The Best Indian Restaurants in Sydney

Manjits has been serving modern Indian cuisine for over 30 years to loyal patrons of its Balmain restaurant and Manjits at The Wharf continues to serve quality food in one of Sydney's most sought-after locations; King Street Wharf. A range of traditional Indian dishes are on offer, alongside stunning harbour views and an ambience that's always buzzing. Order the banquet for a taste of everything from naan to dessert.

Nilgiri's is proof that you should never judge a restaurant by its cover the chili sign hanging outside its St Leonard's door does not warn diners that inside is a haven of dynamic, constantly evolving Indian cuisine. Buffet luncheons Wednesday to Friday are a big hit with the local corporate crowd. As the owner Ajoy says, "this is not a 'curry in a hurry' restaurant, their food is cooked with time and love".

Located on the ground floor of the Quay building in Sydney CBD, The Spice Room is a truly opulent space that focuses on the delicately spiced, aromatic cuisine of India. At lunch time the restaurant offers a creative lunch menu of two or three tiered tiffin boxes. These special meals are lunch boxes that Dabbawallas (delivery boys) distribute to white collared workers across Mumbai in India.

On Bourke Street in Surry Hills, Don't Tell Aunty is a modern Indian restaurant with sherbet-pink walls and blue velvet booths. Self proclaimed as inauthentic Indian, the menu and wine list is driven by creativity and thought, not rule and tradition. There's Colonel Tso's cauliflower a mash up of North American Chinese and Indian flavours and there's tandoor Aussie lamb chops with apricot raita. A self-serve beer fridge and wine shelf continue the unique experience.

Cheery and full of energy, Marsala Theory in Surry Hills is recreating traditional Indian cuisine for the new era and is not hard to miss for its bright walls and buzzing ambience. Inside the decor features Indian pop-culture relics mixed with retro finds creating a quirky and funky space a lot like the menu which is also full of authentic favourites with a creative twist. Anything but formal this is the kind of restaurant to visit when needing a little spice and fun to your dining experience and is great for group dining.

Pink J in York Street Sydney is a little bit of fun, and certainly not your regular Indian restaurant with a menu of 'not traditional' Indian cuisine. Enter this basement location into a room lit with neon signs decorated in bright colours. Choose a tune from the jukebox, select a beer from the fridge and settle in for tandoor and curries and light bites. The Chef's Selection for 6 or more diners, takes the hassle out of what to choose, offering a delectable array of flavours from the menu. 

Open for lunch Monday-Friday and dinner daily

Photography: Courtesy of Pinky Ji

Talented South Indian chef/owner Mohammed Sali has relocated Malabar South Indian Cuisine to a brand new premise only four doors down the road. The spacious Victoria Street corner restaurant, with its spherical glass frontage is buttoned with linen-draped tables and photographic wall murals depicting the rich heritage of India. Quality timber finishes and soft leather furnishings combine elegantly together to create a stylish aesthetic. An extensive a la carte menu is available as well as banquet dining for two or more guests.

Situated in new premised in a terrace house in  Stanley Street, Darlinghurst, The Colonial Indian cuisine hails from the old North-West Frontier Province, which was a term used during British occupation. There is a large selection of curries available, all marinated and cooked in the traditional clay tandoor.