Indian Cottage in County Durham

First time ordering here and unfortunately the last time. We ordered 1x korma, 2x tikka masala, popadoms and dip. 3 rice, 1x cheese naan. The tikka was absolutely swimming with oil when I removed the lid. It was extremely tomatoey and didn’t taste like masala at all. Korma tasteless. The popadoms were stale and couldn’t be eaten. The naan had no cheese that I could find and was burnt round the edges. The rice was very watery. The yoghurt dip was curdled. Really disappointed, we traveled for this after reading other reviews.

It's probably the best Indian takeaway ive had in the past few years. food tasty and piping hot, even though we are 15min drive away. Definitely recommend

Oh hello. We had a chicken vindaloo tonight, it was that nice it made brown tears run down our trousers. Highly recommended for a good flush out.

I had the most amazing tandoori mixed grill. Tender ,succulent , perfectly cooked and spice meat. Chicken tikka, lamb tikka, tandoori chicken, sheek kebab. Salad and dips for only £12. Can highly recommend

The tastiest food, every time. Been using it for years and will continue to do so.

The best Indian food around, love the versatility of the menu. We had Chicken Tikka Lamb Kurma, absolutely loved it.

Old family favourite as we have been going here since it first opened back in 1992

Absolutely amazing food ! The taste is second to non if you get the right combinations , I ordered a set meal for 2

Wanted to get a treat for the grand kids so bought one of there set meals, good quality and plenty for everyone

Always have a beautiful takeaway from here. Quality is always second to none. The owner is so helpful and very easy to talk to. Loads of meat and the taste is exceptional. I have been buying curries from here since it opened in 1992 and the quality of service, customer care and attention to detail has never wavered. Always worth a try and you will not be disappointed. The Indian cottage is an award winning establishment fir a reason. It is simply sensational.

Top notch food as always. Would well recommend this Indian takeaway. I travel the 7 miles each week to pick up our takeaway. I always ask for extra green chillies, it just gives it that extra hit 👍

Lovely meal last night for 4 of us. Reasonably priced and beautifully cooked. Thank you Mr Udin you are a gentleman!

The food was lovely, and the service was quick, especially as they were very busy will be going back again

Tandoori mixed grill, keema nan, poppadoms and munchie box to share. Food was excellent, reasonably priced and ready on time.

Have been a customer for a long time but recently their food has been out of this world. Just eaten a gorgeous Chicken Ceylon and extras absolutely perfect. Best NE curry house 2013.....2014 tasting even better. Recent note...has had a dodgy period but now back to almost perfect standard ....moved from 5 star to 4 purely due to price & waiting time which can be anywhere between 20mins to an hour (of busy)

Best Indian take away in the area. Excellent food and friendly service.

I carnt understand all of theses reviews based on my resent visit they must write them all themselves. Firstly the Poppadom where a little stale then we had onion bhajis Witch were like canon balls the main meals where as Disappointing lack of spice and very bland. The bread was nice but had to be put in the microwave and the rice was ok. I called and Expressed my Disappointment and asked for a refund which he said he would process later that evening needless to say I am still waiting. If your paying good money for food you expect a decent quality we never got it. please be aware if you dine here and are impressed with the food try elsewhere your going to be blown away.

Been using this place for 25 years as we always rated it one of the best around. But think this must have changed hands as quality has gone down while prices have increased. Ordered our usual favourites - a chicken Rogan Josh which we thought was bland and flavourless. Also ordered a king prawn balti which was far too spicy/hot to eat. It burned our mouthed and lips and was far too spicy for a balti as it was filled with green chillies - much more like a jalfrezi. The kid prawns were also cut up into small bits so there was no way to see how many you got for your money - there weren’t many in my opinion. Onion bhajis were over cooked anc rock solid. Mango chutney with the popadoms was watered down to a thin syrupy liquid. The bhuna prawn in purée seemed smaller & blander than usual. Spicy chips also left a lot to be desired. Such a shame we couldn’t eat it the balti considering the price. Overall disappointed

Absolutely gorgeous food and service from front of house to match thankyou x

Excellent service and value. Staff very friendly and helpful. Will be ordering from here again 👏👌

If you thinking of trying a new share box don't bother freezing cold food very overpriced hardly get anything.Think I'll stick to my local (rose of India )the best around by far..

