The best Indian restaurants in Manchester

The best Indian restaurants in Manchester

Up and down the UK, people love to eat Indian food – in fact, it's almost always rated as one of the nation's favourite takeaways. If you also find Indian food impossible to resist, Manchester is the place to be. The city is home to a broad range of eateries serving Indian cuisine, and there's bound to be somewhere that gets you excited. Find out more about the fab places to eat around the city with our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Manchester.

In this guide
  1. Manchester's best Indian restaurants
    1. Dishoom – Trendy restaurant in Spinningfields
    2. Indian Tiffin Room – Vibrant dining
    3. This & That – Classic curry restaurant
    4. Rajdoot Tandoori – Long-standing family-run restaurant
    5. Sangam – Bollywood in Manchester
    6. Mughli – Halal street food
    7. Asha's – Lavish Indian dining
    8. Bundobust – Craft beer and street eats
    9. Delhi House Café – Indian food all day
    10. Indique – Fresh and unique flavours
    11. Zouk – Bustling and lively restaurant
    12. Mumbai Tiffin Room – A taste of Mumbai
    13. Scene Indian Street Kitchen – Street food in central Manchester
    14. Indian Affair – Discover regional dishes
    15. The Original Third Eye – Leading local curry house
    16. Lily's – Award-winning vegetarian cuisine
    17. Arnero – Authentic regional food
    18. Copper Lounge – Smart and comfortable
    19. Wah Ji Wah – Discover something new
    20. Mowgli Street Food – Attractive street food restaurant
    21. Mumbai to London Café – Local favourite in Droylsden
    22. Coriander Central – Glitzy local venue
    23. Sanskruti – Vibrant and vegetarian
    24. Amma's Canteen – Award-winning southern Indian cuisine
    25. Bombay to Mumbai – Colourful Stockport restaurant
    26. Sai Spice – Ideal for all occasions
    27. Ziya Restaurant – Indian award-winner

Manchester's best Indian restaurants

Dishoom

Trendy restaurant in Spinningfields

Boasting a stylish and sophisticated interior with stained glass windows, Dishoom is a trendy spot to get your Indian food fix. This restaurant in Spinningfields serves fine dining versions of Indian street food, including their signature black daal and location-specific specials. Breakfast and exotic cocktails are also available at this venue.

Indian Tiffin Room

Vibrant dining

Sample diverse Indian dishes in a vibrant and colourful setting at Indian Tiffin Room. The interiors are enhanced with neon and quirky decor. The varied menu includes dosas, curries, Indo-Chinese recipes, and meat-free dishes. Children's meals are available, plus the restaurant caters for large groups. There's a cocktail bar too that serves original Indian-inspired mixes.

This & That

Classic curry restaurant

Backstreet restaurant This & That opened in the Northern Quarter back in 1984. This low-key and family-run curry house serves hearty homemade dishes prepared with authentic spices. The concise menu features a daily-changing selection of curries, including veggie and vegan selections. This is budget-friendly food served in a no-frills environment.

Rajdoot Tandoori

Long-standing family-run restaurant

Award-winning restaurant Rajdoot Tandoori has been open since 1966. This classic family-run establishment focuses on northern Indian cuisine. Diners can try Indian and Nepalese dishes, including Tandoori dishes, thalis, and vegetarian meals. The dining room is atmospheric thanks to its rich colours and traditional decor.

Sangam Heald Green Sangam Didsbury Sangam Manchester City Centre
Sangam Heald Green
sangam.co.uk/restaurants/sangam-heald-green
Sangam Didsbury
sangam.co.uk/restaurants/sangam-didsbury
Sangam Manchester City Centre
sangam.co.uk/restaurants/sangam-manchester-city-centre
Sangam Heald Green Sangam Didsbury Sangam Manchester City Centre

Bollywood in Manchester

Sangam takes its name from a 1964 Bollywood classic. The restaurant is appropriately decked out with Bollywood posters, rich textures, and flowers. The restaurant offers takeaways or you can eat-in with a set menu of fresh and seasonal dishes. There are several set options to choose from, some including drinks packages.

