Overview
Indian cuisine has well and truly earned its spot as a faithful food choice amongst other old favourites like pizza or fish and chips. It's easy to know why Australians have fallen in love with this hunger-busting food that's packed full of flavour and bursting with character.
Indian restaurants are sprinkled across the city like cumin seeds, and we have tasted everything from butter chicken to lamb saag to find our top-quality eateries. From a quick food fix to a sit-down dinner that will make you feel like a maharaja, these Indian restaurants are the best of the best.
Kanishk
On the outside of the restaurant there is a sign that boasts Kanishk has "the best butter chicken in Brisbane". Although it's a pretty grand statement, the team have definitely managed to create a top contender for this favourite dish as the creaminess of the tomato gravy and swirl of yoghurt was a perfect partner to the tandoor coated chicken. The service at Kanishk is impeccable and our waiter was more than happy to share the process behind the meticulous preparation of their food and homegrown spices. If things get a little too spicy for you, choose the sweet treat, galab jamun. These tasty deep fried hot milk dumplings are drizzled in cardamom syrup and served with saffron, almond floss and vanilla ice cream.
730 Sandgate Road, Clayfield
The Spice Avenue Balti Restaurant
Make the trek to Birkdale where traditional UK Balti curries await. Although the prices are a little bit steeper, the quality of the food and professional service ensures you get what you pay for. Served in large steel balti bowls, the curries are designed to be devoured in whatever way you please - be that with rice or a steaming naan. The fish masala is a knockout due to the intense flavour and delicately marinated fish. Another favourite is the balti madras which is described as being more popular in the UK than in India. Choose it for a well done curry that will transport you to the middle of London. The secret is well and truly out so make you book a table in advance, particularly on the weekend.
190 Birkdale Rd, Birkdale
Indian Kitchen
Indian Kitchen has developed a loyal following (predominantly consisting of students) and it's no surprise why. They are absolute masters of quick no-fuss food as they offer a small range of curries waiting to be spooned onto your plate. It's a bustling little eatery and often a line of hungry customers snakes its way towards the entrance. While the décor is not the most glamorous, the quality, generous portion sizes and low price of the meals at this diamond in the rough are unparalleled. Try their two meat and one vegetarian curry combo while you slurp down a sweet mango lassi.
91 Vulture Street, West End
Halims Indian Taj Restaurant
Located in the busy restaurant precinct of Rosalie, Halims gets a lot of love from folks on the prowl for great food and service. Halim's banquet options are very filling and reasonably priced and along with being BYO, this is a match made in group dinner heaven. Picks from the menu for a magical main course include the rich butter chicken, sprinkled with crunchy cashews, sweet raisins and fresh herbs. If you're a herbivore try the aloo gobi, a delicious vegetarian dish or sample their range of dahl curries.
1/155 Baroona Rd, Rosalie
Punjabi Palace
If you fancy yourself as a bit of an Indian food buff you will no doubt have heard of Punjabi Palace in West End. Inside this Indian food lovers haven you'll find plenty of seating areas including the public restaurant and the private function room upstairs. Must tries include the butter matar paneer consisting of cubes of homemade cheese and peas cooked in a think gravy of tomatoes and ground cashews. Those with a preference for hot, hot, heat will find their match in the deliciously spicy vindaloo. Whether you're looking for a quiet business dinner or somewhere to get a meal and swig down a bottle of wine before a night out, Punjabi Palace is a trustworthy choice.
135 Melbourne St, West End
Taj Mahal
Next Saturday night go for a stroll past the main BYO district of China Town mall and visit Taj Mahal in New Farm for some seriously good Indian. Classic tandoori chicken wings or chicken tikka are a good way to quieten a rumbling tummy. Follow these appetisers with a prawn madras and add a naan on the side - now you've got a party on your hands. Sweet toothes breathe a collective sigh of relief as other standouts include the gajjar halwa (carrot pudding) and ras malai (dumplings in milk). Good service and a lively atmosphere tops off a great experience at Taj Mahal.
722 Brunswick St New Farm
Hello India
A long time ago I fell head over heels with an Indian curry named lamb saag from a now closed northside restaurant. After years of visiting restaurants hoping I would find another contender for the best lamb saag, I tried Hello India's and the spicy romance was reignited. The creaminess of the spinach sauce is ridiculously tasty and the meat super tender. For a classic entree, choose the vege samosas which are packed full of potatoey goodness all enclosed in a crunchy shell. If you'd rather stay in the comfort of your trackie dacks than eat out, you're in luck as Hello India delivers to select northern suburbs.
1246 Sandgate Rd, Nundah