Cafe Maharba in Manchester

Fantastic family father/son business - had delicious Nan bread, chicken Buna with lentils, pilau rice, raita yoghurt, chicken tikka masala with rice - absolutely delicious, friendly staff, takeaway food, basic 4/5 small tables for two, all freshly cooked in front of you, not a fancy place but would definitely recommend for tasty, aromatic spicy food. Fabulous service with a smile 😊 thanks for everything 😁👍🍀 Karen +John, Spain 😛

I almost don't want to tell you how good this place is. If everyone gets to hear about it I might never get in. It's a small family run business that has been operating for 30 years. They have the only tandoor in the Northern Quarter and really care about what they are doing. I tend to have three curries on rice for £7 and have never been disappointed. Fantastic food made by lovely people. I can't wait to get back in there!

This is a hidden gem of a restaurant. All food fresh and authentic. I’ve been going there for 30 years and I just love it. The Nan bread from the clay oven is the best. Always welcoming and friendly and very reasonable prices.

Without doubt the best 'rice n three' in Manchester. Family owned little cafe on Back Piccadilly that only seats around 20. Most of the food is cooked fresh in an open kitchen after ordering, if you want your dish 'spicing' up or down just ask them. The food is always very flavoursome. Decent range on the menu and the staff are always helpful and friendly.

We went here for a sit down meal in their little family run cafe and we were not disappointed. No frills, just authentic home cooking at a very reasonable price. Reminded me of the little street cafes in India. Definitely go back here next time I'm in Manchester.

A family run cafe. Helpful and pleasant service. Food is prepared on order in the open kitchen. The dishes do not wow but are generous in portions, freshly made and satisfying. We asked for a takeaway to include: tandoori rotis - large and tasty chicken shish kebabs - good spices but a tad hot mixed vegetable curry - okay mushroom curry - tasty spinach pot - a tad hot. Reasonably priced for the ingredients and large portions.

I remember the first time I saw it - I thought it was just a kebab shop, and didn't fancy it. Years later, it remains the best, authentic, family-run curry cafe. At first during lockdown I was paying £30pp for Deliveroo...then realised it was still open, and I could save a fortune; their food is fantastic...and always worth getting their garlic naan.

I am a Desi good lover, who doesn’t consider fast food as proper food. I came to Manchester and searched for Halal Desi food. Saw their insta page first and found it via google maps. It’s located in the centre back of Piccadilly. Now the food I have been to many restaurants around different countries. But this one is way above and beyond my expectations. There’s no way any other place can be compared to Marhaba for the cleanliness and the taste. This is proper Halal food. You can’t find better food then Marhaba and if you’re looking for others just stop and try cafe Marhaba. I love the rice and curries the prices are very very reasonable. Give it a try I didn’t regret and you won’t either.

Been cafe Marhaba for years, always serve good food and great service! Very reasonable, definitely recommend! You can’t beat a good three curry on rice for £6!

Tucked away on a side street in the northern quarter. Well worth finding as the good is great. A little scruffy but great service and really tasty food. Try it and see what you think !

my boss comes here on a weekly basis, it is just behind piccadilly on a side street. I have only ever had the three curry and rice for £6 this week ,previously was £5, it's nice but there is only seating for about ten but is made fresh and tasty

2nd visit to this cafe for my lunch break, no complaints as the food is of highest quality. Naan bread is so soft it feels like a pillow. Definitely coming back again.

This place is absolutely one of those gems that you may walk past and never visit unless you know what's it about - and that is excellent food at a very reasonable price with no frills. There's not much that would tempt you in from the outside, but you'll want to return after visiting. I had three vege dishes, all of which were excellent, on the traditional side in style and flavour but packed with the latter. The spinach potato curry was the favourite of mine. Already looking forward to my next visit.

Went here with a mate after a few pints around that area, got to say it ticked all the boxes. Friendly and courteous service. Cheap and great tasting curries. Go!

After reading Hidden Gems in Manchester, I just had to find this little secret. After a fab win against Manchester City (2-0 to the mighty Wolves) a curry was the perfect end to a perfect day. Fabulous 3 Currys and rice and freshly made nan bread - with a little starter of samosas - £15 for 2 people! Can't ask for better! What a find!

Just had a lamb curry as a take away. It was excellent really spicy and tasty just as I requested This is my first visit to this establishment but it certainly will not be my last. Very highly recommended.

