Balbirs

Name: Balbirs
Address: 7 Church Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom, G11 5JP
Telephone: 0141 339 7711
Price range: £26 to £40
Rating: 4.7

4.7

1206 Reviews

£26 to £40

Indian

Top Tags:

From opening his first restaurant in 1973, Balbir is recognized as a pioneer of Indian food in Scotland. He has always been know for his low-key but exceptionally high level of food and service. Serving Indian Royalty such as Ravi Shankar and Zakir Hussain, to be the favourite restaurant (in Scotland) of jazz greats such as Branford Marsalis and Kurt Elling, its fare to say that Balbir’s is a timeless restaurant with a wealth of history. Over the past few years, we have invited some very talented and creative chefs over from India, Nepal and Pakistan to join and work alongside our established team. Our dishes are prepared using the finest ingredients available to us. On this menu, you will find both dishes prepared using traditional recipes from various regions of India and some contemporary dishes that have been re-invented taking advantage of good local produce and modern cooking styles.

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Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jul 3, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 6 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

0141 339 7711

Other options

Order online

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Indian, Contemporary Indian, Halal
Hours of operation
Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
0141 339 7711
Website
http://www.balbirs.co.uk/
Payment options
AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Balbir Singh Sumal
Catering
Please email the restaurant . hello@balbirs.co.uk
Private party facilities
Please email the restaurant if you would like to book a private event. hello@balbirs.co.uk or call on 0141 339 7711 ___________________________ Tuesday to Thursday we can also offer the main dining room for private events. Room can accommodate 60 guests. ___________

Location
7 Church Street Glasgow, G11 5JP
Neighborhood
Glasgow
Cross street
Church Street, (Byres road)
Parking details
Free after 6pm, not too difficult to find.
Public transit
Kelvinhall Subway Station - 2 mins walk
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Popular dishes

Tandoori Salmon£6.95
A house favourite, lightly marinade in aromatic spices then cooked off in our real charcoal tandoori oven
Spicy Calamari£5.95
Fried squid with a red chilli batter, served with a sharp tamarind dip
Lamb Chops£10.75
Marinated for 24 hours, these grilled chops are bursting with aromatic spices and flavour
Sheekh Kebab£6.95
Tender lamb, minced with spices and fresh herbs grilled in the tandoor
Chicken Malai Tikka£7.25
Soft creamy marinade spiced with black pepper, green chilli, cardamom and cashew
65
South Indian fried street food, marinated in garlic, chilli and fresh curry leaf. Finished with butter and cream
- Cauliflower£5.75
- Chicken£7.25
Pav Bhaji£6.95
Mumbai's favourite street food. Spicy mix of potato and vegetables cooked with a generous helping of butter and red chilli. Served with toasted bread roll
Bhatura Chana£6.75
A lighter style of fried puri bread, served with spiced tangy chickpeas
Malai Mushrooms£6.50
North Indian classic, rich creamy mushrooms cooked with ginger and garlic, flavoured with our house garam masala
Paneer Tikka Shashlik£6.75
Indian cheese roasted in the tandoor with bell peppers and onions
Pakora£5.25
Choice of vegetable, fish, chicken, aubergine, mushroom or cauliflower

