Located a few miles south-west Manchester city centre is this neighbourhood Indian restaurant that locals simply rave about. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, given its simple wooden sign and glass frontage, but once you step inside you’ll be met with a friendly welcome from staff and aromas that are sure to get your mouth watering.
Amma means ‘mother’ in Hindi, so it should come as no surprise that this restaurant is run by a family who has grown up cooking and eating authentic south Indian cuisine. Most of the recipes for the dishes on the restaurant’s tempting menu have been passed down for generations, so you can rest assured they will be as fragrant and delicious as any you’ll find in southern India. You’ll also find the menu is very inclusive, with 90% suitable for gluten-free diners, over 50% suitable for vegetarians, and over a third suitable for vegans.
The passion of the chefs is easy to discern in dishes such as Alleppey fish curry, chilli paneer and slow-cooked lamb, though if you’re in the mood for dosa, you won’t be disappointed on that front either. There are five dosa varieties to choose from, plus plenty from the ‘street cart’ for those who fancy sharing. Top picks include the aforementioned chilli paneer, the spicy Mangalorean cauliflower served with an okra yoghurt dip, and the ‘chicken 65’, though you can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu here.
Also worth a mention, before you fill up on street food, is ‘Amma’s Mess’ – an Indian spin on Eton Mess that involves rasmalai topped with cardamon cream, pomegranate seeds, nuts and fresh fruit which offers the perfect finale to a flavourful meal. To drink, you’ll find all the usual suspects on the menu, including Kingfisher beer, wines and mango lassi.