Authentic Nepalese & Indian cuisine in the heart of Aberystwyth
From the high passes of the Himalayas to the coastal air of Cardigan Bay, Shilam brings you a genuine taste of Nepal and India. Handcrafted momos, slow-cooked dal bhat, fire-kissed sekuwa, and rich, aromatic curries — all prepared with care, spice, and tradition.
Shilam was born from a simple belief: that the warmth and depth of Himalayan cooking deserves a proper home in Wales.
The name Shilam — meaning “the stone foundation” in the Nepali tradition — reflects our commitment to building something lasting. Our kitchen is led by chefs who grew up on the terraced hillsides of Nepal and the vibrant bazaars of northern India. Every dish tells a story of altitude, spice, and community.
We source our spices directly from trusted suppliers in Kathmandu and the Indian Subcontinent: fenugreek, timur pepper, jimbu, and Himalayan black salt. Our breads are made fresh each day. Our slow-cooked lentils simmer for hours. Nothing here is rushed, because good food never is.
Aberystwyth has welcomed us with extraordinary warmth. We are proud to call this creative, cosmopolitan town our home — and we are delighted to share the mountains with it.
Traditional recipes, unchanged. Every momo folded by hand.
A gathering place for families, students, and travellers alike.
Spices ground daily. Dough made each morning. No shortcuts.
Hearty portions. Honest prices. The Himalayan way.
Crafted every day using family recipes carried from Kathmandu. Steamed, fried, or in broth.
All our meat is sourced from certified halal suppliers. Full dietary information available on request.
Call ahead or walk in. Our full menu is available to take away, seven days a week.
Exclusive hire for celebrations, corporate events, and group bookings up to 40 guests.
Shilam honours both the distinctive mountain cuisine of Nepal and the rich, regional diversity of Indian cooking. Our menu brings them together under one roof without compromise.
Nepal sits at the crossroads of Tibet, India, and Central Asia. Its cooking reflects those influences: nourishing, earthy, and deeply comforting. These are dishes born of altitude and necessity, perfected over generations.
Hand-folded crescents of thin dough, filled with spiced minced chicken, pork, or vegetables. Served steamed or pan-fried with a tart, smoky tomato achar. The undisputed national street food of Nepal, made with devotion at Shilam.
Slow-simmered black lentil dal ladled over steamed white rice, accompanied by seasonal vegetable tarkari, crispy papad, and tangy achar. Eaten twice daily across Nepal — and once tried here, you will understand why.
A warming bowl of hand-pulled wheat noodles in a deeply flavoured, spiced broth with tender pieces of chicken or vegetables, finished with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lime. The perfect antidote to a Welsh winter evening.
Marinated in a fragrant blend of timur pepper, ginger, garlic, and Himalayan spices, then cooked over a charcoal grill. The Nepali barbecue tradition, brought to Aberystwyth. Chicken, lamb, or pork.
From the fragrant kitchens of the Punjabi plains to the spice-rich corridors of the subcontinent, our Indian dishes celebrate time-honoured classics with quality ingredients and generous spicing.
Tender pieces of tandoor-fired chicken in a velvety, mildly spiced tomato and cream sauce, enriched with butter and finished with fragrant dried fenugreek. A dish that became the world's introduction to Indian cooking, done properly here.
Slow-braised diced lamb shoulder in a deeply red Kashmiri sauce of whole spices, dried chillies, and Ratanjot bark, which gives the dish its characteristic colour. Slow-cooked until the meat falls apart at the touch of a spoon.
Cubes of house-made paneer — fresh Indian cheese — cooked in a lightly spiced puree of wilted spinach with garlic, ginger, and garam masala. A comforting vegetarian staple beloved across North India.
Fragrant basmati layered with spiced, marinated chicken and sealed under a pastry crust to steam in its own aromas. Served with cooling raita and saffron-infused onions. A celebration dish worthy of the occasion.
A broad selection spanning Nepalese specialities, Indian classics, vegetarian options, breads, sides, and desserts.
Ground daily in our kitchen. No pre-made pastes, no compromise. Just whole spices, toasted and prepared from scratch.
Open every evening for dine-in and takeaway. Extended hours on Friday and Saturday for late-night dining.
Dishes that go beyond the menu. Seasonal ingredients, bold ideas, and the undivided attention of our head chef.
Five courses — available Thursday to Sunday evening
A curated journey through the flavours of Nepal and northern India. Begin with chatpate and momos, progress through thukpa, a palate cleanser of Himalayan yoghurt, the full sekuwa platter, and finish with warm kheer. Paired with our carefully selected beverages on request.
Saturday evenings — advance order required
A whole lamb shoulder marinated in Nepali spices for 24 hours and slow-roasted until falling off the bone. Served with dal, rice, seasonal vegetables, and an array of house pickles. Ideal for groups of three or four people. Advance booking essential — call 01970 000 000 to reserve.
Available all week — entirely plant-based
A generous spread of purely vegetarian dishes: steamed vegetable momos, alu tama curry, saag paneer, tarka dal, pilau rice, fresh paratha, and seasonal vegetable tarkari. A celebration of what grows on the terraced mountain slopes of Nepal.
Our complete menu is available for takeaway, seven evenings a week. Every dish is prepared fresh to order and packaged to keep at its best.
We do not use third-party delivery platforms. Ordering directly with us ensures your food is prepared when you need it — not when an algorithm decides. Call ahead to arrange collection or ask about local delivery.
Ring 01970 000 000. We will take your order and give you an accurate collection time — typically 20 to 35 minutes.
Every takeaway dish is cooked to order. Nothing sits under a lamp. Your food will be hot and freshly made when you collect.
Walk in to collect, or enquire about local delivery within Aberystwyth when you call. Delivery subject to availability and minimum order.
Everything you need to know
The most honest review of any restaurant is the one written by the people who eat there.
The momos are absolutely extraordinary. I have travelled to Nepal twice and these are as good as anything I ate in Kathmandu. The jhol momo broth is deeply comforting. Shilam is an absolute gem in Aberystwyth.
We came for a birthday dinner and the staff were incredibly attentive. The Everest tasting menu is superb value — five courses of genuinely wonderful food. The lamb sekuwa was the best thing I have eaten in Wales. We will be back next month.
As a vegetarian, I often feel like an afterthought at restaurants. At Shilam, the vegetarian menu is just as exciting as the meat options. The alu tama is unlike anything else in Wales — sour, spiced, utterly unique. Cannot recommend highly enough.
The takeaway is brilliant. We called, it was ready in 25 minutes, piping hot and beautifully packaged. The butter chicken is as good as it gets and the garlic naan is fresh and properly cooked. Our go-to Friday treat now.
We brought a group of twelve for a work dinner. The team were brilliant — communicative, efficient, and genuinely warm. The dal bhat comes with unlimited refills which went down very well with our hungrier colleagues. The masala chai to finish was the perfect end.
I grew up in a Nepali household and rarely find restaurants that match the food of my grandmother. Shilam is one of very few. The dal is correct — soured just right, the tarka generous. This is the real thing. Proud to have Shilam in our town.
Shilam is available for exclusive private hire for groups of up to 40 guests. Whether it is an intimate birthday dinner or a company celebration, we will build a menu around your occasion.
Our event team works with you to plan every detail: the menu, the drinks, the timing, and any dietary requirements. We are experienced at hosting culturally mixed groups and can cater to a wide range of dietary needs.
We also offer informal group bookings for parties of six or more without full hire — perfect for university societies, team dinners, and family gatherings. Just call to discuss your requirements.
Walk-ins are always welcome, but we recommend booking ahead to guarantee your preferred time — especially on weekends.
Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23