Después de leer algunos comentarios y tener en cuenta que esta no es una de las áreas más deseables para una visita, conservé una mente abierta. La comida que llegó en la primera degustación estaba bien, si bien no del todo como lo había anticipado, pero el arroz pesado y un plato de pescado que carece de pescado cambió mi mente tristemente. El tan esperado chapati nunca llegó, pero sí lo hizo el cartílago en el kebab. Basta con decir una sola visita.

Vengo aquí para almorzar con algunos compañeros de trabajo. Es pequeño, la comida tarda un poco en llegar pero merece la pena. Consigue el pollo tikka masala que no se parece en nada a lo que tú crees que será. Superar la ubicación y disfrutar de una deliciosa comida.

It may not look particularly appealing from the outside, but they do make some good curry there. It gets busier at lunchtime, the sign that they are doing things right. If you really peckish, order some naan to share.

Acabo de almorzar aquí. . . Tenía la opción de 3 curry en un lecho de arroz. . los tres curries sabían diferentes y deliciosos. Todo cocinado fresco a la orden caliente y abundante. Chapati recién hecho. Recomiendo encarecidamente que es definitivamente una joya escondida de Manchester. . #comida de la calle

Right near picadilly gardens. Quality food but the service is not that great. Owner is not friendly at all!

A great little place just off the main square, tucked down a lane. Small, clean and friendly with seating for a few but not many. The fresh baked naan with my dish was superb and our curries were both hot and tasty. Excellent value for money.

The ultimate hidden gem. Like some of the very best places, this is off the beaten track and no frills, but the food is not just incredible but extremely reasonable too. Favourite eatery in Manchester

Curry and a naan for around £6, no frills tiny cafe and takeaway. Quality of the food was top notch for those who like full flavoured spicy authentic food. Much better quality food than most expensive sit down restaurants that will charge you double, particularly the fresh naan, I hate those lukewarm thick doughy things some places dish up.

The caf may not look like much but the food is delicious. Such good value and a good range of veggie options too. I’ll be going back again and again.

At £5.00 the three curries and rice are great value and this ends up as the right size portion. Tasty and filling, good service in a small cafe which was full at 3pm.

Fantástica comida pakistaní. Mi marido pidió el 3 de arroz y curry - deliciosa, el cordero Jalfrezi excepcional. El arroz es deliciosa también, es preparado con plantas aromaticas, no simplemente de arroz hervido.

Been going here for years so thought I’d give it a review.

Went here by chance, curry was heated up in back along with rice that had. Some food items not available. It seems that most people go for the 3 curries and rice for £5 deal. If ever here again would get this. Food is homely and most curries made in front of you. Overall recommended if on a budget and is within the city centre of manchester in one of the back alleys. Taste was ok not good or outstanding.

Visited Cafe Marharba recently after hearing about the 3 curries and rice deal for £5. Once ordered we sat down and could see our food being cooked fresh. I ordered the chicken jalfrezi, vegetable and spinach. I have to admit I received far more veg than chicken which was slightly disappointing but the cook did offer me extra sauce as he could see my rice was a little dry. Staff were great and very hospitable- the only critique I have is the very tight and dark lit lighting. Overall good value for money. Would return again but maybe for a take out next time !

Had rice and 3 for £5. It seemed to be cooked fresh. Curry and Naan bread were lovely. Curries were tasty. Staff friendly.

Una revisión reciente no juzgar un libro por su portada - me hago eco de esto. Un nuevo hombre podría ser poco probable que venga aquí, está en un callejón de atrás, y no es exactamente un beacon estético. Pero sin duda debe ir - puede conseguir su arroz y tres por 5 kilos - casa delicias cocinadas. Hay 4 o 5 mesas para sentarse, pero son dos y es muy estrecho. Este es un pequeño gran casa de curry justo por los jardines de Piccadilly. Fuimos por los comentarios de ta - muy contento de haberlo hecho!

I have been coming to this place on and off for over 15 years. It is tucked out of the way. Probably need sat nav to find where it is if you have not been before.

Authentic, traditional, family owned... I'm in love! Three different curries with a very nice rice for only £5, delicious vegetarian options! They were also really nice

I really cannot emphasise enough how wonderfully delicious the food is here. I’ve been coming here ever since I moved to Manchester. Having moved to a different city, whenever I am near Manchester I always make it a point to visit here and have my favourite chicken tikka with a garlic naan.

