Poulton, Indian Restaurant Guide

“A reliable, slick operation… always busy”: It all started in this “crowded” converted former bank for ex-barrister Nisha Katona, who has taken the Indian street-food formula she pioneered here and created one of the UK’s better small restaurant groups, nowadays with over 25 outlets around the country. The formula? Dishes are “authentically Indian”, “tasty, vibrant and good value”. Top Menu Tip – “love the chat bombs and the Goan fish curry”.

“A really great concept – lots of decent beer and spicy, snack-y Indian food” – is the MO of this casual and vividly decorated city-centre outpost of the small northern group: “more like a canteen than a restaurant”. Don’t expect trad curry and Tiger beer, though – here you’re looking at “vegetarian-only food based on Gujarati cuisine” served alongside local craft beers (including their own). The owners started out in Leeds, but there’s also a Manchester Piccadilly sibling that spawned a brewery a few years back.