Hen & Chicken

Head down to Southwater and you'll find yourself in a dining room that feels genuinely welcoming—none of that try-hard fussiness you sometimes get. The kitchen takes its spicing seriously without showing off about it, and the regulars here aren't messing about either. You'll notice families squeezed around tables next to couples, everyone tucking into curries that taste like they've got time and care behind them. It's the kind of spot where staff know what you like, and that matters when you're choosing between a biryani and a proper lamb rogan josh. Twenty-odd quid for a main course keeps it honest, and the ratings speak for themselves—people keep coming back because the food's the real deal.