Akmal’s Tandoori Bistro

The heart of the menu is the Tandoori Karahi section — dishes cooked in a traditional karahi wok and served at your chosen heat level. Tandoori Karahi Gosht brings tender lamb in a rich, aromatic sauce, while the Tandoori Karahi Murgh Makhani offers a creamy, buttery chicken that draws consistent praise. The Tandoori Karahi Machlee adds fish to the lineup for those looking beyond meat and poultry, and a dedicated vegetable karahi selection includes Tandoori Karahi Chana with chickpeas and Tandoori Karahi Aloo Gobi combining potato and cauliflower.

Starters arrive on sizzling platters — Tandoori Mix Kebab skewers, Chicken Tikka Boti, and Seekh Kebab all carry the smoky char of the tandoor. The vegetarian appetiser list runs deep, with Channa Chat, Mushroom Pakora, and Aloo Tikka among the highlights.

Akmal’s Specialties section features dishes served with basmati pilau rice or tandoori naan. Kofta Masala and Chicken Tikka Chilli sit alongside the Balti Chef Mix, while the boldly named Akmal’s Very Hot Hot Hot Dish caters to heat-seekers. A Traditional Meal Deals selection covers fourteen classic curry styles — from Rogan Josh and Passanda to Jalfrezi and Vindaloo — each available with your choice of protein.

The garlic naan is a clear customer favourite, praised repeatedly across reviews as standout. Breads also include Peshawari Naan, Keema Naan, and Tandoori Roti.

The drinks offering is straightforward and suits the venue’s BYOB-friendly character. You can bring your own alcohol with a corkage fee, which makes group celebrations easy to cater for. Kingfisher is available on tap for those who prefer to order at the bar, and standard soft drinks round out the options.

There is no cocktail menu, wine list, or spirits selection — the emphasis here is squarely on the food, with the BYOB policy giving you the freedom to bring exactly what you want to drink alongside it.

From the outside, a striking blue neon strip runs the length of the roofline, with an orange-red illuminated sign marking the entrance — the building is unmistakable after dark. Inside, the dining room opens up far beyond what the modest exterior suggests. Exposed stone and brick walls run throughout, paired with polished reddish-brown hardwood floors that add warmth underfoot.

Dark wood tables and spindle-back chairs fill the open-plan space in a classic bistro configuration, easily rearranged for large parties. White-framed sash windows along the side walls keep the room naturally bright during early evening, while recessed spotlights and purple wall uplighting shift the mood as the night progresses. A semi-open kitchen is visible through an exposed brick arch topped with pink neon — a theatrical focal point that draws the eye from across the room. A red “Akmal’s” neon sign glows on the back wall behind the small bar area, where wine glasses hang overhead and Kingfisher flows on tap.

The atmosphere is casual, lively, and unpretentious — a room that comes alive when filled with a large group and the sound of sizzling platters arriving from the kitchen.

Brudenell Grove

Google Map Directions

Brudenell Grove is 0.6 miles away. This is a free car park. There is lots of on street parking space available long this road and neighbouring roads.

Akmal’s Tandoori Bistro has a wheelchair-accessible entrance.

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 5:00 – 10:30 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 10:30 PM
Thursday: 5:00 – 10:30 PM
Friday: 5:00 – 10:30 PM
Saturday: 5:00 – 10:30 PM
Sunday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM

From Akmal’s, you can walk south along Woodhouse Lane towards the city centre, stopping at [Bombay 2 Goa](https://api.discoverleeds.co.uk/things-to-see-and-do/food-and-drink/bombay-2-goa-restaurant-leeds/) for a different take on Indian cuisine. For a change of pace, [La Cafetiere](https://api.discoverleeds.co.uk/things-to-see-and-do/food-and-drink/la-cafetiere/) sits a short walk away on Woodhouse Lane, and [LS6 Dutch Fries](https://api.discoverleeds.co.uk/things-to-see-and-do/food-and-drink/ls6-dutch-fries/) is a quick stroll into Headingley for loaded fries and street food.