Newcastle’s Indian restaurant scene is one of the most exciting in the North East — and far more varied than people expect. From a Quayside fine-dining room that has won national awards to a beloved street food stall tucked inside the Victorian arches of Grainger Market, the city covers the full range of the subcontinent’s regional cooking. Whether you’re after classic Punjabi curry, South Indian dosas, Mumbai-style street food, or a seven-course tasting menu, there’s an Indian restaurant in Newcastle worth making a night of it for. Here are the eight best.

Tucked into a quiet side street just off Newcastle’s Quayside, Khai Khai has become one of the city’s most celebrated restaurants since opening in 2020 — and the fan base speaks for itself. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay hailed the Old Delhi butter chicken as the best curry of his life, and food critic Grace Dent raved about their signature tandoori broccoli. The kitchen describes its culinary direction as “retro Indian comfort food”, drawing on the full spectrum of India’s regional food traditions to create a menu that feels both familiar and genuinely surprising.

The Quayside setting adds atmosphere, but the food is the main event — precise, punchy cooking that makes even simple dishes feel considered. The tandoori broccoli alone is worth a booking, and the Old Delhi butter chicken is as good as the hype suggests. If you’re visiting Newcastle and only have time for one Indian restaurant, Khai Khai is the one to choose.

Khai Khai — 29 Queen Street, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3UG | khaikhai.co.uk

Sachins has been a local favourite since opening its doors over 40 years ago, and its reputation for Punjabi cuisine has only strengthened over the decades. Hidden just behind Newcastle Central Station on Forth Banks, it’s the kind of place that doesn’t need to shout — the food does all the talking. There’s no spice for spice’s sake here: all ingredients are sourced for authenticity, and even the spice grinders are brought in from India.

The banquet for two is one of the best value meals in the city — a tandoori starter of five dishes served on a sizzling platter, followed by two mains, sides and poppadoms. The Gunpowder Chicken makes an excellent starter, while the Murgh Malabar — tender chicken cooked in South Indian spices, coconut milk and curry leaves — is a standout main. Sachins is a proper Newcastle institution, and one that repays loyalty with every visit.

Sachins — Forth Banks, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3SG | sachins.co.uk

Dabbawal brings the vibrant street food scene of Mumbai to Newcastle city centre and Jesmond, celebrated for its bold, aromatic flavours blending traditional Indian spices with a modern twist. The menu spans small plates, tandoor dishes, chaats and curries, making it one of the most flexible Indian restaurants in Newcastle — equally suited to a quick solo lunch or a long, indulgent evening of sharing plates with a group. Dabbawal won the Best Street Food prize at the Asian Restaurant Awards, and it remains one of the North East’s most consistent dining destinations.

The Chef’s Special — a selection of appetisers, street classics, grills, curries, sides and breads for around £27 — is one of the best ways to experience the kitchen’s range in a single visit. The bottomless brunch menu, with free-flowing Prosecco alongside a starter, curry and side, has become a weekend favourite. Two locations means you can eat Dabbawal wherever you are in the city.

Dabbawal — 69–75 High Bridge, Newcastle NE1 6BX & 1 Brentwood Mews, Jesmond NE2 3DG | dabbawal.com

Technically just across the Tyne in Gateshead, Raval is a short walk from the centre and earns its place on any list of the best Indian restaurants in Newcastle. Recently named Best Fine Dining Indian Restaurant Outside London at the Asian Curry Awards, it occupies a striking glass-fronted space on Church Street with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. The chefs have trained in some of the world’s most respected kitchens — from five-star hotels in Delhi and Dubai to refined restaurants in London and New York.

The seven-course tasting menu — featuring the likes of Bombay lobster, Delhi chicken tikka, and Goan salmon curry — is one of the most ambitious Indian dining experiences in the North East. For those who prefer à la carte, the Nilgiri Chicken Saag with velvety spinach purée and the aromatic house biryani are standout dishes. For a genuinely special occasion meal, Raval is in a category of its own.