Delicious food and very friendly staff.

Thought we’d give Indian Cottage a try as we hadn’t been for a while. Both dishes we ordered we full of flavour and delicious. We will definitely be back 😁

Thought we’d give Indian Cottage a try as we hadn’t been for a while and weren’t disappointed. Delivered on time and full of flavour cannot fault 👍

Used to really enjoy the food here but haven't been for a while so gave it a chance and I have to say it was really poor. Curry was bland just spice it was so disappointing

We tried this takeaway for the first time based on so many positive reviews. Maybe it was because it was Xmas eve and they were too busy but we were very dissapointed. Firstly, all of the food was seriously underseasoned, including the pilau rice. I have NEVER before had to add salt to indian food. My partners Shashlik, although the lamb tikka was good, had too many very large pieces of onion, pepper and tomato, like as big as half an apple! My beef madras was well spiced, about right, and the beef was tender, but as I said badly underseasoned and sorry to say absolutely SWIMMING in ghee. The bhindi bhaji was bland and almost tasteless apart from an overwhelming flavour of what I think was methi? Even the nan was very greasy. In the end we threw half of it away. It actually left me feeling a bit queasy. Sorry, not good enough.

We haven’t ordered her for a while since the coronavirus issue, but I didn’t think the food was as good as I remember. I hope this was a minor issue/hiccup as previously Indian Cottage was exceptional.

The madras is really good this my favourite Indian and the around

Always a pleasure to eat food from here, very friendly staff and high quality ingredients make for a fantastic experience of Indian cuisine. I've eaten Indian food from various different places when on holiday and nothing compares to the Indian Cottage which is, luckily, right on my doorstep 😀

Great food, freindly staff and good portion sizes 👍

Ordered from here a few times now for delivery and it is absolutely incredible. I’m not usually a massive fan of Indian food but this is just amazing, all high quality, good prices, it is always on time and the staff on the phone are friendly and helpful. The food is amazing, so tasty and fresh. I have no complaints, highly recommend!

Nice friendly people, excellent food everytime. 👍

This is one of the best Indian takeaway shops in the area I have been using it for years and would not go anywhere else all the staff are friendly and professional the food is always great and the prices are not bad

We’ve used this take away on and off for about 5 years but sadly have noticed a real decline in recent months. The last meal we had in October was pretty poor so tonight we were reluctant..... but decided to give it one more try. The onion bahjis were burned to a crisp - they also gave us 2 portions (which we were charged for) even though we only ordered one! The naan bread was so dry and tough. The meat in the Tika masala was also tough as old boots and I couldn’t eat it at all. I’m always sorry to leave a poor review but at £20 + for one meal/rice/naan and of course 2 portions of bhaji it’s not cheap and I expect better. Wouldn’t recommend at all.

Thee best Indian around the north east

Having visited this take away many times we visited tonight to find the prices bad gone up dramatically. We were charged £33 for the same meal we bought from them a few weeks ago for £23 My wife questioned this and was told it was due to cost of bags of onions going up ??? We will not be returning. How can you justify £2 to £3 in grease on a meal

My review 6 months ago was 5 stars: Good food , great service I really do like the food from Indian cottage - If they expanded to a sit down restaurant they would do great business! However; I have now updated my review based on my last visits in the last few weeks. Things seems to have changed, the food has become a bit more random, ok but that's it. I haven't been given any free popodoms, I have had long waits beyond the time I was told (collecting myself) and the price has increased this last time from about £26 to £32.70 for the same items. Not sure what has changed (other than the price!)

Awesome food, very polite staff. Quality was out of this world, both with telephone manner and the delivery driver.

Sunday night special is a bargain

Really good food, nice people too. Pickles with popadoms lovely!

Love the beef madras , best I've ever had

Plenty of choice on the menu, food was very tasty, staff were very friendly. Definitely recommend this place.

