Southsiders have been missing Curtin cult favourite Daana. But what other Indian restaurants are wowing the south of Canberra? Photo: Daana.
A classic Indian meal is a winner for just about everyone: from those who find pepper too spicy, all the way up to the chilli freaks who like it hot! We set tongues wagging with our five favourite Indian restaurants in Canberra’s north, so we’re back to see what the south has to offer!
Since much-beloved Curtin restaurant Daana closed in 2023, we’ve been looking for a new top contender to take its place. Here are a few of our faves.
The sweets at Bharat International — such as these ”jabeli” — are excellent. Photo: Bharat International/Facebook.
Bharat International, Phillip
This Indian grocer in Phillip is a delightful place to peruse the shelves for specialty ingredients, equipment, and homewares. But once you’ve finished filling your basket, it’s well worth sitting down to fill your tummy with a meal from its in-house restaurant.
It’s a super-casual affair, but the food here is top rate. I recommend choosing a thali plate – there are several options – which gives you the chance to try many small dishes at once. The masala dosa is also very good, and there’s a big counter of traditional sweets available by the kilo. Don’t miss your chance to try jabeli (coiled fried dough soaked in sugar syrup) or cashew burfi. Sometimes at the counter they have grab-and-go vada pav (fried potato dumpling in a soft bread roll) or hot samosas, which make an excellent snack if you don’t have time to sit down for a meal.
Mini Gaundar, owner of Rama’s Fiji Indian Restaurant in Pearce, has been serving the Canberra community since 1991. Photo: Rama’s Fiji Indian, Facebook.
Rama’s Fiji Indian Cuisine, Pearce
Rama’s is, quite simply, a Canberra institution. Run for more than 30 years by Mini Gaundar and her sister Daya, Rama’s is the lifeblood of Pearce shops. Their Fiji Indian curries have been enjoyed by generations of Canberrans, and Mini provides exceptional service, with a knack for remembering names, faces, and favourite orders of returning customers.
While many Indian and Fiji-Indian dishes are similar, Fiji-Indian cooking has its own quirks, traditions and flavour profile, such as Rama’s Fijian pork curry. Part of the charm at Rama’s is the consistency. Even with long breaks between visits, I know that every time I go, the food will be as good as I remember and Mini will always be a warm, welcoming presence.
Barbecue Nation isn’t selling snags; it makes great Indian food (plenty of it grilled!). Photo: Barbecue Nation/Facebook.
Barbecue Nation, Erindale
Don’t let the name fool you: this Erindale favourite doesn’t sell snags! Rather, the ”barbecue” is more about the menu’s range of grilled skewers, a popular method of cooking, particularly in the northern parts of India where the lingering impacts of Mughal cuisine can still be seen in the food. The Mughal empire once stretched across northern India, through to modern-day Afghanistan. This is exemplified in dishes such as tikka chicken or paneer and seekh kebab, as well as a Mughal-style marinated leg of lamb.
Barbecue Nation also has a range of Indo-Chinese dishes such as chicken fried rice and Gobi Manchurian (spicy fried cauliflower). But if you’re looking for standard curry fare, this eatery delivers in spades: madras and malai kofta are particularly good.
Punjabi Hut also offers catering. Photo: Punjabi Hut/Facebook.
Punjabi Hut, Erindale
Punjabi Hut specialises in northern Indian cuisine – particularly Punjabi, as the name suggests – with a focus on tandoor-cooked meats and breads. The restaurant is particularly loved by my southside friends for its butter chicken, with the meat first cooked in the tandoor, taking on smoky, charred flavours that soften in the creamy gravy, creating a nuanced dish that is anything but ”basic’’. The Punjabi-style biriyani is also special.
There’s also a strong focus on catering for large functions, and the owners have opened a second location in Queanbeyan for friends across the border.
This newcomer to the scene has been added to our list! Photo: The Lotus Indian/Instagram.
The Lotus Indian, Griffith
Full disclosure: we’ve yet to visit The Lotus at Griffith shops, but it’s going to the top of our to-try list in the new year. The large space formerly occupied by fine diner Aubergine at Griffith shops had been empty since Ben Willis announced its closure in 2022.
It’s an ambitious project to serve premium, elevated Indian food — a cuisine often viewed as a casual option – but a glimpse of the menu online has us intrigued and excited to see whether they’ve pulled it off.
What are your favourite Indian restaurants in Canberra’s south? If you missed our list from the northside, click here.
