The Curryholic
It's been over 25 years since we last dined here, we used to be regulars back then. Unsurprisingly the dining room has changed and for the better, smart toilets now too.
I enjoyed my meal here, and the wife would have done except she found all to be on the hot side.
It started well, the poppadoms and chutneys were very enjoyable.
We then had a few issues with the menu or rather the ordering. When I asked what the Pathia Diwan Style was like, our waiter told me to read the menu, I wasn't impressed and told him he should ask someone who would know.
If you're interested it's the same as most pathias. I opted for a sheekh kebab to share, a balti chicken tikka jalfrezi, and the wife a "safeish" chicken and mushroom balti.
The sheekh kebab was quite hot, this I find typical of most Pakistani starters. It was also very firm in texture and I am fairly confident that it had been microwaved. Despite this, I thought it OK but the wife gave me hers after a few bites.
It was a similar experience with the baltis, mine was very good and the wife struggled through hers.
I think every one of the staff must have asked if the meal was OK, I was going to mention the wife's was a bit too hot for her but she didn't want to make a fuss. No complaints with the sides and the portions were generous.
I thought it was reasonably priced, the bill being all the better as you can take your own alcohol. That said, I noticed quite a few taking in their own soft drinks, it's not just here either.
John Rudkin
This is a truly outstanding curry house. Bring your own beer if required. Tremendously efficient service, the prices are supreme and the grub is ace. Ok, our taxi from The Grand Hotel at about 20.15 on a Friday hit heavy traffic so incurred extra expenditure, but still. Do not be put off by the surroundings, give this joint a try!
jojo remeny
Really simple but tasty balti. As a pure vegetarian ,I'm fussy where I eat , especially after living in Bombay/ Mumbai India for a year.
The portions are very generous and the onion bhaji is gigantic- the biggest onion bhaji I have seen in any restaurant, and the cheapest only £2.45 Well done Diwan .
Jessada Sresakoolchai
The foods were great.
The service was nice.
Staff was attentive and friendly.
Christina
Great food and hospitality! A variety of Balti curries and king size portions!! A nice family run atmosphere!! We had a regular naan, Diwan rice, veggie balti and the chefs recommendation, a duo Balti lamp passanda and chicken rezala. Lasi was fantastic too!!
sanjana desai
I'm falling out of words to praise the taste and flavour of the curry.
It was just much more than amazing.
The food was fresh and perfectly delicious.
Variety of options available, excellent service.
Would definitely recommend especially for its authentic curries.
Diwan is literally my top favourite in the entire Birmingham.
J H
First with the good: great old school atmosphere... You're not paying for super fancy nonsense here. Just a clean old fashioned restaurant in a warm setting. This is quite refreshing!
I wasn't impressed with the condiments... The onion was way too chunky in the onion chutney. The mint sauce didn't have a kick and was rather bland. I feel a pickle tray or working on these two condiments would be a good idea.
The mains were truly a pleasure to eat. My lamb jalfrezi and my friends chicken/lamb curry was perfectly cooked. The meat was tender and fell apart without effort. The flavor was still short of a home cooked curry, but it was not far from it.
The naan and tandoori roti was cooked to perfection. The naan especially cooked just right, flaked up well and was perfectly soft inside.
On price, it's more affordable than the competition.
On portion - stick with one balti or karahi between two with starters between two. One standard naan is enough for the average person; get more on the fresh as and when you need it.
Thank you :)
lynn abbott
Great place. Excellent traditional Indian food. Great service. Lovely atmosphere. Very good value. A little gem of a restaurant.
Sarah Kayes
This hit the spot! A proper Birmingham balti. The staff are really helpful in offering alternative dishes that are not on the menu. For instance, they made aloo chat Puri as a starter for us, as well as a balti with Naga. They also do a handful of baltis which you can try in 2 smaller dishes (I had the chicken tikka bhuna balti and the lamb dopiaza). Both so lovely. The naans were awesome too (peshwari and a garlic naan ordered). We tried their special rice....omg sooo nice. Tarka daal and saag paneer as sides. Couldn't fault any of it. Definitely a place to go when I come back to visit my hometown.
BYOB which is an added bonus I think.
Bill came to about £47.
Benjamin France
Lovely food and staff. Will definitely return when next in the area. Convenient for meal after cricket at edgbaston
chris swain
Lovely as always, been visiting Diwan for many years now, I travel from the other side of the city to eat here. It is a constant and consistent experience on the edge of the ever changing balti triangle
David C
I’ve been coming here a few times a year for more than 20 years. The food is fabulous and very consistent quality.
Think of how Asian food used to taste before the days of ready made pastes and flavourings.
The smell before you even reach the door, from way up the street.
Cut down table decoration (none) and a jug of water. Bring your own alcohol if you wish.
Regular staff - the same faces and a decent welcome even if they don’t recognise you.
But something has changed.
Now, instead of being a simple experience, where you order your food and it appears a few minutes later, there’s a whole upswell process that quite frankly drives me crazy.
I thought last time I went it was a one-off, but no. Last nights visit with my sons turned into a version of 20 questions - what else did we want? Could I tempt you with something else. A starter? More bread? A side dish? It was relentless.
Ok, I know that places have to sell. I understand that if you don’t ask, you probably won’t get, but this is Diwans!!
