Sara's Indian Restaurant and Takeaway in South Lakeland

My son took me here to celebrate my 67th Birthday whilst staying in the Lake District. The food was excellent 👌. Best onion bahjas I have ever eaten, the chicken dupiza was so full of flavour and they certainly know how to cook a paratha. The service was swift and the staff courteous. I will definitely return when I'm next in the Lake District.

Well that was a surprise - and a good one at that. Who would have expected to find a first rate Indian restaurant in Coniston? Sara’s might look more like a cafe than a restaurant but that’s because it used to be a cafe that served quite a reasonable breakfast back in the day. Under its current owners it is now a very good curry house. Yes it’s a cash only, ring your own drink establishment but none the worse for it. In fact bringing your own drink makes a meal a lot less expensive. The starters are massive portions. So much so that they could be mains. The mains are similarly generous in size. You’ll not leave this place hungry. The quality of the food was first rate. Proper flavours not just a spicy sauce slathered over everything. The menu us varied with some excellent specials. We paid just over £70 for 3 of us each with starters, mains and breads. Given the quality and portions that represented good value for money. Sara’s is well worth trying. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

We had read the reviews and looked like this was a good place to try .Called to pick our Indian up and I have never had anything taste so tasteless .It was nothing like it should have been .Chips were steamed and soggy the nan bread was chewy .The rice we order I honestly no idea what that was it was like packet rice done in the microwave That's us hungry as we were staying here for a couple of nights and it was too late to get food anywhere else .

Ordered a takeout collected it an walked 2 mins down the road to eat it wow it was disgusting took it straight back for a refund if that’s the best they can do they are probably in business because there nothing round Coniston as for the reply from the establishment they only get one chance to get it right and I did open the curry containers and tried a piece of dry chicken and sealed it back up …you can only cook with the quantity ingredients you have and they were poor so why let them cook it again to take it back again ?

Very good food and service at reasonable prices. I think I had Naga Jalfry or something like that as a side dish, naan, poppadums etc keema naan could have done with a bit more keema and paying for the chutney tray to go with poppadoms seems a little strange but they'd only add the price onto other aspects of the meal otherwise so just a different price model to what I'm used to. Yes it only takes cash which can be nuisance in small village and yes it doesn't serve alcohol but there is a brewery and convenience store literally across the road. Turn up knowing that already (which I did) and you'll find little to moan about. I'll almost certainly be eating here again next time I have walking trip to Coiniston.

Ordered a takeaway from here late last night. It looked like they were getting ready to close but still took my order. I can honestly say that it was one of the best Indian meals I’ve had for a very long time, if not the best…onion bhaji was cooked perfectly, South Indian garlic chicken was fantastic and the peshwari naan was light and full of flavour…I’ll be sitting in next time I visit…10 out of 10 from me.

Collected a meal from here for family whilst holidaying. Given 20% off for collection, also given two extra dishes! Food was amazing, decent portions. Would recommend.

I wasn’t expecting much from an Indian restaurant in the heart of the Lakes, but was very pleasantly surprised. We were there on a Sunday night and they weren’t very busy. The decor is a bit tired inside but don’t let that put you off. The food was piping hot, freshly cooked and tasty. It’s cash only and take your own booze. I would definitely go again next time we’re staying in Coniston.

Very good authentic India, cash only and take your own alcohol. No corkage fee and glasses ready. Good service great Indian food reasonable prices,,,perfect when a curry calls

Been meaning to try Sara’s for a while and as we were passing through Coniston decided to get a takeaway. We bought starters and a chicken balti to share. The food was very tasty, there was plenty of it and at a very reasonable price. We will definitely go again.

Decor dated, ambiance ok , however it was not busy on this Tuesday evening. In a real fan of Indian food , I’m a Londoner with Asian friends and loads of experience of eating it . The food was very colourful,flavoursome, and for me authentic. The variety on the menu was stunning and the dishes we chose all surpassed expectations. I’m here for the next three days and have it mind to visit again.

I've eaten Indian food in many restaurant in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Austria Spain, New Zealand, Singapore and Even at Home in Australia Also i have friends that given me a Indian meals in the past. But this Place Sara's is easily the best Indian food i have ever eaten. and good value, it is small restaurant with a big heart. If and when you Visit don't be in a hurry as it is Family run so there is only the Son and father doing the service. Just enjoy your experience of being taken to India, in a food since

Nice nans. Lovely curry. Quick service. Great for take away.

