Dakwala Bombay Canteen – the most loved Indian restaurant in Newcastle

By Ania Askwith

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Dakwala Bombay Canteen, 42-44 Grainger Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 5JG

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Best for: Indian food, curry, Newcastle restaurant, Newcastle dining

The unique experience at Dakwala

If you’re looking for a spot in Newcastle that will impress you with both the food and the atmosphere, Dakwala Bombay Canteen is the place for you.

I’ve been a fan since my first visit, and every time I go, I’m reminded why it’s one of our favourite places. It’s not just a restaurant – it’s a whole experience dedicated to delivering the best of Bombay.

The owner, Rajiv, explained how ‘Dakwala’ symbolises a messenger of flavours and ‘Canteen’ represents the essence of traditional Khanawal eateries. It isn’t just a restaurant but a place to meet for a coffee, cocktails, tapas, as well as of course a meal. And if you feel like a chat – Rajiv is often around and happy to chat to the guests; I really enjoy listening about the dishes they serve, and all the delicious cocktails they craft here – more on that soon!

The decor of dreams

And I need to talk about the decor straight away. The place is beautifully designed and decorated; just as the spirit of the place is to have different type of experience, the areas reflect this throughout.

There is a dining area to enjoy a relaxed meal, comfy bar where you can sit and have drinks or tapas, as well as a variety of coffee shop style seating perfect for a cocktail or a coffee catch up with friends. This is what I mean when I say it is more than a restaurant – your visit to Dakwala can be whatever you want it to be, it goes beyond just food. 

The booth part of the restaurant is – visually – one of my favourite places in town. It is a mix of NY chic with a bit of an Italian villa vibe – it is understated and simply stunning!

Dakwala’s flavourful menu

Reading a Dakwala menu is like taking a little culinary journey through the streets of Bombay which I really appreciate. I love how the menu tells you where each dish originated from – it’s really wholesome, and super fun to learn the origins of the dishes. 

We have visited a few times since it opened (when I say we go back to our faves – I really mean it) and really enjoyed our experience each time.

We tried a variety of dishes, and here’s some of my highlights so far:

• Poppadoms & Chutneys – served in a drawer (how cool?!); the spicy chilli garlic dip is actually divine, so definitely a must try.

• Chit-Chat Chaat Bombs – filled puffs that taste as incredible as they look. I get those whenever I see them on the menu and tried them in many places, but the ones here remain my benchmark to what a good Chit-Chat Chaat Bomb should be like. They are in a league of their own, both taste and presentation wise. I love them here.

• Karwari Soft-shell Crab – this one just melts in your mouth, beautiful in taste and texture. If you are a seafood fan, I’d definitely recommend trying this dish.

• Desi Tacos – one word – irresistible! They are quite petite so a lovely side or a tapas dish.

• Crackling Okra Fries – super flavoursome, lovely texture, and not greasy which can sometimes be the case with okra fries. If you’ve not had them before, Dakwala would be a good place to try them.

• Chicken Chilli Manchurian – you just can’t beat a tasty classic cooked perfectly. They do it so well here, it is beautiful. One of our favourite flavour profiles; it is moreish and delicious

• Prawn Moilee -it looks like art on a plate and it delivers taste wise; the char on the prawns add so much depth of flavour to the dish. Since trying it for the first time (and I’ve had it since), it remains one of my most favourite seafood dishes ever (and I am a huge seafood fan so have it a lot). 

• Malwani Chicken – perfectly spicy but not hot, with some lovely texture. 

• Curried Black Chickpeas – soooo rich in flavour, I could eat this dish daily. So it is not a surprise I have had it here again; it is just too good not to order! You don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy it.

• Saffron Pulao – these guys know how to make velvety, smooth rice; it goes so well with all of their dishes.

• Naan – a must order in an Indian restaurant, right? And you won’t be disappointed with this one; it is not too thick so you just chew it forever, and not too think so it goes hard after a couple of minutes – it is that perfect balance that is just right. 

• Gulab Jamun – perfectly sweet and rich to end the meal. I am yet to come here and not finish my meal with one of those – too good!

Cocktails and mocktails you must try at Dakwala

But food isn’t the only thing these guys do so well. We also enjoyed some delicious drinks which I have been telling everyone about – I promise – these are amazing!

• Dadar Phool Cocktail – I am a huge cocktail fan and this was one of the best I’ve EVER had. Inspired by an actual flower market in Bombay; this drink looks elegant and tastes like blossoms. It is just lovely.

• Chuski – a flavoursome concoction inspired by the iconic Indian ice treat. It was our first time trying this and I’d definitely order it again.

