Formby, Indian Restaurant Guide

Nisha Katona’s Liverpool-based operation has two branches in London (Charlotte Street and Westfield Stratford) offering her “very tasty” Indian street food – “with the occasional hint of raw spice”. The Lancashire-born former barrister launched the business in 2014 and now has 28 outlets around the country, whose “enjoyable, authentic food” is “really great for a chain”.

“Everyone enjoys the unusual menu, including the meat-eaters” at this “canteen-style” outfit in this city centre from the Leeds-based group, which combines Indian vegetarian street food with English craft ales – including some from their own brewery in Manchester. “Service is efficient, with food coming out as it’s ready” – “it’s a good place to share different plates”, and a party of 6-8 can sample pretty well the whole menu for £125.

The place where it all began for Nisha Katona, who gave up her 20-year career as a barrister to launch this rapidly rising Indian street food chain, currently powering towards thirty-odd outposts. The hit formula is “very pretty” decor (fairy lights, ropes and vines adorn this former bank), as well as “reasonably priced and well-flavoured” home-style cooking. Top Menu Tip – “chat bombs are a must!”

“Doing something different from any other Indian restaurant around town”, this six-year-old venue expanded into the premises next door to meet demand for the family recipes introduced by founders Ranjeet Singh & Alvino Cardozo, who live up to their restaurant’s name (and address on Lord Street) with food they see as a ‘spiritual’ experience.