I have been around the block a few times when it comes to curry in Cambridge. In that time, I have had the pleasure of sampling some truly special dishes in the local area.
Here is a list of my hand-picked all time favourite Indian and Bangladeshi dishes that you should go out and try in Cambridge RIGHT NOW!
The “bongo beef” @ Golpo, Hills Road
You can pick anything from the menu at Golpo and be guaranteed a great meal but one that I often leave thinking about is the Bongo Beef.
The dish is made from aged beef short ribs which are served with red onions and spices on a sizzling hot plate. It reminds me of a Bangladeshi version of the Jamaican goat curry on the bone but with a lot more life and energy!
Thali @ The Raja, King Street
There are many great places to get a good Thali in Cambridge but none have impressed me quite like the one at Raja. Their meat thali has a variety of beautifully presented and well executed dishes all on one heavenly plate. There isn’t a single thing on the platter that I can fault and there is colour and flavour at every turn, making it feast for the eyes as well as the mouth.
An absolute must!
The Makhani (Butter Chicken) @ The Shilpa – Papworth Everard
This is not just any ordinary butter chicken dish but an award winning butter chicken dish. The Shilpa recently won ‘Restaurant Of The Year’ at the Bangladesh Caterers Association (BCA) with the centre piece of their success being credited to their signature dish the Chicken Makhani.
It’s creamy, full of flavour, and with chunks of tender and incredibly juicy chicken that compliment anything it touches. It is well worth the journey!
The Chicken Dum Biryani @ Namaste Cambridge
There is some tough competition in Cambridge but for me the best biryani in our fair city is the ‘Chicken Dum Biryani’.
Dum translates ‘to simmer’ and at Namaste Cambridge they cook theirs for 3 hours on a slow flame. This is then complimented with ‘secret spices’ in the rice for extra boldness and flavour, where regular biryanis just use the chicken for flavouring the rice.
This is an authentic Hyderbadi style biryani at its very best!
Masala Dosa @ The Banana Leaf – Milton Road
It’s hard to find a good masala dosa in Cambridge but Banana Leaf always knocks it out of the park! This dish consists of an extra large crispy pancake with spiced mashed potato in the middle and then complimented with a selection of 4 sides.
If you are one of those people who always goes for the usual British-Indian dishes and is looking to branch out and explore more traditional Indian cuisine, then this is an absolute must!
The lime pickle @ Curry Palace – Cottenham.
It feels strange having a side sauce to a papadum on the list but the lime pickle at Curry Palace has always had a special place in my heart. The owner has told me that he goes to London especially to pick it up and it is clearly worth the journey. My wife is a lime pickle connoisseur and she absolutely loves it too. It’s chunky, salty, zesty, and sour – everything lime pickle should be! It may not be everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ but it is certainly ours!
Ox cheek @ Montaz, Newmarket
I have only had this dish once but it’s all I have ever needed. Till this very day, I have no idea how they managed to make such a tough cut of meat so tender.
This glorious dish is ox cheek cooked in slow roasted spices with aloo chole and chickpeas, in an onion and tomato sauce, with greens, rice, and served with a honey and a ginger naan.
The flavour, the presentation, the colour… absolutely remarkable! An absolute must for anyone who enjoys fine dining.
The kale chat @ The Tiffin Truck
The kale chaat from The Tiffin Truck is truly special and one of the most attractive presentations of the dish I have ever seen. It is served in what appears to be a bowl of yogurt but underneath is a layer of crispy kale and chickpeas.
The smoothness of the yoghurt and the crispiness of the kale merge into an explosion of exciting texture, especially when the fruity pomegranates burst in your mouth. This is emphasised further by the sweetness of the yoghurt and the bitterness of the kale that just seems to work so well.
Lamb tawa @ Cam Spice – Bar Hill
Everything at Cam Spice is cooked to perfection and is consistent in doing so. One thing which always stands out for me is Russell’s lamb tawa. It’s absolutely delicious and puts on a very exciting show when brought out on a sizzling platte. I recommend ordering it ‘vindaloo hot’ for that added kick! 🔥
Just go for it!
The dreaded Bengal Tiger @ The Taj Tandoori – Cherry Hinton Road.
The Bengal Tiger is infamous with the regular customers at The Taj Tandoori. Nowadays, it is off the menu but Syed and Jools are more than happy to accommodate on request. This is slow cooked mutton in a naga sauce! Need I say more?
Not for the faint hearted but still equally delicious. I have it every time I visit!
Rhubarb seabass @ Lalbagh – Bourn
Lalbagh are well known for their seabass and one of my favourite dishes of those is their legendary rhubarb seabass. This pan fried seabass fillet is sweet, sour, and refreshingly unique. It’s the sort of thing many people wouldn’t order by themselves but I assure you that if you take the plunge then you will not regret it!
If you order their seabass special then it’s even served in an adorable fish shaped dish, d’awww!
House black daal @ Dishooms takeaway – Cambridge
Dishooms is legendary for its Black Daal. It took the city of London by storm and is now available in Cambridge through a takeaway set up. It is not often something like this lives up to the hype but this truly does in this example. My biggest gripe is that it is not served in bathtub sizes. It compliments everything it touches, so even a humble naan will accompany it perfectly. It is utter heaven in a pot and only costs £4. It’s just a shame that it only delivers to Cambridge. 😭
Leave a Reply