Everything was amazing. The owners were very nice and provided a great service. The food is halal.

Stayed in Coniston for 3 nights and it was the best meal we had. Great food, quiet place, and good prices. Shame we weren't staying longer otherwise we would have come back again.

Fantastic Indian food. Best I've had in years. Highly recommend.

This is a very average Indian style restaurant. We tried it after eating at too many typical pubs and needing a change. We were disappointed in the naan that actually had a sweet taste to it that was not good. Maybe I am being a little too critical as we went with Indian friends.

Great service, best Indian food I've had in a long time . Will definitely Go again..

If you want to eat in pre book - delicious food - staff nice and coped with the busyness well - worth a visit. Cash only and take your own alcohol. We will return

Can`t fault anything at all : Didn`t have to book, as we went early on a Saturday night. Spotlessly clean and modern. Staff are really nice. Food was great - prawn madras and tandoori chicken, with starters of tandoori fish and samosas. Bring your own drinks - which massively keeps the cost down. ( cash only ) Plus it`s surrounded by great places to drink. What more could you want from a curry house ?

Does not serve alcohol and it does not take cash. Service is excellent. You can bring your own booze. Staff is amazing. Food was a bit dry. Prices reasonable.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our meal this evening, 4 plus a pram baby. The food was excellent, staff were very personable, and the atmosphere was VG. All this on the evening of an England football game, hence LOADS of takeaway orders being collected, and it was still 10/10 Thanks for sorting the birthday girls' cake too👍

Had no trouble booking a table on a Saturday night. Good choice of food. Very tasty. BYOB encouraged. Will visit again when next in Coniston.

Orderd 4 chicken biriyani To be honest Very bad biriyani and they won’t give any spoon , tissue or anything. Really not satisfied I never suggest this restaurant Kanjoos lok

No taste at all. Biriyani tastes like pulav. Never recommend

No card acceptance and no bills being provided

Just had a fantastic take away. Great portion size and lovely friendly team. Excellent value and no compromise on flavour, thank you.

Enjoyed a selection of vegetable dishes here. The staff member who served me was polite & courteous. The bhindi bhaji & tarka daal were delicious & good value for money. The tandoori roti was fresh. The atmosphere in the restaurant was nice. There was ample parking on the road.

And all over the world and this is probably one of the best Indians meals I've ever had. Highly recommended 👍 Yet another fantastic meal as usual 💙 This is one of my favourite places to eat I've had so many great meals here and I have Never been disappointed, great price and excellent food 👌👍

Worse Indian meal I have experienced Lamb was tough and inedible our Pathia was bright red and chillified the worse pathia I have experienced anywhere in the UK and when we complained he said they would tell the chef ! The meat had been precooked and was tough before it was added to our dish and the chef would have been aware at the time all three different dishes were below an acceptable standard, a waste of £63

Have been here several times over the years but the food this time was very poor. No real flavour to speak of. Was it the Chef's day off?

I don't normally leave reviews but I feel I have to with Sara's Indian.. I was staying on Coniston for one night and thought I'd try it. All I can say is the food I had was exceptional as was the service... many times I find that Indian food is oily with an unpleasant aftertaste but my vegetable biryani and Dahl was superb ..highly recommended

Cracking place, top curries... See you again next year!

Disappointing and overpriced takeaway I ordered a chicken tikka bhuna — sauce was nice; chicken was overcooked and definitely not tikka. To add insult to injury, my husband had chicken tikka in his dish. I was gutted. Bland at best. Avoid.

We have been using Sara’s Indian since it opened about 8/9 years ago. Every time the food is perfect and extremely tasty, very good value and the staff particularly Mia are very courteous, polite and efficient. I highly recommend if you are visiting Coniston to try one of their delicious meals. I can highly recommend the Chicken Chaat starter, it’s my favourite which is hard to say with all the delicious starters, onion bhajis another for example. There are lots of varied delicious mains to choose from too. The prices are very good and you take your own alcohol if you require alcohol or there are non alcohol drinks to purchase. We can’t wait till we visit again. Treat yourself to a taste sensation, you won’t be disappointed!

Very disappointing indeed, spent £45 on a collected takeaway, didn’t take too long. The starters were well below average and the 2 curry’s went in the bin, tasted awful, watery sauce and the meat just tasted weird (both the lamb & chicken). I would never order from here again even though these are supposed to be Bradford chef’s..

