Welcome to rusholmecurry.co.uk - A guide to the curry mile

Lal Qila
123 - 127 Wilmslow Road Rusholme Manchester M14 5AN 01612249999 Order online from nearby restaurants

Our restaurant was featured in the BBC documentary called the curry mile and offers you a wonderfully unique experience in food and atmosphere. The restaurant is named after the legendary Mogul Emperors who are famous for the hospitality which they offered to their guests. Here at Lal Qila we endeavour to offer you the same type of special welcome and hospitality, which, together with an exciting and varied menu will not leave you disappointed. Our highly trained master chefs choose only the finest and freshest ingredients to ensure each individually prepared dish has a truly authentic taste.

Features

Licenced Bar
Student Discounts
Group Discounts
Halal Food

Bring your own Booze
Live Entertainment
Function Room

Food Rating
Service Rating
Atmosphere Rating
Price Rating

Restaurant rated by 543 people

REVIEWS

this reateraunt is by far the best indian resteraunt ever i have been going here for years and cant eat curry from anywhere else as this resteraunt has set the stamdards amazing food and service is always spot on 10/10 x

kelly A - 14 June 2010

I took my family to this restaurant a couple of weeks ago and it was very disappointing. The food was extremely average and I thought overpriced for what you got. My husband and I shared a starter which were the lamb chops these were very nice and the best bit about the meal. The main courses arrived, my step son had a lamb dish one of the chefs ‘recommendations’ and it had a thick layer of grease sitting on top of it. It looked awful!! When the waiter came over to clear our plates we explained it hadn’t been eaten due to the amount of grease that had been sitting on top of the dish. Needless to say they weren’t interested in what we thought and refused to take it off the bill. I won’t be going back to this restaurant and I certainly won'tt be recommending it to anyone else. May 2010

Kerry - 08 June 2010

Went for a meal tonight, waited 50mins for food to arrive and was told this was due to parties. Sauces were all the same and tasted similar. Small portions. Ended up with cheese in potato and onion nan and have a dairy allergy. The manager pulled it apart and said there was only a little cheese in there and the rest was ok. Dispite not eating the nan, was still charged. Not recommended.

Manchester diner - 01 May 2010

having eaten at lals many times over three years ,i have found the food to gradually come down in quality ,portions etc, with a exceptional steep incline in the prices charged. i normally took my family there on a saturday night & they thougt i was crazy,immust have been after spending thousands. The last crunch was when we orderd a chicken on thge bone karia and we got some thing with scraps of bones in it . when we complained we only got a discount on the desert. we declined the offer of free deserts and have not eaten there since . Our sat night out is at saanams... big up sanaams...

ali & mubs - 21 March 2010

Didnt really enjoy the food. Was advised by a friend to try it. Not worth the price.

Jay - 25 January 2010

Having tried other restaurants on the Curry Mile this is by far the best. The service is excellet, the portions are good and hot and I would always recommend this place. Not had the desserts so can't comment on them but have taken lots of friends there who have become fans as well.

Gazza - 10 October 2009

Replying to Taylor: I am more of a savoury tooth than a sweet tooth so the fact that the desserts are frozen doesn't bother me because the mains and starters are so good. This is why I love the restaurant.

Bee - 12 March 2009

I ate here last week with family and found it was pretty average.I don't agree with Bee who commented below. How can this be the best restaurant on the curry mile when they serve you frozen deserts? I thought the whole idea of a restaurant was where you can get a complete 3 course meal.

Taylor - 09 February 2009

Best restaurant on the Curry Mile Don't go for the typical 'madras' or 'korma' here i definitely recommend the Lamb Roasty and the Prawn Sizzler Fresh beautiful tasty ingredients and better than anything else on the menu! Although i would say don't get a dessert here! They are all frozen instead go to the moonlight ice cream bar on the curry mile :) Perfect finish! Big portions and excellent prices

Bee - 02 February 2009

I have to say that we had a meal the other day and it was terrible!! As has been mentioned earlier, the curries were just similar curry sauces with added food colouring. I wish I had read up on this site before visiting and do not believe that this is in ANY way a remotely accurate representation of Indian or Pakistani cuisine. The food is also VERY overpriced for what it is! We ordered the starter without checking as we always have the same started a Chicken Chat, now sometimes this is named slightly differently and is usually a light pancake with herbed chicken inside, not this time!!! the plate came and was a flourescent orange plateful of sweet and sour chicken bits?? Disgusting to say the least. The Lamb Madras came for my main and was literally bland and very red with more taste of tomato puree than curry, again vile! On a side note, the waiters were very helpful but that could not disguise the fact that the food was atrocious. Stick to a local restaurant that you know does a good curry, because this one seriously does not! Would I visit here again? Not a chance in hell, places like these charge stupid money for very little in taste.

