For rich dishes packed with heat and flavour, the Indian restaurants in Hong Kong know how to keep you wanting more. So, whether you’re craving the good ol’ butter chicken or just want something new to try, you can’t ever go wrong with Indian food. Below are the best spots for Indian food in Hong Kong.
Ah, “Indian” food — a loose catch-all for the regional cuisines of over a billion people. Hong Kong, though, is home to over 84,000 South Asians. Many of them trace their roots in the city back to colonial times when the Indian subcontinent, other parts of South Asia, and Hong Kong were all under British rule. In fact, the first policemen in Hong Kong were British officers and Sikh constables, who came from Punjab. Indians have also played a hand in the creation of some iconic Hong Kong organisations, including the Star Ferry, the University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Association, to name a few.
But coming back to Indian food, there’s no right time or way to enjoy this aromatic and flavourful cuisine. Whether you’re looking for fine dining options or casual street food bites, Hong Kong has plenty to offer. Each restaurant really puts the unique and exquisite flavours that Indian cuisine is so well-loved for. Plus, it’s made with love. So just have faith in us, we won’t steer you wrong. All you have to do is show up and relish the food. Here’s our roundup of the best Indian restaurants in town.
Where to find the best Indian restaurants in Hong Kong
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Leela
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With chef Manav Tuli at the helm, you know you’re in good hands at Leela. The modern Indian restaurant by JIA Group celebrates the rich and diverse culinary traditions of India. Plus, they embrace sustainability and champion local sourcing. The signature dishes take diners on a gastronomic journey through the rich flavours of Indian cuisine. One such dish is the Laal Maas, a famous spicy lamb curry from Rajasthan, traditionally made with Mathania chilli and smoked with charcoal and clove tableside. Another standout is the Chicken Tikka Kulcha, a traditional Persian dish combining juicy grilled chicken with Indian flatbread. There’s also the Kandhari Lamb Chop and Thrissur Crab Curry to indulge in.
LSA recommends: Kandhari Lamb Chop, Kerala Seafood Biryani, Thrissur Crab Curry, Laal Maas, Chicken Tikka Kulcha
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Prince and the Peacock
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Dine like a royal at the Prince and the Peacock. This Indian restaurant by Black Sheep Restaurants is an ode to the opulence and beauty of India’s royal courts. Chef Palash Mitra draws inspiration from an era of lavish feasts to create a menu that honours the rich blend of Indian cuisine. Experience the splendour of royal dining with dishes that range from HKD 23 to HKD 238. The Patti Samosa might be known as a street food but chef Palash’s take marries the spiced chicken with Poona onions and curry leaves. The Nalli Gosht Biryani gets the same treatment, melding Australian grass-fed lamb shank and ribs with aged basmati rice. Whatever you pick, we’re sure that you’ll have a lip-smacking meal like no other.
LSA recommends: Boti Kebab, Nalli Gosht Biryani, Dal Moradabad, Patti Samosa
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Veda
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When it comes to vegetarian Indian food, Veda is at the top of the list. The fine-dining Indian restaurant offers a diverse selection of soulful vegetarian dishes that draw inspiration from traditional recipes found in many Indian households. Savour dishes that boast a unique fusion of flavours and textures that encapsulate the rich essence of Indian cuisine. The signature dish, the dosa, is a delicate South Indian-style crepe that comes with vegetable stew and coconut chutney. Diners can pick from various dosa options including Potato Masala Dosa and Pesto Paneer Dosa. For a more hearty meal, order the Roasted Alloo Gobi or the Grilled Paneer. Additionally, the Crispy Lace Momo is an amazing choice for sharing.
LSA recommends: Roasted Aloo Gobi, Avo Chaat, Crispy Lace Momo, Pesto Paneer Dosa, Grilled Paneer
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Chaat
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If there’s one thing that Hongkongers agree with when it comes to Chaat, it is that it’s so good. In fact that when the one Michelin-starred restaurant just opened, it was always fully booked. The chance to dine at the restaurant is so sought-after that you’d have to be on the waiting list. Chefs Gaurav Kuthari and Dhiraj Kumar just take great care when crafting menus, really paying attention to detail to bring us heritage-steeped dishes that reflect various regions and histories of India. This is the place for elevated, modern takes on classic favourites, from jackfruit samosas to slow-cooked classics like an old Delhi butter chicken and a lamb dum biryani. But do come during Diwali as the restaurant serves an exclusive one-night-only tasting menu. As with the regular dishes, you can expect the elaborate menu to be bursting with flavours.
