The Lane in Redbridge

My partner and I have visited The Lane several times for takeaways or a relaxed meal. This evening we shared a lovely lamb bhuna and a delicious chicken korma with spinach, potatoes and cauliflower. The food was simple but excellent quality and beautifully prepared. Prices are very reasonable. Service is prompt and friendly. The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere and is more spacious than it looks from outside. Well worth a visit.

Ordered takeaway, 25 min late, Food at best warm, Poppadoms tasted stale. Nan bread warm and hard. Really dissapointed, as we use the lane as a restaurant. Not your best service tonight !

Takeaway was not good - our first and last here. Took 90 minutes to arrive and was lukewarm when it finally did. Lamb tikka was dry and gristly. Paratha was very thick and doughy and had steamed in its packet on its journey so was very stodgy. And the most expensive takeaway Indian we have ever had. There won't be repeat custom from us.

Very expensive for the amount of food we received at £132 for two Disruptive service …two staff came through the saloon with a ladder

Absolutely delicious and always is! The best Indian for miles. Tasty, fresh, good value for money! Service always great too.

Excellent food and nice restaurant surroundings. But no heating in the toilets!!! Price on the board outside differed from what was on the menu inside (set priced dinner) Inattentive waiters one of whom we simply couldn’t understand which made ordering stressful. There’s so many other eating places out there and we won’t be visiting ‘The Lane’ in a hurry but wish them all the best for the future!!

had a fantastic meal and staff lovely and good drinks list i had a korma delicious and the bread was very fresh so good

So disappointed, ordered takeaway only to be advised 20 minutes AFTER the end of the delivery window that it was cancelled. Had heard good things but would not recommend.

Amazing food, friendly staff and well priced! Can’t fault it Loved the free drink at the end. Will def be back!

READ please 😞⚠️👇🏻We call them at 17:30pm the food arrives in 1h 16min which shouldn’t take more than 30min when we are so close ok let’s say it was a traffic still is like over an hour, it’s unacceptable! anyway the food arrived and they gave us small portion of rice we ordered large it’s a dinner for two people not one the bread was mistaken all our dinner was ruined for the night and they argued with us trough the phone and we waited another 30-40min for the large portion of rice and bread to be replaced 2h it’s disgusting service and on my bread I had big black hair looked like pubic hair to me and make me to trow up. Never ever again from this place!!!! 🤬😣Blaming the customer for the orders and arrogant attitude, waiting ages no thanks. Such a waste of time and money, I can’t believe that this restaurant can actually exist in such a nice place like Wanstead.

Portion sizes are great, however not worth it when you realise there is not very much flavour in the food at all. The curries are also pretty oily.

We have been long standing customers of the Lane and recently have become concerned about the inconsistency of the quality of the food. Tonight we ordered a take away and most dishes were swimming in oil and subsequently thrown away. When I phoned the restaurant to report this I was offered a 10% discount off our next meal. This was not helpful as we don't intend ordering from The Lane again.

My wife and I visited The Lane for the first time I don’t normally write reviews but the quality of the food at this restaurant was excellent and reasonably priced and they deserve a shout out. I had the savoury pancakes to start and Lamb Jalfrezi as a main my wife had a selection of vegetarian dishes each of the dishes were excellent and the quality of the breads and rices also deserves a mention. We have eaten in many local Indian restaurants in recent years and this rates as one of the very best. We’ll be back

Delicious high quality food, we ordered here for the first time after a recommendation and it was well worth it. Perfectly on time, very good quality meat and very highly flavoured. Could do with a bit more spice but I do like heat. Would highly recommend

Absolutely delicious food and really great service. The mixed tikka masala was amazing - very highly recommended!

Quality of food usually good but this 2nd takeaway during Lockdown was not up to their usual high standard:(

First visit for us to The Lane. My husband had the Lane Special Balti which he said was well cooked and very tasty, I had the monkfish masala which was also well cooked and very flavoursome, i wouldn't order again as i feel monkfish is too delicate to put in such a rich sauce the taste was lost, that is my personal taste and no reflection on the quality of the ingredients. Will certainly visit again we had a very nice evening, comfortable seating too which is always a plus. Thank you The Lane we will be back very soon.

