Indian Food in Australia: Where to Find It (and Eat Vegetarian)

Missing dal, dosa or a proper thali after a week of sandwiches? You’re not alone. Australia has one of the largest Indian communities outside Asia, so finding Indian food in Australia is easy in the big cities. Eating vegetarian is easy too, once you know what to look for on a menu.

This guide covers the best areas for Indian food, how to eat vegetarian or Jain while travelling, and what you can bring from home.

Where to find Indian food in Sydney

Harris Park

Next to Parramatta in Western Sydney, Harris Park is known as Sydney’s Little India. The streets around Wigram Street are full of sweet shops, chaat counters, South Indian cafés, Punjabi dhabas and grocery stores. It gets especially lively around Diwali. It’s about 30 minutes from the city by train.

Other areas

Western Sydney suburbs such as Parramatta, Westmead and Blacktown have many Indian restaurants and groceries. In the city centre and inner suburbs you’ll find modern Indian restaurants that are good for a special dinner.

Where to find Indian food in Melbourne

Dandenong

Foster Street in Dandenong, in Melbourne’s south-east, is the city’s Little India, with restaurants, sweet shops and sari stores.

Western suburbs

Suburbs such as Tarneit, Truganina and Point Cook have large Indian communities and plenty of restaurants and grocery shops.

City centre

The CBD has many Indian restaurants and quick lunch spots, alongside every other cuisine you can imagine.

Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and beyond

Every major city has Indian restaurants in the centre and in the suburbs, plus Indian grocery stores where you can pick up snacks, spices and ready-to-eat meals. In smaller towns, you’ll usually still find at least one Indian or Nepalese restaurant.

How to eat vegetarian in Australia

Vegetarian food is widely available in Australia, but a few ingredients can catch you out.

• Menus often label dishes V (vegetarian), VG (vegan) and GF (gluten free).
• Egg is common in cakes, pasta, mayonnaise, batters and some breads.
• Gelatine turns up in desserts, lollies, some yoghurts and cheesecakes.
• Chicken or beef stock is often used in soups, risotto, gravy and some rice dishes.
• Fish sauce is used in many Thai and Vietnamese dishes, even “vegetable” ones.
• Rennet (an animal enzyme) is used in some cheeses. Check labels if this matters to you.

When in doubt, ask. Staff are used to dietary questions and are generally happy to help.

Tips for Jain travellers

Jain meals take more planning. South Indian and Gujarati restaurants are the most likely to understand “no onion, no garlic, no root vegetables”. Call ahead or ask when you order. Hindu temples and some Hare Krishna restaurants serve simple vegetarian meals, and some temples have canteens open to visitors. Booking accommodation with a kitchen gives you the most control.

Supermarkets and groceries

Big supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles stock basmati rice, lentils, spices, naan, frozen parathas and often paneer. Indian grocery stores have everything else, including ready-to-eat curries, snacks and sweets. Fruit is fresh and easy to find year-round.

Bringing food from India to Australia

Australia has some of the strictest biosecurity rules in the world. You must declare all food on your Incoming Passenger Card, including spices, pickles, namkeen, mithai and homemade snacks. Some items are allowed after inspection, while others, such as many meat, dairy, seed and fresh produce products, may be refused. If you don’t declare food, you can be fined heavily. Check the Department of Agriculture’s official guidance before you pack, and read our Plan Your Trip guide.

FAQs

Is Indian food in Australia authentic?

In areas like Harris Park and Dandenong, very much so. Many restaurants are run by families from specific regions, so you can find Hyderabadi biryani, Gujarati thalis, Kerala dishes and Punjabi food.

Is it easy to be vegetarian in Australia?

Yes, especially in cities. Just check for egg, gelatine and meat stock.

Can I find Jain food in Australia?

Yes, but plan ahead. Ask restaurants in advance, and consider a kitchenette in your hotel.

Where can I try Australian food that’s vegetarian?

Vegetable pies, smashed avo, lamingtons and Anzac biscuits are all good options. See our list of Australian foods to try.

For more on eating and drinking in Australia, explore our Food & Drink guide.