Popular Indian Dishes Everyone Should Try at Least Once

Indian cuisine is known for its variety, but there is much more to it than simply choosing something labelled “curry”. Different regions of India have their own ingredients, cooking methods, spices and traditional dishes, creating a food culture with an enormous range of flavours.

For anyone trying Indian food for the first time, the menu can sometimes feel difficult to navigate. There are creamy curries, grilled dishes, biryanis, breads, vegetarian specialities and plenty of dishes that offer completely different flavour profiles.

If you are exploring Indian food in Stratford-upon-Avon, knowing a little about the most popular dishes can make ordering much easier. Here are some Indian dishes worth trying at least once.

1. Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most familiar Indian-style dishes in the UK. It features pieces of grilled chicken tikka served in a rich, spiced sauce, usually made with tomatoes, cream and a blend of aromatic spices.

The dish is generally mild to medium in heat, making it a popular choice for people who are new to Indian cuisine. The grilled chicken adds a slightly smoky flavour, while the sauce provides richness and sweetness.

It is often enjoyed with rice or naan and is a good starting point if you want a comforting and approachable Indian curry.

2. Butter Chicken

Butter chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, originated in Delhi and has become popular around the world. The dish combines tender chicken with a smooth tomato-based sauce enriched with butter, cream and aromatic spices.

Unlike some hotter Indian curries, butter chicken is usually mild and creamy. Its balanced flavour makes it particularly appealing to diners who prefer rich sauces without intense chilli heat.

3. Chicken Tikka

Chicken tikka is different from chicken tikka masala because it is primarily a grilled dish rather than a curry. Boneless pieces of chicken are marinated in yoghurt and spices before being cooked at high heat.

The result is tender chicken with charred edges and a smoky, spiced flavour. It can be served as a starter, shared dish or part of a larger Indian meal.

Chicken tikka is also a useful choice for understanding how Indian spices can add flavour without necessarily making a dish very hot.

4. Biryani

Biryani is one of India's best-known rice dishes. It is traditionally prepared using fragrant rice, meat or vegetables and a combination of spices. Depending on the regional style, ingredients and cooking method can vary considerably.

Chicken biryani and lamb biryani are particularly popular, while vegetable versions are also widely enjoyed. The rice is typically flavoured with ingredients such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and saffron or other aromatic seasonings.

A good biryani is not simply rice mixed with curry. The rice and other ingredients are carefully cooked together so that the spices and flavours are absorbed throughout the dish.

5. Lamb Rogan Josh

Rogan Josh is a classic curry associated with the cuisine of Kashmir. It traditionally features tender pieces of lamb cooked slowly with aromatic spices and a rich sauce.

The dish is known more for its deep, fragrant flavour than extreme chilli heat. Depending on the recipe, spices such as cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and Kashmiri chilli can contribute to its distinctive character.

If you enjoy slow-cooked meat and want something more aromatic than a very creamy curry, Rogan Josh is worth trying.

6. Chicken Jalfrezi

Chicken Jalfrezi is a popular curry that generally has a more noticeable kick than mild creamy dishes. It commonly combines chicken with peppers, onions, tomatoes and green chillies.

The vegetables provide freshness and texture, while the spices give the dish its characteristic heat and depth. The exact level of spice can vary, so it is worth asking the restaurant about the heat level before ordering.

7. Lamb or Chicken Korma

Korma is often associated with a mild, creamy curry. Traditional versions can use yoghurt, cream, nuts and aromatic spices to create a smooth sauce with a rich texture.

Chicken korma is a popular option for diners who prefer mild flavours, while lamb korma offers a deeper and more substantial taste.

Korma is particularly suitable for sharing alongside stronger or spicier dishes, giving everyone at the table an option with a gentler flavour profile.

8. Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is one of the most recognisable Indian grilled dishes. Chicken is traditionally marinated in yoghurt and spices before being cooked in a tandoor, a high-temperature clay oven.

The cooking process gives the chicken a distinctive smoky aroma and charred exterior while helping keep the meat tender. The marinade can include ingredients such as ginger, garlic, chilli and other spices.

If you want to explore Indian food without starting with a curry, tandoori chicken is an excellent choice.

