Indian food is so flavoursome, and there are so many great dishes to try. Indeed, the country is known for its bright, tasty food, and its use of amazing ingredients such coconut, nuts, spices, chillies and various fruits.
Often, Indian restaurants have huge menus and it’s difficult to know which dishes are worth ordering, let alone which establishments you should visit.
Sydney is a beautiful place, with so many cultures and cuisines. So as you might expect, there are lots of Indian dining options in the ‘Harbour City’ . Whether you favour modern Indian cuisine or prefer classic dishes, everything is available.
With so much choice, it’s difficult to know which restaurants are going to be good. And how can you tell which dishes are incredible?
Luckily, we’ve done the leg-work for you. We’ve compiled a list of the fifteen best Indian restaurants in Sydney, so all you have to do is making a booking.
And to help you decide, we’ve included a brief menu overview – so you don’t miss any noteworthy dishes.
Location: 128 New South Head Rd, Edgecliff, NSW 2027 Ph: (02) 9326 2659
We’re opening our look at the best Indian restaurants in Sydney with a much-loved local favourite.
The team at Flavour of India have been cooking high quality Indian cuisine for almost thirty years. Their menu encapsulates flavours and cooking techniques from every part of India.
Their head chef, Hayat, has been at the restaurant since the beginning. He is passionate about delivering food that is full of love, and flavour.
The restaurant describes itself as a fun-loving, passionate restaurant that even brings in some Hollywood A-listers!
As starters/entrées, they have crispy Bombay Rolls stuffed with lamb, potato ginger and coriander, Deep-Fried Samosas with potatoes, peas, and spices, and Spicy Crab Meat with ginger, chilli and onions, served in potato skins.
They also have their iconic Butter Chicken Masala cooked in a creamy red Masala Sauce and Chicken Jalfrezi in a cinnamon, cardamon and clove curry. Their Goat Burry – sautéed in spices and slow cooked for hours – is also a stand-out.
Of course, their seafood dishes are of a similar high standard. We recommend the Green Fish Curry, and their Malabar Prawns in coconut cream and fresh lime leaves.
Malabar Cuisine first opened in 2003, and is decorated with murals, and traditional Indian decor. The restaurant replicates South Indian heritage through its dishes as well as its decorative choices.
There are 100 seats, and it is known as one of the most atmospheric Asian restaurants in Sydney.
For Starters, they have Garlic and Pepper Rasam with fresh tomatoes and tamarind, Cauliflower and Potato Bonda and the street-stall favourite Spicy Chaat (spinach leaves, chickpeas and yoghurt). For the meat eaters there’s Kerala Fried Chicken done in chickpea flour, and Tiger Prawns in red onion and fennel seeds.
Happily, their choice of Mains is just as enticing. Try the hot Kashmiri Prawn Balchao in a Goan Masala or their Slow Cooked Beef Kerala in ginger, chilli, and coriander. Another great meal is their Lamb Shank Rogan Josh which is slowly cooked in yogurt and tomatoes with ratanjot and cardamon.
No wonder Malabar Cuisine is one of the best Indian restaurants in Sydney.
Since opening in 1990 this cosy Indian eatery has be a popular fixture of the Inner West dining scene. Regarded as one of the top fine dining Indian restaurants, Nawaz Flavour of India serves beautiful food in a welcoming space.
The menu features Appetizers such as Pakoras, Samosas, a Seafood Platter, Aloo Chop, and Spicy Crab. All the classics such as Chicken Saag, Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Lamb Korma, Lamb Rogan Josh appear amongst the Mains. From the clay oven, delicacies as Tandoori Mango Prawns and Reshmi Chicken, keep their regulars coming back.
Their Tandoori Breads are delicious, such as the Cheese Naan, Keema Naan and the Methi Roti. They also serve authentic Indian desserts such as Gulab Jamun, and Mango/Pistachio Kulfi.
We move up to the Central Coast for our next must-try eatery.
The Grand Pavilion is a beautiful restaurant, serving authentic Indian food made with organically harvested ingredients. The menu includes various vegetarian dishes as well as non-vegetarian dishes. It’s definitely one of the best Indian restaurants in Sydney.
They have daily specials, such as Malai Kofta Dumplings, Spicy Pavilion Chicken, and Almond Pumpkin Lamb. Their crispy marinated Butter Chicken, Murg Malai Tikka with spices, cream and yogurt cooked in a tandoor as all divine, as is the Cauliflower Bazule.
Some of their top chef recommendations include their Lamb Shank Korma, Nilgiri Korma Chicken, Handi Goat Masala, and Vindaloo Chicken. What’s more, they are masters’ of the naan bread. Both the Cheese and Spinach Naan and the Peshawar Naan stuffed with fruit and nuts are superb.
