I dont understand all those Akbars haters out there. For gods sake you're all complaining about the amount of time you spend waiting, well obviously it's busy, it's the best Indian restaurant all over!

I'd go there again.

Me and my friends go to Akbars at least once a month. The food is great, the staff are nice and we have a good time. There is always a wait at Akbars because it is so busy even if u go on a Monday or Tuesday night so I'm wondering, if it is as bad as some of the reviews say why is it so busy? Well, you wont get any better than Akbars!

I have recenty visited Akbars, the appearance of the restaurants is fine but the food is not at all what peope have told me.

We went to Akbars to celebrate my wife's birthday. It was a total disaster. We can eat hot food but this was too hot. I complained to our waiter and he was totally indifferent. Not wanting to make a scene I asked for the bill, paid up and we left the food uneaten. Never again will I ever go there again. Not a place I would recommend to anyone. There are better places in rusholme and fallowfield. Better food and much cheaper, don't waste your time or money.

Now hang on a minute, I'm absolutely shocked to read the reviews on here. I'm a long established, loyal Akbars customer, as are most of my family who have dined at the bradford Akbars for over ten years. Bash and all the lads there are first class and very attentive, efficient and put you at ease. And being honest, without the regular Akbar waiters your experience there would be dull. We have never waited more than ten minutes for a table and my teenage sons and I have even ditched our Christmas dinner for the last three years and opted to have our Christmas lunch there and we wouldnt change that now. The menu is faultless, the quality of the food is exceptional and the place is always spotless and problem free. I have visited the Leeds Akbars and have to say it lacked the charisma that the original Bradford Akbars has ,even though there were a few waiters i knew from old. The manchester Akbars we visited in December 2008 after an MEN Arena gig and I have to say again it lacked the tlc of Bradford and the food was rather oily, but a quick word and we were brought new dishes. I'm so glad they are opening a new Akbars in middlesborough in March and cant wait to dine there and see just how it fares with the original and in my opinion the best Akbars in Bradford.Bash and the guys work damn hard and deserve every success. My advice to all these on here, try the original akbars in bradford , with Zafran and the other abbundance of friendly, fantastic staff you won't be disappointed.
Good Luck

Booked a table for 18.30 on 19/2/09 for 15 people and when I made the booking I was asked for my mobile number. I was entertaining several high profile consultants. As our surgey schedule ran over I called at 17.30 and rebooked the table for 19.30. When we arrived at 19.40 our table had been given away because we were ten minutes late. I was extremly embrrassed in front of my colleagues. We were offerd split tables which was not appropriate. Evenutally after speaking to the manager they agreed to get us another table. They asked us to order drinks from the bar, we could not get served then finally was asked to give a ?5 deposit for a bleeper. We ended up leaving and had a fabulous meal next door with friendly , courteous staff. I was upset as they had my mobile number and could have contacted me prior to letting the table go.

Paid a visit on Valentine's night. Booked a table for two for 8:30 p.m. We arrived at 8:20 p.m. with folks queuing outside the door. Spoke to the girl on the entrance and told her we had booked a table. She told us to 'get a drink and join the queue'. The queue was probably 50 strong when we joined it. Speaking to other folks in the queue, most had not booked a table so I could not see what benefit we had gained by reserving. Finally sat down at around 8:50 p.m. Food and service was OK, but nothing to shout about. I personally could have done without the wild man of rock being pumped out of the sound system and the couple of kids who were running round the restaurant like Dervishes generally creating mayhem. I would rate the whole experience no more than 5 out of 10.

Well I went to Akbars last year in june, we booked a table and yet still had to wait 30 minutes. I'm an Asian and heard a lot about Akbars, the scenery and lighting was good and the amazing lighting on back wall was quite soothing. We ordered starters and a main meal and it all came at once, the starter consisted of salad chicken tikka and seek kebab. As soon as I tucked into the salad I cut my gum on a piece of plastic, probably from the tub which it was mixed in or taken out of. Anyway I called the manager over as I was bleeding and he immediatley changed the salad and gave us some drinks on the house. The rest of meal was good, but I was already put off as my gum was bleeding and I didnt feel like eating.The overall experience at Akbars was good, a little slow with waiters not knowing English. Should have some proffesional waiters who are courteous and know what they are doing, instead of running like headless chickens. All restaurants should have waiter schools in manners and politeness.