I’ve been coming here since the late nineties, originally with my dad and now every time I’m back from London I make sure I visit here. The food is simply amazing, the sort of food my mum would make and that’s about as great a compliment as I can give. I love this place and it is truly a hidden gem. Make sure you get a nihari on a Sunday if I’m the area.

No puedo creer que a pesar de visitar este lugar regularmente por al menos 20 años nunca he revisado. . . . . . .

The cafe front looks grim but the food is great. I have been going here for over 15 years and it is brilliant if you are happy with simple surroundings. There are only a few tables with two chairs at each and they are squashed in but the food is consistently good and cheap. The chapattis are the best I've had.

Buscando en el Café Marharba que creo que es un poco sucia y lo más probable es que no sea buena comida!

Posiblemente el arroz 'n conjunta en la ciudad tres mejores", escondido en un callejón. Es un modesto con sólo 5 mesas con capacidad de 2 personas cada uno, pero hay un pequeño menú limitado de clásicos del norte de la India/Pakistán recién preparados que parecen pack más sabor que la competencia. Y todo por 5 libras!

Don't judge a book by it's cover. The best Manchester 3 and rice, by far. A gem of a lunchtime place.

A pesar de que viven en y alrededor de Manchester durante 12 años, fue sólo recientemente encontré este lugar. Tanto el exterior como el interior son muy modesto, pero no dejes que eso te desanime. De todos el arroz manchester curry n 3 cafeterías, el mejor Marhaba golpearon la comida. Es más, probablemente la más barata. El curry es rico y lleno de sabor. El personal es cortés y amable. Es, sin duda, no es elegante, pero te costará encontrar cocina subcontinente más auténtica.

3 curry para 5 libras! No se puede argumentar con eso. Curry delicioso y naan realmente fresco que vi preparado delante de nosotros en el microondas (no sé el nombre técnico). Curry de pescado estaba delicioso, el hongo no curry mi taza de té, pero eso es más de mi gusto personal. Mi estómago no sentir raro después, pero me gusta pensar que era de otra cosa.

He estado viniendo a Cafe Marhaba desde finales de los 90 y está tan cerca de la comida casera. Es increíble pensar que con el cero footfall literalmente le da todavía va fuerte inaugurado en 1992. El personal es fantástico y amable, no he ido...

Buen menú, buena comida, buena relación calidad-precio y porciones sólidas: tres curry, arroz, pan Naan y una lata de gaseosa vino a £6. 50. Puedes ver ellos cocinar la comida justo sobre el mostrador, buenas. Limpio por dentro. Sólo suficiente capacidad para seis personas (tres...

El Marhaba Cafe ofrece verdaderamente, la mejor cocina india. Es sin duda mi lugar favorito para comer en Manchester. Es un pequeño lugar que siempre está lleno de gente que vienen de todas partes del mundo, lo sé, lo conocido. Toda la comida es preparada para pedir por la familia ahmed que lo dirige, el padre, la Madre y Abdul. Hacen los mejores frescos Naans a pedido y para ir con el curry exquisita, que nunca he probado el como de cualquier es una delicia para comer. Pruébalo, no te defraudará. Algunas de las personas que allí han estado yendo durante 25 años, que es la duración de la familia han tenido que ah y si se puede hacer en un domingo sirven el famoso Nehari. Es delicioso. Este lugar es una joya escondida. Abierto los 7 días de la semana, espero ir cada semana. 10 / 10

Debo de haber pasado aquí cientos de veces a lo largo de los años pero nunca fuimos hasta hoy! Bajo el clima, la sensación de que no estaba a la cocina, así que decidimos entrar y conseguir comida para llevar - Espinacas pollo y 3 (! Los famosos panes de pan. Todo recién cocinado, totalmente delicioso y una increíble relación calidad precio. El caballero sirve también fue muy amable. Sin duda volveré! Muchas gracias!

