 | |  | | | Akbar's Restaurant Manchester - reader comments | | "What's so good about Akbars is that you see every creed, colour and race all eating together which is a fantastic compliment to the Manchester spirit. On my last visit, I saw a group of about 10 teenage Asian girls all out for a good meal and chat, which says everything about Akbars for me - brilliant!" - dave b, adlington 26/1/09 (visited on a thursday evening) |
| | "The food was fantastic however I was not impressed with the service! I felt rushed and ignored, it was like being at a busy market. The waiter was wandering around doing nothing for quite a while and it took him 30 minutes to bring the wine menu when all we wanted (and asked for) was the house wine, then another 20 mins to bring the wine with no glasses! Wouldn't knock the food, it was the best Indian food I have ever had. however I would be more likely to use the takeaway service. It's also not nice that you are called for your table via a microphone across the sound system. We might have just had a rubbish waiter as my friends have been and had a brilliant time." - stacey, manchester 27/11/08 (visited on a sunday evening) |
|  "Went at 5.30pm on a Saturday evening before the theatre. Was quiet at first but soon filled up with all sorts of customers. Service was extremely quick with everything delivered promptly. Only complaint is that we felt a bit rushed at the end with the table being cleaned even as we stood up to leave." - david scott, macclesfield 22/11/08 (visited on a saturday evening) |
| | "Went out with friends and, as we don't drink, we had planned to spend time in the restaurant chatting and taking our time, as we had not planned to go anywhere else, but we were out in just over 1 hour as we were rushed by the staff. The bill arrived when we had not even asked for it so we paid and left, good food but felt like the customer is treated as a number." - mia, manchester, cheshire 22/11/08 (visited on a friday evening) |
| | "'Table for 6? Yes sir, will be about 25 mins'. The place was buzzing, chaotic even, once seated though we were not rushed. The waiter was polite and had time for us, it seemed as though we were the only people there. Although the menu is not extensive there were some dishes we had not seen before. The meals we chose were well presented, hot and freshly served. I would recommend a visit. Worth the waiting. One slight moan, only one choice of lager and thats bottled. Overall a very pleasant experience." - david armitage, hartford, cheshire 15/11/08 (visited on a saturday evening) |
| | "Me, my partner and a few friends went here on a Saturday night which I imagine is prime time. When we were told that the wait was an hour we almost left because we had trains to catch. Almost instantly the manager showed his face and showed us to a table, they really took care of us. The waiter was excellent and made a point of remembering our names and orders which is a nice touch. The restaurant was very busy but didn't feel crowded which is an excellent way to judge the service. As for the food, simply sublime. This was my first visit to the restaurant and I was shocked at how good everything was, especially considering the price which was spot on! We have been recommending this place to our friends since and are going this Saturday, I can't wait! I love Indian food and Akbar's does the nation's favourite food the credit it deserves. We had an excellent night." - anthony blyth, bolton 31/10/08 (visited on a saturday evening) |
| | "I've visited several times. The food is always great but we were there to celebrate an 18th and all the family felt very rushed. Empty plates were quickly removed when other members of the party were still eating. We did not get chance to really sit and enjoy the restaurant but we will go back." - julie scott, manchester 21/10/08 (visited on a tuesday evening) |
| "The food was very nice with good sized portions. The nan bread was huge but I've tasted better. My main problem with the restaurant was the noise and overcrowded. Tables were very close togther and felt uncomfortable and cramped during eating. The decor was modern and smart but lacked alot of character. Most of the staff were friendly others just looked at you strangely.
Overall the food was nice but the experience was not. To finish off the night I had my wallet taken from the table at some point during the meal and I felt the staff were much too busy to look for it. But I guess that's standard at a very busy, reasoably priced popular restaurant.
If you like restarants busy and noisy... highly recommended but I'd prefer to eat somewhere more comfortable with more interesting decor. Wouldn't go back again." - stephen molyneaux, manchester 10/8/08 (visited on a saturday evening) |
| "Its about time I got round to writing a review of Akbars. We visit quite regularly, which in itself speaks volumes as we usually like to try new places, but then we love our curries, and this is without a doubt the preferred location for having one.
Almost a couple of years ago, we went to York, and ended up eating in a really nice curry house. At the end of the meal, we looked at each other, after one of the best curries we'd ever had and said 'Shame this place isnt in Manchester eh?'. As you've probably already guessed, this York curry house was called Akbars, and we were more than happy to find out that they did indeed have a branch at home, and that somehow, we hadn't noticed! Theres a few all over Yorkshire in fact.
Upon entry, regardless of which night you visit, but particularly over a weekend, the entrance more resembles a busy bar or hotel check in lobby, than a restaurant. They dont accept bookings, and the queues are usually very long indeed, hence the vast seating area where you can get a drink or two while you wait for your table to be called over the tannoy. Don't roll up at 8pm and expect to be seated for 8:15, as it just won't happen.
The decor is very modern, a little dark, but very smart, with good use of lighting and subtle background music. I suspect that they have kitted all their restaurants out the same, as all the ones Ive seen have been similar in theme.