  • 202 Wilmslow Rd 762 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury The Piazza, 98 Portland St, Manchester City Centre
    Sangam Heald Green
    202 Wilmslow Rd
    Sangam Didsbury
    762 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury
    Sangam Manchester City Centre
    The Piazza, 98 Portland St, Manchester City Centre
  • Sangam Heald Green
    sangam.co.uk/restaurants/sangam-heald-green
    Sangam Didsbury
    sangam.co.uk/restaurants/sangam-didsbury
    Sangam Manchester City Centre
    sangam.co.uk/restaurants/sangam-manchester-city-centre
    Sangam Heald Green
    016-151 123 60
    Sangam Didsbury
    016-144 611 55
    Sangam Manchester City Centre
    016-123 613 13
  • Sangam Heald Green Sangam Didsbury Sangam Manchester City Centre

Mughli

Halal street food

Situated in the Curry Mile, Mughli Charcoal Pit serves Indian street food in an atmospheric space with Indian posters on the walls. The food menu here is halal. The menu consists of creative tapas-style dishes like a Bombay toasted sandwich, Punjabi-style poutine, and lamb chops. Large groups are welcome here, with special menus available.

Asha's

Lavish Indian dining

Asha's was founded by Bollywood star Asha Bhosle and now operates in several countries. The Manchester restaurant is lavish and bold, housed in a Grade II-listed former shipping warehouse. The modern and classic dishes here are great for sharing in a group. Complete a meal here with signature cocktails and mocktails.

Bundobust Brewery Bundobust Piccadilly
Bundobust Brewery
bundobust.com/locations/bundobust-brewery
Bundobust Piccadilly
bundobust.com/locations/manchester
Bundobust Brewery Bundobust Piccadilly

Craft beer and street eats

Bundobust brings together flavoursome Indian street food and fresh craft brews in a trendy and contemporary setting. You'll see heaps of beers behind the bar and long communal tables in this industrial-styled space. Savour a local craft beer here alongside food ranging from small bites like parathas to larger options like vada pav or dal.

  • 61-69 Oxford Street, Manchester City Centre 61 Piccadilly, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
    Bundobust Brewery
    61-69 Oxford Street, Manchester City Centre
    Bundobust Piccadilly
    61 Piccadilly, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
  • Bundobust Brewery
    bundobust.com/locations/bundobust-brewery
    Bundobust Piccadilly
    bundobust.com/locations/manchester
    Bundobust Brewery
    016-151 186 01
    Bundobust Piccadilly
    016-135 967 57
  • Bundobust Brewery Bundobust Piccadilly

Delhi House Café

Indian food all day

Check out Delhi House Café for Indian all-day dining. This comfortable venue looks modern and stylish with draping vines, big windows, and an attention-grabbing sign on the exterior. The modern menu includes carefully-selected regional dishes from across all of India. Complete the experience with a tempting dessert or a cocktail to share.

Indique

Fresh and unique flavours

Indique aims to serve a unique version of Indian cuisine. Expect well-presented dishes, including some fresh options you might not be familiar with. The menu includes street food, curries, and a variety of vegetarian and vegan choices. This venue in West Didsbury has an elegant but fuss-free look, plus there's a terrace.

Zouk

Bustling and lively restaurant

Zouk Tea Bar & Grill is a halal restaurant that specialises in Indian and Pakistani recipes. Here, you can try vibrant recipes from all over the Indian sub-continent, accompanied by lively entertainment and a bright and bustling setting. You can even enjoy a halal-friendly fusion roast at weekends. Events like cooking classes take place here, too.

Mumbai Tiffin Room

A taste of Mumbai

Located in Chorlton, Mumbai Tiffin Room serves authentic Indian dishes. The menu includes diverse regional street foods but gives every dish a Mumbai-style twist; expect dishes like curries, biryanis, and sharing platters, plus ample vegetarian options. Takeaways are available but diners can also enjoy a meal here in the straightforward dining area.

Scene Indian Street Kitchen

Street food in central Manchester

Try Scene Indian Street Kitchen for Indian cooking in Spinningfields. This centrally-located restaurant serves favourite street foods such as aloo tikki, chaat, pani puri, and classic curries, with everything made from quality produce. A set menu is also available showcasing some of the menu highlights. The restaurant space feels classic and is full of natural light.

Indian Affair

Discover regional dishes

Regional Indian recipes are served at Indian Affair in Chorlton. This place specialises in New Delhi-style cooking. An array of traditional and modern dishes are available here, including a fun bottomless lunch at the weekend. The contemporary dining space makes use of natural colours, giving it a simple and crisp appearance.