Cuando estoy cansado, triste, lonely resaca, o simplemente patética, que desesperadamente ir a Marhaba y pedir un curry. No sólo ninguno de los curris en la pared de esta diminuta calle secundaria modesto choza - tiene que ser un curry de hongos. En un modesto llega bowl de porcelana normalmente apoyada por un sabroso chapati para absorber el sabor. Y qué rico sabor - un regalo acompañados de cilantro surcado por fuerte con una patada sólido de guindillas verdes a desconectar el blues en detalle. Las setas son el verdadero héroes para el plato - que absorba el especias y explote con alegría como masticar. Yo no soy vegetariana pero estos hongos haga carne sin sentido. He estado viniendo a este lugar por lo menos una década y aunque no tiene el zumbido de algunos de los lugares del Barrio Norte Curry cabeza a cabeza, plato a plato creo que gana cada vez. Así que si te sientes y tienes la felicidad en su vida en el hongo mágico del curry. Estarás volando en ningún momento. . .

Visited Cafe Marhaba on a weekday lunchtime. Food was cooked to order and staff friendly. Food was tasty though salty. Good value for money.

Called in for lunch today with my wife, one of the best curry's we have ever had, great portions and value for money and the guys are very friendly, on our next trip into Manchester we will be eating there again.

I'm a Manc and yet I only discovered this place a couple of years ago (it's been open since the 90's) and I no longer eat anywhere else, on the curry front. For a fiver, you really can't beat the authenticity, taste and price of three unbelievable curries on a bed of rice.Ignore the unassuming off-putting exterior, in a scummy side street. Whenever I have friends in town, I bring them here and they've always been wowed. Whenever someone suggests Akbars or This & That instead, I compare them to here and nowhere else beats it! Just wish it was on Deliveroo!

Tucked away on a little street behind Piccadilly, this is a place which I have been going to for quite a while now. I probably pop in for lunch twice in every 3 weeks or so. I've been meaning to get a review done for the last two years and have only just got my backside into gear to get one written.For those interested in style over substance, this place is not for you. If, however, you appreciate excellent authentic traditional curry cuisine prepared freshly and at a very reasonable price, then you need to give it a try.It is a small, friendly, family owned place with 3 or sometimes 4 people working extremely hard behind the counter to produce food for you.When I say the place is small, it is genuinely tiny. There is a very narrow seating area of small tables of 2. When all tables are occupied with 2 people each, you do have to take it in turn to inhale and exhale or the whole row of seats and tables would move and the guy nearest the door would tip backwards into the street. It all adds to the friendliness of the place - think of it as a combination of lunch plus aversional therapy for claustrophobia & xenophobia all for a fiver !Importantly, the tables are clean, the jugs of water and glasses are replenished regularly and the menu is surprisingly wide for such a small place. Most of the food is cooked up behind the counter in front of you.Having been quite a few times over the last couple of years, I have tried a fair few of the dishes including that mainstay of curry peculiar to the Manchester Northern Quarter - "Rice and 3", however, my two absolute favourites would have to be the Keema & Potato Curry (or sometimes Keema & Peas) with rice or the (large) Seekh kebab on garlic naan - both are excellent.As many have reported in earlier reviews, the breads in here are outstanding - part of it could be because the tandoor is no more than 10 feet from any person who is about to eat the bread - it is literally made, baked plated and in front of you within moments.Trade seems to be a good split between eating in and take out orders and seems to be pretty brisk whenever I have been there. What is clearly evident from being sat there is that a huge number of the customers are regular / repeat customers and know the menu almost as well as the staff.I am and will continue to be one of those regulars....

Tiny takaway/ cafe in back piccadilly ,brilliant choice of curries and rice with freshly made on th spot Naan .As good if not better than the other curry cafes around Thomas st .For two of us £10-90 rice and threes all absolutely delivious .Manchester great.

Not so much a restaurant just seats adjacent to a take out counter, however the food is of an excellent quality every mouthful is a delight. I have visited Mumbai and Goa and sampled the food there and this is the closest most authentic taste of India that I have yet encountered in the UK. Do not be put off by appearances experience the true taste of India here in the UK.

Friends of mine have been coming here on a Sunday for over 20 yearsThis was my second visitWhat delicious food is offered by Naz and AbdulChicken Seekh followed by the famous Lamb Nihari served with chappatis Truly awesome again. Fresh, spicy, succulent and certainly memorable A hidden gem in Manchester

Visited very recently with two friends we had a selection of currys and 2 chilli nan breads and 1 paratha. All were incredibly tasty and well cooked. Completely authentic. Would definitely be back and excellent hosts. A must visit if in Manchester. A little gem.

Fantastic home cooked curry. Would definitely recommend the rice and three, get a garlic naan bread with it. Portions are more than enough for one person.