Main Course

Goanese Fish Curry (Hot)£17.75
Fresh white fish cooked with coconut cream, tamarind and chilli
Bengali Macchi£17.95
Monkfish tails cooked with mustard seeds, tomato and green chilli
Jhinga Achari (Hot)£17.95
King prawns cooked with yogurt, tomato, green chilli, with ground fenugreek and cumin seed, cooked together giving a sharp pickled flavour
Chicken Bhoona Garam Masala£12.25
Classic north Indian spices including cumin, cinnamon, cardamon, cloves cooked through with onions and green chilli
Chicken Aloo Methi£12.50
Diced potato and tender cuts of chicken cooked though a medium spicy curry made with fresh choppy fenugreek leaf
Chicken Chettinad (Hot)£12.95
Traditional south Indian cooking with black pepper, poppy seed, curry leaves and sundried red chillies
Chicken Xacuti (Very Hot)£12.50
A traditional Goanese curry with coconut, tamarind and sundried chilli
Chicken Butter Masala£12.75
Marinated with green cardamom and mace then simmered in a tomato curry with green chilli, cardamom and cloves
Chicken Malai Korma£12.50
A mild curry cooked in onion gravy with cream
Chicken Tikka Chasni£12.50
Cooked with a mango chutney and tomato, has a sharp tangy flavour
Trio of Chicken Tikka£16.95
Best fillets of chicken breast marinated then roasted in tandoori oven, flavoured in malai, tandoori and achari spices. Served with half bowl rice and sauce
Haleem£13.50
A slow cooked stew from the middle east, Pakistan and India. made with pulled meats (chicken and lamb) blended with wheat, lentils and whole spices
Lamb Passanda£13.50
Lamb simmered in yoghurt and cream flavoured with cloves. Finished with almonds and sultanas. Beautiful flavours
Lamb Rogan Josh£13.50
A Kashmiri dish flavoured with dry ginger, aniseed and garam masala
Lamb Achari (½ Hot)£13.50
Tomato and green chilli, with ground fenugreek and cumin seeds, cooked together with Indian pickles made in-house
Lamb Ginger Bhoona£13.75
Karahi style bhoona cooked in a based sauce of ginger, garlic, onions and tomato finished with garam masala and fresh ginger
Keema Aloo Methi£13.50
Minced lamb and potato curry cooked with onion, tomato, ginger and garlic. Flavoured with garam masala with fresh fenugreek leaf
Palak Paneer£11.95
Homemade paneer tossed in chopped spinach and fenugreek leaf with turmeric and cumin seed
Paneer Butter Masala (½ Hot)£11.95
Paneer simmered in a cardamom and clove spicy curry
Malai Kofta£12.00
A beautiful north Indian recipe. Vegetable dumplings made from paneer and potato cooked in a creamy cashew nut sauce
Mixed Vegetable Bhoona£10.95
Selection of market fresh vegetables, curried in karahi masala with onions and tomato spiced with garam masala
Aloo Jeera Achari£10.25
Dry potato curry, spiced heavily with roasted cumin and sharp pickles
Tarka Daal£9.95
Made in a Punjabi style, mixed lentils tempered with garlic, chilli, cumin seeds, onion & tomato
Dum Hyderabadi Biryani
Beautiful dish made in the traditional way. Chicken off the bone steam cooked between layers of aromatic rice flavoured with rose water, fresh ginger, mint, fried onion and our house garam masala. Served with Daal and Raita, Great for sharing or as an alternative to rice
- Serves Two£18.00

Sides & Accompaniments

Crisp Okra Fries£3.25
Green Chilli Fries (Hot)£3.50
Jeera Rice£3.50
Steamed Brown Rice£3.50
Plain Naan£3.60
Garlic Naan£3.85
Plain Flour Roti£1.75
Tandoori Roti£2.75
Missi Roti£2.50
Katchumbar Salad£2.75
Masala Chips£3.60
Pilau Rice£3.85
Vegetable Pilau£3.75
Peshwari Naan£4.60
Onion Kulcha£4.85
Plain Flour Paratha£3.75
Wholemeal Paratha£3.75

Banquet Style Dining

The banquet has become one of the most popular ways to dine at Balbir's. We will spend a few minutes at your table discussing guests tastes and dietary requirements. We then put a menu together for your table to share. It is a great dining experience and a nice introduction to the restaurant. Guests will try specials of the moment, some of our signature dishes, grills from the tandoor, some Indian street food and a selection of paired curry and accompaniments, all served to your table

Banquet Dinners
please ask your server to assist
- Starting at£31.00

Set Menus

For all new guests and larger groups, we would like to recommend one of our set menus. Based on our banquet dinners, they have been chosen as an introduction to the restaurant, a great way to experience the menu and to try what have become our signature dishes and guest favourites over the years. Available for two guests or more, they have been designed to share. Sample menus for four guests

