The best Indian restaurants in Sydney

Get a taste of the ‘City of Joy’ in Newtown at Kolkata Social on King Street. Created by the Plate it Forward team, this vibrant Bengali eatery is chef Ahana Dutt’s (ex-Firedoor) heartfelt tribute to her mum and the home-style cooking she grew up with. The seasonal menu celebrates the flavours of Bengal through dishes that honour tradition while embracing a contemporary touch. The warm interiors (we love the mural) add to the charm, making you feel like you've stepped inside a family home. This is soulful food that's made with heart and meant to be shared. Dig in.

Time Out tip: Kolkata Social won Time Out Sydney's Impact Award 2026. You can also make a booking at Plate it Forward's other fab venues: Colombo Social, Kabul Social and Kyiv Social. 

Dosa Hut in Harris Park is the most-reviewed restaurant in Australia – no joke. It's a go-to for fiery curries, Indo-Chinese, chaat and, as the name suggests, more than 50 types of dosas. Make sure you go in a group so that you have a variety of dishes to sample. While the food is spicy (you've been warned), the prices are reasonable, with most dishes under $25. 

Time Out tip: There are 25 Dosa Huts across Australia – so next time you’re hankering after an Indian feast, look them up – there's bound to be one near you. 

Yes, Saravanaa Bhavan is a global South Indian chain, but don’t let that stop you from giving it a go. It's cheap and cheerful when you're craving a curry in a hurry, say, during your lunch break at work. No wonder it's got three locations in Sydney at Parramatta, North Sydney and in the CBD on Clarence Street. Our go-to dishes? Masala dosa, fluffy idlis, deep-fried medu vadas, thali and the very theatrical channa bhature which is a chickpea curry served with a massive, puffed up fried puri. Delish.

Time Out tip: Wash it all down with some Madras filter coffee; it will keep you awake after all that carb-loading. Or, you could go all out with a mango lassi. Just sayin'.

The original Abhi’s in North Strathfield is still the place to go for a dependable Indian fix any night of the week. The kitchen doesn’t confine itself to one region, cooking with tandoor-roasted meats from Punjab in the north to seafood curries from the southern Malabar coast. When it comes to curries, crowd favourites include a thick and fragrant Goan fish curry and delicately sweet goat number, but where Abhi’s (and Indian cuisine in general) shines brightest is in proving you don’t need animal protein for a satisfying meal.

Time Out tip: Coming in a crowd? Choose one of their banquet menus to sample Abhi's favourites without the stress of having to pick and choose.

Delicious Indian food with water views? That and more is on the cards at this Rose Bay favourite, which has been open for more than 20 years. The rogan Josh is aromatic and fragrant with Kashmiri red chillies and garam masala, while the Goan-style fish curry features tender pieces simmered in a spiced coconut curry. If you’ve had one too many super-sweet butter chickens, don’t worry – this one has more spice and depth than your stock-standard version, and it's even better mopped up with charred garlic naan. Sit outside, order a glass of bubbles and dig into the flavours. It’s a delightful place to be.

Time Out tip: Come back and check out next-door Rasa House – it’s a "borderless Asian" restaurant and wine bar run by Vinay Matta, whose parents own Jewel on the Bay.

Found in Sydney’s 'Little India' (Harris Park), Chatkazz is a Mumbai street-food joint that’s held its own for well over a decade. You need to know three things before you go: Chatkazz doesn’t take reservations; it is vegetarian; it’s not licensed to serve alcohol. Trust us when we say that you won't be kept waiting for long despite how busy it seems, you won’t miss the meat and there are plenty of interesting non-alcoholic drinks to try. From chole bhature and papdi chaat to Indo-Chinese and pav bhaji, Chatkazz is where the Indian diaspora in Sydney go to get their street-food fix.

Time out tip: Chatkazz also has outposts in Bella Vista and Wentworthville – and yes, both are always crowded around lunch time, but you won't be waiting long.

Locals know Sketch Manly well. That’s because for close to nine  years they’ve been hitting up 19 Pittwater Road for their morning coffee and spiced eggs, and swinging back at night for craft beer, natural wines and seriously good curries. Think: slow-cooked brisket curry with garlic, ginger, tomato and fresh spinach; a rich, complex and not-too-sweet butter chicken curry; and marinated eggplant with turmeric tomato masala. The confit garlic roti is bang on, too. Owners BJ and Sukh have just reimagined Sketch with a lick of paint and plenty of new things to try – stay curious, come hungry. 

Time Out tip: Try their sister venue, Bazaar & Bar – it's around the corner in Brookvale where Adwait and Kabir put a flavour-packed spin on Indian classics.

Brendan King says his nana never cooked while he was growing up, and instead always remembers his grandpa in the kitchen, preparing spiced tandoori wings and fiery pork vindaloo. Parramatta Road's late-night Indian diner Derrel’s is named after King’s grandpa, and is a nostalgic ode to his food and the dishes that King loves to cook and eat himself. Swing by for curry plates loaded with rice, roti, lime, onion and chutneys; tandoori chicken wings made from King’s grandpa’s recipe; and a “chip butty” with butter chicken gravy. Yum.