Because our 8:30 p.m. table at Akbar's wasn?t ready by 9:11, we were still at the bar when the great wave of white wine crashed over it. I?m talking about the ?Poseidon Adventure? of wine spills. Rebecca Addlington could have done the backstroke in it. I?m not sure how the bartender set it in motion, and neither was he. He kept marveling at its fury and aftermath: my friend?s wine-splashed chin, her wine-soaked skirt, her wine-sopped entirety.This restaurant isn?t in the hospitality business. It?s in the attitude business, projecting an aloofness that permeated all of my recent meals there. Brace yourself for confusion.

I dislike this restaurant. I had plastic in my sticky toffee pudding which was unremoved packaging from the dessert. It was examined as if I had put it in there myself - I was horrified. I got no apology and I am not the type to make a scene, so i left it. On several occassions I have been hurried out and tables have been cleared while we were still eating.

Just because you have the location doesn't mean you got the best food! The chicken pakora starter was raw and the service was very poor by people who speak little or no english at all. Never going to eat from this place again. And the manager is very rude and disorganised.

Never been to Akbars in Manchester, but the one in York is perfect. The service is exceptional and the food is brilliant. I think the staff at Manchester need to come and see how it's done in York.

I visited Akbars on Saturday 13th December and booked a table for 9 people. We had the ?19.95 set menu which turned out to be a total con. Over the Christmas period they have removed the Set Menu 2 and replaced with the same menu minus desserts and starter dishes (which was not communicated when asked why we were not entitled to pudding). We were not given an itemised bill and the 2.5% Vat difference was not subtracted from the bill. I had my doubts about going to Akbars after reading recent reviews but I am sorry to confirm it is correct. The length of time to wait and quality and quantity of food, coupled with high prices, equates to nothing short of a con.

Those pondering whether or not to visit Akbars should spend their money elsewhere.

Don't be persuaded by their reputation, in the past Akbars may well have been the best Indian in town, however this is now now longer the case.

Management were rude when querying the menu and the phone was put down on me. I will never put a foot in the door of Akbars again, and will be recommending any friends and family to steer clear.

This is the first time I've actually read the reviews for Akbar's and all I can think is that the negative ones are probably being written by people who work for Salt and Pepper!

I've been going to Akbar's (Manchester) regularly for about 2 years and I have to say it is by far one of the best Asian restaraunts in the city. The food is excellent, I myself am Asian and a very picky eater. My Mum hates eating out (as she can make the food at home herself!) but even she likes Akbar's.

The starters are to die for-grill starters are second to none. For the main I usually go for the Apna-style handis-closest I have ever had in a restaraunt to home-cooking (if not better-sorry Mum!)And if I have room as the portions are very generous the desserts are fun-and even come with sparklers.

The service is always excellent and one of the reasons my friends and I keep going back. I'm not sure what one guy was doing to get dirty looks from the waiters but they are all very attentive - sometimes too much. But that's not a bad thing really.

Also, people have complained about the time it takes to get a table. Obviously it's busy on the weekends because it is popular and people like dining there. And I'm pretty sure there is no hidden conspiracy when seating diners.

All in all an excellent reataraunt. I have recommended Akbars to loads of friends and family and not heard a bad word yet.

I want to go now but I only had a take-away from there yesterday so maybe not.

I would love to be able to sit here and write a review of the food at Akbars as I have been led to believe that it is lovely. Unfortunately I cannot. After waiting almost 2 hours for a table (after being told it would be about 80 minutes) myself, and the rest of my party walked out. Was it the extended delay that annoyed most? Perhaps the lack of information did it? Could it have been the way our name remained on the top of the "announcer's" list while names below ours were being seated and crossed off? Maybe the condescending way the staff looked at and treated us? Anyway, we escaped the cattle market, school cafeteria restaurant for a known safe haven and managed to resurrect our evening.
I now know how and why Akbars has gotten itself such a wonderful reputation. Everyone who goes there must be so completely inebriated from all the alcohol consumed in the inevitable wait for a table that they have no idea what they are eating or what it tastes like. Will I be venturing to Akbars again? Only if all the other restaurants in Manchester close down, the head chef and the Manager call round to my house to apologise in person, and then offer to limo me to their restaurant in a sky blue Rolls Royce with Elvis Presley at the wheel, and only then if the meal is free! If you want an Indian meal in Manchester go to Shimla Pinks and see how it should be done. Stay away from Akbars, all that Hype is wasted on this place.

