Star Of Bengal

This is the best curry house I know! I’ve tried others across Darlington, Brick Lane London and the South coast but always look forward to my local Indian. Never had a bad meal inside or for collection from here. Highly recommended 5 stars.

Would give zero stars if I could!
Came for an early dinner with a friend and waited outside with the waiters for the owner to come and open the door.
Let me preface my review by saying that I LOVE chicken tikka masala and have eaten it at over 100 different places around the world. So I was especially excited to try it in the UK as it actually is a British invention. Star of Bengal was highly recommended by a friend in Darlington who has tried all the local Indian restaurants. My dining companion was also referred there by his friend in London. The front page of the menu brags about winning the local curry contest in 1999 and nearly winning a national prize. So my hopes were quite high — before they were dashed.
My dining buddy ordered a lamb dish at the suggestion of the waiter and I ordered chicken tikka masala. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. The dish was a dark red, almost like a vindaloo. And the taste was sweet — like a korma. I expressed my dissatisfaction to the owner and said the usual spices were missing and he quickly replied that all their dishes are mild. When I explained that I meant spices, like garam masala, not spicy heat and the dish was untypically sweet with a hint of coconut, he defensively told me that the chicken tikka masala was made it should be — with almond powder and coconut! He apparently has never tasted this menu item done properly and didn’t attempt to apologize for the poorly executed dish. I suspect we arrived for dinner before the chef got there and the owner threw the dish together himself!
If you want a proper chicken tikka masala in Darlington, the version at the food court inside the nearby Morrison’s was quite good, with a good mix of spices and no almond or coconut. If the owner of Star of Bengal is reading this review, I highly suggest he follow this recommendation.

I love this place, I’ve been going here for years and never had a bad dish from them, so much so, that I don’t dare try any other Indians in case they don’t match up to Star of Bengal :) Lovely friendly atmosphere and good value for money too.

Food was really nice and all the staff were very helpfull, highly recomended.

Absolutely dreadful! I brought home a takeaway from this place based upon the high recommendations. I had ordered a balti and upon opening the container I found it to be awash with cold cooking oil floating on the top. I did try to drain it off but the whole dish was saturated and completely unedable! I phoned to complain but got a ‘couldn’t care less attitude we have a busy restaurant’ attitude. I e-​mailed a complaint via this website and got no reply.

Me and my husband really enjoyed this place! We ordered to pick up a couple of times and decided to go for a sit down meal which was just as nice! Friendly staff and really nice atmoshpere

I love Star of Bengal. I know the owner and am not biased in saying that the service is always with care and it’s obvious that the staff and owner (who often serves meals himself) are interested in what they are doing, not just ‘making money’. Never faulted the food we have been served (and believe me we are a fussy couple) and the price for a meal including drinks is always fair. Quite an ‘old-​fashioned’ indian but to us that’s what makes it special.

Great value restaurant, excellent food, with plenty of choice on the menu.
Service is always friendly & helpful.
Good for takeaways too.
One of our favourite Indian Restaurants in Town.
The Chicken Tikka Balti is one dish worth trying !!

Ordered a take away from the star of bengal which is a Indian restaurant. I was told it would be ready to be picked up in 30 minutes and it was. We had ordered vegetable samosas, chicken korma, chicken balti, bombay potatoes, naan and veg rice. We also got poppadoms and salad free with the order. There was far too much food, the portion sizes are quite big. I really enjoyed everything especially the bombay potatoes, but the balti was maybe a little too oily for me, but still tasty. I would say that this indian is in the top three in Darlington, it is only small inside so it might be an idea to book if you want a sit down meal. The prices are reasonable too.

Now this certainly isn’t the trendiest Indian in town but it is my favourite. The staff are friendly, its clean and tidy and the food is lush! If you are a curry wimp like me then try thr Malayan but I eat with people who are braver and they also enjoy the hotter dishes.

my favourite indian in darlington, its quaint with speedy service and good food. recommend it for a curry before or after a night out as its very near to town, but far enough out so that its not full of drunks. its like an indian should be, dodgy wallpaper, indian music piped through and cobra by the pint.