Chester’s Lounge: A modern Indian dining experience and exceptional cocktails in Sunderland

By Ania Askwith

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Chesters Lounge, 141 Chester Road, Sunderland, SR4 7HS,

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Chester’s Lounge is a great spot for anybody who loves Indian cuisine with a modern take. The menu is full of traditional Indian dishes we love, but what really sets this place apart is the creativity behind the cocktails and how the staff go the extra mile, making sure you’re well looked after. The atmosphere here is really warm and welcoming.

But let’s talk about the food. As always – in the name of research – we have tried a selection of dishes to get the feel of the place.

The menu at Chesters Lounge & what we went for:

The pickle tray and dips; I love trying pickle trays in different restaurants as it says a lot about the place; you can guess what kind of approach the chefs take to the whole menu based on how traditional or creative the pickle tray is. It kind of sets the tone for the night. And I can report that this place is a bit of a mix between what you expect with a little surprise element. I really enjoyed the traditional thin poppadoms, but I really loved the onion salad, which was unlike anything I’d had before on a pickle tray; the onions were actually coated in a sweet sauce, which I am guessing is masala-based. It added a completely different dimension to the pickle tray; it was really interesting and made me quite excited about the rest of the meal.

King prawn suka; this was a mix of tamarind, garlic, honey, chili, and turmeric, served with fresh warm thin bread. I really enjoyed the huge prawns and the bread, they were delish, especially dipped in the mint sauce that came with our other starter.

Lamb chops; these came out sizzling hot and were super fragrant. The portion was quite large for a starter – always a plus – and I also appreciated the fresh side salad.

For the main

I opted for the Tandoori king prawn shashlik; again, the prawns were huge and presented really nicely. There was just the right amount of sauce to have this with the side rice the dish comes with (you can choose any rice or bread with this main). This dish is on a sweeter side.

I also went for the Chapati bread – I have to say, it is my weakness. I adore this thin bread, it is so simple but I love the flavour it gets from the cooking process, it is delicious!

The other main we opted for was Lamb balti on the recommendation from the staff. It is a very popular curry here, cooked in a cast iron pot, using onions, peppers, chillies, and a lot of chopped garlic with minced meat to create a thick and spicy sauce. We opted to have this with their Punjabi tikka pilaw – spicy rice with chicken tikka and chilli. The smell alone was insane! As it was already full of delicious flavours, we had this with a Plain nan to mop up all the delicious sauce.

And on staff recommendations, we also opted for one of their best sellers – Garlic chips. We were told it would be the best garlic chips we’d have and I can confirm they were absolutely up there! If you enjoy garlic flavour (which we do), it is definitely a must-try. The chips alone were gorgeous, but the coating of the sauce really elevated this side dish.

And even though we were already really full, the staff recommended a dessert, which we couldn’t really say no to. Their Magnum brownie already caught my eye on the menu, but it was even better than I’d imagined. They say it is ‘Our ultimate indulgence for true pleasure seekers’ and I would agree with that – it is super indulgent, so if you are planning a visit – leave room for this dessert! You won’t regret it.

The drinks

We were super impressed with the menu choices and how they take traditional dishes and make them their own, and it seems these guys aren’t just about the food. The drinks here deserve recognition in their own rights.

Firstly, I do like the look of the drinks menu – it is not too long but there is enough variety to cater to all tastes. And the creativity of the drinks is what puts this place on our list to revisit – they were delish.

We had:

• Mango lassi – If you enjoy this drink with your Indian meal, this cocktail version will blow your mind! It was one of the nicest cocktails I have ever had. A must-try when you visit!

• Mixed berry special – I ordered this as it is watermelon based and it was gorgeous. The ingredients they use here mean that the cocktails taste super fresh and are really tasty, they are not too sweet either.

• Passion fruit and mango ice blast – Another delicious fruity drink (I made mine a mocktail – always the designated driver!) It felt like a grown-up fruity cocktail while still being really fun. Gorgeous.
• Pina colada – This definitely needs a mention as, alongside the mango lassi, it was one of the most creative drinks I have ever had. Beautifully presented in a coconut shell, with fruit on top. It was delicious. A definite must try, especially if you’re visiting during Sunderland Cocktail Week (you can read about it here), as this is their option for this event.

We will absolutely be back when I am not driving to try more of their cocktail menu. These guys know how to make a standout drink that tastes gorgeous but is also presented beautifully. I am always about content over form and not the other way round, but this place delivers on both fronts.

Why we like this place

If you’ve made it this far, you can see that this place is definitely our jam. We loved how they add their own twist to traditional Indian flavours and classic cocktails.

Sirat Miah, the owner who we chatted to when we visited, has crafted some incredible drinks, including one of the best Pina Coladas I’ve ever had. And I won’t ever get over their Mango Lassi – it’s not very often you can take something that is already soooo good and make it even better!

And I need to mention the service again, which was absolutely spot on. The staff genuinely take care of you, making sure you have the best experience. And their recommendations are fab too – they know the menu really well.

Location

Chesters Lounge is Located at 141 Chester Road, Sunderland, SR4 7HS, with parking available in the side streets nearby.

Link

For any menu updates and to see more of the gorgeous food pics, check out their website here, and their socials here.

Tips for Visiting

• Try the cocktails – The Mango Lassi (vodka, mango, lime & lemon juice, yogurt) is smooth, creamy, and refreshing, while the Mixed Berry Special (watermelon, blackcurrant, lime, vodka, rum, sugar, and lemonade) is fruity and dangerously easy to drink. And don’t think about leaving without trying their Pina Colada – it is unreal.
• Book ahead – This place gets busy, so it’s best to reserve a table. We went for the opening on Friday night and within minutes, the place was full.
• The opening hours, as well as pick up and delivery times are: 5:00pm – 10:30pm
• The vibe here is really fun too – the music was really good when we visited; combined with the cocktails, this place felt a bit like a holiday restaurant, in the best way.

Reviews

Looking at reviews from TripAdvisor and Google, Chesters Lounge has built a strong reputation for excellent food and a friendly atmosphere. On Google, the restaurant holds a rating of 4.5 stars, and a perfect 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

They are also an award-winning restaurant: English Curry Awards 2024 – Oceanic Award WINNER, which validates what we thought about this place too.

Best for: authentic Indian cuisine with a modern touch, unique cocktails in Sunderland, curry in Sunderland, Indian food in Sunderland

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!

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