Great food and excellent service. Well, it was once we left Akbars. Having been packed in to the bar area and routinely told that our table would be available soon, it became apparent that the maitre d' had several lists running that seemed to favour some more than others. I can accept a half hour wait but an hour and a half and still waiting! As we stood looking over the dinning area I?m sure that if they put brackets on the wall they could squeeze a few more people in. Even if the food was of an excellent quality it would not have made up for the service that Akbars offers or doesn't. A lucky escape.

I have just returned home from what was very nearly a disastrous night out. Having planned for a party of 6 to go to Akbars, we arrived at 8.10 and were told a table would be available in approx 1hr 20. At gone 10pm having asked some half a dozen times if we were going to be seated in what can only be described as a school dining hall, we were again fobbed off. We left Akbars, went to Shimla Pinks and were treated with what can only be described as simply perfect service and food. Akbars is quite honestly awful, the staff are worse than hopeless, the calls to your table over the microphone are just a waste of time where they simply repeat your surname in a very muffled tone over the noise of hoardes of people waiting for tables. Dreadful place, dreadful service, will never go back.

When Akbars first opened in Manchester, the quality of food and service was excellent. But now I have realised after going there several times the food quality has dropped. We went as a big group and ordered various different curries but all the curries tasted the same as if one base was made and to one lot chicken was added and lamb to the other. Service quality has also dropped and sometimes the seating arrangements feel cramped. I would avoid going at weekends and bank holidays due to poor service. Other days service is good.

Excellent and good quality atmosphere. I have stopped going to rusholme because of Akbars.

Read the good reviews and had high hopes but was very disappointed. Was told a table would be available in 20 minutes, but waited over an hour for one. Barman looked as if he had swallowed a lemon and we couldn't make out the names being called out over the speakers. Eventually we were brought to our table in what felt like a canteen with neon lights. Waiter took our drinks order and returned with a bottle of wine and no glasses. Someone else turned up and the starters arrived but still no glasses! Food was basically thrown at us and was not up to the standard I expected. Do yourself a favour and avoid this place.

After reading a lot of the reviews here we were in two minds whether we should go to Akbars because even the good reviews said it was a long wait. We went about half past six and did not have to wait more than a few minutes. The service was good. The chicken tikka in my curry was gorgeous. We all had poppadoms, starters and main meals with a family nann, a regular nann and 3 lots of rice between us and were pleasantly suprised by the bill which came to about ?84 for 5 of us. Although we did get drinks at the bar before going to our table so the drinks were not included in this price. When we were leaving there were people waiting for tables so if you don't like waiting get there early like we did.

Seems like Akbars is like all the other Indian restaurants in manchester - no consistency in service. It seems 50/50 good service depends on pot luck on the day pending on the mood of the staff and the food may depend on which chef on a given day is cooking but overall I only went to Akbars once with my work colleagues and the food was good and service was okay. My only complaint was the price but will go again as i would say it still is the best Indian in manchester.

In my opinion this is the best Indian in Manchester. The food is amazing, the lamb chops are the best I have tasted. The service has always exceeded my expectations. Akbars have raised the bar and are one step ahead .The only negative I would say is that it can get quite busy and hectic, waiting times can be quite long so get down there no later than 7.30pm.

Excellent food and service.

I went to Akbars in Manchester and was really impressed by the food, decor and service. I gave ?15 tip on a ?20 meal. The second time I was unable to get extra cash so I did not leave much of a tip. The third time I got the same waiter and there were some really aggressive looks and general bad attitude - not impressed.

Best curry I have ever had. Amazing.

Food is doused in oil/ghee and the flavours are all the same. Oh and the big stand that the naan comes out on just cuts you off from the rest of your table.