Menu A

£26.50 per guest. Ideal for larger groups looking for a quick and delicious meal

Course #1

Bhel Puri
Mixed Pakora & 65

Course #2

Choose a curry dish each from menu (supplement of £2 on all fish dishes and dry tikka)

Dum Hyderabadi Biryani
Tarka Daal
Mint & Cucumber Raita
Garlic Naan

Menu B

£31 per guest. Our signature meal A great way to try some of our house favourites

Course #1

Bhel Puri
Bhatura Chana
Tandoori Salmon

Course #2

Chicken Butter Masala
Chicken Chettinad
Lamb Passanda
Mince Aloo Methi
Haleem
Pilau Rice
Garlic Naan

Menu C

£32.50 per guest. A beautiful meal with elements of street food, tandoori grill and curry

Course #1

Pani Puri
Pav Bhaji
Chicken 65
Lamb Chops Spicy Calamari

Course #2

Chicken Chettinad
Lamb Ginger Bhoona
Malai Kofta
Okra Fries
Jeera Rice
Plain Paratha

What 1,206 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Glasgow/Lanarkshire
Best Overall
Glasgow/Lanarkshire
Best Food
Glasgow/Lanarkshire
Best Ambiance
Glasgow/Lanarkshire
Fit for Foodies
Glasgow/Lanarkshire
Special Occasion
Glasgow
Best Overall
Glasgow
Best Food
Glasgow
Best Ambiance
Glasgow
Fit for Foodies
Glasgow
Special Occasion