I fail to see why people give this place good reviews. They clearly can't manage orders correctly. I have used this takeaway twice and both times I picked up my order, drove 3 miles to home. Discovered I had the wrong order. Went back to receive the correct order but by the time I got home it was cold. It clearly hadn't been kept warm. I won't make the mistake of using a third time.

Superb takeaway, probably the best in the county. Owners are always very pleasant, the food is absolutely first class and very reasonably priced. Although we have several Indian's with a half mile, we always make the effort and travel through to Crook. Highly recommended.

We ordered a meal for four which was very freshly cooked. We tried a variety of dishes and each one was excellent. I find that sometimes with Indians they dishes are similar in taste but this one certainly wasn’t. Would recommend if in staying in the area.

Excellent food from the Indian Cottage, well worth a visit for a great takeaway, I’ve tried most of the menu with my family and every meal has been excellent

Staying at a B and B and we were recommended Indian cottage , collected the take away it was piping hot, one of the best Indians we have had

Ordered chicken tikka , egg fried rice and king prawn biryani with vegetable curry. The meal was barely warm and didn’t look freshly cooked, the king prawns were like rubber the vegetable curry was over cooked and resembled mush we could hardly tell what the veg were the whole meal was tasteless. I have tasted much better microwave curries.

THIS IS THE BEST INDIAN IN THE UK!!!!!! Mo's Chicken tikka Balti is WORLD CLASS! I would eat here every day if my wife didnt stop me.

We were on a mini holiday to visit Durham and Beamish, staying at Brancepeth. So lucky to look online for a takeaway and find this gem. Only a 10 minute drive to collect one of the tastiest meals ever. The gentleman who took our order and served us was absolutely delightful.

Lovely owner and great food, what more could you ask for, we have been going here for years and it really deserves the awards

I've been going to Indian cottage takeaway for a few years now. The food is lovely

We travelled 20 minutes to try this takeaway, and were not at all disappointed. We had a bit of a wait - next time we'll ring the order through first - but it was well worth it. The food was still piping hot when we got home (we did put it into a coolbox for the journey). It looked appetising and tasted really good. The portion size was good too.

Recommend by friends for being the best around slightly disappointed with our first order, unable to contact the restaurant by email unless I went via Facebook. No Facebook account so just left it. No lamb korma had too get lamb tikka korma or something like that the onion Bajis were small, the lady taking the orders was very friendly polite as was was the chap serving with the beard. Hopefully we’ll get too try again

The food is outstanding! Great value for money and very friendly staff. I would highly recommend to friends and family

Probablemente el mejor hindú para llevar en la zona, el personal es amable y te saludan calurosamente a su llegada. La comida es de primera categoría y precios competitivos. Me hubiera gustado que también dirigía un restaurante, sé llevar es impresionante pero es agradable tener una romántica comida en sentarse o una comida con amigos.

Visitamos aquí para mi papá el 86º cumpleaños. La comida es excelente. Tenía el Tailandés entrante. mejillones Jengibre fresco, pimientos rojos y otras hierbas y especias. Así que bueno tener salsas recién preparadas en lugar de algunas de las cosas hechas totalmente listo. Seguido de pollo marroquí, de nuevo, evidente especias frescas. Papá y mi hermana tenía la Carbonara. Un pero y sabor Trued nuevo hermoso. Acabados con desorden mini Berry Eaton y espresso. Fabuloso postre, café menos. Muchos restaurantes que sirven comida buena abandono el café. Debe ser visto como parte de la cena, no una bebida y el mismo cuidado puesto en ello. Mencioné esto al personal en el tiempo. Sólo dejó una estrella por este motivo. Algunos si la mejor comida que he tenido en mucho tiempo.

Este es el mejor hindú para llevar por millas. El personal siempre fue muy amable y acogedor. La comida siempre es muy bueno, y si quieren que sea menos picante lo harán. Siempre un montón de carne o pollo en los platos que elija y nunca me ha decepcionado con ninguna de las comidas que hemos comprado. Encantados de que tienen la Casa de la India en nuestra puerta en ladera. Sin duda lo recomiendo.

