Insta: melbfoodie_mark
YT: MelbFoodieMark
** Check them out for more food reviews in Melbourne!
-
Flavourful curry. Decent interiors. Grabbed bunch of curries and sides and they were all alright. It took a questionably long time for foods to come out even though restaurant was fairly empty. The serving of curry was a bit small but definitely rich and flavourful.
My favourites:
Tawa Chicken ($19) - Smoke flavoured traditional curry served with smoked onions and capsium
Goat Curry ($19) - Goat on bone cooked in tomato, gingerm onion, and authentic Indian spices. I actually enjoyed goat curry so much to the point where I wanted to order another one for myself. Def worth getting one!
Great family owned restaurant, husband and wife team who take pride in their food and service. We have dined here several times and ordered takeaway. The service is super friendly and the food is delicious. Full of flavour, super fresh and good portion sizes. Support local and order direct through the restaurant. Tonight we got lazy and ordered on Uber Eats and despite our order being picked up from the restaurant, the driver failed to deliver it. We lodged a complaint with Uber and soon after the owner called us personally, apologised and offered to resend the order free of charge (even though it was not their fault). We will definitely be back but next time we won't be lazy! Thanks again Curry Smuggler
Excellent food. Great service.
The chicken tikka and tawa chicken had really nice flavours. They cater to the spice level as per your need! This place is a must try if you love Indian food!
Best Tandoori Prawn in Melbourne
The food was amazing complemented with great ambience and friendly staff. The complimentary Gulab Jamun were delicious. We ordered Tandoori Prawns and Chicken Tikka Masala and the taste was authentic and delicious. Highly recommend this place for authentic Indian Food đ
Delicious and flavorful Indian food, great value for money!
4 star rating is for good ambience, customer service and kadhai paneer. It was good and had great smokey flavor.we ordered vegetarian biryani was a complete disappointment.. It has no flavor and surely didn't taste like authentic biryani.
A very nice meal & interesting menu
The three of us went to the restaurant for dinner and loved it. The service was excellent, the atmosphere great.
The menu had an interesting and good variety of choices. Weâll be back to try a few other things, if not all! We chose , chicken tikka and Tandoori Prawns then butter chicken and a tawa Goat dish for mains.
The wine list was also excellent and I enjoyed a Shiraz wine.
Great place and great food.
Well trained staff
Had Plain naan with Paneer butter masala was awesome :)
Paneer cubes were too soft:)
All over tasty & yummy food!! Must visit Thanks
I went with my wife and trust me the dinner was superb because of the ambience of restaurant and friendly staff
We ordered goat curry and butter nan which was marvellous in taste and salmon tikka was superlicious most recommendable place
Food was yum:-)
Lovely food and staff. Would recommend and go again. Having an entire vegan menu is pretty damn impressive, so props to them for that. Mango Lassi and the Garlic Naan were great đ
Before visiting Curry Smuggler I hadnât really had a goat curry served on a hot sizzling plate before and I absolutely loved it. Our waitress said thatâs the way they serve it at home and I think it adds a freshness when itâs piping hot with steam escaping in front of your eyes and the allure of that audible sizzle draws you in.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
If you have a soft spot for curry and anything curry, then this is definitely the place to go. We live and die for authentic flavours and traditional cuisines, so we were so excited to finally try out this local Indian gem.â¨
â¨-Ambience-â¨
Very cosy and warm atmosphere as soon as you enter the door. The strong aroma of the Indian spices will make you crave for curry more than ever. The layout and decor gave the restaurant an authentic cultural feel to it. â¨
â¨-Food-â¨
Samosa Plate ($8):Â
Completely stuffed with potatoes, green peas and a combination of Indian spices. This dish was the perfect way to ease into our mighty feast ahead! The powerful flavours gave our tastebuds the kick it needed, to combat the depressing winter weather.
Butter Chicken ($18):Â
Boneless Tandoori chicken pieces slow-cooked in a tomato, spices and nut cream sauce. We absolutely love butter chicken so this was a no-brainer for us and if you're a butter chicken fanatic like us then this is a no-brainer for you too. Remember to pair this with a serving of cheesy naan bread!
Lamb Rogan Josh ($19):Â
The lamb meat was sooooo tender and soft, it literally melted in my mouth.
Mutter Tofu ($14):
Who says you canât have good vegan food?? We ordered this dish which consisted of tofu and green peas cooked in a medium curry sauce. Though it claims to be 'medium' in spice, we ended up washing every spoon down with water to ease the burn!Â
For sides we opted for the Tandoori Roti, Cheese Naan Bread and Plain Rice to enjoy with our curries. It comes with a very generous portion which was perfect for our big appetite !Â
-Service-Â
Staff was very nice and kind to accomodate our table and assisting us in choosing the best dishes.
-Our rating scale-Â
Mind-blowingÂ
Tasty
Did the jobÂ
Mehh it's okayÂ
Would not return
Curry Smuggler = *Tasty*
Follow us on Instagram @wallofmunchies for more tasty food spots in Melbourne! :)
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
đąLizzieâs first impression: I was craving Indian so much and finally got a chance to come here - the staff are so nice and very attentive.
