Nalaas in Derby

Great place, great food! Don't let the appearance of the entrance fool you or put you off. The food is amazing and flavoursome. Please be aware....it is cash only.

Meats were all-right tried lamb and chicken and fish. Bhindi was fried and cooked so dry and not fresh. Masala Dosa was ok but the small dish that came with it were small portion. Fish Mooli was ok but with too much onions. Gobi starter was nice. Atmosphere was lively although being a small place.

This was a nice surprise as the restaurant is almost hidden away in Monk Street. It was a real pleasure to eat here. The food was excellent and the service very good. We came with a guest from southern India who was very impressed with the food. We hope to return soon.

I have to say my first experience has been poor. The lamb biryani is mostly all bone and gristle and pretty bland. The rice was very spicy, also a bit bland. Cash only It's such a shame. I was really hungry and left with basically a bowl of rice In the picture right is all bone, on the left little meat, a lot of gristle 😔

We went there for the good lady's birthday lunch. Was surprised how busy it was and was glad I had booked a table. Although their curries are excellent we opted for 'street food' - pooris and spicy potatoes, Gobi 69, chilli chicken. It really is an excellent alternative to a normal; curry house.

Don't be put off by the location and first appearance, Nalaas has amazing authentic indian food and really friendly staff. We had a great night here. Word of warning its cash only! And the nearest place to get cash is a shop down the road so come prepared!

Always satisfy your palate, really amazing food and service.

One of my favourite places to go and eat. The food is incredible and it’s relaxed and really friendly. I love the thalis and masala dosas.

Very good, Biri had good hydrabadi taste. Masala and ghee roast all tasted good. The tea was also very 😊

A Taste of Tamil Nadu I've recently had the pleasure of dining at Nalaas twice, and I'm absolutely blown away. The food is incredibly authentic, and it felt like I was transported straight back to Tamil Nadu. The four dishes I tried – kothu paratha, chettinadu chicken, paneer dosa, and ghee roast – were all absolutely top-notch. The flavors were vibrant, and the textures were perfect. The chutneys were the cherry on top, adding a delightful complexity to each dish. On top of the amazing food, the restaurant itself was clean and well-maintained. The staff was friendly and attentive, and the toilets were also spotless. If you're looking for a truly authentic Tamil Nadu dining experience in a clean and comfortable setting, I highly recommend giving Nalaas a try. You won't be disappointed! P.S they are a cash only restaurant and parking is free

The food is excellent, and the experience is amazing. Their dosa is particularly outstanding—definitely worth a visit. Highly recommended!

Don’t be put off by the view from outside. This is a hidden gem. Outstanding food and service. Highly recommend. The lamb saag was delicious, and while I didn’t have it, the dosa looked amazing. Will definitely be back 🙂

Excellent South Indian food. Good to know they have another outlet in Nottingham named Thambis kitchen.

Nice little restaurant. Bigger on the inside than what you would expect. Food was brilliant with lots of options. A little on the hot side but still great. The service staff are great. The seating area is nice. One downside I felt was that the food was brought to the table slowly and not everyone I went with received their food at the same time. Lots of waiting for everything to be brought out.

Fantastic food would recommend!

Best place for south Indian food especially DOSA

We had the pleasure of visiting this establishment during a business trip and we are convinced that it is an excellent place with very good cuisine. The food made a great impression on us.

Nothing beats Nalaas, we’ve been so many times and keep returning. There is no Indian like it. Amazing food, reasonable prices and amazing staff. We are lucky to have this restaurant!!!!

A little while since I visited, just so good. From the outside it looks like a shed, inside it’s a modern minimalist restaurant. The front of house staff were so charming and helpful, but the kitchen staff produce wonderful South Indian specialties. All 3 courses, bit greedy were cooked with care and precision. From the dosa through paneer to the semolina dessert, they were all exquisite. Wish I hadn’t waited for 2 years before I came back. Final point, value is better than anywhere else. Go there, but Dave a chair for me!!

One of the best South Indian restaurant in Derby

The food here is absolutely delicious..😋

Perfect place for contemporary south Indian food!! The taste is home like and service is quick and very professional!