Popadoms with 4 different chutneys to begin. Liked the sweet ruby red onion chutney. Us girls had a curry each but shared 1 rice between two as the portions were enough for us. Can recommend the Chicken Bhuna. Will return. Convenient to the Nightingale pub across the road.

The staff were extremely polite and the food was fresh served promptly an the portions were really generous - the food itself was extremely tasty full of flavour cooked with a fusion of flavours and spices. Very good value for money an would definetly recommend - will certainly be going back again .... an again.... an again. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Me girlfriend and I come to this restaurant at minimum of once a week. It is our favourite Friday night hotspot. The staff are so hospitable, and the food is absolutely to die for (lamb chops are a MUST). Every time we walk in, they greet us by our first names and the friendliest of welcomes. I couldn’t recommend a better Indian restaurant. It is 5 star!!!! Adam & Victoria

First time at The Lane on Friday night. Food was excellent lovely fresh Ingredients, made to feel very welcome by the lovely staff will definitely be going back 👌

The Lane never fails to disappoint. Not only are the staff extremely attentive (especially Alam) but the curries are second to none. This is the only Indian restaurant I come to and I am always amazed by the quality of the food. I definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting the Wanstead area

I was recommended to visit The Lane and was not disappointed. It was insanely busy within the restaurant as well as calls for takeaways, the staff were not flustered at all. The waiter was happy to recommend, advise and explain if you didn't know. Their speciality dishes did need explaining as there were a few dishes I hadn't heard of before. Superb food, beautifully presented and explained! . Very cosy with a lovely atmosphere - the smallest of faults was the background music seemed "tinny", but that's just looking for something. I am looking forward to my next visit and would not hesitate to recommend this lovely restaurant to anyone. Oh! they do a naan with pineapple which tried and it was...different but fab!!

Me and the girls went for a delicious food feast and we weren't disappointed. Great service, great food, great food!! Definitely be coming back

Under new recent management, what a refreshing difference. Most certainly will be returning, frequently no doubt!!👍

Vivir cerca, mis dos visitas anteriores bajo el antiguo régimen, fueron decepcionantes. Así que con una mente abierta visitamos el nuevo negocio mejorado hace una semana y tuvimos una experiencia realmente agradable. Siempre es bueno probar algo más de una vez para garantizar su consistencia, y acabamos de regresar de nuestra segunda comida encantadora.Se ha pensado un poco en la nueva decoración, con una pared de iluminación bastante llamativa. La ropa de mesa es limpia, algodón blanco crujiente, sutilmente establecido.Lo que nos llamó la atención en nuestra primera visita fue la calidad de los platos de acompañamiento, muy frescos y no demasiado cocidos. Mi esposa y yo no somos grandes comedores y pensamos que en nuestra primera visita sería bueno en nuestra próxima visita tal vez elegir una selección de los entrantes y crear una experiencia de estilo tapas, esto lo hicimos y funcionó muy bien. Teníamos las chuletas de cordero tandoori, el cordero acompañado de un fantástico alog sag que pedimos que fuera bastante picante, no decepcionaron. El tandoori roti era ligero y crujiente. Realmente fue impecable, también las bebidas en el menú tienen un precio razonable (mejor que los precios de pub).En ambas ocasiones comimos alrededor de las 7. 00 pm y el lugar estaba tranquilo, estoy seguro de que esto cambiará con el tiempo a medida que se corra la voz. Definitivamente una gran mejora en la gestión.

Saw that this place was under new management and went along to try it out. The new team were trying really hard and did an incredible job of looking after us. The food was a great mix of classics and new things to try. The mixed starters were fantastic, plenty of spice but not too hot. We had a balti and a king prawn and aubergine dish for main, both packed plenty of great flavours. Recommend you give the new team a try.

The quality of The Lane has been in decline for years. Our recent trip there was the final nail in the coffin of our relationship with a formally fantastic eatery. Over priced, poorly cooked and often tasteless. As a side note they’ve done away with the pleasing tradition like giving a free drink at the end of the meal, not something to fret about, but noticeable when you’ve been served not well prepared portions for what feels like an extravagant price. The new decor is very unappealing but that’s personal taste. We won’t be back but we hope the new owners improve the quality of the food and continue to run a successful business.

