Lucknow Junction — Restaurant in Bolton

If you’re after authentic Indian street food with proper flavour and variety, Lucknow Junction in Farnworth is a brilliant find. Tucked away in a converted pub on Higher Market Street, it doesn’t shout for attention from the outside, and the decor inside is simple and tidy rather than flashy. But don’t let that fool you, because the food here is the real star.

We visited on a fairly quiet Friday evening and enjoyed a relaxed sit-in meal. We started with poppadoms and some street food starters, including their basket chaat, which was packed full of flavour and perfect for sharing. The mild spice level still brought a good kick! Everything tasted fresh and authentic, with well-balanced spices that didn’t overpower.

There’s plenty on the menu for everyone, whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or a meat lover. The portion sizes were generous, so you definitely get your money’s worth. We also enjoyed the usual drink options, including Bombay Bicycle and Cobra on draft, which paired nicely.

Service was spot on. Our server was friendly, polite, and clearly knew the menu well. The atmosphere is comfortable and spacious, with bench seating and some Asian music in the background, but really, it’s the food that takes centre stage.

Prices felt very fair. For four beers, two starters, a main, rice, and naan, our bill came to £57. Parking is easy with a big car park next door, and Farnworth train station is just an eight-minute walk away, making it very accessible.

I’d rate Lucknow Junction a solid four stars. The only reason it’s not five is because the decor could do with a bit more personality. But if you’re looking for genuine, tasty Indian street food with great variety and value, this place is well worth a visit. I’m definitely planning to go back and try more from the menu.

Highly recommend it for pretty much everyone, groups, families, dates, solo diners, it ticks...

We visited this recently opened restaurant in Farnworth on a Sunday evening at 5.00pm. We were the first customers of the evening and were welcomed by a friendly young man and shown to a table. The menu is fairly extensive with a choice of street food, kebabs, wraps and starters and main courses. The meat dishes focus on Chicken and Mutton and there are pleny of vegetarian dishes. All ate clearly marked. However the way the menu has been published is a bit confusing, for instance, the starters are at the back of the menu. Having negotiated the menu we opted for a main course each, my wife choosing the Chicken Biryana dish and myself choosing the Chicken Jalfrezi dish. Having taken our order, the waiter returned a few minutes later that the Chicken in the Biryana dish is on the bone. Not a problem for my wife, but it was good to be informed. Curiously, the Chicken in my dish was boneless. My dish came with a bowl of boiled rice included. My wife declared her dish as excellent. My curry was superb, not overly hot but spicy enough with wonderful flavours running throughout. With drinks, diet Coke and a large bottle of Cobra, the bill came to just under £30 which we considered very reasonable. So why only 4 stars? It is a large room with a lot of tables, arranged very symmetrically wich gives a canteen like feel. The decor doesn't lend itself to a restaurant atmosphere. I appreciate being able to see the food I am eating but it was too brightly lit. Also the decor could be better, and when we were there it was quite cold. A restaurant which priduces food of this top quality deserves to do well, but further attention to the decor and ambience would help. We will definitely return, and wish it...

Why this place isn't permanently full, I don't know. Heard about this via Facebook and booked. It's big, airy, well laid out and comfy. Staff are pleasant and knowledgeable of the food which is mostly Indian with fusions of Chinese and other eastern touches. Crockery, cutlery, table furniture subtly different from that seen elsewhere. Starter of the famous street food Pani Puri was a fantastic surprise. Delicious. Hadn't seen this around except for at the Bolton Food Fair last year. Main courses of Mutton Bhuna Gosht was gorgeous. The Lucknowian spices gave a different slant to the hot spiciness, the lamb just melting in the mouth. We were both offered the options of heat level, and even a small or normal portion, again, not usually seen. Plenty of Jeera rice. My wife usually has Paneer Korma, so this time plumbed for the Paneer Makhmali, a tomato based sauce. Just awesome. Creamy, delicate spices yet giving a heat that is deceptive. The chips (a nod to our Englishness) were well cooked, skin-on. Lassi as a drink - you could eat with a fork! Along with a cider, the whole meal was excellently priced and well deserving of the tip. Lucky to chat to the lady chef and a joy to talk Asian food with her. Lovely place, will be taking family there soon. A must. (The sugar-coated aniseed after the meal were brilliant. Helps digestion and freshened the mouth - it was the small touches like these that lifted this place up...