Anaz in Blackburn with Darwen

Lovely food as alwys Long as can remember 🔥❤️❤️

Chose to go here because it has mainly good reviews. My favourite Indian dish is pathia which I try in almost every Indian restaurant I visit and usually love it, however this one was decidedly bland and uninspiring; the nan was really good though. The service was fine - the restaurant was busy, but we weren’t in any rush. But the lighting… OMG you nearly need a welding mask it’s so bright! The atmosphere could be drastically improved by just dimming everything so it feels more warm and welcoming. It wasn’t a terrible experience by any stretch, but the pleasure was mainly due to being with a good friend I hadn’t seen for ages, and not the overall dining experience. Unlike some other great Indian restaurants I know dotted round the UK, this place did not grab me enough to make me think I’ll go back. Sorry!

Consistently good food in a beautiful restaurant.

Absolutely wonderful evening, thank you so much,food absolutely incredible and wonderful staff, totally recommend the restaurant, AWSOME. Can not wait to return

Staff food and service were exceptional. We especially enjoyed the silver service. So good to be served properly in an age of click and drop it on the table you get in other restaurants. Vibrant atmosphere as very busy. Menu was excellent. Flavours unique to every dish. Papadums and pickles were light, fresh and delicious. I had Coriander Fish Curry which was excellent. Great find we will be back.

Simply the best restaurant for miles around. Been going here for at least 7 years. Professional, attentive and friendly staff, great ambience, great food, great value. The best Indian I have ever visited.

What a find . Ventured from Ramsbottom to Darwen to this great restaurant. So clean friendly attentive and great food . For the first time since visiting India i had food that you could taste every single ingredient and each dish had its own flavours. Fantastic Chicken Chat which i loved as street food in Calcutta! I Loved the unique menu

Very busy Indian restaurant in the heart of Darwen town centre. Place is spotless, staff very efficient and polite. We called in on a Saturday eve and it was heaving, despite not having a booking we were shown to a seating area where we could view the menu and have a pre dinner drink. A table became available after around a 20 minute wait. The let down for us was the food, nothing wrong with it but nothing special either, just your bog standard Indian fare available almost everywhere. Given its local reputation for food, how smart and well kept the building is, we expected more and left a little disappointed. We wont be rushing back anytime soon.

When Ali the owner isn’t there, the service is absolutely shocking, no smiles on the waiters faces, pushy, really bad attitudes. Ali, sort them out, get better service at Akash, just the food isn’t as good as Anaz

Not been to many Indian restaurants as it I don't always favour this sort of food but Anaz as got to be the best king prawn curry I have ever had. We will definitely be returning for more.

The customer service is gorgeous 💕 and the food is heavenly 😇

Highly recommended. Great food, great price! I will definitely be back.

We booked to eat here for a family Christmas meal on Christmas Day. The restaurant was rammed and massively overbooked. By 7 o clock there was no signs of me and my family being seen to. I asked if our table was nearly ready several times and we were fobbed off each time. Just after 7, I asked for a refund and we left, no apology at all. Absolutely disgusted with the amount of overbookings and not being able to sit down on Christmas Day and share a meal with my family. Zero out of 10.

As soon as I walked in it was mega busy and I thought perhaps it may not run smoothly when I saw some staff running around with a little look of stress/panic. It was 8 of us, they came and took our drinks orders promptly and after we had got them another member off staff came over with the same drinks. This happened a couple of times but was no bother. The food I have to say was amazing and everyday was happy. The flavours are all authentic aromatic etc. Spot on. On xmas day it is cash only and they do put prices up, something that struck me as odd as Christmas is not a celebratory day for Muslims and they would be open as usual anyway. Staff wouldn't need paying extra as again it is just classed as an ordinary day. There was 5 in my part of the group and in total was 150 to pay and that was with the 25 deposit knocked off. Now 175 for an Indian for 5 is pretty expensive even if it was enjoyable. Would I go again, of course and probably again next xmas even though it is expensive. Because compared to the Fernhurst which I booked last year at 250 quid this food was flavourful and not frozen crap like Fernhurst. So would rather stick with anaz. And the staff are lovely.