Absolutely my favourite food. I tend to get the lamb jalfrezi - it doesn't taste like any other jalfrezi I've had from anywhere else, but it's amazing. Naans are delicious and fresh, incredible value for money. Absolutely recommend 100%

Being visiting this gaff since my days working on Newton St and it never fails to impress.My tip The Lamb & Pumpkin Simply the best.

As others have said, not the best decor but the food more than makes up for it. 3 curries and rice is great, as is the individual curries and naans. Just get yourself here and give it a whirl

Every time we stay in Manchester we have a Curry without fail.Cafe Marhaba is new to us.We gave them a visit due to reviews on Tripadvisor and price.We had one of their Sunday specials which was delicious.I saw all the spices go in.Our meal was prepared with much care and attention; the naans were fluffy and stretchy and the Curry was very hearty with succulent pieces of lamb.This dish hadn't the consistency of a conventional Curry, more like a sturdy broth but still very satisfying.I found the guys who own the place very friendly and were kind enough to slip in a couple of freebies for us.Good value for money.Well worth another visit.A.

had a recommendation to go here-was slightly wary as had always thought it was just your run of the mill kebab joint-its not it produces from scratch great Indian food and the best nans in town-it only seats about ten and as everything is from scratch expect to wait about 15-20 mins for your main-as its cooked from scratch you can get your dishes as hot or not as you wish-great place and now a regular visitor-mains are about a fiver

Although Café Maharaba doesn't look up to much the food is excellent & cheap. The Menu is all excellent quality food & water is provided free of charge on every table. It can probably only seat about 10 people eating in but it's also possible to take away. As someone who often passes through Manchester on business I need places to eat which are cheap good quality food & this place is certainly one of my favourites!

Walked pass this cafe loads of times always smells delicious finally went in with my girlfriend food was really good the nan bread was made fresh and was amazing the guys that work there where really nice i will defo be goin back there

Best naan of all the R&3 gaffs in my opinion. Pretty sure they're the only cafe cooking naans fresh in a tandoor? Makes all the difference. Big, fresh and fluffy.Unbelievably all the food is cooked fresh rather than being kept in baines marie as is the norm for the other nearby curry cafes. Good balanced curries, tangy and real depth of flavour. Delicious. Somehow overlooked in relation to it's slightly more salubrious compadres, but it's the winner for me.

Det är den absolut godaste maten jag ätit, fick jag välja att äta på bara en restaurang i resten av mitt liv så skulle det vara denna. Helt fantastiska smaker, bröden är perfekta, trevlig personal, genuint!

I popped in with a friend on a Monday evening. We both ordered the rice and three but sadly they had no naan bread. We popped out and came back about 10 minutes later and shortly after we were served with our food. I had the chicken mushroom, chicken spinach and lamb rogan josh. All were tasty but the lamb was a bit fatty. I can't say I agree with other reviewers that it was one of the best curries ever (Scene, Indian tiffin room, mughli to name a few all serve better) but the portions are great and more than you'll get elsewhere in city centre for £5!

One of several cafes in the northern quarter serving three curries and rice for around a fiver. Marhaba is the least attractive to sit in, being essentially a narrow cafe with a handful of tables, but the food is better than the others. You also have much more choice here as you can choose any three from the whole menu, rather than the more restricted choice elsewhere. Run by nice people too. Food is freshly prepared and so it's hot and tasty. Not the place for a romantic meal but just great if you fancy a really excellent curry for the price of a fancy pint.

Made a second visit here on a Friday lunchtime, we weren't disappointed, the food was as good as our first visit, We had the rice and three veggie curries for an excellent £5 each and a couple of lovely naans. The food was excellent, the spinach and potato was particularly good, the 'onion' rice was delicious and the naans light and fluffy. Superb value for money.Yes there is a bit of 'pinging' going on but it is simply being used to keep food hot and not being used to cook anything. The food is also nicely spicy but not overly so - we like our food hot and this was good and spicy but on our visit certainly not enough to overpower the taste of the food.We went in again on Saturday evening for a takeaway and this time tried the Mushroom Bhuna - would highly recommend it.

I've been visiting Cafe Marhaba ever since I first moved to Manchester City Centre in 2007. There is not a single place I'd recommend for curry over this place.The flavours are sensational and everything is made by the team fresh; the naan bread is cooked in the tandoor right in front of you. All of the staff are exceptionally friendly and welcoming, and always happy to see me!Don't be put off by the less than glamorous location, or the simplistic decor (after all you'd not go to an art gallery for a curry, eh?). You came for a curry, and a better curry you'll struggle to find - particularly for such good value. Get yourself a rice and three, settle in, and enjoy.