• Tropical Punch Mocktail – I feel like I am repeating myself, but this was one of the nicest mocktails I have had. Rajiv explained how they use liquors with removed alcohol, or products that are purely botanical but have the same taste as the alcohol version of the liquors which is probably why their mocktails taste like the real thing without the alcohol. It is a mocktail but tastes like a real, grown up cocktail. Just delicious.

• Mango Lassi – another staple for me whenever I eat at an Indian restaurant. It is gorgeous, especially if you go for spicy, or rich dishes. 

• Chai – we really appreciate a good tea or coffee at the end of our meal and I can’t tell you how much I enjoy Dakwala’s chai. It has a mix of sweet spices which just elevate the chai; I adore the addition of cinnamon which is warming and sweet without being too heavy for the end of the meal. You just don’t get this kind of attention to detail, and depth of flavour from your high street coffee chain!  

New lunch menu at Dakwala Bombay Canteen

 I am sure by now you can tell how much we enjoy this place – both the food and the experience. And most recently we tried their new lunchtime menu. 

I really like this menu as it is not overly complicated – it fits on one page which is perfect for those of us who are undecisive (yes, that’s also me). And it literally took me a second to decide what to have since the first menu item combines two of my favourite things – thali tray and seafood. 

• TheCanteen Special Prawn Thali Platter is perfect if you’re in the mood for variety, and a hearty meal at the same time. I think it’s probably one of my favourite dishes they offer here because it combines sooo many things I love about this place. You get Poppadoms, Prawn Moilee, Curried Black Chickpeas, Saffron Pulao, Naan, and even a little Gulab Jamun. You’ll recognise all of these from the list of my highlights above, all combined into one thali tray. An absolute dream dish! I think this is a perfect dish if you want to explore their menu and sample some staple dishes they offer. And you don’t have to go for seafood, they do other thalis that are veggie or meat based.

• Our other choice was Dakwala Dabba for 1 with the Dak House Chicken. It was our first time trying this dish here and it was another hit we’ll probably be ordering again. It was super flavoursome, but this dish is not just about food – like most thing at Dakwala, it is about the experience. It arrives in a traditional Indian lunch box with each layer containing different element of the meal – curry, rice, bhajis and salad. I really enjoyed the experience of opening it and seeing what was inside – it was like unwrapping a gift, super cool! When I say these guys are all about making dining into an experience – you can see what I am talking about. 

• We also tried the Bombay Chilli Cheese Toast. Honestly, it’s one of those dishes that looks quite simple but is soooooo addictive. The cheese was melted to perfection, and the chilli added a nice kick. The sauce they serve on the side is something else though – we both said it really levelled up the dish. I didn’t expect this simple looking dish to be this flavoursome. If you want something smaller but still super tasty, this is the one to go for. 

• We also got the Fresh ango and Beetroot Salad, and WOW!! It was unreal. I know not everyone gets as excited about salads as I do, but you don’t need to be a salad lover to really enjoy this dish. It was substantial with the most delightful layer of yoghurt base topped with fresh salad leaves, a mix of sweet (but not overly so) mango with earthy beetroot, topped with pomegranate seeds. It was super hearty and very refreshing at the same time. I will definitely go back just for this dish – it was the biggest surprise of the night for me and I just LOVED it! I have never really been a mango fan as I found it a bit too sweet, but since trying it here served a little less ripe and less sweet, we’ve been having it at home most days! I’ve the chefs at Dakwala to thank for this new discovery!

Why Dakwala Bombay Canteen is a top choice for Indian food in Newcastle

We had a great experience, as always at Dakwala, and are already planning another visit. 

If you’re after a substantial lunch like a hearty thali, some cheeky tapas, or a perfectly crafted cocktail (or a mocktail), Dakwala is the place that won’t disappoint. It’s got everything—flavour and a vibe that makes a visit here feel like a treat. It’s the perfect place for a chilled afternoon or a fun night out. We’ve got our eyes on their bottomless Sunday lunch next!

Location

Dakwala Bombay Canteen is located at 42-44 Grainger Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 5JG, with the nearest metro station – Newcastle Central Station – about a 5-minute walk from the restaurant. We normally part in Dean Street multistorey since it’s just around the corner and probably the most reasonable parking in town. 

Tips for visiting

• Try the cocktails (or if you’re a designated driver, their mocktails). The Dadar Phool cocktail inspired by Bombay’s flower markets is one of the best I’ve had, and I am obsessed with their Tropical Punch mocktail!

• Check out their menu which changes and gets updated frequently; while they tend to keep the most popular dishes on, they also introduce a range of new things meaning there is always something new for you to try, even if you visit frequently. 

• The opening hours are 12:30-11pm Sunday – Thursday & 12:30-midnight Friday and Saturdays and it is worth a booking; we have seen the restaurant get super busy while we were dining here and we always make a reservation. 

We are planning to try their Sunday bottomless curry next – so keep an eye on the new content as we’ll be sharing all about it soon…

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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