If you’re looking to get your fill of Indian food, look no further. The wide variety of Indian restaurants in Melbourne make it the perfect place to satisfy your palate.
Dosas, kebabs, and curries are just a few delicious items to try at these establishments.
Enter Via Laundry
As implied by its name, Enter Via Laundry was once a small, private dining experience hosted by chef Helly Raichura that guests would have to find by entering through a laundry room. Now, it’s a restaurant in Carlton North that combines Australian ingredients with Indian cuisine to create delicious dishes with a unique edge.
The establishment has two dining rooms, which gives it the ambiance of a private dinner experience, as both seat 8 to 10 people. There is also a bar, which was opened in April 2024, where guests can go if they do not have a reservation for one of the dining rooms.
Enter Via Laundry has a four-course meal and snacks available for $121 on Wednesdays from 6 to 8pm.
Daughter In Law
This Melbourne establishment, is not your typical Indian joint, serving up “unauthentic Australian Indian” cuisine. It has a bright, aesthetically-pleasing backdrop that makes it a great place for a birthday dinner or celebration.
Choose from a wide variety of dishes, including tandoori corn made with chilli lime yogurt, Indian fried chicken made with tempered mustard mayonnaise, and palak paneer made with spinach curry. There are also a variety of cocktails, including the ‘daughter in law’ which is made with gin and caramelised pineapple, cardamom, and lime, as well as the ‘granddaughter’ which is made with vodka, lychee, yellow chartreuse and lemon.
Tonka
Tonka is located on Flinders Lane behind graffitied walls, and offers great views of Flinders Street. Founded in 2013, it is an Indian restaurant that uses contemporary techniques and European influence to bring its food to life.
A key part of Tonka is its two tandoor ovens, which are run by trained experts and chefs. You’ll want to try the tandoori paneer tikka, tandoori chicken tikka, and the tandoori ocean trout fillet. Plus, dig into eggplant and plantain korma, black garlic butter naan, and so much more. Your mouth will surely be left watering after this delicious meal.
Atta
This Indian restaurant in Melbourne was awarded an Australian Good Food Guide hat for 2024, placing it in the top 1% of restaurants to receive this award in Australia. It was founded by Harry and Brij, who wanted to combine classic and indigenous dishes with a modern touch. They also set out to reimagine the Indian dining experience with a fine and upscale approach, making it perfect for a date night.
Atta has a four-course menu, with starters like classic golgappas, entrees like achari machli made with salmon and coconut chutney, main dishes like beef mircha with onion and tomato gravy, and of course, desserts, like chai mousse with strawberry sorbet. It’s no wonder it’s one of the best Indian restaurants in Melbourne.
Punjabi Curry Cafe
Located in Collingwood, Punjabi Curry Cafe is focused on North Indian cuisine made with fresh ingredients. Its extensive menu includes everything from butter chicken to goat curry to Punjabi fish/prawn masala. There are also a variety of vegetarian dishes like the classic daal makhni, aloo gobi (cauliflower and potato cooked with spices), and mixed vegetable curry. Dig into delicious desserts including an assortment of kulfi flavours, ranging from pistachio to mango.
There’s also a happy hour every day from 5pm to 7pm, where you can enjoy a glass of beer for $6, a glass of wine for $6.50, and two-for-one cocktails.
Mukka Indian Restaurant
With three restaurants across the Melbourne area, Mukka Indian Restaurant has already made its mark as a must-try spot since its conception in 2016. Among its best items are its kebabs, which come in a variety of flavours including broccoli, chicken/lamb, and mixed vegetables. It also has an assortment of top curries, including tomato potato curry and channa masala made with spices and dried mango powder.
The establishment also serves dosas, a south-Indian dish that resembles a light, airy pancake. It is served with coconut and tomato chutneys.
You won’t want to miss out on these delicious Indian delicacies.
3 Idiots
This establishment’s funny name was inspired by the chefs’ decisions to leave their career paths and open their own modern Indian restaurant. Most people around them told them they were idiots for making the switch and ever since, the name has stuck around.
The dishes served at 3 Idiots are inspired by the chefs’ family recipes. Since the chefs like to have a fresh menu, they are constantly changing it throughout the different seasons. Among their popular dishes right now are the masala fries, which have an Indian twist, malbari beef curry, and paani puri, a highly-loved chaat stuffed with herb-filled water.
Ish
Ish, which is in Fitzroy, delivers what it calls “unexpected Indian.” It’s a restaurant with a lively atmosphere that seeks to serve food that aligns with and defines modern day Indian.
Not only is it a great place to have an event such as a wedding party or corporate function, but it also has delicious food and drinks. In fact, Ish offers several wine experiences where diners can enjoy their meal alongside a variety of popular wines that complement the restaurant’s menu, starting at $32 per person.
Some unique dishes to try include the dum aloo gnocchi and kingfish ceviche. Other classics include the chicken tikka and Ish butter chicken, which is made with roma tomato and cashew gravy. You’ll be sure to find a dish to try on this restaurant’s extensive menu.
If you enjoyed this story about Indian restaurants in Melbourne, check out our story about top vegetarian restaurants in the city.
