4. Takeaways

The most popular Indian restaurant starter

4. Takeaways

In a recent survey we asked: “What’s your favourite starter in an Indian restaurant?”

Sheekh Kebab came out tops with 38% of voters plumping for the meaty favourite. Another 24% prefer the other old-school favourite, Samosas, the same number that would go for Prawn Puri. Surprisingly Onion Bhajis received just 14% of the votes. One person asked if he could have a beer instead… Of course, sir.

Spice Card holders can enjoy a 20% discount on curries, including on takeaways at many venues. Get your Spice Card here…

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How long would you wait for a Takeaway?

4. Takeaways

In a recent survey we asked “What’s a reasonable time to wait for a curry delivery on a Saturday night (assume you are a 10-minute drive away)?”

The overwhelming response was 40 minutes for 44% of our hungry curry lovers. Some 25% of people say 50 minutes is acceptable and the same would be happy to wait an hour. A rather impatient 7% think the order should be taken, cooked and driven the 10-minute drive in just 30 minutes. Perhaps they don’t like their chicken cooked?

Spice Card holders can enjoy a 20% discount on curries, including on takeaways at many venues. Get your Spice Card here…

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Let me present the Taste of India

4. Takeaways

Taste of India, Brough, Humberside
(Takeaway)

It’s not often the presentation of a takeaway is the first thing to strike you. But the Taste of India has superb menus, with an easy-to read layout and loads of silver printing (got to love it), the waiting area is pleasant (comfy couches and you can watch the cooking going on in the back), then, when the food is opened up at home you see the chef has added a nice presentation touch with the tomatoes in the corner and a sprinkle of fresh coriander on top. Presentation is not the deal breaker, I’ll admit, but the food is top-notch; the Keema Raj (£6.90) was deliciously meaty and with plenty of potatoes, just how I like it. And the Chicken Biryani (£6.90) also got the thumbs up.

The service was very friendly and this clearly attracts people from all over the local area judging from the chats as people caught up with news while waiting. You’d be hard-pressed not to find something you like as this is one of the most extensive menus I’ve seen. All the old-school classics are available (Chicken Madras £4.90), along with Tandoori dishes (full chicken £9.50), Biryanis, Baltis (prawn £6.20), Jalfrazis (beef £6.20) but there are also nan kebab meals (nan, meat and salad from £5.90), Passanda, Rossoon, Shanaz, Rezalla, and Koriah dishes, Balti Massalas, as well as large range of specials and the usual range of sides, breads and rices. The lime pickle tax was 70p for a small pot.

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Parking: a few spaces in the drive through area right outside.
Delivery: for orders of £7.50 or more (charge applies).
Specials: set meal specials.
Beer while you’re waiting: the Red Hawk pub is a few minutes walk away.
Waiting time: was about 25 minutes from the time of order.

Taste of India, 57c Welton Road, Brough, Humberside, HU15 1AB. Tel: 01482 668406. Open: Sun–Thur 4.30pm–10.30pm, Fri–Sat 4.30pm–11pm.

Scores on the tandoors

Food 7⃣

Waiting area 7⃣

Value 7⃣

Service and friendliness 8⃣

Lucky curry dip

4. Takeaways

Mirchi, London, E14
(Takeaway)

Ah, what to do when you collect your takeaway, only to open it up at home and discover they haven’t given you exactly what you ordered? In honesty it didn’t make too much difference when I discovered one of the dishes from Mirchi was a Chicken Dopiaza instead of a Chicken Rogan (both £5.25)  because I like them both. I certainly wasn’t going back. But on a previous visit I’d had an extra rice I hadn’t ordered (and I definitely wasn’t going back that time) so this was fast becoming a lucky-dip curry place for me.

The food at this good old neighbourhood curry place is pretty decent anyway. Tucked away in a little arcade just off the Westferry Road it wouldn’t be the easiest place to stumble across. And although there are quite a few cafeteria-style tables this looks more takeaway than restaurant.