Food is very excellent and atmosphere was great with good song's played out .service was good. Only issue I faced was it's cash only .

Small quaint restaurant, make sure you book to get a table. Been a couple of times. Food is excellent. Cash only

One for those who like real Indian food cooked well.Huge menu for tiny place.Charming service and usually full so book in advance.

The ambience and customer service were good. Portion sizes were just right. However , the majority of the dishes we ordered lacked authentic South Indian flavors and hence the 3 star rating. They were good, but just not what your taste buds are used to having them back home.

The best South Indian food I've ever had! Had an amazing dosa, uttapam and idli; an amazing aubergine dish and a fantastic palak paneer. We felt very welcome and the service was great :) 10/10 recommended, a must visit in Derby! All I would say is that the menu could do with being re-written to make it clearer what the differences between dishes are and split the lunch menu into sections e.g. dosa in one section and idli in another to make it easier to choose what the eat as there is a lot of choice.

Just tried to order food to pick up and trying to speak to the woman over the phone was like speaking to a wall. Customer service 1/10 infuriating. Painful experience- avoid.

An authentic South Indian culinary journey!! This is my 2nd time visiting Nalaas, I tried everything from crisp dosas to the flavorful sambar and the aromatic biriyanis. The ambiance is inviting, with a touch of traditional charm, and the service is attentive, ensuring a delightful dining experience. Whether you're a seasoned fan of South Indian cuisine or a curious newcomer, Nalaas Restaurant is a must-visit destination for a memorable adventure.

Well served and quality food!! Worth visiting. :)

One of the finest South Indian restaurant in UK. They provide both Veg and Non-veg options suitable for customers spice tolerance. Authentic and Tasty food. They have the most friendliest front staffs I've seen. The service is extremely good.

My favourite place to eat Dosa ..the best dosa ever 👌

Food tastes good 👍🏻 Only Cash 👎🏻

I take shambar just now and they charge me 4.99 and sambar test is so bad like they don't know how to cook don't buy again

One of the best South Indian restaurant in UK .We live in Edinburgh whenever we go to England we used to have food in NALAAS derby. Their taste is so yummy .Everyone must try Atleast once in their life from here

I went with my family to this restaurant, we like the variety of south Indian options, we would always dine in this restaurant whenever we are in Derby.

Authentic south indian restaurant. Very good food. Been visiting 3rd time from Cambridge.

Wow! What an amazing place. Went with friends on their recommendation. The exterior is very unassuming and the interior is quite basic- but comfortable and perfectly adequate to enjoy your meal. the staff are very welcoming and always smiling. The food- just wow!! This is a curry house with a difference. The flavours are awesome and you may find dishes you have never tried before. Those dosas are really lovely. Plain or with different fillings. The fish curry was delicious. Very busy on the Saturday we went. Cash only. Well worth a visit. Menu describes food as Southern Indian.

Amazing well priced food would 100% recommend

The best Indian food I have had in the area. The place is small and it is recommended to reserve in advance. The food is delicious and the service is great. Keep in mind that it only accepts cash payments. The mango lassi is delicious. The quality of the food is above other Indian restaurants in the city. The prices are reasonable.

The best south Indian restaurant so far. The food was incredibly delicious. We had an amazing time of foodgasm there. Tried Mysore masala dosa, chicken fried rice, chicken biryani, Malabar porotta, and lamb dum biryani. Out of these I fell in love with the lamb dum- the best ever that I've eaten in the UK - the meat was perfectly cooked with the biryani flavour proportionate throughout. I would highly recommend Nalaas to everyone who wants to taste some Tamil flavours and I can bet that you would not be disappointed...

The best south Indian restaurant so far. The food was incredibly delicious. We had an amazing time of foodgasm there. Tried Mysore masala dosa, chicken fried rice, chicken biryani, Malabar porotta, and lamb dum biryani. Out of these I fell in love with the lamb dum- the best ever that I've eaten in the UK - Every other place I went( it will taste rubbery with flavour) However at Nalaas the meat was perfectly cooked with the biryani flavour proportionate throughout. I would highly recommend this place to everyone who wants to taste some Tamil flavours and I can bet that you would not be disappointed. Ladies, you're the best...

