Lounge India is an Indian restaurant and takeaway on South Street in Braintree, set inside a refurbished former pub, with a wide menu that spans classic curry-house favourites, tandoori grills, seafood starters and a few house specialities.

If you’ve driven through central Braintree and wondered where to go for an Indian meal that feels like a proper sit-down evening out, Lounge India is firmly in that lane. The restaurant is based at 53 South Street, and the owners describe the space as a transformed traditional pub, updated with contemporary décor and imported furniture to create a more polished dining room feel.

It’s also set up to work for different kinds of nights. You can book ahead and dine in, or you can order a takeaway through their online system, with offers advertised for online orders. The opening times lean evening-led, which makes it a reliable option for after-work dinners and weekends, with a slightly earlier start on Sundays.

Food-wise, the menu reads like a confident blend of familiar favourites and slightly more “chef-led” starters that go beyond the standard onion bhaji and samosa routine. It starts simply, with poppadoms (plain or spicy) and a full set of dips if you like to begin with nibbles. There’s a chutney tray that includes five dips, mint, mango, tamarind, onion salad and coconut, which is perfect if you’re sharing and want the full spread on the table.

Where the menu gets interesting is in the canapés and starters section. If you want something different from the usual, there are starters like murgi wings served with cucumber and beetroot salad plus mint and tamarind chutney, kadai lamb chops with kadai spices, and a few seafood options that are not always a given at local Indian restaurants. Two standouts here are the sarson king prawn, described as a Lounge India classic with mustard, turmeric and lemon, and mahi salmon, grilled and marinated with tomato, lime and red pepper, served with mint and coriander chutney.

If you’re eating as a pair or a group, the mixed starters are a sensible way to cover more ground early on. There’s a meat platter that combines chicken tikka, lamb tikka, sheek kebab, lamb chops and king prawn, and a lounge mix starter that includes meat samosa, onion bhaji, tiger prawn and sheek kebab. There’s also a vegetarian platter that includes paneer tikka, vegetable samosa and onion bhajee.

A good “first visit” order plan, based on what’s on the menu, is to pick one starter that’s fresh and chutney-led, one that’s grilled, and one that’s crunchy or shareable. For example:

Start with the chutney tray and poppadoms for the table.

Add a grilled item like chicken tikka or garlic chicken tikka.

Add one of the bigger flavour starters like crispy-style fish (machli amritsari) or the sarson king prawn for variety.

For mains, the tandoori section is clearly a big part of the experience. The menu explains these dishes are cooked over live charcoal and served with mixed salad and mint sauce. You can go for tikka mains (chicken, lamb, or salmon), tandoori chicken on the bone, shashlick mains, and a tandoori mix grill that brings together several items including tandoori chicken, lamb tikka, chicken tikka, sheek kebab, king prawn and naan bread.

If you prefer curry-style mains, there are plenty of classic directions, plus a few chef specials that stand out. New Delhi butter chicken is listed as sweet and slightly hot, cooked with butter and coconut milk, and there’s also the ever-popular tikka masala described as mild and creamy with coconut, almonds and fresh cream. If you like heat, naga chicken is cooked with a creamy hot sauce and blended naga chillies.

There are also dishes that feel a bit more “occasion” if you’re ordering for a proper night out. Sikandari lamb shank is slow roasted and marinated with Kashmiri chilli, coriander, hung yoghurt and garam masala, which is the sort of main you choose when you want something deeper and more robust than a standard curry. And if you like game-style options, there’s a duck section including duck tikka and duck dishes cooked with chillies and balti paste, plus a medium dry duck dish with dried tomatoes, peppers, onions and herbs.

Dietary options are handled in a practical, honest way. The menu asks you to let them know about allergies or dietary preferences and says they will do their best to prepare dishes to suit your needs, but it also states the kitchen is not a nut-free environment and some dishes may contain traces of nuts. Vegetarian options are clearly present (for example, onion bhaji, vegetable samosa, and paneer-based starters), and some items are labelled vegetarian, with nut notes on certain dishes. Vegan options are not stated. Gluten-free options are not stated.

In terms of location, Lounge India is central Braintree, at 53 South Street, CM7 3QD, which makes it a straightforward meet-up point if you’re coming from different parts of town or nearby villages. The setting is designed to feel more like an “evening restaurant” than a quick takeaway counter, but the takeaway side is clearly important too, with online ordering and offers promoted on the menu page.

Who is it best for? It’s a strong fit for:

Couples who want a relaxed sit-down Indian in town

Groups who like sharing starters, especially mixed platters and grilled items

Seafood fans who want more than just one token fish option

Anyone who wants the flexibility of dine-in or takeaway in the same place

Handy practical details are clear. Reservations can be made by phone, and the listed contact number is 01376 344461. Opening times are shown as Sunday 5pm to 10pm, Monday to Friday 5.30pm to 11pm, and Saturday 5.30pm to 11.30pm. Parking is not stated. Takeaway is available. Delivery is not stated on the pages viewed.

One final practical tip, if you’re ordering online, the menu page advertises 30% off main dishes when the food total is £25 or over, which is the sort of offer that becomes worth planning around if you’re feeding a family or ordering for a group.

Overall, Lounge India is a solid Braintree choice if you want a broad Indian menu with a strong tandoori and starter game, a few more premium-feeling dishes like lamb shank and salmon, and a dining room that’s been set up to feel like a proper evening out, while still keeping takeaway and online ordering firmly in the mix.

Food Types: Restaurant; Indian

Dining Type: Dine In; Takeaway

Area: Braintree, Braintree