The best Indian restaurants in Canberra

When Indian indentured labourers arrived in Fiji to work on British sugar plantations in the early 1900s, they also brought their cuisine with them. When Mini Gaundar, Manni Gounder and Parsu Ram opened Rama's Fiji Indian Restaurant more than 30 years ago in Pearce, they wanted to give us a taste of the Fijian-Indian food they ate at home. This family-run venue is all about comfort food, where coconut plays an integral role. Though slightly milder than your typical Indian fare, the fan-favourites still sing with peppery praise. Try the roti parcels, pumpkin and coconut, prawn masala and their signature Fijian pork curry along with a glass of mango lassi.

Address: Pearce Shopping Centre, Cnr Macfarland & Hodgson Cres, Pearce 

Price: Mid-range

Open daily, Chatkazz is an Indian diner that's a maximalist’s dream come true. Like their outposts in Sydney and Adelaide, the seasoned chefs in Canberra specialise in snacky plates traversing the length and breadth of India. There's medu vada (doughnut-shaped lentil fritters) and dosas (thin, savoury crepe) from the south, heaps of parathas and channa masala from the north, Mumbai street snacks like pani puri and masala toast sandwich, and even a hefty serve of Indo-Chinese dishes. They also offer a weekend breakfast – and that dhokla sure looks yummy! 

Address: Level 1, Shop H70-71 The Market Place, 30 & 33 Hibberson St, Gungahlin 

Price: Budget

Founded by two Melburnian telecommunicators, Anil Kumar Karpurapu and Praveen Indukuri, this growing restaurant chain was their answer to their search for the perfect dosa – a South Indian fermented crêpe made of rice and urad dal. Today, Dosa Hut has over 25 branches, each of which has more than a hundred dish selections. Of course, it would be completely amiss not to feast on the range of dosas (there are over 30 varieties!), all accompanied by colourful chutneys and lentil sambars that invite you to dip-dip-dip. They also have snacks, chaat, biryani, Indo-Chinese and tandoor dishes – on the off-chance you're not in the mood for dosa. 

Address: 140/180 City Wlk, Canberra 

Price: Budget

You'll need to get to Florey shops if you want a taste of Indian Pantry Restaurant. Family-owned and run, this local favourite is known for its homely charm, where the staff remember your go-to order. Order their butter chicken and garlic naan – clichéd but true – locals swear it’s the best in town! Vegetarians are spoilt for choice with standouts like paneer tikka masala and hearty veg thalis. The kitchen doesn’t cut corners: everything is prepared fresh daily for that unmistakable depth of flavour. Whether you’re grabbing a quick takeaway or booking their catering for a celebration, Indian Pantry delivers flavour with every bite.

Address: 3/37 Kesteven St, Florey 

Price: Budget

Opened in 2019 in Melba, Delhi to Canberra is a culinary venture by the husband-and-wife team of chef Ranjit Singh and Suman Kaur. The menu's building blocks are seasonality and spice.  Crowd favourites include their papdi chaat of fried wafers and potatoes topped with spicy chutneys and cooling yoghurt, a wholesome dal tadka, paneer 65 and their signature lamb biryani. Frequented during Indian festivals by locals for their gulab jamun (fried dough dumplings soaked in syrup) and kulfi (Indian ice-cream), comfort and community are sure to be found with every bite. 

Address: 12 Chinner Cres, Melba 

Price: Budget

This BYO venue delivering contemporary Indian cuisine has chef Hari Prasad Sharma repeatedly turning unfamiliar classics into family favourites. For those with a vice for spice, Blu Ginger’s designed-to-share menu is a roulette of regional ingredients that up the ante for Indian dishes. You’ll have difficulty deciding between the railway canteen goat curry, the spicy Chettinad prawns or the tender lamb braised in a creamy almond pumpkin gravy. But with an extra serving of naan and a build-your-own banquet menu option, there’ll be a dip for every sip at this cherished eatery.

Address: 2/5-21 Genge St, Canberra

Price: Mid-range

If you’re searching for something wholesome yet unassuming, Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant is an oldie but a goodie that satisfies every spice cravings. Dating back to 1974, this spot in the heart of Canberra is a budget-friendly dose of Indian classics: order golden triangles of beef or vegetable samosas to start with an array of tandoori dishes and spicy curries to follow. Their BYO and special set menus have stood the test of time and locals enjoy the ample condiments that temper every mouthful of their flavoursome dishes. What we love is how this family-run restaurant has preserved the long-standing traditions of Indian home cooking for generations. 

Address: Melbourne Building, 39 Northbourne Ave, Canberra

Price: Budget

'Less is more' is reconsidered at Spice Route Indian Restaurant. Staying true to its name, spices are used prudentially and with purpose in every dish, be it a kebab or a curry. For instance, the mustard seeds make the Malabari jhinga (prawn) dish sing, the eggplant masala has that zing of fenugreek and fennel, while the fork-tender leg of lamb is done Mughlai-style with aromatic spices. Generous servings, service with a smile and traditional dishes done well make this place a neighbourhood gem. 

Address: Shop 3A/12-14 Torrens Pl, Torrens 

Price: Budget

Telling the tale of tradition, influence and legacy, the food at Spice Affair creates a lasting impression of culture and community with every mouthful. The menu spans a variety of dishes across different regions. Mix and match the sweetness of a sultana- and cashew-filled peshawari naan with their eggplant masala that pays homage to Middle East influence. Or their clay-oven roti dipped into a curry of boneless chicken and pistachio purée, or even a red wine-based chicken vindaloo as a nod to India's Portuguese colonial history. Make sure to order paan kulfi as something different for dessert. 

Address: Shop 8/15 Kingsland Pde, Casey 

Price: Budget