Hidden gem, would never of come or ever seen this restaurant if it wasn't for my friend. Outside I was thinking where have you brought me too you crazy woman! But as the doors opened I was really impressed it was so cute the smell was so amazing. The staff that greeted us were super friendly . For starters we had onion pakoras..fantastic! Followed by some massive crispy pancake thing that was filled with spicy potato ..tasty then the main we shared some vegetarian dish that had a bit of everything that was 50/50 I like 50% of the dish and the rice was a bit pain but good to try, I now know what to ask for.

Excellent south Indian food. The service was awesome. We are from London and tried many south Indian restaurants here but none of them could come close to Nalaas. Thanks again for the wonderful service and food.

Overall Experience was great but they don’t accept card. Had run to ATM to get some cash.

Great food for a good price. They have the best biryani in Derby.

Good and Tasty food.Good Customer Service 👍

Best Indian food in Derby, authentic southern Indian food.

Good service and price , staff are very friendly

I ordered Masala Dosa, Chicken Biriyani, coffee and Mango Lassi. Everything were very tasty and really worth of money. Especially Masala dosa, I feel the exact taste of dosa in Uduppi Bevan in South India. Also the ambience and services was excellent.

Wonderful staff experience and services ..yummy tasty food if anyone craving for South Indian (tamil) food this place is for you 😋

A wonderful Derby secret. It’s a FANTASTIC restaurant. The food is the best in Derby if you want Indian / South Indian.

Derby's hidden gem. You would miss this place if you didn't know it was there. Enter through its modest entrance and you are greeted with a smiling team and colour. The menu is spicy, tasty and vibrant South Indian menu! Chicken pepper fry, chicken chettinad, gobi 65 and fish 65 are highly recommended! This is a must for authentic Indian food in Derby.

Update: since the review was first written they’ve renovated the restaurant, and it is a lot more pleasant. They still don’t have a card machine so remember to bring cash. That is the only downside. It is very hard to come across South Indian food in Derby. Taste is perfect and the price is very cheap. Atmosphere, location, cleanliness of the restaurant let it down, otherwise it would of been 5 stars.

Great service and food was good...

Absolutely stunning food. Tried the chicken 65, veg thali with a lamb side dish. Everything tasted exquisite and the staff were so friendly and helpful, we will be back for sure 😊

Excellent south Indian food. Few parking available. Must try: south indian thali Note: cash only. No cards/transfer

Every time i order i specifically ask for the dish to be made hot/spicy and yet 60% of the time it comes mild/standard. - updating my review to 4 star as the restaurant has taken my feedback onboard and improved 👍

Great place to eat! Food delicious Service excellent Prices reasonable Can’t fault it. Hopefully they’ll either takeover the shop next door or move, so they don’t have to turn guests away. It’s always busy.

The foods delicious. But, appalled at the service and the attitude! They just dumped the stack of plates rather than one per person. There were 4 of us and they gave us 3 plates expecting one of us to use the plate that the dish was served in! When questioned I got the dagger looks !!! Unbelievable.+ it’s cash only with no option to pay by card unusual approach in 2024!

Food was really good. We ordered chicken 65, kothu porotta, Ghee roast, masala chai and some other drinks. Really loved the chicken 65. Parking is bit of a problem. Cash only

Food is pretty good, wish they were closer to Sheffield

Brilliant South Indian cuisine. Recently refurbished and the prices are excellent too.

Great place for South Indian cuisine. Tali meals is good. Not spacious as others and there are limited seating available Book in advance Limited parking Cash only

I’ve eaten here three times and the food is usually good. However, the staff who are serving have poor knowledge, for example, today I ordered Gobi Manchurian which I’ve had many times as half my family are Indian and live near China town in Kolkata. However, what they served me today was sloppy and wet. This was a pity because I’ve had it at Nalaas before and it was very good. Anyway, I called to tell them. When I explained that it was sloppy and didn’t seem to have been properly fried they said Gobi Manchurian isn’t fried and that’s why it’s moist. I think they tried saying this because they I assumed from my accent that I don’t know Indian food. They did offer me a refund if I go again. I appreciate this but I would have rather they considered my feedback and not given me a nonsense answer based on their perception of my ethnicity and hence food knowledge.

