Have opened their doors to those suffering during the recent blackouts. Run by caring, lovely…read morepeople. Went in today, feeling woeful after being at home without heating, without a warm cup of coffee for 3 days. Left feeling much better, because the coffee was lovely. If you find yourself in Barnard Castle, give Babul's a visit, you won't be sad you did.

Really good Indian restaurant…read more Always on point, good service, good decor. What's not to like? The cherry on top is that during covid, their set up is first class, clear screening between tables, personal electronic ordering service. The best covid prepared restaurant I have been to Totally recommend

We were AMAZED by this place!…read more It was probably made even better by the most recent one we had being poor too, and also, thumbs up for 5* hygiene rating (yes, I'm one of those people who checks). Eleven of us ordered food, including enormous tubs of rice, giant and entirely amazing onion bhajis (definitely get some of these- big scotch egg sized tasty globes). Everyone had something different, and there was a bit of sharing too, everyone was happy. The hotter ones have a reasonable kick, and a surprisingly good one was the shampan- picked out of morbid curiosity, with mozzarella cheese on top, and not swimming with fat. We were all very full, and the Naans still tasted nice the next morning!

Spice Island in my opinion is the best Indian Restaurant in the North East area. The food is…read moreamazing and my husband and I have been going there for years and their standard has never diminished. We know all of the staff and they are all very friendly and their service is excellent. I congratulate them on their award they truly deserve it. Maureen and George - Shildon

The best indian restaraunt in the North East, good food, good service, cannot complain at all.read more

Pathetic service and unprofessional staff. Food was just okay, definitely not worth the price. They…read moreadded extra sides without asking to inflate the bill--seems like a scam targeting tourists. Staff doesn't even know how to communicate properly with customers. Not recommended.

The papadams and accompanying chutneys were good. The onion bhajis were tasteless and mushy. The…read moresamosas had no filling, and were made with rice paper wrappers, and were undercooked - the worst I've ever had to be honest. No tamarind chutney...well because no one in the UK makes it...the server said. Ordered the Bombay special with chicken, (that was pretty good) we also ordered the butter chicken, the sauce was not properly cooked or tasty - do not order!!! The naan (coriander and chili) was undercooked and doughy. Sadly, the overall dinner was disappointing and expensive....but I gave it 2 first because my husband (British) said this is what the British are used to. (They've not been to India) Americans would give it a one, maybe less. ..Changed to a one later, because that's my honest opinion.

This is a well trusted Indian restaurant which ticks the right boxes for me especially by opening…read moreduring the day and I suspect this is the only one open at this time. The food is top quality and always consistent and therefore we have never had a bad meal. I have only been here during he day and it is always very quiet as we are often their only guests thou this does not surprise me as I cant see much call for an Indian restaurant in Penrith during the day anyway.

My hubby is an expert on Indian food and when he says the food is top then the food is top!!I…read moredragged my hubby into the restaurant for a takeaway while we were camping and he ordered a Chicken Madras, he was then given a complimentary beer and when his order was ready the chef even gave him free popadums and a variety of dips. Not many of takeaways do that I can tell you!!We order every Friday night from our local and have never received anything free!!The walls in the place are covered in pictures of the owner/chef with celebrities who have eaten in his restaurant and one of them has even signed saying it was the best Indian in England.

The food was delicious and came very quickly. The service was fabulous! Everything was just great.read more

I stumbled across the Raaj accidentally whilst travelling to a different Indian restaurant..... And…read moreI'm glad I did...... The food is excellent, very good quality, staff are really friendly and will happily give a dish a tweak to your liking. I heave been there on many occasions with colleagues from around the country, and taken customers and clients regularly. Everyone I take there enjoys the food and many ask to be taken back there a second time...... Give it a try, you will be impressed.......

Completely delicious food. I have never been let down either eating in or taking away food…read more Everything is superbly cooked, delicious and of excellent quality. Our 12 year old is now hooked on their Tandoori Butter Chicken and even wants to try other dishes now. This after years of treating curry as toxic waste. I'm going there again this evening for a takeaway. I'll try something new in the certainty that it will be wonderful.

Absolutely fantastic. We took a whim and bones a Christmas prefix dinner reservation here. The…read moreservice was astounding and food phenomenal. Best Indian food I've ever had at a restaurant, great spices and flavor. Butter chicken, Asams lamb, Tandoori Salmon and Baari Combi all fantastic. The location was very central and clean, three floors, while only one open this evening.

We have been to this restaurant lots of times when visiting York. It's one we always go back to…read more The food is phenomenal. First class service and the decor is great.

I consider myself a curry expert having tried many local Indian restaurants over the last 33 years…read moreand I have to say Taj is fantastic. The meal is always ready when stated and taste is very consistent I would recommend the pathia I have mine hot but they will do it as hot or mild as you like

Food absolutely lovely. Best indian takeaway in north east. Have been through whole menu and…read moreeverything great.