TOKLFDA2018 Shortlist: Best Indian

Food here prove that simplicity doesn’t have to be such a plain concept. The Ganga Café is renowned for delicious healthy home-cooked food may be simple, but are full of flavour. North and South Indian vegetarian specialties dominate the menu with items like chaat, thali sets, roti, naan, thosai, aloo gobi, palak paneer and more, with vegan options available too. Balanced flavours, fresh ingredients, traditional recipes – this is what you get when dining at The Ganga.

A past winner of the Awards, Fierce Curry House is known for its authentic Indian cuisine, and customers flock here for the banana leaf meals and, in particular, its biryani. The aromatic rice comes packed with flavour, and the tender marinated meats are the perfect accompaniment. Don’t miss out on the fresh naans and rotis here as well. Wash your meal down with a refreshing fruit lassi.

A regular on the TOKL shortlist (and winner of this category in 2016), Restoran Santa Chapati is an old hand at dishing up fresh, fluffy chapattis hot off the griddle and straight to your table. It’s good enough to have it on its own, but you won’t go wrong as well with sides like the chicken varuval, fried fish or mutton keema. Be prepared for a queue during peak hours.

This eatery dishes up hearty South Indian vegetarian fare in simple surrounds, which allows the food to shine. The brand has a long history dating back almost a century – read about it through posters on the wall – and outlets across Asia and the Middle East. Familiar dishes like idli, vada, thali sets and more fill the menu, and you won’t go wrong with any of their dosas or daily specials.

The colourful interiors of Junior Chellapa provide a cheerful backdrop for the bright flavours of the food served here. This South Indian restaurant has created a menu that presents dishes from Madurai to Mangalore, and doesn’t skimp on flavour. Try to house special lamb ribs, Sultani grilled prawns and the hearty platters filled with an assortment of meat and seafood. The cold lassi or fragrant bru coffee are a great end to any meal.