It’s the only place in derby where you can experience an authentic South Indian cuisine. The staff is very friendly , accommodating and welcoming.

Very regular Customer for Nalas, food always very authentic south indian taste, every time felt like home, I never mind paying in cash or card or any other method of payment, every business has own rights of payment methods, as a customer we should not complaint about it. Nalas never fails to deliver tasty food

Food is average like any other restaurant. What is annoying is the cash business only. If someone want dine with family then make sure you carry good cash, otherwise you may struggle to find nearest cash machine. It is very inconvenience in digital world, not sure why can't they accept card?

Authentic and delicious food. The lovely ladies managing and serving make you feel at home. The fish curry is one of the best I've had since moving to the UK, we drive down from Nottingham to eat it! Would recommend the non veg thali and dosas.

Visited during a busy lunch hour weekend. - Dosas, Sambar Idly, Veg Manchurian were very good. - Kadai Paneer was very watery with no salt or flavour at all. Paneer was over fried too. Shocking quality as Chef definitely didn’t know how to make it. - Naan option wasn’t available, so we had to choose between Parotta/Chapathi. - Veg Noodles not up to the mark, quite dry. Overall, South Indian options are a safe bet than the North Indian / Chinese ones. Must mention the lovely staff !

Best place for south Indian food especially dosa amazing

One of the best South Indian restaurants I have been to. Food is amazing, so is there hospitality!

Immaculate vibe, staff and quality of ingredients

From customer service to Food , everything is good. The only disappointment is that they only ACCEPT CASH. They have a small parking lot too.

Nice intimate setting, it gives the impression of being in someone's home and so the food has that home-made feel to it.

It was really a great experience,for the best masala dosa,vada items ,biryani please visit nalaaas.....and finally there pan is just awesome ..we all enjoyed ☺️

OMG! Where do I even start. A couple we know highly recommended Nalaas as somewhere we can get authentic, tasty Indian food. And boy were they right! The majority of the dishes I haven't seen in your usual western style Indian before. There are some recognised dishes like Biriyani. But the appeal of Nalaas for us is the fact we're eating more authentic food. Stuff I haven't necessarily tasted before. That said....I have fallen in love with the Chicken Chilli dish. Which is supposed to be a starter but you get so much I might next time just have it with some rice as a main! I honestly cannot recommend it enough though part of me wants to tell everyone not to go or I won't get a spot next time! lol. Joking obviously! Do go! Cash only so be prepared for that.

I will give more than 5 stars..lovely Indian food..@ Derby

Wow little gem hidden in derby, amazing food and amazing staff will deffo come back every week 😀

I like everything about this restaurant, starting from the lovely ladies to the drinks, to the starters till the main... just all, the food was really delicious pure Indian 😋 👌 😍 I'd love to go there again and really recommend this

I am wordless to explain the service , food quality and taste of this restaurant...very lovely ladies service team managing the restaurant,very welcoming and very polite to the customers. This is my second visit, actually the taste and service bring me back here again. Taste of the food was above my expectations and i do really appreciate the chef and team for serving tasty food in time,even if the restaurant is full. Highly recommended for proper Indian cuisine in Derby. Parking limited infront of the restaurant,other parking options available near by and restaurant deal with only cash please keep that in mind.. after all really enjoyed ❤️🙏

Really fantastic authentic food

Bit cramped but overall very good

Best South Indian food i have had in the longest time. Set back a little from the road with a small sign, easy to miss. Plenty of comfortable seating inside. Very nice , typically Indian ambience. High chair available. Had the Idli Sambhar and the masala dosa and it was amazing. Asked for extra Sambhar, it was sooo delicious and some curd for the baby and they didn’t charge us for them. Cash only so go prepared. Lovely staff. Would definitely visit again.

