Voujon in Rayne is a local Indian restaurant and takeaway just outside Braintree, best known for classic curry-house favourites, tandoori grills and house specialities, with dine-in, collection and delivery all available.

If you’re in the Braintree area and you want an Indian that feels properly local rather than chain-like, Voujon Rayne is a solid option to have on your radar. It sits in the village of Rayne at 17 The Street, which makes it an easy pick for people living in Rayne itself, as well as anyone coming from Braintree, Great Notley, Cressing and the surrounding villages. The restaurant runs its own online ordering site and keeps things straightforward, with clear opening times, collection and delivery estimates, and a menu that covers the familiar staples alongside a few dishes that feel more “house signature”.

The overall style is what you’d expect from a traditional Indian restaurant in Essex, comforting curries, sizzling tandoori items, sides, breads and the little extras that turn a meal into a proper spread. It’s the kind of menu that suits both a quiet weeknight takeaway and a sit-down meal when you want to slow down and make it a relaxed evening.

A nice detail is that they’re open about being flexible. They mention that if you want a dish that isn’t shown on their menu, you can ask and they’ll be happy to prepare it. That’s useful if you’ve got a favourite that’s slightly off the usual list, or you like a specific heat level or sauce style.

When you order from Voujon, you’ll also notice it’s designed to be easy to build your meal in stages. There’s a simple “pre-starters” section with the basics that most people want at the table while deciding what’s next, including plain papadoms, spicy papadoms, and the classic chutneys and pickles. You can pick individual dips like mint sauce, lime pickle and mango chutney, or go for a full chutney tray if you’re sharing.

For starters, you’re looking at traditional tandoori beginnings. Examples on the online menu include:

Lamb tikka starter, described as lamb marinated in herbs and spices then cooked in the tandoor

Tandoori chicken starter, marinated with herbs and spices then roasted in the tandoor

Those are strong “safe bets” if you want that smoky, grilled flavour that sets the tone for the rest of the meal. They also give you a good idea of the kitchen’s style, classic spice blends, cooked in the tandoor, served with the usual accompaniments.

If you’re ordering mains and you like tandoori dishes, Voujon’s tandoori section makes it clear what you’re getting. They state that tandoori dishes are served with mixed salad and mint sauce, and they list a chicken tikka main, described as pieces of chicken marinated in mild spices then grilled in the tandoor. That’s a great option if you want something a bit lighter than a curry, or you want grilled flavour with the flexibility of adding a side sauce, rice and bread.

Where Voujon becomes more interesting is in the chef signature and house-speciality side of the menu. The dine-in menu highlights a few “Voujon” dishes that feel like the house has its own style rather than simply listing the standard curry-house lineup. A few examples include:

Voujon Special Balti, described as a mix of chicken tikka, lamb tikka and king prawns

Voujon Mixed Massala, combining barbecued chicken, lamb and king prawns in a mild sauce with cream and butter

Shahee King Prawn Bhuna, described as whole grilled king prawns cooked with garlic, tomatoes, onions and spices, with a thicker sauce

Chicken Nawabi, chicken marinated with herbs and spices, cooked with mushrooms, onions and tomatoes, finished with brandy

Darjeeling Delight, chicken or lamb cooked with onions, peppers, tomatoes and fresh coriander in a spiced sauce

Voujon Special Rogan

You don’t have to know exactly what each dish tastes like to order well. The trick is to choose based on the style of sauce and the main ingredient you fancy. If you like creamy, mild comfort, the massala-style dishes are usually the safest lane. If you prefer something a bit richer and thicker with more “spice and tomato” flavour, the bhuna direction is often a good fit. And if you want variety without ordering three separate mains, the mixed grills and mixed-meat specials are designed for exactly that.

A helpful way to plan your first order, especially if you’re feeding two people, is to build it like this:

Start with papadoms and a chutney tray so everyone has something to nibble

Add one grilled starter, such as lamb tikka, to bring that smoky tandoor flavour

Choose one “house special” main and one classic main, so you can compare styles

Add one rice and one bread for the table, then top up with a side dish if you want a fuller spread

For groups, Voujon’s menu style works well because you can share the “bits” at the start, then everyone can pick a different main direction. One person can go tandoori, another can go creamy and mild, another can go balti-style, and it still feels like one cohesive meal.

Dietary options are not stated on the Voujon Rayne website menu pages provided here. Vegetarian options: Not stated. Vegan options: Not stated. Gluten-free options: Not stated. Allergen information: Not stated. If anyone in your group has allergies or specific dietary needs, it’s best to contact the restaurant directly before ordering, especially if you’re placing a delivery order.

Location-wise, Voujon Rayne is at 17 The Street, Rayne, Braintree, CM77 6RW. Rayne is a village just outside Braintree, so it’s a convenient option if you want the ease of a local takeaway but you prefer something a bit removed from the busiest town-centre spots. It’s also a good choice if you’re meeting friends from different directions, because Rayne is easy to reach from Braintree and the surrounding roads.

It’s best for:

Couples and families wanting a dependable Indian meal without travelling far

People who like classic curry-house favourites plus a few house specialities

Groups ordering a mix of tandoori grills and curry mains

Anyone who prefers ordering direct through a restaurant’s own online system

Handy practical info is clear on their site. Opening times are Monday to Saturday 5pm to 10:30pm, and Sunday 1pm to 9pm. Collection and delivery are both available through the online ordering system. Minimum estimated collection times are shown as 25 minutes Sunday to Thursday and 30 minutes Friday and Saturday. Minimum estimated delivery times are shown as 45 minutes Sunday to Thursday and 60 minutes Friday and Saturday. Payment methods shown on the ordering site are cash or card. They also run an offer of 15% off collection orders over £15 when ordering through their website.

Overall, Voujon Rayne is a strong local choice if you want a classic Indian meal with plenty of familiar options, plus a few house dishes that give you something different to try when you fancy a change. The village location keeps it convenient, the opening hours suit an easy evening plan, and the direct online ordering with collection and delivery options makes it simple to fit into the week.

Food Types: Restaurant; Indian

Dining Type: Dine In; Takeaway; Delivery

Area: Braintree, Rayne