Greg - 19 January 2009

I visited this restaurant on Sunday with some of my family and quite frankly, the food was vile!! It seemed as though they had one basic sauce which they added different spices to for each different curry - it all tasted like tomato! I ordered a Chicken Korma (everywhere else I've had this, it has been yellow) when it arrived it looked like tomato soup with chicken bits in and it didn't taste much better. My husband's Madras curry was bland (and tasted of tomato) and my sons' dishes were no better. I would never eat here again despite the service being better than expected. Awful, just awful!

Hayley - 19 January 2009

the best off all indian restaurants!!!

gintare - 10 January 2009

Easily the best indian restaurant around!

Domnique - 16 December 2008

I wouldn't recommend Lal Qila. We went down to have a try after seeing the positive reviews. The food is very average, in fact below average in comparison to the price you pay. I've tasted much better. I agree the service and atmosphere is important which was good in Lal Qila, but the food which is the most important thing of all was poor.

Andy - 11 December 2008

Went with a group of 19 very sober (pun intended) stag night participitants. Fearless and brave, we all went for the chicken vindaloo and man it was hot!!! A couple of us decided eating in the nude was a good idea with all the sweat that was pouring off us courtesy the masla. Have to say the food was just fantastic! Now that i think about it, the management went pretty easy on us given our antics. So a big thank you to all you guys for helping us cap off a wonderful night! Will come again!!

Ken - 08 December 2008

I do not agree with those people giving a positive rating to Lal qila. The portions are too small for the price. The food is not all that great, just a dish full of food colouring. I've tasted much better. I don't feel Lal Qila is serving Indian cuisine very well at all. Don't see myself returning.

Pete - 24 October 2008

This place is the best curry house on the planet, which my friends and I visit ritually! The Kebab House is similarly great and in my teens a group of us used to visit at least 4 times through the week for lunch. This was the first indian food experience my wife had 2 weeks after we met and she is now hooked. Unfortuntely, from a Lal Qila point of view, i now live in the midlands and have not been able to find a place to rival Lal Qila - i get my fix when i'm back in Manchester and annually on Christmas Day!! Keep up the good work!

Adam Race - 04 October 2008

Phew! They have finally waken up to the fact that their interior was awful....not that many restaurants on the curry mile care a whole lot about it. New toilets are a more than welcome change and the interior is shaping up well. The food and service, as always, remains top class!!

DJM - 03 October 2008

i thought i would try this after a dissapionting time at sanams a few doors down. this was just as bad. Once again very rude staff who do not accept their mistakes. The food although looks very attractive has not taste at all. Its just full of food coloring and is tasteless. I would not recomment it and neither would i return.

asif - 12 September 2008

Having visited this place just once and having experienced the wonderful dishes. Im definatley going back again ! Simply the best In the North West.

jacob - 22 August 2008

I and all our staff at Khan Solicitors were very pleased by the quality of our food and the sevice that we were given on our recent visit to the Manchester branch of Lal Qila. We would recommend them to you all.

Mr Z A Khan Of Khan Solicitors - 07 July 2008

I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of the Indian cuisine having been known to have my favourite chicken sizzler, hot masala sauce and both pilau rice and naan bread some 10 days on the run. Having eaten so many curries from various differing restaurants in my time ranging from the reputed Shere Khan, Shimla Pinks and Sangam to name but a few, none of which have come close to equalling the quality of food and presentation that the Lal Qila has produced on every occasion. 10/10 will be somewhat of an injustice to this marvelous establishment.

Mick - 02 July 2008

Well, mixed bag here i'm afraid. Superb Lal Qila special starter. Tremendous and expectations were high for the main course. I, as I have done on previous visits over the years, opted for the special chicken (not on the menu). It was ok but lacked fenugreek and was a bit bland. My mate opted for a chicken tikka madras. It was utterly appalling. Basically chicken tikka in a mix of pureed tomatoes and tomato soup. Shame but not on my list to go back to in a hurry. There are far superior and more consistent places on the mile.