Recommended dishes are Chicken Bemisal (at £6.20, a sort of extra hot Dansak thanks to the green chillies) and Chicken Tikka Green Chilli Bhuna (£6.20) a bit of a mouthful in all senses.

Parking: along Westferry Road.
Delivery: free within three miles for minimum orders of £10.
Specials: 10% discount on collected takeaway orders over £10 (excluding set meals).
Beer while you’re waiting: The Tooke is a few metres away.
Waiting time: was about 15-20 minutes from the time of order.

Mirchi, 7 The Quarterdeck (off Westferry Road), Poplar, London, E14 8SH. Tel: 020 7515 7171. Open: Sun-Thurs 6pm-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 5.30pm-midnight.

Mirchi snapshot

Food 6⃣

Waiting area 5⃣

Value 6⃣

Service and friendliness 5⃣

Takeaway time

4. Takeaways

Chondona, Liphook, Hampshire
(Takeaway)

It says a lot about our times that the village of Liphook has more curry outlets than pubs (at least for now as one of them is being renovated after a fire). Chondona is the old favourite, having been here for years and it is the only one in the village itself (the other two, a Nepalese and a takeaway are in the new bit further down the old A3).

It advertises itself as serving contemporary Bangladeshi cuisine, although it serves the usual range of dishes from all the old-school favourites to tandoori and everything in between.

The front part of the restaurant was full (there is a side overflow area as well) early on a Saturday night and from what I saw the takeaway side of the business is thriving as well. People collecting their food can either stand at the small bar or take a seat at a table that has been set aside for them near the bar. It’s a perfectly pleasant place to have a draught Kingfisher or bottle of Bud (£2.05) but is maybe a bit too close to those dining and might make some a bit uncomfortable. It’s never nice to feel like you’re gate crashing someone’s big night out, them all dressed up and you with overcoat and scarf and a bottled beer to while away the time. Yes, yes, I know I could ring up and order in advance but I never do. Imagine – horror – if it was ready when I arrived? Then I wouldn’t have an excuse for ordering a beer…

The potato in the Aloo Gobi (£2.55) was a bit over-cooked and crumbly but the Chicken Rogan (£4.95) was delicious, with the amount of tomato spot on (i.e. loads of it) and, joy oh joy, the chicken was not in those over-perfect cubes that some restaurants insist on dishing up. There, in the tasty thick sauce and coated in the juicy toms were great big piece of chicken, not uniform, and not looking processed. I mopped it up with a Keema nan (£1.95).

Parking: large car park at Hungry Horse pub opposite or a smaller one at the back.
Delivery: free within six miles for minimum orders of £15 (last orders 10pm).
Specials: 10% discount on collected takeaway orders over £10.
Beer while you’re waiting: Chondona is a fully licensed restaurant or the Hungry Horse pub is opposite.
Waiting time: was about 15-20 minutes from the time of order.

Chondona, 15 The Square, Liphook, Hampshire, GU30 7AB. Tel: 01428 724201 or 722095. Open: daily noon–2p.30m, 6pm–11.30pm.

Chondona snapshot

Food 6⃣

Waiting area 4⃣

Value 8⃣

Service and friendliness 8⃣

Sons of curry sons

4. Takeaways

Curry Royal Tandoori, London, SE10
(Takeaway)

Deep in darkest east Greenwich as you head towards Woolwich there is a takeaway place that has been there since 1978. Still owned by the same man (his grandson was serving) and operating out of the same place, it must be doing something right.

“We have generations of the same family eating with us,” I am told. “Sons of the sons eat with us as they grow up.”

Let’s be honest, this area is not for everyone late at night and the place looks like it could do with a spruce up. But the staff are friendly if you collect, and if it’s just a delivery you’re after it’s really only the food that matters anyway.

The place will certainly be tough to beat on value, with even most of the specials (Makni Chicken, Meat Chilly Piazy, Jamal-E) coming in at just £5.95. Classic dishes are £4.50 for chicken, £4.95 for lamb and prawn, while boiled and standard pilau rice are both under £2.

