Best Indian Restaurants In Manchester

Best Indian Restaurants In Manchester

The Spice Capital of the North: Why Indian restaurants in Manchester deserve your attention

From Rusholme’s storied Curry Mile to glossy city‑centre rooftops, Indian restaurants in Manchester form a vibrant tapestry of more than 300 South‑Asian eateries. The city’s textile boom attracted Punjabi and Gujarati communities as early as the 1950s; their humble cafés have since evolved into award‑winning venues that span vegan street‑food canteens, cocktail‑driven modern bistros, and lavish fine‑diners. Today, regional specialities flourish—think Keralan seafood at Amma’s Canteen or Delhi‑style butter‑chicken‑naan pizza at Delhi House Café—while stalwarts continue to thrill diners with giant hanging naans and charcoal‑smoked kebabs. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this guide will help you navigate Manchester’s exhilarating Indian food scene with confidence.

How We Picked These 10

  • Consistent four‑star‑plus average on TripAdvisor/Yelp in 2024‑25

  • Recent accolades (Good Food Guide listings, OpenTable Diners’ Choice, local press)

  • Distinctive menu or dining experience

  • Clear info on dietary options, accessibility and reservation policy

The 10 Best Indian Restaurants in Manchester (2025)

Rank Restaurant (Area) Why Go £ Guide*
1 Dishoom Manchester, Bridge Street Bombay‑inspired Irani café, legendary bacon naan breakfasts, late‑night “Permit Room” bar ££
2 Mughli Charcoal Pit, Rusholme Open charcoal grill, cult ‘Railway’ lamb chops, Curry Mile icon ££
3 Akbar’s, Castlefield Giant family‑size naans & BYOB‑friendly buzz; great for groups £
4 Asha’s, Peter Street Glam, Michelin‑noticed plates from Bollywood legend Asha Bhosle; elegant cocktails £££
5 Indian Tiffin Room, First Street South‑Indian street‑food platters, vegan menu, colourful shipping‑container décor ££
6 Bundobust, Piccadilly 100 % vegetarian small plates + craft‑beer hall; fast counter service £
7 Zouk Tea Bar & Grill, Oxford Road Halal‑certified open kitchen, Sunday roasts with spicy gravy, rooftop shisha ££
8 Lily’s Vegetarian, Ashton‑under‑Lyne 50‑year‑old Gujarati family spot, deli counter for mithai, fully vegan‑friendly menu £
9 Delhi House Café, Corn Exchange Modern “Delhi‑Social” plates (butter‑chicken naan pizza); chic, foliage‑filled room ££
10 Amma’s Canteen, Chorlton Homely Keralan dishes—masala dosa & beef fry—plus BYOB; cosy 28‑cover room £

*£ = mains under £12; ££ = £13‑20; £££ = £21+

1. Dishoom Manchester, Bridge Street

  • Vibe: Bombay Irani‑café glamour set inside the Grade‑II Freemasons’ Hall—marble floors, sepia portraits and a low‑key Bollywood soundtrack.

  • Must‑order: Bacon‑or‑vegan‑sausage naan roll (breakfast), house black daal, jackfruit biryani.

  • Good to know:

    • Book online for groups or weekends: dishoom.com/manchester

    • Walk‑ins welcome; join the virtual queue via QR code.

    • Clearly labelled halal, vegan and gluten‑free dishes.

    • Phone 0161 537 3737 for take‑out or same‑day tables.

| £ Guide* | Breakfast mains £6‑10 · Evening small plates £5‑9 · Large plates £13‑22 |

2. Mughli Charcoal Pit, Rusholme

  • Vibe: Graffiti‑lined Curry Mile icon with an open charcoal pit that crackles ‘til 1 a.m. Friday–Saturday.

  • Must‑order: ‘Railway’ lamb chops, charcoal king prawns, creamy butter chicken.

  • Good to know:

    • Book via mughli.com or call 0161 248 0900.

    • Walk‑in only after 7 p.m. Fri–Sat—arrive early for a booth.

    • Halal meats; solid veggie selection.

    • £2 Pay‑and‑Display behind Tesco if street parking is full.

| £ Guide* | Street‑food plates £5‑8 · Karahis £12‑18 · Charcoal grills £14‑22 |

3. Akbar’s, Castlefield

  • Vibe: 300‑seat, Bollywood‑blaring powerhouse famous for metre‑long naan served on wooden skewers.

  • Must‑order: King naan (feeds 3‑4), lamb chops karahi, chicken tikka masala.

  • Good to know:

    • Phone‑only reservations for parties for more than 6: 0161 834 7222.

    • Halal‑only menu.

    • Pager system—call ahead after 4 p.m. to get on the wait‑list.