The Original Third Eye

Leading local curry house

Indian and Nepalese dishes are on the menu at The Original Third Eye in Didsbury. Considered one of the best curry houses in Manchester, it's an award-winning restaurant with a bright and straightforward dining room. Takeaways are also available. Classic dishes on the menu include momo dumplings, Tandoori dishes, and curries.

Lily's

Award-winning vegetarian cuisine

You can have an award-winning Indian meal at Lily's Indian Vegetarian Cuisine. This family-run restaurant is spacious and relaxed, with tempting Indian sweets at the counter. The menu here is 100% vegetarian and includes a diverse array of dishes like street food favourites, curries, and those sought-after Indian sweets and desserts.

Arnero

Authentic regional food

Centrally-located restaurant Arnero specialises in dishes from northern India. The food is authentic and well-presented, served in a contemporary dining space that also boasts a covered terrace. Traditional recipes including street food, curries, and dishes cooked in the Tandoor are prepared here in an open kitchen.

Copper Lounge

Smart and comfortable

Savour an Indian meal in smart surroundings at Copper Lounge. The dining room is decked out in warm copper tones, whilst the atmosphere is warm and relaxed. Dishes from all over India are available here including biryanis, Indo-Chinese dishes, and numerous options for vegetarian guests. There's also a varied drinks menu that includes locally-produced spirits.

Wah Ji Wah

Discover something new

Wah Ji Wah offers diners a fresh experience of Indian cooking. The menu includes familiar favourites as well as less common dishes for adventurous guests. Vegetarian options are also available, with wines, cocktails, and Indian beers from the bar. The setting looks contemporary and smart with its streamlined style.

Mowgli Street Food

Attractive street food restaurant

Based at the Corn Exchange, Mowgli Street Food is a fun restaurant that's one of the city's most popular for Indian cuisine. The restaurant has outdoor tables and an interior with swing seats, lots of wood, and leaves and trees inside the space. The menu includes curries, street food, and food roulette tiffin tins for one.

Mumbai to London Café

Local favourite in Droylsden

Local restaurant Mumbai to London Café is a popular destination for Indian food in Droylsden. There's a bustling and welcoming dining area with exposed brick walls, but takeaways are also available. The menu is diverse, featuring small plates, classic curries, biryanis, and refreshing salads. Meals for children are also served here.

Coriander Central

Glitzy local venue

Coriander Central serves Indian cuisine prepared with fine local ingredients. Food is presented with elegance here, whilst the modern dining space has a glitzy feel with coloured lights to set the mood. The menu includes a varied selection of dishes including classic curries, seafood, vegetarian dishes, and meals for children.

Sanskruti

Vibrant and vegetarian

Sanskruti was one of the first vegetarian Indian restaurants to open up in Manchester. It's a spacious venue with indoor and outdoor seats, as well as a vibrant food menu. Dishes from regions throughout India are served here from classic street food to comforting dal or spicy curries. The restaurant is suitable for any occasion.

Amma's Canteen

Award-winning southern Indian cuisine

Local restaurant Amma's Canteen specialises in southern Indian cooking. This Chorlton restaurant has a warm and rustic dining area with outdoor seats also available, but it does takeaways too. You can choose from a diverse array of homey traditional dishes such as dosas, biryanis, curries, and a variety of sides to complete the meal.

Bombay to Mumbai

Colourful Stockport restaurant

At Bombay to Mumbai you get award-winning cooking served in a friendly and vibrant setting. This lively venue is decorated with strong colours and bright posters. There's lots of variety on the menu, which includes Mumbai-style street food, Indo-Chinese dishes, and curries and dal. There's also a well-stocked bar offering a range of drinks.

Sai Spice

Ideal for all occasions

Whatever the occasion, Sai Spice is an ideal venue in Chorlton. Housed in a large and distinctive building, the restaurant has function rooms for special events in addition to the main dining room. The diverse food menu features something for everyone, from dosas to curries and Hakka noodles. Dishes for kids are also available.

Ziya Restaurant

Indian award-winner

Based in the Curry Mile, Ziya Restaurant is an award-winning Indian restaurant. The dishes are vibrant and authentic. There's a large menu of classic recipes, including vegetarian dishes, or guests can indulge with an Indian-themed afternoon tea. Wine and cocktails are also available. The restaurant is classy and has a simple and streamlined interior.

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.