Made to order meals, all of which were super tasty (lamb okra, a fish dish and a dhal), huge samosa's with great filling, rice and three chapatis for £20. Great value and really super tasty (did i say that already?). Eating in is a bit pokey as they only have 4 or 5 tables for two although three of us could squeeze around one of them. Really friendly staff. will definitely go again.

We went and knew it looked weird but we were hoping the food would still at least be tasty. You seriously get what you pay for!! They were microwaving the curries in front of us.. The "ping" alone was enough to put us off. The curry was completely over spiced to the point were it only tasted of heat, the rice was hard, the samosa was soft and bendy not crispy. And we all felt so sick afterwards.. Avoid!

We enjoy it here as much now as we did when we first started coming. Excellent , proper food. Lovely staff.

Cafe Marhaba, the greatest curry house in the Northern Hemisphere. Lovely staff. Can not be compared to anything else.

About time I posted a review for Cafe Marhaba having eaten here for 15+ years. Sunday is my usual day as this is the day the nehari is served which is a lamb based dish in a rich sauce topped with ginger, coriander, chillies, and lemon. I have had the Nehari all over Manchester and beyond and I don't believe any of them come close to the one served at the Marhaba . There is an excellent choice of food here in general and the curries are absolutely gorgeous, not your curry mile offerings. The breads served here are very special, cooked in the tandoor to order, and if all that isn't enough it's got to be the best on price by some way.

Der Laden macht nicht viel her - sehr schlicht. Zwar gibt es Sitzmöglichkeiten, aber es lädt irgendwie nichts zum verweilen ein.Das Wichtigste ist aber da: Gutes Englisches Curry zum vernünftigen Preis. Macht satt und glücklich - wenn man es woanders isst.

Being a vegetarian, I was happy to learn that there were plenty of choice of non-meat fanatics, and I quickly finished off a daal, mushroom curry and spinach combo. It took a little while for the guys behind the counter to make the food, which my friends and I saw as a good thing because that way we knew the food was cooked from scratch and piping hot. The place is not fancy inside, pretty minimal and basic. Great location: Piccadilly Gardens nearby.

Myself and four other friends called in at Cafe Maharba one Thursday evening and picked up the £5 rice-and-three-curries deal. Being a vegetarian, I was happy to learn that there were plenty of choice of non-meat fanatics, and I quickly finished off a daal, mushroom curry and spinach combo. It took a little while for the guys behind the counter to make the food, which my friends and I saw as a good thing because that way we knew the food was cooked from scratch and piping hot. All in all, everyone enjoyed (and finished!) what they had ordered and we all felt that the cafe is excellent value for money. It might just be a matter of personal preference, but the cafe seating is pretty minimal and basic so we took our food out and ate it in Piccadilly Gardens nearby. That being said, had there few of us we might have been more tempted to eat in. Nevertheless, highly recommendable place to grab tasty and fresh Indian food at a low price.

When having a bad experience on the curry mile in Manchester, come to this place. It doesn't look big and it is but the food is awesome. I had Daal Channa and a Naan for only 4.50£ and it was the best Daal I had in Europe. It really tasted like on Lahore Food Street.

Finns ingen bättre indier i hela världen. Jag har ätit indiskt globalt och detta mina vänner är helt osannolikt bra - finns knappt ord. Tårar av lycka.

I read about it from TripAdvisor, it's family business since 1992. Family cook with taste of love. They cook the food in front of you, also the Naan bread they bake it fresh for you. V. Simple decorations, but when you eat you will forget about its simplicity.

