7 Hertfordshire Indian restaurants I’d book again

I’m always happy to back an independent Indian restaurant when it gets the basics right: proper flavour, a room that feels lived-in rather than generic, and a menu that works for a mixed table. In Hertfordshire, that means places people actually book for birthdays, family meals and easy weeknight dinners — from Welwyn Garden City and Hertford to St Albans, Hitchin and Turnford.

The Don

The Don at Woodhall shops, Welwyn Garden City is the kind of place you notice because people keep returning to it for an excellent, reliable curry night. We have been dining here regularly since it opened in July 2013, and it's always been consistently good.

The Don serves the usual spread of starters, mains, rice, breads and sides you’d expect from a proper local Indian restaurant, with delivery and collection also available alongside dine-in. That makes it useful whether you’re planning a sit-down meal or just want something sorted for home.

This suits families and groups who want familiar dishes without fuss, especially if you’ve got mixed spice preferences at the table.

Now talking of spice, if you do enjoy a hot curry, be sure to try the Chicken Tikka Naga, which carries some smoky heat, or my personal favourite, the Jhaal Chicken; with strips of chicken breast marinated with hot naga chillies, it is a hot meal best washed down with a large bottle of Bangla, an excellent Indian lager stocked at the Don.

With plenty of parking directly outside, the Don is arguably my go-to Indian in Hertfordshire. If you want something dependable in Welwyn Garden City, it's well worth a visit. It's big enough that you can normally walk in and get a table, but if you’re eating in at a busy time, booking is the sensible move.

Shahenshah

Shahenshah in Hertford has the feel of a restaurant that knows its regulars and keeps the menu broad enough to cover most moods. Its own site lists a wide choice of Indian dishes, including familiar curries, tandoori options and vegetarian picks, so it’s a safe bet when you’re dining with people who all want something slightly different. It’s a central Hertford option that’s built for proper meals out rather than a quick bite.

Best for relaxed dinners with friends or family, Shahenshah is the sort of place where you can order widely and keep everyone happy. If you’re heading out at the weekend, I’d book ahead rather than hoping for a walk-in table, though it is a big restaurant, so they normally have space. It’s a practical choice for Hertford locals who want a classic curry house feel without having to travel far.

Ginger Bar & Restaurant

Ginger Bar & Restaurant in Hertford is a good shout if you want an Indian restaurant that feels a touch more polished for an evening out. The restaurant describes a menu built around Indian and Bangladeshi cooking, with a broad enough range to cover starters, mains and sides, so you’re not stuck with one narrow style of dish. It’s the sort of place people can use for both a casual meal and a more dressed-up booking.

It works well for couples, small groups and anyone meeting friends in Hertford for dinner before or after a night out. The practical tip is simple: if you’re going on a Friday or Saturday, book rather than assume you’ll get lucky. If you like a slightly smarter room than the average curry house, this is one to try.

Veer Dhara

Veer Dhara in St Albans is worth a look if you want plenty of choice and a menu that reaches beyond the standard curry-house shortlist. Its menu includes a wide mix of starters, grills, biryanis, vegetarian dishes and house specials, so it can handle a table with varied tastes. For St Albans diners, that makes it a useful one for both casual dinners and bigger family outings.

This is a good pick when you’re feeding a mixed group and need options for meat-eaters, vegetarians and anyone who doesn’t want too much heat. The sensible move is to check what you actually fancy before you go, because the breadth of the menu can make ordering slower when everyone’s hungry. If you’re planning a day in town, it pairs neatly with a film at The Odyssey Cinema.

Paprika Indian Restaurant

Paprika Indian Restaurant in Hitchin is the sort of local restaurant people keep in their back pocket for dependable Indian food in town. The menu covers the usual bases well, with starters, mains, vegetarian dishes and sides, so it’s easy to build a meal whether you’re after a simple curry or a bigger family spread. It’s a sensible choice for Hitchin residents who want a no-nonsense dinner out.

Paprika suits people who want reliable rather than flashy, especially if you’re dining with kids or older relatives and need a menu that won’t cause arguments. I’d treat it as a useful local booking for weekends and family occasions, particularly if you’re not in the mood for experimentation. In Hitchin, that kind of consistency matters more than big claims.

Chilli Raj

Chilli Raj in St Albans is another strong option for a straightforward Indian meal, with a menu that covers curries, biryanis, starters and vegetarian choices. There’s also an ordering page for collection and delivery, which gives you a sense of how many people use it for both eat-in meals and nights at home. For St Albans, it’s a practical restaurant rather than a showy one.

It’s best for people who want familiar dishes done properly, especially when you’ve got a family table to please or you’re choosing between dining out and staying in. If you’re going in person, it’s worth booking for busier nights; if you’re ordering in, it’s the kind of place that works when you want the meal to be easy and the decision-making minimal.

Cumin Bar & Restaurant

Cumin Bar & Restaurant in Turnford gives Broxbourne-area diners a reliable local Indian restaurant without needing to head into a bigger town. The restaurant’s own details point to a full dine-in experience with the usual mix of starters, mains and sides, and the bar element makes it a handy option for a proper evening meal rather than a quick takeaway stop. It’s useful for anyone in Turnford who wants a nearby sit-down curry.

This is the one I’d pick for an easy dinner when you want local and unfussy, especially if you’re meeting friends from nearby Cheshunt or Broxbourne and don’t want the logistics of travelling further. As ever, book if you’re going at peak times. For a low-stress night out, it does exactly what it needs to do.

My final order

If I had to narrow this lot down, I’d choose based on the day rather than try to crown one outright winner. For a reliable local meal, The Don and Paprika are the easy-book, easy-order picks. For a slightly smarter dinner out, Ginger Bar & Restaurant and Veer Dhara feel strongest. If you’re in Turnford or Broxbourne, Cumin saves you the trip.

Quick shortlist

• The Don — Reliable Welwyn Garden City curry night.
• Shahenshah — Broad menu, central Hertford.
• Ginger Bar & Restaurant — Polished feel for dinner out.
• Veer Dhara — Big menu for mixed groups.
• Paprika Indian Restaurant — Dependable Hitchin favourite.
• Chilli Raj — Good for eat-in or takeaway.
• Cumin Bar & Restaurant — Handy local option for Turnford.

A good Indian restaurant should make choosing feel easy, not stressful. These seven do that in different ways, and each is worth knowing if you eat out around Hertfordshire.