Babaji Sunderland: authentic Indian food that’s worth the hype

By Ania Askwith

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9 Mary Street, Sunderland SR1 3NH

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Best for: Indian food, Indian street food, Sunderland dining, authentic Indian dining, Indian dishes, Indian food in Sunderland, curry

Number one restaurant in Sunderland – is it worth the hype?

Babaji has been voted the number one restaurant in Sunderland and for good reasons!

We had such a great evening at this artisan curry kitchen – enjoying delicious food surrounded by the charming decor of this lovely restaurant.

The service was spectacular from start to finish and the food was gorgeous.

What to order – our favourite dishes from the menu

• Poppadoms with dips (so good, the coriander dip should be sold in shops – it was divine!)
• Gobi Manchurian (cauliflower pan fried in a mouthwatering hot and sour sauce – it was SO SO SO good, actually our highlight of the night!)

• Bhuna prawn puri (the prawns were cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious. I also loved the flat bread it came with. Delicious!)

• Roasted garlic chilli king prawns (they were more like jumbo prawns – they were huge!! Loved how spicy this dish is, right up my street, I’d definitely have it again!)
• Chicken tikka masala (we also went for this classic – cooked without any colouring, it was very tasty.)

• Pulao rice
• Chips (sooooo good!!)
• Garlic naan
• Tandoori roti (I love rotis and this one was really, really good!)

I also had the Delhi Sunrise cocktail, which is Babaji’s take on a tequila sunrise – and it was beautiful.

Our thoughts – is Babaji worth a visit?

It was such a lovely culinary experience. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for classic curry dishes cooked authentically and served in a super friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Babaji absolutely lives up to its growing reputation!

Location

Babaji is located at 9 Mary Street, Sunderland SR1 3NH. It’s just a short walk from Sunderland Metro Station. There’s also parking available nearby on John Street and at Sunniside Car Park (SR1 1UL).

Tips for visiting:

Opening hours:  Sunday to Thursday: 5pm – 11pm; Friday and Saturday: 5pm – 12am

Food is great for sharing

Portions are generous, so come hungry

Try to book ahead on weekends – it’s popular for a reason

The drinks menu is great – don’t skip the Delhi Sunrise

There’s a car park right across the road behind the building

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If you love discovering the best places to eat and drink, things to do, wellness experiences, places to go, hotels and staycation spots in Newcastle, the North East, and beyond, be sure to follow my Newcastle blog for more reviews and recommendations. As a Newcastle blogger, I share everything from foodie finds, self care experiences, to weekend escapes.

For behind the scenes content and a closer look at my day to day experiences, follow me on Instagram @ania.askwith

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