From Tikka Masala to Rogan Josh, curries are the perfect meal for a night out with friends or a night in sat in front of the television. Here's a look at some of the best curry houses our region has to offer.
1) Namaste India, 2a Opie Street, Norwich
Namaste India is a little different from your regular Indian restaurant, in that all of the dishes they offer are vegetarian and a vast majority on the menu are also vegan and gluten free. The praise on TripAdvisor is in abundance; take for example this great review by Matt S from Norwich, one of 393 people who have rated the restaurant as excellent. 'If you've never been to India, eat here and you'll at least have eaten real Indian food'.
2) Merchants of Spice, 32 Colegate, Norwich
This fine dining Indian restaurant in the fine city comes highly recommended by not only reviewers on TripAdvisor, but also by the Norwich Curry Club, who once said they thought it was 'the best Indian restaurant in Norwich'. Barrie L on TripAdvisor is in agreement, stating that, 'the flavour is fabulous. If their curry was wine, I would say it had great 'complexity''.
3) The Downham Tandoori, 54-56 High Street, Downham Market
Since 1996 this family-run business in Downham Market has been serving up a range of exotic Indian and Tandoori dishes for its customers from Chicken Biryani to Sag Paneer. The restaurant have even sourced beers to match to the curries in order to make the overall experience really special. Owner, Anwar revealed that Chicen Tikka Masala is the Downham Tandoori's most popular dish, but he recommends that customers try new dishes such as Chicken Joypuree. He also said 'the restaurant is popular with people from all across Norfolk, not just Downham Makret. People come from places such as Norwich, King's Lynn and Hunstanton'.
4) Savoy Tandoori, 79 Regent Road, Great Yarmouth
At the Savoy Tandoori the dish to try is the King Prawn Jaipurn for which owner and chef Kayas Miah won Best Main Course at the Great Yarmouth Curry Chef of the Year Awards in 2014. Aside from this, the menu also boasts several other speciality dishes, including Murgh Dhai Turka which is comprised of chicken breast marinated in yoghurt, crushed black pepper and fresh mint and then finished with caramelised red onions and Machli Tarana a dish made with fresh salmon fillets marinated in chilli, garlic and ginger before being pan fried and simmered in a light orange sauce.
5) New Saffron, 17 St Giles' Lane, Thetford
With 112 excellent traveller ratings and only three poor ratings, it's fair to say that New Saffron is doing pretty well for itself. The restaurant is particularly popular with customers on a Sunday when it has its weekly 'all you can eat' night for only £10.95 per person. Customers simply order as much as they'd like off the menu (within reason) including starters, mains, side dishes, rice dishes and naan breads. Jean-Marie D on TripAdvisor is a big fan of the buffet and rushed to review the food, 'I'm sat at the table writing this whilst my Sunday Buffett digests. A fantastic buffet, not oily and reasonably priced, you can order more if you need to.'
6) Tamarind Fine Indian Dining, Woodbastwick Road, Blofield Heath
Situated in a quiet rural village on the edge of the Norfolk Broads is Tamarind run by owner Giyash Miah and executive chef Afruz Ali who together have over 45 years experience in the restaurant industry. One of their most highly recommended dishes is the Monk Fish Bahaar which consists of diced spiced monk fish grilled in the tandoori and then cooked in their own special sauce.
7) Spice Inn, 2 London Road, King's Lynn
This small restaurant and takeaway in King's Lynn packs a warm welcome and well priced food. Customers on TripAdvisor are particularly fond of the array of duck dishes available on the menu, especially the Duck Tikka Jalfrezi and the restaurant's banquet menu which for under £20 per person provides customers with a starter, main and vegetable side dish as well as a rice or naan. DJLoupy was impressed by her experience of the restaurant, stating that 'everything tasted amazing and you can tell straight away that it's all cooked to order, because the freshness was unmistakable'.
8) Taste of India, 2-4 Blackfriars Street, King's Lynn
Another curry house in King's Lynn that has proved popular with TripAdvisor users who have ranked it among the best Indian restaurants in Norfolk. King's Lynn resident and TripAdvisor user julieandgrahamrog is a big fan of the place, writing a five-star rave review in which he said, 'what makes this restaurant stand out for me and my family is that it is always trying to improve. What I really love is the personal touch – we didn't order from the menu – just told Ronnie what we wanted. I asked for a medium hot chicken and got a great dish, my wife asked for a dry 'fishie on a dishie' and got a beautifully cooked salmon.'
9) Planet Spice, 2 Filby Lane, Ormesby St Margaret
Offering imaginative Indian dishes, Planet Spice in Ormesby St Margaret is the final curry house on the list. With 148 excellent reviews, this busy restaurant is said to be 'warm, friendly and comfortable' according to ANorfolkLocal who has 'something different every time and have never had anything less than wonderful'. House specials include Chicken Naga, Keema Aloo and the Planet Spice seafood cocktail and Amdad, a senior staff member at Planet Spice recommends that customers try the Bilashi or the Katmandu, two dishes exclusive to the restaurant that are popular with visitors.
• Do you agree with TripAdvisor's nine best curry houses in Norfolk or is your favourite missing from the list? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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