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Header images courtesy of Uma Nota and Rajasthan Rifles
Originally published by Kriti Gandhi. Last updated by Alisa Chau and Celia Lee.
Famous for its bold flavours and distinct use of spices, Indian cuisine is the ultimate comfort food. From North Indian delicacies to South Indian delights, the diversity within Indian cuisine is phenomenal and often unexplored. Whether it is fusion or authentic, Indian food in Hong Kong is home to a plethora of delicious variety that has yet to be explored. Here is a guide to some must-try Indian restaurants that are definitely worth a visit.
Uma Nota is partnering with Bengal Brothers this Diwali to offer patrons a one-of-a-kind festival experience! For one night only, Uma Nota will be transformed into the place to be for families, friends, and loved ones in Hong Kong to celebrate Diwali.
Items from authentic Indian cuisine will be featured on the menu, including the refreshing aloo tikki chaat (potato cutlets drizzled with pomegranate, yoghurt, and an assortment of chutneys) and the aromatic lamb seekh kebab. An indulgently sweet mango phirni (mango rice pudding with saffron, cardamom, and nuts) rounds off the meal. Diners can also opt for Uma Nota’s two-hour free-flow package of specially curated cocktails and whiskeys for an elevated celebration of the Festival of Light. Book now to secure your place!
Uma Nota, Upper G/F, 38 Peel Street, Central | (+852) 2889 7576
Inspired by the iconic bustling bazaars of India, Chaat is a loving tribute to the country’s delicious street food and its food stall vendors. While the restaurant serves an elevated version of these dishes, the authenticity and flavours are beautifully maintained.
Order the chaat tandoori ($748), which comes with beef kebabs, chicken tikkas, fish tikkas, and lamb chops, and is suitable for two to three people. Accompanied by cocktails and wines influenced by traditional spice traders, Chaat eloquently brings India’s colourful roadside food culture to Hong Kong and the vibrant atmosphere is perfect for all sorts of gatherings.
For one night only on 24 October, Chaat will serve up a special dinner set menu. Make sure to catch this limited-time exclusive menu before it’s gone!
Chaat, 5/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 3891 8732
Holding the title as one of Hong Kong’s oldest Indian restaurants, Gaylord is, to this day, recognised for its authentic and traditional Indian cuisine. Recommended by the Michelin Guide, it should come as no surprise that Gaylord is home to an extensive menu that captures the true essence of North Indian food.
While it serves many meat-based delicacies like chicken tikka masala ($148) and lamb rogan josh ($158), Gaylord also has vegetarian options such as saag paneer ($118) and dal tadka ($98) that are just as delicious as their meat counterparts. Regardless of what you order, the grand culinary experience and service and Gaylord are unlike any other.
Gaylord, 5/F, Prince Tower, 12A Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2376 1001
Named after a person who prepares, sells, or serves tea, Chaiwala actively embraces the philosophy that life is chai. While it presents classic traditional Indian dishes with a modern twist, Chaiwala, in the heart of Central, is the ideal location for lively nights out.
Offering delicacies from all across India, the menu takes you on a flavoursome journey as you taste the best of each region—we think the traditional Old Delhi butter chicken ($150) and the signature pani puri with jal-jeera ($90) are must-order dishes. Its contemporary open kitchen space and lavish interior perfectly complement the restaurant’s thorough menu and provide diners with the ultimate restaurant experience.
From 19 to 24 October, a Diwali dinner ($548) is available for families and friends wanting to celebrate the festival in style! An additional Diwali brunch ($398) is also available for two days only at the restaurant. Choose between a selection of chaats, small plates, and tandooris to share, and one rice and curry dish. Guests can also add on a wine pairing package ($280) for dinner, or a range of free-flow packages (starting from $120).
Chaiwala, Basement, 43–55 Wyndham Street, Central | (+852) 2362 8988
New Punjab Club celebrates and unites the split Punjab region (between northern India and eastern Pakistan) by featuring the region’s traditional flavours. Its rich meat-centric menu, mainly cooked on tandoor grills, brings authentic Punjabi food to Hong Kong. New Punjab Club is the first Punjabi restaurant in the world to receive a Michelin star, and the honourable achievement speaks highly for the restaurant’s food, quality, and service.
New Punjab Club is best known for its samosa chaat ($158), masalewali champ ($738), and tandoori cobia ($288). Its admirable cocktail list celebrates the Punjabi zest for life and centres mainly around gin during the summer and whisky during the winter.