Tried this restaurant out as read positive reviews on this site and it was local to the Duke, where I was having a drink or two that night.

Me and my other half went there on Saturday (17/08/2019)for a belated birthday meal and have to say can't fault the food.

Fresh tasty food, polite and attentive staff, complimentary drinks at the end of the meal. What’s not to like? Good luck to the new team. We will be back.

Estos muchachos están bajo una nueva administración desde hace seis semanas y el excelente trabajo que han hecho hasta ahora. Pedimos una comida para llevar y comimos allí la semana pasada y fue el mejor curry que ambos hemos probado en tanto tiempo. Esto viene de un amante del curry y un marido que prefiere la comida china. El servicio, la calidad de la comida, los camareros y el chef son excepcionales! ¡Qué gran sonrisa en la cara de mi marido, me hizo el día! Sin duda volveremos.

Very tastie curry, one lamb, one king-prawn, bottle of house red wine, delishious, nice and fruity, service was very attentive and polite, good night had.

Siempre tratamos de encontrar nuestra casa de curry local "estándar", a precios razonables, por primera vez en mucho tiempo. Ha sido el lugar más mercurial de los últimos años. Comida a veces decente, a veces horrible. Servicio casi siempre maleducado, a veces grosero. Entonces el grado de higiene de una estrella (desde restaurado a 4). Nos habíamos dado por vencidos. Entonces, cuando llamé por teléfono, fue una sorpresa recibir una respuesta tan educada: "Espero verte más tarde, señor". Anteriormente, habrías tenido suerte de conseguir un gruñido. Le comenté a mi OH que algo debe haber sucedido. Que tiene. Nueva propiedad y administración (explicó algo acerca de que es el abuelo, quien está retirado) y se dan cuenta de que tienen un trabajo de reconstrucción en sus manos.

Hemos sido asiduos por muchos años y nos sentimos decepcionados después de que se cambió la propiedad hace aproximadamente un mes y nuestra primera comida no fue buena, pero pensamos que podría haber problemas de dentición. Regresamos para una segunda visita 4 semanas después para ver cómo progresaban las cosas. Aunque el servicio fue agradable, esperamos más de una hora para nuestros platos principales y la comida fue una verdadera decepción. El pollo tikka era simplemente pollo a la parrilla y el pollo de ajo del norte de la India, normalmente muy caliente, se asemejaba a la sopa de tomate con un tomate fresco entero. Incluso el keema naan tenía carne picada, ninguna especia. Si te gusta el curry muy suave con muy poca especia, vale la pena probar. De lo contrario, intente en otro lugar. Es una pena.

Good food, pleasant staff, reasonably priced. Was a little quiet for a Saturday evening but that suited us. Our curry place of choice even if it is a bit out of our way.

http://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/en-GB/443569/The-Lane-Wanstead Major Improvements Necessary 1 out of 5

Myself and my wife go here and have a starter each then share a main as the portions are massive! The special dishes are really good! Friendly Staff nice cold beer on tap and of course Cobra bottles!

I've eaten both at The Lane as well as had the odd takeaway as well. The dining experience was fine, although the restaurant is apt to get quite crowded at the weekends - especially Saturday night. Staff are courteous and friendly.

Great evening. Quality food with excellent service. Going there for five years still the best in the area

Agradablemente sorprendido con el servicio y la calidad de la comida después de una visita nocturna el sábado 6/10/18. Los cuatro de nosotros en nuestro grupo quedamos impresionados e incluso llegamos a decir que es la comida india que hemos tenido en mucho tiempo, con bebidas incluidas que estaban muy bien refrigeradas. Sin duda volvería y recomendaría este restaurante.

