Dishoom Manchester | Indian Flavours in the Heart of the City (Our Favourite Location Yet?)

This experience was kindly hosted. We only collaborate with places and brands we genuinely love or would choose ourselves, and all opinions are entirely our own.

In September 2021, we took our first trip to London together, and one of our meals out with family was at Dishoom, an Indian “street food” restaurant chain that first opened its doors in Covent Garden in 2010. Designed to recreate the Irani cafés that were popular in Bombay (modern-day Mumbai) in the 1960s, Dishoom quickly took off and is now known as one of the best restaurant groups in the UK.

It’s recognised for its high-quality food, distinctive flavours, and strong ethical standards, including numerous awards as one of the best places to work in the UK and a charitable initiative where for every meal served, Dishoom donates one to a child who would otherwise go hungry.

We were completely blown away by Dishoom during that first visit: the flavours, the extensive menu, the immersive setting, and the wonderfully hospitable staff. Ever since, we’ve tried to visit as many locations as possible.

After London came Edinburgh, which was fantastic, and this past summer we were thrilled to be invited for a meal at Dishoom Manchester, which may have turned out to be our favourite location yet.

Atmosphere: Bombay Cafés Meet Northern Heritage

Every Dishoom location is thoughtfully handpicked, and for a chain restaurant, this is something I really love about Dishoom and what sets them apart. Everything is intentional.

Almost all of their locations are set in historic buildings, creating the foundation for what then becomes a new “café story.” This story guides the restaurant’s design and every detail from that point onward, from the architecture and furnishings to the artwork and subtle nods to Bombay’s old Irani cafés.

Opened in 2018 and located in Manchester’s city centre, just between Spinningfields and Deansgate, Dishoom Manchester occupies the Grade II-listed Freemasons’ Hall. Its design draws inspiration from the Freemasonry movement in Bombay, reflecting Dishoom’s signature attention to cultural and historical detail.

Before opening, the team travelled to India to study Bombay’s Freemasons’ Hall, built in 1899, as well as the Theosophical Society of Bombay, ensuring that every element of the space was rooted in authentic research and storytelling.

During the restoration, they were able to preserve and restore the majority of the building’s original features, maintaining the character and architectural beauty of the historic hall.

The atmosphere speaks for itself. From the moment you step inside the elegant building, which almost feels more like an official hall than a restaurant, you know you’re in for an experience rather than just a meal.

Notes of sandalwood and vanilla incense drift through the air, mingling with the aromas from the kitchen and the gentle hum of conversation.

The service is warm and welcoming, and it genuinely feels like stepping into a different world within Manchester. What makes this space even more special is how naturally Manchester’s working-class roots blend with the story behind Bombay’s Irani cafés, founded by immigrants who built welcoming places for everyone to gather, eat, and connect.

The Food

We came hungry with plenty of room and planned to order a mix of our Dishoom favourites along with a few new options. Dishoom’s menu is designed for sharing, similar to how food is served in Bombay’s cafés. Dishes arrive as they’re ready, creating a relaxed and social style of dining. The restaurant recommends three to four dishes per person, combining small plates, grills, curries, and breads to share across the table.

We started with the Chicken and Mango Salad, the perfect blend of spicy and sweet, with the spiced malai chicken pairing beautifully with delicate mango and fresh greens. We also went for the Okra Fries, perfectly crisp while still retaining the okra’s flavour, coated in a tantalising spiced gram flour batter. To continue the spice, we added a Vada Pau, one of my personal favourites, with a hot potato vada pattie tucked inside a soft bun with chutneys.

We couldn’t skip our go-to Black Daal, creamy spiced black lentils stewed for over 24 hours — comforting, full of flavour, and completely moreish. I also love the Chicken Ruby, a more traditional version of a butter chicken or tikka masala, with tender chicken in a silky, layered sauce.

For our veggie dishes, we ordered the Makhmali Paneer, featuring marinated and charred paneer cheese with fried cashews and pomegranate. While slightly too spicy for me, the flavour was incredible, with the mix of cashews, pomegranate, and paneer working perfectly together.

We also had the Warm Aubergine Chutney, a sweet, sour, and spicy aubergine dip that went with just about every dish. We rounded out our meal with a top-notch espresso and kulfi, an Indian ice cream on a stick dating back to the 16th century. I went for mango, and Maria chose pistachio, both perfect for cooling off on a hot and balmy (yes, that’s right!) Manchester summer day.

The Drinks

As for the drinks, each Dishoom features its own Permit Room, a bar inspired by Bombay’s 1960s drinking dens where alcohol was only served under a “permit.” The menu blends classic cocktails with Indian flavours, using ingredients like cardamom, chilli, and jaggery.

After being completely blown away by it on our last visit to Dishoom, Maria went with the Pistachio Kulfi Cream — a creamy and refreshing blend of oat cream, pistachio butter, and aromatic gin from a distillery in Goa, India. It sounds good, but the taste is on another level. The layers of flavour and refreshing balance make this one dangerously easy to drink.

I love an Old Fashioned, so I chose the New Permit Room Old Fashioned, which mixes coconut-washed Woodford Reserve bourbon, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and Medjool date liqueur. I was especially curious about the Medjool date element, but everything came together perfectly, with the coconut-washed bourbon leaving a smooth, lasting finish.

I also love how every cocktail on the menu notes the type of glass it’s served in, a small detail that shows just how thoughtful Dishoom’s bar team really is.

Final Thoughts

From the thoughtful design and storytelling behind each location to the warm service, layered flavours, and attention to every small detail, Dishoom Manchester captures everything that makes the brand so loved.

It manages to feel both familiar and new, blending the spirit of Bombay’s old Irani cafés with Manchester’s own sense of community and character.

It’s a place that delivers more than a meal, offering an experience that lingers long after you leave. After all, some things are popular for a reason.