Looking for the best Indian restaurants in Christchurch? From Mumbai street food in the Central City to Punjabi tandoor cooking on Colombo Street and North Indian curries in Shirley, Indian food in Christchurch covers dine-in, takeaway, banquets and catering for groups. Coriander’s and Mumbaiwala are two of the names to know.
1Coriander’s St. Asaph
Coriander’s has served North Indian cuisine in Canterbury since 2006, and its St Asaph Street restaurant is the group’s flagship, set in a colonial-style building in the Central City. The venue suits after-work catch-ups, family dinners and larger celebrations, with a dedicated private space for groups. Coriander’s also runs Christchurch venues at Bush Inn in Riccarton and at Sumner.
Services
- Dine-in lunch and dinner with a North Indian menu
- Online ordering for takeaway and delivery
- Private dining and functions, including the Big Bollywood Room
- Indian cooking masterclasses
- Gift vouchers
Highlights
- Serving Canterbury since 2006
- Fully licensed and BYO-friendly
- Open seven days for lunch and dinner, until 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays
- Outdoor seating at the St Asaph Street venue
Location & Contact
Name: Coriander’s St. Asaph
Address: 222 St Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City
Phone: 03 395 5557
Website: corianders.co.nz/st-asaph-indian-restaurant
2Mumbaiwala Indian Street Kitchen
Mumbaiwala builds its menu around the street food of Mumbai, where people gather at roadside stalls for small evening snacks, and encourages guests to share dishes the way they would in India. The Christchurch restaurant sits in the BNZ Centre on Hereford Street in the Central City, with a sister restaurant in Auckland. It suits groups of friends who like to order a spread of plates.
Services
- Mumbai street food and shared plates for dine-in
- Separate lunch, dinner and banquet menus
- Dedicated vegan menu
- Takeaway menu with online ordering
Highlights
- Private dining rooms for functions, with banquet and à la carte options
- Open seven days for lunch and dinner
- Located in the BNZ Centre, 120 Hereford Street
- Online reservations and gift vouchers
- Sister restaurant operating in Auckland
Location & Contact
Name: Mumbaiwala Indian Street Kitchen
Address: BNZ Centre, 120 Hereford Street, Christchurch Central City
Phone: 021 434 530
Website: mumbaiwala.co.nz/mumbaiwala-christchurch
3Himalayas Indian Restaurant
Himalayas is owned and operated by partners JD and Pavi, who both come from the Punjab region of India, and the menu leans on Punjabi and Himalayan cooking. Expect tandoor-baked breads, dairy-rich curries such as murg makhani (butter chicken), and lassi. The restaurant is on Colombo Street in the City Centre, a short walk from the central library.
Services
- Punjabi and North Indian dine-in menu
- Weekday lunch service, Tuesday to Friday
- Tandoor-cooked naan, roti and paratha
- Online ordering for takeaway
- Online table reservations
Highlights
- Owner JD is a hospitality graduate of PIHMS in New Plymouth
- Both owners hail from Punjab
- Second branch in Rangiora on Huntingdon Drive
Location & Contact
Name: Himalayas Indian Restaurant
Address: 830A Colombo Street, City Centre, Christchurch 8013
Phone: 03 377 8935
Website: himalayas.co.nz
4Indian Moments
Indian Moments is a North Indian restaurant on Marshland Road in Shirley, offering dine-in, takeaway and catering from one kitchen. The menu runs from tandoor starters such as chicken malai tikka and lollipop chicken to curries, paneer dishes and dosa. It suits families on the eastern side of the city and anyone organising food for an event.
Services
- Dine-in Indian restaurant with table bookings
- Online ordering for pick-up or delivery
- Event catering with bespoke menus
- Indian tiffin service
Highlights
- Chef Kedar Semwal brings almost 25 years of experience
- Chef Arvind Baghri brings 23 years of experience
- Spacious dining room with a large seating area
- South Indian dosa alongside North Indian curries
Location & Contact
Name: Indian Moments
Address: 114 Marshland Road, Shirley, Christchurch 8061
Phone: 03 423 9932
Website: indianmoments.co.nz
5Gunpowder City Centre
Gunpowder is an Indian restaurant and bar run by owners Vishnu Seth and Vivek Gujral, who bring more than 10 years of experience in Indian cuisine and hospitality. The City Centre branch is on Victoria Street and serves lunch on weekdays and dinner seven nights, with late opening at the weekend. It suits a relaxed meal with drinks, business guests and group functions.