The Cap'n - 19 May 2008

One word...AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Martyn - 11 May 2008

this is far the best place to eat and the kebab house is good to but still waiting for the bolton branch to open since xmas. please open it soon 06/05/08

Amit - 06 May 2008

By far the BEST restaurant on the mile. No one else comes close!

Yvonne - 30 April 2008

Just come back after having a most fab meal with my uni friends. I am just amazed by how quick the guys are! Within two minutes of entering the restaurant we were having poppadums with drinks served!!! Had the Lamb Nehari which was just superb! Cant wait to come back again. Certainly my favorite place on the mile!

Heather - 25 April 2008

The takeaway staff is rude as hell...especially the main guy at the counter! The food although good but you wouldnt wanna be served by someone who throws plates, tissues at you...more over upon asking for the bill, we got looked down as if we made the most disgusting request ever...Id much rather have an under average curry but with a friendly service and knowing that no ones gonna spit in my food or tamper with it in any way... never going back again!

Roger - 23 April 2008

Let me start off by saying that I have no interest, vested or otherwise in the place. The reason i am writing this is because i think the place is fantastic and some of the reviews do not do justice to it. I have seldom had consistently good food in any restaurant, let alone an indian one. I think the quality of food Lal Qila produces with the number of covers they do is nothing short of amazing. and i would give full marks to the service as well. Those guys are quick! It is not a rebuttal or anything but i was just wondering if having a bland curry is an issue. I mean, all you have to do is order it with a bit more spice. and if people claim to know their curries, they ought to know that. Again, if one feels that he has been singled out with something eligible for 'Britian's Worst' while everyone seemed to enjoy what they had, its probably a case of ordering the wrong dish. They do have different dishes mate, not every one of them is supposed to be a winner. Cheers

Norman - 17 April 2008

To sum it up: 1. Great Food 2. Good Service 3. Fairly Priced 4. Awful Interior!

DJM - 11 April 2008

Congratulations - the singularly worst curry I have had in 25 years of curries from California to Chelsea (via Bradford etc)....Whilst staying at the Lowry, I hopped across for a quick curry with a friend both 100% sober, and was served something brightly glazed and shiny from the 'specials' menu, like a chinese takeaway meal. Whatever it was, I couldn't eat more than a few mouthfuls, even though I was starving...to top it off, the waiter had his thumb on the Chapatti when he brought them. There were a number of families eating very different food, which looked great. What I was served was totally unacceptable at 11pm on Sun 30th March this year. It should be on the BBC, I hear they do a programme called 'Britains worst....'

JJW - 09 April 2008

called in for a curry on the 10th Feb 08, looked very inviting and the menu looked good. We were promptly seated, the food was very bland and not at all spicy, we have regular curries in Bradford and know our curries, I rate it 3/10 for the surrondings and service but the curries are not very nice

janet F - 12 February 2008

The food is great! service quick and friendly....infact ive sldom seen such swiftness and cohesion in an indian restaurant....this is something you would expect in more uptown places. So full marks to the service. But please do something about the interior....purple walls with maroon chairs and those awful wooden railings?....what were they thinking??

Rick - 03 February 2008

Although the service was friendly and food was tasty, myself and my partner suffered 48 hours of chronic food poisoning including sickness and diorhea.

- 19 January 2008

Absolutely lovely!! It is the only place I will go in Rusholme as the food is always excellent and the service is great with friendly waitors, quick turnaround and good hygiene. Lamb Nihari is the the most superior Asian dish and the Lal Quila does it justice! Highly reccommended, as is the Lal Quila takeaway round the corner!

Claire - 05 January 2008

Simply dreadful Can I confirm I had only had one pint of lager before dining here. My other 10 friends were similarly sober. If McDonalds did curries then this is what they would be like - technicoloured food that is either nasty or bland. Lime? pickle ? - is like a fluorescent green jelly from the Quatarmass Experiment. There seems to be basically the one (awful) and presumably white curry sauce into which different coloured powder paints are added to achieve some startling results - and I would warn prospective diners to wear "shades" to protect their eyes (and possibly radiation suits as some of the "cuisine" almost seems to pulsate). The menu - rather than give the dishes exotic names and descriptions (and come as "highly recommended") - should simply divide the curries into different colour palates - calling them "red" or "orange" or "brown" or "pink" or "yellow" curry would be the only differentiating factor here. They are either tasteless or just plain nasty. Several dishes were sent back but the replacements were as bad. The papadums were ok however, as was the service. We shall not go again. Where are are all the authentic curry houses ?

