Journey through the streets and laneways of Melbourne and discover some fantastic Indian restaurants, serving up aromatic dishes that will transport you to another world. Feast on delicious samosas, mouth-watering biryani, flavoursome curries and much, much more. Melbourne is full of delightful Indian restaurants, so if you’ve got cravings, this list should help get you started.
1. 3 Brothersss Indian Restaurant
You’ll find 3 Brothersss Indian Restaurant at Queen Victoria Market on Elizabeth Street. As you might guess from the name, this lovely restaurant is a family business, run by three brothers: Kapil, Chandresh and Deepak. The extra two S’s come from their parents’ initials, Subhash Shashi. Find an extensive menu inspired by the street food of Delhi and the northern part of India. Start with their fluffy garlic naan, then enjoy mouth-watering dishes like Brothers Special Makhni Paneer, Brothers Special Chicken Malai Tikka and and delicious biryani. See more here.
π513 Elizabeth St Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne VIC 3000
2. Gourmet Curry Hut
Gourmet Curry Hut is a hidden treasure nestled within Melbourne’s vibrant streets. Their vast menu will take you on a culinary journey through the many regions and cultures of India. Feast on a delightful array of curries, which can be adjusted to mild, medium or spicy, as well as samosas, tandoori chicken, roti and more. For dessert, try their pistachio kulfi and enjoy homemade ice cream infused with saffron and pistachios. Learn more here.
πShop 3/4/318 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
3. Delhi Streets
Delhi Streets is a vibrant and compact gem tucked along The Archway, or Katherine Place, food precinct. Pop inside for a snack or a full meal, and lose yourself in the aromas and bustling energy of the venue. Try one of the street chaat, enjoy a few curries with a thali, bite into a dosa and more. If you can’t decide, they also have a Feed Me option which will take you from entrΓ©e to dessert. Find out more.
π22 Katherine Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000
4. ELCHI
This chic space in the heart of Melbourne CBD provides a modern twist to the diverse flavours of India. At ELCHI, you’ll find a seasonal menu curated by Executive Chef Manpreet Sekhon, also known as the Curry Queen. Enjoy delectable treats like Spatchcock Biryani, Duck Lukhumi, Not Your Average Chicken Tikka with tomato-chilli caramel and more. As you embark on a culinary adventure, pair your meal with something from the vast drinks list, like wine, beer and spirits. See more here.
π72 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000
5. Chilli India
Head to Melbourne Central and feast on a flavoursome menu at Chilli India. Their menu is massive, with tasty street food, fragrant biryani, rich curries and more to keep you happy. They’ve got lunch hour deals so you can pop in for a quick feed on your work break, and a huge dinner selection for late nights with friends. If you’re not in Melbourne Central, you can also find other Chilli India restaurants in Docklands, Chadstone, Hoppers Crossing, Preston, Epping and Wyndham Vale. More details here.
πShop GD086, 211 La Trobe St, Melbourne VIC 3000
6. Chai ‘N’ Chilli
Chai ‘N’ Chilli focuses on the regional flavours of Maharashtrian food. Perfect for vegetarians, you’ll enjoy delicious street food like vada pav, pav bhaji and kat vada usal. There’s also tasty thali and wraps for you to try. Pair your meal with a cold drink, like mango lassi or kokum sharbat, or a hot drink like chai. End on a sweet note with gulab jamun and more. See more here.
π181/183 King St, Melbourne VIC 3000
7. Daughter In Law
We’ve talked a lot about authentic Indian restaurants in Melbourne on this list, but what about unauthentic Australian Indian cuisine? Enter Daughter In Law, a playful bar and restaurant in Melbourne’s CBD. Created by Jessi Singh, this vibrant space will surprise and delight with treats like Colonel Tso’s Cauliflower, Papadi Chaat, Unauthentic Butter Chicken and more. There’s also a fantastic Feed Me menu that will take you from street food to dessert in one epic journey. Pair your meal with a vast range of cocktails and mocktails. More details here.
π37 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
8. Tonka
Hidden in a laneway near Flinders Lane, you’ll find the upscale venue, Tonka. This celebrated restaurant pairs the charm of Indian flavours with European influences and a contemporary twist. Their menu flaunts an array of divine dishes, from smaller bites like pani puri to larger dishes like tandoori ocean trout and pumpkin saag curry. Find plenty of fusion in their desserts, like kulfi lamington or mango lassi ice cream sandwich with caramel spiced brownie. Tonka has an extensive wine list from local and international producers, as well as an innovative cocktail selection. See more here.
π20 Duckboard Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000
9. Spice Mix Restaurant
This restaurant in Brunswick East serves up authentic Indian flavours, as well as Nepalese, Bangladesh, Pakistani and Indo-Chinese. Spice Mix Restaurant has something for everyone, from vegans to carnivores, as well as dishes with no onion or garlic. Enjoy street food, curries, seafood, biryani, dessert and more. This restaurant is also open until 1am from Tuesday to Sunday, so you can enjoy some late night bites.
π180 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057
10. DesiNental
Feeling like something a little different? Wander down High Street in Prahran and check out DesiNental, an Indian fried chicken and burger bar. Owner Gurvinder, or Gary, calls this venue an ‘Indian Narnia’. When you enter, you’ll find mazes of small rooms that connect his experiences growing up in Delhi. Burgers on the menu include the Super Smashed Samosa, the Goan Trance, and the Desi Masala Beef Chopped Cheese. Pair it with House Masala Fries, Soya Caap Chaat and more. If chicken’s what you’re looking for, you’ll enjoy their Indian Fried Chicken, with sauce options like butter chicken, tangy clarified cutter & cream, Desi’s special spicy date and more. Learn more here.
π475 High St, Prahran VIC 3181