Best Indian restaurants Manchester: 16 fantastic curry houses to visit

Manchester is firmly on the map as one of the UK’s most exciting food destinations, with restaurants here pushing out some of the best cooking in the country.  With a rich history of South Asian cookery and a dedicated Curry Mile, it should come as no surprise that this city knows a thing or two about Indian food. 

Manchester’s Curry Mile, which makes up part of Rusholme’s Wilmslow Road, has the highest concentration of Asian restaurants in the UK. From Pakistani to Sri Lankan, there’s a huge variety of delicious South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines crammed into this small stretch, including plenty of Indian restaurants. With many of its establishments dating back to the 60s and 70s, Curry Mile is renowned for its authentic, family-run restaurants. That being said, it is also the birthplace of many popular, second generation Indian spots, like the modern street food joint Mughli.

There’s plenty of great Indian restaurants that stretch far beyond the Curry Mile too. The vibrant city centre offers a variety of buzzy Indian takeaways, canteen-style dining halls and bold fusion restaurants while the edgier side of town, Manchester’s Northern Quarter, leans towards beloved, long-standing rice 'n' three cafes. Cult favourites like This & That are favoured for their stripped-back flair, affordable prices and home comfort style, and are gradually making waves throughout the country, being specifically sought out by hungry tourists.

The city is by no means limited to casual curry houses. From swanky gold interiors to refined cocktail menus, Manchester has an impressive selection of high-end Indian restaurants too. Whether you’re after a truffle oil naan in an opulent setting or an innovative mutton keema taco in a plant-filled cafe, there’s a wealth of luxurious venues to explore.

With such a diverse variety of Indian restaurants in Manchester, it can be hard to narrow down which one to visit. To help, we’ve put together a guide of some of the best curry spots in the city, from regional specialty cuisines to creative fusion restaurants. And if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, check out our full list of the best restaurants in Manchester.

Best Indian restaurants Manchester

From traditional curry houses to modern fusion restaurants, Manchester has a wide variety of Indian cuisine to choose from. Whether you're a tourist looking to celebrate a special occasion in the city centre or a local wanting to a grab a bite for lunch in the Northern Quarter, we've handpicked the best of the bunch with something to suit all tastes, all over town!

Akbar's Manchester

What: Akbar’s is easily one of the city’s most popular Indian restaurants, and for good reason. This walk-ins-only joint is buzzy, sociable and worth the wait for a table. The menu is everything you’d expect from a classic curry house, including baltis, biryanis and kormas as well as their showstopper hanging naan bread, which is perfect for sharing. There’s also plenty of celebs that pay a visit to Akbar’s, so keep your eyes peeled for a famous face. 
Where: 73-83 Liverpool Road, M3 4NQ
Book now: Akbar's

This & That

What: If you recognise this rather derelict alleyway, you might have been fed some TikToks discovering one of Manchester's best kept secrets. This & That is a true hidden gem, having been established back in 1984 and tucked down the Soap Street alleyway in the Northern Quarter. It's vaguely noticeable by some very modest signage yet it's one of Manchester’s favourite curry houses. This rice 'n' three spot has become a go-to for locals looking for quick lunch and tourists looking for an authentic experience. It’s wonderfully chaotic, totally traditional and excellent value for money. 
Where: 3 Soap Street, M4 1EW
Book now: This & That

Zouk Tea Bar & Grill

What: Buzzy, informal and fun seem to be the words most associated with this vibrant Indian restaurant in Manchester, where the open kitchen allows diners to catch all the cooking action. There’s a choice of booth and table seating plus a heated outside terrace and shisha lounge for al fresco dining in the warmer months. Starter dishes such as tandoori mixed grill and crispy calamari give way to mains which include the likes of Goan fish curry, butter chicken and palak aloo. Zouk also does a mean Sunday roast that includes Indian-spiced roast and lobster dishes.
Where: Unit 5 Quadrangle Chester Street, M1 5QS
Book now: Zouk Tea Bar & Grill

