The Australian cuisine is a rich and colorful fabric made of different threads of different origin and colour. Among these, South Indian cuisine stands out brilliantly, famous for its exotic spices, fulfilling meals and warm foods. Starting from the fragrant smells of coconut milk and curry to the crunchy sound of dosas, the taste of South Indian food experiences remains many Australians of home. As a local or a tourist, it is recommended that one should not miss the feels of taking these meals.
Over the last few years, restaurants serving South Indian cuisine have become quite popular all over the country due to the diverse and vibrant food culture. Most of these restaurants offer a variety of vegetarian dishes and, at the same time, do not deviate from their traditional cuisines. The lighting and the smell of the food being prepared make the environment friendly for families and friends to come together and share good food. Whether it is the central business district or a suburban area, the best South Indian restaurants in Australia are focused on offering customers a true Indian experience.
When you are on a food trail across Australia, dining at these best South Indian restaurants will not only meet your taste buds but also give you a taste of different Indian foods. Whether you want to taste a spicy curry, soft idlis, or crispy dosa, it is possible to get all these meals in the restaurants that represent the best of South Indian cuisine. So bring your family and friends, and let’s get cooking to find out what delicious dishes are hidden in these great restaurants!
Here is the top 7 Best South Indian Restaurants in Australia to visit
1. Chennai Tiffin (Sydney, NSW)
Overview: Chennai Tiffin is famous for its commitment to serving traditional South Indian food with a focus on the Tamil Nadu area. The restaurant has a relaxed setting but is lively which makes it ideal for groups of friends or families.
Specialties:
- Dosas: The most famous dish is their paper dosa – a thin and crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter which is usually accompanied with chutneys and sambar – a lentil-based vegetable stew.
- Idlis: Idli is another popular breakfast option which is steamed rice cakes that can be eaten with coconut chutney and sambar.
- Curries: The restaurant has a set of dishes that change from time to time and they include spicy chicken curry and vegetable kurma.
Ambiance: On the décor side, it is quite plain, but it is in harmony with the South Indian culture, and the colors are warm and welcoming, and the chairs comfortable.
2. Anand Bhavan (Melbourne, VIC)
Overview: Anand Bhavan has been a popular South Indian restaurant among the people of Melbourne for many years. The specialty of the restaurant is Vegetarian food that is delicious and healthy.
Specialties:
- Thalis: A meal that is characteristic of the Indian cuisine where many dishes are placed on a single dish. They have a variety of thali dishes that include sambar, rasam, vegetable curries, rice, and chapati.
- Biryani: For food lovers, Anand Bhavan’s biryani is special, a rice dish which is cooked with spices and vegetables or meat.
Ambiance: The atmosphere of the restaurant is friendly and welcoming, with both classic and contemporary designs, perfect for everyday meals and celebrations.
3. Udupi Palace (Sydney, NSW)
Overview: Udupi Palace is a very popular restaurant which serves pure vegetarian food from the Udupi of Karnataka. It has now turned into a favorite place for the locals in search of true South Indian taste.
Specialties:
- Dosas: This Indian restaurant serves dosas of different types such as the masala dosa, which is a potato stuffed dosa and the rava dosa which is prepared from rava or semolina and is accompanied with a number of chutneys.
- Thali: Their thali meals are quite filling and are recommended for those who wish to try a number of dishes in one setting.
Ambiance: The ambiance is quite informal, it is friendly for families and the focus is on fast food service.
4. Saravanaa Bhavan – Multiple Outlets
Overview: Saravanaa Bhavan is an international chain Indian family restaurant company which has many restaurants in Australia serving Vegetarian South Indian cuisine. The restaurant aims at the local population and any other visitors within the region who may be tourists.
Specialties:
- Filter Coffee: A very popular item that is exclusive to South Indian coffee culture is made from freshly ground coffee beans brewed through a filter.
- Idli and Vada: These traditional South Indian breakfast menus are made on order and are accompanied with sambar and chutney.
Ambiance: The restaurant has no ostentatious decorations and is brightly lit with no frills to create the space but the bare essentials to feed the customers.
5. Madras Canteen in Melbourne, Victoria.
Overview: Madras Canteen is a Indian family restaurant that is specialized in modernized street food which originates from the South Indian region. The idea of the restaurant is to provide its guests with a new vision of a familiar cuisine.
Specialties:
- Spicy Chicken Fry: This is another favourite with the crowd, the chicken is marinated and grilled with spices to give it a special flavour.
- Dosa Varieties: Their dosas are creative and they come in a variety of types to be filled with different stuff making it more interesting to have it.
Ambiance: The restaurant is well laid with modern touch, artwork and the overall environment is lively.
6. Dosa Hut (Melbourne, VIC)
Overview: The unique selling proposition of Dosa Hut is the large number Authentic Indian dishes offer, especially the numerous types of dosas. This is a relaxed restaurant where people can come in groups and taste different dishes of South Indian cuisine.
Specialties:
- Dosa Varieties: Dosa Hut serves more than 30 dosas such as cheese and chili, butter masala dosa, and fusion dosas.
- Biryani and Curries: Apart from dosas, there are a set of biryanis and spicy curries that go well with the dosa and rice.
Ambiance: The interior design is serene and light; it is quite befitting for friends to come and have a meal.
7. Sambavanam (Brisbane, QLD)
Overview: Sambavanam aims at offering the traditional South Indian food in its restaurant alongside offering for modern eating. The restaurant boasts of the quality of the ingredients used in preparing their meals.
Specialties:
- Traditional Curries: Some of the curries offered by the restaurant are paneer butter masala and chettinad chicken both of which are spicy and contain a strong aroma of spices.
- Thali: Their thali is a unique option in which you get a plate with a number Authentic Indian dishes, it is the real South Indian meal.
Ambiance: The interiors are modern but warm and there is a hint of South Indian influence in the design.
Conclusion
South Indian food in Australia is rich in flavor and offers diners a lot of great moments to enjoy. The South Indian restaurants in Australia provide an excellent choice of dishes which not only taste delicious but also helps to unite people, become a home for families and friends. The crispy dosas and the rich aromatic curries are the specialties which give an insight of the rich South Indian culinary culture; therefore, these restaurants are a must-visit for food lovers.
Eating at these restaurants is not just about the food; it is about the experience and history that is associated with Indian food experiences. Every meal is an opportunity to discover the variety of tastes and to appreciate the talent which cooks invest in their work. Therefore, whether you are a resident of the area or just a visitor, ensure that you do not miss the great Indian food experiences that these places have to offer. Assemble the family, join this food adventure, and taste the genuine South Indian cuisine served at these outstanding Indian family restaurant.