Highly recommend Chicken Tikka Pasanda.

Este es mi favorito Tome Indian lejos y no me decepcionó. Servicio muy amable y acogedor. Solían tener un restaurante en la planta de arriba, aunque esto fue hace unos 15 años y el buen tipo de ladera no estaban bastante preparados para una variación en la carne" y dos verduras". Recuerdo una señora el menú explicó a ella y su respuesta fue "Qué exclamar a? No hay salsa? "dada la variedad de establecimientos de catering ahora tenemos en Ladera me gustaría pensar que estamos listos para una verdadera clase primer restaurante indio. Me pregunto si otros están de acuerdo.

Este es uno de los mejores Indio de comida para llevar. La comida es siempre caliente y muy sabroso.

Me and my girlfriend have just had set meal 1 and it was beautiful. A good portion of food which filled the pair of us and it tasted delicious. We'll definitely be back again.

Regularmente comidas de la India rural. Menú de opciones. Las comidas son siempre delicioso y a un precio razonable. El personal es siempre amable y servicial. Sin duda recomiendo la India casa

Tienes que ser el mejor hindú para llevar en la zona de ladera. Siempre ocupado. El personal es muy acogedor y la comida es deliciosa.

Genial para llevar en el teléfono muy amable y la comida siempre sabe fresco y cocinado a un alto nivel.

Didn't have time to cook one night and called in for an Indian takeaway. Food was cooked to perfection well packed and very fresh. Probably one of the best takeaways we have had will be going back

As always the most amazing chicken bhuna! Only two things I would change. 1) they don't do deliveries :-( and the second would be their onion bajhi are small now, much prefer the larger ones which are more crispy

If we're having a takeaway then this place is at the top of my list. Highest quality food and a fast and friendly service, would recommend every time !

The best Indian by far . It's a 12 mile round trip for us to get there but we'll worth it . Meals are cooked beautifully and always lots off it . Meals for 2 are well recommended

My family have used this takeaway since it opened in the 1990's, that says it all really!!Others come and go but this one appears to stand the test of time, we are known by name and even our food is "tweaked" to suit our palate.I have tried many indian takeaways and this is the best, only downside is that they do not do delivery.

I've had quite a few meals from The Indian Cottage and everyone has been very tasty and well cooked to a high standard. It's been pointed out in another comment that it may not be the cheapest but, you get what you pay for.Staff very friendly and helpful.

Shame it is just a takeaway. Food is always superb, loads of it too. Staff very pleasant. Can't fault this in any way

My wife and I have collected a takeaway from Indian Cottage twice, both time excellent food and friendly staff. Not the cheapest takeaway but very tasty.

We have used the Indian cottage on several occasions and never had a problem. However this time we chose one only their set menus. What a bad choice this was, the starters and side dishes were upto the usual standard, but the mains were very disappointing they were to be honest quite bland. All in all a Len average experience for what is usually a top notch Indian take away.

This is my 'go to' take away. The food is always absolutely top notch. I love the thali and the tandoori mixed grill. I have never been disappointed with the food or service.

Most amazing curry from here this along with fantastic service, no matter how long between my visits the guy and his daughter remember my name and voice on the phone! Only down side is they don't deliver and due to moving to a near by town can't always get over to get my Indian :-(

Very poor , taste was bland hair in food and rice stodgy sorry very very disappointed

Lovely food and staff very courteous.The food however is very expensive I think and always late even when ordered by phone before hand.

We ordered the set meal for 2/3 and it was so lovely. Everything about it was just perfect! There was a lot of food there so some kept for the next day!It was like eating in a genuine Indian restaurant, the flavours were so tasty!