Chicken Bombay (£4.50) is a hybrid dish, medium in strength, with potato, whole tomato and boiled egg. Very good it is too, especially with Bengal rice (£2.55) a dish that comes with fresh chilli and coriander. The Motor Pannir (£2.75) is a bit different from usual in that the cheese was mostly melted and not in cubes, to create that delicious, how shall I say, cheese goo? Wonder if it was on the menu in 1978?

Parking: on Woolwich Road.

Delivery: free on orders over £10 to SE3, SE7, SE10 and parts of SE8, SE9, SE18.

Specials: free papadom and onion salad with every order over £12 or vegetable side dish or a bottle of Coke on orders over £25. A 10 per cent discount on collections if you spend over £15.

Beer while you’re waiting: the Duchess is nearby. Who knows, with luck you might be able to get a bit of karaoke in while you wait…

Curry Royal Tandoori, 9 Woolwich Road, London, SE10 0RA. Tel: 020 8858 1384 or 020 8293 3610. Open: daily 5.30pm-midnight.

Curry Royal Tandoori snapshot

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Unwrapping your curry

4. Takeaways

King of Curry (Medina), London, SE10
(Takeaway)

I like the menu at King of Curry (the name was changed because Medina, the previous name, is Islam’s second holiest city and offended Muslims. The Medina sign still remains). It offers straightforward, no-nonsense takeaway choices, which you’d expect from a place run by a chef.

But look a bit deeper and you’ll find a couple of speciality gems for the times when an old-school favourite just won’t do. Grilled Trout (£8.95), Salmon Tikka Masala (£8.95), Rupchanda Fish (£9.95) and Sardine Bhaji (£5.75) should keep you fish lovers happy.

But it’s the Kings Special Stuffed Chicken (£8.95) that headlines for the chef, which the menu proudly announces, has featured on the BBC London News. Basically large pieces of breast (sealed together) have been stuffed with tasty red and green peppers, and mushrooms. It’s like unwrapping a curry present and the succulent chicken really works well as the wrapping paper. The dish is marinated and coated in a green mint and coriander sauce.

Parking: on side streets off Blackheath Road.

Delivery: free on orders over £12.50 (menu doesn’t specify a distance).

Specials: free Bombay Aloo side dish with orders over £20, free nan and veg dish with orders over £30 and free nan, side dish and bottle of drink with orders over £50.

Beer while you’re waiting: the Graduate, a good old local boozer is opposite.

King of Curry, 106 Blackheath Road, London, SE10 8DA. Tel: 020 8692 2423 or 020 8964 2396. Open: daily 5pm-11pm.

King of Curry snapshot

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Pumpkin up the curry

4. Takeaways

Green Chillies, London, SE10
(Takeaway)

Green Chillies is a classic takeaway: no airs and graces but good-to-honest curries, friendly service and exceptional value.

There are numerous specials worth a mention. Pumpkin Bhaji (£2.95) is an unusual side dish with the vegetable served in strips and lightly spiced. This should be ordered with something extra spicy such as a Chicken Jalfrezi (£6.45). There is also Honey Khany (lamb £6.65), another very mild dish of cashew nuts, sultanas and ground cashew nuts in a sauce that contains honey. Again, the mildness should probably be offset with side dish with a kick such as a Vegetable Curry (£2.45) and maybe mopped up with a Hot n Spicy nan (£2.05). Cheesy Chicken (£7.45) a dish of tikka chicken in a bhuna sauce and covered in cheese, is also worth a try.

But it’s the traditional dishes where Green Chillies really comes into its own with sauces deliciously textured and cooked in the perfect amount of oil. The grid display in the excellent small-sized menu makes it easy to choose from all the classics and all are offered with veg, chicken, chicken tikka, lamb, lamb tikka, prawn, fish or king prawn. Chicken Rogon (£4.25) and Prawn Dopiaza (£4.95) are recommended with Pilau rice (£1.95) and a chapati (£1.15)

Parking: on side streets off Blackheath Road.

