Kush Bristol will be located in the former home of The Mint Room on Clifton Road
Birmingham chef Aktar Islam is expanding into Bristol
A Michelin-starred chef is poised to launch a new Indian restaurant in Bristol. Aktar Islam, the holder of two Michelin Stars, is preparing to officially unveil his latest venture, Kush Bristol, in Clifton, though an exact opening date has yet to be announced.
The announcement follows a special supper club series that was promoted on OpenTable in January, and now the shopfront on Clifton Road appears primed for an imminent launch. The new eatery will occupy the former premises of The Mint Room, another Indian restaurant which shut its doors in 2024 after nearly a decade, reports Bristol Live.
The renowned chef, who has featured on programmes such as Saturday Morning Kitchen and Great British Menu, already operates a two Michelin star restaurant in Birmingham, named Opheem. Before the supper club series in January, Aktar and his team said: “Bristol is all about community, and these evenings are rooted in the way Indian meals are meant to be enjoyed: communally, with shared plates, shared stories, and the kind of warmth that turns fellow epicureans into friends.
“Growing up, food was never just food – it was ritual. It was laughter around the table, debates over spice levels, and the comfort of dishes that tasted like home. That’s the spirit we’re bringing to Kush and to these intimate evenings, before we officially launch.
“Each night will showcase a generous feast inspired by recipes from across the Indian subcontinent. Some dishes will feel familiar, others will be rare gems – regional delicacies carrying the soul of a place, a people, a memory.”
The Kush by Aktar Islam Instagram account published its inaugural post back in September 2024, mere months following The Mint Room’s closure, with the simple message: “Something exciting coming soon…”
A post on the Curry Society UK Instagram page revealed The Mint Room receiving fresh signage displaying ‘Kush by Aktar Islam’ on the window. The Curry Society, who dubbed Aktar Islam the ‘enfant terrible’ of the Indian culinary world, added: “This is big news and all our friends in the restaurants game in and around Bristol are all so excited, without exception. Welcome to Bristol, Chef Islam!”.