My Nawaab’s Sunday brunch: A wholesome experience of fusion and inclusion
By hanifahsmith and Jasminder Philora

Expectations were unclear when we attended My Nawaab’s Sunday brunch, located in a seemingly unimpressive building in the heart of Levenshulme. Stepping inside opened the door to a lavish foyer including balconies adorned with gold and a spectacular fountain. My Nawaab is located in this decadent events space, with a capacity of 400 guests for the restaurant. Yet, it made for a delightful meal for the Mancunion’s review team of two, where a genuine interest in providing a good experience is delivered in the restaurant and in its food.

The Sunday brunch rests at £18.95, with the current deal reducing the price to just £10 per head. The buffet itself hosts an impressive selection, reaching up to 130 dishes of Indian-Pakistani cuisine. This is positioned alongside a playfully decorated cereal station, fruit platters, yoghurts ,and nuts. Providing a dose of health foods, before indulging in the stars of the show.
At times the Indian-Pakistani dishes do feel as though they blend together in taste: the tarka dahl, chana masala, and sarson ka saag (respectively lentil, chickpea, and spinach dishes) didn’t have particularly distinct flavours, but that isn’t to say these dishes were bad. In the name of authenticity (and being kind on the stomach first thing in the morning), dishes were not overpowered by spice and were leaning toward the more complexly-built warmth and aromatic hints that South Asian food masters.

Meat dishes followed suite in similar tasting bases, but tender lamb and succulent chicken made up for a lack of variety, as the quality of the meat was not a compromise in nihari or balti options. To further earn brownie points, some meat dishes were served in small bowls, in order to give guests a taste, without the chance of much food waste. With the bottomless aspect of the meal, this was in no way a limitation, as you’re more than welcome to go up for seconds, or even thirds.
Whilst the buffet is undoubtedly a tasty experience of South-Asian cooking, they all shared similar shortcomings of being a little too salty and oily, as well as falling victim to that issue of sameness. However, some leeway may be given as Head Chef Shama filled us in on My Nawaab’s commitment to scratch cooking, which on a large-scale is no easy feat, and leaves little room for individuality in each dish.
The experience of an authentic taste does indeed come through, and the placement of the kitchen just behind the buffet is a nice touch that brings visitors closer to the dishes and their creators, a familiar experience in Indian-Pakistani home kitchens. A clear attention to the quality of the food comes through, this being proven by My Nawaab’s attraction of many repeat customers, of diverse backgrounds. Shama chatted to us about she’s always been responsive to feedback and that her recipes truly are “tried and tested.”
“We attract everybody, from all walks of life.”
The fusion element of this buffet caters to infinite combinations of brunch foods. We observed some plates that were tributes to the beige icons of British cuisine (think chips and chicken nuggets), to some meticulously selected spreads of curries. Some plates landed in the middle too, with dishes such as masala beans and desi scrambled eggs. A few had a clear carb theme: parathas, naans, chips, and toast. As a student, the opportunity to build up a multi-course feast is really the ultimate treat. Sharing cooking or a few dishes on a Curry Mile spot falls very short of this 100 plus item spread.

In the accommodation of English elements into this brunch, My Nawaab has to be merited for its seamless desi-inclusive changes. The halal turkey bacon stood in the place of pork, alongside a large vegetarian selection. The bar at the back was well stocked with a variety of non-alcoholic alternatives, tended to by friendly staff. Whilst for many students these changes may sound like a turn-off, these accommodations- and their genuine pursuit for inclusivity- is what gives My Nawaab a unique standing in the local area.
An events venue restaurant may seem like an unusual choice for a casual student brunch, but this attention to inclusivity makes My Nawaab the perfect choice for diverse groups. Head chef Shama recalled their hosting of clientele from Nigerian weddings to graduation parties; “we attract everybody, from all walks of life.”
Whether that’s a student group where one person is nursing a hangover and staying off the booze, or catering to that one friend whose diet starts and ends at chips, or just bringing together a society for a social: a Sunday brunch here would be a fantastic option.

Admittedly, there are other fusion and South Asian spots closer to the student locations of Fallowfield and Withington, or their more upmarket counterparts in town, such as Dishoom. However My Nawaab emerges strong on two accounts: affordability with the current £10 deal, and inclusivity.
The journey to Levenshulme does make for a well-needed change of scenery for many students stuck between home and the library, and with the bus pass already covering the journey, it’s an opportunity to try an array of dishes, low-cost, with any combination of people, and really get outside the student bubble.
So, although perhaps not quite right for date night, My Nawaab offers affordable and inclusive comforting Indian-Pakistani cuisine for a variety of diets and occasions. Shama directs you to their Instagram @mynawaab to stay in the loop about further offers.
My Nawaab is open Monday-Friday 5pm-11pm, Saturday 1pm-11pm, Sunday 10am-11pm. Sunday brunch is 10am-12pm