Naan, roti or paratha: which bread should you order?

What is the difference between naan, roti and paratha?

The shortest distinction is about raising and richness. Naan is generally understood as a leavened South Asian flatbread. Chapati is defined by Cambridge Dictionary as a flat, round Indian bread made without fat, while Oxford describes paratha as a thicker flatbread made from wholemeal flour and cooked in a pan. Those dictionary definitions describe broad food terms, not a compulsory recipe for every restaurant.

Our menu gives a more useful answer for this dining room. Its Nan is a leavened bread cooked in the charcoal oven. Roti / Chapati is an unleavened bread cooked in the same oven. Paratta is also unleavened, but the menu says it is cooked with butter in the charcoal oven. We retain the menu's spellings here, although “naan” and “paratha” are common alternatives in English.

Texture varies with flour, shaping and cooking. Our guide to tandoor cooking explains the wider tradition without claiming every kitchen uses the same technique.

What naan choices are on the menu?

Plain Nan is the starting point at £2.95 at publication. The menu then offers Onion Kulcha, described as nan stuffed with marinated onions; Garlic Nan; Garlic & Coriander Nan; and Keema Nan stuffed with minced meat. Paswari Nan combines coconut, cashew nuts and sultanas and is explicitly marked as containing nuts.

These fillings change both flavour and function. Garlic and coriander add an aromatic layer; onion brings savoury sweetness; keema makes the bread more substantial; and the fruit-and-nut filling offers a sweeter contrast. That is a description of the listed ingredients, not a statement that one pairing is culturally definitive.

For a broader look at spices that may appear across a meal, see our garam masala guide. Garam masala is not listed as an ingredient in these breads, so the guide should not be read as their recipe.

How should you choose a bread with curry?

Start with the sauce and how hungry you are. A plain naan or roti keeps the bread neutral beside a strongly flavoured main. A filled naan can make the bread a more prominent part of the meal. Paratta adds butter according to our menu, which may suit someone looking for a richer choice. Sharing more than one style lets a table compare without treating any pairing as mandatory.

Rice is an alternative rather than an afterthought. Our menu lists plain boiled basmati rice and lightly flavoured pillau rice, alongside vegetable and mushroom rice. If you are ordering several courses, one rice and one bread between diners may offer more contrast than multiple large sides. Our first-time ordering guide helps turn those choices into a balanced table.

Are naan, roti or paratha vegan or gluten-free?

Do not assume so. The menu explicitly says Paratta and Stuffed Paratta are cooked with butter. It marks Stuffed Paratta as vegetarian and Paswari Nan as containing nuts, but it does not give the plain Nan, Roti / Chapati or other naan choices vegan or gluten-free labels. Wheat-based bread also requires particular care for anyone avoiding gluten.

Recipes, ingredients and kitchen handling can change. Tell the team about an allergy or dietary requirement before you order and ask for the current allergen information. A vegetarian label does not mean vegan, and the absence of a printed allergen marker is not evidence that an item is free from that allergen.

Common questions about Indian breads

Are roti and chapati the same?

The terms often overlap in everyday English, but usage varies. Our menu deliberately lists one item as “Roti / Chapati” and describes it as unleavened bread cooked in the charcoal oven.

Is naan always cooked in a tandoor?

Naan is strongly associated with oven cooking, but methods differ. The claim we can make about our Nan is precise: the current menu says it is cooked in the charcoal oven.

Which bread contains nuts?

Paswari Nan is marked “Contains nuts” and lists cashew nuts. Other dishes may also contain allergens or face cross-contact, so ask the team about your full order.

Can I see every bread before booking?

Yes. Browse the current dine-in menu for bread names, descriptions, prices and dietary markers before your visit.