After having friends down for the weekend, we decided to go to the lanes for a late evening curry. On arrival, the lanes is a nice place and we were sat down promptly. However, it took around half an hour for someone to order drinks of us. We had out pops for 20 minute without anything to wash it down. Next, the starters took a long time. By long I mean an hour! When they came the food was. OK but was not hot, and looked like it been on the hot plate for a long time. After another half an hour of finishing, the mains came. I had a lovely lamb curry, which was quite oily but I didn't mind. However, as my partner ate her second tandoori chicken quarter, she realised it was raw on the inside. After noticing, the gentleman called over was abrupt and couldn't understand the problem. After that we kind of lost our appetites. They were happy to take it off the bill, but raw chicken is disgusting it should have been half price for everyone. Despite this another waiter came over an was apologetic and offered us free drinks, we just wanted to get out of there. The rude man from earlier was back with his card machine, who abruptly stated 'next' with please or thankyou when taking our bill. I understand the resteaunt was quite busy but there is no excuse for this. It was our first time and we will not be going back.

Raw chicken, flat beer, out of date coke and really slow service. Absolutely shocking. Would never return.

Así que pedimos llevar. La tarjeta de mi esposo se usó para comprar artículos de EBay y se usó PayPal. Lo hicieron usando los detalles de la tarjeta por teléfono y luego la dirección de la nota. Dijo administrador que ignoran. Se las arregló para recuperar fondos de PayPal. Luego descubrió que le había sucedido a otras 5 personas en los últimos 2 años. La policía dijo que las compañías de tarjetas informaron. Solo ten mucho cuidado ya que no son confiables.

No recomendado. Mal servicio y, lo peor de todo, ¡la comida está cargada de azúcar! Evitar e ir por otras casas de curry en el área

Me encantó hace 5 años y aún lo hago. Gran servicio y comida increíble. ?.

Went here on a Friday night with friends. Glad we booked though as it was busy. Not the biggest restaurant but it’s set out well.

Nos dieron una mesa para cuatro sin reservar con antelación. El restaurante estaba un poco ocupado, pero aún así había algunas mesas vacías.

A noisy place and very busy but that reflects that people like to come here. A good variety to choose form on the menu along with the traditional offerings in a curry house.

Been the Lane many times in the passed,to be honest it’s always hit or miss.Haven’t been in a while so thought we would give it another go.Booked a table for 4 people and requested to sit at the back of the restaurant as it can be a bit chilly at the front.When we arrive we was seated at the front with no apology.Had to ask for drinks after about 10 minutes.Food was average at best.The manager has a very miserable demeanour and we didn’t even get a thank you very much when we left the premises.We had spent near on a £100 pound At the Lane.Wont be giving them any more of our money!

Been here a couple of times as food is good but this is the last time as service is just getting worse. It appears if you have ordered take away, you get priority and a better service than a table of 6 people!

La comida aquí es excelente, muy sabroso y fresco, y hay un amplio menú para elegir.

Visitamos el carril por recomendación. La primera impresión fue de una pequeña entrada de vidrio que conducen a dos habitaciones de tamaño medio, dividida por una barra tipo de recepción. Las mesas estaban dispuestas desde la gran ventana que daba a la calle principal, en la parte trasera del establecimiento. Pedimos que se sienten en el frente y en seguida dijo que ambas mesas (1 para 2 personas y 1 para 4 personas) eran reservado para las 7 PM. Llegamos a las 6. 45:00 h. Cuando nos fuimos el restaurante aproximadamente 2 horas más tarde estas mesas todavía estaban vacías. Con respecto a la comida, pedimos varios platos. La comida puede ser mejor descrito como "mediocre". Aunque había tres camareros en la asistencia, el servicio era bastante lento. Nos sorprendió la factura, que era muy caro, teniendo en consideración lo que se consume. Los precios de Londres por un restaurante local. Decepcionado por decir lo mínimo. No volveremos por segunda vez.

Great food and service but dont get fooled into eating the "marshmallows". Friendly staff and reasonable prices.

I brought some friends here for dinner who had never been before. They were blown away by the delicious food and the lovely atmosphere in this tiny little restaurant. The vegetarian sides are really tasty. The staff are very attentive and friendly. The owner recommended...

The Lane believes in packing in its guest. If you get there early you might get a decent seat but otherwise take what to get and squeeze in tight. The food is average and the menu varied.

Nos visita este restaurante semanal a veces con amigos o familia y nunca nos decepciona. Mo el co propietario es encantador y la comida sensacional, especialmente los platos de Bangladesh. Hemos comido por todo Londres, pero curry nuestro local es el mejor!

