If you are looking for delicious Indian food, Canberra has plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from. From traditional curries to modern dishes, there is something for everyone. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best Indian restaurants in Canberra and some of the most popular dishes.
Skip to the list of Canberra's best Indian restaurants
- Blu Ginger
- Daana
- Delhi to Canberra
- Rama’s Fiji Indian Restaurant
- Mirchi
- Spice Affair
- Spice Route
- Sweet Mahal
- Taj Mahal
What makes a great Indian restaurant?
There are many things that make a great Indian restaurant, here are a few of the key qualities to look out for.
Quality food: Indian food should be rich with flavour and spice and also providing a variety of options. From delicious curries and starters, to quality breads and rice, the best Indian restaurants can deliver them all.
Pleasant atmosphere: A great Indian restaurant will have colorful decor and provide a pleasant environment to enjoy a nice meal.
Excellent service: Good service is essential in any Indian restaurant where meals can often be complex and take some time to prepare.
When all of these elements come together, you will enjoy delicious Indian food and a terrific dining experience.
What are the most popular Indian dishes?
There are many popular Indian dishes and some of the most well-known include chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, and vindaloo.
- Chicken tikka masala is a dish of marinated and grilled chicken in a spiced tomato cream sauce.
- Butter chicken is a rich and creamy dish made with cooked chicken in a tomato-based sauce.
- Vindaloo is a fiery dish made with potatoes, chilies, and spices.
Other popular Indian dishes include naan (a flatbread), biryani (a rice dish), and dal (a lentil dish). Indian food is often served with rice or bread, and it is typically quite spicy.
The best Indian restaurants in Canberra 2024
To be listed as one of Canberra’s best, Canberra Daily requires them to have maintained a track record of positive reviews on Google and Facebook, with a minimum average of 4/5 stars. The Google ratings shown were updated January 2023.
We also check to see if they have verified customer reviews.
When looking for tasty Indian food in Canberra, check out our list of Canberra Daily’s best local restaurants below.
Spice Route
Located at the quiet Torrens shops, Spice Route Indian Restaurant delivers Indian food that is spicy, rich, flavourful and diverse.
They offer a cuisine with whole palette of flavours—spicy, sour, sweet, and hot all at the same time, to fulfil cravings for all Indian food lovers. They have a range of meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes and their butter chicken is one of the best in Canberra.
Spice Route offers dine-in, take away, home delivery and outdoor/indoor catering services.
Ieena Sharma wrote this five-star review on Google; “Firstly I really appreciated the delivery at such short notice. Food was excellent and the quantity of food was generous as well. Was the right temperature when served. Thank you Team for the outstanding service. Highly recommended.”
Daana
Daana is one of the region’s most popular restaurants, offering authentic and award winning Indian cuisine that delights diners.
Everything from the exquisite decor, to the delicious food allows you to be fully immersed in an Indian cultural experience like no other.
Daana was awarded the best Indian restaurant in Australia at the 2022 Hostplus Restaurant and Catering Awards.
Alexander Corbet wrote this five star review on Google; “Best Indian in Canberra by far. Fresh spices, amazing flavour. The restaurant is a lovely space, with huge tables and the acoustics mean you can actually hear each other speak. The waiters are all absolutely lovely… I will be coming back asap.”
Blu Ginger
Blu Ginger is one of Canberra’s most well-known Indian restaurants, offering diners a delicious meal in a pleasant, spacious room.
Their talented chef, Mr Hari Prasad Sharma, has more than 28 years experience in the kitchens of major hotels in India, Japan and Australia, and draws upon the many culinary regions of India to create a truly modern and authentic menu.
Matthew Yong-O’Gorman wrote this five star review on Google; “Fantastic mix of flavours and spices. Very good service, beautiful decor and not overly expensive either.”
Mirchi
Since opening its doors in 2008, Mirchi has established itself as one of the finest Indian restaurants in Canberra through its quality food and reasonable prices.
