Roadside curries, classic Tandoori dishes and flavourful chaats – I’ve found a selection of the best Indian restaurants in Newcastle that will spice up your life.
My Delhi
The vibe: Buzzy, vibrant and award-winning – My Delhi on Clayton Street dishes up street food vibes by the bucketload, with bright wall art and plasma screens acting as ‘windows’ that peer into a bustling Delhi street scene (complete with car horns and the screech of tyres!).
Eat this: The Punjabi Dhaba Chicken is a road-style Punjabi chicken Bhuna inspired by the highways of North India, and it’s so delicious.
Don’t miss: My Delhi’s bottomless brunch is your ticket to 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks with Indian food, from £25 per person.
Chakh Dhoom
The vibe: A super stylish restaurant on Osborne Road in Jesmond that makes the perfect date night spot. The menu is brimming with authentic dishes inspired by the team’s culinary travels across India.
Eat this: The Dhoom Chicken Handi curry is a traditional curry from North India cooked in a cooper pot, and £1 from every dish sold goes to a local charity.
Don’t miss: The cocktails here are something else. The Pizzy Dhoom – a blend of rose and lychee liqueur with prosecco – is sublime.
Khai Khai
The vibe: Indian cuisine, with a fine dining edge. This elegant restaurant on the Quayside has been a hit with top names such as Gordon Ramsay and the food is beautifully cooked with fire and smoke.
Eat this: The Chicken 65 is a stand-out starter – the crisp fried chicken is so tender, with a unique texture.
Don’t miss: The early evening menu is a great way to sample their signature style of cooking, priced at £20 per person and available Sunday to Friday 5 – 6.15pm.
Dakwala Bombay Canteen
The vibe: Located on Grainger Street, this contemporary restaurant has nods to the 1900s in its decor, when migrants flocked to Bombay. Dakwala, a term derived from ‘postman’, symbolises a messenger of flavours, and its menu takes inspiration from the eateries of Bombay.
Eat this: Dakwala’s take on the classic Fenungreek Chicken Tikka is one of the best I’ve eaten in the city.
Don’t miss: The restaurant’s all you can eat Sunday feast is a steal, with unlimited starters, mains and desserts, all for just £19.95 per person.
Dabbawal
The vibe: With restaurants in Jesmond and Newcastle city centre, Dabbawal is the OG when it comes to re-imagining Indian cuisine in Newcastle and serving up a street food inspired alternative to traditional curry houses.
Eat this: The Mango Bhel Puri is a small plate that packs a punch, consisting of puffed rice and potato sev tossed in onion and pomegranate.
Don’t miss: Tuck into the Chef’s Surprise Menu – a spread of appetisers, street classics, grills, curries, sides and breads, priced at £26.50 per person.
For more inspiration on places to eat and drink around Newcastle, follow me on Instagram at @nclsparkles.
*For current menus, prices and offers, please check with individual restaurants.
