A stylish, distinctive Indian restaurant with excellent signature dishes and lunch value, though service can feel rushed and occasional mains disappoint.
Anokaa stands out for its exceptional food quality, with standouts like the lamb neck and butter chicken drawing repeated praise, and its knowledgeable staff make menu recommendations feel genuinely helpful. The decor earns consistent praise, but inconsistent mains and occasional slow seating and pacing keep it just short of the very top tier.
Anokaa is a polished, energetic Indian restaurant on Fisherton Street that feels more like a special outing than a routine curry stop. Diners repeatedly praise the contemporary decor, attentive explanations, and a room busy enough to create occasion energy; one recurring impression is that the staff know how to make an unfamiliar menu feel approachable. The cooking is ambitious contemporary Indian, using regional foundations alongside coconut, smoked ingredients, harissa, Sichuan pepper, premium seafood, and unexpected garnishes. The slow-cooked lamb neck is the clear crowd favourite, while butter chicken, seafood starters, and vegetable dishes also earn enthusiastic praise. The trade-off is that creativity does not guarantee uniformity: a minority of diners found certain mains bland, overly hot, poorly balanced, or less distinctive than expected. Expect roughly £36-45 per person for a representative dinner before drinks. Families can dine here, and the menu offers familiar anchors such as butter chicken, chicken dishes, rice, naan, mild korma, fruit, ice cream, and sorbets. However, there is no clearly identified children's menu, portions and sauces may be fixed, and the kitchen's contemporary combinations may challenge cautious eaters. It is a better fit for families with reasonably adventurous children than for very picky young diners.
Area vibe: Historic market city centred on the cathedral, tourism, civic institutions and local shops.
Safety: Generally safe with good evening lighting near the centre but quieter late at night on peripheral streets.
What's nearby: Near Salisbury Cathedral, the city centre, railway station a short walk, boutique shops, parks and local offices.
The slow-cooked lamb neck is the standout, but the menu also offers strong seafood, vegetarian, and dessert choices at specific price points.
Anokaa suits an adventurous special occasion more than a quick, traditional curry meal, with busy-evening delays and parking difficulty worth planning around.
Expect stylish contemporary surroundings and lively evening energy, though conversation can get harder as the night gets louder.