An insider's guide to Merseyside's best Indian takeaways

An amazing Indian takeaway meal is arguably the hardest to get right.

Many people will try multiple before they find their go to takeaway - and once they find it - they'll never look back. Whether you're a tame chicken korma lover, or a brave jalfrezi eater, there's something for everyone at an Indian takeaway.

A banquet can be the difference between a standard night watching Saturday evening TV and a fantastic night in. According to health experts, Indian food also often includes ingredients like ginger, fennel, and cumin, which support healthy digestion.

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While meat free meals, made with the likes of lentils and vegetables, are low in saturated fat and high in fibre which can help promote heart health. From takeaways established for more than 30 years , to newbies, we've listed some of the best in Merseyside.

We've selected our favourites from across the region, but we will have undoubtedly missed some of your first choices. Let us know the best Indian takeaways in Merseyside according to you, in the comments below.

Hannah’s (at Greatie Market) - Ellen Kirwin

You know you’ve hit the jackpot with your food order when a Saturday night takeaway turns into a Sunday night feast - thanks to the huge portion sizes. Hannah’s, at the indoor market area in Greatie, not only has great portion sizes but the quality of food is unmatched in Liverpool.

Hannah’s has been a restaurant in Whitchurch, Shropshire, for decades but luckily scousers don’t need to travel that far to get their hands on the delicious food because every Saturday, owners Mr and Mrs Gohar set up shop in Greatie. There isn’t a Liverpool delivery service and you’ll need to visit the market to pick-up your goodies , but the trip is worth it.

There’s usually a selection of familiar favourite curries available including chicken tikka, tandoori, masala and madras, alongside starters and sides including onion bhajis and pakora. But if you’re looking for something specific, customers can ring Hannah’s and place an order or banquet to pick up on Saturday.

However, if you’re just looking for a browse, be sure to get there early as Hannah is known to sell out. I have tried plenty of dishes over the years but my personal favourite is the fish tikka and onion bhaji, which surprises me as appetisers and side dishes have never been the highlight of my meal before.

Indoor market at Greatie, Great Homer Street, Dryden Street, Liverpool L5 5AB

Khans - Cheryl Mullin

When we first moved into our home, the previous owner's had left a few notes on the kitchen table to explain the workings of the boiler, and the bin schedule.

They also left a leaflet for Khans Tandoori on Church Road, describing it as 'one of the best Indian takeaways they'd ever tried'. They were not wrong.

Khans has been feeding hungry Tranmere residents for decades now, and a few years ago even expanded into the empty shop next door to open a restaurant. From standard dishes like tikka masala, korma, vindaloo and balti, to chef's specials, including the delicious shorisha, which is a rich mustard sauce dish, there is a spice level that will suit everyone.

My personal favourite is the vegetable makhanwala, a creamy and rich tomato based dish that's loaded with tender veggies. I usually pair it with a coconut rice, or an egg pilau rice, but if I'm feeling more adventurous I opt for the pineapple fried rice.

They're happy to tweak any dish to make it milder, which is good news as I am rubbish when it comes to very spicy food. Top tip. If you're ordering your food for delivery - especially at weekends - plan ahead. It's a very busy takeaway and delivery can take up to an hour, sometimes longer.

215 Church Rd, Tranmere, Birkenhead CH42 0LD

Holdi, Woolton - Steve Graves

None other than Elijah Wood had the “best Indian meal he’d ever had” at Holdi - at least according to the restaurant’s manager.

Hyperbole aside, there’s no doubting Holdi’s quality. In a world of underpowered bhunas and baltis, Holdi always delivers (no pun intended) when it comes to big flavours.

While they do all the classics, their specials and “exclusive” dishes use more unusual ingredients like Chinese spices and figs to offer something truly different. The pyaz leek masala is a rare Welsh/Indian cuisine crossover and it works really well, while the Indian fruit masala is also well worth a go.

5B Woolton St, Liverpool L25 5NH

Zaffran - Liam Thorp

Sometimes the best takeaway gems are the ones you stumble upon by accident. On a particularly hungover Sunday afternoon, as I was contemplating my own existence and desperate for a curry to heal my self-inflicted wounds, I found Zaffran on a delivery app.

It had good reviews and an exciting range of menu options, so I took the plunge. Reader, I have never looked back. This place is now my go-to Indian takeaway in Liverpool.

Tucked away in an almost invisible corner of Edge Hill, Zaffran has everything a curry lover could want. The portions are gargantuan and really should see an evening meal have plenty left over for the following day (for those less greedy than myself).

Zaffran does the classics brilliantly, but has a really diverse range of dishes, including a tantalising Indo-Chinese fusion range with offerings like Gobi Manchurian and the wonderful Chilli Paneer Dry.

As a vegetarian, Zaffran’s approach to paneer is a joy to behold. Give it all a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Unit F 62, Ayrton House, Commerce Way, Parliament Business Park Liverpool L8 7BA

Arong - Ryan Paton

The stretch from Walton Vale to Aintree racecourse is home to many fantastic Indian takeaways. Growing up in the area meant the cuisine became my takeaway of choice as I was always spoilt for options of where I could get my Friday night fix of curry, bhajis and samosas. However, my stand out favourite and absolute go-to is, and always will be, Warbreck Moor's finest, the Arong.

