9 best Durham and Darlington curry houses according to TripAdvisor

For some, they might have a reliable restaurant they always visit, or others may want to try every venue in their town or city – but there is no right or wrong answer, it’s just personal preference.

To mark national curry week this week, The Northern Echo has put together the 11 best Indian restaurants for a curry in County Durham and Darlington to help guide people across the region of the firm favourites when it comes to the staple restaurant dish, according to review site TripAdvisor.

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As part of the list of 11 restaurants, we will take into account overall rating, price, additional extras, and what people have said about it.

So, without further ado, here are the top 11 Indian restaurants for a curry in County Durham and Darlington.

Shaheens Indian

Set in the heart of Durham City (North Bailey), Shaheens Indian is rated the best for curry – having racked up 1,400 reviews and have an overall rating of five stars.

Noted as a mid-range price restaurant, this is the top pick – with diners called the Indian cuisine on offer “divine” and “perfect.

Other restaurant-goers also noted that the peshwari naan was a standout item from the menu.

Shaheens Indian (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Bombay Gate

Darlington-based Bombay Gate also scores very highly in the list after gaining a five-star review from more than 250 diners.

Despite not having as many reviewers as the likes of Shaheens Indian and Babul’s later in the list, the affordable dishes at its venue in Skinnergate makes it a perfect spot to enjoy a curry.

Viraj Restaurant

Another Darlington Indian restaurant, Viraj has been tipped a little bit of a ‘hidden gem’, but still scores five stars on TripAdvisor – with customers rating their dishes as some of the best in the whole of County Durham and Darlington.

Babul’s

Famed as having some of the most exceptional Indian food in County Durham and Darlington, Barnard Castle’s Babul’s restaurant is a must-go-to, according to the four and a half star rating left by 700 people.

As well as offering a regular daytime menu, diners also left many positive reviews for their bottomless brunch, cocktails, takeaway, and quality of food.

Staff from Babul's. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Le Raaj  

Another great County Durham India restaurant, Le Raaj, based on Chester Moor, the venue boasts a four and a half star rating from 1000 reviews.

Customers who visited the restaurant called the food “exceptional” while noting down that the atmosphere, service, and staff were also “fantastic”.

Bengal Merchant

Scoring very high on TripAdvisor, Bengal Merchant has a four and a half star rating – with customers reviewing it “exceptional” for food and service.

While it would be easy for the restaurant to be in the shadow of Babul’s, due to its Barnard Castle location, customers thought there was room for them both and scored it just as high as Babul’s.

Le Raaj in Chester Moor. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Ashoka Indian Restaurant

According to reviewers on TripAdvisor, Ashoka shows that seaside location Seaham is more than just about the fish and chips when it comes to culinary delights, it’s also about curry and Indian flavours.

Receiving a four and a half star rating from 482 reviews, diners noted their love of Ashoka for birthday meals and family meals out, alongside other occasions.

Akbar The Great

Reviewers have called the restaurant “the best Indian cuisine in town” – with Akbar The Great receiving a five star rating from 500 reviews.

Despite the new owners taking over in 2019 and having to endure the next few years in uncertain Covid-19 times – but has still got a massive 456 ‘excellent’ rated reviews.

Bombay Gate in Darlington. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Spice Lounge

Sitting high on the ratings, Spice Lounge may have hit headlines for providing the meal consumed by Labour leader Keir Starmer in an incident branded ‘Beergate’, but the 435 four and a half star reviews for Spice Lounge proves that their food is exceptionally tasty, according to TripAdvisor.

The Durham restaurant is a “real winner” according to several reviews on the rating website.

Cinnamon Club

A slightly niche choice by reviewers, Cinnamon Club in Trimdon Village has got a four and a half star rating from 533 reviews – which includes a lot of love for their naans, and chicken tikka.

According to diners, the venue is “well worth a visit for curry fans”.

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