When you do get a table, you're in for a treat of a curry. The food is generally and consistently top notch, and I've had very few exceptions to this. Service and presentation are as casual as in any curry house, but the waiters tend to be a little better dressed and more polite than the norm. Also, it's not uncommon for the chefs to bring dishes to the table, which can be a nice touch. Im still undecided about the naan breads which are presented on hangers though, but I guess it saves table space right?
Prices are the next bit of good news. Poppadoms, a starter, a main and a pint, will cost no more than £20, which is fantastic for the quality and quantity on offer.
The menu is still on the whole, very 'British Indian', and contains all the regulars, but there's also an array of different dishes, aswell as more traditional Asian meals. It's about time that somebody went down this line, as for years, every curry house in the country seemingly used the same menus.
Whenever mates visit Manchester, they always want to see the curry mile, so I oblige as it's their choice, and is an experience. I do however, advise them that the food is better elsewhere, and this restaurant is without a doubt the cream of city centre curry houses, and definitely in the top 5 best that Ive ever been to. Theres nothing posh about it, its still very casual, down to earth, has bargain prices, but the food is what speaks volumes.
I guess I've got to find something that I dont like about this place? Well, other than the massive queues to get in, this isn't really a moan, just a fact, but it's a very busy, and consequentely quite rowdy place. But then this is a curry house, so what do you expect? Part of me prefers an Indian to be busy and a tad rowdy, as it just wouldn't feel Indian otherwise. I've eaten at gourmet Indians down in London, and whilst they were technically outstanding, I don't know why, but fine dining and Indian just dont seem to go together, the same goes for Chinese, or anything that isn't European in origin to be honest. I cant explain it, but perhaps that's just the roots of the cuisine?
If you've not been to Akbars, make it your next meal out. If you have been, then go again, as I'm sure you will anyway." - Chris Handley, Salford 8/8/08 (visited on a friday evening) |
| | "I would give this restaurant a mark of 5 out of 5 although, when you order a chicken curry, it is not all breast meat, it seems to have a lot of jelly pieces in it and, even though i enjoy it, there is also not a lot of sauce served in the curry. Other than that I go all the time (once a week) and I love it, and would recommend it. We used to go to a certain restaurant on the curry mile every week for years, which we thought we would never leave, but we have and we love Akbars now." - emma tabner, manchester 14/6/08 (visited on a sunday evening) |
| | "overall a great experience. We had to wait about 30 minutes but this did not seem long as we grabbed a drink and sat in the lounge at the front of the restaurant. All very efficient and the waiter asked if everything was ok halfway through the meal - doesn't happen often." - Jim Chadwick, Manchester 2/6/08 (visited on a thursday evening) |
| "Akbar's plush restaurant in Castlefield, opposite the Science & Industry Museum, is deservedly one of the busiest establishments in town. From the day their doors opened, 2 years ago, it has been packed every night - largely with very smartly dressed Asian families probably already aware of the brand's legendary status in Bradford. Unfortunately, they don't take reservations so expect to wait around the comfortable bar area before being escorted to your table in the huge yet lavish dining room. The service is extremely friendly with a designated waiter taking time to get to know you and help you through the menu. Prices are fantastically cheap (curries ranging from £4.95 to £11.95) whilst the food, delivered to your table by one of the chefs, is amazing with a good choice of Baltis, Desi-apna style dishes, Lahori style dishes, specialties and old school classics. Having spoken to many other Indian restaurateurs in town, they all talk about Akbar's with jealous admiration. The Naan Breads are so huge they hide anybody sat opposite you and are served on the metal stands that Gordon Ramsay hates with a passion. Maybe he should pay Akbar's a visit to see how people are not turned off by such servings. We receive more reviews for Akbar's than any other restaurant in town and there's a common theme that we agree wholeheartedly with - this is certainly one of the best restaurants in Manchester and if you love a curry, you can't get much better in the UK!" - Restaurants Of Manchester 20/5/08 (visited on a Monday evening) |
| | "Baring in mind how many curry houses there are in Manchester, this one is far and away the best - as with their other branches the food is fantastic and very well priced - quality!" - chris, leeds 23/4/08 (visited on a wednesday evening) |
| | "Very busy but we were not rushed. Fantastic food, great price. We will revisit as soon as possible. Disappointed that we could not book. You can only book for more than 10 people so go early!" - julie scott, manchester 23/3/08 (visited on a saturday evening) |
| | "Had an excellent meal. I ordered the Chicken Liver Tikka to start which was very nice followed by the Lamb Handi which was excellent. Naan Bread comes on one of those spike things that Gordon Ramsey hates, 'makes it look like a big nappy swinging in your face'. I thought this was OK as I'd never seen it before, the only trouble is with it hanging there it cools down a lot quicker than it does on a warm plate. Other than that I cannot fault the food or the place. I've recommended it already to 4 other people and will be going myself again. It is busy but we did not have to wait long for a table even when there was a few large parties in as well. Possibly the best restaurant in Manchester, although i have not been to them all. Excellent." - pete, bury 19/1/08 (visited on a thurs evening) |
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