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SR
SusanR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Perfect as usual always enjoyable Friendly staff Food amazing
A
Angie
Glasgow
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on June 24, 2022
overall4food5service2ambience2
Great food as always. Only thing that was disappointing was the male waiter who we overheard raising his voice to one of the young female waiters (this wasn't very pleasant).
HM
HughM
Glasgow
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent meal, great service & location. We chose the banquet option which was more than worth it.
LF
LouiseF
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service and food as always in Balbirs - come back time and time again.
IM
IsobelM
Glasgow
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience. Service and food fabulous. Would definitely go back
AH
AlanH
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 18, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Dinner was nice. Robot leading us to our table was brilliant.
DN
DavidN
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on June 9, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
Excellent food indeed. Great choice, wonderful service and a good night overall. Only issue was it was far too dark. Lights dimmed so much that had to use phone torch to see menu. Restaurant kindly raised light levels thereafter so all good 👍
SS
SandraS
London
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on June 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Deceptively large restaurant,the decor is lovely. The food was superb,the best curry I have had for years.I’ve been thinking about it ever since haha. Staff were friendly. I can’t wait to go back.
CM
CaroleM
Glasgow
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Both food and service excellent as always. Love the option of having small plates
S
Swiss
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 4, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was excellent and very tasty. Brilliant service and atmosphere.
LB
LewisB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Balbirs is up there with the best Indian dining you'll find in Glasgow, very hard to beat.
FA
FionaA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was delicious. Staff all very friendly. Lovely restaurant.
J
Johannes
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on June 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent Indian food and plenty of gluten free and dairy free options. Lovely dark ambience. A must go!
RG
RakheeG
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on June 2, 2022
overall3food3service3ambience3
The food was average but very expensive. The ambience was dark and it was hard to read the menu too.
L
Lain
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a lovely meal celebrating my husband’s birthday. Staff friendly and attentive. Birthday cake delivered to our table by a robot singing Happy Birthday to you !
d
davidf
Glasgow
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great food very good service and at reasonable prices
A
Allan
Glasgow
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 27, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience4
Very good experience , service excellent, lighting good , food beautifully cooked and presented. Menu varied and range of good choices for all tastes and preferences
MF
MandyF
Glasgow
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on May 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
We always enjoy it at Balbirs. Best curry in the West End and great service. We get the banquet for two which is fab. Highly recommended :)
WB
WallaceB
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 22, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
We went for the Banquet option for 4 of us. This is priced at £32.50 per head and I have to say I did not really think this was the best value for money. Don't get me wrong the food was excellent quality however it was the quantity for 4 people. The most noticeable part being one small tray of rice for 4 curries for 4 people ! I have been many times in the past 15 years but this was first time I have been left hungry afterwards.
AW
AlistairW
Glasgow
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on May 17, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience4
Food is excellent, if a little expensive … service a bit slower than we expected. Overall, though, a lovely meal!
ER
EuanR
Glasgow
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic food. Great atmosphere. Loved it. Can’t wait to go back
B
Barclay
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
In this age when so many good things never seem to last, it’s reassuring that Balbir’s is as good as it’s always been! The food is just simply the best Indian cuisine you’ll find in Scotland - possibly the UK - and I’ve been eating curries in Glasgow for more than 35 years. I was a fan of the Balbir’s restaurant that used to be near Charing Cross decades ago, and the standard of cuisine and service has always been consistently top class. Staff are well-trained, know their stuff and the service is efficient whilst being discrete. I just hope Balbir’s will always be there and prove to me that not everything that is good has to come to and end!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Glasgow
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
First class , thanks
PA
PaulineA
Glasgow
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on April 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food is always excellent and friendly, attentive team.
L
Laurapops
Glasgow
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic ambience, service and food as usual. Have missed Balbirs so much during lockdown. Great to be back! The buzz around told me others felt the same! Excellent quality night out all round.
SC
SandraC
Glasgow
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic food and great staff - the only Indian restaurant to go to in Glasgow for a special night out!!
U
Usman
Glasgow
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great service , lovely food great atmosphere would highly recommend
AL
AnnL
Glasgow
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this restaurant. My family have enjoyed a few meals here now. Absolutely first class! The food is so special. I have recommended this restaurant to a few people now.
LK
LilyK
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic as always, thank you Neki and team! Will be back.
J
Johnboy
Glasgow
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Warm welcome, nice table, professional service and great cooking again.
JM
JohnM
Birmingham
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 16, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Every dish we shared was stunning. Been years since tasted curry that good definitely be back soon.
AC
AnnC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food is amazing … never had a bad meal yet … would highly recommend the banquet
YL
YvonneL
Glasgow
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Highly recommend the banquet, food delicious as always. Was lovely to finally get back to Balbirs, service excellent, not rushed, great meal
H
Helen
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on April 8, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience4
Menu wasn't quite what I was expecting and found my curry to be quite salty however everyone else seemed happy with their meals and the starters where fab. Staff and atmosphere was lovely.
c
currygirls
Glasgow
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on April 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was the first time we had managed to meet as a group for more than two years. We were welcomed warmly and shown to our table by the lovely robot. Staff were helpful and attentive. Food was delicious.
r
richarda
Glasgow
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on April 3, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience3
Starters and mains were great the ice cream was not. Too icy tasted cheap not what I would have expected of balbirs
JC
JimC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 27, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I'm completely biased as I've been visiting Balbirs since Elderslie St. 1979 and for 44 years now. The restaurant in Church St is simply fine dining and service to the highest standard. Balbir always keeps ahead of the trend and the food and surroundings are fantastic. I even travel 15 miles for take out regularly. My boys and I had another great dinner there last night and are already looking forward to going back. Thanks Balbir.
CM
ColinM
Glasgow
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 26, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience3
Excellent food, service and price. Music was just a bit loud
D
Delighted
Glasgow
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Never disappoints, always a treat! Had a lovely evening... Thanks😊
c
colind
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Glasgow is blessed with a lot of good places for getting a curry. When I'm looking for a place where I know the service will match the food and I will have an all round great experience Balbirs is our go too. Also, the robot cat waiter thing should be seen!

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
- Contact tracing information collected

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Balbirs using the Order Online button. Balbirs also offers delivery in partnership with Deliveroo. Balbirs also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at 0141 339 7711.

Balbirs is rated 4.7 stars by 1206 OpenTable diners.

Balbirs does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jul 3, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 6 times today