Time Out tip: Derrel’s is open until 12am on the weekends, perfect for a late-night feast after a night on the town. 

Punjabi Paradise just looks like a regular high-street restaurant – bright lighting, basic decor. Don't walk past it like I almost did, because it's anything but regular. They serve some of the best Indian food I've had outside of India. The curries are rich and sophisticated in flavour without being heavy. And it's well-priced – most meat curries are under $25. I'm not surprised it has a near-perfect Google reviews rating.

Time Out tip: Order the palak paneer. This very dish turned my teenage son onto palak paneer and Indian food in general.

Another long-standing institution, this Darlinghurst restaurant has been serving a loyal following since 2003. Come here for an elegant lunch or dinner – it's a beautiful dining room with mood lighting, white tablecloths, sparkling cutlery and shiny glassware. The menu offers plenty, but we say make sure to include the butter chicken in your order – it's deliciously buttery and one of the best we've had in Sydney.

Time Out tip: You can BYO wine or Champagne for $10 a bottle, but they're also fully licensed. 

Believe it or not, Nilgiri's has been around for 28 years – first in Crows Nest (1998), then to St Leonards (2003) and in recent years in Cremorne, just opposite the Hayden Orpheum, which makes it perfect for an Indian feast pre- or post-movie. Chef Ajoy Joshi's Hyderabadi roots and training at the Taj group of hotels shine through each dish. We're talking Kolhapuri goat curry, Malvani prawns and hot-hot samosas. Don't worry, die-hard butter chicken fans, it's on the menu – but trust us when we say, give something new a go. 

Time Out tip: Love Indian food but have no idea how to cook it? Joshi's cooking classes are a fun way to learn the tricks of the trade – plus, you get to eat dinner. 

While IndoChainese does have a whole heap of Indian-Chinese dishes on its extensive menu, the name also pays homage to 'chai' or tea, an integral part of everyday life in India. And this is no ordinary tea – it's tea brewed in a clay oven (tandoor) with warming spices and served in clay cups. As for the food, from dosas and desserts, it's all on offer and it's all really good. Try the chicken lollipops (IYKYK), chicken 65 fried rice, mutton dum biryani and the incredibly soft naan – you'll need it to mop up that delicious mutton paya.

Time Out tip: In case you're wondering, Indian-Chinese is a fusion of Indian and Chinese cuisines. If you've never had it before, here are some dishes to try: Hakka noodles, dragon chicken and Schezwan fried rice.

Want a taste of India in the heart of Circular Quay? The Spice Room didn’t get its name for nothing. Step inside this traditional restaurant and be hit with a wave of hunger-inducing aromas. Service is warm and welcoming, and those spices go into creating curries with an incredible depth of flavour.

Time Out tip: Heading to a show at the Opera House? The Spice Room offers a pre-event three-course dinner of a starter, main and dessert from 5-7pm. 

Delhi ‘O’ Delhi has been bringing the flavours, spice and soul of India to Newtown for more than 18 years. Located on  Erskineville Road, the smart spot serves up elevated takes on traditional Indian fare, and is a solid choice when the cravings hit. The menu is extensive, including a decent selection of vegetarian and vegan mains, plus a few set menu options. 

Time Out tip: Bring a big group and get stuck into Delhi 'O' Delhi’s signature lamb dish, shaan e raan. It's a whole leg of lamb marinated in spices for a day and then slow-cooked in a clay oven. The team needs 48 hours' notice though, so give them a buzz before you visit.

While the name might not sound like much, A2B stands for Adyar Ananda Bhavan and is a very popular chain of Indian restaurants found around the globe. It's got two outposts in Sydney at Norwest and Harris Park, both of which are no-frills vegetarian restaurants. If you find the extensive menu too overwhelming, ask the friendly staff for suggestions. Or simply stick to South Indian dishes – it's what they do best. Of course, they also have everything from chaat and thalis to dosas, Indian-Chinese and Indian sweets – so come hungry. 

Time Out tip: There are quite a few South Indian dishes that you won't find elsewhere in Sydney – we're talking iddiyapam with coconut milk, ghee pongal (served from 5pm daily) and adai with aviyal (on specific days).

If we had wings, we’d fly straight to Flyover Fritterie for their dosa potato jaffles, crunchy pakoras (fritters) and spicy chai. This Indian street food eatery upgraded from its hole-in-the-wall CBD shop to a two-storey corner restaurant on Redfern’s main drag. The name, Flyover Fritter, is a tribute to the humble food stands under the overpasses (flyovers) of bustling Indian cities where each cart specialised in one type of street food.

Time Out tip: The menu here is mainly vegetarian street food  – but with a delicious, modern twist. So don't come here expecting to eat exactly what you would on Indian street corners. And don't skip dessert.

In the same way that banh mi has shaken off the burden of representing all things Vietnamese, Gaurang Gahoi is determined to free butter chicken from the pressure to perform. Foreign Return – named affectionately for expats who leave India and come back home – is nixing the idea that Indian food is all creamy sauces, soft breads, and two-note spice blends, and putting 'lost' recipes back onto leather-bound menus. Chef Tanvi Goswami ensures that everything from starters like raj kachori down to mains like prawn Koliwada and briased goat shoulder hit the spot. 