Dave - 13 December 2007

Quite good food and service but have been attached to toilet all day!!! Never again!!!

Andy g - 06 December 2007

Simply Brilliant!!! From the food to the service to the price. Definitely worth a visit!

Kelly - 01 October 2007

Excellent Food...Reasonably Priced. Good value for money. definitely worth a visit....and another, and another .....

Phil - 28 September 2007

Went with my husband last night and loved the food! The Lamb Madras is out of this world!! Just looking at the rating stars, one feels the food and price ratings should be a bit better than that. It definitely deserves more than the 3 it has at the moment. The service could be a bit better though. Id say 2.5 out of 5 is a fair assessment and the environment is nothing to shout about either. I have to say i dont quite agree with the after dinner sweets brought to the table lying on top of the food bill. Not too hygienic one would think.

Amanda - 28 September 2007

10 of us ate here last night. Food was lovely, arrived promptly and was good quality. Service could have been more attentive but they got the job done, and for the quality and quantity of the food the bill was very reasonable. No sign of the advertised disabled toilet, though, which left one of our party slightly dismayed.

Pistonheads - 16 September 2007

Try the Traditional Lamb Karahi. Mmmmmmmmmm.

James - 04 September 2007

in the past i always avoided this place, ironically because of it's popularity. but i have been here afew times now due to my previously favoured restraunts being bad the last few times. but i have to say this place is pretty good. service is very fast, starters are very fresh, good bar with coca cola on draft unlike the usual flat bottle in most restaunts. the bad points are the currys i have so far had are just too bland, maybe not much distinction between them, there obviously not particually authentic but you dont got to rusholme for authenticity unless you visit the small cafes , some of the chutneys are probally reused or watered down but again this is to be expected in most restraunts . the prices are also afew quid above the rest. but not too bad

little john - 05 August 2007

Lal Qila has to be the scene of my worst curry experience to date. I've had disappointing curries elsewhere before, but never what I'd describe as bad! The chicken madras that my partner had left a distinctly vinegary taste in our mouths and the garlic nan was not only burnt but tasted stale as well. When we expressed our dissapointment with the meal, the manager simply pointed out that we had already started eating it and there was nothing he was going to do. Hmmmmm. Don't let this restaurant put you off going to Rusholme for a good curry!

M.K - 28 July 2007

i too have had many curries in't curry mile. But without doubt lal qila is the best, the staff are prompt and efficient and the food is top drawer, bindi gosht and chicken handi are among the best on the menu. I can't recommend it enuff!!!!

bigjoe - 19 July 2007

The BEST restaurant in the curry mile. Excellent food. Clean surroundings. Very friendly and attentive staff. Well worth a visit!!

Lynda B Crowther - 12 July 2007

After going on recommendation, was a bit horrified by very runny mango chutney and very red meat in the karahi tikka. As far as curry houses go in Rusholme, this has to be the most disappointed I've been so far

Betty B - 18 March 2007

Party of 16 persons poor service poor food not a good place to be.

ANNON - 15 February 2007

A great place - i have been visiting since school. 5 star

Adam - 31 January 2007

The food is ok, but make sure you book the toilet for the next day. It gave every single member of our group of 10 a dodgy stomach.

Graham Gilbert - 17 January 2007

Had a chicken jalfrezi and was good but nothing outstanding. A 'safe bet' restaurant but for me, did not live up to the hype. Was good that we could take in our own beer - made the bill a lot cheaper.

Stu - 19 December 2006

IMY PARTNER AND I EAT HERE REGULAR, I HAVE FOUND IT TO BE ONE OR EVEN THE BEST RESTAURANT IN RUSHOLME, GREAT SERVICE NICE STAFF, AND EXCELLANT FOOD, THUMBS UP GUYS GREAT JOB, REGARDS KEVIN THE REGULAR

KEVIN (REDDISH) - 09 December 2006

What a fabulous restaurant. We dine here roughly once a week to enjoy the superb food and atmosphere. Good, fast, friendly service from staff and Abid only too helpful in recommending the best dishes and doesn't disappoint. Top restaurant. Top staff. EXCELLENT.

