10 Restaurants in Harlow: Indian

If you need a venue for a big night out with friends, Harlow's Indian restaurants are ideal. Places like Garden of India offer a combination of fine food and nightly entertainment ranging from acoustic folk to Dolly Parton tributes. But the food doesn't play second fiddle, not by a long way. At these curry houses, the vindaloos are always rich and spicy – but not volcanic; the bhunas have the right balance of garlic and ginger, while the sheekh kebabs are as meaty and succulent as they come.

Having said that, there are more relaxed Indian restaurants in the Harlow area as well and it's not all about wall to wall entertainment when you head out for a gourmet curry. Tales of India in the Stow is a classic example. Tucked away, modest and accomplished in the kitchen, the chefs here let their knives do the talking. With veggie specialities like daal filled with potatoes and spinach and mulligatawny soup alongside tandoori mixed grills and flavoursome dansaks, even the most experienced curry fan will leave impressed.