Charcoals
74 Trongate
Once tried, it’s hard not to keep returning to this contemporary diner when curry calls. Service is super-friendly, the food generous and delicious. Indian favourites pakora, samosa, biryanis and on-the-bone desi dishes are handled with aplomb, while tandoor options really sing, including charred lamb chops and sizzling chicken tikka.

Kinara By Shabu Natarajan
10 King Street
Kinara is a sophisticated spot for Indian dining, though prices remain reasonable, particularly set menus. There’s a vitality to the food; fresh, well-presented, with punchy, balanced flavours lighting up dishes. The tandoor focus sees whole fish and lobster tail coming out of the clay oven, while slow-cooked dum pukht options also feature.

Madurai
142a St Vincent St
This open, contemporary curry house serves up enjoyable regional cuisine featuring the likes of papery dosas, biryanis, grills and coconut curries. Not afraid to heat things up, the kitchen also deftly handles tamer spices, and there are creamy coconut dishes for fans of calmer curries. Prices are competitive and everything is gluten-free.

Mother India
28 Westminster Terrace
The matriarch of Glasgow curry houses, specialising in home-style Punjabi cooking for more than three decades, spreading the love to four other venues in town. This corner multistorey tenement is the original, featuring a beautiful wood-panelled dining room on the first floor and exceptional North Indian food coming out of the kitchen.

Obsession Of India
25 High Street
This unassuming restaurant is a standout option for spice fans thanks to a lively energy from staff and classic dishes done exceptionally well. The menu of Punjabi-leaning food may be familiar to any curry fan, yet the surprise here is in the freshness, big flavours and minimal use of oil. 

Swadish By Ajay Kumar
33 Ingram Street
Since opening in 2019, owner-chef Ajay Kumar has been on TV’s Great British Menu and opened another diner, Grilled. This original operation, housed in a former fire station, has won two AA rosettes for blending traditional and contemporary Indian cuisine with impeccable Scottish produce. Various menus include a five-course tasting option.

Yadgar Kebab House
148 Calder Street
Established in 1981, Yadgar’s reputation has grown ever since. There’s a canteen vibe but that doesn’t deter spice lovers from grabbing some of Glasgow’s best curry. As well as excellent kebabs, Yadgar shows skill in vegetarian and classic curries, from channa dhal and biryanis to naans and on-the-bone dishes.

Also try... vegetarian Punjabi food at Ranjt’s Kitchen and charcoal specialist Kebabish Grill on the Southside, or sister venues The Dhabba (North Indian food) and Dakhin (South Indian) as well as Madha in the Merchant City 

This TipList is taken from Eat & Drink 365 Glasgow, our sister mag recommending the best in restaurants, bars, cafés and more. Want a copy? It’s available online or across all good stockists in Glasgow.