Portsmouth and Southsea take their curry seriously, mixing old-school curry houses with newer kitchens all chasing the city’s custom. After working through a small mountain of poppadoms, here is where to go, ranked.
1. The Akash
On Albert Road in Southsea, The Akash is the most decorated curry house in the city. This Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant, run by Faz Ahmed, has been a finalist for Restaurant of the Year at the English Curry Awards, with its chef shortlisted for national recognition too.
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The cooking backs up the trophies: classic dishes done with real care, in a comfortable sit-down setting that suits a proper night out rather than a quick in-and-out.
The strong points
- the strongest award pedigree on Albert Road;
- consistently well-executed Indian and Bangladeshi cooking;
- a comfortable room for a sit-down meal;
- a dependable choice for a special occasion.
The weak points
- it is a touch pricier than the budget balti houses;
- weekend tables book up, so reserve ahead.
Our pick for the best all-round curry in Portsmouth, and the one we would send a visitor to first.
2. The Golden Curry
A few doors along at 16 Albert Road, The Golden Curry is the dependable value champion. It cooks fresh on the premises, serves good food at a fair price, stays open late, and delivers, which covers most of what anyone actually wants from a curry house.
It is less about the frills and more about getting a proper, satisfying curry without a fuss or a big bill.
The strong points
- excellent value for the quality;
- fresh cooking and generous portions;
- open late, with delivery available;
- a reliable Albert Road fixture.
The weak points
- the setting is simpler than the pricier spots;
- it gets busy for late orders at the weekend.
Where we go when we want a great curry without turning it into an event.
3. Spice Merchants
Over on Osborne Road, Spice Merchants is the pick of the other main curry cluster. It is strong for both eating in and taking away, and it holds a consistently high local rating across the board.
It is the kind of all-rounder that quietly does everything well, which is exactly why it stays busy.
The strong points
- reliable quality for eat-in and takeaway alike;
- a consistently high local reputation;
- a central Osborne Road location;
- a broad, crowd-pleasing menu.
The weak points
- it can be hard to get a table at peak times;
- less of a destination setting than the marina spots.
The safe bet if you are already in the Osborne Road end of Southsea.
4. Bombay Bay
Down at Southsea Marina on Fort Cumberland Road, Bombay Bay trades on something the Albert Road crowd cannot offer: a waterside setting. You get solid Indian cooking with marina views, which makes it more of a destination than a local.
It is worth the short trip out to Eastney when you want your curry with a bit of scenery attached.
The strong points
- a genuine water view with your meal;
- solid, dependable Indian cooking;
- a more relaxed, destination feel;
- a change of scene from the main clusters.
The weak points
- it is further out, so you will likely drive or taxi;
- the setting does a little of the talking, so manage expectations on price.
“It is the one we suggest when someone wants a curry that feels like an outing,” says a member of our team. “You are eating by the water, not on the high street.”
5. Saffron Spice
A newer arrival on Osborne Road, Saffron Spice pitches itself as fine Indian cuisine with a lighter, healthier style of cooking. It comes from the same owner as the El Toro tapas bar nearby, so it arrived with some local pedigree behind it.
The positioning is a little smarter than the neighbourhood norm, aimed at diners who want their Indian food a touch more refined.
The strong points
- a lighter, more modern take on Indian cooking;
- a smarter setting than the average curry house;
- backed by experienced local owners.
The weak points
- it is the newest name here, with the shortest track record;
- the refined approach comes at a slightly higher price.
One to watch, and already worth a visit if you like your curry on the elegant side.
6. Bombay Express Balti House
Back on Albert Road, Bombay Express Balti House is the old-school neighbourhood balti spot that rounds out the list. It is a long-standing local favourite with a steady following, the sort of place that has fed the same streets for years.
If a proper balti and a pile of starters is your idea of a good night, this is familiar, friendly territory.
The strong points
- a classic balti-house menu done honestly;
- good value and generous portions;
- a long-standing, well-liked local spot;
- handy for the Albert Road crowd.
The weak points
- it is traditional rather than modern or refined;
- the setting is basic compared with the top of this list.
Comfort-food curry with no pretensions, and none the worse for it.
The scores side by side
The ratings at a glance (out of 10)
| Position | Name | Score (out of 10) | % (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Akash | 8.6 / 10 | 86% out of 100 |
| 2 | The Golden Curry | 8.2 / 10 | 82% out of 100 |
| 3 | Spice Merchants | 7.9 / 10 | 79% out of 100 |
| 4 | Bombay Bay | 7.5 / 10 | 75% out of 100 |
| 5 | Saffron Spice | 7.2 / 10 | 72% out of 100 |
| 6 | Bombay Express Balti House | 6.9 / 10 | 69% out of 100 |
What the comparison shows
Albert Road and Osborne Road remain the two engines of Portsmouth curry, and between them they cover almost every craving. The Akash edges the top on its award record and all-round quality, with The Golden Curry close behind on sheer value. After that it comes down to what you are after on the night: a water view at Bombay Bay, a lighter plate at Saffron Spice, or an honest balti at Bombay Express.
How we ranked them
Every restaurant was scored out of ten on food quality, value, setting and local reputation, with value and consistency weighted most heavily because a curry house lives or dies on the everyday visit. We stuck to places we could confirm are open and well established, and we left out a couple of highly rated names we could not verify.
Picking the right one for tonight
To save you scrolling back up, here is the short version:
- for the best all-rounder, book The Akash;
- for value and a late order, go to The Golden Curry;
- for a view with your curry, head to Bombay Bay;
- for something lighter and smarter, try Saffron Spice.
Whichever you choose, Portsmouth makes it very easy to eat well with a fork in one hand and a naan in the other.