Just brilliant, thanks 😊 four starters, four mains, and 8 drinks very reasonable. Loved it will definitely go back

3.5 starts. Mediocre. I think maybe I expected too much because everyone had good words but it was very so so, nothing special. Had lamb chops and rogan josh, pretty bland.. Ours was a long table, very tight for space, once you sat down u can't get out unless person next to you gets out too.

I ordered a takeaway from Anaz on Sunday 26th Nov 2023. the food was collected and was stone cold. The chips were cold and tasteless. The curry was watery and cold. Sauces had just been spooned into large tin curry trays. Really really poor I would avoid this place, worst curry I have had cold and tasteless!

This is the best Imdian Restaurant I know. Been going for 25 years and it always impresses. Excellent food, service, lovely decor and well priced 👌

Fabulous Food and Great Service everytime! Highly Reccomended.

Dissapointing. I haven't been to Anaz for some 35 or more years, but I remember it well. As soon as our party of 4 walked through the door, we knew things wouldn't run that smoothly. It was absolutely heaving. Our table was at 6:30, and 7:10 we were seated, and poppadoms were promptly provided. However, no sooner that we started to eat those, the starters arrived. The table was cramped, to say the least, and we were taken aback as we felt like we were rushed, but then.. it was 1hr later and our mains hadn't arrived. I asked where they were, and an apology was provided, that they were very busy. Then...their thank you drink arrived, you know the one you get at the end of the meal! eventually, 1hr 20 mins later, our mains came, and at that point, the table became way too small. We all commented on how bland and watery our curries were, there was no individuality to any of the dishes, the naans were good especially my fresh garlic and chilli, but that didn't make up for the curries. Oh, and 1.5 hours from entering, I was still asking where my water was. I'm sorry, Mr Ali, we won't be returning. Your curries were nothing like what you used to make me, way back then. It was you who worked me up to a naga curry all those years ago. Your tables are too small, and your staff were overwhelmed by the number of people they had to deal with. It seems you have put quantity over quality, which is a shame.

Love this place, been travelling to Darwen to eat here for nearly 40 years

Great, high quality food, service is excellent. Will be coming back here again for sure!

Mr Ali and his team are always welcoming. There’s a reason they’ve been open for so long!

A lot better than the Raj. It was very tasty.

Never a bad meal,excellent staff really helpfu,l long time favourite of mine, known Mr Ali for over 40 years and he still comes in to oversea his staff.

Couldn't find the prices online anywhere, Called the restaurant to ask about where their prices are, only to be told they can't be accessed without going into the restaurant! I have no issue with paying a decent price for decent food, but I do have a problem with prices intentionally being hidden. Disingenuous and pretty rude. I instead called another Indian in Darwen, who were more than happy to share their prices and we subsequently booked there.

Food amazing so is the staff would recommend to anyone lovely scrounging and felt very comfortable staff make you feel spe

Great place to eat great food ,only one thing negative about it ,its very bright in there ,to many lights, but please go you won't regret this experience

Great long standing resturant. Very good food served quick. Reasonable priced food and drink.

Food and service, excellent, staff friendly service spot in with time between starters and main perfect. Only criticism is that it is a little bit too bright and maybe ambient lighting would help. Will be coming again though.

Normally rate the anaz 5 star but this visit in july has ruined it for us and we will not return firstly one of the waiters was constantly staring at us even whilst eating and we felt uncomfortable also the food on this occasion was not great we will Now be going to the raj mahal opposite which is a better experience mr ali u need to train your staff not to stare at. Customers otherwise you wont have any customers left also your food is not consistent this is not good enough

Went here with the little lady for a meal. Bank holiday Sunday. It was busy but not overly. We were greeted by the manager,who has been there for years. Very welcoming indeed. We sat in the lounge bit waiting for a table. Had a few drinks and then we were seated. I had a mixed starter and the little lady had meat samosas. Very nice 👍. For main meals I had chicken tikka Rogan Josh and rice, little lady had lamb keema and chips. Very tasty indeed. Will be going again. Top notch grub.

Just had another fantastic meal at Anaz. The staff are amazing and the food is always delicious and excellent value. We have never had a bad meal in all the years we have been going to this restaurant. Keep up the good work 👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Always come here when in Darwen. Great food, staff are brilliant. Good choice of menu. 5 star.

A lovely warm, clean restaurant with very attentive staff and excellent food.