    • £5 valet (weekends) or street bays on Liverpool Rd.

| £ Guide* | Starters £4‑7 · Curries £11‑17 · Grills £13‑20 |

4. Asha’s, Peter Street

  • Vibe: Plush violet banquettes, gold chandeliers and live cocktail theatre; smart‑casual dress after 6 p.m.

  • Must‑order: Venison samosa, tandoori Scottish salmon, 48‑hour dal makhani.

  • Good to know:

    • Reserve online or call 0161 832 5309.

    • Separate vegan and gluten‑free menus.

    • Closed Mon/Tue.

    • Ask for a window booth—complimentary chaat bites on birthdays.

| £ Guide* | Small plates £7‑12 · Mains £16‑28 · Tasting menu £55 |

5. Indian Tiffin Room, First Street

  • Vibe: Cargo‑container chic meets colourful Bollywood murals; open kitchen and cocktail bar.

  • Must‑order: Pani‑puri shot tray, goat keema pav sliders, chef’s tiffin thali.

  • Good to know:

    • Book at indiantiffinroom.com or ring 0161 228 1000.

    • Dedicated vegan and gluten‑free menus.

    • Weekday £14 thali lunch—pre‑book under “Offers.”

    • Kids welcome until 8 p.m.

| £ Guide* | Street snacks £4‑7 · Dosas & curries £11‑18 |

6. Bundobust, Piccadilly

  • Vibe: Industrial basement beer‑hall with skylight roof, 15 craft taps and communal benches.

  • Must‑order: Okra fries, vada pav burger, tarka daal & rice combo.

  • Good to know:

    • Walk‑ins only, but large parties can email via bundobust.com/book.

    • 100 % vegetarian; 80 % vegan.

    • Phone 0161 359 6757 for take‑away.

| £ Guide* | Small plates £4‑7 · Combo meals £9‑12 |

7. Zouk Tea Bar & Grill, Oxford Road

  • Vibe: Glass‑fronted theatre kitchen, leafy heated terrace with late‑night shisha.

  • Must‑order: Whole lamb shoulder (pre‑order), chicken liver starter, Sunday roast platter.

  • Good to know:

    • Reserve at zoukteabar.co.uk/booking or call 0161 233 1090.

    • Fully halal; extensive vegetarian menu.

    • £8.95 bottomless chai brunch (Sat‑Sun before noon).

    • Wheelchair‑accessible entrance and restroom.

| £ Guide* | Small plates £5‑9 · Curries £13‑20 · Sharing grills £16‑30 |

8. Lily’s Vegetarian, Ashton‑under‑Lyne

  • Vibe: Bright deli counter stacked with jalebi, roomy canteen‑style dining hall.

  • Must‑order: Masala dosa, papdi chaat, rasmalai sweets to‑go.

  • Good to know:

    • Call 0161 339 4774 to book; BYOB with £1 corkage.

    • 100 % vegetarian; vast vegan choice.

    • Free parking after 6 p.m. in IKEA retail park (3‑min walk).

    • Order samosa boxes ahead online for takeaway crowds.

| £ Guide* | Street snacks £1‑4 · Dosas & thalis £7‑12 |

9. Delhi House Café, Corn Exchange

  • Vibe: Foliage‑filled glass atrium with floor‑to‑ceiling windows; chic Delhi‑meets‑Manchester décor.

  • Must‑order: Butter‑chicken naan pizza, Chettinad duck sliders, pistachio kulfi.

  • Good to know:

    • Book via OpenTable or delhihousecafe.uk; phone 0161 834 3333.

    • Separate vegan menu, nut‑free options labelled.

    • All‑day brunch ‘til 4 p.m.; bottomless lassi Sundays £12.50.

    • Exchange Sq Metrolink stop is 2 mins away.

| £ Guide* | Small plates £6‑9 · Large plates £12‑18 |

10. Scene Indian Street Kitchen, Spinningfields

  • Vibe: Riverside terrace, Bollywood‑mural dining room, shisha lounge from 4 p.m.; open charcoal grill.

  • Must‑order: Pani‑puri “bombs,” samosa chaat, slow‑cooked lamb nihari.

  • Good to know:

    • Book online at scenedining.com or call 0161 839 3929.

    • Fully halal; strong vegan options.

    • Heated outdoor seating is dog‑friendly.

    • Validate your ticket for 2‑hour free parking at Q‑Park Spinningfields.

| £ Guide* | Street plates £5‑8 · Grills & curries £13‑22 |

Enjoy your curry trail—whether you’re chasing smoky tandoori chops at midnight or vegan vada pav with a craft IPA, Manchester has the perfect table waiting.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR