My current favourite Indian restaurants in Auckland!
There’s something so comforting about the complex flavours and spices of Indian cuisine. And we’re so spoilt for choice when it comes to quality Indian restaurants here in Auckland. I’ve tried out a fair few gems in the last few months, so here are my top 5 picks!
Range of dishes at 42 Beer Land in Avondale
1. 42 Beer Land
Don’t be put off by the slightly industrial location of this restaurant, the Indian food here is seriously good! This place is more of a sports bar type of vibe with a big selection of craft beers + shisha, but I’m not really into that so I focused on the food and it was absolutely delicious.
The highlight of the meal was probably the Madras Lamb Curry which was one of the tastiest curries I’ve had with lots of chilli and tender lamb throughout. The Bang Bang Chicken (which is the Chef’s special recipe) is a must order, the Chilli Fish was everything it should be and you can’t go wrong with the Veg Dumplings here too.
Find them at 42 Patiki Road, Avondale, Auckland 1026
2. Mumbaiwala
Get ready to be transported to the streets of Mumbai right here in the heart of Ponsonby. It's not only the food that will transport you to Mumbai, but everything from the staff uniforms to the bathrooms here will make you feel like you're travelling in a coach through India. It’s quite a cool dining experience.
If you enjoy a bit of heat in a cocktail, make sure to sip on the Kachumber Cooler for an unexpected yet super delicious flavour combo. In terms of food, I thoroughly enjoyed the Goan Fish & Prawn for my main which had perfectly soft seafood and a great depth of flavour. We snacked on the crispy Mumbai Chicken with our meals too which was served with the most addictive, slightly tangy dipping sauce.
And of course when I saw Chocolate Naan on the menu I just had to order it, despite how full I was! It was honestly the perfect ending to our dinner here. I thought the naan might be too thick or the chocolate too sweet but this definitely wasn’t the case. Highly recommend!
Find them at 252 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland 1011
3. Indian Gypsy
This one is for those who live out West in the Henderson area (even if you don’t - the food here is worth the drive!). Indian Gypsy has become a firm favourite among locals being known for their extensive menu, affordable lunch specials and quick service. The eatery itself is modern + bright and the team here will make you feel right at home.
Having tried a number of the dishes here now, the ones I enjoyed the most include the Tandoori Murgh, Fish Amritsari, Samosas and Chicken Jalfrezi.
Vegetable Samosas at Indian Gypsy
Find them at 5/155 Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610
4. 31 Bar & Eatery
31 Bar & Eatery specialises in Indian/Fijian fusion cuisine and is unlike any other Indian restaurant that I’ve been to. The Asian fusion dishes here are healthier since they avoid added sugar, use less cream, no MSG, no artificial colours or even chilli powder. All the spices here are ground fresh on site - I could really taste the difference!
It’s clear that the team here are passionate about providing tasty + high quality fresh food. My favourite dishes here were the Channa Chaat, Chilli Chicken, Dhal Tadka, Chilli Cheese Garlic Naan & Gulab Jamun with Rabri.
And quick tip, these guys are on Treat NZ so if you’re keen to check them out on a Monday or Wednesday, book in HERE and get 40% off food!
Find them at 31 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland 1011
5. Paradise
I just couldn’t write this list without including the trustworthy Paradise in Sandringham. It’s one of those venues that is always busy and for very good reason. To this day I haven’t found a restaurant that does better naan bread, the butter naan here is to die for.
Whenever I’m craving a good Indian meal Paradise always springs to mind first, I’m craving the Chicken Tikka Masala just thinking about it.
Find them at 581 Sandringham Road, Sandringham, Auckland 1025