Second time here and again good customer service and very clean the food is out of this world mr Ali the owner is a wonderful person very respectful along with the waiters really made us feel welcome I definitely will be going back again 😀 thank you.

Fantastic food, friendly staff what more do you need will definitely be returning

Lovely food and service, thanks Anaz

All round excellent but could have been more meat/ chicken in my main dish

The place was clean enough. I like a chicken madras and found it was a bit basic here. Still enjoyed it though.

Consistently tasty food on all our visits. Option to go hotter on some of the dishes. Attentive service. Will definitely continue to go to the Anaz.

Amazing curry, onion baji etc. Great service and friendly staff. Also very clean. I can’t wait to come again!

The food here is excellent although I find the nann breads to soft and fluffy. I prefer mine to be a little more crisp! A meal for two with poppadoms, main meal, 1 garlic nann and two drinks was £42.50. Go see for yourself.

Everything amazing ... Always happy after 35 years of going here! The manager is a legend and remembers all his customers who attend. Great business man!

Boring and overpriced…and boring! The atmosphere was like a cruise ship with neutral music and nothing resembling an Indian restaurant. Staff were polite however Chapatis were £2 each(after complaining to the owner, apparently this is cheap…), this is the equivalent of trying to sell a slice of bread for a pound (and thats generous). Overall, boring and glad to leave this place. Food lacked depth and also portion, although more concerned about the former. I was glad to leave. Hope you have a better experience

Quite simply exquisite in every way, I chose prawn puri starter and lamb shank madras both of which were first class. The establishment is spotlessly clean and well decorated, the service was attentive and genuinely friendly , welcoming and professional. One of the best if not the best restaurant in the North West.

We travelled from Blackpool especially to go to the Anaz Indian restaurant. The restaurant is very clean and well kept. The owner and staff are very welcoming and attentive. The food was excellent. The best pakora I've had in years, the batter was so light. You can have your main course as mild or hot as you prefer. Will definitely be going back.

Fantastic food but ordering a vodka and coke it was pored out of a vodka bottle but tasted of Perno the second one tasted of jd eventually they went a bought a bottle of vodka The bill did add up when we checked the day after It was my 60th and there was 18 of us so it was harder to add up at the time

Outstanding food. Great service. Very reasonably priced. Highly recommended.

what a fantastic meal we had here would definately go again.

Lovely food; first visit here; great service. Only downside was the under par poppadoms (undercooked? warmed up?)

First time visiting this location with friends. The menu provided a good selection of dishes, the staff were friendly and the service was very good as was the venue. We all enjoyed our food, of which there plenty. Considering we visited on a Wednesday and early, it soon got busy, it's well worth a visit.

Second time in a week we have been, who would have realised this little slice of heaven was in darwen? The food was amazing, the service was above an beyond what i expected and Mr Ali gives a personal touch that most restaurant owners neglect. I had an absolutely lovely evening both nights and for a price that actually shocked me. In short great value for money, amazing customer service and food i can not praise high enough.

Excellent place, the food and service was top class.

First time and it won’t be the last. Good and service was amazing. The portions are perfect sizes. You should really give this one a try.

Excellent service and food was excellent as usual highly recommended. Top notch👍😊

Been here many times always delicious food and tonights meal was incredible the waiters were super friendly and welcoming the restaurant is immaculately clean and also comfortable i recommend the anaz

Only got a takeaway from her for 6 of us. All good food at reasonable price. Staff helped to take good to car which was nice touch.

This is the best Curry Restaurant that I have ever been introduced to, thanks to my lovely Darwen family.... Mr Ali is in charge of magnificent food served by a fine tuned group of friendly staff in extremely comfortable surroundings ..... The presentation of our banquet of spectacular food was exceptional... Our home town Curry establishments back in Perth, Western Australia can't compare with our group of fours brilliant evening meal.... Will look forward to revisiting and giving Mr Ali another well deserved hug !

Such a clean beautiful restaurant, amazing service and the food was delicious. Will definitely be back thank you

Visited for the first time on Monday evening. A warm welcome was given. Our meal was top class and the service excellent even though they were busy with 2 large parties. Been a while since we enjoyed an Indian meal as much. Well worth a visit.

Excellent food and friendly staff! Not been for years but will definitely visit again soon

Delicious, great service with very friendly staff. Food came quickly and was fresh and tasty. Look forward to coming again.

