So we are heading to the home of The Beatles, and also the home of my mother. I won’t bore you with my family history though as we are here to talk about food. Curry now is as British as fish and chips in my eyes. Personally, it’s my favourite thing to eat when going for a meal, although I have never understood the concept of going for a few beers after, as I am far too bloated and full to start sinking pints after I’ve stuffed my face with a lamb vindaloo.
Liverpool is a part of England (although some of the locals will tell you it isn’t) that boasts some of the finest curry houses in the United Kingdom, so we have selected our favourite few for you to have a look at. Enjoy.
Mowgli Street Food Water Street – 3 Water St, Liverpool L2 0RD, United Kingdom
We are going to start with a chain, but I feel it’s fair to mention these guys as not only do they have a wonderful menu, but they also have a separate vegan menu. Now I am not a vegan myself but I think it’s great that this place allows options so other people can experience some seriously tasty grub.
Mowgli was established to satisfy the raw craving Indians have for tiffins bursting with fresh, vibrant flavours. The restaurant’s cuisine is all about the punchy zest of healthy, light, and masterful herbs and spices. Luckily we Indian Brits seem to love all this stuff too as well so this spot has stuck gold with its offerings.
Nisha Katona founded Mowgli in 2014, driven by a relentless passion to create an eatery serving the kind of food Indians eat at home and on their streets. Born in Ormskirk, Lancashire, as the daughter of Indian immigrant doctors, Nisha left behind a 20-year career as a Child Protection Barrister to follow her dream. As the founder, CEO, executive, and development chef of Mowgli Street Food restaurants, Nisha’s vision was to bring her ancestral offerings to the market. Her first Mowgli restaurant opened in the lively area of Liverpool’s Bold Street, quickly followed by a second location in Manchester less than a year later. Honestly, the food here is incredible, just try everything, and you will love it.
Sultan’s Place – 75-77 Victoria St, Liverpool L1 6DE, United Kingdom
The two specialities of the Sultan’s Palace are their Tandoori and Mughlai Cooking techniques. These methods both originate from the northwest frontier Territory of India, and they add to the flavour of the dishes overall. This is one of my favourite styles of cooking when dining on Indian food so it’s a welcome choice for me personally.
The Sultan’s Palace Indian Restaurant specialises in tandoori cuisine, featuring dishes barbecued in traditional charcoal-fired clay ovens. The restaurant employs highly skilled chefs from India so you are getting a true authentic dining experience here. This really does make a difference for me as of course, people can learn cooking techniques but when it’s embedded in your culture I feel it shines through when creating a dish. As an Italian, it’s something I can resonate with. Combined with a commitment to using the finest ingredients (I know I mention fresh ingredients all the time, but it’s such an important factor when creating exquisite culinary dishes), this expertise ensures that every visit to the Sultan’s Palace is a remarkable dining experience.
The restaurant aims to attract guests who share an appreciation for fine food, impeccable service, and a convivial atmosphere. At the Sultan’s Palace, every detail is crafted to create an unforgettable dining experience for those who appreciate the best in Indian cuisine.
Barton Rouge – 26 Exchange St E, Liverpool L2 3PH, United Kingdom
Another spot with a few places up north, but I feel the Liverpool branch stands out. Not to say the others aren’t excellent, but there is just a bit more magic for me at this particular location.
Barton Rouge promises an intimate and relaxed dining experience that offers something unique to both local and foreign patrons, ensuring a memorable culinary journey every time, they even have a private dining area for those special occasions and this can seat up to 18 people. For those with indulgence in mind, this spot goes all out when creating rich vibrant curries. They have an ever-changing menu of internationally and seasonally inspired small plates, but for me, I always go for a classic.
The Lamb Madras here hits all the right notes, it has the famously rich and creamy tomato-based sauce with that level of heat that cuts through the dish and leaves your tongue tingling due to the spices. Of course, if that’s not your thing there is so much more on offer here and again they cater towards vegans so it’s a solid choice for everyone.
The Holdi Bar, Restaurant and Lounge – 5B Woolton St, Liverpool L25 5NH, United Kingdom
Holdi is known as one of Liverpool’s finest Indian restaurants. It offers exquisite cuisine in sublime surroundings, providing a delightful dining experience. This place leans in on the fine dining experience and they manage to pull it off and then some.
Granted it is outside of the big city as the restaurant is nestled in the leafy suburbs of Woolton Village, Holdi is a hidden treasure and is smack bang in the middle of an entrance to Sainsbury’s and Lloyd’s Bank.
The restaurant provides some of the best Indian cuisines I have had in the United Kingdom, let alone mersyside, and if you are a lucky local this quality food is available for takeout too.
Holdi offers mouth-watering dishes that remain true to the cuisine of India, using secret ingredients (I have asked but they won’t tell me what they are, fair enough I suppose) to bring a taste like no other. The restaurant uses only the freshest, authentic, high-quality ingredients, including unique blends of ground spices, to create exquisite Indian flavours that dance on your pallet. This dedication to quality is why customers return time and time and is of course the main reason this fabulous restaurant has made the list even though it’s not quite situated in the city centre. Sometimes youve got to travel for good grub!
Sanskruti Restaurant – Bixteth St, Liverpool L3 9LP, United Kingdom
Sanskruti is a term derived from “Sanskrit,” which is believed to be the world’s oldest language, originating in India. India is a nation rich in diversity, with a multitude of cultures, religions, languages, customs, and dress. It is also a “melting pot” of various ethnic cuisines, each complete in nutrition yet distinct in taste, methodology, flavour, and presentation.
Sanskruti believes that nothing represents India better than its classical cuisine and vibrant culture, expressed through each of its dishes. I feel they manage to execute this message as well, we don’t rank these restaurants in any particular order when we create these lists, but if I had a gun to my head this is the spot I would go to if I had to choose. That does not mean I am correct though as everyone has different tastes.
They offer a wide variety of choices, many of which are unique in Liverpool. The restaurant uses only the freshest ingredients (I know, I know but it is important like I said before), featuring a vegan and vegetarian menu that spans the Indian subcontinent, from the ‘Thalis’ of Gujarat to the ‘Dosas’ of South India, and from the ‘Chaats’ of Mumbai to the rich, unforgettable taste of North Indian curries. Not a bad selection at all.
I hope you lovely readers manage to frequent these spots, and if you’re not from in and around mersyside, trust me they are all worth travelling to as its top tier grub.