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5 Best Indian Restaurants in Melbourne for Authentic Eats

Flavour Authenticity: I checked how closely each kitchen follows real, traditional cooking styles and spice blends. It was important that the food tasted true to its roots and not toned down just to please everyone.

Menu Variety: I looked for menus featuring a good mix of classic curries and popular street food. I also made sure there were solid options for both meat lovers and vegetarians.

Value for Money: I compared portion sizes and food quality with the prices. I focused on places where you actually feel satisfied after paying for your meal.

Atmosphere and Service: I also paid attention to the dining space and how the staff treated guests. A friendly team and a comfortable setting made a big difference in the overall experience.

Melbourne is packed with great food, and while chicken wings and visits to Chinese restaurants are always a good choice, a comforting Indian curry is hard to beat.

With so many excellent options across the CBD and nearby suburbs, finding the right spot can be challenging.

Lucky for you, I did the legwork and reviewed top Indian restaurants known for authentic flavours, welcoming service, and memorable dining experiences.

Keep reading to find your next favourite Indian restaurant.

How much does an Indian restaurant cost in Melbourne?

Dining at Indian restaurants in Melbourne typically costs between $20 and $60 per person, depending on the restaurant style, menu selection, and level of service.

Dining StyleAverage Cost Per Person
Casual & Street Food$8 – $25
All-You-Can-Eat Buffets$22 – $35
Fine Dining$40 – $100+

1. Delhi Rocks

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Website: https://www.delhirocks.com.au/

Address: 205 King St.

Contact: 61 478 601 100

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Friday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM; Saturday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM; Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Delhi Rocks has been serving home-style Indian food since 2007. They use traditional recipes and prepare dishes fresh each day to keep the flavours authentic.

The menu offers many vegetarian options, such as palak paneer, as well as popular street food favourites like crispy golgappe.

You can visit their King Street location or try the second branch in Preston. The lively atmosphere and variety of comfort food make it a great spot for a casual meal.

One thing to note is that the divided plates can make the portions look smaller than expected. 

Plus, the unlimited buffet covers only the hot rotis, not the vegetable dishes, which could disappoint some people. Also, some guests have mentioned that the raita is sometimes a bit watery.

Still, the flavorful street snacks keep people coming back.

Pros

  • Multiple Melbourne locations
  • Huge vegetarian selection
  • Authentic home-style recipes
  • Flavorful street food options

Cons

  • Compartmentalised plates and buffet limits
  • Raita can be watery

Our go-to Indian restaurant for our Melbourne trip!

Beautiful explosion of flavour (I was with my Indian friend and she gave her thumbs up for the authenticity !!) The staff are friendly and helpful, they patiently explained the dishes and spice levels to me. I also love their clean and casual ambiance 😊 This will be our go-to Indian restaurant for our Melbourne trip!!

It didn’t disappoint

Nice Indian restaurant. We came here for their vegetarian food and it didn’t disappoint.

The portion size was generous and the staff was very friendly.

The place was spacious and suitable for families.

Will come back to try their non- vegetarian food next time.

2. Chilli India Melbourne Central

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Website: https://chilliindia.com.au/

Address: Shop GD086, 211 La Trobe St.

Contact: 61 3 8383 8086

Hours: Monday – Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM; Thursday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday – Saturday: 11:30 AM – 1:00 AM; Sunday: 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM

For over 16 years, Chilli India Melbourne Central has been perfecting its signature biryani and supporting sustainable farming.

You can find Chilli India in several Melbourne locations, like Docklands and Chadstone, making it easy to dine in, get takeaway, or book catering for events.

On top of that, many guests enjoy the rich aromas and bold spices that make the meals memorable.

However, the service is sometimes inconsistent, especially during busy dinner times when staff may be less attentive.

Some diners have also mentioned that a few chicken dishes did not seem as fresh as they expected and had an unusual smell.

But even with those concerns, the restaurant’s long experience, convenient locations, and flexible catering options continue to make it a popular choice for Indian food across the city.

Pros

  • Over 16 years of experience
  • Multiple Melbourne locations
  • Flexible catering services
  • Sustainable farming practices

Cons

  • Inconsistent service
  • Reports of inconsistent chicken freshness

They serve authentic Indian food

I would like to share my experience at Chilli India restaurant at Melbourne central, went with my friends for lunch, I must say the food was delicious and service was exceptional. We loved  the Dragon fish, Nawabi chicken biryani, Goat Biryani, Chicken Dhaniya, Garlic Naan and Mango delight was perfect dessert to end our meal! Their Mocktail menu is very refreshing! I must say they serve authentic Indian food.

Loved each and everything there

By Far The Best Indian Restaurant In Australia For Us. We had Lunch & dinner at Chilli India in Melbourne CBD and it was fabulous. Loved each and everything there. We had Laccha paratha, goat biryani, chicken biryani, lamb curry, egg curry, paneer tikka masala, shahi paneer, mango lassi, masala dosa and there were no issues in single thing. Highly recommended.

3. Gourmet Curry Hut

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Website: https://gourmetcurryhut.com.au/

Address: Shop 10, 555 Bourke St.

Contact: 03 9671 4433

Hours: Monday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM

Gourmet Curry Hut has been serving traditional family recipes from its Bourke Street location for more than 24 years.

