No.3 Curry House — Restaurant in England

There are curry houses, and then there is No3. Tucked unassumingly into Milnthorpe—a place that feels more likely to serve a tepid sausage roll than a dish to stir the soul—this unpretentious gem hurls that expectation under the next passing bus and sets fire to the remains. And thank God it does.

The scent hits you first: coriander, garlic, cumin, and something intoxicatingly buttery rising from the kitchen like incense in a place of worship. The interior is warm, unflashy, a little bit chaotic—in a way that makes you suspect something good is about to happen. And it does.

I started with the lamb chops, which arrive looking like they've been lifted straight off a tandoor altar and bestowed upon you by divine intervention. Charred edges give way to blushing meat with just enough chew to remind you it's the real thing. They speak of care, fire, and time.

But the real show is in the curries. My rogan josh was a masterclass in restraint and richness—no oily puddles or over-spiced noise, just deep, confident flavour that had clearly been built up over hours. My companion's chicken tikka masala (yes, we’re allowed to enjoy the classics) was silk in a bowl, with none of that saccharine over-sweetness that haunts lesser places.

And the naan? Oh, the naan. Puffy, blistered, singed in all the right places, and still steaming when torn apart. Not a sad, limp sidekick, but a full-throated participant in the glory.

Service is brisk, friendly, and—thankfully—free of any faux-polish or upselling nonsense. These are people who know their food is good and are rightly proud of it.

No3 is not just a curry house; it’s a joyous reminder of what happens when flavour is treated like religion and cooking like craft. Milnthorpe, improbably, has become a destination.

Go. Just go.

— Jay Rayner (or at least someone who...

Right, where do i start, the eating area is a little tight and you may end up sitting at a table that has people in the takeaway queue breathing down your neck. Service was a little slow but the waiters were so pleasant and very apologetic probably owing to 3 huge takeaway orders that were delaying things somewhat. But never mind, all of this pales into insignificance when your meal eventually arrives. Set starter for 2 was the first course, Large Onion Bhaji, Chicken Pakora, Shish Kebab, Bengali Roll and a piece of Chicken Tikka all duplicated. Really really nice but in the back of my mind maybe a little too much as the main meals were yet to come. The mains came, nothing too exotic as this was our first time visiting this establishment, Chicken Tikka Garlic Chilli, Lamb Tikka Madras, Chips, Pilau Rice and a Plain Naan. What can i say, maybe the best curries i've ever had. The taste of both dishes was top notch with flavours i have never noticed in the same curries i've had from other restaurants. Yes and shock horror we couldn't finish it but to my rescue came the waiter yet again with the offer of a doggy bag gladly taken. £32 was an astonishing price given the quality and amount, i have paid much more for a lot less of both. To round it off the doggy bag was left on the side in our kitchen unaware that my son would come in and finish it off remarking at how nice it was and where was it from. Could not recommend No.3 more highly and it will not be long...

A Fantastic Dining Experience – Fresh, Flavourful & Warm Hospitality

We had a superb evening at this Indian restaurant in Milnthorpe. From the moment we arrived, the welcome was warm and genuine — a big thank you to Oly and Riyad, who went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and took the time to speak with us throughout our visit.

The food was outstanding — clearly freshly prepared and full of flavour. We especially enjoyed the poppadoms with their unique red chutney, which had a deliciously rich and tangy kick. The mains were equally impressive: the Jalfrezi and Rogan Josh were both beautifully cooked, with deep, well-balanced spices, and the Sagaloo was the perfect accompaniment — comforting and full of taste.

Service throughout the evening was excellent: attentive without being intrusive, and genuinely friendly.

Highly recommended if you’re in the area — we’ll...