Les - 27 November 2006

We visit this restaurant once a month and it gets better and better... Staff are excellant and value for money is second to none

CD - 05 October 2006

Ive had quite a few Lamb Karahis in my life, but without a doubt in my mind, Lal Qila has the best Karahis you will ever find. I hope to enjoy the wonderful food of Lal Qila for years to come.

Faisal Najeeb - 03 August 2006

Good fast service and good food, everything seemed fresh. Only thing I didn't like was waiters standing around joking and gossiping (loudly) amongst themselves - doesnt seem very professional, kind of kills much taunted atmosphere a little bit!! But I will say when at a table the waiters do their job well.

ASN - 17 July 2006

Tempted by the unusual dishes on offer, we were pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome and good service. The food certainly lived up to expectations and we shall certainly be returning to check out the other exciting dishes. Thank you to all the very nice staff who took a genuine interest in our satisfaction. A highly recommended restaurant.

Gina & Stuart, Stafford - 08 July 2006

Not a very special place to go. Staff sometimes look uncomfortable with the customers.

Jim Macmillon - 09 June 2006

This is my favourite place to go on the curry mile! Me and my housemates always go there after a night out! The poppadums are great with the sauces- the green sauce is the best! I have also been there sober and its just as good! The waiters are really friendly, the food it nice and the place is nice! All round great place, altough u do stink of curry when you leave but thats the same with all the curry houses!! YUM YUM- Im actually going toinght!!

CT3 - 02 June 2006

i love it, food gets to you fast, good service when i've been and exceptional food compared to its competitors

sue - 30 May 2006

Where should i start? The food was absolutely mouth watering, including the owner! Great staff, very friendly, lively atmosphere, and above all open til late, very convenient, parking also available,a fantastic experience! A must!

Basanti - 06 March 2006

what an experience! The food is mouhwatering, excellent service, and above all he friendly and welcoming atmosphere!

mrs ali - 27 February 2006

What a bad experience --- will never Come again

Peter Spencer - 03 February 2006

This restaurant was the place to be after finishing work at the queen of hearts at 3 in the morning. we would even ring through the order and they'd have it ready for us when we got there, fantastic service and fantastic food to match... personla fav is the chicken chilli although i can never finish the whole lot on my own... fish tikka starter is gorgeous too!

Joanne-didsbury - 23 December 2005

Was here on Saturday evening. The Qila special and mixed startes were mouth watering and very freshly spiced. Handi chicken was a solid 8/10 but the special chicken (not on the menu) is my all time favourite...

The Cap'n - 20 December 2005

been eating at this restaurant for over 4 years with my family and never had any problems. On occasion service can be slightly poor but apart from that it is very good. The chicken tikka massala is the best on the planet without a doubt.

adam - 21 November 2005

Went tonight after reading reviews, the only thing i could fault is that the salad wasn't very fresh with the starters. Other than that the food and service was fantastic. I would definately recommend anyone to give here a visit. Top Class.

Nick - 11 November 2005

Good food, but i found a hair in my chicken pokora, ewwwwwww........

glasgowbabe - 22 October 2005

oh my god.... i lived 5 minutes away from this restaurant for a year and must have visited once a fortnight! The food is amazing, I can't single out any one meal - everything is so good., Now i live in the states and miss indian food so much - already planning a trip to manchester and lal quila next year!

damian blacklock - 07 October 2005

Tried for the first time. What a find. Highly recommended. Try the Kidney Special, the Ginger Lamb or the Cheese Chilli. All fab! Nice feel to the place. Busy, but the service was excellent and very friendly with it. Already looking forward to going back.

Graham - 23 August 2005

Read the reviews, tried it out, will be back. Excellent

Smiggers - 20 July 2005

Ive lived in Longsight for 26 yrs now and believe me ive had a few currys/kebabs in my time so believe this when i say the chicken madras from Lal Qila is the best ive ever had and will continue plying them with my money for yrs to come.

Juliano - 03 March 2005

The best restaurant in Rusholme for a post-pub slap-up meal. Good service, good food, and even the prices aren't too bad!

David Machan - 16 February 2005