Named after one of the most culturally and historically significant sites in Kathmandu, Durbar Square is an authentic Nepalese restaurant situated in the very heart of West Didsbury which began life as a takeaway only before expanding to eat-in due to popular demand. While the leafy South Manchester suburb seems a million miles from the mountains of South Asia (in reality, it’s just over 4,500, as the crow flies), the team here are all about paying respect to their own roots, and this is obvious in the food itself. Combining flavours from the family’s homeland and neighbouring India, Chef Binod achieves the impossible by transporting us from North West England to remote faraway foothills.
While our city is blessed with a great choice in terms of cuisine from the sub continent, Durbar Square’s menu really makes the place stand out. Starting with the starters — as if there were any other place — it quickly becomes clear this isn’t just another cookie cutter operation. Top Non-Veg options include the Chilly Squid and Lamb Keema Pav, while vegetarians can kick off their feast with a Beetroot Kebab, Gobi Manchuran (wok-fried cauliflower prepared the Indo-Chinese way), or an Okra Fry. All of which are equally delectable (and only scratch the surface for first courses.)
Moving into the main, and those looking for a traditional curry can enjoy a range of biryani dishes, although Durbar Square is really about more unusual and fusion creations. Vegetable schezwan noodles, haka noodles, fried and steamed momo dumplings, Nepali platters (bhel puri, dahi puri, sev puri), and nalli nehari are among the items that you don’t see in enough places. Each dish perfectly represents the uniqueness of the region that created them. And this is before we’ve mentioned spectacular slow-cooked Himalayan lamb or whole fish, fiery chicken vishaka, rajasthani laal maas, Imli aubergine, or the range of dosas (from chilli cheese to onion rava).