Rajdoot

Rajdoot is Manchester city centre’s oldest Indian restaurant. It opened in 1966 and is still serving North Indian dishes, Nepalese specialities and tandoori favourites.

It’s a colourful and welcoming restaurant but its underground location on Albert Square mean most of us just walk past without realising the delights of chicken choyla and lamb chilli bhuna that lie within.

Yes, it’s a bit old-fashioned but butter chicken and biriyani never go out of fashion. It has recently started to serve momos too, building on its Nepalese offering.

While sticking to British-Indian classics like tikka masala and pasanda, Rajdoot does popular dishes very well. After all, Manchester Curry Club has been meeting here every month for decades – and it’s not like they don’t have other options.

From the neon lighting and giant naans of the noughties to the street food, chaat and puri that have taken over, Indian food seems to come in waves. Rajdoot is undoubtedly part of the first generation.

It’s retro but in a good way. Total curry comfort.