Absolutely fantastic food really polite and helpful staff A real gem

Big portions of food , but poor quality, oily rice and tough chicken, suggesting it had been reheated , and no real difference in taste between the main courses.

A lot of bar here, no card payment no Alcohol or BYOB closed Tuesday I did not feel it was worth the effort so went on to Ambleside!

Went here whilst staying in the area for a weekend. Didn't book but were accomodated very well and seated quickly regardless. Reasonable prices and fantastic food. We went a second night on the trot in fact, as the local pubs weren't offering food. Despite it being last minute, they took our booking very short notice and we had another great meal here. Staff very friendly and welcoming, highly recommend. If I ever stay up there again, I will be sure to visit again!

Blandest balti we have ever eaten. Did they run out of spices?

Popped in to get a takeaway whilst staying in the area. Good Indian food at a very reasonable price. Would recommend.

Such a great spot! Amazing food and lovely staff. Pabz/Babz- is such a welcoming host and a great chat. Sorry if we got your name wrong 🤭

Very average curry. No taste. Won’t visit again.

Always good. Bring your own drinks. Staff great. Food also great. Naga Jalfry and South Indian Garlic chicken to be recommended.

Nice to find an Indian takeaway/restaurant in Coniston. Had (as a takeaway) the South Indian Garlic curry, king prawn pasanda, pilau rice, mushroom bhaji and naan. Big helpings and very tasty.

Ordered a takeaway. The lamb was tough and the chicken was dry. We have all been ill since eating it. I think the food may have been reheated. I do not recommend you eat at this restaurant.

Very tasty! Would highly recommend!

Fitted in our party of 8 at short notice, really great tasting food and very friendly service. They do get busy with their take-away service as so popular, but quality and portion size V.good. Would recommend and we would like to visit again.

Tasty food huge portions service fine prices good well worth going.

Arrived 15 mins after opening time... not a soul in sight . Waiter arrived after we shouted " hello, hello, anybody here " ... told us, there is no chef, he hasn't arrived. What a wonderful business. Honest to God...

Wonderful place brilliant staff very friendly atmosphere and very enjoyable indian food

We were very pleased that Coniston has an Indian take away. We phoned our order, given a time and it was ready when we collected it. A good tick in the box. The meal itself was outstanding: both Korma and the balti were spiced beautifully. The samosa were tasty and the vegetable masala was amongst the best we have tasted. All the accompaniments were superb but of special note was the Peswari Nan - melt in the mouth tastiness. I would rate this meal as amongst the best takeaways our family has eaten and with 20% off for collecting, it was really value for money.

Good choice of authentic Indian cuisine in the centre of coniston, we were staying in a cottage and ordered a takeaway as the restaurant was full, I enjoyed the food and would return. The prices were reasonable for the quality of food produced. They don’t offer a delivery service so you need to collect.

Whilst staying in a little cottage in Coniston, my family and I meandered into the village for some well deserved food. We came across this gem and were seated quickly despite it being rather busy. After poperdoms, we all had onion baji to start and were delighted with the presentation. They were large portions and were very tasty. The mains were equally as enjoyable, with everything tasting very fresh and was polished off with ease after a day of walking. After several cokes, they don't sell alcohol but you can bring your own, we requested the bill. Given the cost of everything these days I was expecting a three figure affair, however evetything came in for 3 of us at just over £70 !! Bargain. Everything was nicely cooked, the staff were polite and attentive then the bill topped off a really nice little eatery. Fancy an indian meal, in the Lakes, then give this a go, come on, you can get Cumberland sausage from Lydl !!

Was visiting Lake District and came across this place and it didn't dissapoint food was nicely cooked

Fantastic food and good service

Had a brilliant time at Sara’s: food, service and atmosphere were amazing. Would recommend anyone who’s visiting coniston come here x

The food was delicious in truth one of the best Indian meals we have ever had. The service was impeccable and our experience was the best we could hope for. Thank you so much for making our last day on holiday so special xx

Lovely food and great friendly service. We were really impressed with the tasty Onion Bhaji's

Amazing food. Excellent service. Absolutely worth the money.

Lovely food, nice staff, good value. This Indian restaurant is worth a try if you are staying in Coniston and want to try something different to pub food.

