(Lalbagh has sponsored our blog for the past year. All the food was paid for by myself and not gifted)

Can it really be a decade since my first visit to Lalbagh?

Apparently so, as it was all the way back in 2014 when the restaurant first took my world by storm.

Lalbagh has one of the best reputations in Cambridgeshire, while simultaneously being one of my all time favourite restaurants. I have reviewed this Cambridge institution time and time again, so regular readers will already know what I think of the restaurant’s stylish interior, warm friendly staff, and stunning food.

The beer

Beer is often an afterthought at Indian restaurants but it is one of the most attractive things about Lalbagh. Behind their rather striking bar is a great selection of Indian beer – all on draft!

Expect to see, Cobra, Kingfisher, and Bombay Bicycle on offer. I am a particular fan of Bombay Bicycle myself, an Indian IPA with citrusy floral taste and dry bitter aftertaste. Lovely!

Chutney tray

We started off with their classic papadums and chutney tray. The tray consists of mango chutney, lime pickle, yoghurt, and onion salad.

Everything was well done, though nothing jumped out as particularly inspiring either. Portions are a regular size but are enough to share. The yoghurt was the strongest of the 4, with a really thick creaminess that accompanied coming dishes perfectly.

Lalbagh has a stylish contemporary design with dim neon lighting which adds a cosy atmospheric tone to the evening. It is spacious enough to host large numbers but is also a restaurant divided into smaller areas and rooms, adding privacy if needed. 

The menu

The menu has a wide variety of dishes, ranging from your classic curries, to a selection of signature dishes and house specials. I even saw a 7 course taster menu on there for £55 per person, that I really need to check out on my next visit.

Lalbagh is well known for its lamb and sea bass, with their rhubarb sea bass managing to make it into my ranking of Indian dishes in Cambridgeshire you absolutely must try. It was good to see some of the less common options available, such as mutton, goat, and Quorn. I really couldn’t make up my mind and I spent quite some time being unable to decide between half a dozen dishes.

Kala Ghust

In the end, I opted for the Kala Ghust, a medium spiced dish from the Chittagong region of Bangladesh. It consists of slow cooked mutton, on the bone, that is cooked until the spices are “blackened hot & spicy”.

The Kala Ghust is a stunning dish that came out demanding attention sizzling loudly on a hot plate. The lamb was incredibly tender and the sauce was smokey with a real kick to it. I cannot recommend it enough.

Lal Mass

Another dish from their specials is the Lal Mass, a slow cooked goat curry, served on the bone and with Kashmiri chilies.

The goat was swimming in a smokey red sauce that made it perfect to pick at or mix with rice. It reminded me of a Rogan Josh with its tomato base. The meat fell off the bone and was incredibly juicy. I have had a lot of goat served on the bone in many Jamaican restaurants and I am always put off by the shards of bone that flake off in my mouth but the Lal Mass had none of that, showing how much care and intricacy is put into its preparation.

Labbabder

I was lucky enough to try a dish from their House Specials menu from someone sitting next to me. The Labbabder is similar to dishes like the chicken tikka masala but is served in a blend of tomato and onion and then finished off with fresh cream & fenugreek leaves. It was a lovely accessible dish that is mild enough for anyone while offering a thick and creamy texture that will win over anyone.

Conclusion

Lalbagh has firmly reminded me why it is one of my favourite restaurants in Cambridgeshire. Everything from its beautiful interior, incredible menu, and the first class staff that never leave us waiting for anything. It is rare to have a restaurant with such a vast menu being able to do every dish justice but they somehow manage it here. Lalbagh is slightly more expensive than your average curry house but the difference isn’t astronomical, making it great value for the quality and service you get.

Quite frankly, if you haven’t been to Lalbagh before then you should drop everything right now and go!

Thanks for reading