Went to Shimlas on 22nd Jan 2009. Starters were very nice, although portions were small. Had chicken dansak which was spicier than any I have had before, my partner had chicken tikka jalfrezi which was bland, both portions were very small. Had a keema naan which tasted of prawns. I had a small cobra and a coke to drink and my partner had 2 large cobras and with the 10% service charge the bill came to ?55. Not a local to manchester, but I think this was a bit extortionate. Trust me, give this place a miss and save your money.

Shilma Pinks is one of the best restaurants in Manchester. My wife and I dine out very regularly and have a couple of "safe havens" and Shimlas is one of them. If we want a great curry in nice surroundings with great service we go to Shimlas. We have never been let down here yet. Keep up the great work when you move (eventually) and we'll keep coming back.

i had a meal there last night. the food was excellent (tandoori mixed grill). from the outside i agree its nothing to write home about but once inside polite staff, not rushed will be going again

Shimla Pinks is quite simply the best venue for Indian Food in Manchester. I have been there tonight having had a nightmare trying to get into Akbars and everntually walking out. The staff, the service and the food at Shimlas is second to none.

I found the quality of the food and the atmosphere to be good at Shimla Pinks, but I get very annoyed at places that 'accidentally' charge twice for a drink you never had (on two occasions). Also the way they structure the bill does not show a total before they add a 10% service charge. I don't mind paying a 10% tip for good service, but when we added the total up ourselves for the food, it was clear they where charging us more than 10%!

what is with people's objection to 10% service charge in manchester??! it's a standard practice everywhere else in the world and is always discretionary so if service is particularly bad the option is there for it to be removed!
in london etc you would usually find 12.5% anyway! a good waiter works his arse off to make your meal an experience rather than just some food, and don't get paid a decent hourly rate for it!
Manchester, get over the service charge

Me and 3 friends went to Shimla's last weekend for my birhday. It was the first and last time we will go there. The food was expensive and we had 10% service charge added onto the bill
The restaurant was quiet, so the service was good!
Overall not impressed.

Was a massive fan of this restaurant, but over the years it has slipped back in my ranking of best Indian restaurant in Manchester! I think that once Shimla Pinks moves to Spinningfields, and this has been talked about for years now, then it will be much better but until then I am afraid that I spend my hard earned cash in Akbars!

Anyone who thinks Shimla Pinks is a good place to go for a curry are easily fooled by the decor and the presentation which I can appreciate people might like. But a restaurant will almost always stand or fall on the food and for that Shimla Pinks is poor.

The food I tried was as unauthentic as they come and completely uninspiring. You pay a heavy bill and think you're getting good food but you're not. The service, I must admit, is better than Rusholme but my main focus is the food.

If you want a good curry then go to Akbar's, or to Let's Eat which is nearby. Admittedly, Let's Eat is a horrible name for an indian takeaway and it has the worst location in town but once you have a curry there - trust me, you won't complain!

Bottom line -

Best Indian Food - Let's Eat
Best Indian Restaurant (because of location and decor) - Akbar's.

lol do you people actually eat in shimla pinks lol the prices are ridiculous. a waiter once told me if the price is high then most people will believe the food is great. trust me my family have been in the business a long time and every curry everywhere is made the same way so why pay so much just because the decor is nice?

shimla pinks has really gone to the root for details...both in food and undivided service consistency,thats is why it still stands as an outstanding indian restaurant in manchester,though many indian restaurants came up.....Good luck Shimla Pinks

The front of the house staff makes shimla pinks restaurant a unique place to select. The restaurant gets its excellence by the professional manner the waiters handle, the knowledge of the product each one carries out,especially the waiters is outstanding and it is par from any other branded restaurant. It is simply amazing,and one has to feel to understand the warmth.

Visited For the first and last time over staffed and over priced my chilli and garlic curry was nothing more than fresh pulped tomato full of seeds with little flavour with stale poppadoms to start I eat curry 3 times a week and work all over the country and without exception these pretencious restaurants are all show and no substance if you want a good indian meal stick to the suburbs and save money.

Had a fantastic birthday there again for the second year running. Food was great the banquet was stunning with what you feel is not going to be anough but by the end of it you're really full.
OK a tad noisey but worth it for the food. Got my platinum card worth the 15% off the bill... i'll be back again

not a fan... try Deli in Altrincham have the Black Daal aks Makhani Daal, stunning food, really stunning or Jai Khatmandu in Northenden. Chili Chicken is gorgeous.

Shimla Pinks is a fake. Its Wilmslow Road cuisine presented in a better environment and even thats a matter of opinion.

Booked last minute table for 10, not a problem. Never been before but will definatly return. The food was fab service was great. A tad noisy if you are looking for a cosy meal for 2. I would suggest going early or avoid weekend.

Bland menu, poor service with no smiles, only went as we were nearby...only Akbars for us in future!

the prices for the food are awful! a total rip off! the food is really bland... I did not enjoy Shimla pinks!

The food here is a bit better than average, but it was near impossible to hear what my companions sat opposite were saying without them shouting! Avoid sitting near the back wall when it is half full or more!

Dilli in my opinion is the best place for Indian food around Manchester (it's in Altrincham), with EastZEast coming a very close second (definitely the best in the city centre).

I found the food really bland, which was also the case for the 10 other people I went with. I was really disappointed as it was my b'day as well. If you want good Indian food at a reasonable price, go to Akbars!

Very good food, Shimla is the best!

If you like Indian food then give Shimla Pinks a go. The food is amazing and the service unlike anything in Rusholme (Not knocking the place as you can have a good meal there, but Shimla Pinks is a class above!)