As anyone who has ever walked down Liverpool Road will be able to tell you, Akbar’s is one of the most popular Indian restaurants in the city centre. With a no booking policy for tables of six or less, you’re likely to always have to wait a short while for a table in this busy Manchester venue, and possibly longer at the weekends. But it’s worth it. The menu is exactly what you’d expect from your local takeaway, with starters including seekh kebabs, special veg pakora, followed by old school curries such as dopiazas and rogan josh. The showstopper is the vast, hanging naan breads perfect for sharing. A properly buzzy, sociable space that’s as popular with celebs as it is students. 

Arriving on Piccadilly Gardens in 2016, this casual, canteen-style celebration of Gujarati cuisine has been a revelation. With a menu that is quite literally all bangers, Bundo has firmly entrenched itself into the Manchester dining scene as a place to meet, eat and be merry – thanks in no small measure to co-founder Marko’s brewing chops and curation behind the bar. The Bundo Chaat is the stuff of legend, and those okra fries… Every city should have one (and we have two, with the Bundobust Brewery on Oxford Street).

An icon even amongst the crowded field of Northern Quarter rice ‘n’ three cafes, Cafe Marhaba is famed for their warm hospitality and their on-site tandoor oven, baking bread and kebabs to perfection every single day. With prices that have barely gone up in the three decades it has been open (it’s about £8 for a heaped plate of rice and, yes, three different curries from a rotating selection), it’s the optimal spot for a satisfying a lunch, boasting a loyal crowd of long-time devotees who would likely keep the place to themselves if they could. The curries change daily, but a trip to Marhaba would not be complete without trying their slow-cooked nihari, a better example of which you’d struggle to find.

A few years back this small restaurant expanded from its first site in Cheadle, opening up their second on First Street in the city centre, and it came with a flavoursome bang. Their restaurant leans into all things street market, full of eclectic decor and colourful shipping containers, with the cornerstone of the menu being traditional Indian tiffin trays laden with different street food, but if you don’t fancy that, there are biryanis, tandoori specials and classic curries, alongside a host of Indo-Chinese delicacies too. Veggies and vegans are also well-catered for at this lively spot where old meets new. 

Another long-standing NQ rice ‘n’ three spot, Kabana is part of the dominating triumvirate comprising This & That and Cafe Marhaba (and perhaps Yadgar’s too). With its liberally graff-ed exterior, curb appeal is inverse to deliciousness, but for a head-turningly decent price, you can enjoy a heaped plate of lamb karahi on the bone, keema potatoes, chicken masala and rice. Their cheese naan (which takes 10 minutes or so, so be mindful of this if you’re ravenous) is also the stuff of dreams.

Serving North Indian food with a Nepalese touch, Rajdoot Tandoori has been feeding Manchester for nearly 60 years and is perhaps its most esteemed curry house. With a prime city centre location on Albert Square, visiting Rajdoot is an authentic trip back in time. While their menu is varied, people flock here for the tandoori dishes. They proudly announce that meat and vegetables are marinated for over 12 hours then cooked to perfection in a clay oven charcoal pit. The Nepalese influence comes in the form of spicy steamed dumplings called momos. If you want tasty, classic curries, perfected over decades, Rajdoot has a proven record on delivering the goods. 

With a legitimate claim to being one of Manchester’s favourite curry houses, This & That have been operating their rice ‘n’ three cafe on Soap Street in the Northern Quarter since 1984. A haven for locals and office workers, lunchtimes at This ‘n’ That are always enjoyably chaotic. Authentic curries are served canteen-style to eat-in or to take away, with prices at their most competitive. The offering changes daily, with recurring favourites including biryani, chicken chana, lamb with pumpkin, lentil daal and (trust us) a cabbage curry that might be the best of the lot. Sides include excellent samosas, pakoras, rotis and a proper puffy naan. Wash it all down with a mango lassi, and join the legion of This & That devotees.

Another of the classic Northern Quarter rice and threes, Yadgar’s is a lunch spot sent from on high, with a range of daily changing curries and classic caff seating from which to despatch it. From soothing daals to spicy karahis, veggies and carnivores alike are catered for, and no tour of city centre curry houses would be quite the same without it. Be prepared though, they generally only accept cash.

