Arvelli on Northgate in Darlington has been nominated in The Northern Echo's best curry house competition.

Here at The Northern Echo we're on the hunt for the best curry house in Darlington and County Durham - and in that spirit we've been speaking to all ten of our finalists.

Our final nominee is the family run restaurant Arvelli - who first opened their doors post pandemic in 2021 and prides themselves on authentic Indian cuisine.

Their expansive menu includes everything from duck to Balti dishes as well as Thali - a plate filled with a selection of different dishes from the menu so diners can have a taste of everything.

Raju Ahmed, Arvelli's owner, said: "We opened in November 2021 - just after Covid. It was tough - we didn't realise how tough it was going to be.

"There were already so many curry houses in Darlington and it is a small town so we had to think of a way to stand out.

"We have a load of regular customers who have been recommending it to their family and friends - even from out of town from places like Barnard Castle and Northallerton."

Raju then went on to explain that one of their proudest attributes is their service as well as providing diners with top notch quality curry.

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He added: "People don't come to a restaurant just for the food - they come for the service. If we get that right then we know we're doing a good job.

"We try from the minute you walk in the door until you leave. We always urge people to come and give us a try - if not, you'll never know what's around."

Voting to crown the best curry house ends Wednesday, November 13 2024. Photocopies or illegible voting coupons will not be counted.