Location: George Street Entry Via, 350 Angel Pl, Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 9223 1058
Indu Dining is an Indian and Sri Lankan restaurant, that specialises in serving light and fresh food, from rural places in Southern India and Sri Lanka. The aim is to bring village food to the city.
Perhaps this intro leads you to expect that Indu is a humble kind of eating spot? Well, think again. Indu is a bit of a stunner in terms of both its interior design and the plating of its dishes. Think warm lighting, tactile brick walls and intimate corners – perfect for whispering in.
Although the restaurant only opened in 2021, it is a definite hit with customers.
Importantly, the restaurant has partnered with ACFID, to help build thriving village economies and help build infrastructure across Sri Lanka.
Their menu is extensive, and has several sections such as their Indu feast options – from the coast and from the village – and the curries and grill section.
They serve Market Fish Croquettes, with black garlic mayo, Cured King Fish with Tobiko and Chilli, and Prawn and Apple Salad with peanut. They have crispy Besan Fritters with tamarind and cardamon, along with Pickled Eggplant with coconut and pistachio.
Their Cashew Roasted Tomato and Yoghurt Chicken is served with shallots and cinnamon bark, whilst the Goan Pork Belly comes with crispy crackling and cardamon.
One of their most popular dishes is the lamb Raan, made with slow cooked Lachlan Valley Lamb. It arrives accompanied by minted chutney and lunumiris.
However, for us, the best drawcard is their Dosa and Hopper Bar. We’ve yet to meet a lentil-based pancake we haven’t loved, and the ones at Indu are no exception.
Indu Feast & Bottomless Saturday
Indu Sydney really are spoiling us with the introduction of a 90mins bottomless brunch between 12-3pm on Saturdays. The menu changes, but you may be treated to Egg Hopper or the amazing Smoked Goat Dosa or a Crispy Besan Fritter. Plus signature Indu drinks like their gin and tonic cocktails. All for $85pp. Book us in!
Editor’s Note: Indu has also opened up a sister restaurant in Melbourne, such is the popularity of their food.
The Spice Room brings an authentic Indian experience and cuisine to the streets of Sydney. This restaurant is decorated beautifully with relics, treasured possessions and heirlooms from India, and is warm, elegant and atmospheric.
Of all our best Indian restaurants in Sydney, this is one of the most attractive. However, it’s not all appearance. At The Spice Room, they also take care to only source the finest, organic ingredients.
They serve banquets as well as regular meals, and they also have a function room for birthdays and events.
On their Small Bites and Street Food Menu, they serve Onion Bhajis, Punjabi Paneer Pakoda (paneer and green chutney, deep-fried), and Lentil Dumplings in cream yoghurt (Dahi Bhalla).
They have special Tandoori dishes, such as Star Anise Chicken Tikka, Paneer Sizzler Skewer Ajwaini (cheese marinated in spices and smoke roasted), and Lamb Cutlet Masala.
If you love fish, try their Salmon Tandoori Tikka which is succulent and flavoursome, as well as their Spiced Fish Fry, a dish from the streets of Amritsar.
Other excellent plates in Butter Chicken, Chicken Chettinaad, Curried Mustard Lamb Chops, Beef Do Pyaza, and Beef Vindaloo.
Delhi ‘O’ Delhi is an award-winning Indian restaurant, with lots to offer. They have bee serving some amazing Indian food for over ten years, and their food is a modern interpretation of India.
They keep the traditional, flavour-packed roots of Indian food, whilst using contemporary techniques and cooking practices.
For starters, they have ragda patties (crispy potatoes with white pea mash and watermelon), laung elaichi murgh (chicken tikka with cardamom, and fennel root salad), along with spiced prawns and australian adraki shops cooked in a clay oven.
Do you ever cook Indian food at home? These Balti Dishes are ideal for serving spicy dishes at a dinner party.
They have palak cheese kofta, along with aloo wadiyan (lentil nuggets with spices), and even more fabulous vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Their chicken pepper fry is tossed with onions, curry leaves and pepper, and their Calcutta chili chicken is stir-fried with soy sauce, chilies and onions.
They serve an Assamese duck curry which is blended with ash gourd, along with their spicy, but popular beef chutney which is braised with mint, chilies and fresh ginger.
Zaaffran is an Indian fine dining restaurant, with a passion for food. They treat each meal as a celebration of life, as they do in India, and they have a love for using spices such as saffron in their dishes, hence the name of the restaurant.
The kitchen at Zaafran prepares food full of recognisable Indian flavours but using fresh and organic Australian produce. The result is beautiful dishes that are unforgettable.
