The Best Indian Restaurants in North Adelaide That Are Authentic to the Core
Nothing checks our taste buds’ demands like the flavors of India. Unapologetically robust, intoxicatingly aromatic, and fearlessly creative, the country’s greatest culinary achievements are easy to love and hard not to think about.
However, scoring authentic biryani or tandoori chicken often requires traveling to Agra or Mumbai, right? Wrong. North Adelaide restos like Aromas Of Amaravathi and Gandhi Chow don’t play around with their Indian dishes, and we tried them out ourselves!
Indii Flavours
From indiiflavours
Address: 114-116 O’Connell St
Contact Details: (08) 8164 5566
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Fri to Sun – 12 pm to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm
Indii Flavours deliciously ignited our palates with a touch of their home-style masala magic.
Their staff recommended the said dish, which is a generous bowl of basmati rice. Each grain popped with rich mint and saffron, making it a perfect pair with the restaurant’s daily-changing curry list and chicken meals.
The chana masala is a huge hit, too, particularly among our vegetarians. It has a heavily spiced tomato-based gravy that imparts a sweet, savory, earthy, and hearty finish.
Tip: Loved their bites and want to savor more for cheaper prices? Consider scoring their ready-made meals.
Gandhi Chow
From gandhi.chow
Address: 153 Melbourne St
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 5 pm to 9:30 pm
- Thu to Sat – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
Gandhi Chow makes it obvious that Indian street food and curry are on a whole different level. For instance, their crisp samosas pack vibrant spices, potatoes, and peas that altogether result in a savory and earthy palate-pleaser.
If the samosas don’t fill or satisfy you, their onion pakora might do the trick with its thinly sliced onions coated in a spiced garam seasoning. The end product is a crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the tender, sweet, and slightly spicy onions inside.
Moving to the curries, we have lamb vindaloo as our personal pick. This dish’s meat isn’t chewy, plus the tangy sauce elevates the gamey flavors through powerful spices.
Tip: One of our worst mistakes is heading here without making reservations. They can get hectic, so avoid the same fate by booking online.
Beyond India
From beyondindia
Address: 170 O’Connell St
Contact Details: (08) 8267 3820
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5 pm to 10:30 pm
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm
We keep returning to Beyond India for 3 reasons: their traditional chicken, beef, and prawn mains. For starters, their butter chicken boasts smoked, marinated chicken filets in a spiced sauce, so you know its mouthwatering flavors linger.
On the beefy side, it’s their Chennai that takes the cake. With bold beef simmered in a rich coconut sauce with aromatic curry leaves and Madras spices, this one always has us ordering seconds.
Finally, there’s the prawn masala—sweet prawns cooked in a sauce oozing with spices. We love how each morsel absorbs the essence of cardamom and curry leaves, making each bite lip-smacking.
Tip: Visit the website for regular discounts, ranging from 10% to 25%.
Sector 17 Indian Cuisine
From sector17adelaide
Address: 131 Ward St
Contact Details: 0405 062 200
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Thu to Sat – 5 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sun – 4:30 pm to 10:30 pm
At Sector 17 Indian Cuisine, we fell for South Indian flavors.
The first thing we had here was their famed chaat samosa, a flaky pastry hiding spiced potato and pea filling. Green and sweet tamarind chutney covers the pastry, while chilled yogurt completes it by infusing creamy flavors.
In terms of mains, it’s their beef, lamb, prawn, and goat curries that sell like hotcakes. For us, however, the must-have is sarson da saag, a traditional Punjabi dish with fresh winter greens in coarse gravy.
Tip: Don’t wait in line while others enjoy the food. Save your seat by making online reservations.
Drunken Monkey Indian Tapas Bar & Restaurant
From drunknmonkeyadl
Address: 41-41A O’Connell St
Contact Details: (08) 8267 1393
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Fri – 5:30 pm to 11 pm
- Sat – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 11 pm
- Sun – 12 pm to 3 pm, 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
If Drunken Monkey’s green and quirky aesthetics don’t draw you in, their traditional Indian fare might.
The menu is extensive, but you can always start strong with kadhai chicken as your main thing. It’s essentially tandoori-cooked chicken morsels that borrow flavor from kadhai spices, which include coriander, cumin, and fennel, alongside the usual aromatics.
Biryani is another great pick, particularly if you love slow-cooked basmati rice with full-bodied flavoring. Patrons usually couple it with chicken, goat, and vegetables.
Tip: Special occasions are made better by this spot. We’re talking about special deals during Mother’s Day, Diwali, and more.
Aromas Of Amaravathi
From aromas_of_amaravathi
Address: Unit 6/11 O’Connell St
Contact Details: 0428 666 830
Operating Hours: Mon, Tue to Sun – 5 pm to 11 pm
Aromas Of Amaravathi is another spot serving South Indian delicacies that stay true to tradition. Their best-seller is tandoori prawn, a complex dish that stands out due to its charred essence and blend of yogurt and spices.
This sophisticated resto also whips up a mean chili paneer, which you’ll love for its soft, cubed cheese with a spicy sauce. The lightly fried paneer’s exterior is crusty while maintaining its soft texture inside.
However, it’s the paneer butter masala that’s worth the trip. With a tomato, cream, and butter-based sauce, this dish is best enjoyed with rice or naan (oven-baked flatbread).
Tip: If you’re opting for their buffet, visit their Instagram for the menu and pricing updates.
Kutir Indian Restaurant
From kutir_restaurant
Address: 230 Main N Rd, Prospect
Contact Details: (08) 7226 9344
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 5 pm to 12 am
- Tue – 5:15 pm to 12 am
- Wed to Sun – 5 pm to 12 am
While Kutir is known for modern cooking, their food never strays from the authentic flavors common in Indian kitchens.