We absolutely love this restaurant to both eat in and for a fantastic takeaway, very reasonably priced

Nothing to write home about. Staff have attitudes. Cant understand why they are always so busy. The food is ok but nothing great.

The Lane seems to get mixed reviews so I try to review overtime I go - another good visit - the Madras and Vindaloo were full of favour and spice. The Tarka Dhal were particularly good. For a local Indian in a residential really you can't really go wrong. The staff are keen to make sure you are well looked after - this can sometimes lead to them being too attentive (!) but thats bater than having to go into the kitchen to get them;)

Chicken tikka biryani and tarka dhal very basic and bland. Service brusque and felt a little rushed. Won't be returning .

Have been coming to this place from years on a quite regular basis but hadn't been since last November so when I read the most recent reviews I was HORRIFIED - had it changed hands I thought???? Anyway we still decided to go and booked a table for last night with some friends who never been. They were apprehensive having read about the 'bland" food the 'bad" service and ' rude' waiters. on walking in I recognised the staff - so no change there. Within about 15 minutes had our drinks and poppadoms and then our order taken. By now the place was filling up . Food arrived and as tasty as ever. My friends thought it was great quality and taste. By now the back section was completely full yet the waiter still had time to check all was ok etc. Stayed for tea and coffee and we discussed the bad reviews and thought if this place was SO SO bad why was it packed. Was our food bland - NO , was the service bad - NO . Our conclusion re the bad reviews is that it must be someone with a grudge about how successful The Lane is - perhaps another restaurant - who knows

I am really surprised to see the recent reviews on the Lane. We have visited many times in the past 6 to 9 months and had excellent food every time. It may be what we order (north indian chilli garlic chicken and Naga chicken). Both dishes always taste fresh & full of flavour. Sounds like the could be a lot of variation across the menu? A mystery....any other local diners have a view?

This place used to be really good, but over the past 18months has deteriorated beyond belief. Staff pushy, more interested in themselves than making it a good experience for customers, food tastes the same no matter what you order with small portions. Try to upsell to you in an unpleasant way, if you do not take their recommendation they are aggressive asking why. Go to Zainab in Cambridge Park, everything better.

the service was slow ,wrong order was delivered to our table fourth member of group had to wait for her correct meal the waiter's skills were very basic

Won't be going here again. Went for food a few weeks ago, waited for 45 minutes for our order to be take - then when asked if we could order the manager was rude and told us we had to wait even longer. Been here a few times now, it is going down hill. I won't be going again.

Do not eat here. Food looked like had been in another dish before. Shut it down now. All food the same bar different main ingredient

We ordered 8 main courses and most of our mains were blend. We found hair on one main which was disgusting. If I am a stupid, I will go back to them again.

The Lane Indian restaurant offers a great selection of curries for meat and fish eaters as well as vegetarians. The modern decor gives a clean fresh look- no flock wallpaper here.The waiters are a friendly bunch and make every effort to get your curry to the exact temperature you want.

Came here with two friends at nine pm on a Thursday night. Food was OK but one friend was not sure the meat was not a mixture. We ordered wine, poppadoms, starters, main and waiters were happy to take orders. We ordered more drinks and order arrived only to be made to feel extremely uncomfortable as all the staff clearly wanted to go home. It was eleven on. Not that late for a meal and no mention before we ordered a little that the restaurant wishes to close. I have never been made to feel like I should leave before and it ruined the evening. Waiters were laughing amongst themselves lines up along the tables and all watching us waiting for us to leave. Absolutely dreadful treatment from the waiters. Do not go!

the worst tandoori dishes I have ever eaten - the lamb was not restaurant quality,chewy and stuck between my teeth, I asked for the dish to be taken away and the waiter told me I'm not leaving till I pay for them ?? What on earth service is this ! The prawns were chewy too. To be told this and take it personally is just simply terrible and ruined my evening, then the manager told me this is the best Indian in the area - well that's his opinion - I can give three places to eat near by that were better for food and service. I am disgusted in one waiters service who thought he was a macho man which quite frankly is just simply not acceptable and should think about being a bouncer rather then a waiter and if he was not as skinny he may get the job doing that! - I think this is actually the worst restaurant I have ever been to - moving chairs away , bad food and terrible service and abrupt attitude telling me I'm not leaving unless I pay. i wouldn't give my dog that lamb - ABSOLUTELY DISGUTING FOOD AND SERVICE

Came here with 3 colleagues to have dinner. Although we arrive a little bit late, they let us come in. I went for the Duck Jalfrezi, which was delicious and so spicy!! Rice was also really good as well as the starter with 4 sauces to dip the bread.I will definitely come back again!