Wah Ji Wah 

What: Wah Ji Wah is well located in Manchester city centre, but that’s not the only reason to visit - head chef Manish Mahipal has worked in some of the world’s very best Indian restaurants, and he brings his considerable expertise to Manchester here. The menu is packed full of fantastic dishes, but the Wah Ji Wah specials are especially good, including a lobster pepper fry of fresh lobster in masala sauce, and pot-roasted duck with cashew, yoghurt and coriander.
Where: 37 King Street, M3 2PW
Book now: Wah Ji Wah

Mowgli

What: Mowgli is a must if you’re in Manchester, although with sites across the UK including London, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Birmingham and more, you’re likely never too far away from this popular spot. Tuck into a street food-style menu that includes street chaat, tiffin boxes, street meats, curry companions and dishes from its Hindu kitchen. The Mowgli chip butty, tea-steeped chickpeas and Angry Bird chicken are particular favourites of ours.  
Where: Unit 16, 37 Corn Exchange, M4 3TR
Book now: Mowgli 

Delhi House Café 

What: This large Indian restaurant and café in the Corn Exchange serves everything from crispy corn chaat to tandoori lamb chops as well as an impressive range of vegan and gluten-free dishes. Its glass-fronted exterior invites guests into the chic space, with hanging lanterns and pretty foliage dangling from the ceiling. This is a great spot for big groups, events and celebrations. 
Where: Corn Exchange, M4 3TR 
Book now: Delhi House Café 

Sangam Manchester City Centre

What: A favourite in Manchester for authentic Indian cuisine, Sangam has moved from its old Curry Mile site to a swanky new city centre spot, with two extra locations in Didsbury and Heald Green. The homely old dining room is much-missed, but this buzzy spot is just as good, albeit in a very different way. The decorative interiors are complete with booths, which are great for groups. The food is still outstanding and the menu is filled with tandoori classics, like chicken tikka and tandoori salmon. 
Where: 98 Portland Street, M1 4GX
Book now: Sangam Manchester City Centre

Arnero

What: Conveniently located in the heart of Manchester's city centre, Arnero celebrates a wide range of India's regional specialities. From chicken jalfrezi originating in the North to lamb shank sultani from the city of Hyderabad, there's something for veggies and spice-lovers alike. An open kitchen hatch brings Arnero's flavourful cookery to the forefront and the space is designed to suit both larger group celebrations and intimate date nights. 
Where: 25 Sackville Street, M1 3LZ
Book now: Arnero

East Z East Riverside 

What: A great spot for large groups or even corporate events, East Z East is a stalwart of the north of England, with sites in Manchester, Liverpool and Preston - three towns that certainly know what a good curry tastes like. The restaurant offers a huge menu that has something for everyone, from curries and sundries to traditional Punjabi dishes, mixed baltis, grill dishes and saffron biryanis. There's also a wide drinks selection featuring wine, cocktails, beers and spirits. 
Where: Blackfriars Street, M3 5BQ
Book now: East Z East Riverside 

Indique

What: As the name would suggest, Indique puts a unique spin on traditional Indian dishes. You'll still find all the conventional curries Brits have come to expect on the menu, but these are outnumbered by signature dishes which include the likes of Malabar sea bass, spinach and paneer dumplings, and smoky lamb chops served with masala mashed potato. Elsewhere, you’ll find street food, a grill section and plenty of vegetarian dishes, plus a selection of traditional Indian desserts.
Where: 110-112 Burton Road, West Didsbury, M20 1LP
Book now: Indique

