The Best Indian Restaurants in Melbourne

Fitz Curry Cafe

Claiming to be Australia’s first organic Indian spot, this neighbourhood stalwart has been providing warming curries and other North Indian specialties to the residents of Fitzroy since 2001. All the classics like saag, tikka masala, Rogan Josh, and korma are both fresh and creamy, and the biryanis are fluffy, aromatic wonders. Consistent, reliable, and not too expensive, this is exactly the kind of Indian spot every neighbourhood needs.

$5 Curry House

For the budget-conscious searching for the best Indian food in Melbourne, you can’t go past $5 Curry House in South Yarra — and while inflation has meant they don’t quite live up to the name anymore, many of the meat curries are still priced well under $10. With creamy, sweet butter chicken and genuinely spicy beef Kashmiri, as well as an abundance of vegetarian options, $5 Curry House offers some of the best value delivery food around.

Classic Curry

There are so many Northern Indian style curry spots delivering in Melbourne that it can be hard to choose. Classic Curry is one of my old faithfuls; this spot nails all the famous hits and brings a real depth of flavour you don’t taste every day. Here, the saag paneer bursts with the grassy notes of fresh spinach and the large selection of vegetarian dishes includes a delicious vegan aloo baingan with sautéed potatoes and eggplant that’s richly flavoured with freshly-toasted spices.

Upali’s

Sri Lankan cuisine is having a moment in Melbourne, offering something different from the more common creamy curries of northern India. At Upali’s in Glen Waverley, you’ll find street food favourites like gluten-free string hoppers with spicy sambal and kottu roti — strips of handmade roti stir fried with vegetables and spices. Seafood is a staple in Sri Lanka, and the fish curries here are thickened with coconut milk and brightened with tamarind for that truly tropical flavour. Vegetarians will love the lamprais, savoury rice cooked with eggplant, chilli paste, egg, and ash plantain.

Mirchi

On top of the great value, classic North Indian curries, and tandoor-baked breads, Mirchi has a loyal following in Footscray for its abundant lunchtime thali specials — piled platters of rice, multiple curries, and pillowy naan. Don’t skip the wide selection of Punjabi-style Indian street snacks, like chole bhature, big puffs of fried sourdough with a rich chickpea curry, or samosas dressed with bright chutney and sprinkled in fresh herbs. And if you don’t enjoy eating around bones in your Hyderabadi-style biryani, the chicken version is boneless.

Basecamp

For over ten years, Basecamp has been serving British-style curries to the spice lovers of Northcote and beyond. But as well as the usual suspects, like lamb vindaloo and chicken tikka masala, the Basecamp Kitchen section of the menu has some standout original options. I’m talking about the Rajasthani laal maans, lamb in a peppery yoghurt gravy, or baigan aur mirchi ka salaan with eggplant, capsicum, and tomato in a coconut sauce.

Chilli India

With nine outlets spanning from Melbourne Central to Docklands, Epping, Hoppers Crossing, and Coolaroo, Melburnians are never far from a Chilli India. Lovers of biryani swear by this chain as a reliable source of the aromatic North Indian rice dish, and when there are hungry mobs to feed or parties to be catered, huge portions are available for delivery. The sauce is kept separate in transit to retain the fluffiness of the rice, perfumed with whole cardamom pods. And don’t miss the Indian-Malaysian roti breads, which come plain or stuffed with a variety of delicious fillings, like egg and minced lamb or spiced potatoes.

3 Idiots

The ever-evolving menu at this Richmond spot is inspired by the seasons and the various parts of India from which each of the “3 idiots” (the owners) hail. These guys were trained in Melbourne restaurants and bring their understanding of local ingredients to Indian classics. It shows in the vibrant green palak paneer and the seafood curry with fresh pipis. There are also fun mashups to try, including masala fries with pomegranate aioli and the Greenish Croquettes, a Spanish twist on the popular North Indian hara bhara kebab, with mashed potato, peas, spinach, and chilli served with tamarind chutney. 

Tandoori Zaika

While many Indian takeaways have the occasional Chinese influenced option on the menu, few places have entire menu sections dedicated to one of South Asia’s primary homegrown fusion cuisines. Tandoori Zaika in Glen Huntly is one of them. Indian-Chinese cuisine incorporates  Indian spices and aromatics like cumin, coriander seed, garlic, ginger, and chilli, with Chinese influences like wok frying, deep frying, and soy sauce. The options at Zaika include Manchurian dishes in sweet-salty sauce and Sichuan hits in electric gravies. Try the aromatic egg-fried rice or chicken tossed with satisfying swirls of lo mein noodles for a taste of this uniquely Indian version of Chinese food.