Delivery: free on orders over £12 (menu doesn’t specify a distance).

Specials: free papadom and relish with every order. A 10 per cent discount for orders collected. Bombay Potato or Onion Bhaji on orders over £20 and a bottle of Coke on orders over £30. There is also a regulars’ card where you get a stamp every time you spend £12 and your sixth curry will be free.

Beer while you’re waiting: the Graduate, a good old local boozer is opposite.

Green Chillies, 110 Blackheath Road, SE10 8DA. Tel: 020 8469 1719 or 020 8691 8040. Open: daily 5.30pm-11pm.

Green Chillies snapshot

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They sell what?

4. Takeaways

Spice Grill, Greenwich, SE10
(Takeaway)

They do good fried chicken in the Spice Grill. In fact, that’s all I thought they did (along with pizzas and cans of Coke). But if can somehow resist chunks of chicken that have been soaked in hot fat and covered in breadcrumbs you’ll find a decent curry after 5.30pm. Just ask for the curry menu as you enjoy the English caff environment.

On it you’ll find some interesting dishes such as Courgette Prawns (£5.75) and Lal Kadoo (£3.95), a spicy dish made with diced pumpkin. Old-school favourites such as Madras start at a very well-priced £3.95 (chicken or lamb), rising to £6.50 (king prawn) with a few pennies more for dishes such as Methi and Pathia.

Pistachio Chicken (£5.50) is a creamy dish in the korma style but the pistachios give an stronger nutty taste than the almonds used in korma. And, joy, my new favourite, chillies in the creamy sauce. If you haven’t tried it yet, you should. If you can’t find it in your local just ask them or buy a korma and throw a few chillies into it. Cream with bite. Add to your takeaway some lemon rice (£2.20) and garlic nan (£1.75).

Beats fried chicken any day.

Parking: on-street parking along Trafalgar Road.
Delivery: free for minimum orders of £10.
Specials: 10% discount on takeaways colllected. Free side dish if you spend £15 and free bottle of Coke if you spend £20.
Beer while you’re waiting: Hardy’s, a good old local pub is opposite.

Spice Grill, 101 Trafalgar Road, London, SE10 9TS. Tel: 020 8293 5211 or 020 8858 4434. Open: curry menu daily 5.30pm–1am.

Spice Grill snapshot

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Turning up the heat

4. Takeaways

Chirag, Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote
(Takeaway)

The way the chef cooked my Chicken Dopiaza (€7.50) in Chirag reminded me of dishes I’ve seen being cooked in India. The open kitchen makes it possible to marvel at how the ingredients are added to the high-heat pan so it seems as if they are flash cooked – although there was no rush here, the dish taking 20 minutes so it was certainly fresh.

This was a rich, and tasty dopiaza with a good amount of ‘double onions’ as the dish describes but not the overload you get in the British Indian restaurant (BIR) style of cooking most of us are used to. This had more depth and richness and the onions emerged in the dish rather than simply swamping it. Who hasn’t ordered a dopiaza and felt that it’s simply a curry with some onions tossed in at the end? Not here.

Add in the multi-coloured pilau rice (€2.95) which seems to be a favourite in these parts, and a chapatti (€1.50) and you’ve got a decent-priced takeaway to enjoy on your apartment balcony while looking at the sea.

Other: free popadum with the menu leaflet.

Delivery: free home delivery on orders over €30.

Beer while you’re waiting: Fully licensed if you want a beer here or there are loads of bars nearby.

Chirag, C/Roque Nublo, 15, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote. Tel: +34 928 51 29 47.

Chirag snapshot

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Three new cheers

4. Takeaways

Saaki, Liss, Hampshire
(Takeaway)

It takes a brave restaurateur to run an Indian virtually opposite a much-publicised competitor. But despite being in the shadow of the renowned Madhuban, the neighbouring Saaki continues to serve this small Hampshire village with good food.

