Indian Flavours in Australia

It wasn’t MasterChef 2021’s winner, Justin Narayan and his quintessentially Indian daal bhaat and Indian chicken curry that introduced the land down under to our country’s cuisine. The Australians’ love for all things Indian on the dining table goes a long way back to the 1960s. Back then, teachers and medics from India made a home in this island country and introduced the land to the desi-khaana modes and flavours. In the 80s, Indian software professionals followed suit in great numbers and cemented the popularity of Indian cuisine here, while making it lucrative for restaurants to serve Indian cuisine. All of this is great news for you, students who are now looking to study abroad in Australia, because it means that you have great options when you seek Indian food out there.

The evolution of Indian cuisine in Australia

The first whiff of Indian food that the Australians had was from immigrants who had settled there from the northern parts of India. Since most of the immigrants were Punjabi, their traditional foods and flavours came to be synonymous with Indian food in Australia for a long time. Thick, rich gravies, flatbreads like naans, parathas, and rotis, and dairy-based curries burst onto the Australian food scene and introduced Australians to Indian cuisine.

The advent of flavours and foods from other parts of India is a more recent phenomenon, but no less impactful. Today, you should not find it very hard to locate a dosa shop tucked away on some street or a restaurant specialising in Chettinad flavours.

Popular Indian food in Australia

Indian foods cover the whole gamut of tastes, textures, and fragrances, and that’s why it is not surprising that so many Australians have their favourites regardless of their preferences. While Australian cuisine tends to be milder and subtler when it comes to spices, Indian cuisine explores these aspects boldly and in unusual ways. Some Indian foods that are most popular in Australia include:

• Butter chicken
• Beef Vindaloo
• Chicken tandoori
• Chicken tikka, Indian style
• Veg kurma
• Daal maakhani
• Samosa
• Lamb rogan josh
• Chaat
• Parathas

Top Indian restaurants in popular student destinations

In recent years, several Indian restaurants have opened here, and many popular food chains have set up branches in Australia as well. Saravana Bhavan, the famous South Indian hotel chain, is a great example of the latter. Sydney has its famed Indian Street, which offers all kinds of Indian foods, but other popular locations across the island country are not too far behind. Take a look at a few:

Indian restaurants in Victoria

1. Spirit of Punjab

Address: 161-163 Grampians Road, Halls Gap, Victoria, 3381

Fresh ingredients, customised spice levels, and a truly impressive 90-dish-strong menu make this restaurant a top contender for favourite eatery. The lamb Rogan Josh is their highlight, although they also cater specifically to vegetarians and vegans when required.

2. Moti Mahal Indian Restaurant

Address: 230 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern, Melbourne

The tandoori chicken, butter chicken, and dal makhani are among the restaurant’s best sellers. Mughlai dishes are their speciality, and the Mughlai chicken and Murgh kebabs feature their unique flavours. 

3. Bhoj

Address: 54 New Quay Promenade, Docklands, Victoria, 3008

Bhoj has been voted Indian restaurant of the year twice, and with good reason. It offers a variety of snacks as well as full meal offerings ranging from samosa to the typical curries with bread and rice dishes.

4. Nirankar Restaurant

Address: 174 Queen St, Melbourne

A 20-year legacy anchors this restaurant, which has built a strong reputation for Indian and Nepali dishes. Nirankar is famed for its signature Burmese and Nepali curries, along with naan, parathas, channa masala, kadai curry, and chicken korma. The rice dishes are also highly rated.

5. Gaylord Indian Restaurant

Address: 4 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne

Expect all the Indian favourites to feature on the menu, with special emphasis on tandoori items. The restaurant is known for its North and South Indian thalis as well as the paneer dishes. The restaurant is a well-known landmark in the area.

Popular Indian restaurants in New South Wales

1. Flavour of India

Address: 128 New South Head Rd, Edgecliff, Sydney, New South Wales 2027 Australia

With a clientele boasting some Hollywood biggies, Flavour of India is quite famous in its own right. The chef, Hayat, is a well-known name among Indian cuisine aficionados. The restaurant has a great reputation for its chicken vindaloo and mango kulfi.