You should try Salt N Pepper at the back of it, it's a lot better. Used to be a regular at Akbars, not anymore. Food is standard and service is well below average. It's like a production line - one in one out.

My experience at this restaurant was terrible. Firstly, as soon as we sat at our table, we had a waiter coming over to tell us that we had to order within 10 minutes otherwise he would call the manager. After he came over for the third time, I eventually got annoyed and the general manager came to speak with us. He then apologised and told us that we could take as long as we wanted. Within 5 minutes of being told this, we had another waiter at our table, telling us that it was 'high time' we placed an order (bearing in mind that it had barely been 10 minutes since we had looked at the menu). So, being rushed, we began to place an order. Whilst deciding which dishes to choose we were told by the waiter that we didn't need a starter and that upon ordering 3 dishes, this would be enough for us. Excuse me, but, who is he to tell me how much I should and should not be ordering? He was rude, abrupt and arrogant. He took our order and left, and, once again, I spoke with the general manager. He then moved us to the other side of the restaurant where apparently his 'friends' would be looking after us and assured us that we should no longer have any problems. Well, that was just the beginning. When our food arrived, I was given masala fish which was raw. The chef who served it to us immediately saw and took it back, telling me that he would bring me over a new one within 5 mins. 30 seconds later, the same fish dish that had just been taken away was put on our table. At this point I was quite hungry and not in the mood to mess around so cancelled the order and waited upon the main meal. When the main meals came they were barely warm and tasted horrible (to put it nicely). The naan bread was given to us hanging off a butcher's rack making the food all-the-less appetizing. Whilst all of this was going on, the general manager and owner of the restaurant (who had been informed about what had happened) were quite obviously mocking us and laughing.
At the end of our dreadful meal, the owner came and spoke with us. Immediately he made a joke about what had happened- except nothing was funny. He said if anything the service was 'too fast' and made out as if we were in the wrong. He then went on to insult us and spoke to us in a very condescending way. I was in shock and watched as he walked off. He didn?t even have the courtesy to offer our meals on the house or even at a discounted rate. I questioned him about this and his response was, "I am the owner therefore I am at the top of the chain, and you absolutely, 100% have to pay.? For the sake of the restaurant, would you not have the decency to give your customers the respect they deserve? Out of everyone the owner was the most rude and I can only wonder how he gets to sleep at night treating people the way he does. Hand on my heart, my friends and I will never be returning to this outrageously appalling restaurant again. My rating for the service and food - minus 10.

We dined at Akbar's on Saturday night after reading so many positive reviews. We arrived and realised that people were being honest when they said it's a busy restaurant. It was heaving. Good decor, large premises, noisy and over-crowded.

We were seated after an hour and noticed that my chair was, to put it bluntly, knackered. It had about a yard of play in it and was like sitting on a rocking horse.

We ordered, our poppadums came with an unimaginative pickle tray that had lumpy raita and watery chilli and lime pickle. We didn't get asked how many we wanted, we were just given two.

Our starters came, I had calamari and my girlfriend had chicken pakora. Not bad, but the chicken was slightly underdone as it was only just cooked through.

Mains came. The chicken tikka was very good, rich and plenty of sauce, as was my lamb, although it wasn't as tender as I'd hoped. The rice was a bit cold and the naan bread was ridiculous. It was served on one of those stupid raindeer's antlers that was utterly dirty, was far too large and way too thin. It was meant to be garlic but I couldn't taste it. We were also seated next to a table of people who were loud, rude and did not respect the boundaries of our two tables, with the backs of their chairs hitting our table. They also had a 6-month old baby with them which I think is inappropriate for a busy Saturday night.

Guys, if you want a "curry with the lads, loads of beer and loads of curry for next to nothing", then come to Akbars. If you want a civilised meal with good service and rich, flavoursome food, stay away. Pete's review below says it all.

Heard a lot about you. Came all the way from Folkestone,Kent. The decor was OK but have seen much better. For the food I give 3/10 as it was very bland and didn't appeal to me when it was served and I felt quite nauseous the next day. I asked a waiter for the dish of the day and he didnt have a clue what I was talking about and told me to look at the menu which was very rude. I would recommend that you train your waiters with vital skills needed for such businessses. And it would be helpful if they could speak English and understand what the customer requires.