A NEWPORT curry house believed to be the oldest in the city has been named the best in Wales by the Sunday Telegraph.

New Lahore, on Lower Dock Street near the Dolman Theatre, was the only Welsh curry house to be named in a list of top 20 British curry houses by the Sunday Telegraph food section last week, ranking fourth, ahead of top Mayfair restaurants.

The reviewer praised the restaurant’s enthusiastic staff and described it as “the perfect place to dine out...boasting exceptional flavour and enthusiastic but not overbearing service.”

The restaurant, which opened in 1961 and only seats 40 people, serves “old fashioned” curry, explained owner Shah Shafee.

“Customers refer to it as dark curry,” he said. “One of our specialities is jhal munipuri which is a very authentic, fairly hot dish.

“In the 1960s and 70s customers used to bring their own pots and pans to take away the curry because there weren’t any containers. In those days they had a bouncer and were open until four in the morning.

“I’m very proud of my loyal customers who have been giving me support for a long time and I’d like to thank them,” he said. “This accolade is not for me, it’s for my customers and staff.”