The 9 Best Restaurants on Curry Mile, Manchester

Hubble Bubble paintings on a restaurant on Curry Mile | ©Alex Pepperhill/Flickr

The ‘Curry Mile’ is a must visit for lovers of Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern foods and culture. Though not technically a mile long, the stretch of Wilmslow Road that runs through Rusholme is home to an impressive collection of restaurants, shisha bars and world food markets. Read below for our guide to the best curry houses on Manchester’s ‘Curry Mile’.

Mughli

Often considered to be one of Manchester’s best Indian restaurants, Mughli is one of the Curry Mile’s most visited establishments, with previous clientele including Jared Leto and Nigel Slater. Established in 1991, Mughli has been serving traditional north Indian and Pakistani Mughlai cuisine and street food from its charcoal pit and clay oven for nearly a quarter of a century. A sign greeting you as you enter reads, ‘no free papadum…no outside food…no English food’, this is as authentic as it gets.

Mughli, 30 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester, UK, +44 (0)161 248 0900

Clay Oven | ©Edmonton and Area Land Trust/Flickr

MyLahore

A vibrant, bright and fresh interior with a modern vibe, MyLahore is the new face of curry houses, moving past tradition in order to serve delicious food in a contemporary setting. Not strictly a curry only affair however, MyLahore offers a varied menu which, in addition to high quality traditional curries and Indian accoutrements such as bhajis, samosas and pakoras , includes burgers, barbecue grills and continental favourites. With its friendly staff and energetic atmosphere, MyLahore is ideal for enjoying a relaxed meal.

MyLahore, 14-18 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester, UK, +44 (0)161 248 8887

Samosas | ©Pixabay

Punjab Tandoori

Previously boasting one of the brightest neon signs on the Curry Mile, Punjab Tandoori has recently changed its exterior to sport a sleeker signage, better reflecting the high standards of food on offer. The restaurant has received Tripadvisor’s certificate of excellence in 2013 and 2014, promoting itself as ‘the true taste of India’. The restaurant has a more homely, intimate feel than most others on the Curry Mile, which may come as no surprise as it is a family affair. The menu is wide ranging and includes food from the north and south of India. Their signature dish is the dosa, a pancake made from rice batter and black lentils.

Punjab Tandoori, 177 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester, UK, +44 (0)161 225 2960

Dosa | ©Charles Haynes/Flickr

Sanam Sweets & Restaurant

For those with a sweet tooth, Sanam is for you. Founded in 1963, it specialises in authentic Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern desserts and sweets. The name translates as ‘loved one’ and the food on offer at Sanam displays the passion that goes into every dish. While the restaurant serves traditional Indian and Pakistani food, it is the sweet centre that is the cause of Sanam’s continued popularity. The restaurant space gets quite crowded, especially at the weekend, but the delicious flavours and melt in the mouth desserts are well worth the wait for a seat.

Sanam Sweets & Restaurant, 145-151 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester, UK, +44 (0)161 224 1008

Peda and Diya, Indian Desserts | ©Abhinaba Basu/Flickr

Shere Khan

Shere Khan was the Curry Mile’s first fully-licensed Indian restaurant. Since opening in 1987, Shere Khan has paved the way for other Indian restaurants by combining modern design with the traditional tastes of India. Whilst the Shere Khan brand has now expanded to include restaurants and express franchises throughout the country, the Wilmslow Road branch is its flagship and the heart of the company. Specials include Karahi Punjabi, Hyderabadi Biryani, Chicken Tikka, Methi and Hara Masala. As an after dinner treat, the restaurant also boasts a shisha lounge.

Shere Khan, 52 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester, UK, +44 (0)161 256 2624

Chicken Tikka | ©Hani Arif/Flickr

Spicy Hut

With a fun loving, theatrical atmosphere, the chefs at Spicy Hut are the proud winners of a National Curry Chef award. The special flambé sizzlers are prepared right at the table, with the menu warning diners to ‘watch [their] eyebrows’. The interior is plush and decadent with deep reds, a fully licensed bar and a calming fish tank. Whilst the menu includes classic curries and side dishes, Spicy Hut’s speciality is traditional Pakistani dishes. All are medium or hot in flavour, as the name suggests, with their award winning handi taking pride of place at the top of the menu.

Spicy Hut, 35 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester, UK, +44 (0)161 248 6200

Ziya Asian Grill

Fine-dining on the Curry Mile is becoming increasingly possible, as Ziya confirms. The menu will appeal to both traditional curry fans and those searching for something of the more contemporary pan-Asian variety, with dishes ranging from lamb korma to chargrilled duck breast, all with an Indian twist. The head chef has over 30 years of experience, which has included working in five star restaurants across the world. The interior is particularly striking with a host of upmarket features, whilst the food is served in the minimalist, artistic style associated with haute cuisine.

Ziya Asian Grill, 65-67 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester, UK, +44 (0)161 257 2010

Lahori Karahi

Formerly known as Sangam, Lahori Karahi specialises in cuisine commonly served in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal to really give you a taste of the East. Established over 20 years ago, the restaurant boasts high-quality ingredients expertly crafted by experienced chefs. If you select a dish from the ‘Lahori Choice’ menu you will be able to tailor the dish right down to the level and degree of spice you would like. Speciality dishes include nehari, haleem and lahori chana, with changing daily specials available in addition to the already substantial menu.

Lahori Karahi, 9-15 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester, UK, +44 (0)161 225 5785

Lal Qila

The literal translation of ‘Lal Qila’ is ‘red fort’, specifically, a red castle in the medieval city of Shahjahanabad in Old Dehli. Whilst not possessing quite the prowess of its medieval namesake, the red of the Lal Qila sign is sure to catch your eye, even amongst the sea of colours on the curry mile. The interior is pleasantly light and airy due to large floor to ceiling windows, if fortunate enough to get a table at the front of the restaurant, embrace the opportunity to people watch. The menu is a comprehensive selection of exquisite Indian food and the team also cook dishes to suit dietary requirements and different tastes.

Lal Qila, 123-127 Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester, UK, +44 (0)161 224 9999

Red Fort, Old Delhi | ©Dennis Jarvis/Flickr

These recommendations were updated on January 11, 2018 to keep your travel plans fresh.