For decades, the British “curry house” has followed a familiar script - korma, madras, vindaloo.
Now, a new wave of Bangladeshi restaurants in Oldham is quietly rewriting that narrative, bringing diners closer to the heart of Bengal, one dish at a time.
The latest addition to Oldham's food scene is Old Dacca.
Located on Chadderton Way, the eatery opened its doors on April 14 to mark Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year.
The restaurant said it had a "fantastic opening day" describing a “diverse crowd” of families, locals and those already familiar with Bangladeshi cuisine.
They added: “The response from the community has truly meant a lot to us. The feedback on our dishes has been very encouraging.
“Many guests mentioned that the food reminded them of homestyle cooking, and the authentic flavours of Dacca, which is what we set out to achieve."
Customers praised the “depth of flavour” in the traditional curries, the richness of biryanis, and dishes that stepped away from the standard menu.
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Items like bharta (smoked and spiced mash), prawns cooked in coconut and mustard sauce, and flavourful Hilsha fish fry with golden moong daal and steamy basmati were increasingly taking centre stage.
Inside, the restaurant leans into simplicity, with an unfussy space designed to reflect a traditional, welcoming Bangladeshi ambience.
The team said: “Hospitality is very important in our culture, and we’ve focused on delivering that genuine Bangladeshi warmth, friendly service and attention to detail.
"We want customers to feel not just like they’re ordering food, but that they’re being welcomed in."