They serve starters such as tandoori jhinga (king prawns glazed in ginger and aromatic spices), Punjabi chicken masala, tandoori lamb cutlets and sunheri kebab (chicken tikka glazed with garlic, chilli, ginger and besan).
Their Main meals are no less exciting. We suggest ordering the laal maas (slow cooked goat with garlic, chilies and onions), meen moilee (seasonal fish in coastal red sauce), and their murg methi malai (chicken tenders), in a fenugreek and saffron gravy.
Their desserts are delicious, such as their pineapple phirnee, their saffron and cardamom milk dumplings and their remarkable rose Brulé.
Editor’s Note: Sadly, we’ve heard that Zaaffran has closed.
Location: University Hall, Corner of Glebe Point Rd and Parramatta Rd, Glebe, NSW 2037
Bombay Street Kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients, with old-world charm. As the name suggests, Bombay is their inspiration with the restaurant is decorated with bright colours.
They aim to bring the best street food of Bombay to Sydney, and they class themselves as a humble tribute to Indian street food. That said, everything they do they do really well. As a result, you have to be on our list of the best Indian restaurants in Sydney.
They serve entrées such as tender tandoori chicken grilled in cumin yogurt, vegetable samosas with mint and tamarind, and vegetable pakoras, lightly fried with a sweet tamarind chutney.
With their curries, it is up to the customer to choose the sauce, protein, and any additional vegetables. They have butter curry, chennai curry, korma, vindaloo, and their iconic railway goat curry.
Their chicken biryani is delectable, with spiced saffron rice, tender chicken, and caramelised onions. They have some lovely sides such as yellow lentil dal, and their cumin-spiced vegetables, sautéed to perfection in a wok.
Pinky Ji is the prolific Jesse Singh’s first foray into Sydney. If you aren’t aware of his other ventures, he’s been winning over diners in Melbourne and Adelaide with his vibrant cooking at Daughter In Law and a handful of other spots in the Victorian capital. Chef Singh is the proud promoter of what he calls ‘unauthentic Indian’. All I can say is that here at Eatability, we don’t care what he names it – it tastes fabulous!
Fortunately for the hungry of Sydney, many of the winning dishes from Daughter in Law make an appearance on the Pinky Ji menu in some form or other. The Balls of Happiness ($5) are exactly that. Airy Panipuri filled with tart and spicy Mint Chutney and a cooling Yoghurt. Divine!
Editor’s Note: – The Lighting at Pinky Ji was very pink when we ate so…
From the Tandoor, the Lamb Chops, Horseradish Yoghurt & Charred Zucchini ($10) is a must for carnivores. And of course, you can’t eat at a Singh establishment and not order the Unauthentic Butter Chicken ($32) – it’s a signature dish.
Yes. All-in-all, it’s easy to see why Pinky Ji is already one of the top Indian restaurants in Sydney.
Brick Lane is a contemporary, fun Indian restaurant, taking flavours from the Indian subcontinent and giving them a twist. They do not serve authentic Indian curries, but their food is popular for its Indian inspired taste, and their ability to break rules in their cooking.
For starters they have duck and cinnamon samosas, onion bhaji, tandoori chicken burger spring-rolls, chickpea fries, duck with spiced pumpkin butter, and loaded masala fries with butter chicken sauce and a sweet yogurt.
They serve fun Indian tacos, such as boneless chicken, cauliflower pickles, vindaloo sauce and yogurt in a roti wrap, and their spiced pork belly with cucumber and cabbage in a roti wrap.
For the bigger dishes, they have spiced king fish fillet with roasted chaat potatoes and mustard, along with their gunpowder cauliflower and paneer, and their coconut butter chicken curry with a garlic cabbage slaw.
They have lots of veggie options such as Broccolini bhaji as well as their brick lane veggie curry which is cooked with eggplant and masala spices.
They have some creative desserts too, such as their chai and chocolate mousse, or their coconut crème caramel with dried orange and cinnamon.
Not Just Curries believe that Indian food is one of the beat and most diverse cuisines, aiming to bring a assorted menu to the people of Sydney. They aim to replicate India’s home cooked food, and serving a large variety of dishes to choose from.
They have two restaurants, one in Balmain, and one in Harris Park. For starters, they have aloo tikka chaat, dahi puri (puffed bread with potatoes, chickpeas and yogurt), chingari tikka (chicken with vindaloo and mint chutney), prawn pepper fry, and masala bass with saffron honey yogurt.
They serve home style chicken curry, butter chicken, Delhi style butter chicken, mango chicken, lamb vindaloo, prawn and barramundi masala and goan curry with basa or barramundi.
