If you’re craving a taste of India without the long-haul flight, you’re in luck, as I’m back in Stoke-on-Trent again with another list of incredible restaurants for you to choose from!
Stoke might be known for its pottery, but let’s talk about a different kind of art – the art of making fantastic grub. Stoke on Trent has A LOT of Indian spots that are dishing out some seriously delicious grub, and I know everyone is a massive fan of this particular kind of grub, too! Did I say the word grub enough?
From cosy curry houses to hole-in-the-wall joints, I will take you through some of my favourite spots, and then you’ll know where to get your Indian fix in the Potteries. Whether you’re a spice warrior or a newbie to Indian flavours, These restaurants are bound to make your belly happy. So, in no particular order, let’s pop open the popadoms and have a look-see at the best Indian places to be. Oh yes!
Monsoon Majestic Indian Dining – 19-21 George Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 1JX England
This place was the number one spot on TripAdvisor for 2023 for Indian food in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, and its online reviews back up this sentiment. The local punters love it. Check out this review from January this year!
“Best curry for many years. Eating curry from 1972.”
“Absolutely fabulous. Food was lovely. Restaurant clean and staff friendly and accommodating. Brilliant restaurant . Best in Newcastle under Lyme”.
date of visit: January 2024
All the reviews are positive, and I agree with them. I’ve tried lots of excellent Indian dishes here, so it’s hard to pick a stand out, but I am going to start with the British Classic, the chicken tikka masala. I usually am more adventurous when it comes to Indian food. I love spicy food, as I’ve explained in many other articles before, but a Tikka masala is hard to beat when you find a place that can absolutely smash the dish (not literally, of course). It’s always my go-to if I fancy something sweet … or if I’ve had one too many beers the night before and want to save myself from feeling even worse.
Its perfect balance of creaminess and subtle spices sets this Chicken Tikka Masala apart. It makes it accessible to those who prefer a gentler heat, but it is also great for people like me who enjoy the heat but just fancy a milder dish on the occasion. It’s the definition of the saying “the best of both worlds”.
The mildness of the dish allows the flavours to shine through, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate the quality of each ingredient.
In a world where Chicken Tikka Masala can sometimes feel like a standard order, this particular rendition manages to carve a niche for itself. The slight spiciness elevates the overall experience, making it a must-try for anyone seeking a creamy yet nuanced take on this classic dish. I love it.
Kismet Hartshill – 558 Hartshill Rd, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6AF, United Kingdom
Kismet has two locations. One in Hartshill and another in Burslem. The menus differ slightly, so my main focus here is the Hartshill branch, and for a good reason. The Harthill branch was voted Curry Life’s best restaurant of the year in 2022.
The stoke sentinel stated: “A curry house with a 60-year history is celebrating after one of its two restaurants scooped a coveted accolade. Kismet opened in Burslem in 1962, and in 2018, the owners opened a second restaurant in Hartshill, which has just won Curry Life Restaurant of the Year for 2022″.
“The award was presented at a ceremony in London on October 9. The Curry Legend award was given posthumously to the founder of Kismet, Ala Uddin Ahmed, who passed away at the age of 83”.
There is so much good food to choose from; all the classics are here, but they have a section on the Menu called Showstoppers. These dishes are where the restaurant truly shines, as the value for money is incredible. For sixteen pounds, you can get a man and rice or naan.
Now, this suggestion is for the heatseekers. The North Indian garlic naga is delicious, and it’ll blow your socks off and make you sweat while scoffing it down. You won’t be able to resist mopping up the extra sauce with your naan, either. The heat doesn’t kill the taste, as with all good spicy food, which is the primary goal. All the flavour still shines through, and you won’t stop munching this meal until it has disappeared off your plate.
The naans here are also superb. The bread is perfectly cooked, so it has a good bit of crunch around the edges, which compliments the soft middle perfectly. This place is a game changer of a curry house you must visit.
Naz – 16 Stockwell St, Leek ST13 6DS, United Kingdom
Now, we were off to Leek to take a seat at Naz. Named after the owner Naz (obviously), this spot has a real family-run vibe, which adds so much to the restaurant’s charm. Naz and his staff are super friendly and accommodating—just lovely people serving lovely food.
I get on well with the starters here. I’m a fiend for onion bhajis, and the ones here are flavoursome and delicious. It has a lovely oniony taste with that added Indian spiced flavour we know. These golden morsels strike the right balance with a crispy exterior, giving way to a tender, well-seasoned centre. As for the curry, get the madras. Don’t ask questions. Just do it; you will know why once you’ve tried it.
Jaflong Curry – 63 Lichfield St, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 3EA, United Kingdom
Bang in the middle of the city located in Hanley, this Indian-Bangladeshi restaurant has solidified its place as a long-standing local legend since its doors swung open in 1996. With nearly three decades of service, this local gem has woven itself into the fabric of Stoke-on-Trent’s culinary scene. It offers a blend of tradition and hospitality to patrons who dine with them and serves some genuinely excellent dishes. The takeaway Menu is damn impressive as well. It’s had some bad press in recent years, but I still feel that this spot deserves a chance.
If value for money is what you are after, especially in this current cost of living crisis, Jaflong has you covered. On Mondays, they have a Special Balti Night. For £13.95, you can get a three-course meal. Yes, you read that correctly.
The options on offer are below; you can choose one option for each section.
1st Course
Papadam and Chutney Tray
2nd Course
Onion Bhaji
Meat/ Vegetable Samosa
Mixed Starter (Chicken Tikka and Onion Bhaji
3rd Course
Chicken Balti
Lamb Balti
Vegetable Balti
Prawn Balti
With Pilau Rice or Plain Naan
With value for money like that, you can’t go wrong. The Chicken Makhonwalla (also known as Butter Chicken) is another of my go-to selections. Chicken tikka is cooked with pure butter and a mild creamy sauce and finished with a sliced almond. Great value, good grub (I said it again, didn’t I)
Okay, that’s my list of curry houses in Stoke on Trent. Like my other suggestions, I hope this list has been helpful to all my readers. Some local legends and national award winners are thrown in there for you, so all the bases are covered when it comes to picking the best spot that suits your own personal tastes.
That leaves me with one last thing to say. The best thing for you to do now is give it a go!