Alford Tandoori

A favourite for curry night across Alford and the wider Donside, Alford Tandoori has built a loyal following for freshly cooked North Indian food served at honest, village-takeaway value. It holds a healthy 4.4 out of 5 on Tripadvisor, where regulars rave about the warm welcome and the sheer size of the portions, which often stretch to a second meal the next day.

Curries range from gentle, creamy korma to punchier bhuna and chasni, and the tandoor turns out properly blistered naans, with the Keema Naan famously stuffed with spiced mince. There is a fragrant Chicken Biryani for those who like their rice filling, plus pakora starters and a separate pizza menu for households that cannot agree on Indian. Vegetarians are well catered for, and the kitchen is happy to dial the spice up or down to suit. It is a no-frills carry-out rather than a sit-in restaurant, but for a relaxed evening in front of the telly in this quiet corner of rural Aberdeenshire, it is hard to beat.