The best Pakistani restaurants in Manchester

Hidden in a side street in the Northern Quarter, Café Marhaba is unassuming but serves some of the most sought-after Pakistani food in Manchester. The place looks pretty retro and serves a fresh menu of more than 20 types of traditional curry. It's all halal and packed with flavour, and there are veggie dishes. You can get rice and three here, too.

The food at Real Taste showcases real flavours from Pakistan - this place has a reputation for serving some of the most honest and authentic Pakistani food in Manchester. This low-key local spot serves fresh homemade dishes like daal, lamb nihari, and kebabs. Get a takeaway or have a meal in the no-frills dining area.

Lahori Nazara is a vibrant restaurant with a casual atmosphere, offering counter service for diners. Homemade fresh food is on display, and you can order takeaways or eat in the compact dining room. Pakistani breakfast dishes are served, plus you can enjoy curries, grilled meat, and kebabs. Traditional desserts and drinks are also available here.

Pakistani and Punjabi food is served at Mazaa, which is lit up outside with a bright red sign. This award-winning restaurant is colourful and bustling. Kebabs are a speciality here, but diners can also order burgers, biryani, curries, and vegetarian dishes. Indulgent cake slices are the ideal way to finish up your meal.

Zouk Tea Bar & Grill is a favourite destination in Manchester for Pakistani and Indian food. Everything served here is halal-friendly. This bright and bustling venue serves vibrant dishes, including a halal Sunday roast. Lively entertainment enhances the experience, and you can also join events like cooking classes to bring the flavours home.

Al Faisal Tandoori in the Northern Quarter serves authentic Indian and Pakistani food. Classic curries are served at this local restaurant, plus there are kebabs, biryanis, and fresh breads. You'll also find some Western options like burgers. The dining space has a friendly atmosphere and a colourful and straightforward appearance.

If you want classic Pakistani food in Old Trafford, head to Qabeelah Restaurant. This compact restaurant looks rustic thanks to wood panelling and traditional decor. Takeaway meals are also available. The restaurant offers a concise selection of curries and kebabs, as well as special bundles for breaking your fast during Ramadan.

Relish in a varied Pakistani and Indian buffet at Al Maidah, where you'll find more than 100 starters, curries, breads, meat dishes, side dishes, and desserts to choose from. All of the fresh and mouthwatering dishes served here are halal. This large and refined venue also has banqueting rooms and is a popular wedding venue.

Apna Lahori Kebabish specialises in grilled dishes and other Pakistani classics. You'll see lots of kebabs and grilled meat on the menu but there are alternatives too like curries and biryani. Lassi, desi tea, and desserts are on offer to complete the experience. This popular local restaurant is a casual destination with a fuss-free interior.

Try regional dishes from Lahore at Lahori Karahi. You can expect flavourful and genuine recipes here, like Lahori fish, assorted types of karahi, and lamp chops. This casual restaurant is friendly, with an atmospheric dining space lit with colourful lights. Takeaway meals are also available from this restaurant.

Salford is home to Mughali Taste, a low-key local restaurant serving Pakistani and Indian food. It's a quiet venue with a simple space for eating in, but takeaways are also a popular choice. Different traditional dishes are served each day, including curries, kebabs, and biryani. Vegetarian options are also available.

Kabana in the Northern Quarter is known for serving highly authentic Pakistani food. It's a humble venue that's often busy with hungry diners. Lamb nihari, grilled lamb chops, and rice and three are among the flavoursome and affordable choices on the menu. Plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes ensure no one gets left behind.

Lahori Butt Karahi serves traditional food brimming with classic flavours. Lahori kahari served with either chicken or lamb is the signature dish here, plus there's nihari, grilled meats, and traditional salads and breads. It's a glitzy and contemporary setting for a meal, decked out with metallics, but takeaways and catering are also on offer.

Nayaab Restaurant serves up a generous buffet of Pakistani and Indian dishes. In bright and colourful surroundings, this family-friendly restaurant offers a large variety of popular dishes, such as chicken drumsticks, daal, and chicken tikka masala, along with side dishes and desserts. Complete a meal here with a milkshake or mocktail.

Opening in 2024, Royal Nawaab is housed in a distinctive and highly visible glass pyramid in Stockport. Halal Pakistani and Indian dishes are served here, promising diners classic flavours. In addition to the main dining room, the venue has a number of spacious function rooms suited to a variety of special occasions.