Assuming it doesn’t just survive off the overflow of people from up the road, which is unlikely, it must be doing something right to have been here for a number of years.

One thing it offers, if its menu is to be believed, is an astonishing range of ‘New’ dishes on its menu. No fewer than 32 of the items on the menu are flagged as such  and these certainly include some interesting dishes such as the delightfully named Chot Poti starter –a mix of chick peas, yellow lentils and potatoes cooked in lemon juice and spices – and the Lamb Tropical Mango using a blend of hot spices and mango chutney.

Ah, when in Rome… First up in the new stakes is the Chicken Napalize (£7.95) a sort of less-cloying version of butter chicken with peppers and onions, delivered with the most uniform strips of chicken I’ve ever had in a curry. This I had with new garlic rice (£2.95). No holding back on the garlic here, so much so that I could sense the wild village snails slithering for cover as I strolled home. All good so far, but there in the new side dishes I found it: Tuk Baigon (£3.25), the best aubergine dish ever. Mushy, but a good mushy, the aubergine is marinated in lemon juice and the tanginess just worked perfectly with the creamy chicken and rice. Three cheers for new.

Aubergine genius

So once ordered it’s time for a pint of Cobra while waiting (I never can understand people who ring ahead so they don’t have to wait) while reading the papers in the waiting area which has been screened off nicely so you feel as if you are in the restaurant without intruding into the evening of other diners.

Parking: on-street parking along Station Road.
Delivery: free within five miles for minimum orders of £10.
Specials: 10% discount on takeaways.
Beer while you’re waiting: Saaki is a fully licensed restaurant or the Whistle Stop pub is a short walk away.

Saaki, 73 Station Road, Liss, Hampshire, GU33 7AD. Tel: 01730 895455. Open: daily noon–2pm, 5.30pm–11.30pm (midnight Fri–Sat).

Saaki snapshot

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All change for the drunks

4. Takeaways

Simply Indian, Aldershot (Takeaway) UPDATE

Since my last visit Simply Indian has become a takeaway because “we can’t continue to deal with the hassle and the drunks.” Very sad because when it was a BYO and I was told enthusiastically, “we just want to concentrate on good food,” this was a great little restaurant.

The guys in charge are still friendly but there is a sense they’ve lost heart. Seeing a shell of what was a nice friendly restaurant is a bit sad and although the space means the waiting area is large, as it would if you convert a restaurant into a takeaway, it feels a bit ramshackle. Shame on you hassle people and drunks.

The basic Chicken Rogan (£5.95) and Pilao Rice (£2.30) was decent enough but this is no longer a place you’d go out of your way to visit.

• Simply Indian, 14-16 Station Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU11 1HT. Tel: 01252 330 070 or 01252 336 667. Open: Daily 5.30pm-11pm.

Simply Indian snapshot

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Spiced out waiting

4. Takeaways

Khan’s, Liverpool
(Takeaway)

In a snap survey of friends and Twitter people most people seem to think if you order an Indian to be delivered you should get it within 45 minutes. So Khan’s effort of an hour and 10 minutes to deliver four dishes just over a mile falls way short. Even if we’re understanding and realize it’s a Saturday night it’s still a long wait.

One of our party fell asleep waiting while another resorted to pacing the room like a caged animal in need of a spice fix.

Of course, when you’re hungry, no-one pays too much attention to the food quality but I can report that the Chicken Jalfriezi (£5.20) was certainly extra spicy as requested, the Chicken Pathia (£5.20) sauce was a bit watery but had that balance of sweet and sour and although the Chicken Tikka Biryani (£5.90) looked as good as any biryani I’ve ever seen the tikka taste was missing from the meat.

All in all, it filled a hole on a Saturday night but not much more sadly. I really must stop ordering from places that also sell doners and pizzas…

Delivery: free within three miles for minimum orders of £9. The food arrived 70 minutes after the order was taken.

