Café Marhaba

Remember that scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade when the baddie drinks from the chalice, dies, withers into dust and the Grail Knight turns and says «He chose poorly.» ?
Well, that was what I immediately thought about my choice of dish when it arrived to the table — a small bowl of ‘Chicken Spinach’. I was hoping for a lovely saag-​type meal and my friends’ plates of ‘3 Curries On Rice’ — which I’m adamant they neglected to mention its existence to me ;) — were practically overflowing.
Not that it wasn’t tasty, just that it was listed as a main but looked more like a side dish. It was also a tad on the spicy side of my feeble tolerance levels, but I’m taking strides to improve.
Location and décor wise, well, it ain’t gonna win any awards there I’m afraid; but for friendly service and well prepared, terrific value food from a small family-​run eatery, it’s definitely worth a try.
I’m positive it’ll be five-​star worthy next time, I just need to properly read the menu!

Probably my favourite 3 curries and rice place in Manchester. Other places can be as good, but I have found these other places to sometimes dip in quality. Café Marhaba, on the other hand, is still cooking in front of you and serving the same delicious food as they were years ago. I like that the curries are not too oily and the naans are sublime. The one negative I would give it is that the counters and tables look like they’ve been there for such a long time that dirt has gathered in the tight cracks. People should eat more curries at this place so the owners can afford to have the place redecorated.

Wow — 5 stars and I’d give it a 6^th if possible!
I’ve been meaning to come here for months and after getting massively jealous looking at Raam S’s snaps of amazing curry (from somewhere else) yesterday decided to bite the bullet and make it my mission to come here for lunch!
First off it’s a total hidden gem and from the outside you’d probably think avoid but I lived in India for 6 months and these sorts of places were always the best with the most authentic food in all my time over there. A family team cooking in front of you, for £7.50 I ate a giant panner and vege curry with a garlic naan — words can’t even describe how good it was — no oil, no mess, just pure quality tastiness!
When I asked if they sold masala chai they said they didn’t but could make it for me — wow, what service and it tasted amazing :-)
The only thing I’d warn is that even though it was fairly quiet it wasn’t the quickest in terms of service and getting your meal to you. I didn’t mind this and to be honest it only took 10 – 15 mins but obvs bear this in mind in case you’re in a rush.
Lovely food, very friendly family owners, I can’t wait to get back here!

This little beauty has been here for over twenty years but today marks a new chapter in my life. I have found my new favourite curry house! If you eat as much Indian food as I do, the fact that this is on my doorstep, I don’t need to venture to Rusholme or Liverpool Rd — and the fact that there’s a great (and equally hidden) pub opposite, means I’ll be treating this baby as my second home from now on. Oh and did I mention it’s only a fiver for three ample portions of curry on a bed of rice?
I never knew this café/​takeaway (it’s no restaurant by any means, although they do have toilets) existed until the other day. I was with some Unilocalers and we thought it was no longer in business as the shutters were down at around 8.30. (Be aware it’s only open until 7.30pm everyday FYI) I’ve started going in Mother Mac’s pub on the same Back Piccadilly strip and Marhaba is literally a few feet away.
NOTE: Should really mention that street actually! Back in ‘olden times’ Back Piccadilly was known as the pick up joint if you wanted the oldest, youngest, ugliest prostitutes in Manchester… well it’s still not the nicest place and I think that’s why I’ve missed out on these two hidden gems. I just avoided this area altogether. D’OH!
Don’t be scared or put off by the homeless mooching around in the dark. Keep your wits about you (obviously) and get off the beaten track.
Ahmed and Abdul were lovely people and cooked everything fresh in front of us. The lamb and chicken melts in your mouth (100% I WILL going back for the fish next week) and you’re given the option of going mild, medium or spicy. If you’re a spice wuss then go mild. I went mild and I was still sniffling. The garlic naan was better than the one I had at Bollywood the other day.
All in all, couldn’t fault these guys. From what I saw tonight, they’ve built up a loyal customer base too so don’t necessarily think you’ll get one of the 8 seats either! Ring ahead and pre-​order if you want a take out.

Excellent, just wow. It needs to be tried if you like curry then come down here! Sod paying through the nose for what may be a Michelin started curry house etc this will blow it out of the water and you will be full at the end of it all!
5 quid for rice and three curries — Bargin

With a mere eight seats at tables for two, Café Marhaba does just enough to qualify as a curry café rather than a takeaway. They also do kebabs and samosas, but the emphasis seems to be more on curries, rice and flatbreads which is generally the type of place I prefer.
The usual curry café features were in evidence — emphasis on food quality, basic décor, backstreet location, water jugs on tables. Café Marhaba is probably the nearest good curry café to Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly Station.
Two vegetarian curries were available when I visited — dhal and cauliflower & potato. I had both of these, which came served together in a small bowl — with two chapatis the total cost was £4.20. I was told by a staff member that different vegetarian curries are offered each day. Non-​vegetarians looked to be well-​catered for, including a daily special curry.
While my curries were A-​OK, the chapatis baked fresh in the tandoor oven were perfect. In the warmer weather, I can see the appeal of a hot or cold picnic lunch from home combined with some fresh flatbreads from Café Marhaba. £0.60 each for some of the best fresh breads in the city, anyone?