Never had a bad meal, been going over 30 years, friendly staff, nice decor.

Attended on a very very busy Saturday night. We had to wait for our table as it was so busy but this was fine as we had pushed our booking back very last minute.. The service was a bit ragged. Very speedy at some points pedestrian at others but I can forgive this at what I would say is the busiest Indian restaurant, I have ever seen. The waiting staff were working flat out and did a good job. Despite the volume of customers the quality of food was good. Would recommend but suspect would be even better when not so busy. Very very good. Thank you.

Came here for a family meal for my 40th birthday. Felt rushed straight away with the service. Ordered poppadoms to start and we only just started when they bought out our starters which we said we aren't ready, the server give us the dirty look and said he would tell the kitchen. Never happened before. Server's rushing everyone in the dining room, made us very uncomfortable. Bring back Mr. Anaz, never there now we us go and this seems to us the problem. Food, great as always. Service needs slowing right down. Don't think we will be back this time.

Love it here . Food is always brilliant and the staff are brilliant too . Best curry house in Darwen 😁👍

Must be the best Indian. Always spot on for cleanliness, service, food and prices. Excellent curries. Garlic Nans are the best. Staff so friendly and efficient. See you again soon.

It was OK but felt that we were being rushed

What a disappointment. Table booked for the 7.30 pm sitting. We were shown to the table at 7.35, ordered food before 8 pm but didn’t get the actual meal until 9.50pm. Totally unacceptable. When the food did eventually arrive it was good. We also had to wait ages for our drinks to arrive, when they did it the order was wrong. The staff worked really hard but there just wasn’t enough of them for the amount of people in the restaurant. We’ve always enjoyed the Anas restaurant but we won’t be going back after this. Shame

Went Christmas eve with the16 members of family, everything was over priced, had to ask for deposit to be knocked off are bill, curry was watery and had no taste, when we mentioned it his reply was "I'll tell the chef" not the response I was hoping for considering our bill was over £500

Visited Christmas Eve after having many meals here in the past. Was told we had to be there before 5.30pm due to staggered bookings which was fine as we had to leave by 7.30pm. There were 5 children on our 2 tables. After constantly asking it was 1 hour 45 minutes before the children received any food. Extortionate prices and told our 2 year old had to order a full meal ! Usually 3 children share a curry ! The staff served other tables that came in after us with food yet left our children nearly 2 hours from arrival without anything. No apology they just kept saying it was because of Christmas, the restaurant was empty when we arrived ! We took our family saying it was the best in town! Never again.

Had a fantastic Christmas day meal with my wife and mum Very nice time had by everyone Great food , attentive staff Definitely recommend.

Went for a meal for Christmas Eve with friends. We have all been visiting the Anaz for years. Sadly this will be our last time. Came away feeling ripped off. Where have those prices come from ! My husbands curry was just thin sauce and hardly any prawns. The soggy chips had been pre cooked and quickly refried. Not only had all the prices been increase they now no longer even included a side. £4.50 each for a portion of soggy chips and a couple of spoons of plain rice. I don’t know where these prices come from ! Between £16 and £20 each for a curry and rice ! Waiter never once asked if the meal was ok. In fact I cannot remember any member of staff actually speaking to us at all. We did notice Mr Ali wasn’t around as usually service is good. Have visited for more years I remember but won’t be going again.

Very friendly. I was asked a couple of times during every course 'was the meal okay'? When working near Darwen, I will definitely return.

As always wonderful food and service your staff Mr Ali are very hard working and a credit to your restaurant.

Superb food excellent service as always,been coming here for 35yrs never changes Mr Ali always makes us welcome Sylvia/Bob from Hawkshaw xx

Visited with two other couples. Ordered several main dishes to share and found the source for each was very similar although they should be varied.

Great restaurant with modern decor, friendly staff and most importantly, mega food. I had a Lamb Biriani with a Naga sauce and it was delicious. Not too hot, but just full of flavour. Recommended.

Absolutely delicious food, I had the spiced lamb shank with a spicy sauce. The service was fast but not hurried. It was busy but not noisey. Great selection of food. The beer was okay. Only criticism would be the naan bread, I've had better. Extremely clean premises and well presented staff.