Their lobster with a blazing garlic infusion proves this. One bite and you’ll savor natural sweetness, umami-filled seafood, and powerful garlicky notes, all contrasted by a bed of farm-fresh iceberg lettuce.
The tandoori chicken filet also keeps it contemporary without losing authentic boldness. Smoky, charred, and savory flavors dominate the dish, but its fiery side is adjusted and mellowed down.
Tip: Kutir’s sophisticated function space might be the venue your event needs.
Mela Masters of Indian Food
From winnie.luk.142
Address: 488 Main N Rd, Blair Athol
Contact Details: (08) 8165 1063
Operating Hours: Mon, Tue to Sun – 5 pm to 1 am
Website
The detailed artwork and refreshing green spaces at Mela Masters of Indian Food are impressive, but their budget-friendly and home-style dishes are the real stars.
Topping the menu is rarha chicken, a fragrant North Indian staple that’s slow-cooked with cumin, coriander, and garam masala. Its main draw is the melt-in-your-mouth meat and spice-heavy sauce accenting the chicken’s natural flavors.
To tone the boldness down, you should try the pista kulfi. This Indian ice cream can lighten things up with its sweet and nutty profile, courtesy of pistachios.
Tip: If traveling to Blair Athol sounds like a hassle, just order online.
Chaska Chaat Ka
From halaladelaide
Address: 140 Prospect Rd, Prospect
Contact Details: 0480 724 804
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Thu – 11 am to 11 pm
- Fri to Sat – 11 am to 12 am
- Sun – 11 am to 11 pm
Saying no to Chaska Chaat Ka’s sensational Indian street food? That’s a foodie crime you should never commit.
Their selection is the biggest on this list, with bites like South Indian fried lentil donuts, spicy paneer, steamed rice cakes, toasted bread topped with avocado, and Bombay-style sandwiches.
You can even snag and savor creamy paneer skewers, best paired with syrup-soaked dumplings and kulfi, aka Indian ice cream (it’s a shame we don’t see more of this in ice cream shops).
Tip: Chaska Chaat Ka’s menu regularly gets new meals. Be ahead of the curve by visiting their Facebook for announcements.
Taste of Bollywood
From tasteofbollywood
Address: 130 Port Rd, Hindmarsh
Contact Details: (08) 7226 6822
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 4:30 pm to 10 pm
- Thu to Sun – 4:30 pm to 12 am
If you’re craving authentic North Indian curries right in North Adelaide, Taste of Bollywood is one of the top places to drop by.
Lamb chop curry is our go-to diet-buster here. Herby tandoori lamb chops infused with a robust tomato and onion-based sauce? There’s no resisting this one.
Their goat curry is a close second. The soft meat rests in the same sauce, but this pick is slightly gamier and more expensive.
Tip: You’ll find generous discounts and special offers by heading to Taste of Bollywood’s Instagram.
Pure Veg Indian Tiffin Service
From purevegindiantiffinservice
Address: Unit 3/87 Torrens Rd, Brompton
Contact Details: 0483 845 442
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 10:30 am to 9 pm
- Sat – 10:30 am to 2 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
- Sun – 10:30 am to 9 pm
Vegetarian Indian food that doesn’t taste like cardboard landed Pure Veg Indian Tiffin Service a spot on our list.
The best way to experience their food is by going with their thali options, platters consisting of regular-sized curries of the day, a dollop of yogurt, fluffy rotis, and tangy pickles.
Choosing the paneer pyaz paratha plate is also an easy decision, boasting two golden-brown paranthas (Indian flatbread) with cottage cheese and onions. This pick is ideal for those with a big appetite, as it also comes with curd and pickle.
Tip: The menu here changes weekly. Updates are often posted on Facebook, but you can also call them through the number above for the deets.
Nala Bhima Kitchen’s Restaurant
From nalabhimakitchensfoodtruck
Address: Shop 3, 101/103 Prospect Rd
Contact Details: 0468 420 396
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – 5 pm to 11 pm
- Thu to Sat – 5 pm to 11 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm
Nala Bhima Kitchen’s Restaurant shows that South Indian cuisine can shine just as brightly from an upmarket eatery as it does from a casual food truck.
If you don’t believe us, give their time-honored food a shot, starting with idly. This South Indian cake is loved and praised for its fluffiness and mild flavor, making it an ideal brekky bite.
On top of that, this “on-wheels” haunt has banger deep-fried lentil fritters, chilies with potato filling, and savory pancakes.
Tip: This restaurant caters to all sorts of parties and occasions. Call the number above if you have an upcoming bash.
Bombay Bicycle Club
From bombaybicycleclubadl
Address: 29 Torrens Rd, Ovingham
Contact Details: (08) 8269 4455
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 9 am to 12 am
- Thu to Sat – 9 am to 3 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 12 am
Bombay Bicycle Club’s “bikes-on-the-ceiling” aesthetics and pocket-friendly Indian bites are a combo that has us returning more often than we’d like to admit.
The last time our team was here, we had tikka masala, a curry dish with well-marinated pieces of tenderized chicken. Its flavor is smoky with a hint of sweetness and tanginess from yogurt and tomatoes.
We coupled and finished off the tikka masala with basmati rice, known for slender, light grains that don’t lack aroma. Their bold and gentle profiles came together flawlessly, making for a meal that’s Indian to the core.
Tip: Looking for post-dining fun? Test your skill and luck at Bombay Bicycle Club’s gaming room.