Raval — Church Street, Gateshead Quays NE8 2AT | ravaluk.com

My Delhi on Clayton Street transports diners to the bustling streets of Delhi, where the rich tapestry of Indian street food is beautifully presented in a modern, luxurious setting. Since opening on Clayton Street — just around the corner from The Gate — it has attracted a constant stream of diners drawn by a menu that takes Delhi’s street food heritage seriously and adds a gourmet twist. The Delhi Railway Butter Chicken is a standout: rich, aromatic and deeply satisfying. The newer addition of Aslam Chicken, smoked tableside under a glass cloche and served with butter sauce, is already generating serious buzz.

My Delhi has been crowned the nation’s Best Indian Street Food Restaurant, and the energy of the dining room — chic décor, busy open kitchen, dynamic crowd — matches the ambition of the food. It also does strong takeaway and delivery trade, which is testament to how well the dishes travel. A must-visit for anyone who thinks they already know what Indian street food tastes like.

My Delhi — 87A Clayton Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5PY | mydelhistreetfood.com

Dosa Kitchen is a cosy, family-run Indian restaurant in the heart of Jesmond, offering traditional homemade dishes, fresh ingredients, and a warm, authentic atmosphere loved by locals and visitors alike. The kitchen draws its inspiration from the Tamil Nadu region of South India, and the menu — largely vegan and naturally gluten-free — is a revelation for anyone who thinks Indian food begins and ends with curry. The namesake dosas are the main event: thin, crisp rice-flour crêpes fermented over days and served with sambar and coconut chutney, or filled with spiced potato in the classic masala style.

The Sunday Sapaad feast — a South Indian spread of multiple dishes served together — is the ideal way to experience the kitchen’s full range in one sitting. The South Indian Grill, or Sutta Kari, is another highlight: meat marinated overnight in chilli, garlic, black pepper and curry leaves then cooked over open flame. Dosa Kitchen is one of those restaurants Newcastle should be prouder of than it is — seek it out.

Dosa Kitchen — 7 Osborne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 2AE | dosakitchen.co.uk

Rasika sits on Sandhill on Newcastle’s historic Quayside, with views across the River Tyne to the Gateshead skyline making it one of the most atmospheric dining rooms in the city. The menu is packed with traditional dishes — masala, korma and jalfrezi curries alongside specialities such as bhuna kathi gosht, keema murgh and Bombay king prawns — all prepared to an exacting authentic standard. The setting gives the meal a sense of occasion, but Rasika is relaxed enough for a casual midweek dinner too.

The restaurant’s longevity on the Quayside dining scene — in a location where competition is fierce and turnover is high — is testament to the consistency of the kitchen and the warmth of the service. It’s a particularly strong choice for visitors to the city who want a quality Indian meal with a memorable view alongside it. Worth booking ahead on weekend evenings when the Quayside fills up fast.

Rasika — Sandhill, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JF | rasikarestaurant.co.uk

Located in Newcastle’s famous Grainger Market, Snackwallah has gained a cult following over the years with its tasty vegan-friendly chaat dishes, with most items on the menu under £3 and portions that are surprisingly generous for such reasonable prices. This family-run stall is entirely vegan, built on a love of Indian cuisine and a commitment to sourcing produce from other local small businesses. The daily curry specials, signature chaat, and fresh fruit lassi make it a lunchtime institution among Grainger Market regulars.

Don’t let the modest counter setting put you off — the “busy Indian street-food venue at a busy crossroads in Newcastle’s iconic Grainger Market” attracts lots of devotees with its daily curry specials and other enjoyable snacks, served in great portions at affordable prices in a lively location. For a brilliantly authentic, accessible taste of Indian street food in the heart of the city, Snackwallah is unbeatable — and at these prices, there’s no reason not to go back the following week.

Snackwallah — Unit 31–33, Grainger Market, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5QG | snackwallah.co.uk