Specials: 10% discount on delivery orders over £30 and a 10% discount for orders that are collected. Free Onion Bhaji for orders over £10 which are collected.

Khan’s, 52 Walton Vale, Liverpool L9 2BU Tel: 0151 530 4920. Open: Daily 4.30pm–late.

Khan’s snapshot

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Curry and doner meat

4. Takeaways

Tandoori Nites, London E14
(Takeaway)

If you fancy a curry and your mate wants a doner then this is the part of London for you. Always makes me wary when a food place attempts to be everything to everyone but there’s so much competition round here a lot of takeaways seem to serve everything from curry to kebabs to pizza. Most are curry places at heart though, thank goodness.

The Chicken Dhansak (£4.70) is tasty enough and there’s certainly some kick to the Garlic Chilli Chicken (£7.25) but both sauces were on the watery side and required a bit of soaking up with the Mushroom Rice (£2.40). Not bad though, all in all, for an end-of-night curry.

The specials on the front of the menu are certainly worth checking out as they offer a range of Indian goodies at good prices. How about the Meal for Two with two popadoms, Onion Bhaji, Chicken Tikka, Chicken Kurma, Lamb Madras, Chicken Tikka Massala, Bombay Potato, Mushroom Bhaji, two Pilau Rice, nan bread, mint sauce, onion salad and lettuce salad. Not bad at £25.95. Because I love you I’ve done the sums and that’s £6.50 cheaper than ordering that lot individually.

Parking: on East India Dock Road and side streets.

Delivery: free within four miles for minimum orders of £10. Food was ready quickly for collection.

Specials: free onion salad with all orders and 10% discount on all orders over £10. Get free Bombay Potato or Tarka Dall if you spend £16-£29.99, plus a two-litre soft drink if you spend over £30.

Beer while you’re waiting: the nearest pub is the sparse George IV down Ida Street or the Greenwich Pensioner is five minutes away down Bazely Street.

Tandoori Nites, 235 East India Dock Road, London, E14 OEG. Tel: 020 7531 4331/4332. Open: daily noon–midnight). 

Tandoori Nites snapshot

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From the north

4. Takeaways

Royal Spice, Docklands, London
(Takeaway)

Fed up with the usual? When you’ve had your fill of Chicken Madras, Prawn Bhuna and Lamb Dupiaza for your Friday night takeaway give Royal Spice’s Gosht e Nobabi (£7.95) a try.

The North Indian dish is not found on too many menus, which is what makes it all the more appealing, and the tender lamb comes beautifully infused with the whole spices it’s been cooked in and is topped with soft pieces of green pepper. It’s got a deep, rich taste and is hot, but not too hot, so will appeal to a wide-range of curry lovers. The strong flavour is not too disimilar to a Rougan Josht that’s been traditonally cooked with whole spices (as opposed to the ‘fried-up with lots of tomatoes’ variety that’s served in most restaurants).

The highly recommended Gosht e Nobabi (right) and Balti Chicken Tikka

Plain rice (£1.75) would be a good choice to go with the dish so as not to detract from its flavours but those after a bit more from their side dishes could do worse than Mushroom Piloa Rice (£2.25).

But curry man cannot live on experimentation alone and Balti Chicken Tikka (£6.95), which comes with a nan, ensures you’ve get a decent portion of old-school tastes. The chicken is well cooked and the tandoori flavour doesn’t get drowned out by the sauce, although this may have a bit of an overload of onions for some tastes.

A nice move from Royal Spice is to offer two sizes of their vegetable side dishes (£2.50 for small and £4.25 for large). Too often you can fancy a couple of side dishes but find it sends the overall cost soaring. The small option is ideal for a couple of tasters. Niramish, mixed fresh vegetables in a dryish sauce and with a kick from green chillis, is to be recommended.

Parking: on West India Dock Road, Gill Street, Three Colt Street, St Anne Street or Burdett Road.