On a sunny evening, Zouk’s terrace gets packed with people enjoying a variety of flavoured shishas in the late evening sun. The bar and restaurant seems to be as much a venue for Saturday cocktails and catch ups as it is for dinner, with an extensive cocktail menu for customers to choose from. But the food is the thing. The Zouk menu focuses on Indian and Pakistani influenced brunches and grill dishes, as well as Sunday roast platters heaped with tandoori meats and Indian sides alongside your classic British trimmings. It’s a bold fusion menu that delivers on taste as well as creativity.

With a prime location spot on Rusholme’s Curry Mile, one on Deansgate, and an outpost in Cheadle too, Chit ‘n’ Chaat specialise in vibrant veggie street food. Inspired by the regionally-specific roadside eats you can find across India, Chit ‘n’ Chaat offer a melange of dosas, chaats, and an ‘ultimate’ grilled Bombay sandwich. Their vada pav (a deep-fried potato dumpling served in a bread roll with chutneys and green chilli) is a particular crowd pleaser, and their dosas are as golden and light as you could imagine. If you wan’t to get loads of pals together to enjoy fresh, authentic flavours, Chit ‘n’ Chaat is bound to get everyone talking.

If you’re heading into Rusholme for an Indian feast, then Mughli is definitely worth a beeline. The restaurant has been open for almost 25 years and attracts a host of Manchester foodies with their casual menu. On one side of the menu is a variety of street food and snacks, designed for sharing, including kati rolls, pau and chaat, with influences from all over Asia. On the other side, there’s curries and biryanis to choose from, as well as slow-cooked stews and grills from the charcoal pit. A real highlight of the menu is the Mughli lamb chop dish. You’ll need a scrub down afterwards though.

If you Google ‘best restaurant Rusholme’ (and trust us, we often do) Sanam is a name that comes up more often than most. This is perhaps due to its standing – it is the longest-running curry house on the mile, the one that started it all and a pillar of the local community with its lavish curries, fabulous chops and a sweet – mithai – counter which is almost impossible to wander past. It is the original, and for many, the very best.

“Cosy and inviting, with vibrant colours and traditional Indian decor. The aroma of freshly cooked spice and herbs fills the air, making you feel like you’re in the heart of Mumbai”. The mother-daughter team behind Cheadle’s Aamchi Mumbai certainly know how to set a scene, and the description of their restaurant speaks volumes about how passionate they are. They’re renowned for their flavourful curries, and friendly, attentive service, but it’s often the street food dishes like masala dosa, samosa chaat, vada pav and bhel puri which steal the show.

Bhaji Pala roughly translates as the green vegetables and herbs that are at the heart of cooking found in western India, and at the Gatley restaurant they are all about the greenery. Cooking up an array of vegan dishes, they are keen to emphasise that Indian cuisine is far from homogenous and every geographical region has its own food culture, drawing inspiration from the kitchens of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa. Coconut, rice and lentils play starring roles on their menu, which features tempting and innovative dishes like Tandoori pineapple, broccoli Manchurian and crispy lotus stems. A firm favourite among locals, they know they’re onto a good thing with Bhaji Pala.

This spot in Sale hasn’t been around for very long, but in the short amount of time it has it’s built up a reputation for its authentic South Indian cooking and modern, vibrant interiors. Their speciality is obviously the dosa, of which there are heaps of variations. Veggies and vegans are well catered for too, we’d recommend the gobi cauliflower and kadai paneer. If you like to mix it up from your standard curries once in a while, Dosa Kingss is a jewel in the crown of Northenden Road.

Winner of 2023’s National Curry Award, Best Nepalese Restaurant, among countless other wins over the years, The Great Kathmandu’s trophy cabinet has no doubt been extended several times by now. Opened by Gopal and Jhunu Dangol in 1986 with the mission of bringing the flavours and culture of Nepal to England, it’s longevity speaks volumes about how successful they have been, serving up ever-popular Indian tandoori dishes alongside distinct Nepalese influences coming in the form of dishes like Sunakothi seafood cooked with ginger and garlic, and Makhan fish cooked with butter, cream and tomatoes.

