"So our food is very, very authentic"
In recent years, the UK has witnessed an explosion of Indian restaurant chains, each bringing unique flavours, traditions, and innovations from the diverse culinary landscape of India.
From trendy cafes serving street food snacks to elegant eateries offering classic curries, these chains are redefining the Indian dining experience.
Whether you’re craving a rich butter chicken, crispy dosas, spicy chaat, or a steaming cup of masala chai, there’s an Indian restaurant chain ready to satisfy.
Each one has captivated diners with authentic flavours, vibrant atmospheres, and creative twists.
We look at seven Indian restaurant chains that are enjoyed by UK diners.
Dishoom
As one of the UK’s most popular Indian restaurant chains, Dishoom is inspired by the Irani cafes that were once a staple of Bombay in the 1960s.
Dishoom was founded in 2010 by Shamil and Kavi Thakrar, along with Amar and Adarsh Radia, who both left the business in 2017.
The chain captures the spirit of Bombay’s eclectic culinary scene, blending Persian and Indian influences.
With restaurants in London, as well as other cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh, Dishoom offers a taste of the lively and nostalgic cafe culture.
The menu features a range of flavorful dishes, from their signature black daal and spicy biryanis to breakfast naan rolls and grilled kebabs, aiming to recreate the communal dining experience of Bombay’s legendary cafés.
Mowgli Street Food
Mowgli Street Food was founded in 2014 by Nisha Katona, a former barrister turned chef, with the aim of sharing the authentic flavours of Indian street food.
Known for its relaxed atmosphere and vibrant interiors, Mowgli has branches across the UK in the likes of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and London.
The menu is designed to offer a fresh take on Indian home cooking, featuring street food favourites like the Yoghurt Chat Bombs, tangy chickpea-based snacks with a burst of yoghurt, and Bhel Puri, a crunchy and spicy puffed rice salad.
Some comforting curries include the House Lamb Curry and Mother Butter Chicken.
With a focus on light, flavorful dishes, Mowgli provides a genuine taste of Indian street food that’s perfect for sharing.
Masala Zone
Masala Zone specialises in bringing the diverse flavours of Indian regional cuisine to the UK.
Established in 2001 by Ranjit Mathrani, Namita Panjabi and Chef Camellia Panjabi, the restaurant has expanded to several locations across London, including Covent Garden, Soho, and Piccadilly Circus.
Masala Zone is celebrated for its authentic Indian dishes, vibrant ambience, and colourful decor featuring Indian folk art.
The menu offers a variety of popular dishes, including delicious thalis, as well as street food favourites like Pani Puri and Papdi Chaat.
Masala Zone also serves beloved classics like Butter Chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh, and a range of vegetarian dishes, making it a popular choice for both casual and immersive Indian dining experiences.
Bundobust
This unique Indian restaurant chain brings together street food and craft beer in a casual, social setting.
Founded in 2014 by Mayur Patel and Marko Husak, they combined their expertise through a series of pop-up events.
Mayur and Marko soon spotted a demand for a contemporary update to the classic “beer and a curry” and Bundobust was eventually born.
It has since become known for its vibrant atmosphere and innovative approach to Indian cuisine.
With locations in cities like Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham, this Indian restaurant chain offers a variety of vegetarian-friendly dishes that are perfect for sharing.
The menu features popular items like Okra Fries, Vada Pav and Bhel Puri.
Bundobust is especially popular among fans of Indian food and craft beer alike, providing a fresh, relaxed environment to enjoy both authentic Indian dishes and a rotating selection of local brews.
Tamatanga
Tamatanga provides a relaxed dining atmosphere, with locations in Leicester, Leeds, Nottingham and Birmingham.
It is the brainchild of Aman Kular, who had an idea in 2008 to open an Indian restaurant he would want to visit.
He explained: “So the idea for Tamatanga came about 15 years ago.
“It came out of just frustration really. I’m a massive foodie and there wasn’t really a true representation of honest, authentic Indian cuisine that I could find that you get in India really.
“So our food is very, very authentic to the way food is prepared and cooked in India and we are all about giving our customers an amazing aesthetic environment to dine in.”
Some of its most popular dishes include its Tamatanga Thali, where diners get salad, poppadoms and chutney, two vegetarian dishes, daal of the day, raita, rice, one naan and two curries of their choice.
Chaiiwala
This fast-growing restaurant chain offers a modern take on traditional Indian street food and chai culture.
Founded in 2015 in Leicester, Chaiiwala quickly gained popularity for its unique blend of authentic Indian flavours with a contemporary twist.
With branches now spread across the UK, including cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, it has become an enjoyable spot for tea and snack lovers alike.
The menu includes popular items like Karak Chaii, Masala Chips and Desi Breakfast, which typically includes spicy scrambled eggs, parathas, and beans.
Other favourites include the Bombay Sandwich, a grilled sandwich stuffed with vegetables and chutney and the sweet Gulab Jamun.
Chaiiwala offers a cosy atmosphere perfect for enjoying a taste of India’s street café culture.
MyLahore
MyLahore is dedicated to serving Desi cuisine to British Asians, serving Lamb Nihari and Daal Tarka to paninis and burgers.
The restaurant chain was started by cousins Asghar Ali and Shakoor Ahmed in Bradford in 2002 to help finance the latter’s university studies and support their families.
Today, MyLahore is a family-run restaurant and catering business.
Bradford may be its flagship restaurant but other locations are housed in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.
The owners said: “Our menu is famously diverse, with something for everyone, and we just love offering up tastes of adventure as well as culinary strolls down memory lane.
“So in a hectic world, why not slow down and savour the moment with us, as we bring you flavours from a very colourful journey?”
“MyLahore is rooted in Yorkshire in a world of small kitchens yet huge hearts, where families tuck into everything from samosas to shepherd’s pie, and karahis to cornflake tarts.
“It’s a very British Asian story that just had to be shared. We love to bring people together around great food and vibrant, fulfilling experiences.”
As the UK’s love affair with Indian cuisine continues to flourish, these restaurant chains stand out for their ability to bring innovative dishes and cultural vibrancy to the dining scene.
Each chain offers a unique experience, from nostalgic street food delights to bold, modern takes on classic recipes, inviting diners to explore the rich diversity of Indian cuisine.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of Indian food or new to its bold flavours, these restaurants offer something for everyone.
Loading ...