Mister Singh's India

Indian, 149 Elderslie St, Glasgow G3 7JR

£72.90 for two starters, two mains, and rice and naan for two

This was our first visit to Mr Singh’s India, a Glasgow institution known as much for its celebrity visitors as its curries. The walls are covered in photos of famous faces, and while we would have liked more time to take them all in, our focus very quickly shifted to the food.

We were greeted by several friendly servers as soon as we walked in and shown to a table in the centre of the restaurant. Service throughout the evening was efficient and attentive: starters arrived quickly, food was served promptly, and our drinks were topped up regularly without us needing to ask.

We started with poppadoms and a trio of dips. They were fresh, crisp, and exactly what you’d expect. The dips were the classic combination and worked well, but we both felt there was room for something a bit more distinctive to match the personality of the restaurant. Very solid overall, we would give them a 7/10.

The vegetable pakora that followed was excellent. The texture was spot on, with a light, crisp coating and a soft interior, and the mix of spices and vegetables made it really satisfying. This was a simple but very well-executed starter.

For mains, Basil had the lamb pasanda, which turned out to be the highlight of the meal. The sauce was rich and layered, with sweetness from raisins, nuttiness from almonds, and a gentle creaminess that tied everything together. The lamb itself was tender and fell apart easily with a fork. Basil felt this was the best pasanda he has had so far.

Brie chose the chicken tikka balti, which was also a success. The chicken was tender and well-cooked, and the sauce was full of flavour without being overly heavy. It was a classic, comforting curry done very well.

On the side, we shared a garlic naan and boiled rice. The naan was generously coated in garlic butter and had a good, soft texture, ideal for mopping up the sauces. The boiled rice was exactly as expected and did its job as a straightforward accompaniment.

Overall, Mr Singh’s India gave us a very enjoyable first visit. The service was friendly and efficient, the atmosphere lively, and the food consistently strong, with the lamb pasanda standing out in particular. We left feeling well looked after and would happily return to explore more of the menu, and maybe spend a bit more time looking at those famous faces on the walls next time.