Whether you love the hot and spicy flavours from the South, chilli curries from the East, the coconut and seafood flavours from the West, or the Northern tandoori and korma dishes, Indian cuisine is always a delicious one to explore.

While we all usually have our go-to local Indian restaurant, we love expanding our dining horizons. Here's our guide to Indian restaurants in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie to help you find your new favourite.

Avatara Restaurant

Avatara Restaurant has become known for its hand-crafted traditional curries, with flavours from both Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Our Sub-Editor and Accounts Manager Jas is a frequent diner at Avatara, and is a big fan of the Goan prawn curry.
Where: 161 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Bay of India

A favourite with locals looking for a quality hit of fresh Indian flavour, Bay of India in Warners Bay is a convenient takeaway Indian joint. Lucked out with nice weather? Grab your curries and naan and take them down to the lake to enjoy while you watch the sunset.
Where: 65 King St, Warners Bay

Calamari Kitchen & Bar

Opening up in the former SUBO restaurant space, Calamari Kitchen & Bar offers a unique blend of traditional flavours infused with coastal influences to create an interest contemporary Indian dining experience. The calamari – the venue's eponymous dish – is excellent, as is the seafood broth.
Where: 551D Hunter St, Newcastle West

Delicacy of India

The southern area of Lake Macquarie doesn't miss out when it comes to the aromatic flavours of Indian cuisine, with Delicacy of India consistently delivering the goods. A favourite among locals, if you're in the area it’s well worth checking out.
Where: Bake House Ln, Morisset

Gandha’s

An institution in the Newcastle food scene, Gandha's has been serving Indian food lovers since 1986. This neighbourhood restaurant always packs a punch with its generous servings, plentiful spice, and abundant vegetarian options.
Where: 103 Regent St, New Lambton

Himalayan Taj

A more recent addition to Adamstown’s foodie scene, Himalayan Taj focuses on Northern Indian cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients. Whether you dine in or order takeaway, you'll be able to choose from an extensive menu with all of your favourite curries, plus a few dishes that you won't find on every Indian menu in town.
Where: 267 Brunker Rd, Adamstown

Indian Treasure

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the street front, Indian Treasure is exactly what the name suggests – a bit of a hidden treasure on Darby Street! Head in for traditional curries and biryani, plus dishes you won't find at all Indian restaurants in Newcastle, like dosa and papdi chaat.
Where: 6/115 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Kings XI Indian Restaurant

The cosy interiors at Kings XI Indian Restaurant provide the perfect space to experience some of Newcastle's best Indian cuisine. The extensive menu covers flavours from a variety of regions of India, with some highlights including the Lamb Korma and Hyderabadi Biryani.
Where: 100 Beaumont St, Hamilton

The Puff House

The Puff House is the spot to go if you're craving Indian street food, whether it's for a quick snack or a full meal. The paratha rolls – wraps made with paratha, an Indian flatbread, and stuffed with vegetables, spices, and herbs – are a favourite, as are the range of puffs, featuring flaky pastries filled with ingredients like chicken, paneer, or vegetables.
Where: 47 Belford St, Broadmeadow

Punjabeez Indian Restaurant

For those at the south end of the lake, your Indian needs are covered at Punjabeez. Offering an extensive list of dishes to choose from, with plenty of vegetarian options, you'll be wanting to order one of everything. If you're finding it hard to pick, take the banquet option and try a little bit of everything.
Where: 2/3 Short St, Morisset

Punjab Pavilion

Hidden away upstairs on Hunter Street is Punjab Pavilion. The restaurant is spacious, making it great for large groups (or private events), and the food is delicious. The butter chicken here always hits the spot!
Where: 265 Hunter St, Newcastle

Raj's Corner

If you like your Indian fast, tasty, and loaded with spicy flavours, Raj’s Corner, either in Hamilton, Glendale, or Charlestown, is where you need to go. Just be prepared to line up when it's peak hour! The Charlestown location even has a drive thru, so you can get your hands on a curry without even leaving your car.
Where: 116 Beaumont St, Hamilton | 43/387 Lake Rd, Glendale | 317 Pacific Hwy, Charlestown

Sapphire Indian Restaurant

A suburban gem, Sapphire Indian Restaurant packs in some serious flavour together with its buzzing atmosphere. Specialising in North Indian cuisine, Sapphire is known for dishes like its lamb cutlets, nazuk kofta, and goat madras. We love ordering plenty of starters here to enjoy before our main, like the chilli paneer, tandoori chicken wings, and veg manchurian.
Where: 367 Glebe Rd, Merewether

Spice Affairs Indian Restaurant

Spice Affairs Indian Restaurant is one of the few Indian joints in town that opens in the morning, offering authentic tandoori parathe – flatbreads stuffed with vegetables and served with yoghurt, butter, and mixed pickle. The tastiness continues into lunch and dinner, with the restaurant even serving a range of burgers with signature Indian flavours.
Where: 128 Elder St, Lambton

The Bhakti Tree

Rich aromas and a calm atmosphere are what you can expect to find at The Bhakti Tree in Mayfield West, together with those often hard-to-find South Indian flavours. This spot is fully vegetarian and has plenty of vegan options, so plant-based diners will be satisfied, plus it also has to be one of the cheapest Indian feeds around town.
Where: 410 Maitland Rd, Mayfield

The Grand Pavilion

Located on the waterfront of Warners Bay, and just around the corner from the Bay of India, is where you'll find another quality Indian restaurant. What makes The Grand Pavilion unique is its Indochinese menu options. Similar to South Indian food, the fusion of Indian and Chinese flavours is difficult to come by in the area.
Where: 452 The Esplanade, Warners Bay

Zaffran Indian Restaurant

The extensive menu at Zaffran Indian Restaurant covers all the favourites, including an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu. The banquet is also particularly good value, starting at $52.90 per person
Where: 226 King St, Newcastle

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