Liverpool’s very best Indian restaurants

Indian Tiffin Room brings the vibrant and authentic flavours of Indian street food to a contemporary setting in Liverpool’s city centre. Offering a diverse menu featuring vegan, meat-free, and kids’ options alongside its main fare, ITR has something for everyone at the table. The atmosphere is casual and lively, ideal for groups and larger parties looking to celebrate over some great food.

The menu mainly focuses on Indian street food and tandoori grilled kebabs, proudly presenting an authentic taste of India. Popular starters include the Pav Bhaji, a spicy vegetable mix served with buttered bread, and the Vada Pav, an Indian vegetable burger​. For a non-vegetarian twist, try the Chilli Chicken or the Chicken Lollipop, both showcasing ITR’s Indo-Chinese flavours. Meanwhile, their tandoori grilled options include the Highway Chicken Tikka Kebab and Lamb Chops, marinated with special spices and cooked in a charcoal tandoor for a smokey flavour. Simply divine!

If you’re looking for a traditional Indian eating experience, then Sanskruti is the place to go, as not only does the restaurant serve up some of the most delicious traditional dishes, but the word Sanskruti actually means ‘Tradition’, so you know you’re getting the real deal.

On the menu, you will find a range of diverse veggie and vegan dishes packed with aromatic herbs and spices that will really get your tastebuds going. Some customer favourites include the vegan Malai kofta, which are slow cooked and smothered in silky cashew new onion and tomato gravy. You should also try out Sanskruti’s Indian street food offering such as the Sev Puri, which Sanskruti promises will steal the thunder from any meal. 

If you’re a fan of both Indian street food and craft beer, you’re in for a treat at Bundobust. Here, you can enjoy authentic Gujarati street food which includes everything from crispy onion, kale and broccoli bhajis to the Vada Pav – Bundobust’s iconic Indian veggie burger. You can then quench your thirst with Bundobust’s very own craft beer selection which is brewed in the Bundobust brewery just an hour down the road in Manchester.

If you work in the city centre, you should treat yourself to the Bundobust lunch express offer which includes two delicious dishes for just £9. They also have a range of combos to choose from, so if you are going with a big group of six or more, you should try the Bundo combo which includes almost every dish on the menu for the complete Bundobust experience.

Another popular Indian restaurant in Liverpool is Sultan’s Palace, which is known for its delicious Tandoori and Mughlai dishes. The chefs at Sultan’s Palace pride themselves on authentic Tandoori cooking which involves marinating meat with herbs and spices and barbecuing the meat to perfection at 400℃, ensuring the succulent flavours are sealed in straight away. On the Tandoori section of the menu you’ll find a mix of dishes including the Tandoori mixed grill with all the meat fixings and the jumbo prawns sizzler which are marinated in yoghurt, fresh fenugreek and of course, plenty of tasty herbs and spices.

Aside from the meat, they also offer a range of veggie and vegan options, including the mouth-watering mattar paneer, which is cottage cheese and peas spiced with garam masala and a tomato-based sauce.

Dostana was first founded 40 years ago when it became the first Indian restaurant in Woolton Village, although in recent years the owners have created a more contemporary and creative restaurant that locals love. Here, you can enjoy authentic Indian food inspired by the streets of Mumbai, such as the Kashmiri chicken bhuna and the tasty chaat bombs. They also serve up traditional masala, tandoori and tikka dishes which are prepared by Dostana’s talented Indian and Bangladeshi chefs. 

You can also head to Dostana for an Indian-inspired breakfast which is served up every Saturday and Sunday from 8:30am. Breakfast includes unlimited tea and coffee, as well as an excellent range of options such as The Big Mumbai, which includes sausages, turkey bacon, masala baked beans, mushroom, Bombai potatoes, tomato and Malabari Paratha.

If you ask a Liverpool local if they have tried Mowgli, you will be hard pressed to hear a no. However, if you are the exception, or you are just visiting Liverpool, then Mowgli is a must whether you like Indian food or not. Mowgli is known for its mouth-watering and unique street food selection, such as the Mowgli chip butty, which is a roti wrap filled with the tastiest kissed turmeric fries, fenugreek, chilli pickle and Mowgli’s own tomato relish.

If you’ve never tried Indian or unsure what to order, you should try the officer’s worker tiffin or if you are veggie opt for the Indian school tiffin. This is essentially food roulette, as you will be served four tiffin boxes filled with four dishes chosen by the chefs themselves, so you know you’re getting the best eating experience.