New Indian Restaurants in Manchester (July 2026)
TL;DR
- 🍛 Six South Indian and Indian restaurants are making waves in Manchester right now
- KAANA South Asian Canteen in Chorlton brings bold South Indian flavors to a smart, all-day format
- Kilo Biryani Manchester 2 carries the flag for authentic Hyderabadi dum biryani
- Grace Taste Kerala and Palazzo Malabar round out a strong showing for Kerala cuisine
- Aahaa Indian Restaurant and Bar in Chorlton and Khan's Biryani and Pilau in Northenden are neighborhood stalwarts worth knowing
New Indian Restaurants in Manchester (July 2026)
Manchester's South Asian food scene has rarely been more exciting. The city already has a well-established Curry Mile along Wilmslow Road, but the action has spread — to Chorlton, Northenden, and beyond — and the range of regional Indian cuisines on offer has widened considerably. This listicle rounds up six South Indian and Indian restaurants that are worth adding to your regular rotation.
Grace Taste Kerala
Kerala cuisine has found a devoted audience in Manchester, and Grace Taste Kerala is one of the restaurants delivering it properly. The menu draws on the coastal cooking traditions of Kerala — coconut-rich curries, fish preparations, and rice-based dishes that differ significantly from the North Indian repertoire that dominated the first wave of British-Indian restaurants.
- Website: gracetaste.co.uk
- Cuisine: Kerala, South Indian
- Hours: Monday–Saturday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM / Sunday 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Whether you are after a Malabar biryani, a fish moilee, or a proper Kerala-style beef fry, Grace Taste Kerala is worth seeking out.
KAANA South Asian Canteen
KAANA South Asian Canteen is one of the more talked-about additions to Manchester's South Indian scene, and it earns the attention. Located on Upper Chorlton Road, it operates as a genuine all-day canteen — the kind of place that works for a quick lunch, a long dinner with drinks, or a Friday night out that stretches past 11pm.
The menu focuses on South Indian cooking with a contemporary edge. Think dosas alongside more inventive small plates, and a drinks program that takes the canteen concept seriously.
- Address: 209 Upper Chorlton St, Manchester M16 0BH
- Website: kaana.co.uk
- Email: curryclub@kaana.co.uk
- Cuisine: South Indian
- Hours: Monday–Thursday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM / Friday–Saturday 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM / Sunday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Friday and Saturday late hours make it one of the few South Indian options in Manchester that works as an evening destination rather than just a dinner stop.
Palazzo Malabar
Palazzo Malabar brings another dimension to the Kerala restaurant story in Manchester. The name and the cuisine point squarely at the Malabar Coast — a region of Kerala known for its Muslim-influenced Mappila cuisine alongside the broader Kerala tradition.
- Website: palazzomalabar.co.uk
- Cuisine: South Indian
- Hours: Monday–Saturday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM / Sunday 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Palazzo Malabar and Grace Taste Kerala share similar hours, and together they represent a real choice for Manchester diners who want to explore Keralan food in depth rather than just dipping in once.
Aahaa Indian Restaurant and Bar
Aahaa Indian Restaurant and Bar sits on Manchester Road in Chorlton — a neighborhood that has become one of Manchester's more reliable addresses for independently run South Asian restaurants. Aahaa leans South Indian and includes a full bar, which makes it a useful option for evenings when you want good food without giving up drinks.
- Address: 125 Manchester Rd, Chorlton M21 9PG
- Phone: +44 161 566 2728
- Website: aahaa.uk
- Cuisine: South Indian
The combination of a Chorlton address, a South Indian menu, and a bar sets Aahaa apart from the majority of its neighbors. Worth a call ahead if you are planning a group visit.
Kilo Biryani Manchester 2
Biryani is the great unifier of South Asian food culture, and Kilo Biryani Manchester 2 is one of the city's dedicated houses of dum biryani. The Hyderabadi dum method — slow-cooking rice and meat in a sealed pot so the steam does all the work — produces a result that is categorically different from the pilau-style biryanis served elsewhere. If you have not had proper Hyderabadi dum biryani, this is the place to start.
- Website: kilobiryani.co.uk
- Phone: 07895 427999
- Cuisine: Hyderabadi Dum Biryani
The Manchester 2 location is part of an established brand known for its commitment to the dum technique and generous portions.
Khan's Biryani and Pilau
Out in Northenden, Khan's Biryani and Pilau has built a loyal following among biryani enthusiasts who do not want to make the trip into the city centre. The 303–305 Palatine Road address is a destination in its own right, and the menu covers biryani and pilau in formats that span South Indian and broader Indian traditions.
- Address: 303-305 Palatine Rd, Northenden
- Phone: 0161 317 7251
- Cuisine: South Indian, Indian
Northenden is worth the journey for anyone who has not explored Manchester's southern suburbs for food. Khan's anchors a stretch of Palatine Road that punches above its weight for independent South Asian dining.
Insider Tip
The South Indian and Kerala restaurant cluster in Chorlton — where KAANA, Aahaa, and several others are within walking distance — makes it one of the best neighborhoods in Manchester for a South Indian dining crawl. Start with dosas at lunch, take a walk along Beech Road, and return for something more substantial in the evening. The concentration is comparable to what you find on Wilmslow Road, but with a tighter regional focus and more contemporary venues.
FAQ
What is the difference between South Indian and North Indian food? South Indian cooking relies heavily on rice, lentils, tamarind, coconut, and curry leaves. Dosas, idlis, sambar, rasam, and fish curries are staples. North Indian food leans toward wheat-based breads, cream-based gravies, and tandoor-cooked meats. Most of the restaurants on this list are South Indian or Kerala-focused.
What is Hyderabadi dum biryani? Dum biryani is a slow-cooking method in which the rice and protein are sealed in a pot and cooked in their own steam. Hyderabadi dum biryani — from the city of Hyderabad — is one of the most celebrated versions, using a long-grain basmati rice, aromatic spices, and slow-cooked meat. Kilo Biryani Manchester 2 specializes in this style.
Is KAANA South Asian Canteen good for groups? The canteen format and the late Friday–Saturday hours make KAANA well-suited to group dinners. Reach them at curryclub@kaana.co.uk for bookings or queries.
Which restaurants on this list are best for a family meal? Grace Taste Kerala and Aahaa Indian Restaurant and Bar both offer sit-down dining in welcoming formats. Khan's Biryani and Pilau in Northenden is a solid neighborhood option for families.
Do any of these restaurants offer delivery? Kilo Biryani Manchester 2 and Khan's Biryani and Pilau both offer delivery options — check their websites or call ahead for current delivery arrangements.
Bottom Line
Manchester's South Indian and Indian restaurant scene is in a strong moment. Grace Taste Kerala, KAANA South Asian Canteen, Palazzo Malabar, Aahaa Indian Restaurant and Bar, Kilo Biryani Manchester 2, and Khan's Biryani and Pilau together offer a genuine range of regional styles — from Malabar Coast seafood to Hyderabadi dum biryani — across multiple neighborhoods. Whether you are a regular on the Curry Mile or just starting to explore South Asian food in Manchester, these six restaurants are the right starting point.