Raju Omlet Centre

While most of Melbourne’s top Indian restaurants focus on chicken, lamb, and paneer as sources of protein, Hawthorn’s Raju Omlet is all about the eggs. Try the chef’s special gotalag — grated boiled eggs cooked in crushed onion, green chilli, garlic, ginger, tomato, and special masala — or egg lazeez, a dish of sliced, boiled eggs cooked in tomato-based gravy and topped generously with grated cheddar cheese. Locals also swear by the fluffy pav, which features in dishes like the Mumbai Omelet sandwich that’s spiked with a punchy garlic, coconut, and red chilli chutney.

Ceylon Wok

Ceylon Wok is another great option for fiery and fresh Sri Lankan cuisine in central Melbourne. The best way to order here is to go for one of the meal deals, like the fried rice combo with one meat curry of your choice plus spiced potato and sticky-vinegary eggplant moju. Vegans are catered for too, with a velvety red lentil dal, among other plant-based dishes.

Piquancy

This Hawthorn curry house makes the list for being one of the only Indian restaurants in Melbourne delivering gluten-free, tandoori-baked naan breads, with options including plain, garlic and sesame, and onion seed. As well as classics such as lamb Rogan Josh and beef madras, Piquancy serves fun riffs like nachos with tender pieces of tandoori chicken, chilled yoghurt sauce, and sour-sweet date and tamarind chutney. That chutney, along with others like fresh mint and mango pickle, are all made in house — and you can definitely taste the freshness.

Saravanaa Bhavan

If you don’t know dosa, it’s time to get on board. These thin, savoury crepes are made from a fermented batter of chickpea flour and ground rice, toasted crispy for tearing and scooping up a variety of Southern Indian accompaniments. Saravanaa Bhavan claims to be the world’s largest vegetarian restaurant chain, and with locations in the CBD, Werribee, and Wantirna, Melburnites are never too far from a crisp masala dosa stuffed with brightly spiced potatoes and three kinds of chutney for dipping.

Parathaas

As the name would imply, this Richmond joint specialises in parathas. This style of unleavened South Asian bread is made by cooking whole wheat dough on a curved metal plate, called a tava. Parathas get their flaky, satisfying texture from repeated layering and folding that pays serious dividends. Try the Desi Ghee K Aloo Pyaz — parathas with potato curry, yoghurt, and onions — or grab a shahi chicken korma with white cashew gravy and a couple of plain parathas on the side.

Dropout Chaiwala

Indian spiced milky teas and street snacks aside, this chai shop in the CBD makes the list for the name alone. The dropout part refers to the owner who quit business school — and  “chaiwala” translates to tea seller. Take your pick from a huge range of chai like lemongrass, saffron, or chocolate, and give yourself an afternoon sugar boost with desserts like the cassata sponge cake layered with ricotta, candied fruit, and chocolate. You deserve a little treat.

Horn Please

The food at this North Fitzroy favourite is as colourful and fun as the brightly painted walls of the restaurant. Owner Jessi Singh was born in a small village in India and spent his childhood eating homemade breads with milk straight from the family buffalo, so his curries are made with local ingredients wherever possible — like the korma with Macedon Ranges beef. Family favourites like tandoori chicken and vegetable samosas are made for pairing with sides like fried okra and the addictive General Tso’s cauliflower, with battered florets tossed in a sweet-spicy-tangy chilli and tomato sauce.

Swagath Grand

With five locations across Melbourne — Epping, Preston, Moonee Ponds, Glen Huntly, and Glen Waverley — this local chain has a dizzying array of options on the menu. Biryani, chaat, dosa, idly, noodles, egg dishes, tandoori-roasted meats, and curries all get their showing. Yet I most-love the soul-warming soups, especially on a chilly Melbourne day. The Chinese-inspired manchow, an egg-drop-style soup with lots of veggies simmered alongside ginger, garlic, soy, and coriander, is just what the weather gods ordered.

8848 Momo House

Who hasn’t had a debate about whether to order dumplings or curry? Enter Nepalese cuisine, where Indian, Chinese, and local Himalayan influences meet. If you’re anywhere near Melbourne’s CBD, order from the huge menu at 8848 Momo House, with a range of pan-fried or steamed momos, as well as curries, fried rice, noodles, and Nepalese meat dishes like pork sekuwa — grilled loin pieces marinated in Nepalese herbs. For the day after the night before, fries loaded with cheese momos and chilli sauce will cure all that ails you.

