Indian food is one of the most popular cuisines globally and certainly within the UK. Most people in Britain for example love a good curry - be it a mild Korma or hot Madras. For people who produce Indian cuisine for others to eat, there are many things that go into preparing the best meals. How you serve food is definitely key - whether you are having an Indian night at home or running a restaurant cooking up Indian dishes.

But what are the best ways to serve this type of food?

Serving Indian food at restaurants

Anyone who is involved in catering knows that how food looks is almost as important as how it tastes. This means that any Indian restaurant must focus on presenting its food to the highest standards. This can make a huge difference in the experience people have and how much they enjoy the food. It naturally also has an impact on whether they will come back again!

Perhaps the most important part of serving Indian food in a restaurant is the tableware you use. But what items should you focus on in particular?

Authenticity is key when choosing what to serve food in at restaurants and this makes investing in Karahi dishes wise. These are round cooking pots with a flat base and deep, thick sides. Used for cooking stews or shallow/deep frying usually, smaller Karahi dishes can also be used to serve food in. With carrying handles for waiting staff to grip, their impressively exotic looks make them a popular choice.

Cooksmill sells a great selection of karahi dishes that are available in a range of styles. Stainless steel karahi are the most popular Indian serving dish. They are versatile and extremely robust for a long life in a busy restaurant. But there are plenty of other options if you want to create an impressive table service.

Serving Indian food in restaurants - what other options are there?

Another excellent choice for restaurants are copper serving options. These form an essential part of Indian tradition and give an authentic look to the food you present. Copper dishes not only stand out visually but are also easy to clean and keep food warm for longer. The most common example of this type of serving dish is Balti copper serving dishes.

In a restaurant setting, traditional naan stands are also worth considering. These not only form an impressive centrepiece on the table but also help keep the table tidier. Many people who go to an Indian restaurant also love to sample the pickles and chutneys before the main curry. With this in mind, investing in Indian pickle trays is a must. These will not only give you somewhere stylish to serve pickles but also look impressive on the table.

Don’t forget not everyone opts for a meat or chicken curry dish. Another classic Indian choice is tandoori chicken as well as Indian recipes for fish and paneer that are best served on a sizzler plate. The spectacle of a hot sizzling plate impresses everyone as it arrives at the table still sizzling.

How can you recreate an Indian restaurant experience at home?

While many people like to head out for an Indian meal, just as many people love to cook one at home now. A great way to recreate that genuine Indian restaurant experience when you do is to focus on how you serve the food. Although it might only be you, your partner or your kids who are eating it, thinking about how you serve your meal will elevate it.

As you might expect, some of the advice is the same as shown above. Investing in copper serving dishes and stylish pickle trays for example is a quick way to get that authentic vibe at home. But what else might home cooks find useful when serving this type of food?

Serving Indian food at home

Steel serving dishes can come in handy for larger families and make it easier to transport food to the table in one go. Easy to clean and lightweight, they also bring that authentic dining experience into your home.

Tiffins are another handy option for getting that Indian restaurant look at home or when you are out and about. These handy stacked dishes are not only great for making a real impact when serving up but are superb at keeping food hot, should someone be delayed in getting back for tea. They were designed in the Indian subcontinent to transport lunches to busy workers but are increasingly popular around the world.

Another good choice when trying to recreate that restaurant experience are handi dishes. These are usually made from copper, which means they not only look amazing but are also easy to care for. Any food served in them will keep hot too, due to the lid which they come with. With handles for easy carriage, these are top-notch.