Best of the West: Is Chatkazz Sydney’s best Indian restaurant?

If your definition of Indian food stops at Butter Chicken and naan bread, it’s time to pay this street food restaurant in Sydney’s west a visit.

With more than 40 chefs, 250 dishes on the menu and a booming franchise which is set to move interstate – there is little doubt Chatkazz is among Sydney’s best Indian eateries.

The restaurant which specialises in street food opened its first store in Sydney’s little India, Harris Park, before opening another in Norwest.

Chatkazz Norwest general manager Shyam Morad said the fully vegetarian restaurant is popular because of its ability to bring customers something from every corner of India.

Aanchal (right) and Parneet Bhatia enjoying the food at Chatkazz Bella Vista, one of Sydney’s most popular Indian restaurants. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“For example, Chole Bhatura is from north India but we also have south Indian dishes and Indochinese food, sweets, and items special to Mumbai like vada pav,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“You will get to experience every part of Indian street food here. We are pure vegetarian, we even do an eggless cake.”

And if 250 dishes weren’t enough, the restaurant also offers seasonal specials such as the dry fruit lassi – a rose flavoured milkshake topped with dry fruits, perfect for the summer.

Pav bhaji is a popular street food and one of their top five dishes. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Owner Hardik Kanabar said the restaurant manages to excel in each of India’s diverse regional cuisines thanks to a mega team of more than 40 chefs.

The investment in talent has certainly paid off – with the chain now opening a restaurant in Adelaide to cater to the booming Indian population there.

“When we moved to Sydney (from Mumbai) we couldn’t find the street food we grew up eating so we thought let’s start a restaurant with that and it has done very well,” Mr Kanabar said.

Diners love the restaurant for its diverse menu. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The dry fruit lassi is one of their numerous seasonal specials. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Diners Aanchal and Parneet Bhatia are regulars and love it for its expansive menu.

“Indian food is so diverse. The flavours, ingredients and cooking techniques differ so much between states and towns but at Chatkazz, there is a bit of everything,” Ms Bhatia said.

“You can try the more popular food like naan and paneer but also the dishes that aren’t so popular outside of India like vada pav and Indochinese food. As a vegetarian, I also love that it’s entirely vegetarian and we are so spoiled for choice.”

TOP 5 DISHES TO TRY AT CHATKAZZ:

• Dahi Puri, $8.90

Small crispy puffed breads mixed with boiled potato, chickpeas and topped with chilled yoghurt and various chutneys.

• Chole Bhatura, $13.90

Spicy chickpeas curry served with fried Indian bread, pickle and onions.

• Jini Dosa, $14.90

A fusion of a traditional south Indian dosa with the flavours of Mumbai streets. It’s a crispy crepe rolled up with cheese, veggies and a spicy chutney and served with south Indian condiments.

• Pav Bhaji, $12.40

Spicy vegetable curry served with toasted buttered bread roll, onion salad and papadam.

• Dry Fruit Lassi, seasonal special

Rose flavoured milk shake topped with dry fruits.