Chai N Chilli

This Indian spot in the CBD specialises in Jain cuisine and pav sandwiches as well as snacks and wraps, all at super affordable prices. Jainism is one of the oldest still-practised religions in the world, with a small but dedicated population in India and the South Asian diaspora, who mostly practise vegetarianism and avoid root vegetables, onions, and garlic (a useful constraint for FODMAP-ers). Options include specially created vada pav with green bananas subbed in for the potatoes, or chickpea masala with whole wheat poori. For snacking on the trot, get a paneer wrap filled with a spicy blend of grated cheese, fresh veggies, and a splash of chutney.

Radhey Kitchen and Chai Bar

Fitzroy’s Radhey is a hotspot for vegans and vegetarians, with everything from curries to desserts and Indian-inspired burgers featuring handmade quinoa and veggie patties. Meal deals come with curries like dahl or spicy tofu as well as a choice of salads and fluffy roti. For an ideal lunch al desko, order the signature Radhey Wrap with crumbed vegetable and quinoa croquettes, salad, and sweet chilli mayo in spinach flatbread.

Masala Dosa

If a dosa craving hits you down in Cranbourne West, this tiny takeaway shop with a big menu should be top of mind. The specialty savoury crepe comes with a wide range of meat and veggie fillings: grated paneer, mixed veggies, lamb curry, and more. An order of idly, savoury rice cakes made by steaming a batter of fermented black lentils and rice, is mandatory for soaking up your curry. As is the uthappam, a thicker, less crispy style of dosa made with toppings such as tomatoes, onion, chillies, capsicum, and coriander.

Maalu Maalu

In Sri Lanka, the cry of “maalu, maalu” can often be heard from fishmongers hawking the day’s catch. Translating to “fish fish,” it’s an apt name for this seafood-focused, all-you-can-eat buffet in Brunswick run by Sri Lankan and Aussie husband-and-wife team Matt and Minuri Adams. For delivery, simply choose your rice (saffron, white, or egg fried), your preferred meat like lamb curry or spicy devilled chicken, and three vegetables from the daily changing buffet selection.

Citrus Gate

Another much-loved Sri Lankan buffet is Citrus Gate in Fitzroy North. Here, delivery options are a bit more comprehensive as you can mix and match from a wide selection of vegetables like lentil curry, cabbage curry with coconut milk, and spicy pineapple chutney. Devilled fish stir fried with chilli sauce, curry leaves, and lime juice is a Sri Lankan staple not to be missed, and if you’ve never tried egg kottu, it’s a revelation — strips of perfectly toothsome roti are stir fried on a hot grill with vegetables and eggs until it all melds into a delicious, spicy mess.

Royal Nepalese

This under-the-radar Coburg restaurant and function venue offers Nepalese food rarely seen on other menus. Fast forward to the Hometown Memories selection for dishes such as khasi ko bhuttan — goat intestines stir fried with liver, ginger, green chilli, cilantro, and mustard oil — or aim for a similar preparation of chicken or goat meat if offal isn’t your jam. Take left-field dishes like slow cooked lamb ribs marinated in Indonesian coconut rum or salmon and pomelo ceviche with young coconut. Personally, I’m here for the Balinese-style barramundi with Jimbaran-spiced butter sauce.

Bhukkad Biryani

This newcomer to the Glen Huntly scene is all about the biryani. North Indian expats in the area rave about the authentic flavours of Bhukkad’s fragrant chicken and goat dishes, which are super reasonably priced and super delicious. There are regional curries to explore, like chicken Chettinad, a fiery curry from Tamil Nadu, and smoky laal maas, a goat curry from Rajasthan.

Indian Curry Club

This Essendon curry house delivers classic North-Indian-style cuisine piping hot to a surprisingly wide area (I ordered from Carlton North and got my food in under an hour). The chef’s special goat curry is cooked on the bone for maximum flavour and deeply spiced to make your lips tingle. The garlic naan has the satisfying smokiness of a real tandoor brightened by freshly chopped herbs. And the veggie curries are standout, especially the shahi paneer with cottage cheese chunks hanging out in nutty, silky gravy. 

Divine Darbar

Taking orders until 1:40 a.m. every night of the week is enough to get this Carlton favourite on the list of Melbourne’s best Indian restaurants. Here, a whole tandoori chook will set you back just a touch over $20. There are plenty of classic curries, such as lamb korma, to pair with tandoor-baked naan breads. And for dessert, the gujiya with rabdi — a sweet, deep-fried dumpling filled with coconut and cardamom, served with spiced condensed milk — is a must-try.