Food tasted amazing, came out fairly quick after being ordered, only downside was cash only

Good taste and was served extra hot as asked. Service was excellent 👌

Perfect selection of food, great menu choices. All tasted lovely. The take your own alcohol system keeps the cost down, and the service was very nice

Dined on a busy Saturday night. Service was fine. Warm, pleasant welcome. Before being seated I visited the loos. Filthy thread bare stairs carpet gave me the immediate impression this place was dirty. Toilet was filthy. The inside of the door you could see the ‘muck’ against the fading white paint. Awful. Downstairs waiting to be seated I saw their poppadom service station. This was also filthy. Piled up dirty plates and spillages on the bench. Just gave the impression cleanliness is not a priority here. They then took us down to a dark, damp smelling basement room to be seated. This room is an awful place to dine in. If booking ask not to be seated downstairs. Food was very average 5/10. 1/10 for the stale poppadoms which in hindsight we should have sent back. Clearly a popular place but in my opinion, complacency has set in, in terms of hygiene standards. This place needs a good deep clean, new stairway carpet and a good cleaner employed and hygiene standards set. Get this done and I would have rated 6-10, as it is I rate it 3/10.

Great food - well balanced spices for flavor not just heat. Good range of really different dishes. Bring your own alcohol though and they only take cash.

Course 1 - Appetiser: Poppadoms, Pickle Tray Poppadoms were light and crisp. They proved a wonderful vehicle for the hot and sour lime pickle. This balanced well with the pungent freshness of the onion salad and the comforting stickiness of the mango chutney. Course 2 - Starter: Tandoori Naga Roast An impressive construction! The juicy flesh of the peppers working beautifully with the char of the blackened skin. A delicious vessel for the spiced meat stuffing. Course 3 - Fish: Bahari Fish Bhuna, Chips The chunks of catfish were tender and perfectly cooked. The delicate spicing allowed the fish to be the star of the show. The fish is paired with exceptional chips to give a playful reimagining of a seaside treat. Course 4 - Poultry: Sara's Hot Duck, Garlic & Onion Rice The rich fattiness of the duck proved more than a capable sparring partner for the combative chilli gravy in which it was served. Any suspicions that the feistiness of the garlic and onion in the rice may not sit harmoniously with the curry were unfounded. With so many strong flavours this dish could have been a boxing match, instead it was a beautiful capoeira routine. Course 5 - Meat: Keema Vindaloo, Cheese Naan Bolognese and cheese is always on the menu in my household and at Sara's it is delightfully deconstructed. The bolognese here beefed up (or should that be lambed up?) with brave, confident spicing and a whack of chilli heat to be reborn as a perfect keema vindaloo. Spaghetti? Take a hike up the Old Man! The superbly fluffy cheese naan instead takes centre stage. There's no better way to mop up a plate of hot curry. This ain't bolognese like Nana used to make it! Course 6 - Dessert: Tandoori Butter Chicken, Peshwari Naan When cooking classic dishes such as butter chicken there's no place to hide and there's no need for hiding when your food is as good as this. Creamy, sweet sauce, clinging to juicy strips of chicken makes this the perfect pud. Palate cleanser: Tarka Daal Exceptional. Allowed each course to sing it's own beutiful song. Drinks pairings: Belhaven Best, Tennent's Special, McEwan's Export All three great as always. Tennent's Special a particular highlight on this occasion. Amen x

Great food.. Good prices.. Great service

Amazing food,beautiful ingredients, fantastic taste,very reasonably priced.We visit Coniston regularly,so much I was asked “what part of Coniston do I live”.😃If Sara’s was near where I lived I’d be in every night 🤩

We have been lots of times and never had reason to complain. They were very busy so didnt want to make a fuss. I chose Passanda with prawns. The prawns were tiny and rubbery, I was extremely disappointed. At £12.45, not very happy.

Called no end of times but the phone is never answered, went elsewhere

Cash only and BYOB, but great food.

Gave me nasty food poisoning - up all night

Excellent meal. Amazing value and lots of choice. Dishes we hadn't seen before. Good service. Cash only and BYOB which suited us. Looking forward to returning.

The service was good but food was not. We ordered biryanis and got pulav. It was not near biryani in any way. No flavours, no basmasti rice. As Indian I would not go there again. Aloo puri chat was actually just puri and aloo sabji. Chicken liver was only good thing. Would suggest to go to other places in coniston.

