The authentic Indian cafe bar with a cult following – and delicious new dishes

Delhi House Cafe is an authentic north Indian-style restaurant in the Corn Exchange.

With its blend of luxury cuisine and welcoming ambiance, this independent restaurant offers a taste of India’s culinary heritage in the heart of the city. Not just a meal but an experience reminiscent of the streets of Delhi.

The food here is so good it has people going back every day of the week – often for the same dishes. So when we heard they were launching a new menu, we just had to sample it.

Regulars don’t need to worry because the revamped menu has both exciting new creations while keeping beloved classics.

New additions to the menu include the Mutton Keema Tacos, a soft shell paratha taco more like the texture of a naan bread than a typical crispy taco with spicy minced mutton, zesty mint yogurt and house slaw; the Monster Chicken Lollipop which is fried chicken leg with Indo-Chinese flavoured sweet and sour sauce and house salad; and the Pan Seared Lemon Fish, an Indian-style pan-seared fish, beautifully seasoned and served with a zesty lemon dressing and herbed basmati rice.

The star of the show though, and retaining its rightful place on the menu, is the renowned house favourite – Mom’s Buttered Chicken Tikka Masala. This creamy, dreamy concoction has earned a cult following over the years, with the restaurant serving a whopping 450 portions per week. It’s the top seller at Delhi House Cafe, and even has customers that return every day to get their fix. A proper must-try dish.

The new menu also continues to cater to various dietary preferences, offering vegan and vegetarian options such as the Purple Sweet Potato Chaat, which is fried purple sweet potato with mint and tamarind chutney; the Paneer Makhni which is clay oven-roasted Paneer Tikka, in a silky rich Makhni sauce; and the Punjabi Palak Chole which is a north Indian comfort meal consisting of chickpea and spinach in a spiced tomato and onion sauce.

Delhi House Cafe opened in 2020 during challenging times.

“I’ve travelled to the UK from Delhi since 1997,” says co-founder Vrinda Lamba. “I used to struggle with the food because I’m a vegetarian. My son who cooks and has a passion for good food, would to come to Manchester to watch Manchester United. It was a long way to travel to and from India just to watch a 90 minute football match, so we had to do something about it. We decided to open a restaurant out here in 2020 and people love it.”

The Delhi-style independent really puts the family into family-run and it’s evident in every aspect of the operation. Whilst co-owned by Delhi-born husband and wife, Sherry and Dilpreen Lamba, each member of their family plays a vital role in bringing the authentic taste of Delhi to their Manchester customers.

Sherry leads as chefpreneur crafting menu items and overseeing the smooth operation of the kitchen and bar, while Sherry’s mother, Rajinder, crafts the unique (and top secret) Delhi seasonings in-house daily, ensuring the kitchen’s distinct flavour profile.

Dad Varendra, and daughter Dilpreen, manage front-of-house, warmly welcoming guests, providing insights into menu items, and assisting with dish selections. Their ability to eloquently tell the Delhi story embodies the essence of Delhi House, adding to the authentic dining experience.

In a nod to their regulars, the new menu has been carefully curated with extensive input from Delhi House’s most devoted customers. Seeking feedback on the dishes, the team aimed to create a menu truly speaks to the taste buds of their diverse community. Loyal customers were invited to sample experimental dishes, providing valuable insights that shaped decisions on flavours, recipes, and presentation.

Other favourites remaining on the menu include the Palak Patta Chaat (Battered Spinach Leaves with Mint, Tamarind & Yogurt) and the Roasted Chicken Sliders (Ghee Roasted Chicken Brioche Buns with Mint Chutney).

“Our customers are like family to us, and we wanted them to have a say in what lands on their plates” said Sherry.

“Their feedback has been invaluable in shaping this exciting new menu. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed exploring various flavours and recipes while developing our new dishes, and we couldn’t be prouder of the results. Naturally, our house favourites remain untouched, particularly the beloved Mom’s Buttered Chicken Tikka Masala, so that our lovely regulars can continue to enjoy them.”