Shahbaaz Curry Cottage

Manchester boasts one of the most competitive Indian restaurant scenes of anywhere in the country, and up in the north, it is as fierce as anywhere. Bury is home to a huge migrant community from Pakistan and Bangladesh – who know their (tandoori lamb) chops – and the locals in Radcliffe are used to high standards as well, so when we tell you that Shahbaaz Curry Cottage has stood on its location since the mid-90s, you know that they must be doing something right. Their curries are as good as any around, but it is in the house specials that they really excel, with dishes rarely found outside of the subcontinent. Try the begum bahar – marinated chicken with minced meat and a hot and sour sauce – or the tandoori chicken nagangie, barbecued off the bone and spiced with the iconic Bengali naga chillies. You can find them on Radcliffe Moor Road, halfway between Bury and Bolton – so fill up the car, book a table and head on over.