There’s curry… then there's Leicester curry

As one of the most diverse places in the UK, you’re never too far away from a scrumptious and flavoursome curry. As it's National Curry Week we thought we'd bring you all the wonderful places to grab a delectable curry. It’s not as simple as it sounds since there is so much to choose from but luckily for you we like to make your life a little easier and have compiled a list of curry houses that have lip-smacking menus that pack a punch and boast amazing atmospheres. Make sure to know before you go and book before you visit.

Chutney Ivy Indian Restaurant & Bar

Not only is Chutney Ivy a superb restaurant, but it’s situated in the heart of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, making it the perfect place before or after the theatre. All meals are cooked in an open plan kitchen which just adds to the ambience of your experience.  

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Paddy’s Marten Inn

Did you know Paddy’s Marten Inn had Jamie Oliver knocking at its door in his ‘Jamie’s Great Britain’ programme? The restaurant is situated in an unassuming building along an equally unassuming side street…but don’t let that fool you! It’s been voted Pub/Restaurant of the Year at Leicester Curry Awards 2019 making it three years running. They have a long tradition of cooking and preparing traditional Indian delicacies for generations, with over 170 dishes on the menu including a selection of starters, from meat to seafood and vegetarian dishes with everything cooked to order. A terrific atmosphere, great value, bold flavours and first-class service!

Mumbai Inn

The Mumbai Inn is an authentic Indian and Nepalese restaurant boasting cuisine using spices you’ll only find in the Himalayan mountains. With such attention to detail it’s no wonder they’ve been selected as Restaurant of the Year 2019 at Leicester’s Curry Awards. They are located a short walk away from the train station and makes the ideal place to eat if you’re catching a show at nearby  De Montfort Hall, just around the corner.

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Spice of India

If you're looking for authentic Gujrati cuisine then Spice of India is the place. They now have two branches, one in Syston and one in Melton. Their food reflects the food that is eaten in homes and as multiple winners in the Leicester Curry Awards it's a must for everyone who loves tasty traditional food.

Shimla Pinks

Shimla Pinks is a contemporary Delhi themed restaurant with a unique theatre style kitchen and stylish décor. Fine Delhi cuisine from top professional chefs with generations of experience who only use spices that are fresh and free from artificial flavours and preservatives. 

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Herb/Kayal

Whoever said vegetarian food was boring and bland hasn’t visited Herb on Granby Street. Flavoursome and aromatic vegetarian food cooked by Kerala born and bred chefs that bring a taste of Southern India to Leicester. The food is only cooked in coconut oil which means you don’t need to feel guilty if you’re watching your waistline! Have you tried The Business Lunch Thali? It’s great value and with so much food you’ll have to visit on an empty stomach! For all the meat-eaters out there, if you haven’t already, be sure to check out Herb’s long-standing sister restaurant Kayal. It’s only a short walk up the road, and offers the same quirky South Indian food including seafood and authentic backwater cuisine.

Spice Bazaar

If you’re looking for a great evening out with delicious Indian Cuisine and an extensive menu including Tawa dishes and great vegetarian options, then look no further than Spice Bazaar on Welford Road. Voted Best Fine Dining Restaurant at the Leicester Curry Awards, they pride themselves on strict attention to detail and use only the freshest of produce sourced locally and only from trusted suppliers. The chefs are some of the best in the business producing mouth-watering curries you won’t forget in a hurry!

Santhi

Santhi restaurant offers traditional recipes from the coconut lined coast of Malabar to the spice laden ports of Madras and Jaffna, combined with a bit of Manchuria and Szechuan style for that oriental-bling-finish. Add in an army of trained, experienced chefs and the result: truly authentic, delicious dishes that wouldn’t be out of place in South India and Sri Lanka.

Saab's Grill

Authentic Indian cuisine set in a modern, comfortable and relaxed family friendly environment for an unforgettable dining experience. You'll enjoy sizzling cuisine where you can watch the chefs at work crwating your cracking cuisine. Saab's Grill was voted Best New Restaurant in the Leicester Curry Awards back in 2017. How about Saab's Supreme Sizzler boasting a mouth-watering combination of tandoori wings, chicken tikka, chicken kebabs, lamb kebabs, lamb chops and king prawns! Sounds delicious right?

Mowgli

Mowgli is all about how Indians eat at home and on the streets. Founder Nisha Katona had the idea to build an eatery that had simple dishes packed with fresh flavours. You can find their Instagram-friendly restaurant in St. Martin’s Square.

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Lightweight lunch @mowglistreetfood

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Tamatanga

Tamatanga offers real homely food in a casual and laid- back atmosphere and fresh food with local ingredients. No nasty additives or shortcuts and each dish being made as the order comes through.

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So there you have it… a run-down of some of the best Indian restaurants in Leicester and Leicestershire. It's by no means a definitive list! We’d love for you to let us know if you think we’ve missed anyone!

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