Their menu is extensive and flavoursome, with sides such as a large range of roti and naan, masala poppadoms, peanut masala and fresh salads. Everything is delicious and so we’ve included it amongst our best Indian restaurants in Sydney.
Location: 4-6/14-20 Station Street East, Harris Park, NSW 2150 Ph: (02) 8677 0033
Chatkazz promises an authentic street food experience with over two hundred dishes, inspired from all parts of India. All of their dishes are fragrant and flavorful, and their restaurant is modern, taking influence from Mumbai and Bombay, with murals and colorful walls.
They are popular in Sydney, and they have three locations in the city. Their menu is well categorized, with their Mumbai section containing dishes such as stir fried rice with onions, raita and papadam, as well as butter masala spicy potato balls.
They have samosas, along with cheese dabeli (potato burgers with peanuts and chutney, as well as masala puff pastry with chutneys and potatoes.
We love that there are also Indian sandwiches on offer. Their masala cheese toast sandwich with vegetables and chutneys, and their Bombay aloo slice. They also serve street wraps, containing potatoes, onions and vegetables, with a curry sauce of your choice and chutney.
Give the Biriyani a try – you won’t regret it. Other winners include classic curries such as kadai paneer, as well as daal, rice, rotis and naans, and their popular chapatti chat range. These are small crispy Indian breads stuffed with tasty vegetables and chutneys.
Ginger strives to feed the people of Sydney authentic north Indian mughlai cuisine, whilst sitting in an inviting, and relaxed atmosphere.
Their menu is simple, with classic starters such as chicken tikka cooked in a tandoor clay oven, garlic prawns, fish amritsari (fried and spicy fish), or the sheekh kebab.
Their main dishes are popular, such as their rezala lamb cooked in tomato and yogurt, their mango chicken and their goat champ masala which is a historic Indian dish.
They serve classic and delicious sides such as poppadoms, pickles, chutney, cucumber yogurt and onion salad. They have classic Indian desserts such as mango or pistachio kulfi (similar to ice cream, but thicker), and gulab jamun, which is deep-fried cottage cheese in rose syrup.
This is an eatery that cooks traditional food really well. That’s why it’s made our rundown of the best Indian restaurants in Sydney.
Punjabi Fusion Bar serves food from the North Western state of India, which is Punjab. They serve up some delicious and authentic Indian cuisine, which is both colourful and packed with flavour.
Their restaurant is a lounge and bar, so it is warm, stylish and colourful. They serve some amazing dishes such as pani puri, which is puffed crispy balls loaded with potatoes, chickpeas and mint.
Give the smashed samosas in a chickpea curry sauce with tamarind and mint a go – they are great. Their classic Punjabi samosas, stuffed with peas, potatoes, and fenugreek are also really good.
They are known for their astounding tandoor cooked meats, such as their yoghurt marinated chicken which is bright and utterly delicious. And if you love a bit of char on your meat, try their spicy lamb chops, blackened by the tandoor.
They have dahi kebab rolls, which are yogurt croquettes, fried and spiced, along with their famous Amritsari fish which is accompanied by mint chutney.
They serve an Indo-Chinese mashup menu too, with dishes such as chilli chicken cooked in garlic, ginger and soy, as well as their chili paneer. Their menu is huge, but they do serve classic curries such as butter chicken, tikka masala, and vindaloo.
We pop over to Barangaroo for the last of our best Indian restaurants in Sydney.
Spiced by Billu’s creates some amazing North Indian dishes, using authentic, home style cooking methods. The restaurant is on the waterfront in Barangaroo, and its decor is modern stylish, but with a cosy feel.
Start with the onion bhaji and salty spiced calamari in a chickpea batter, or perhaps the paneer tikka, tandoori prawns and Billu’s ling fillet with chickpea flour and coriander yogurt. They have a large vegetarian range, serving classics such as eggplant masala, and Punjabi chickpeas.
Their Jag’s lamb shank is rightly famous. Braised in mint and warm spices, it’s a memorable dish. Other delights include their classic mango chicken, beef vindaloo, and tandoori snapper.
Sydney has some Indian gems, and each restaurant is completely different. There are so many to choose from, but we hope this list may help you in some way. Whether it is a fusion restaurant, street food, or modern Indian; the Harbour City has it all!
We hope you enjoy working your way through our best Indian restaurants in Sydney.
When it comes to great places to eat in Australia, the list really is endless. There are so many different restaurants, cafés, and chains to try that you really are spoiled for choice. From Italian food, to Japanese food, to a good ‘ole rump steak, the food options are endless.
This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
