9 years ago, we visited The Indian Chef at 3 Kilns in Leicestershire, which was ranked 3rd back in 2017. So, when we heard they had opened a new 3 Kilns in Hinckley, we had to go and try it out.

The original Leicester venue is set in a pub on a housing estate, whereas the Hinckley location sits prominently on Regent Street. From what I understand, the building has had a varied past — previously a restaurant, nightclub, and even a casino. There’s plenty of street parking available after 6pm, which is always a bonus.

First impressions are strong. As you approach, you notice how large and smart the venue looks, and once inside, it’s even more impressive. The space is huge, with very high ceilings, a great range of draught beers, and plenty of booths — it really does look the part.

We were greeted by our waiter and ordered Cobras and Peroni Zeros. The Cobra was one of the best I’ve had — perfectly chilled. We were also given complimentary poppadom’s and pickle trays, which were a nice touch and very good.

The menu is extensive, with dishes like Butter Chicken, Chilli Paneer, and Chicken Tikka Masala listed as restaurant specialities.

For our meal, we ordered a Tandoori Mixed Grill, Chicken Jalfrezi, Lamb Tawa Madras, Chicken Biryani, and a Chef’s Special Chicken Katmandu. On the side, we had Chilli Cheese Naan, Peshwari Naan, Plain Naan, Veg Fried Rice, and Plain Rice.

The food was excellent across the board. The Lamb Tawa Madras was one of the best I’ve had, and the presentation of the Biryani was particularly impressive, served with naan baked on top — although worth noting, that naan is more for presentation as it’s only partially cooked.

In summary, the venue is fantastic, the food is top quality, and the overall experience is spot on. With plenty of parking, Cobra at just £4.50 a pint, and a total bill of £136 for 5 people, it’s also very reasonably priced.

Definitely worth a visit.