Popular Restaurants on the Manchester Curry Mile

Manchester’s iconic Curry Mile is a must-visit for lovers of Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern cuisine.

It stretches from Wilmslow Road and runs all through Rusholme. Within that stretch, there is a plethora of restaurants which specialise in Asian food.

It is also home to an impressive collection of shisha bars and world food markets.

The Curry Mile first gained popularity throughout the 1970s and 1980s as immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh saw that there was a demand for their cuisine.

They soon started opening restaurants and takeaways and the rest is history.

Visitors from across the United Kingdom travel to this part of Manchester to experience the authentic flavours of these eating establishments.

Many of these restaurants are busy throughout the evening and go on to stay open until the early hours of the morning.

As a result, this area of Manchester is extremely popular among students from the nearby campuses who are looking for a quick bite to eat after returning from the city centre.

With more than 70 restaurants along the Curry Mile, here are some of the most popular ones which are situated in the iconic location.

Mughli Charcoal Pit

Mughli Charcoal Pit is often regarded as one of Manchester’s best Indian restaurants.

For nearly 25 years, this eatery has been serving traditional North Indian and Pakistani Mughlai food and street food from its famed charcoal pit and tandoor.

Although they serve classics like chicken tikka, they also offer dishes like Hakka chilli paneer where the cheese has been cooked with saucy peppers and crispy onions.

Visitors from all over the UK travel to Mughli so that they can experience a variety of authentic dishes from the Indian subcontinent and beyond.

Manusha said: “Fantastic food. Consistently good. . We have only tried a few other restaurants in Rusholme so I’m not going to try to compare.

“But if you want excellent food, great service, lovely atmosphere, you can’t go wrong here.”

MyLahore

For those wanting a curry in a modern environment, look no further than MyLahore on the Curry Mile.

It has a vibrant interior with a contemporary vibe and moves past tradition, something which some restaurants fail to do.

Student Akash said:

“Love the restaurant and the spicy curries always makes me come back to MyLahore that’s how delicious they are.”

“Plus the staff always welcomes us and the manager is just amazing, so down to earth and kind, always smiling and making us feel so comfortable.”

While MyLahore serves great Indian food, they also have other favourites on their diverse menu.

Dishes include various curries as well as snacks like bhajis, samosas and pakoras. They also serve burgers, grilled kebabs and Mediterranean dishes.

It is the ideal restaurant for diners who want to enjoy high-quality food in a laidback setting.

Sanam Sweets & Restaurant

Sanam Sweets and Restaurant is an ideal place for diners with a sweet tooth and has been a popular Curry Mile destination for years.

Founded in 1963, this eatery specialises in Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern sweets and desserts, all of which are authentic.

The delicious flavours are evident as passion goes into every dish made.

Farzan is a regular at the restaurant and said: “I have made so many trips here and every time I am satisfied with the service to food and everything.

“I can’t fault anything. I love the food and the portion sizes are great. Staff is very friendly and the tea is amazing.”

Although the restaurant is popular, it is the sweet centre which has earned Sanam such a good reputation.

The area can get crowded, especially at weekends, but the tasty food and rich desserts are worth the wait.

Al Madina

Al Madina is one of the best-known places on the Curry Mile and has fans all over the UK thanks to its exquisite food.

On the outside, it may not look like much but the food more than makes up for it.

One of the most popular dishes is the freshly made lamb balti. One tip when ordering lamb balti is to tell them “apna style”. It means “our way”. This means that it is cooked for longer and with more spices.

The result is a deeply spiced lamb dish that is extremely tender.

Another dish to try is the gol-gappa. This street food favourite has a filling potato and chickpea chaat alongside semolina fritters.

Sameer praised the mixed kebab. He said: “I ordered the mixed kabab with all the sauces and it did not disappoint the flavours were so good and the meat tender.”

Shere Khan

Shere Khan is notable for being the Curry Mile’s first fully licensed Indian restaurant.

The restaurant opened in 1987 and help create a new generation of Indian eateries by combining modern design with traditional Indian flavours.

The brand has grown and now, there are Shere Khan restaurants and express franchises across the country.

But its flagship restaurant on the famous Curry Mile is the most popular.

Classic dishes include chicken tikka masala and lamb rogan josh.

Other specials which are loved among diners include the Hyderabadi lamb biryani and lamb nihari.

Student Meera said: “Fresh and tasty food at great prices with excellent friendly service.”

Ziya Asian Grill

One of the most luxurious restaurants on the Curry Mile is Ziya Asian Grill as it offers a fine dining experience.

A unique menu has been developed which appeals to both traditional curry fans and those who prefer more contemporary dishes.

Dishes range from lamb korma to chargrilled duck breast, all with an Indian twist.

As well as the elegant food, diners flock to this restaurant for the striking interior.

The decor blends coppers and golden hues with warm luxurious burnt orange seating and startling marbles imported from all around Europe.

Muhammed expressed his fondness for the restaurant.

“Wow! I wish I could find words better than ‘brilliant’ or ‘delicious’.

“They were well presented, generous portions, and cooked to perfection. Delicately flavoured, aromatic, tasty and fresh.”

Lahori Karahi

Lahori Karahi was established more than 20 years ago and its dishes are commonly served in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Formerly known as Sangam, this restaurant boasts high-quality ingredients which have been expertly crafted by experienced chefs.

Dishes ordered from the Lahori Choice menu are unique as they can be tailored to your liking.

This means that everything up to the level of spice will be all based on your taste preference.

Speciality dishes include nihari and Lahori chana. In addition to the large menu, specials are available and change on a daily basis in order to keep the menu fresh.

One family from Birmingham was a huge fan of the lamb karahi:

“We ordered lamb karahi which only comes in 1kg portions. It’s enough to feed 2-3 adults depending on how hungry you are. The lamb karahi was absolutely amazing.

“The spices, salt, chilli was perfect and we’ll definitely come back the next time we’re in Manchester to have it again.”

Lal Qila

Lal Qila literally translates to ‘red fort’, after the one in Old Delhi. With its bright sign, it is bound to catch the eye of those walking along the Curry Mile.

Many love this restaurant because each dish is made to a person’s specific taste. Because everything is made to order, dishes can be as spicy as you like, a flexibility which is appreciated by diners.

Some of the specials include the chicken chilli, lamb methi and chicken handi. Traditional curry house favourites are also prevalent as well as accompanying Indian beers.

Diners also get to enjoy complimentary poppadoms.

Arjun said: “Excellent curry and it was fresh. The naan and chapatti were very fresh and hot, straight from the oven.”

As well as the food, the interior is pleasantly airy due to the large floor-to-ceiling windows, meaning that you can look out and see the Curry Mile.

These are some of the most popular restaurants along the famous Curry Mile which specialise in South Asian cuisine.

These restaurants offer a variety of authentic dishes which are enjoyed by locals and visitors.

While the Curry Mile has many Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi restaurants, there are other restaurants, meaning that there is something for everyone.

They specialise in Lebanese, Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine.

Whatever restaurant you choose to dine at, you will not be disappointed.