LSA recommends: Baked Samosa, Raj Kachori, Old Delhi Butter Chicken, Pistachio Kulfi, Tandoor Wagyu Beef, Salem Fish Curry
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New Punjab Club
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Black Sheep Restaurants’s New Punjab Club says it “harkens back to post-colonial Pakistan and India”. That’s an India mention, so it still makes the list in our books. As the world’s first Punjabi restaurant to receive a Michelin Star, you can really expect a well-thought-out take on an often misrepresented cuisine, complete with Black Sheep’s expert touch. The interiors, the tandoor oven-focused menus and the concise cocktail list all make for a lavish and authentic Punjabi experience. Think spice-marinated chicken and grilled lamb chops. Ask your servers to explain more about the dishes to you because that itself is a culinary journey.
LSA recommends: Keema Pau, Samosa Chaat, Tandoori Cobia, Murgh Tika Angar, Palak Paneer
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Chaiwala
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Chaiwala is an experience, a bit of an adventure if you will. You have to access it via the entrance of the British bar Hugger Mugger, going through a red door with a button to press, followed by stairs. Don’t let that stop you though because we guarantee, the “trouble” is worth it. Chaiwala serves up modern Indian cuisine. It’s complete with a marked-out map and glossary to help you on your journey through famous street food, clay tandoor classics, and a few fusion takes. While every dish is served well throughout the day, we highly recommend going for brunch and filling yourselves up with crave-worthy curries. Highlights also include Old Delhi Chicken, Gosht Kofta, and Saag Peneer. Wash down all the spice with the best sweets from Gulab Jumun to the signature Chaiwala Carrot.
LSA recommends: Aloo Tikka Chaat, Pani Puri, Old Delhi Butter Chicken, Pink Salt Salmon
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Rajasthan Rifles
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Rajasthan Rifles celebrates the best of Anglo-Indian cuisine and a reimagination of what the Officers’ mess hall during that time would have served. The space boasts deep wooden accents and vibrant decor that usher in nostalgic feelings. Chef Palash Mitra is a master of his craft (and cooking) and it’s evident in the delectable dishes, from chutney to curry. You can’t ever go wrong with the Butter Chicken but the Chicken Tikka is also worth a try. For us, the Shahlik Paneer and Beef Seekh Kebab steal the spotlight.
LSA recommends: Rajasthan Rifles Club Sandwich, Beef Seekh Kebab, Butter Chicken, Shalik Paneer, Chicken Tikka
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Bengal Brothers
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Bengal Brothers used to be the go-to stop for Kathi rolls… until it reopened as a boozy canteen with dine-in seating. It still offers its signature Kathri rolls, as well as deliciously affordable regional Indian street food. Its co-founders, Vidur Yadav and Tanivr Bhasin want to pay tribute to the roadside stalls, daily canteens, and coffee houses in the country. Essentially, these places are the fuel that supports the community. With its expanded concept, diners can enjoy a range of street food favourites such as beer bites, curries, and roasts—all made for sharing. Standouts include the lip-smacking snack Prince’s Papri Chaat, flavourful Chettinad-style Lamb Curry, and all-time favourite Old Delhi Butter Chicken.
LSA recommends: Papri Chaat, Kolkata Beetroot Chops, Smoked Butter Chicken, Jackfruit Dum Biryani, Lamb Seekh Kebab Roll
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Bombay Dreams
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Something of an institution in Hong Kong, Bombay Dreams takes pride in being the first Indian restaurant in the city to be mentioned in the coveted Michelin Bib Guide (2009). And it continued to hold that recognition for the next 12 years. Chef Irshad Ahmed Qureshi is originally from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, and is a descendant of a special line of royal chefs who served the Nawabs (Mughal rulers). So, you know you’re in capable hands. We’d suggest going for the buffet lunch because it’s one of the best in town. The restaurant serves up a wide variety of traditional dishes from all over the country.