New Punjab Club is celebrating Diwali by introducing a little spirit of the light for patrons to bring home this 2022. Chef Palash Mitra has prepared a handmade mithai box of sweet dreams ($298) for all to indulge in the sweet and joyous blessings of this age-old tradition. The box includes two motichoor ladoo, two kaju barfi, and two malai sandwiches.
Looking to host a huge feast but don’t want to cook? New Punjab Club is offering two catering deliveries that will make an at-home celebration easy. For carnivores, the Dhamaka package ($3,140) is perfect, while herbivores can enjoy the Dhanlakhsmi package ($2,440). Browse through the Diwali offerings now.
New Punjab Club, 34 Wyndham Street, Central | (+852) 2368 1223
Located at the Peak, the Rajasthan Rifles is a restaurant inspired by Indian war history. When the British Indian Army stationed in the subcontinent started accepting officers of Indian heritage into the mess halls where everyone ate and socialised, the cuisines of the two nations started to adapt flavours from one another.
Despite the tensions between the two countries, its cuisines come together amicably—Rajasthan Rifles explores the two cultures and serves Anglo-Indian cuisine that, to their interpretation, would have been served at the time.
While the restaurant has many fantastic dishes, such as the chicken cutlet ($188) and the Anglo-Indian fish and chips ($178), their picnic set ($498) is a good choice for a wonderful day out on the Peak. Designed for two, the picnic hamper is filled with delicacies like the Rajasthan Rifles club sandwich that will leave your taste buds tickled.
At Rajasthan Rifles, Diwali is going to be a blast with the Diwali Feast, available from 6 pm at the restaurant, where master chefs welcome diners with a selection of festive specials and a mithai counter, where 12 types of traditional handmade sweets are ready for patrons to taste. Book your place at Chef Palash‘s Diwali Dreams now!
Rajasthan Rifles, The Peak Galleria, The Peak | (+852) 2388 8874
With 85 branches around the world, Anjappar is a world-famous restaurant chain that has earned its reputation for dishing up authentic South Indian food. After years of perfecting traditional homemade recipes, Anjappar has mastered Chettinad cuisine. In addition to serving halal meat, their menu is known to be relatively affordable with large portion sizes.
Although Anjappar is mainly popular for its South Indian dishes like the masala dosa ($75) and the plain uttapam ($60), it also has an extensive variety of North Indian and other pan-Asian eats that are definitely worth trying. If you’re thinking of going in a big group, the chicken bucket biryani ($250) and mutton bucket biryani ($350) are perfect for sharing.
Anjappar, 2/F, Multifield Plaza, 3 Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 3428-5757
Pondi is a nostalgic ode to Pondicherry, a seaside town in southern India that was once a French colonial settlement. Here, the menu offers a unique and almost fusion approach to Indian home cooking and classic French cooking philosophies—a first for Hong Kong.
Must-try dishes include the butter-poached seabass ($225), made with vadouvan spice, celery root, chilli, and a lime and shrimp emulsion, and the seared house curd ($160). Its dishes draw from the childhood memories and favourite foods of its co-founders, who aspire to creatively highlight their French and Indian heritage—for them, Pondi is a love letter to every home away from home.
Pondi, 14 Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Ying Pun | (+852) 6556 4253
Featured on the coveted Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand for over a decade, this vibrant dining room has earned a staunch allegiance from regular diners. Aside from boasting a main menu that has been carefully crafted by chef Irshad Ahmed Qureshi, a seventh-generation descendant of the Khansama royal chefs of India, Bombay Dreams is also known for its elegant line of tandoor-grilled fare, mouth-watering desserts, and impressive buffet.
Modernising traditional recipes with an irresistibly chic presentation, highlights include the regal shahi galouti kebab ($148) that is pounded thin for a melt-in-your-mouth effect, as well as the mango-laced Alleppey fish curry ($238). Come on a weekend to make the most out of the weekend brunch buffet ($238), with two wholesome varieties of chai to soothe.
Bombay Dreams is also celebrating Diwali with a seasonal mithai gift box. For 2022, the handmade mithai on offer are boondi ladoo, cham cham, coconut chocolate barfi, dry gulab jamun, kaju barfi, and badam pista roll. You can purchase these deliciously sweet handmade goods by the kilogramme or opt for one of Bombay Dreams’ assorted gift boxes. Place your order now to receive a box of goodness in time for Diwali.
Bombay Dreams, 1/F, Winning Centre, 46–48 Wyndham Street, Central
Kriti was born in Mumbai but raised in Hong Kong and shares a strong bond with both places. As a current journalism student, she is keen on writing, sharing stories, and has a growing interest in photography. When she is not reading (Harry Potter, or anything really), you’ll find her exploring the city, attempting to skateboard, and finding new dumpling places.
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