Rani Indian Restaurant, Newcastle Upon Tyne

You'll find Rani tucked away on Queen Street, right in the heart of the city centre, and it's the kind of place that's been doing the same thing brilliantly for years without needing to reinvent itself. Walk in and you're met with warm staff who genuinely seem pleased to see you, none of that corporate politeness. The menu reads like a proper Indian restaurant should—think tandoori, proper dals, and curries that taste like someone's actually cooked them rather than heated them up. Expect to spend around £15-25 per head without drinks, which feels fair for the quality you're getting. It's packed most nights with a real mix of locals and visitors who've done their homework.