A quick meal for one
Address: G/F, 116B Pei Ho Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 12pm-9.30pm
Phone number: 6707 3010
Vibe: The restaurant isn’t exactly big, but a sensible layout ensures that there’s always room for customers to stretch their legs. Something about the orange wall tiles and open kitchen scream Indian.
Grub: All curries are under HK$40, of which the lamb dish is the clear standout. If you’re looking to splurge, order some paratha – flatbreads fried on a griddle – for HK$15.
Sharing a meal with friends
Basmati
Address: 1/F, San Toi Building, 137-139 Connaught Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 11.30am-3pm, 5.30pm-11pm
Phone number: 2541 0995
Vibe: Don’t be fooled by the tiny entrance tucked away on a street corner, the interior is as spacious as any restaurant can be. While the decor isn’t exactly Indian, the plain tablecloths and comfy chairs do the job.
Grub: A host of Indian staples, including tandoori chicken, nan, and samosas, as well as a variety of salads, tikka, herbed seafood, cost between HK$60 and HK$100.
When your parents are paying
Tulsi Indian Restaurant
Address: G/F, Fairview Court, 7 Tsat Tsz Mui Road, North Point, Hong Kong Island
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 11.30am-11pm
Phone number: 2568 3806
Vibe: This place is swanky to say the least, with chandeliers, rimmed mirrors, and yellowed lighting. The ambience makes the restaurant feel more like a medieval cathedral than an Indian restaurant, but rest assured that this in no way compromises the dining experience.
Grub: If you’re going as a group, the ideal combination would to order onion bhajis as a starter, then work your way over to any of the kebabs and a nice hot vindaloo before wrapping up with some kulfi. A typical combination of these dishes costs around HK$180.
Spoiling a date
Address: 2/F, Parekh House, 63 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong Island
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-10pm
Phone number: 2810 9881
Vibe: The decor combines the formality of thick, white tablecloths and silver cutlery with traditional Indian design and decoration.
Grub: The best thing about this restaurant is the fact that its foods are a blend of Indian and Western palettes. Bring your appetite for some mango chutney, butter chicken, and crispy poppadoms to judge the success of their fusion concept for yourself. Classics like Aloo Gobhi and Chicken Tikka Masala range from around HK$85 to HK$108 per dish.
When your rich uncle is paying
Address: G/F, 13 Elgin Street, SOHO, Central, Hong Kong Island
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 12pm-3pm, 6pm-midnight
Phone number: 2547 9998
Vibe: The decor does a respectable job at combining the features of a high-class restaurant with Indian attributes, evidenced by the harmonious coexistence of wine glasses and Punjabi mosaics on the wall. There is also a surprising level of attention to detail, from the intricate plating to the mood lighting.
Grub: Make sure you try the Mangaloria fish pot, the restaurant’s signature dish. For first-timers, the Guru sample platter is always a safe bet. Finish off with a kadai paneer and some good old banana cakes. An average three course meal at Guru will cost you around HK$500.