The family behind Delhi House Cafe on Liverpool's Albert Dock, which has 'exceeded all hopes', is opening a second venue in the city. Butter Chicken Factory will launch in the Baltic Triangle's BOXPARK, focusing on one iconic dish: butter chicken.
From Manchester to Liverpool
Dad Varendra Lamba and his wife Rajinder, along with son Sherry and daughter-in-law Preen, relocated from Delhi to the northwest in 2020. That same year, the family launched Delhi House Cafe in Manchester's Corn Exchange. In 2024, they opened on Liverpool's Albert Dock.
At the time, Sherry told the ECHO: 'There's such a huge potential here in Liverpool. It's a great city, I've been coming here for a while from Manchester, and it just continues to grow.' He added: 'We felt like there was a gap in the market for what we do, and we didn't want the people of Liverpool missing out.'
Butter Chicken Factory concept
Butter Chicken Factory will offer dishes including butter chicken bao buns, crispy chicken tacos, crispy orange chicken, loaded dirty fries and mini pulled chicken burgers. Vegetarian options include a Cheese Melt Paneer Wrap and a Cauli Mex Bowl.
Founder Preen said: 'When we opened Delhi House on Liverpool's Royal Albert Dock, it was a huge milestone for us, but the way the city has embraced the restaurant has exceeded everything we could have hoped for.' She added: 'Butter Chicken Factory is the natural evolution of that journey. We wanted to take Britain's favourite Indian dish - butter chicken - and build an entire brand around it.'
Family-run operation
The company is a full-family effort. Preen, 29, handles all aspects of Delhi House as manager and head of marketing, while grandad-of-two Varendra is head of expansion, interiors and development. Rajinder, who creates all recipes, is head of the kitchen, and Sherry, 30, is chef patron and head of operations.
Sherry said: 'I was born and raised in Delhi and a lot of UK Indian restaurants have adapted and changed the concept. I have experience from growing up back home and there, I have never heard of such a thing as Jalfrezi in India.' He added: 'Our restaurant is food that the people of Delhi are eating right now.'
The Albert Dock restaurant seats 120 guests and was previously occupied by Lerpwl before it shut in 2023. Sherry said: 'Working with my family is so helpful. Although we live in Manchester, at least one of us will travel every day and be at the front stand at the door of the restaurant in Liverpool.'