Great curry and excellent, welcoming staff, highly recommended and very good value.

Love Anaz, the food is amazing Mr Ali and his staff go the extra mile to make your visit very special.

Quite possibly the finest Indian restaurant I've been in, Highly recommended +++

As yet I haven't found a better India restaurant than this...superb, you won't be disappointed ++

Great food and ser vice.first visit but not last one

Lovely staff but unfortunately not great food. Visited 20 + years ago then again last week. I obviously cannot recall what the food was like 20 years ago but last week it was somewhat bland and uninspiring, especially lack of vegetarian options. The place itself is dated and in need of modernisation but its got a loyal following of locals who go back time after time, so give it a try and judge for yourself.

3 of us went for dinner on a Wednesday evening. I managed to park on the road directly across from the restaurant. Up to 7pm you are limited to 30 minutes but our table was booked for 7.30pm so no issues. Large step at entrance but hand grabs on both sides to help get in and out. Didn't see an alternative entrance do cannot confirm if wheelchair friendly. Place wasn't that busy but a fairly large party came in shortly after us. Meant plenty of options on where to sit. We placed our order whilst seated at the bar. Lots of space there. They did seem to have quite a few people coming in for takeaway orders. We were shown to a table by the front window looking out onto the main road. Initially impressions were good. The place looked very clean and tidy. And plenty of spaces between tables. We had ordered 3 starters. Onion Bhaji; Shish kebab and Lamb Puri. For mains Chicken Dupiaza with chips; Chicken Korai and Lamb Shank. Both meals came with chips or boiled or pilau rice. For £1.00 you could get one of the special rices. We opted for the Garlic rice. And I ordered a Garlic Naan bread. Had ordered a pint of Cobra. Reasonably priced at £4.50. Starters arrived promptly. Once finished we were asked if we wanted to wait for mains or have as soon as they were ready. We opted to have as soon as they were ready. I had ordered the Lamb. Plenty of meat on it and very tender. It was easy to get off the bone. Dish is served medium but you can ask for hotter. I asked for mine around madras strength. It was fine. I could have handled spicier so those into Indian cuisine might want to address that when ordering. Have to be honest the Nann bread wasn't one of the better ones I've had. But then again nothing wrong with it. I finished my meal and I was full. Staff were attentive. Came over several times to check everything was ok. Also quick to take dishes and the tea light warmers away once they were finished with therby clearing space on the tables. A free shot of Baileys ended the meal. Been a long time since I had that in a restaurant so it was a nice touch. No issues at all. Although not the best Indian restaurant I have ever visited it was a very nice venue with some interesting dishes on the menu and at reasonable prices. I would recommend this restaurant and would visit again.

Excellent food beautifully served by attentive staff'in a recently refurbished dining room Their freshly-cooked naans were a delight. We will be back.

Always a pleasure, very friendly and good food.

What a find, we found this almost by accident and we have found a jewel in the crown. This is an Indian restaurant par excellance , superbly helpful and pleasant staff The food is superb , we were possibly the only non Indian people in there, which in my mind speaks volumes for the food and the service , neither can be faulted . If you enjoy proper Indian cuisine this is the place , if you just want a curry visit it and you will learn about Indan food and you will never just want a curry again.

My husband and I ate there 3 times in the week and 1/2 in Darwen. Food excellent and service was great. Staff very friendly and attentive. Will definitely eat there next year when we come back.

I've been to Anaz for years and years now and it never disappoints. The quality is consistent, prices are great and the staff are superb.

Best Indian in the north west 👍👍👍

This evening decided to order First time and will never be ordering again, ordered king biriani which did not even taste like curry with rice that was very hard to even eat and didn’t even look like curry, was meant to be veg curry and...

Excellent restaurant situated in a prominent position, great choice, good service, friendly and absolutely spotless.

Absolutely terrible, table for 6 tonight and all 6 of us are absolutely disgusted and disappointed, meal upon meal was forced upon us and if anyone dare refuse they got the 'racist treatment. Don't let these animals get away with it, my Granddad is over 90 years old. Have some respect. Absolute joke of an establishment.

A lovely curry..enjoyed by all and always a warm welcome.

Fabulous food. Amazing service. Definitely going again.

Absolutely wonderful food and service, as always. A credit to Darwen ❤️

Great food, great service and great value as always.