When I go to a restaurant, I except good customer service! This place has terrible customer service. Me and my partner went to this restaurant previously as we regularly drive past and wanted to give it a try. Although the food wasn't great, I had a nice evening due to the company I was with. We decided to give this restaurant another try as our usual go-to restaurant (The Ark) was closing early. When we arrived we were treated by ill mannered disrespectful waiters. They sat us at the front (right next to the door) even though we had requested a table at the back whilst reserving our table over the phone. They used every possible answer under the sun, not to move us. The waiter took our drinks order. I had wine, my partner ordered brandy (but was instead given vodka!!!!). What was more annoying was that the waiter struggled to provide him with the correct drink twice over and then began to argue with him!We had to wait 45mins after that before someone asked for our food order. The waiter was very sluggish and continued to talk to the other staff members in his native language whilst talking with us. I am not a picky or fussy eater, but I did have to ask a few questions just so that I knew I'd pick a dish I'd enjoyed. The waiter seemed as though he couldn't give a hoot about helping me. He vaguely gave a suggestion which I later researched as being the opposite of what I had said. In the end we were so frustrated, we decided to pay for our drinks and leave. The restaurant clearly have a group of locals who they attend sufficiently to their needs. Any beeps customers don't have a chance!!I would NEVER go back and wouldn't recommend this restaurant. I think the owner needs to rethink his staff! Their attitudes are horrendous offensive towards the playing customer -US!

Have been coming here for years. Great food and staff. Lovely local Indian that is a hidden gem. Have recommended to others.

The food in this restaurant is lovely. Nicely presented and hot. The service, however, is robotic and cold. There is no attempt to interact with customers and we were not asked if we were enjoying our meal. I would return for the food but would hope the service will be better.

This place is so good, we always make an effort to come here when we're visiting from overseas the food is great and the staff are always friendly and happy to make suggestions. Can't recommend it enough

I live locally and have been going to The Lane for a long time, the staff are welcoming, the food and atmosphere are great and it is amazing value for money. The meat is always soft and I would recommend this restaurant highly.

We've driven passed this a few times, yet never popped in. We are so glad we did and so glad to have found it. This is a neighbourhood gem, not scruffy but smart, but still relaxed and welcoming. The boss and his team are very efficient. The food was really fresh and good. I had balti and okra, my partner a jalfrezi. The prices for the quality of the food are very good.

Had a lovely meal here and tried the special recommendations. Thought the service was wonderful and the atmosphere was very nice in a modern setting.Staff were very friendly and food was delivered perfectly. Pleasantly surprised when we received the bill and offered a complimentary drink before I left - a nice touch.A wonderful evening and definitely our new regular curry house

I have dined here three or four times and on each visit the food is let down by inadequate spicing.A medium curry, such as Rogan Josh, is bland. Or a hotter dish, like a Madras, induces no perspiration at all.It is a shame as the staff are pleasant and the atmosphere is relaxed.

Always a busy restaurant, best to book. Food ok, I always order chicken jalfrezi, but they smother it in onions and not enough sauce, when I asked for less onions I was told that's how it comes,I asked for extra sauce this ever appeared, totally disappointed, they do not care about the customers as they are busy. Staff stroppy and serious.

Another nice dinner at The Lane with my son and girlfriend. They have yet more additions to the menu, so much choice!We ordered poppadoms which were unusually a bit dry and hard (or I would have given a 5 star rating). Starter was a great new chicken dish, samosa for my young lady.Mains North Indian hot curry with garlic. Prawn Korma, chicken tikka masala. With 2 pilau rice, and a lovely spinach with melted cheese. 2 Chapatis.6 alcohol drinks, 3 soft drinks and a dessert.Total price £75. Good value! And great Food!