Indian Affair serves a fusion of authentically contemporary small plates made for sharing. An avid chef, Harshit found himself longing for tastes and flavours from back home, often recreating dishes for his family that he couldn’t find anywhere else in Manchester. With a focus on small plates, the menu is made for people wanting to try a bit of everything and with dishes priced from just £5 – £12 that’s entirely possible here. The palak chaat steals the show – crispy spinach fritters which have been drizzled with yoghurt, tamarind and mint chutney.

Mumbai To London on Market Street, opposite The Droylsden Centre, makes a few pretty bold claims. Firstly, you might be welcomed by a former Mr Delhi. Radi, brother of the restaurant’s owner Vinod, and chef at the family’s other restaurant Vedaa in Cheadle, won the bodybuilding contest in 2008. Among the other big claims, is that it’s the only place in the country where you’ll get a chutney garlic naan – a fresh, puffy garlic naan, with fresh, vibrant coriander chutney. Luckily, the flavours on the menu are just as big as these claims. Make sure you try the spicy Mumbai gun potatoes and the aromatic ajwani fish tikka.

The Original Third Eye has been a mainstay of Didsbury Village since 2000 and has a link to Indian cooking royalty. Chef Arun Kumar was trained by his father from India, who worked at the legendary Moti Mahal, Delhi. For those less familiar with the subcontinent’s restaurant scene, this spot lays claim to being the birthplace of butter chicken and many more dishes. So obviously trying the butter chicken is a must, although many of their Nepalese-inspired dishes are must-trys too, including the momocha dumplings (served steamed or fried) or the creamy dal makhani, another Moti Mahal mainstay.

The definition of ‘unassuming’, Levenshulme’s Paratha Hut is a late night spot operating out of the forecourt of a car wash. With next to no online presence, it’s a word-of-mouth sensation. Inside there are just a handful of tables and chairs, and the team serve up traditional curries and snacks, but the star of the show is undoubtably the flaky, freshly baked paratha, served with fresh mint raita. As far as car wash dining goes, it’s a million times better than a petrol station sarnie.

When Asha’s opened the doors to their venue on Peter Street, it was immediately obvious this place isn’t your usual curry house. With beautiful gold fittings, opulent booths and the Bolli bar downstairs it all feels rather special. Starters are exciting variations on the usual favourites including guinea fowl hariyala tikka, duck seekh kebab, and venison samosas, while the contemporary main courses include salmon biryanis and duck vindaloo as well as classic curries served with truffle oil naans. If you like venturing beyond the chicken tikka masala, and enjoy cocktails and desserts in an ornately decorative setting, Asha’s might just be the one for you.

With a bright and spacious plant-filled cafe inside the Corn Exchange, Delhi House Cafe are all about bringing Delhi flavours to an array of pretty dishes, ranging from mutton keema tacos to butter chicken naan pizzas. Not everything is high-concept, you can also tuck into classic chaat snacks and biriyanis alongside more outlandish fusion dishes. The cocktail menu is fun and colourful too, and there’s an extensive vegan menu including crispy fried spinach leaves and a tofu kadhai. This is one of our go-tos for a social get together with dishes that are likely to (pleasantly) surprise.

Could there be a list of Indian restaurants without a shoutout to Dishoom? Judging by the queues down the street to get a table at almost all hours of the day, we’d say not. There’s no one doing Indian brunch like these guys – the famed bacon naan must be tried at least once in your life (or for veggies, the kerjriwal chilli cheese and eggs on toast). There’s also the famous black dal which has taken the world by storm. It’s the kind of dish that remains long in the memory, and it’s all served in the sumptuous interior one of Manchester’s best-looking buildings – the old Masonic Hall on Bridge Street. Absolutely worth the wait, even if you’re not usually the queuing type.

With seemingly endless rave reviews, Sthan M1 might be the Gay Village’s worst kept secret. Its swanky, neon-lit interiors and sculptural booths make it feel more night out than curry house, but that’s the appeal. In their own words, the offering is ‘desi food and videsi bar’, so enjoy perfectly scorched tandoori dishes accompanied by dishes like crispy ragda pattis and the boldly colourful avocado and beetroot chaat, then transition to night time by exploring the carefully curated cocktail list. Give the spicy ‘devil’s margarita’ a try. If you dare.