Top Indian Restaurants in Johannesburg

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The Royal India is a North Indian restaurant with branches all over Gauteng. This popular eatery is known for its signature dishes, including butter chicken and prawn masala. The menu is large, and with their main branch centrally located in Sandton, tables fill up fast, especially at lunchtime.

Thava specialises in North and South Indian cuisine and is one of the most recommended restaurants in the city. Spice lovers flock here to fill up on tasty dishes from the expansive menu. They also offer a large variety of meals suitable for vegetarians, including paneer tikka masala and veggie makhni, which consists of vegetables cooked in a spicy tomato and cashew gravy with cream and butter.

Situated in the Colony Centre in Craighall Park, Red Chilly Spice is a great spot to grab a hearty lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is casual and most dishes can be ordered in mild, medium or hot, catering to all taste preferences. The hot and spicy lamb vindaloo is delicious, and don’t skip dessert, either. The gulab jamun, a combination of milk powder, cardamom and sugar, formed into small balls that are fried and drizzled with syrup, goes down a treat.

Vikram’s in Lonehill has become synonymous with a satisfying meal among residents in the area. It’s a colourful space with both a sit-in and a takeaway menu, and is frequented by hordes of hungry locals. Meals are as tasty as they are beautiful, and each is made with the utmost care. We can’t get enough of the lamb bhuna gosht, prepared using tomatoes and spices and served in onion gravy.

From a Sunday buffet to weeknight dining, Royal Punjab is a great spot to grab a casual bite to eat. It’s not too busy, and the toned-down decor doesn’t reflect the quality of the food. The mains come in generous servings and the freshly made naan bread is the ideal accompaniment. And if you’re after a takeaway, look no further.

Taste of India prepares all meals as they’re ordered, so everything’s fresh and delicious, from authentic samosas to just about any Indian main course dish you can think of. They also serve four different bunny chows for a truly South African experience. It’s very popular, so do book a table to ensure you get a spot at this widely recommended restaurant.

The Raj owes much of its success to its amazing Indian chefs who whip up authentic Indian dishes, including tikka masala, vindaloo and bhuna. The talented chefs use spices imported from India, ensuring an authentic taste. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and is the perfect venue for celebrations.

Norwood’s Grant Avenue is filled with fantastic eateries, and Shahi Khana is no different. Serving North Indian Tandoori cuisine at reasonable prices, this is the place to go if you are in the mood to eat to your heart’s content. They also have a buffet service so that patrons can taste a variety of dishes.

Spiceburg serves authentic dishes with flavours deriving from Kashmir to Kerala and everywhere in between. The Goan crab curry is perfect for those after a unique taste, while the lamb and chicken dishes, from curry to korma, are all equally flavoursome.

Ghazal’s Peter Place branch is stylishly decorated with an authentic Indian feel. From lamb specialities to tandoori dishes and vegetarian hits, the large menu offers patrons a taste-sensation just waiting to be explored. Good luck deciding what to have, as the options seem endless and a new dish grabs your eye with every turn of the menu’s page.

Daawat in Fordsburg is the place to go if you’re wanting to explore Pakistani cuisine. Meat dishes are flavoured with a combination of onions, garlic, ginger, turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander and salt, and the chef recommends the lamb chop masala curry. For dessert, try the pista kulfi, a rice ice cream made using whipped double cream, milk rice, flour and sugar, seasoned with almonds, pistachios and rose water.