Delivery: free within five miles for minimum orders of £10. The receipt shows the food went out 40 minutes after the order was taken.

Specials: 10% discount on delivery orders over £30 and a 10% discount for orders that are collected. Free bottle of soft drink on delivery orders over £20.

Beer while you’re waiting: Royal Spice is a fully licensed restaurant so no problem with a beer if you are collecting your takeaway.

Royal Spice, 815 Commercial Road, London, E14 7HG. Tel: 020 7536 9902. Open: Mon–Fri 5pm–midnight, Fri and Sat 5pm–12.30am). Text: 07950 271 024 or 07588 833 555. Online orders: http://www.royalspice.uk.com. orders@royalspice.uk.com

Royal Spice snapshot

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Royal Spice on Urbanspoon

Le curry

4. Takeaways

Le Popadom, Greenwich
(Takeaway)

Although there’s no apparent reason for the touch of French (menu includes Le Traditional Dishes and Le Tandoori Grills) this takeaway has quickly established itself as one of the best in the area.

Prices are very good (Chicken Madras £4.15, King Prawn Pathia £8.15, Sag Aloo £2.85), food tasty, service is quick (10-15 minutes) and staff friendly. The waiting area is small but smart. And a round of applause for whoever designed the menu; it’s not often takeaway menu will catch your eye, but this handy sized one is smart and classy.

One day you’ll be telling your children of the days when you could get dinner – Chicken Rogan (£4.50), Pilau Rice (£1.95), Keema Nan (£2.05), some Lime Pickle (65p) and a can of Coke (70p) – and still come home with change from a tenner.

Parking: on Greenwich South Street.

Delivery: free within three miles for orders over £10.

Beer while you’re waiting? it might be a bit down-at-heel for some but The Graduate is on the corner opposite.

Le Popadom, 141 Greenwich South Street, London. Tel: 020 8692 6686. Open: daily 5pm-11pm. le_popadom@hotmail.co.uk

Le Popadom snapshot

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Le Popadom on Urbanspoon

Real tasty

4. Takeaways

Tasty Hut, Dublin, Ireland
(Takeaway)

One of many cheap-and-cheerful takeaway places along this strip, which is about a 15-minute walk from the centre. It’s worth the walk as the prices plummet as you head away from tourist central to the locals’ hangouts. This place also offers a ‘eat all you can buffet’ (€5.99) out back on a few tables but is essentially a takeaway place.

Delivery: daily 5pm to midnight (1am on Fri and Sat)

Specials: Rice/naan or chips with any main course, 1.5 litre Coke or 7up, poppadoms, mint sauce and onion dip free when you spend more than €50.

Tasty Hut, 61 Upper Dorset Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. Tel: +34 1 8733 756. Open: noon to 4am.

Tasty Hut snapshot

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As it says

4. Takeaways

Curry Tandoor, Beckenham
(Takeaway)

Straight, simple and to the point. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense takeaway with decent prices and with a pub nearby for a pint if you are collecting, Curry Tandoor hits the spice spot.

There’s nothing elaborate about the place but the food comes promptly and at great prices (vegetable main dishes from £3.35, chicken classics £4.55 and even specials like Honey lamb at £5.65).

I just wish they’d told me about the 15% discount for collection orders over £15. With my bill hovering below that it would have actually been cheaper to order another (cheapish dish), pass the £15 mark and get the discount!

Parking: street parking on the Bromley Road or roads off it.

Delivery: free within three mile radius for minimum orders of £12. A charge of £2.50 if it’s under £12.

Specials: 15% discount for orders that are collected.

Beer while you’re waiting: the Oakhill is nearby and has a pleasant enough outside area, albeit by the road.

Curry Tandoor, 76 Bromley Road, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 5NP. Tel: 020 8658 4081. Open: Tues–Sun 5.30pm–11.30pm (midnight on Sat and Sun).

Curry Tandoor snapshot

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