Northumberland, Indian Restaurant Guide

This “lovely local Indian” is “a proper restaurant in a converted old railway station” (and also has spin-offs in Newcastle and Hexham). “It’s a favourite to combine with a day in the Tyne valley, followed by a couple of beers, then an excellent curry here”. Book their well-known ‘Passage to India’ for £56.50 per person, including travel from Newcastle, orders taken on the train, meet-and-greet at the station, and your meal (not including drinks).

2022 Review: “Delicious, interesting dishes” inspired by the street food delivered by Mumbai’s ‘dabbawala’ bicycle delivery men, are to be found on the menu at this brightly coloured Jesmond venue with an open kitchen and verandah. It’s a spinoff of the city-centre original.

2024 Review: “Always a favourite” – this smart Punjabi curry house is “still one of the best Indian restaurants in town”, even approaching its fourth decade; the “traditional food” is “very dependable”, having been overseen by chef-owner Bob Arora (a former regular) since the millennium.

“Busy Indian street-food venue at a busy crossroads in Newcastle’s iconic Grainger Market” – this vegan spot “attracts lots of devotees” with its “daily curry specials and other enjoyable snacks”, served in “great portions at affordable prices in a lively location”.

“Top-notch Indian street food based on roadside stalls in Delhi” is on the menu at this “vibrant and eclectic outfit”, which is “also great fun”. Launched six years ago, it now has spin-offs in Sunderland and Leicester, and won the ‘Best Street Food’ prize at the Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards in both 2023 and 2025.

“The best food, service and atmosphere” are found at this Quayside fixture from Shelly Muktadir, who has successfully updated the classic curry house launched by her late father Ashraf Ali in 1981 – “other restaurants could learn a lot from this outstanding place”.

“It’s all about the smoke and fire” produced by the Josper grill at this “ambience-laden” and “really unique” Quayside Indian just under the Tyne Bridge – “think Dishoom, but less production line”; “menus exude wonderful and exotic flavours” that are “good value for money too”, ensuring it’s “always busy with a wide variety of diners”.