Harden's survey result
Summary
“Deliciously spiced dishes from a varied menu” win continued praise for this brightly decorated and “very cheerful” venue near the Theatre Royal, which was an early pioneer of Indian street food. It also has a sibling in Jesmond.
Summary
Near the Theatre Royal, this early pioneer of Indian street food (which opened in 2008) continues to generate upbeat (if limited) feedback on its “delicious curries”.
Summary
“A full menu with lots of variety, and super staff” underpin the appeal of this street food pioneer, which opened in 2008, near the Theatre Royal. “The only downer is that it is sooooo popular now, it is hard to get a table!”.
Summary
A pioneer of Indian street food in the Northeast when it opened near the Theatre Royal in 2008, this retro-styled venue has lost none of its verve in the intervening years, and still wins high ratings for its unusual and “really delicious” small plates.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Dabbawal?
Owner's description
Welcome to Dabbawal, Indian street food pioneer, the UK’s Best Casual Dining Restaurant (British Curry Awards 2015), and everyone’s favourite neighbourhood kitchen.
At our colourful, buzzing kitchens we bring you the fresh tastes of the street – Indian snacks and chaats, tapas-style grazing dishes, classic curry plates and unique street combos.
Unique Indian food, served tapas-style in our friendly urban kitchens – eat, graze, share – love Dabbawal!
The heart of every Indian home beats in the kitchen, and at Dabbawal, you meet and eat any way you like. Our tapas-style street combos, side dishes, and curry plates are fresh, relaxed and laid back; your food comes as it’s cooked and you share – or keep everything to yourself!
Our Bombay Bomb is one of our biggest sellers, our Bhel Puri is always a big talking point, and we have yet to meet anyone who hasn’t loved our Railway Lamb Chops. This is the taste of the street, Dabbawal style!
We created our urban kitchen concept, named for the famous Dabbawalla lunch delivery men of Indian cities, long before the craze for street food hit the UK, and we’re still breaking the mould – serving up unique dishes derived from traditional street favourites in busy urban kitchens which buzz with conversation and comings and goings – just like home.
Eat, graze, share...love Dabbawal!
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner | £0.00 | £20.00 |  |
|
|
| Starter | Main | Pudding |
|---|---|---|
| £3.50 | £14.20 | £0.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Restaurant details
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | CLOSED |
| Friday | CLOSED |
| Saturday | CLOSED |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