The extensive menu features all of the classics you want from your Indian takeaway cooked exactly how they should be. The quality of the bhaji is the true litmus test of how good a takeaway is - and the Arong passes on all accounts as its version is crisped to perfection with a hearty, delicious filling.

I prefer my curry's to err on the spicy side and the rezatha and garlic dhakai are the ideal examples of how a dish can pack a hot punch without compromising on any of the delicious flavour. The more adventurous among you may opt for the jaipuri masala, the spiciest dish on the menu that features a four pepper warning.

The peshwari naan is the perfect sweet accompaniment to the spicy, rich sauces.

Arong Indian Takeaway , 51 Warbreck Moor, L9 4RW

Taj - Dan Haygarth

Lark Lane has a wealth of restaurants and Taj is one of the finest. Best enjoyed after a few beers on the lane, Taj offers a great curry whether you sit in or take away.

Its extensive menu offers the classics and does them very well. But you’ll also find dishes you wouldn’t see on every Indian menu. Its Handi dishes - slow cooked for a home-cooking taste - are very popular but I would often go for a Jal Butter Chef Special. It’s rich and contains a nicely hot variety of spices. I’d pair it with mushroom rice, if you’re after a recommendation. For vegetarians, Taj also does its paneer dishes expertly.

In terms of accompaniments, the poppadoms are always of a good standard and you get a nice selection of dips - the lime pickle is as ridiculously tangy as it should be and becomes very moreish.

There’s a wide range of naan breads to choose from, with the garlic and coriander naan and the peshwari the standouts. Offering a great range of interesting curries at a reasonable price, you will do well to beat Taj.

15, 21 Lark Ln, Liverpool L17 8UW

Light of Bengal - Alice Walker

I don’t think that there is anything more comforting than ordering a curry on a Friday night. When I lived in Aigburth with my parents, there was nothing better than placing an order at Light of Bengal and then eagerly running round the corner to collect it.

I love a good chicken tikka or, and don’t judge me, a good korma. But there is so much on the menu, starters included, that no matter your favourite, there is something on there for everyone. Perfect for me now, as an adult, to order after a night out.

I’m also a fan of a prawn puri, which is prawns in bhuna sauce (in fact, even typing this is making me hungry) and as a family we do the classic of buying half the menu and then sharing it all together.

I’ve only eaten in the restaurant once or twice, since I never needed to due to living so close by, but the service there is friendly and quick. Fond, fond memories of eating there and I still go to this day.

286-288 Aigburth Rd, Liverpool L17 9PW

Magic Spices - Ed Barnes

Located just up the hill in New Brighton is definitely one of Merseyside’s best takeaways. Since it was recommended to me by my housemate, it’s been my go-to when those cravings for an Indian takeaway hit.

There’s a good range of dishes to choose from though I’m sure like most people, you usually end up getting exactly the same thing each time.

It’s usually a pretty decent price too. Recently for a house meal, we all had a curry, rice, naan, poppadoms, starter platter to share, and several drinks each which ended up splitting £32 each. Not a bad price for a meal out in today’s day and age.

225 Seabank Rd, New Brighton, Wallasey CH45 1HE

Passage to India - Gary Stewart

Passage to India is both a rite of passage for any self respecting curry lover in Ormskirk and also located on a passage, directly over the Ormskirk-Liverpool railway line up a dark set of stairs leading to the first floor above a Bargain Booze. The decor might be described as ‘functional’ or perhaps ‘dated’ but the food is first rate and they always remember a face.

If they like you they may slip a free Cobra in your takeaway or give you a shot on the house at the end of a sit down meal (whiskey for the gentleman, Baileys for the lady). When other curry houses have come and gone, Passage has been part of Ormskirk nightlife for decades. I’ve been haunting Ormskirk’s pubs since the mid 90s and it predates my first pint of lager easily.

We love it so much it’s the only food menu which my wife and I scrawl what we laughably call ‘tasting notes’ on as we gradually work our way through the dozens of dishes on offer from Bengal and beyond. Most are prompts to remember a tasty meal or naan pairing, only some are warnings of a chilli too far.

40A Moor St, Ormskirk L39 2AQ

Akbor's - Hannah Rees

A sign of a good restaurant or takeaway is having a tub full of leftovers after a huge, yet delicious meal. That's exactly what happens every time I visit or order Akbor's.

There have been many occasions where I’ve been left defeated by one of its Chicken Tikka Masalas - which is definitely not a boring choice if you’re eating at Akbor’s. The restaurant's extensive and affordable menu has something for everyone and is available to order on Just Eat.

The restaurant also offers ‘bring your own alcohol,’ keeping the cost even cheaper. It's why it has become the go-to restaurant for myself and friends when we're after a last minute meal. We’ve never had an issue with getting a table, even when we’ve turned up on a weekend evening.

226 Hoylake Rd, Moreton, Wirral CH46 6AD

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