Prithiraj is a staple of the Sheffield curry house scene
A Yorkshire curry house that has been praised on Strictly Come Dancing and The One Show says its food and service is why celebrities and regulars keep coming back.
Prithiraj on Ecclesall Road in Sheffield is a firm favourite of many locals and famous faces. TV presenter Dan Walker is the most prominent fan of the restaurant, so much so that he has a curry named after him. Dan has even given the curry house several shout-outs on TV, including when performing on Strictly. While on tour with the dance show in Sheffield, he and the whole cast went for a special curry at Prithiraj.
Other famous fans include Jessica Ennis-Hill, Def Leppard and The Beast from The Chase, who also has a special dish named after him.
But why is this curry house such a firm favourite of celebrities?
"It's simple, our food and service is good," front of house staff member Salim said. "A restaurant without good food and service is nothing. I have worked lots of curry houses around the world, but the food here is the best. The food is incredible. That is because of the quality of the chef and the ingredients he chooses, which are not the cheapest." Everything at Prithiraj is made fresh to order, with the gravies cooked overnight.
Head chef and owner Mohammed Sobuj bought Prithiraj in 2012. He had worked at the curry house on the same premises before, but rebranded and turned the venue into his own masterpiece. They started to gain traction around 2018, and now have a loyal and returning customer base. "Some of our customers come every week," Mohammed said.
One customer, Graham Stanley, comes five times a week. The restaurant would like to name its next curry after him. He is a part of the "Prithiraj family", Shain Eiffrain, son of Mohammed, said.
The family service is central to the restaurant's charm. "Around 70 to 80 per cent of our customers are returning customers," Salim said. "People plan their social evenings around when they can come and eat here." When a famous face is eating there, they admit that "heads turn", but staff "treat all people we serve the same". "Everyone is a celebrity at Prithiraj," Shain added.
Their work has been well-rewarded, too. Not only is "business doing well", but their curries have won multiple awards, including being named Westside's Best Indian Restaurant award in South Yorkshire for 2025, the fifth consecutive year in which they have won the award. They were also named Best of Sheffield Indian Restaurants at the English Curry Awards last year.
Is the curry as good as the celebrities say? I have to admit, I wondered if the marketing and celebrity tactics were a ploy. But this was one of the best curries I have had - and as someone who lived a few hundred metres from Curry Mile in Manchester, that really is saying something.
Juicy, flavourful chicken. A hint of sweetness, a lovely kick, but far from overpowering, all served with fluffy, fragrant rice and a chapati. You can't really go wrong with a top-drawer curry, and Prithiraj really does live up to its billing. Maybe I'm part of the family now?
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