The restaurant offers elegant presentations in a fully licensed dining area, but guests are welcome to bring their own wine if they prefer.

Its central location makes it a handy stop for office workers, and its late-night, seven-day-a-week service adds even more convenience.

Service is sometimes inconsistent, though, especially when it gets busy. Some diners have also found a few curries bland and missing the rich, authentic spice they hoped for. In those cases, the higher prices might not seem justified.

Even so, its long history and convenient location continue to attract loyal customers.

Pros

  • Central Bourke Street location
  • Over 24 years of experience
  • Fully licensed with BYO wine
  • Open daily until late

Cons

  • Inconsistent service and bland curries
  • Higher prices may not feel worthwhile

One of the best Indian meals I’ve had in Melbourne

Absolutely loved the experience at this restaurant! The food was incredibly delicious — honestly one of the best Indian meals I’ve had in Melbourne. The atmosphere was so cozy and welcoming, and a special thanks to Meet for her lovely and friendly service. She made our evening even more enjoyable. Highly recommended

Delicious yet affordable meals!

Wonderful Indian restaurant serving delicious yet affordable meals!

Their curry with rice and naan combo was the best choice for us! However the stand alone curry was just as amazing! Honestly could not get enough and we will definitely come back to try their other dishes!

Naan portion sizes are also very generous. Staff are attentive and efficient too!

4. ME & YOGI INDIAN KITCHEN- Indian Restaurant in Melbourne CBD

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Website: https://meandyogiindiankitchen.com.au/

Address: 227 Collins St.

Contact: 0433 006 604

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 8:30 PM

Getting a quick and affordable meal during a busy workday is easy at ME & YOGI INDIAN KITCHEN on Collins Street.

The restaurant makes online ordering simple and even gives a 10% discount when you order directly through its website.

It’s a great spot to pick up a traditional thali platter during your lunch break, and many customers appreciate how fast the pickup service is.

On the other hand, the kitchen sticks to fixed meal combinations, so you can’t swap rice for extra naan with your thali. Plus, the curries can taste a little sweeter than traditional recipes, which may not suit people who enjoy bold, spicy flavors.

Nonetheless, the quick service, kid-friendly menu, and convenient location make it a practical choice.

Pros

  • Easy online ordering with website discounts
  • Fast pickup service
  • Traditional thali platters and kid-friendly menu
  • Collins Street location

Cons

  • No thali substitutions or menu flexibility
  • Sweeter curries than traditional recipes

Fine Indian restaurant

This evening I made my way to this fine Indian restaurant. This was the night it was 45c

I understand why two other Indian restaurants were closed.

I chose a thalioption. There were a few to choose from. I was most impressed with the freshness, taste & quantity.

There staff were professional & we’d had a good chat.

I’m sure all the other options are also as good on the menu.

I’ll be back.

This restaurant has quickly become one of my favourites

Such a lovely place! I have always been a huge fan of Indian food, this restaurant has quickly become one of my favourites. Perfect place to enjoy your lunch, the atmosphere is great and staff are also very helpful in explaining the menu (lots of options and great price!). The flavours are very dynamic and authentic, the Matri Chaat is definitely a must try!! Restaurant owner is the best, he’s creative, very friendly and accomodating🙌happy with the service🙌

5. Sher Singh East Melbourne

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Website: https://shersingh.com.au/

Address: 166 Wellington Parade

Contact: 61 0414 044 407

Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM

Sher Singh East Melbourne creates a memorable dining experience with a space inspired by the grand kitchens of North Indian Maharajas.

This place focuses on slow-cooked curries and traditional tandoor-fired favourites that bring rich, authentic flavours to the table.

Besides that, you’ll also get to watch live sitar performances here, making dinner feel even more special. 

You can even visit the Wellington Parade location or head to the Docklands branch if it’s more convenient.

That said, the premium prices don’t always match the food. Some guests found the chicken seekh kebabs dry and chewy, while others felt the curry portions included only a few pieces of protein.

Even so, the elegant setting and traditional cooking style still make it a memorable place for a special night out.

Pros

  • Elegant dining atmosphere
  • Traditional slow-cooked recipes
  • Occasional live sitar performances
  • Two Melbourne locations

Cons

  • Dry kebabs and small protein portions
  • Premium pricing

Best Indian restaurant we have ever been 

Had a fabulous dinner here whilst visiting Melbourne recently. This is by far and away the best Indian restaurant we have ever been to, on every level. The service was amazing, as was the food. The restaurant decor is incredible and wowee check out those chandeliers! They even had a guy in the corner window playing a scimitar, he was amazing. We would definitely come back if visiting Melbourne again. HIGHLY recommend 👌 👍 🙏🇮🇳 ❤️

Every bite felt like a true taste of North India

An absolute 10/10 experience at Sher Singh North Indian Restaurant in Melbourne CBD! The location is so convenient, the ambience is warm and inviting, and the staff go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. The food was outstanding — full of authentic flavours, rich spices, and perfectly cooked dishes. Every bite felt like a true taste of North India. Highly recommend trying their [butter chicken & naan] along with their fresh breads. Truly 5-star service and dining right in the heart of the city. Can’t wait to come back!

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