Planet Bollywood

Walking down Glebe Street in Stoke, you'll spot this place by the steady stream of locals who've been coming here for years – always a good sign. The dining room feels properly welcoming without any fuss, just decent lighting and enough space between tables that you can actually have a conversation. The menu reads like a greatest hits of Indian cooking, but everything's executed with the kind of care that separates the good places from the mediocre ones. Their curries have proper depth – none of that watery nonsense you get at chain places – and the naan bread arrives at your table still puffing with heat. Portions are generous enough that you'll likely be taking leftovers home, which is never a bad thing when the food's this good.