Bundobust Manchester

What: Bundobust’s offering is simple: Gujarat-inspired vegetarian street food and cracking craft beer in a friendly, communal setting. The spacious restaurant near Manchester city centre features canteen and booth-style seating, plenty of natural light from a huge skylight, and an informal menu full of moreish Indian dishes. Familiar favourites, such as masala dosa, tarka dhal and pav bhaji are joined by on-trend small plates including onion, broccoli and kale bhajis, egg bhurji (Indian scrambled eggs), and okra fries. Fine dining this is not, but for straight-up Indian food in convivial surrounds, Bundobust is a no-brainer.
Where: 61 Piccadilly, M1 2AQ
Book now: Bundobust Manchester

Indian Tiffin Room

What: Smack bang between Deansgate and Oxford Road stations, Indian Tiffin Room is contemporary and charming, with quirky decor, booths resembling rickshaws and a bar fashioned like a shipping container. The food is pretty awesome too, with street food such as homemade samosas, bhel puri and goat keema pav to stave off initial hunger pangs and South Indian tiffin dishes and mains, such as idli, dosa and curries to follow. Dishes here are made to order from fresh ingredients and chefs are less heavy-handed with spices; but that’s not to say you won’t find the authentic flavours of India. 
Where: 2 Isabella Banks Street, M15 4RL
Book now: Indian Tiffin Room

Rajdoot Tandoori

What: This family-run restaurant has been going strong since the sixties thanks to its commitment to serving great quality traditional North Indian cuisine. It claims to be the UK’s first tandoori restaurant, but regardless of whether that’s true or not, what is clear to all who dine here is that the chefs certainly know how to handle a tandoor. A vast menu of favourites, from tikka and kebabs to chicken, fish, meat and vegetable curries and sides, means there’s plenty of choice for groups, though Rajdoot does offer a separate party menu. 
Where: Carlton House, M2 5WD
Book now: Rajdoot Tandoori

Best Indian restaurants on the curry mile

Curry Mile is the epicentre of Indian cuisine in Manchester, famous for its authentic, family-run restaurants. From street food to sharing feasts, you're spoilt for choice with where to eat on Wilmslow Road. For a restaurant recommendation that has stood the test of time, look no further than this list of the best Indian restaurants on Manchester's Curry Mile. 

MyLahore

What: This hip outfit is all about mixing things up, from its east-meets-west flavours to the unique words it uses to describe them. The duo behind MyLahore – which also has sites in Leeds, Bradford and Birmingham – promises 'superlicious food in a welcomtastic place for all' which, in spite of being a little corny, is actually a good way to sum up its approach. These guys care about your experience, from the moment you step into its colourful interior to the moment you leave, likely full to bursting after a delicious meal. 
Where: 14-18 Wilmslow Road, M14 5TQ
Book now: MyLahore

Mughli

What: With a keener sense of design, hospitality and modern dining than others on this stretch, Mughli would stand out even if the food were average, which it definitely isn’t. Instant comfort food in the form of street-inspired small plates such as samosas, bhajis and skewers seared over the charcoal pit abound, while main courses might be a dum biriyani, sealed under a pastry lid, or a rich curry with a side of fluffy naan. There are vegan and gluten-free sections on the menu, plus a number of tempting cocktails and a good selection of gins.
Where: 30 Wilmslow Road, M14 5TQ
Book now: Mughli

Chit 'n' Chaat Deansgate

What: A relative newbie on the block, Chit 'n' Chaat began its journey in 2020. Now with multiple locations across Manchester and London, the street food spot is on a mission to make Indian flavours fun and affordable. Expect neon lights, quirky interiors and sharing trays. With snacks like chicken lollypop, South Indian large plates like masala dosa and Indo-Chinese small plates like chilli paneer, there’s something for everyone here.
Where: 7 Owen Street, M15 4YB
Book now: Chit 'n' Chaat

Whether you're after a quick lunchtime rice 'n' three or a vibrant sharing feast, there's a lot to explore when it comes to Indian restaurants in Manchester. From the Curry Mile to the Northern Quarter, there are great curry houses dotted all over the city to suit every occassion. If this has got you in the mood to visit the capital of the North, why not check out our guide to Michelin star restaurants in Manchester.