Best Indian Takeaway Dishes for Beginners

Start mild and familiar

If you have never ordered an Indian takeaway, it can be hard to know where to begin. The dishes below are mild or gentle, widely available and easy to enjoy. Recipes differ between kitchens, so read the menu description or ask.

Curries to try first

Chicken korma is creamy, mild and slightly sweet. Chicken tikka masala has a creamy, gently spiced sauce and is one of the UK's best-known takeaway dishes. Butter chicken is rich and buttery with tomato. If you would like a little more flavour without much heat, try a chicken bhuna.

Dry dishes from the grill

Tandoori chicken and chicken tikka are marinated in yoghurt and spices and cooked at high heat. They come without a curry sauce, so they are a good choice if you prefer simpler flavours. Seekh kebabs, made from spiced minced meat, are another popular starter.

Rice and bread

Pilau rice is lightly spiced, fragrant basmati rice and goes with almost any curry. Plain naan is a soft, fluffy bread baked in a tandoor; garlic naan and peshwari naan, which is sweet with coconut and often nuts, are popular too. Birany (biryani) is a full rice dish cooked with meat or vegetables, usually served with a curry sauce on the side.

Starters and sides

Poppadoms with chutneys are a classic way to start. Onion bhajis are crispy onion fritters. Samosas are pastry parcels filled with vegetables or meat. Tarka dal, a lentil dish with fried garlic, and bombay potatoes make good sides.

A simple first order for two

One mild curry, one medium curry, one pilau rice, one naan and a portion of onion bhajis is a good starting point. Check whether rice comes with your curry before adding extra.

Ask about allergens

Many dishes contain dairy, nuts, gluten or mustard. Contact the takeaway directly before ordering if anyone has an allergy.