Cafe Marhaba is part of that strange, culinary tradition of spending £5 and getting 3 different blobs of curry on a plate with some rice. I must say, when I first experienced 'Rice n 3', I was little peturbed at the sight of my '3' sitting next to each other with no divider, forming a kind of curry continent. My fears were allayed, however, as each curry was viscous enough to hold its place and no real miscegenation occured. I'll get the tedious stuff out of the way now. The Rogan Josh in my opinion is a little on the bland side, with the Jalfrezi being your best bet. Some people have told me that this place cooks curry fresh but I'm not so sure. Although, there is a kitchen out front where the heating-up of curries takes places, there does seem to be another room- a secret second kitchen- where the curries are ferried from. As a diner, you are treated to the sight of the chef emerging from the second kitchen with a pan full of curry before hobbling about 5 or 6 yards to the hob. Aesthetically I thought this was a fantastic addition and added a performance element to my meal that I was not banking on. Talking of aesthetics, Cafe Marhaba operates a 2 man per table system. A buddy system, if you will. I enjoy this feature, because although there is no real room for a sit down meal, the owners have made that concession, resulting in a ludicrous set-up that seems to encourage an intimate dining experience. A little adivce on this front: the creepy dark corridor with an ominous, unpainted, pine door at the end makes facing the entrance an absolute must. The owner is a very friendly man and is happy to talk you through anything that'll be troubling you, I particularly enjoy raising the subject other Rice n 3 cafes in the area which seems to have the effect of stoking a petty competitiveness in him leading to postprandial laughs for all. In contrast, the younger, bespectacled chap cuts a rather surly figure with a face like a wet weekend. Personally, I'm a big fan of this as I sometimes find the gurning optimism of so-called nice people grating and artificial. On that note, I've kind of depressed myself. I would recommend Cafe Marhaba to anyone as a one off treat, because ultimately it's curry and rice and it's going to make you fat fat, even if you do choose a vegetable option as one of your '3'. Can't understand how people can go here at lunchtime, but that's probably just office hogs. The ones that are always bringing in biscuits and donuts in attempt to drag everyone down to their level of reckless self-indulgence. Sharing is not caring it seems. So if you like curry and you want to be naughty and maybe have a little harmless laugh at someone else's expense, Marhaba is for you. If, however, you're a food Nazi that would look down on this place but then spend 8 quid on a bland turkey sandwich somewhere in the NQ then no, don't bother.Honorary mentions: * the naan bread cooked in a cylindrical, stone, naan dungeon. Particular shout out to the garlic naan which has a layer of coriander stuffed inhumanely between its layers * the dusty Children in Need charity boxes stashed behind the kebab grill* the lack of any prices next to certain items on the menu* the 70's water jugs on each table* the out of date newspapers* '2 spring rolls for a £1'P.S. Please ignore the pretentious review by the bearded man. He wrote 'to' instead of 'too' and wrote the line: 'Objectively, I had spinach and potato curry...'

There are a lot of curry houses, I know. At Marhaba, everything is different. The food is never overcooked or mushy as it is in many otherwise good restaurants, and each dish tastes distinctive - and fantastic.And the bread! All cooked to order. Utterly fresh. More even than the food, the bread can transport you instantly into another culture. (don't skip the bread.)

I live near the piccadilly gardens and have walked right past this place every other day as its does not look really appealing from the outside. Being of asian origin I know my curries well and thought another takeaway adapting the cuisine to local tastebuds. I read the reviews of this place and decided to give it a try.Walking in, the place looks cramped up... But hey.. I need the food to be good at a takeaway not the seats. Bring on the food. So I ordered lamb daal and naan. I told them to keep the spice high. The lamb was one of the tastiest I ever had and the naan was amazing. Next day I was there again and this time with my brother in law.. We ordered okra lamb and lamb daal again. Delicious. Highly recommend it. There may be days that this place may not keep up to the mark (like any other place) as it is a very small takeaway run by a local family but if you want authentic home cooked asian food... This place is it.

I was looking forward to a hidden gem. I am pretty open minded and don't hold store by the decore - OK the tables could have used a wipe, but if the food was great well, I can overlook that.Objectively, I had spinach and potato curry (the daal, I ordered did not shor up, nor was it charged fro) and chapati. The spinach was frozen, the kind which is macerated, not whole leaf and the potato were slimy and undercooked. The chapati / tandori roti were very thick.Nothing to recommend this place, other than bargain basement pricing, scruffy and shoddily cooked food with cheap ingredients. Best avoided. An example where a few really positive reviews can artificially boost the ranking.

I visited Maharba on a recommendation of someone I trust very much and I was not disappointed, especially as i am very difficult to please when it comes to curries. I ordered a vegetarian curry with a couple of chapati and what I got exceeded my expectations by far - a pumpkin curry that exploded with taste, had the perfect amount of heat and topped off with two very well cooked chapati.It was so nice that I could have eaten it all again, even though I was full to the seams. Looking in the cafe from outside, you may think best to move on as it does have the look of a tired takeaway. But please trust me, go inside for some of the most tempting food you'll have eaten in the Northern Quarter. They also have a daily special, which I intend on trying next. **Happy to answer questions**

Great food, great service. We came across this place by chance but we are glad we did!!! We will most definitely be returning!!!