We were taken here by friends who had been before, you may drive past because it’s tucked away in a corner. Once inside the staff are very friendly ,service is quick , the food is very fresh and full of flavour . The food is southern Indian so a lot of vegetables ,but I have to say I really didn’t miss not having any meat . Can not recommend this place enough. Thank you for your service 🇬🇧

The thali, masala Dosa, and service were all excellent.

Amazing place for authentic South Indian food. This was my first visit but surely not the last. We ordered paneer dosa and non veg thali. Thali can be spicy if you are not used to spice of indian food but surely very delicious. It was the best dosa we have aten so far in UK. Definitely recommended. Jusy to add they served with desi ghee and gun powder separately which was plus point. Only downside was they don't accept debit/credit card but still very nice place to visit and worth for money.

Amazing place those who loves South Indian food must visit here. Small cozy , neat and warm place. Staff are very friendly and helpful.

Bright, cheerful eatery with outstanding South Indian food - do try the tea-tray sized masala dosas with mouth tingling chutneys. If you think UK curry-house fare can be a bit samey, Nalaas will be a revelation. We went early and just walked in but by 1pm it was getting pretty full. Service was fast and friendly and prices extremely reasonable. Only thing to watch out for is that it is cash only, although a short walk to a nearby cashpoint solved that problem. Highly recommended.

Unless you know a out this place you'll never find it. It's a hidden gem. When we walked upto it my 15 year old daughter said it looks like someones house and do they have chairs and tables!!! Thank god I made her go in. Great food and decent prices. No frills but worth it, and being from Leicester we have a massive choice of south indian food. Stay as you are. Brilliant

Most authentic south indian in UK. Would highly recommend. Space is less so best to book in advance and they only accept cash. Everything in the menu is great! The staff is very friendly as well.

Being fond of South Indian cousins I’m very picky and can easily get offended by ‘non South Indian food’ served under South Indian banner. My experience at Nalaas was extremely enjoyable in terms of both food, service and atmosphere. Truly authentic South Indian cousins at very reasonable prices with top notch service. 5 stars for both Food and Service, 4 stars for environment as you feel bit of squeezed in being in a very small place with people eating all around you with distance not more than 35cm. They definitely need to upsize their place. Tips: 1. on weekends always book your table by calling them and avoid waiting for a table to be vacant. 2. There’s very limited car parking space in front of the restaurant which is busy most of the time but you can park on the side road and the road exactly opposite the restaurant (next to the chippys) free for 2 hours after 6pm. 3. If you’re planning to go there before 6pm you can park on side roads without restriction which are like 10 minutes walk from Nalaas, I don’t remember Road name but you’ll easily find them once you’re in the area. 4. Try their South Indian Chicken Chattender (or similar called) too notch yummy 😋

We love curry but get a bit sick of the tasteless curries usually on offer at the local takeaway. We heard about naalas and have been wanting to go for a long time. Wow we weren't disappointed. Stunning flavoursome food with layers of flavours. Highly recommend. We had the chilli and coriander dossa prawn garlic curry and the thali. Blown away. We will be returning.

Good and nice people’s, feels like home. If possible kindly expand with more tables

If you like authentic food this is the best place in derby

Clean and welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food that is neatly presented. My wife and I went for a casual lunch and really enjoyed our time there. We had a Thali each, which had a nice variety of spices, heats and flavours. We left happy and full and now understand why the parking area outside is regularly packed in the evenings. You can view their menu online if you are unsure and want to do some research on the dishes they have before going.

Time to taste South Indian authentic food in Derby ....Had a great experience with the variety of dishes and it's taste

We went for a meal with friends last night. Amazing food. Lively atmosphere and wonderful service. Highly recommended

Wonderful, aramatic, tasty food and friendly staff. Reasonably priced and very filling. Our second visit and our new favourite. Can't wait to go again.

Excellent authentic cuisine with a touch of homeliness. Taste-Awesome Staff-Very friendly Quality- Excellent Thank you ❣️