We asked to get a table at 9pm on a Friday night when there were only a couple of tables inside, bare in mind this establishment is meant to close at 11 we were told the chef did not want to serve anymore tables but could get a takeaway how does this make sense? We told them we had not ate all day and we were staying in a hotel with no cutlery and if we could borrow some which they said no so had to order a couple of east eating starters!!!

The service was excellent, and food was just as good. Great service and location in the centre of Coniston. BYO for alcohol but there a co-op across the road.

Stayed at the Wilson arms, and this indian restaurant was local. We had the Sara special starter which was lovely. I always get the same dish - a chicken tikka madras, some places are good and some it doesn’t resemble the dish at all- but this was amazing, all the flavours and the spice! Rices, breads also very good. Would definitely come back and recommend to anyone. You can also bring your own alcohol as they don’t have a license, so we brought a bottle of wine and some beer.

Absolutely delicious food. Dishes we hadn't seen before. Great service. Excellent value too. Brilliantly located.

Lovely place, food came fast but of great quality. Enjoyed the meal and service.

So disappointed ordered the chicken tandoori very dry and with no sauce at home we are given choice of Nan or rice also we are given a curry sauce. Did get a small bag of salad. The tandoori paneer 6 cubes and very dry the only saving grace was the pickle tray the only thing we liked. Maybe it was a bad night this was a takeaway and we were the only people there.

Chicken was super dry, (probably frozen) Bland curry sauce, which either saparated or was ready made in bulk and wasn't mix together properly. Garlic naan was OK at best onion bhajis was also OK at best.

Didn't get to try the food! Sadly I was refused a table because I was alone! I travel alone regularly and this is the first time this has ever happened. He suggested I might try the following evening, and he might serve me, but I wasn't up for being humiliated a second time.

This great little Indian was a godsend to us as where we had booked for our sat evening meal was having problems with their gas!!! Yummy food and BYOB so very cheap evening

Good food and great service. Bring your own alcohol as they do not sell alcohol inside.

Fabulous food and great service. And then the bill comes and its reasonable. We forgot we where in the lakes for a moment, if you want a good Indian meal look no further.

Simply fantastic menu by a great chief who really knows what he's doing. Try Sara's Hot Duck, just scrumptious.

In my previous review I raved about Sara's because it was very nice indeed, we expected to feel the same when we had a take away on our recent stay in Coniston but we were very disappointed. The chicken was chewy and tough, the sauces...

Really enjoyed the Shahi Gosht (lamb leg done in medium spices). I normally have a Nababi Karia which also very very nice. Very efficient and friendly staff.

2 nights glamping at coniston caravan park only brought 1 meal from home second day thought we would get delivery ordered in ,no chance of that then found Sara’s Indian 5 mins in car the best Indian ever had chicken tikka madras and chicken tikka masala supreme superb the best please try 👍👍👍👍❤️

Cash only and take your own bottle. The food is tasty and very filling. The staff are friendly. You may have to book on a weekend evening.

We got take out while staying in Coniston. The order was meat samosa, lamb tikka main, chicken tikka bhuna, two nan bread and a special biriyani. The food was delicious and just the right quantity for our family of four. Highly recommend. Cash only.

We got take out while staying in Coniston. The order was meat samosa, lamb tikka main, chicken tikka bhuna, two nan bread and a special biriyani. The food was delicious and just the right quantity for our family of four. Highly recommend. Cash only.

We spent a few nights in Coniston this week and booked into a lovely bed and breakfast called the Bluebird Lodge, we wanted to try Sara's on Wednesday night and we were turned away because we didn't have cash and the 1 local cashpoint wasn't...

Delicious curry every time I have visited this restaurant. Took my family this evening, we all had different dishes and they were all excellent. Very reasonably priced.

Enjoyed 3 delicious curries at Sara’s tonight with my family. Chicken Tikka Masala was perfectly cooked and the two veggie dishes were lovely. Took the remainder of my naan home to enjoy as a midnight snack!

A really nice - pretty old fashioned - local curry house. When main meals brought out, the waiter said the chef had cooked a rogan josh rather than a dopiaza and would we mind having the RJ? I mean, sounds bizarre, but we enjoyed this...

Some of the best food, of any kind, I've ever had, it is byob and cash only but as long as you know this in advance, the perfect place to eat any night of the week.

You will not be disappointed when eating here at Sara's. Lovely food well presented and so tasty. Staff are very helpful but discrete. No licence so take your own beer/wine and no corkage charge.