From brilliant classics to taste-bud testers: Newcastle’s 5 must-visit Indian restaurants

Newcastle may be best known for the hustle and bustle of its bars and clubs, but there's a thriving scene of Indian cuisine on Tyneside too.

It's a well-known rumour that the UK's favourite meal is a Chicken Tikka and Geordies love a bit of spice just as much as the next person.

For many, it's the go-to takeaway, but there are plenty of reasons to get out the house and go enjoy a sit-down Indian experience in Newcastle.

NewcastleWorld runs through some of the city's best Indian restaurants that you have to check out.

Khai Khai

29 Queen St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3UG

When running through the best Indian restaurants in Newcastle, there's only one place to start and that's at Khai Khai.

The Queen Street restaurant prides itself on an authentic menu that will transport you out of the everyday curry house and into Asia.

It's been frequented by stars including Harrison Ford and Alan Shearer, so you know you're in good hands.

Khai Khai uses "elemental cooking techniques and heritage dishes perfected in villages and culinary hotspots across India since the dawn of time"

Simla

39 Side, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JE

Simla is a mainstay in the Newcastle city centre, having set up shop a whopping 40 years ago.

It's all about stripping things back and enjoying the taste of Indian food at the restaurant.

There's a modern feel to everything about the place, it went through a major revamp in 2016, but the "cuisine harks back to long-established and fresh ways of preparing dishes without any pretence or gimmicks".

Simla is often packed and customers are served by dedicated waiters, some of whom have been there for over 30 years.

Rasika

27 Sandhill, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JF

Just around the corner from Simla is its little sister Rasika.

Rasika is a newer kid on the block and is run by the same family who owns Simla.

There's a bit more of a younger feel about Rasika, with lively waiters and fantastic deals.

Rasika has a bit of everything on the menu and rarely leaves customers disappointed.

Ury Supastra

27 Queen St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3UG

If you want something a bit different, you've got to try Ury Supastra.

The restaurant focuses on South Indian and Sri Lankan curries which make for a menu with a twist.

If you're after the more common curries and a familiar experience, it's probably not the one for you, but Ury Supastra excels in what it does.

Favourite flavours include "heady cardamom, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg", with the aubergine curry something people travel to the restaurant especially for.

Rani

2 Queen St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3UG

Rani has grown somewhat of a cult following in recent times thanks to its ever-popular front of house staff member Bobby.

Reviews regularly praise the restaurant's staff, and it's got the food to back up the service too.

Owner Chand has been cooking curries since he was a teenager and has worked across the world, even catering for royalty!

Rani serves all the classic curries, as well as a few special twists.