Nice for the area but no where near the best

As big Indian food lovers we have tried quite a few places but this one's always been our favourite. As we have moved further away now, we don't visit as often as we like but when we do, we always look forward to it. Brilliant

Fantastic takeaway amazing food and excellent service! Moved to Willington so can't get there as often for my weekly Indian as they don't deliver. Only two negative would be no delivery and no card payments other than that it's amazing

The Starter chicken tikka tasted like chicken dipped in curry powder dreadful. chicken rogan josh bland no spices just a tastless gravy could cook better myself.when the indian cottage first came to crook you could taste the spices expencive rubbish

Absolutely fantastic takeaways every time, simply can't be faulted. This has got to be the best in the county. We visit regularly and have never had anything but superb food, you may have to wait a while because it's so popular but its well worth it. Staff are also extremely pleasant. When it comes to BIR takeaways, this is by far the best we've ever had. Give them a try, you won't be disappointed.

We really haven't tasted such good Indian food outside of India, Indian Cottage definitely know their stuff. The spiced poppadoms are perfect, up there with the best I've ever tasted. We've tried several different dishes and found the sauces are always deliciously spiced & flavoured without being hot just for the sake of it. Chicken is always succulent and you get lots of condiments with your order.Staff seem lovely and there is a comfy waiting area when you go to collect your order. You can sometimes get parked directly outside but otherwise there is free parking in the market square just around the corner.

Absolute fantastic Indian take away. Keep going back time after time as we've never had a bad one yet, and we are well into the double figures of visits. Chicken madras is really good, right amount of spice and heat without being over the top. Also onion pickles are well worth a try. Very happy to keep repeating by visits here :)

Ordered from these guys loads over the last year and never been let down once. The staff are always friendly and the price of the food reasonable. Just a shame they don't deliver, nothing worse after a few drinks in the house and I fancy a curry and forced to order from the less than average competition.

Not terrible food but quite average.. I'm amazed with all the great reviews! certainly does not deserve any awards. I'm no chef but could produce the same meal with packet mixes from the supermarket. Purchased 2 meals with rice and 3 naans total of 27 pound and we had to pick it up.I consider that expensive, even on a global scale compared to Sydney and New York (based on take out pricing of course)My advice is to look elsewhere if you are looking for traditional good Indian food.. FYI does not accept credit cards or offer delivery

We eat from here every couple of weeks, it's a really really good takeaway, and they make some of the best Indian meals we've ever had. It's reasonably priced for the quality and we've never had a bad meal from here.

Fantastic high quality food. Order early on Saturday otherwise you will have a very very long wait or may not be able to order at all.

Winner of regional awards, and rightly so, you cannot find finer food than this. The staff are great, usually the father and I believe his daughter working, both very friendly. food portions are generous, full of flavour, great value for money.

excellent staff, and the food is of the highest standard.when i'm in the mood for an indian, i go nowhere else.

Wow - what a meal, it was our first time for this Indian and will be returning. The food was suburb. yummy

We have tried many of the others, but this place is the best by far. The food is always fresh tasting, and good quality. Each dish has its own distinct flavour, and not a rehashed version of all the others. Service is always spot on, and they are very flexible for things that may not be available on the menu.

Absolutely excellent Indian - ordered at 6pm for 10 people and was ready for 6.45pm. Everything was piping hot and all meals were delicious.I tried some dansak, balti and masala, all of which were full of flavour and very different in taste. A lovely meal and fantastic service.

Can't fault this takeaway. The food is fantastic and the staff are so friendly and helpful. This takeaway deserves every accolade it has ever earned and will hopefully go on to earn more

We use this takeaway regularly and can never fault the food or the service. No delivery service could be seen as a downside but at least you know it's fresh. I just struggle not to start eating the starters on the way home!!

Everyone's already said what needs to be said. Something of an institution in Crook this family run business that have never let standards drop. Indian takeaway perfection, you'll not be disappointed.

The best Indian takeaway in the local area - always go the extra mile and are willing to make dishes to your taste. We've been getting takeaways from the Indian cottage for years and are always happy with the service and quality! Thank you!

This is the first time I have been In this particular restaurant and I must say the food was absolutely superb! First class is an understatement. I had seen that it won awards so wanted to check for myself, and we were both hugely impressed. Knowledgeable friendly staff, fresh food beautifully cooked and you could tell passion went into the dishes. Would definitely go back again, no question. A++++++