2. Dosa Hut Dural

Address: 243 New Line Road, Dural NSW

The ambience here is as much a favourite with patrons as the food. This restaurant is one of the earliest to offer Indian cuisine to Australians, and the quality has remained top-notch ever since. The menu is varied, but the dosas are the speciality here, with their myriad stuffings making them standout dishes.

3. The Royal Turban

Address: 101-103 Monaro Street, Queanbeyan NSW

The service here does make you feel like royalty, and the food lives up to the name. Both indoor and outdoor seating options are available here. The spice-rich beef vindaloo, tawa goat sizzler curry, and Malabar seafood are the must-haves at this place.

4. Seven Spices

Address: Shop 7/23-25 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove NSW

Seven Spices has mastered the art of herb flavouring, and their baby goat curry with mint and coriander is to die for. A cosy place to hang out, this restaurant has a wide menu that goes from street food to full-fledged spreads. Kulfi and carrot halwa are great options to end your meal here on a high note.

Popular Indian restaurants in Queensland

1. Garlic Clove Indian Brisbane

Address: 48 Petrie Terrace, Petrie Terrace, QLD

If you are in the mood for an authentic and traditional Indian meal, head over here. The vintage interiors are just as enticing as the cosy streetside seating that lets you watch the passersby while enjoying your meal. The steamed Mysore chilli beef, chicken momo, lamb bhuna, and Goan beef vindaloo are hot favourites.

2. Agnee Indian Restaurant

Address: 28-29/137 Scottsdale Dr, Robina QLD 4226

With chefs from India committed to faithfully recreating dishes with a desi touch, this is a great place if you are feeling nostalgic. The flavourful dishes come with a modern twist to make them more interesting.

3. Temple Of Spices Indian

Address: 2468 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach, QLD 4218

This is a vegan restaurant that also offers gluten-free foods. The naans and butter chicken are favourites here, and the staff is happy to pack your leftovers in takeaway boxes so there is no waste if you order too much.

4. Poppin Papadums

Address: Shop 2/770 Old Cleveland Road, Camp Hill, QLD

This green-friendly restaurant offers the Aussie favs of chicken tikka, butter chicken and beef vindaloo with basmati rice and naans. The kulfi and gulab jamun are the go-to desserts here. The friendly, helpful service staff here makes the experience all the better, according to regular clients.

  Popular Indian restaurants in Western Australia

1. Shalimar Curries

Address: 338 Cambridge Street, Wembley, WA

The restaurant is a small one, but the food quality and service make up for that. The vegetarian fare here is as famous as their butter chicken and tikka masala. Order a takeaway if you are unable to find seating when you drop by.

2. Govinda's Restaurant

Address: 194 William Street, Northbridge, WA

A vegetarian restaurant that is also earth-friendly, Govinda’s has a popular buffet dining option. There are also vegan and gluten-free options on the menu. Their ‘day’s special’ mixed vegetable curry is quite popular.

3. Gopi Curry Leaf Langford

Address: Shop 22/56-70 Langford Ave, Langford WA

The goat curry and chicken offerings are always in demand, but so is the nasi lemak here. The quaint and cosy setting makes it perfect for students and couples alike. The restaurant also offers takeaway and delivery options.

4. Koh-I-Noor Indian Restaurant

Address: 6 Walter Padbury Boulevard, Padbury, WA

Located in prime real estate, this restaurant has a very popular daily buffet that comes complete with salads, soups, and entrees, and ends with tea and coffee, in addition to the typical main menu offerings. From the à la carte menu, the prawn pakoras are a hit with regular clients.

As you can see, you do not have to look very far or very hard to find delicious Indian food choices in Australia, no matter where you are located. The country’s love for Indian cuisine ensures that you have restaurants serving the favourites at budget prices as well as high-end settings for special occasions. Just do some groundwork once you know where in Australia you are going to be residing, and you should be able to come up with enough options to tide you over with good food that reminds you of home while you study here.