Stop it! Nobody needs to have to play dodge the salesman.
So Diwans, the food was wonderful, as always. A bit too much, as always. Quick service, as always. But only four stars.
Drop the sales talk please. Last request. It spoils the experience. But again, great food. Oh yes, it’s getting a bit pricey too. Not quite the original Birmingham Balti experience.
Stuart Lane
Best onion bhajis in Brum
We used to come to this place all the time when we worked and socialised in Moseley (pre kids). 25 years later we returned with the kids and the place hasn't changed too much. It's a little classier than it used to be, prices have gone up slightly and you can now have the prime minister's special, the meal David Cameron had on a visit to the restaurant.
Food still delicious and reasonbly priced. Enough food to talk half home with us to eat for lunch the next day.
Jody Grey
Ok so the place I usually go was closed today so I thought I'd try the local at the bottom of my road ordered what i usually get from the place I usually go price was almost exactly the same except for the quality and portions were completely different I had to fish through a load of says to find the meat In my balti and the the tikka starter was a joke. Sorry diwan never again
Caroline Young Tequila
Nice restaurant only downside was the way the tables were set out, a bit too close for my liking.
The food on the other hand was delicious I had the lamb rogan josh and we shared a massive naan bread which was also delicious.
Haven't had a curry that good in a long time, and the prices are reasonable. Would definitely recommend going there and I would definitely return.
Rachel Puopolo
Family meal 10 of us service very good delicious I had the Balti Prawn Boona and Peshawari Nan we took our own wine really good food atmosphere relaxed the ladies toilets have been refurbished wow very high standard third time I have been to Diwan yet again superb food 🥘 😀🍽
Eszter Sziladi
The staff is lovely to food is amazing. Best naan ever and I love all veggie food there.
Kelly Bates
Me and my partner go here nearly every week,, food is amazing never had a bad meal,, the staff all very friendly !!!!
Richard Wall
30 year veteran of the Diwan. Lost count how many times I've ate here with family and friends. Always had great food, great service.
Couldn't recommend the Diwan highly enough.
Graham Lovell
I've been there a gd handful of times never had a bad meal in there went with my family and they say it's one of the best they had and they know there stuff. No Bar but there's a outdoor across the road (b) :-) :-) :-)
Heather Hillman
What a lovely thing to do on a Sunday night; rounding-off the weekend and now contentedly prepared for the working week! Beautiful food, lovely ambience and friendly, attentive service that's never intrusive. Highly recommended! 5* :)
Pat Gormally
Have been going to the Diwan for many years. There can be intervals of a few months between visits but with each visit the people and the food never changes. ALWAYS excellent.
Neil Ross
Me and my family have been coming here for years and the staff now know us by name; so friendly and fantastic food
Su Moore
When in Birmingham only place I will go. Never disappoints
Neil Pountney
Love this place. The people are very friendly, the food is excellent and very reasonably priced. I will be back for sure!
Lynette Hill
Have eaten here for 20 years and always have a fantastic curry and great service.
Simon Tansley
Just lovely, food and service alike.
Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmm
John Pottinger
I've been going to the Diwan man & boy. Five stars were never in doubt!
Darren J. Bisbey
Food excellent!
Service excellent!!
Cannot say any more!!! Awesome place
Kerry Davies
Best lamb n saag ever, great sevice, lovely staff!
Peter Gilmore-Taylor
Fab food and service as ever; many thanks. Will be back!
Sam Broadley
Cracking curry here. If you like it hot, they make it hot, believe me! All without losing its immense flavour. Great atmosphere as well. Highly recommended.
Laura Skidmore
Wonderful wonderful place. Best curry ever👍
Andy Edwards
Very nice meal . Went there 7 years now we're closer will be going there more often .
Carole Dunn Rogers Simkins
Friendky Staff who work very hard to make your meal special, one of rhe besy Ive ever had
Henry Pace Powell
Exceptional curry house. Never had a bad curry in 10 years.
Kerry Marie
This is actually the best curry house in the entire world xx
Angie Mucklow
The best and most friendly Balti house I know. xx
John Evans
Best Indian restaurant in Birmingham,staff fantastic,I go every week
Janie Lamb
Absolutely the best. I have never had a bad curry here ever and we've been going for about 21 years.
Duncan Smith
Possibly THE best Tandoori restaurant in Birmingham, if not the U.K.! We have eaten here for many years ( about 20 years to be exact! ) and always received superb service and excellent quality, tasty and authentic food with a broad and varied menu in a warm and very welcoming atmoshpere. The staff and owner have not changed since the day we first ate there and we have watched the Diwan's popularity and business grow from the early years till now ( which makes for some busy weekends and even week nights ) so do book to avoid being dissapointed, though the staff are always eager to accomodate if you just 'drop in'. Many of the regular diners also have frequented the Diwan for many years, which is an excellent homage to this restaurant. One thing that has almost not changed drastically over the years is the dish prices, they have always remained very very reasonable and well worth the culinary experience. Overall a vibrant, charming place that we will never forget as we now live in Chicago, if ever we are lucky enough to be back in the U.K. the taxi from the airport would lead us straight to here, knowing full well that this place always has and always will be consistently the brilliant!
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