Akbar's - Manchester

Our favorite local Akbar's disappointed us when we visited the Manchester location over the weekend. Despite our high expectations for their amazing curry, we w... read more Our favorite local Akbar's disappointed us when we visited the Manchester location over the weekend. Despite our high expectations for their amazing curry, we were disappointed by the long wait, noisy atmosphere, and mediocre food. We were told it was walk-ins only, and after waiting over an hour to be seated in a crowded and loud bar area, we were placed at a small table surrounded by large, rowdy groups. The food did not meet our usual standards, with my garlic chicken tikka balti lacking flavor. The service was slow and the staff seemed overwhelmed. We left feeling dissatisfied and would not recommend it for a romantic dinner.

The food quality at this restaurant is poor. Despite the fast turnover and busy atmosphere, the quality of the food is lacking. I ordered lamb but received mutt... read more The food quality at this restaurant is poor. Despite the fast turnover and busy atmosphere, the quality of the food is lacking. I ordered lamb but received mutton instead, despite informing the waiter twice. As someone who is knowledgeable about different types of meat in the food industry, I can confirm that what I received was not lamb. The service provided by the young Indian boys was acceptable, but the overall quality of the food was seriously lacking.

I recently dined at this restaurant with my coworkers, and I wish I could say it was a positive experience, but unfortunately, I cannot. While the exterior of t... read more I recently dined at this restaurant with my coworkers, and I wish I could say it was a positive experience, but unfortunately, I cannot. While the exterior of the restaurant looks nice, the interior is a noisy bar and we were seated nearly an hour late due to the crowded conditions. The food was very disappointing, with watery curries and heavy rice, although the bread was the only redeeming aspect. I doubt the management will address these issues as the restaurant continues to attract customers, but my overall experience was quite unpleasant.

I’m a huge fan of Indian cuisine in the UK, so I was really eager to try this restaurant, especially for their enormous naan. The menu is extensive, offering ma... read more I’m a huge fan of Indian cuisine in the UK, so I was really eager to try this restaurant, especially for their enormous naan. The menu is extensive, offering many more dishes than you'd typically find at an Indian restaurant in the USA. Our food arrived promptly, although we did have to wait for glasses after ordering a bottle of wine, which was a bit odd. Other than that, the food was delicious. The space is quite large, and the décor is lovely! The front bar area is also spacious, making it a great spot to relax if there's a wait. I would definitely come back!

Best curry of my life. My review could as well stop here. I reckon Akbar's deserves more words though. I wasn't expecting to find such a paradise for my taste b... read more Best curry of my life. My review could as well stop here. I reckon Akbar's deserves more words though. I wasn't expecting to find such a paradise for my taste buds when I got to this place a few minutes walking from Deansgate Locks. There are many other Indian restaurants on the way there, but my housemate, a regular at Akbar's, only stopped when we reached the place. I followed his advice, so we shared lamb kebab and chicken tikka masala, along with a huge and scenographic naam bread, soft and delicious. The meat was tasty, well cooked and perfectly flavoured, not too spicy; the sauce was great as well. The service has been considerably quick, and prices are so low! Honestly, great value. We managed to pay less than 20£ for food and drinks (Cobra beers). The fact that at some point all the waiters and the rest of the staff were sitting together having dinner made me think not only that food quality is excellent, but also that there's an incredibly positive vibe here.