We ordered a delivery earlier this evening which I am disappointed to say was absolutely appalling for several reasons:1. We were told that our delivery would take 45 minutes, it took 1 hour 20 minutes.- We live a 5 minute walk around the corner so surprised at the extended delivery time.2. When the food arrived, one of the meals had leaked over the rest of the food. 3. When the food arrived, it was also very cold.4. The Chicken Rajshahi was not as advertised. It says madras hot but it was very sweet rather than hot. 5. The gentleman who answered the phone and took our order was incredibly difficult to understand and so abrupt that he could be considered rude.

I've been coming here on-and-off since it opened several years ago, but had a long boycott following an unbelievably bad night with a group of friends a couple of years ago, when the then clueless manager was stupefyingly rude.Our favourite and regular Wanstead curry house has gone right off recently, so we've been back to The Lane a couple of times. It is the most mercurial of establishments.The menu is unfeasibly long - it's hard to contemplate quite how such a small neighbourhood venue can provide the range of exotic ingredients. That said, the food is mainly pretty good. Spicing tends to be too restrained, though the Naga Lamb has a great kick. Presentation is quite modern, and nice china is used. My main grouse is the way the main waiter always tries to persuade one to have something other than what has been asked for. It's done under the guise of "recommendation", but I suspect it's because they haven't got half of the stuff. Last time I had to insist I had what I'd ordered, despite his best efforts to offer me something COMPLETELY different!Mostly the service is reasonably friendly, just very amateurish. If they could sort this out, then it would be the best option in the area short of Kanchans at Gants Hill (which is in another league).

We walked in here on a Saturday night with no booking and in fairness to the staff they found us a table within about 10 mins of waiting. This restaurant is off the main thoroughfare of Wanstead High Street so you would expect them to put a bit more effort into what they do, and with regard to the food they do but unfortunately the service is pretty poor. It would be unfair to say that all the staff need public service training but certainly the guy who seems to be the manager could definitely do with an attitude change as he is pretty rough around the edges for the job he does. From the outside the place looks tiny but they have a back room which doubles the size of what you can see through the window. We found the food here pretty good and the prices are quite reasonable. The staff need a bit of brush up on how to deal with the public but other than that I found the place reasonable. I will return again, but after I've tried a few other places in the vicinity.

Admittedly went there a bit late for a school night, around half nine. There was one other table occupied.The waiter was offhand, only wanted to speak to me. Menu recommendations were made in a forceful way. Wine was poured without grace, the whole bottle emptied into four uneven glasses.The food was very average, some chicken dishes dry.Once the other table left the staff started cleaning and packing up the restaurant.There are better Indian food restaurants in Wanstead.

Our visit by a party of six on a Wednesday evening started with a good first impression as was surprised it is bigger than looked from outside. Never eaten their before even though I live within a stones throw. None of the dishes ordered were something that I could recommend. The waiter talked me into have lamb chop Jalfrezi and I agreed thinking it must be very good for him to be recommending that than the lamb Jalfrezi I asked for. Well I would say it was very poor as the chops had no and I mean no meat at all on them. I ate my nan bread with the sauce, making a mental note I will not be visiting this place ever. One of the others in our party had ordered the chops as a starter and he wasn't happy, called over the waiter and pointed out the poor quality and taste of his dish and the waiter didn't apologise or offer to change it but returned to where he was standing near the owner by the bar. When we had fished got the bill and my colleague said he shouldn't be charged for his lamb chop starter. He got the owner over who leant on the table and asked why he had eaten it. My colleague said he did wait for the waiter to return or for the owner to come over to either offer to change it or an explanation. But when no one appeared others had tried and agreed and as there were six there wasn't that much. We paid the bill and left. Do not waste your money. If you want a proper Indian meal try the Purbani in Chingford not Wansted.

Situated on an out of the way square a distance off Wanstead High Road (super pub opposite) the appearance belies exquisite and original Indian cooking. The service was attentive and warm. Our first visit and would highly recommend. Good value too!