The menu offer a variety of delicacies and unique flavours, while the chef is passionate about providing an authentic Indian experience.
Daniel Brunt left this five star review on Google; “This is our favourite Indian restaurant in Canberra, the quality of the food is outstanding. We use butter chicken as the control. The goat is really good, tender and delicious. Medium spicy is the best!”
Spice Affair
Spice Affair offers a variety of dishes from different regions of India, with a commitment to using fresh ingredients and no preservatives.
The restaurant has become a favourite amongst locals, particularly in the Gungahlin area, and is a great place to enjoy a hearty Indian meal with friends and family.
Vander Leal left this five star review on Google; “Spice Affair is easily the best Indian restaurant in Gungahlin area. The food is cooked, served and presented with incredible care. Never disappoints.”
Sweet Mahal
Located in Amaroo, Sweet Mahal offers a variety of delicious, authentic Indian food.
They have a range of tasty entrees, mains and side dishes as well as several Indian sweets to enjoy.
On Google, Sannyboi wrote this review; “Ordered delivery. Arrived early and was absolutely amazing. Delivery driver was polite and the food was delicious. Great Korma and the Samosa was the best we’ve ever had. Will definitely be going back here when my partner and I need our date night Indian. The Samosa… oh my god. Great.”
Rama's Fiji Indian Restaurant
Rama’s was established in 1991 and has become one of Canberra’s favourite and longest standing restaurants.
They offer classic Indian favourites such as Vindaloo’s and Korma’s, but are also influenced by the Fiji style, making Rama’s cuisine a slightly different approach to traditional Indian cuisine.
Rama’s can seat up to 70 diners inside, while there is also outdoor dining for the warmer weather.
Kim van Rijssen left this five star review on Google; “Very friendly service, amazing Indian food, lovely atmosphere. I am not surprised this restaurant gets such positive reviews. Loved it.”
Delhi to Canberra
Located at the quiet Melba shops, Delhi to Canberra serves outstanding food in a nice atmosphere.
They use quality, fresh ingredients and have crafted an extensive menu of delicious Indian food, including favourites such as butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, beef vindaloo and plenty more.
Lauren Williams left this glowing review on Google: “We regularly get take away but this was our first dine in experience. Service was fantastic, as was the food. The home style chicken curry is delicious. We will be back.”
Taj Mahal
Centrally located in the heart of the city, Taj Mahal is a family business serving home-style authentic Indian meals.
The fully licensed venue serves mouth-watering beef. lamb, chicken, vegetable, tandoori and fish dishes at a reasonable price.
On Google, Rebekah Antognellil wrote this five star review; “Cannot recommend this place enough! Our waiter was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. The food was fresh, fragrant, and very tasty. The atmosphere was really lovely as well. Super reasonably priced, and would definitely eat here all the time if we were locals…! Looking forward to coming back when we’re next in Canberra.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indian food healthy?
Indian food is typically considered good for you, as it is based on fresh vegetables and lean meats. In addition, the spices used in Indian cooking can offer a range of health benefits, such as boosting immunity and aiding digestion.
Is all Indian food spicy?
While spices are a key feature in most Indian dishes, the best restaurants will provide mild options for people that don’t like spicy food. If you are one of those people that struggles with spicy food, make sure to check with the staff about making your food mild.
What is the best Indian dish for first timers?
The best dish for people trying Indian food for the first time is butter chicken. It is one of the most popular foods and is typically quite mild. For vegetarians, a simple dal or paneer dish could be a good place to start. You can also try a starter like samosas and some naan bread to have with your curry.
What spices are most common in Indian food?
Indian cuisine is characterized by its use of spices, herbs, and other ingredients. Common spices include turmeric, cardamom, and cumin. Indian food is also often very flavorful, due to the addition of ginger, garlic, and chili peppers. While the exact origins of Indian cuisine are unclear, it is thought to have developed over thousands of years, with influences from Persia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Today, Indian food is enjoyed all over the world.