Services
- Dine-in lunch and dinner
- Full drinks menu from the bar
- Online ordering for takeaway
- Functions and events
- Gift cards
Highlights
- Owner-operated by Vishnu Seth and Vivek Gujral
- Open until 11:59pm on Fridays and Saturdays
- Sister branch in Amberley
Location & Contact
Name: Gunpowder City Centre
Address: 53 Victoria Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013
Phone: 03 420 0077
Website: gunpowdercity.co.nz
Indian Restaurants in Christchurch at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Coriander's St. Asaph | Serving Canterbury since 2006 |
| Mumbaiwala Indian Street Kitchen | Private dining rooms for functions, with banquet and à la carte options |
| Himalayas Indian Restaurant | Owner JD is a hospitality graduate of PIHMS in New Plymouth |
| Indian Moments | Chef Kedar Semwal brings almost 25 years of experience |
| Gunpowder City Centre | Owner-operated by Vishnu Seth and Vivek Gujral |
How to Choose the Right Indian Restaurant in Christchurch
- Regional style: Decide whether you want Punjabi tandoor cooking, North Indian curries, South Indian dosa or Mumbai street food, as menus vary a lot between kitchens.
- Dietary needs: Look for a dedicated vegan menu or clearly marked vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, and ask about spice levels when you book.
- Group size: For birthdays and work dinners, choose a restaurant with private dining rooms or banquet menus so the whole table eats together.
- Takeaway and delivery: Check whether the restaurant takes orders through its own website, which is often quicker to confirm than a third-party app.
- Location and hours: Central City restaurants suit pre-show and after-work meals, while suburban kitchens in Shirley or Riccarton are handy for local takeaway. Check lunch days, as some close on Mondays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christchurch Indian Restaurants
Where can I find an Indian restaurant in Christchurch Central City?
Several Indian restaurants sit within walking distance of each other in the Central City, including on St Asaph Street, Hereford Street, Victoria Street and Colombo Street. Outside the centre, you will find Indian kitchens in suburbs such as Shirley, Riccarton and Sumner, which are handy if you want takeaway close to home.
What is the difference between North Indian and South Indian food?
North Indian cooking is known for tandoor breads such as naan and paratha, creamy curries like butter chicken and paneer makhani, and dairy such as yoghurt and cream. South Indian food leans on rice, lentils and coconut, with dishes like dosa. Many restaurants serve both.
Are there vegan and vegetarian options at Indian restaurants?
Yes. Indian cuisine has a long vegetarian tradition, so dal, chana, paneer and vegetable curries are standard. Some restaurants publish a separate vegan menu. If you avoid dairy, ask whether a dish is finished with cream, butter or ghee.
Can I book an Indian restaurant for a group or function?
Many Indian restaurants in Christchurch offer banquet menus and private rooms for birthdays, work dinners and celebrations. Book early for Friday and Saturday nights, and share dietary requirements when you enquire.
Do Christchurch Indian restaurants offer takeaway and delivery?
Most do. Ordering directly through the restaurant’s own website is common, and several also offer delivery. Pick-up is usually the quickest option on busy evenings.
Is Indian food always spicy?
No. Dishes such as korma, butter chicken and many paneer curries are mild, while vindaloo and madras are hotter. Most kitchens will adjust the heat if you ask when ordering.
Are Indian restaurants in Christchurch licensed or BYO?
It varies. Some are fully licensed with a bar, some allow BYO wine, and some do both. Check with the restaurant before you go, as BYO often carries a corkage charge.
How We Chose the Best Indian Restaurants in Christchurch
Every business in this guide was found by searching for indian restaurants in Christchurch, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Christchurch, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.