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Akbar's Café
Written by Tandoori   
Monday, 22 December 2008 02:30

Akbar’s the renowned West Yorkshire group has launched its first café. Owner Shabir Hussain talks to Tandoori

With the seventh site under his belt, Shabir Hussain, owner of the Akbar’s group of restaurants, is looking forward the opening of his biggest branch to date, the 14,000 sq ft, 350 cover restaurant in Birmingham.

The scheduled opening is for April 2009, it would have been sooner, but what with the lighting and some of the tiling being imported from overseas, sourcing can take time. Besides, Hussain has his hands full at the moment. He’s secured a site of just over 6,000 sq ft in the centre of Newcastle for yet another Akbar’s, with a projected opening towards the end of 2009. Though for now, he’s seeing how his latest venture is performing.


Akbar’s Café was originally opened to take in the overflow from the existing Akbar’s in Bradford though another reason was that as some traditionally inclined customers do not like eating in a licensed premises where alcohol would be served, they would be happy to be accommodated here, considering the site is unlicensed.

“We are focussing on a casual type of eaterie,” says Hussain. “We have a menu which offers the typical karahi-style dishes, along with items like quiche, grilled fish, pasta and so on, but with an Asian slant where we have some spicing in them. But what we also have are traditional English cakes, pastries and desserts.

It’s worked out very well. The café has a capacity of 150 covers and though it’s open from 12 mid-day to 12 at midnight, it’s amazing how good our lunchtime trade is. We are also getting a very mixed crowd, with both Asian and non-Asian customers.”

Hussain is already negotiating for yet another café site in Manchester.

“Our brand name is getting ever stronger,” he notes, “and touch wood, even in this economic climate, we have been doing very well. It just means that I’m able to continue realising my dream of being the first Asian national chain of restaurants and hope to open in Scotland and London at some point.”

Comments (7)Add Comment
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Ray Graham
September 27, 2009
Votes: +0
...

What a fabulous place this is!! Service fantastic, food first class and surroundings and atmosphere that take this "cafe" into the new era of Asian Restaurants and miles away from the flock wallpapered establishments of the past. The menu is compact but there is enough variety to please everyone. "Magaz" (brains curry) even appears if that tickles your fancy!!

One major criticism is they DON'T have Poppadums and pickles so unless you order a starter there is nothing to nibble on while waiting for your food to arrive.

Service is fast and staff are attentive and cheerful. The cafe is frequented by very many Asian customers which for me endorses the quality of food at this eatery!! It's a great place for a lunchtime curry if you are out and about! Highly recommended.

fig
February 22, 2009
Votes: +0
hehehehe

shit place
dirty food

Tony Clarke
February 16, 2009
Votes: +0
The best place in Bradford for Asian food

The best asian food in Bradford. I like the other Akbars, but this one is even better. The staff are wonderful and food even better. The icecream is to die for and the whole place is the best asain resturant in the UK for my money. I eat there all the time and although you cannot buy booze, it just does not matter. It is a wonderful place to each during the day on a Saturday lunch and is very busy early evening on Sundays. Give it a try.

anonymous
February 12, 2009
Votes: +0
food

what asian food do they offer?

Salma
February 11, 2009
Votes: +0
wow

the cafe is brilliant my friends and i recently went there and it was fit for a celebrity! we enjoyed the food and the waiter;s were fantastic.
everyone needs to experience the food and the service 11/10!! keep it up!

tasnia
February 08, 2009
Votes: +0
...

Really Nice i want my party there 2nd april

Jeff
February 02, 2009
Votes: +0
At last a different eating experience : An Asian style 'Cafe'

My wife and I have been regular and very happy customers right from the beginning when Akbar's Restaurant opened in Bradford. The new Akbar's Cafe is a new experience too. It has a great ambience and serves wonderful high quality Asian food as well as some lovely British style puddings and a beautiful selection of flavoured Swiss style Ice creams. Mr Shabir Hussain ('Bash') has to be congratulated and fully deserves his ongoing success. Highly recommended.

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