Time Out tip: Whatever you do, don't skip the spice-infused cocktails; try a Jamun Sour for something unique, or a Pune with fig gin and honey.

If you’re looking for traditional Indian fare, you won’t find it at Don’t Tell Aunty. You will find a bit of fun though, and some decent-enough food, including ‘unauthentic butter chicken’ and Aussie lamb chops with a tangy eggplant chutney. Some dishes err on the side of being too sweet for us, but the curries still stand tall, each with a great depth of flavour. Order the set menu and enjoy the showstopping curry platter. And if you’re celebrating a birthday, prepare to be serenaded by 50 Cent.

Time Out tip: Live on the North Shore? Don't Tell Aunty's cousin Don't Tell Uncle is in Cammeray; their bottomless brunch and thali specials are perfect for group dining. 

Pinky Ji is a playful Indian restaurant in the CBD by chef and restaurateur Jessi Singh. The vibrant space glows with red neon lights, the walls are adorned with Bollywood artworks and floral garlands are draped from the ceiling. There’s a self-serve fridge stocked with craft beers and a private dining room with a karaoke machine playing hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. If you're looking for a fun restaurant with tasty Indian-inspired plates, Pinky Ji is your spot.

Time Out tip: Go for the set menu, sit back and get ready to feast. They also have an express thali lunch and an unlimited thali lunch – both of which have vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. 

One of Harris Park’s oldest restaurants is the one with the least number of surprises. All the popular Aus-Indian takeaway classics are here, and most of them are done exactly as you’d expect. The eponymous owner will tell you the tandoori chicken is the go-to: it’s tart from a 24-hour yoghurt marinade and smoky from the tandoor flames. If you want the spicy Kashmiri red-pepper version, you need to ask for it.

Time Out tip: Given that Harris Park is 'Little India', make a day of it by dipping in and out of different Indian/Asian shops for everything from spices and Indian sweets (mithai) to saris and street snacks. Ever tried paan?

In Brookvale's brewery belt, Bazaar & Bar is a neighbourhood Indian joint bringing the spice to the Northern Beaches, thanks to Kabir Arora of the Sketch Manly family and chef Adwait Jagtap. First things first: there are no butter chicken clichés on the menu. Instead, expect regional Indian dishes with a modern twist. Kick things off with raj kachori and Shark Bay scallops drizzled with thecha, a vibrant green chilli chutney, before moving on to an almost bisque-like prawn gassi and Champaran mutton, where the meat is so tender it falls off the bone. The drinks are just as much fun, with Indian-inspired cocktails and a clever wine list chosen to tame the flame. Come hungry, come thirsty and rethink everything you thought you knew about Indian dining.

Time Out tip: Depending on what's on the seasonal menu, order the kali mirch chargrilled spatchcock or the Malvani fish with a Garam Masala Negroni – it's a pairing worth crossing the Bridge for.

The space? A converted house recreated as an India-style ‘haveli’ (mansion). The menu itself? It tempts with daily specials and plenty of beloved dishes. If you're feeling adventurous, we recommend either the goat masala or fish Madras. You won't regret it. Haveli has two locations: Stanhope Gardens and Riverstone.

Time Out tip: Have a sweet tooth? Try Haveli's Indian sweets – gulab jamuns, jalebis, rasmalai, ladoos, barfi – yum!

While strictly not Indian (it's Pakistani), Faheem has always been the place to go for a spicy feast, especially after a bit of pub-hopping in Enmore and Newtown. Fast and affordable, FFF gets an AAA for value. Don't come for the décor or the service – this isn't the place for a hot date. Do come for the haleem – a Mughali dish (served mainly during Ramadan) where lentils, cracked wheat and barley are slow cooked with meat (mutton or beef) until it resembles a thick, sticky stew. 

Time Out tip: Cash is king here, so make sure you have some. Also, order the tandoori chicken (warning: it's liberally doused in red food colour).

The neatly packed Sri Lankan and South Indian restaurants and grocery stores along Pendle Way are busy with shoppers and diners stocking up on dried goods, curry spices and fresh meals to take away for dinner. The most popular choice is a curry plate, and the number one place to get it is Abie’s Vegetarian Takeaway. Here, you’ll find all the colours of the edible rainbow in the 20 different all-veg curries on offer. As the name suggests, it's primarily a takeaway place, so don't expect much fanfare – or seating.

Time Out tip: They might not have a website or social media, but locals will tell you that this place is cheap and cheerful and the portions are very generous for what you pay.

If the sight of pyramids of tandoori chicken pieces, slow-braised pieces of goat on the bone and deep-fried green chillis in batter doesn’t make your mouth water, then the house special Hyderabadi chicken biryani at Swagath Biryani House will certainly do the job. Cinnamon and clove-infused rice is layered over pieces of spice and yoghurt-marinated chicken, then slow cooked until the flavours merge together to create absolute perfection. 

Time Out tip: Have a celebration coming up and want to serve Indian food? Swagath does catering with different packages to suit different budgets.