Itihaas

Tucked between Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter and the Colmore business district, Itihaas has earned a loyal following for its refined North Indian cooking. The dining room is elegant and unhurried, but the same carefully spiced dishes are also boxed up for collection and delivery, so you can bring the experience home. Expect richly layered curries, fragrant biryanis, slow-grilled tandoori plates and a notably generous spread of vegetarian and vegan options that go well beyond the usual sides.

Regulars and visitors alike praise the authentic flavours, beautiful presentation and attentive, accommodating service, and the kitchen is rated 4.2 out of 5 across many hundreds of reviews. It is a step up from a standard neighbourhood curry house, yet still relaxed enough for a casual takeaway treat. If you are feeding a group, the thali selections are a lovely way to sample a little of everything the kitchen does so well.