Dabbawal...bringing the taste of India to Tyneside and launching the delights of street food.
Most of you reading this will at some time have been to an Indian restaurant. It’s very easy to flick through a menu and order a particular type of chicken, lamb, seafood, or vegetarian dish without realising that you are delving into India’s culinary culture.
Dabbawal in Newcastle is widely recognised as one of the first restaurants in the UK to bring the energy and flavour of Indian street food to the dining table – inspiring a wave of others to follow.
You have a choice of two Dabbawal restaurants Newcastle. One is on Brentwood Mews in Jesmond, while the other is the original Dabbawal restaurant which opened in 2008 on High Bridge in the centre of Newcastle.
The history of Dabbawal food…hence the name of the restaurants in Newcastle…is fascinating. In the bustling streets of India, food is much more than just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s a culinary tradition that captures the essence of local life. From small, unassuming stalls to elaborate carts on busy street corners, Dabbawal food is an integral part of India’s diverse street food culture.
It all started with men cycling around Mumbai delivering freshly made, home-cooked food to thousands of office workers, students and families. Don’t confuse this with the sort of delivery folk you see cycling around our cities…the Dabbawalas have been perfecting this incredible system for over a century, carrying meals cooked from recipes passed down through generations. The name “Dabbawal” takes its inspiration from them and from the dabbas, or tiffin boxes, they deliver.
Whether it’s enjoying a warm meal after a long day’s work or indulging in a snack with friends, Dabbawal food brings people together. Each region of India offers unique variations, ingredients, and preparation methods. For example, a Dabbawal food stall in Mumbai may focus on the city’s signature dishes, while one in Delhi could offer its own local delicacies.
And it is this street food culture which has been captured by the Dabbawal restaurants in Newcastle for nearly 20 years
Such has been the success of the food and the way it is presented at Dabbawal, that it was named as the UK’s Best Casual Dining Restaurant at the British Curry Awards four times…quite an accolade.
It’s fair to say that Dabbawal has led a revolution in casual dining, introducing the UK to its unique take on traditional Indian street food and chaats, tapas-style grazing dishes, classic plates and street combos served in its buzzing kitchens. The interiors are very traditional mixing vintage tiles and timbers with corrugated iron, bamboo, big colours and open kitchens. It’s a fabulous setting and always leaves a lasting impressionÂ…there’s nothing else like it. The restaurants are filled with the aroma of freshly ground spices sizzling in pans, heated over open fires. Just like with the Dabbawals in Mumbai, the Newcastle restaurants use recipes which have been passed through generations. Food preparation involves the same time-consuming methods used throughout history. This is food made the old way…the right way.
As with all street food, dining at Dabbawal isn’t fussy. You can expect a relaxed experience with food arriving as it’s cooked. Their small plates are ideal for sharing while cultured combinations and big eats can be enjoyed individually. The Dabbawal speciality is a traditional and explosive Bombay Bomb – a twist on the classic Dahi Puri. The Bhel Puri always gets people talking. Whatever you choose, you can be sure every dish would feel at home on even on the most cultivated Indian dining table.
Dabbawal are incredibly proud to have started the street food movement in Newcastle-long before it became the nationwide craze it is today, reflecting their forward-thinking spirit.
Fancy sampling some pioneering Indian street food? Go to Dabbawal in Jesmond or Dabbawal on High Bridge, Newcastle. Immerse yourself in some Indian street culture and discover how a North East restaurant started the street food craze which swept across the UK.
dabbawal.com