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7 of the Best Authentic Indian Restaurants in Wellington

  • 7 min read
Vegan Naan at Little India

Indian Restaurants in Wellington

One of our favourite cuisines as vegans is Indian food. The mix of spices, combination of flavours, and variety of choices keeps us hooked. Plus, as it’s so often vegetarian, we’ve found that finding vegan options is easy! So, whether you’re eating out with friends or ordering in for yourself, here are some of the Indian Restaurants in Wellington that we can’t stop going back to.

Bikaner Restaurant

Located just outside of the city, Bikaner in Petone is one of the entirely vegetarian and vegan Indian restaurants in Wellington. They serve affordable, tasty food and offer a separate vegan menu. This includes a long list of both Northern and Southern Indian options, including 10 different kinds of hot delicious dosa!

They also have an Indo-Chinese section, where you can pick from chow mein, fried rice, Manchurian and a range of soups. It’s a super casual setting, however, they are always packed for a Sunday lunch! Bikaner is the perfect place if you’re looking for a bit of everything. Even offering a range of vegan sweets to satisfy that after-dinner sugar craving.

Restaurant located on Jackson St, Petone

Masala Dosa from vegan menu at Bikaner

Chaat Street by Vaibhav Vishen

Despite a small range of vegan options, Chaat Street‘s street food style sharing plates pack amazing flavours. Winners of Wellington on a Plates vegan burger last year it’s a great choice for an enjoyable sit-down meal.

More than your usual range of traditional Indian dishes, the chefs offer tapas-style dining. This creates a space for a sit-down family meal dining experience. Where you can share tasty aloo tiki chaat, creamy chole bhature and spicey pani puri with your friends and family. With a menu that changes monthly, we’re hoping they consider adding more vegan dishes in the future!

Restaurant located on Willis St, Te Aro, Wellington

Indian Restaurants in Wellington Chaat street

The First Choice Indian Restaurant (now closed)

The First Choice Indian Restaurant is one of the newer Indian Restaurants in Wellington city. And the vegans and vegetarians of Wellington welcome them with open arms!

The First Choice has the community excited by offering a vegan buffet starting from $13. With a range of curries, parathas, rice and snacks, there’s no doubt you’ll fill up your tummy with all the deliciously spiced food the chefs create!

And what’s more, they make a dairy-free Indian masala chai, that goes great with their plant-based pakora snacks. Also to note is that all of their food is free from garlic and onion!

Restaurant located on Manners St, Te Aro, Wellington

Indian Buffet in Wellington

Great India Restaurant

If you’re looking for somewhere to go before a show at the St James Theatre, and you feel like something tasty with a side of spice, look no further! Great India is one of the reliable Indian Restaurants in Wellington when looking for vegan eats.

The stuffed paratha is a must-have: a crisp masala bread to go with anything from the vegan vegetable kofta to the creamy saag aloo, or even the spicey channa masala. They give you warmed hand towels after your meal, so you and your tummy are well looked after when dining here!

Restaurant located on Manners St, Te Aro, Wellington

Aloo Gobi and Naan at Great India on Courtney Place

Jugnu’s Little India

Jugnu’s Little India is a Wellington classic. Eat in-store or take away to eat in the comfort of your own home. The warm vegetable curries and spiced rice will not leave you disappointed!

They offer a separate vegan menu with so many options you could eat there everyday for a week and still not have tried everything! One thing you should definitely try if you visit is the golgappa if you haven’t already. It’s fun AND tasty.

Restaurants located across 5 venues: Blair St, Cuba St, and wider Wellington locations in Lower Hutt, Paraparaumu and Porirua

Little Indian Vegan Naan and curries

Indian Alley Wellington

Indian Alley is a small Indian Restaurant a short walk from the Wellington waterfront. The attentive staff offer a separate vegan menu for those who are hungry and plant-based! Many of their vegan dishes use soya morsels as a protein replacement, which are similar to tofu, and soo yum. The Madras Soya dish is the one to try.

Order the vegan starter platter for 2 and you’ll be given two somosas, two onion baji, a couple of vegetable pakoras, and matar wali tiki. Enough hot, crispy and delicious, food to put you in a food coma once you get home!

Restaurant located on Wakefield St, Te Aro, Wellington

Indian Alley Naan with vegan curry

Saffron Haveli – Indian Restaurants in Wellington

Saffron Haveli is a homely restaurant offering both dine-in and takeaway options for the vegans and omnis of Wellington! Their bhindi masala curry is one of our favourites. Stirfried okra (ladyfinger) cooked through an onion and tomato gravy. Give it a try if you’re after something different!

With around 7 main vegan dishes to choose from in a large menu, including smaller dishes like vegetable pakora or onion baji, everyone is sure to find something they (and their bellies) love. Be cautious as you choose your spice level. Ranging from mild to Kiwi hot or, if you’re in the food to take a risk, Indian hot!

Restaurant located on Kent Terrace, Mount Victoria, Wellington

Indian Curry with Naan

Final Thoughts on Indian Restaurants in Wellington

We love a good, classic aloo gobi, and will always be on the hunt for the best hot, thick, buttery naan to accompany it. Indian food is one of our favourites to indulge in, and there’s always something new to try! The spicy comfort of dahl (kiwi hot!) paired with a cold Kingfisher is something we can never tire of. We hope this list can help you find your next favourite Indian Restaurant in Wellington!

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If you liked our post on Indian Restaurants in Wellington, make sure to check out our list of Indian Restaurants in Christchurch! Or if you’re still in Wellington make sure to check out the best vegan cafes and restaurants in the city.

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