there are some fan favourite dishes you must try.
Leeds has several Indian restaurants that boast rich flavours and aromas.
Eateries range from traditional to contemporary but all of them are enjoyed by locals and visitors to the city.
In Leeds, there is a wide variety of cultures and this has contributed to such high-quality restaurants in the city.
Situated all over the city, these restaurants have their own house specialities which are loved by diners.
If you live in Leeds or are visiting the city, here are 10 of the top Indian restaurants which are worth dining at.
Bengal Brasserie
Bengal Brasserie is conveniently located in Leeds city centre and its flagship restaurant, near First Direct Arena, has been furnished to high standards in a contemporary way, giving an authentic feel.
This Indian restaurant offers excellent food that is perfect for any occasion.
While there are classic curry options to go for, there are some fan favourite dishes you must try.
One option is the Lamb Chop Laziz. This regal Bengali dish features a lamb chop that has been marinated and cooked with the chef’s secret combination of herbs and spices.
It is served with pilau rice and fresh green salad.
Bengal Brasserie also has a fully licensed bar, allowing diners to enjoy an array of beers and spirits with their meal.
Bundobust
Perhaps Leeds’ most well-known Indian street food restaurant is Bundobust.
It is also one of Leeds’ best vegetarian restaurants as every dish on the menu is meat-free. But you will not notice whilst enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
The bar is a sight to behold for beer lovers as it has a variety of local beers and craft IPAs on offer.
Street food options include the delicious Vada Pav, a rolled and spicy potato ball, deep-fried and nestled inside a soft brioche bun.
Other dishes include the famous Bundo Chaat and Bhel Puri.
Their signature Okra Fries are so good that they even have their own merchandise, so you can go there and get the t-shirt.
Indian Tiffin Room
Another Indian street food restaurant is the Indian Tiffin Room, where there is a modern take on dishes inspired by the busy streets of India.
The invited staff bring a new concept of street food, with innovative dishes such as Indo-Chinese plates, a Tiffin Menu and Grilled Kebabs.
The menu is inspired by every Indian state, from chaat to kebabs that have been cooked in a tandoor.
One recommendation is the Lamb Nilli Nahari, a tender lamb shank cooked in an aromatic sauce.
Every dish is cooked to order in front of you from their open kitchen.
At the Indian Tiffin Room, there is an authentic flavour experience throughout, especially if you add one of their spice-infused cocktails.
Tharavadu
Tharavadu’s name derives from the Keralan practice of ‘joint family’ and it is the only Indian restaurant in Leeds to feature on Michelin Guide.
It provides a glimpse of what Southwestern Indian food should taste like.
Tharavadu uses authentic ingredients in each dish and traditional recipes set them apart from regular curry houses.
An extensive menu features Keralan specialities and refined street food.
Their most popular dish is Meen Koottan, which is a fillet of fish cooked with freshly grounded spices and fish tamarind. It is recommended to be eaten alongside Kerala Paratha.
One person on Tripadvisor said:
“Absolutely beautiful food, would recommend to anyone!
“The staff were super helpful and friendly and advised us in which curry to order. Lovely setting.”
Mango
Mango is an award-winning Indian restaurant that specialises in vegetarian food.
It is a family-run restaurant and the Sonigra family prides themselves on creating authentic homecooked dishes.
Every product is fresh and seasonal to ensure full flavour.
Every dish is made to order, ensuring that diners can enjoy a proper Indian experience.
Mango is known for its vegetarian dishes and one speciality is the Mysore Masala Dosa. The savoury pancake is filled with a mixed vegetable curry and a garlic and chilli paste.
Another dish is Ragda Pettis, which is spiced potatoes in a pea and tomato curry sauce, topped with a date and tamarind chutney.
For those wanting a homecooked restaurant experience, Mango is the place to go.
Manjit’s Kitchen
Manjit’s Kitchen in Kirkstall Road aims to take advantage of the casual dining experience by combining the flavours of Punjabi food and Yorkshire produce.
Having Manjit’s roots as a focus of her main vision is reflected in the restaurant’s dishes.
Yorkshire-inspired snacks and large plates of food are on offer.
What makes this Leeds restaurant unique is that dishes are constantly being added and removed from the menu, meaning that will always be something new every time you visit.
In addition to the Kirkstall Road restaurant, there is Kirkstall Market’s Manjit’s Kitchen.
The Cat’s Pyjamas
The Cat’s Pyjamas is located in Headingley and while the venue is small, it is one of the reasons why it is inviting.
The spectrum of herbs and spices means that there are intricate differences in each dish.
It has a contemporary interior, making it a chilled environment that you will not be in a rush to leave.
The menu features an array of colourful and flavourful dishes.
Well-known dishes like the Railway Potato Curry and Hyderabadi Lamb Curry are what make The Cat’s Pyjamas so popular among diners.
A Tripadvisor user said: “We got 3 different curries (Hyderabadi Lamb, Butter Chicken, Saag Paneer), poppadoms, peshawari and garlic naans, marsala fries and shared them all.
“Everything was delicious and the service was friendly and efficient.
“Definitely worth a visit and pretty sure we’ll be having a takeaway from there soon.”
Mowgli Street Food
Well-known Indian restaurant chain Mowgli Street Food has restaurants all over the country.
Mowgli is all about how Indians eat at home and on their streets.
It is not about a quiet dining experience. It is about the hustle and bustle.
In Leeds, Mowgli is located on Boar Lane and it showcases food from the homes and streets of India.
One recommendation is the four-tiered tiffin boxes, featuring a selection of dishes chosen by the chef.
This makes for a delicious surprise. It also allows diners to try out dishes that they may not have tried before.
De Baga
De Baga is on Otley Road in Headingley and it is a Goa-inspired restaurant.
From the moment you step in, you will get a true sense of atmosphere. The modern interior features a chrome-look beer tap that compliments the low light ambience.
De Baga specialises in Goan and Portuguese cuisine.
De Baga has tantalising dishes on its menu, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian.
One option is the Chana Ros, a Goan-style chickpea dish with thick coconut gravy.
Another is Lamb Xacuti, an intense curry made with a leg of lamb and a host of spices roasted with coconut.
Aagrah
The Aagrah Group of Restaurants are an award-winning family-run restaurant, first established in 1977.
Serving Kashmiri cuisine, Aagrah has 12 restaurants, primarily in Yorkshire. Family members manage each restaurant to ensure their ethos of introducing the ‘spice of life’ to customers.
In Leeds, there are two restaurants.
Aagrah serves authentic Kashmiri cuisine as well as classic curries.
One speciality to try is the Shahi Jhinga Tandoori.
It is king prawns marinated in spiced yoghurt and cooked on charcoal. The dish is then cooked with tomatoes, onions, green chillies, fresh coriander, garlic, ginger and peppers.
Vegetable Sindhi is a great option for vegetarians. Fresh vegetables are cooked with onions, garlic, tomatoes, green chillies, yoghurt, cream, mustard seeds, fresh lime and garam masala.
Whether dining out or enjoying a quiet evening in with a takeaway, Aagrah can cater for your requirements.
These 10 Leeds restaurants have their own set of devoted diners who keep coming back for the delicious food.
The various cuisines that they specialise in means that there is an Indian restaurant for different taste preferences.
Visiting these Leeds restaurants are a wholesome experience and whether you go for a traditional meal or something more innovative, you will be left feeling satisfied.
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