pastry shells. You fill them with spiced potatoes and tangy tamarind water. Also, don’t miss the Samosa Chaat.
3. Indo-Chinese Wok Specials
South Indian restaurants are famous for their “Indo-Chinese” menus. The Chilli Paneer is a huge hit. It features cottage cheese cubes tossed with an oriental style sauce, green chillies, and spring onions. Similarly, the Hakka Noodles are big favourites here.
A Haven for Vegans and Gluten-Free Diners
Milton Keynes vegans, rejoice! Not only is the restaurant completely vegetarian, but many options go further. In fact, about half the menu is clearly marked as vegan.
The traditional dosa batter is made purely from rice and urad dal (lentils). As a result, the dosas are naturally vegan and gluten-free. However, just remember to ask for oil instead of ghee. Also, skip any paneer or cheese fillings.
Take the Vegan Chilly Mushroom starter, for instance. Or consider the Popeye Palak Dosa (spinach curry dosa). Ultimately, plant-based diners have plenty of great options.
The Vibe & Service
If you are looking for a quiet, intimate dinner, this might not be the spot. On the other hand, do you want a fun, energetic, and bustling atmosphere? If so, this is exactly what you’re looking for.
It gets really busy, especially on weekends. It is also packed during their popular £13 Breakfast Buffet. Consequently, there’s always a good buzz. It’s very family-friendly and full of locals. Furthermore, the generous portion sizes offer excellent value for money in CMK.
(Top Tip: Everything is cooked fresh to order. As well as that, they are often packed. Because of this, service can occasionally slow down during peak hours. Therefore, go with good company. You can grab a Mango Lassi and just enjoy the vibe while you wait!)
Practical Information
Ready to check it out? Here are the details:
- Location: Unit 12 & 13, 1 Lloyds Court, 665 Silbury Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3AZ. (Just across from the center:mk shopping centre).
- Opening Times: Open Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
- Dietary: 100% Vegetarian. Furthermore, they offer extensive Vegan and Gluten-Free options.
- Takeaway / Delivery: Yes! You can order via Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat.
The What’s On MK Verdict: To sum up, Crispy Dosa is a fantastic addition to the Milton Keynes food scene. It breaks the mould of standard high-street chains. It does this by offering massive portions and real South Indian flavours. Most importantly, it provides a welcoming environment for almost every dietary requirement. So, get yourself down to Silbury Boulevard and grab a Masala Dosa!
More from What’s On MK
Looking for more culinary inspiration after your dosa fix? Alternatively, check out some of our other recent local restaurant reviews:
- First, satisfy your sweet tooth with our guide to Choco Berry Milton Keynes.
- Next, are you looking for great burgers? Read our thoughts on Smoke and Pepper.
- Finally, seafood fans need to check out our visit to Jimmy’s Killer Prawns.
Planning a full day out in the city? In addition to dining, discover more Things to Do in Milton Keynes to walk off that big lunch!
Have you been to Crispy Dosa in MK yet? Let us know what you thought in the comments below! Also, don’t forget to follow our Instagram Profile @whatisonmiltonkeynes for daily updates!