9. Naan

Naan is a soft, leavened flatbread traditionally cooked in a tandoor. It is commonly served alongside curries and is useful for scooping up sauces.

There are several variations, including plain naan, garlic naan and cheese naan. Garlic naan is particularly popular because the savoury garlic flavour works well with both creamy and tomato-based curries.

10. Samosa

Samosas are among the most recognisable Indian snacks. They consist of a crisp pastry shell filled with ingredients such as spiced potatoes, peas and herbs. Meat-filled versions are also available in some Indian cuisines.

The contrast between the crunchy exterior and warmly spiced filling makes samosas a popular starter or sharing snack.

11. Pakora

Pakoras are vegetables or other ingredients coated in a seasoned batter and fried until crisp. Common versions include onion, potato and mixed vegetable pakoras.

They are often served as starters or snacks, particularly with chutneys. Pakoras are a simple way to experience Indian spices and textures without committing to a full curry.

12. Chana Masala

Chana Masala is a vegetarian dish made primarily with chickpeas cooked in a spiced tomato and onion base. It is filling, aromatic and full of flavour.

The chickpeas provide a hearty texture, while spices and herbs create a savoury sauce. It can be served with naan, roti or rice and works particularly well as part of a shared vegetarian meal.

13. Saag or Saag Paneer

Saag refers to a preparation made with leafy greens, while saag paneer combines a spiced greens-based sauce with pieces of paneer, a fresh Indian cheese.

The result is a creamy and savoury vegetarian dish with a completely different flavour profile from tomato-based curries. Paneer also absorbs the spices and sauce while retaining its soft, firm texture.

14. Paneer Tikka

Paneer tikka is a vegetarian alternative to chicken tikka. Cubes of paneer are marinated with spices and yoghurt, often alongside peppers and onions, before being grilled.

The cooking process gives the paneer lightly charred edges while keeping the centre soft. It is a popular choice for vegetarians and anyone who wants to try something other than meat-based dishes.

15. Gulab Jamun

No Indian meal is complete without considering dessert. Gulab jamun consists of small, soft dumplings that are fried and then soaked in a sweet syrup, often flavoured with cardamom, rose or saffron.

The dessert is rich and sweet, so one or two pieces can be enough to finish a meal. It is especially popular when dining as a group because it is easy to share.

How to Choose an Indian Dish for the First Time

If you are unfamiliar with Indian food, your choice does not have to be based entirely on how spicy a dish sounds. Indian cuisine uses many different combinations of spices, and dishes with a lot of flavour are not necessarily very hot.

• Prefer mild and creamy flavours? Try butter chicken or korma.
• Want something smoky? Choose chicken tikka, tandoori chicken or paneer tikka.
• Enjoy stronger spices? Rogan Josh or Jalfrezi may be worth trying.
• Looking for vegetarian options? Try saag paneer or chana masala.
• Want a complete rice-based dish? Biryani is a popular choice.
• Prefer small plates? Start with samosas, pakoras or tikka.
• Want something sweet afterwards? Finish with gulab jamun.

Exploring Indian Food in Stratford-upon-Avon

Indian food can be a great choice when you are dining with friends, family or a group because there is enough variety for different tastes. One person can choose a mild curry, another can order something spicy, while the table can share starters, breads, rice and sides.

For diners looking for an Indian restaurant in Stratford-upon-Avon, The Old Tramway offers an opportunity to enjoy Indian-inspired dishes in a relaxed restaurant and bar setting. Its location makes it a convenient option when you want to combine an Indian meal with an evening in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The best way to understand Indian cuisine is to try dishes with different cooking styles rather than ordering several curries that taste similar. A meal that combines a grilled starter, a curry, rice or naan, a vegetarian dish and dessert gives you a much better introduction to the range of flavours Indian food can offer.

Final Thoughts

Indian cuisine has something for almost every preference, from mild creamy curries and smoky tandoori dishes to spicy gravies, aromatic biryanis, vegetarian specialities and traditional sweets.

You do not need to know every spice or regional cooking style before ordering. Start with dishes that match the flavours you already enjoy, then gradually try something different. If you are exploring Indian food in Stratford-upon-Avon, a meal at The Old Tramway can be a good opportunity to discover several of these popular dishes in one sitting.