Sanskrit Newcastle: classic curries and rare dishes in an authentic Indian restaurant

A beautifully arranged table at Sanskrit Restaurant in Newcastle, featuring a vibrant spread of Indian dishes including curries, naan breads, masala chips, mushroom rice, Pani Puri, and more

By Ania Askwith


Sanskrit, 391 Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7


Sanskrit has been on our radar for a while, as it is quite a known place in Newcastle for its authentic Indian cuisine, offering both the classic curries that we came to love, as well as house specials which are not typically found in many other local restaurants.

Intrigued by the choice, we had to try a bit of everything (I am not a fan of the saying “it would be rude not to”—but I guess it fits perfectly here, right!)

Firstly, they made a great impression as I like to order the food and have it all come together so we can enjoy it all in a tapas-style feast, and the staff were super accommodating and served all the dishes at the same time.

A great, varied menu

We went for:

• Prawn Pataka
This is absolutely my jam! Perfectly cooked prawns infused with Sanskrit’s masalas. A bit of spice with every bite—but it wasn’t too hot so that you wouldn’t get the flavour of the food—it was super tasty. I loved this one!

Prawn Pataka dish from Sanskrit, featuring perfectly cooked prawns in a flavorful masala spice blend
Prawn Pataka at Sanskrit, Newcastle

• Sanskrit Signature Curry (Lamb)
Sweet caramelized onions, tangy tomatoes in a rich spice blend. This dish is totally unique to Sanskrit, so definitely a must-try when you visit. Comforting and rich.

Sanskrit's Signature Curry with tender lamb pieces, caramelized onions, and a rich, spiced tomato sauce
Sanskrit Signature Curry at Sanskrit, Newcastle

• Satkora Curry
We were sharing this, so went with a veggie option. It is from their classic menu, but not like one I’ve ever had before. Made with pickled peppers, this one had a distinctive tangy flavour—unexpected but absolutely delicious. We both agreed that it was fantastic. I would 100% order this again! We only went for half a portion with this one, but I could eat it again and again.

• Garlic Chilli Naan & Plain Naan
These were so good, I had the whole thing. Zero regrets! The breads were just how I like them; not too thick, with a lovely texture so you get loads of flavour without being stuffed. I would definitely order the chilli naan again as it was probably one of the spiciest naans I have tried—and a perfect side to a rich curry! But if you are not a fan of spice, the plain naan was as delicious, without the kick.

A beautifully arranged table at Sanskrit Restaurant in Newcastle, featuring a vibrant spread of Indian dishes including curries, naan breads, masala chips, mushroom rice, Pani Puri, and more
Sanskrit, Newcastle

• Masala Chips
The chips were covered in fragrant spices before frying, making them a crispy, golden perfection full of flavour. I’ve never had masala chips like this before and I was super impressed! I can confidently say that those were my favourite masala chips I’ve tried to date. Chef’s kiss!

• Mushroom Rice
It was fluffy and flavourful, the perfect partner to the curries. The mushroom pieces were nicely sliced but quite big, which I absolutely loved! I judge a good rice by asking myself if I could have it on its own as a dish, and the answer to this one would be a definite yes. Really comforting and quite a ‘meaty’ dish thanks to the gorgeous, umami mushrooms that they didn’t skimp on.

• Seekh Kebab
Spiced just right, tender, and steaming hot. If you’re a kebab fan—this one is definitely for you! Also quite a good portion size, which is always a plus, right?

Juicy Seekh Kebab served hot and spiced to perfection at Sanskrit Restaurant
Seekh Kebab at Sanskrit, Newcastle

• Pani Puri
The ultimate starter which we never say no to. Crispy little shells, spiced mashed potatoes and chickpeas, onion salad for crunch. The Pani was tangy and spicy (the green one was unreal—a little sour—right up my street). Not ashamed to admit that I drank it like a shot, I’d have it every day, it was gorgeous.

Pani Puri starter featuring crispy shells, spiced potatoes, chickpeas, and tangy pani sauce
Pani Puri at Sanskrit, Newcastle

Why we enjoyed our visit

I really liked having all of the dishes at the same time and mixing the starters and sides with the rich curries. Sanskrit’s dishes definitely lend themselves for this type of serving, so if you’re looking for a real feast—this may be for you!

But if you are more of a small eater, then each of the dishes on their own were absolutely gorgeous. We couldn’t fault any of them; they were all super tasty and the portions were great too.

We’ll definitely be back, maybe for a takeaway next time. If you enjoy Indian flavours, add this place to your list.

A beautifully arranged table at Sanskrit Restaurant in Newcastle, featuring a vibrant spread of Indian dishes including curries, naan breads, masala chips, mushroom rice, Pani Puri, and more
Sanskrit, Newcastle

Location

Sanskrit Restaurant is located at 391 Benton Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7EEBenton Metro Station is just a short walk from the restaurant, and there is parking at the front of the building.

Tips for visiting

• They offer both dine-in and takeaway options – so whatever is your preference, you can enjoy their delicious dishes.
• The restaurant is closed on Mondays, with operating hours from Tuesday to Sunday.
• The place isn’t huge, so I would recommend booking, especially if you are planning to visit on the weekend or with a larger group.
• If you like spicy food, I’d definitely go for the chilli naan – it is gorgeously moreish but with a little kick.
• If you enjoy Indian food and have your favourite dishes – this is a good place to try something new. Their house specials are definitely not something you get everywhere, which makes this place really unique.

Link:

For new menus, updates, and any current offers, visit their website here and their socials here.

Reviews

Customer feedback highlights the restaurant’s quality; on Just Eat, diners have praised the top-quality food, with comments such as “Well packaged. Top quality food” and “Food was very good and thoroughly enjoyable.” Similarly, on Deliveroo, the restaurant holds a rating of 4.3 out of 5, based on 54 reviews, indicating a very good reception from customers.

I could definitely add my name to this, all of the food was full of flavour – both the classic dishes and house specials were a 10/10.

Best for: Indian dishes, Indian food in Newcastle, takeaway in Newcastle, curry

Enjoyed this post? If you love discovering things to do, places to go, and the best spots to eat and drink in the North East and beyond, be sure to follow my blog for more reviews, recommendations, travel tips, and hidden gems. And for a closer look at my day-to-day experiences, follow me on Instagram@ania.askwith for behind-the-scenes content and even more discoveries! Let’s explore together!


Magpie and Mash, a blog about food and drink, things to do and travel in the north east of england

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