The story
Lily's Vegetarian Indian Cuisine in Ashton-under-Lyne traces its roots to 1972, when PG and Lilawati Sachdev opened a small shop on Cotton Street East making savouries and sweets by hand. PG affectionately called his wife Lily, and the restaurant bears her name as a tribute to her memory after she passed away before the dining room opened. Today, sons Harish and Rajesh manage the business alongside chefs recruited from across North India, South India, and Rajasthan to maintain the family's reputation for authentic Indian Vegetarian cuisine.
The menu reflects the diverse backgrounds of the kitchen team, featuring dishes like the vegetable jaipuri, a Rajasthani creation combining finely diced vegetables, cashews, and grated paneer in a creamy tomato sauce. Regulars frequently return for the masala dosa served with sambar and coconut chutney, or the crisp vegetable samosas filled with mashed potatoes, green peas, and pungent spices. The kitchen also prepares complex chaats such as papdi chaat, where crunchy biscuits are stirred through boiled chickpeas, potatoes, and sharp tamarind chutney. Recognition from the Good Food Guide highlights how this approach to Indian cooking delivers consistent quality.
A shop counter displaying indigenous ingredients and handmade treats remains an integral part of the dining experience. Guests can sample rich desserts like tripti bhog, a dense mixture of paneer and nuts, alongside classics such as rasgulla and gulab jamun. The beverage list offers enlivening spicy cocktails that complement the heat levels of the curry range. Whether ordering from the extensive farsan selection or exploring the south Indian lentil pancakes, visitors encounter a neighbourhood institution where every item is prepared fresh to order.
Recognition
Location
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