Went here following a recommendation from a regular, its tucked away in a side street and simple inside, probably not somewhere I would have usually gone too. But im so glad ive found it! I tried 3 curry's with rice and they were all delicious! (Veg paneer, spinach n potato and chicken Karachi), all tasty and fresh, chapattis were lovely too. Really good value and friendly service, will definitely keep going back!

This place was recommended by a friend, and I wish I'd found it years ago! Had 3 curry's, each was tasty and fresh, with gorgeous chapatis and rice. Brilliant value for money, great food and really friendly service, will definitely return!

Love their curry! Taste good! It's not expensive but foods are good! Recommended to all of you to come! Will try again!

Very friendly little family run Pakistani cafe. Superb tasty food. Delicious fresh naan & roti from their clay oven. Under £6 for main, bread and soft drink. Tiny place, so maybe head in for an early or later lunch. Right behind Piccadilly Gardens. If you like curry, you have to try this place.

No frills, just good food with good price. Curies have authentic flavours. We like the three curry plate. We will go back. Keep it as it is please.

This is by far the best curry in Manchester city centre, if not the whole of Manchester. Simple, authentic, fresh cooked fare. I was introduced to this place years ago by a colleague. Was skeptical given its back ally location. I wouldn't get a curry any where else now.

Staying at Thistle hotel nearby. Wanted to avoid another dreary night in traveler style restaurant so hit trip adviser. This place is down a dark and dingy side street but not far. Were closing up (8.30pm) but rustled me up a great chicken curry + a bottle of water for just over £5. Perfect. Put a smile on my face. Was delicious.

In a run down alley way, looks like a kebab shop and had a homeless person fishing through the bins outside on my first visit. Welcome to Cafe Maharba in Back Piccadilly.I've been here three times now and the food has been consistently very good. The breads are excellent and lamb Rogan Josh top notch. A plate of curry, rice, bread and a drink for £5.50. It is just fabulous value for money.The six available tables only seat two each so not recommended for an office night out or a family meal.

Great little find of a cafe.Good, friendly service all round.Everything is freshly cooked so takes a little longer than some of the other '3 curries and rice for fiver' places. To me this seemed better than the rest as the curries tasted a little fresher and flavoursome and the rice was very good.It is a small place and all the tables are in two's so bear that in mind when visiting, ignore the front and step in and enjoy!

You are unlikely to find the cafe unless you read trip advisor, so you should not be surprised with the decor. Ignoring that, the food is fantastic, the staff couldnt be more helpful, and the value is unbelievable. We both had the 3 curries and rice for a fiver plus a naan for 90p. I've paid treble that elsewhere and felt I had value for money so its no wonder we rated this so highly. A must for curry lovers.

Best curry in town and lovely people that run it. We had to wait a little while at tea time rush but was definitely worth the wait. All the food is cooked fresh and tastes clean, full of flavour. Most definitely worth the fiver and more! My boyf goes at lunch time - more than worth the cost of other places.

it would be fair to call this place grotty, but you'd have to be a huge snob for that to mask the fact that for budget prices the cafe sells some of the best curry in the world. Each dish seems to be cooked individually by the various family members that seem to work here. Clearly people who take pride in their food and it shows... It shows so much. The garlic naan is insane and on the three occasions I have been here I never had a dish that seemed anything other than perfect in terms of the way it was flavoured. Maybe don't come here for Valentine's Day, but if you favour real food over showmanship, then make this a MUST on your Manchester trip.

Owner with his one staff (maybe relation) were sat down at the front when we entered! Made me wonder if i should be here. Very small place to sit, stand or eat inside. Hadn't been for many years as had a bad experience with it's hygiene. Certainly slightly better. Water glasses came out clean!Ordered a chicken tikka on naan. Naan on the slightly thin side, tikka hardly had any masala or flavour! Probably one of the worst I've ever eaten. The colour disguised it; felt like I'd been had. LolRice and 3 was much better. Though the chicken was undercooked with it's curry also!The vegetable was spot on!Easy ish access to the customer wash room, valuable to wash my fingers lol