One of the better Indian restaurants, takeaways in Wanstead, Woodford.I have dined here twice, and had home delivery twice. Always enjoyed a good, above average meal, good value. Excellent menu, especially Tandoori Lamb chops and duck dishes.Service is average, a bit rushed at times. Got to love a cobra with a curry!!

Haven't visited this restaurant before and came upon it by chance after having a drink in the Nightingale Pub across the road. Although we hadn't booked, the manager found us a table and then rushed into a crowd of waiters who all looked as if they were scared of turning into stone if they stood still too long. Goodness knows what they were all doing as the restaurant by the time we arrived was half empty! We were asked three times about drinks and then they still managed to get the order wrong when it arrived. All the waiters were lovely guys but didn't seem to have a clue about what their responsibilities were. On the plus side, I have to say that once our order was finally taken it didn't take too long for the food to arrive. The portions were generous and the food was piping hot, fresh and absolutely delicious. In fact, it was some of the best Asian food I have tasted and believe me I have been in an awful lot of restaurants like this including a few in Fieldgate Street and Brick Lane . We like our food spicy and this was perfect and exactly as described on the menu. Would I go back? You bet, but perhaps on a different night and hope to avoid the waiter floor show! I give the food 5 stars but the service only 3 which leaves an overall of 4 - still very good for a small local restaurant.

I live in wanstead and have dined at The Lane a fair few times, it has always been very good, we went a few months back and there was a lovely manager there who took his time coming round the tables to speak to people and ask if everything was alright, he was very friendly and made us want to come back.........however, we went last week on a Saturday night and was quite appalled by the terrible service, it was so bad in fact we ended up laughing, it was like being in the middle of a carry on film! The food was good, plentiful and we enjoyed (although they got the order wrong)...but the waiters were running round bumping in to each other, everyone seemed to be at cross ends and confused, we kept asking for our drinks and they kept giving us popudums instead! In the end my husband had to go to the bar and get his own drink as they kept forgetting,The manager done nothing all night but stand at the bar with a calculator and a load of receipts he was adding them up. No personal service like before, all they were interested in was getting you in, getting you out and taking your money. This is probably the worst service I have ever experienced in any restaurant ever!! It was packed and every table was in use but the restaurant is so tiny they should really be able to cope with full capacity. All the staff were flustered, they kept removing drinks and bottles of water from the table before we had finished them, and bringing out the wrong dishes, it was all quite bizarre.....as I watched them I imagined the Benny Hill music playing in the background! needless to say I think we will be looking for a new local Indian restaurant which is a shame as I really liked it before. I would of given it just one star if the food had not been quite good.

Met up with some friends we havent seen in a while and The Lane was a lovely venue. Good food with generous portions, especially the Lane special Biryani ! I always order two veg curries as the Biriyani is massive, and if you cant finish it they will gladly pop it into a 'doggy bag', or in my case a 'Gannets Bag !' lovely evening if you go for preprandial drinkies in the Nightingale pub ( dead opposite ) with a lovely range of good Ales, and wines, As its within 'stumbling distance' of The Lane, so you can always make it back for a night cap, if you need it, as the manager of the lane usual offers a nightcap 'On the house' and we never turn one of those down.!

Having moved to Wanstead in November we were eager to try out the local eateries. The lanes is right on our door step and have found the food to be of a high quality and service very attentive. We have had a takeaway which was not that nice though.

Myself and friends have been going to The Lane for several years and it has always been, in my opinion, the best Indian restaurant in Wanstead (and there are a few). Unfortunately in the last few months it has slipped somewhat. The staff no longer seem half as capable as they were and when the manager is not working his replacement is woeful. Our last visit entailed several cold dishes which we had to send back (apparently one of the ovens wasn't on but they didn't notice), an abundance of rices and breads (some meals come with accompliments but they didn't highlight this when we ordered so we ended up with 3 additional breads and 2 spare rices) and when the bill came there was no offer of any sort of compensation other than they would do something next time.Unfortunately although the food is still pretty good (although portions have shrunk a bit) we agreed that there wasn't going to be a next time.It really is a shame as we frequented the restaurant on an almost a weekly basis but after our last few visits we will be heading to one of the numerous local alternatives (probably Zainab).