Five to try: SEQ Indian restaurants redefining the curry scene
Five extraordinary Indian restaurants have mastered everything from Mumbai street food to five-star hotel cuisine across South East Queensland.
Indian Room, Milton (@indianroomau)
This place is the kind of restaurant I wish I lived down the street from. With two venues, in Milton and West End, it’s certainly making its mark, but the Milton venue is by far my favourite, and for good reason too! By day, it’s a brunch cafe with a twist. No eggs on toast, here you’ll find Indian jaffles stuffed with spiced chicken and cheese, or even ghost pepper spiced scramble that far outdoes any ‘standard’ breakfast. By night, the energy changes with the menu, think dimmed lights, smoking tandoor aromas, and a “street eats” menu that feels like a tiny Mumbai alley in Brisbane. Their “feed-me banquet” option is pure joy for a group with share plates of samosas, lentils, curries, wholemeal rotis and naan, and finished with sweets like gulab jamun.
5/55 Railway Tce, Milton
Its Mirchi Healthy Indian, Paddington and Stafford (@itsmirchihealthyindian)
This is not your standard curry joint, and that’s exactly why it stands out. Its Mirchi brands itself as “Healthy Indian™”, and they really do deliver on that promise, without compromising on those bold, rich flavours you expect from Indian cuisine. With a menu packed full of organic ingredients, and priding itself on its low oil and no MSG dishes, Its Mirchi caters to every diet, including vegan, dairy, nut and gluten-free. They even have a gluten-free naan unique to their kitchen. The ambience leans bright and clean, and the staff are ready to walk you through menu options if you’re unsure. It’s the kind of place where you can get a full curry feast but later feel like you did your body a favour. No greasy shame, just fresh flavour that packs a punch on your tastebuds, not on your health.
284 Given Terrace, Paddington
Paddington Curry House, Paddington (@paddington.curryhouse)
Indian cuisine is one of those that just feels comforting, the warm spices, the passion poured into every dish, and Paddington Curry House is one spot that makes you feel every bit enveloped. From its food to its vibe, it is the epitome of a comfort food experience. The decor is cozy, the lighting warm, and their staff make you feel like an honoured guest, even if you are just passing through for that post-work takeaway. The menu beautifully blends India and Nepal, think samosas, memo dumplings, aloo gobi, saag-paneer and signature curries. Their chef’s background in a five-star Indian hotel shines through in every dish. They cater to vegans and vegetarians, too, and the BYO option (for wine) simply adds to its cozy appeal.
3/147 Latrobe Tce, Paddington
The Spice Hut, Baringa (Sunshine Coast) (@thespicehutbaringa)
Up on the Sunshine Coast, The Spice Hut in Baringa is a firm local favourite, and its no surprise. Nestled in the Stockland centre, it could’ve been just another food court curry shop, but instead this surprising little joint oozes authenticity and variety. As with so many Indian restaurants, their menu is broad, covering all those basic staples like butter chicken, rogan josh and vindaloo, with more adventurous dishes like homestyle, bone-in goat curry and butter prawns and fish, alongside an abundance of bold side dishes and snacks. The prices and the space at The Spice Hut well and truly exude “this is proper curry, but local” energy, without compromising on quality. The ambience is casual and friendly, ideal for families, locals or those chasing a decent curry without trekking into the city.
7/1 Edwards Tce, Baringa
Indian Empire, Runaway Bay (@indianempire)
Take a drive out to Runaway Bay and you’ll find a little local secret in Indian Empire. This suburban gem is a true homage to authentic Indian cuisine, and you can absolutely expect to feel like you’ve teleported right to the heart of India with every bite. Everything is made in house and from scratch, and their philosophy is centred wholly around celebrating and sharing their culture with the Gold Coast. The butter chicken here is a staple, as are the cheese naans and prawn masala. Their banquet deals (for singles, pairs, triples) make it easy to dive in without overthinking, but take a trek into the whole menu for more options than you can imagine, and every one is worth a try. There’s even a dedicated kids menu, with options like mango and kid-friendly butter chicken, making it perfect for a whole family affair.
3/455 Oxley Dr, Runaway Bay
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