LSA recommends: Bombay Chilgoza Prawns, Chicken Makhni, Baingan Ka Bharta, Pindi Chole
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Jashan
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Just down the street from Bombay Dreams, Jashan also touts itself as one of the first Indian restaurants in the city to be mentioned in the Michelin Guide circa 2013. It’s also amassed a few notable awards, namely a Masterchef Recommendation Restaurant 2019 by the Asian Art of Cuisine Society and the GHM Cordons Bleus Recommendation Restaurant in 2016. Its menu features mainly North Indian classics, from gol gappe to chaat, kebab, tikka, and all sorts of meat and vegetarian specials. Plus, the food is halal.
LSA recommends: Tandoori Lamb Chop, Murgh Tikka Chaat, Hyderabad Gosht Biryani, Kashmiri Rogan Josh, Kadak Jhinga
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Gaylord Indian Restaurant
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This wouldn’t be a fair list without a few Tsim Sha Tsui mentions, especially the culinary landmark, Gaylord Indian Restaurant. Established in 1972 and boasting a Michelin Guide nod, Gaylord is a classic Indian restaurant, with vintage-looking interiors and a big banquet-style feel. You’ll find traditional favourites and a few new innovations. Go here for a big, family-style meal.
LSA recommends: Truffle Butter Chicken, Kadai Prawns, Dal Makhani, Saffron Basmati Pulao Rice, Pala Patta Chaat
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Chutney Tandoor House
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No list of Indian restaurants is complete without Chutney Tandoor House. Given the wealth of cuisines across the sub-continent, it’s difficult to find a place where you can get a taste of everything. Chutney Tandoor House is probably the closest you will get as the restaurant weaves in dishes across India’s regions and recipes influenced by its neighbours. The diverse culinary expertise of Delhi-born chef Virender Kumar further elevates the menu. The star of the restaurant is undoubtedly the tandoor dishes so it’s no surprise that the two open kitchen houses have two tailor-made tandoor ovens. That said, we highly recommend the Tandoori Cauliflower, Tandoori Octopus, and Tandoori Masala Lamb Chops.
LSA recommends: Keema Pav, Tandoori Cauliflower or Tandoori Octopus, Fish Moilee Curry, Punjabi Samosa, Tandoori Masala Lamb Chomps
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Nine One
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After years of working as a private chef with numerous successful pop-up dinners under her belt, Indian chef Samaira Kavatkar finally opened her own restaurant. Nine One celebrates the rich history of India offering diverse cuisine as colourful as the country itself. Kavatkar draws inspiration from her Indian-Portuguese roots to present refreshing dishes. Indulge in a range of saucy snacks and small plates to start before moving to street-inspired Kathi wrap rolls and pao-walli, as well as time-honoured classic braises and slow-cooked dishes. Fans of her cooking can expect pop-up favourites to return such as the East Indian Lamb Potato Chop, Green Pea Chutney, and Kachumber. Vegetarians can get the Summer On A Plate, the restaurant’s version of tomato and burrata salad, reimagined with homemade chatpata chutney.
LSA Recommends: Chutney Set, East Indian Lamb Potato Chop, Chicken Khuddi, Pan-fried Stuffed Whole Hirva Pomfret, Roasted Three Yellow Chicken with Bottle Masala, Saffron-infused Cantaloupe Rabdi
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Papa Gomes
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Look, there are two Papa Gomes in Hong Kong but both are owned by the Gomes family. Papa Gomes in Mid-Levels offers more traditional dishes while Papa Gomes 2.0 in Hollywood Road serves up fast food with a twist. The Gomes brand made a name for their clay pot biryanis but their humble beginnings are just as impressive. Chef Monu Gomes started his career as a dishwasher in Delhi and made his way up to become a Chef de Partie before heading to Hong Kong. Whether it’s the Papa Gomes OG or the 2.0 branch, we guarantee it’ll be a comforting Indian meal at the family-run eateries.
LSA recommends: Claypot Biryani, Smoked Chicken Tikka, Aloo Gobhi Mutter, South Indian Dal Tadka, Tandoori Norweigan Salmon
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Featured Image credit: Chaiwala, Hero Image credit: Veda
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, Hong Kong has many Indian restaurants with many dishes on the menu.
Some Indian restaurants reserve alcohol such as Veda.
Most Indian restaurants in Hong Kong have indoor seating only. However, there are a few that have al fresco, outdoor options such as Gaylord Indian Restaurant.
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