đŠLizzie enjoyed: what I love the most about this place is their extensive menu - they have soo many nice dishes and I just wanted to try it all.
I loved all of the curries here - we tried the butter chicken which was honestly one of the best ones Iâve had in a long time. I also tried the lamb Rogan Josh that was flavoured really well and was cooked in a traditional Kashmiri masala saffron and yoghurt. The Stand out waa the garlic naan - the serving size was so generous and it tasted so good!! I will be back just for that and the curry.
I also tried the onion bhaji which was a nice entree to start the night - it was fried in a chickpea batter that was delicious and dipped in a tamarind and mint chutney - delicious!
Can I just mention the samosa I had was the most generous serving Iâve been presented and it tasted impeccable - cooked well and tasted fantastic, the pastry was crunchy and the filling was warm and flavoursome.
đ
Lizzie did not enjoy: the dessert could have been a little less sweet as the syrup was already very sweet but nonetheless the best Indian dessert.
đĽLizzie rates overall: I love Indian cuisine and I am sure coming back to try all their other dishes. Just the curries and the garlic naan is enough to have me back again soon.
Lovely restaurant in the heart of Fitzroy. We were there for our team dinner. The food was delicious and service was excellent. We ordered chicken korma, lamb vindaloo, goat curry, lentils, saffron rice, garlic naan, samosa plate and mango lassi. My favourite was the vindaloo but every dish was tasty and distinct in flavour and I wish I could just keep eating. Thank you for this amazing experience.
Jessica Sargeant (Unbeleafablefood)
+5
First of all I LOVE the name Curry Smuggler haha! I also loved the dĂŠcor and vibe, and the service was top notch.Â
I was impressed to see they have a full VEGAN menu available, with lots of choices.Â
We tried:
Â
VEG KORMA đ so creamy and flavoursome!Â
MUTTER TOFU đ loved that they have lots of tofu dishes available!
TANDOORI MUSHROOMS đ I have never seen these before, so tasty!Â
RICE đ Can't go wrong haha
TIKKI CHAT đĽÂ Wow! The flavours were amazing in this dish! Def recommend.Â
ROTI đ You gotta have some Roti with your curry!Â
I left feeling satisfied and happy! Curry Smuggler is a great place to take a date, or a few friends for a delicious meal.
This place was suggested by some Indian friends, so we happily came along. They did the ordering, so I am not completely sure of all the dishes we had. There was a lot of bread and chickpeas involved and everything was tasty. The garlic naan was perfect and the onion bhaji truly rocked my world! One negative - the bathrooms are a little shocking and definitely detract from the experience.
The best Indian cuisine in Melbourne. Strongly recommend the butter chicken, cheese naan and mango lassi. We ordered Daaku Di Tangri Drumsticks as entree it was amazing. The meat texture was attractive and the sauce was perfect matching for it. Tawa lamb was a bit salty for me but it tasted good while serving with the naan.
This the second time I have been to the curry smuggler. The first time was 2 years ago. The menu the ambience and staff have improved over the years. A few twists on the dishes but all food was well presented and well cooked. We were definelty well looked after by the staff here
The food was alright, not mind-blowing. We ordered a curry, biryani and naan. It was pretty good but I wouldn't say its the best Indian restaurant in Melbourne (which per the ratings it seems to be atm). The service was polite and swift.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
We came into curry smuggler the other for an Indian feast and was blown away but food and the service !
We started our meal with the chefs special chicken drumstick stuffed with mince coated in a yogurt sauce . This was by far one of the most interesting Indian dishes Iâve ever tried , very delicious and intriguing . The samosas was a must as I donât think Iâve ever been able to resist not ordering them at any Indian restaurant . The samosa was vegetarian and had the most flavoursome pea and potato filling . The pastry was golden and flakey, so amazing !
For the mains we ordered butter chicken , lamb Korma , garlic naan and cheese naan. The curries were rich and aromatic , I really loved the fact I could taste the spices - a definition of a good curry! The butter chicken was creamy with extremely tender chicken throughout . The lamb korma was also amazing , fragrant flavours and melting in the mouth meat perfect with the buttery and garlicky naan
By dessert time we were so full, we were however not allowed to leave until we had a bit of dessert which is apparently apart of Indian culture ! We ordered the pistachio kulfi- this was very refreshing , a bit sweet but the creaminess cut through
Thank you so much for having us in!
Curry Smuggler is bringing the most rustic and authentic Indian cuisine to Fitzroy. With such generous serves and at reasonable pricing, itâs hard not to put one in a self induced âfood comaâ over it. With flavours that would make even the most traditional Indian blush, Curry Smuggler is a must visit for all.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
3.5 stars âď¸
We were invited by Curry Smuggler to try their food a few nights ago. Curry Smuggler is located in the hip part of Fitzroy on Brunswick st. For some reason I thought with the name of Curry Smuggler, the decor would be more hipster, so we were pretty surprised to find an Indian restaurant in a fairly traditional setting.
We ordered two entrees and two mains to try. We got the Smuggler drumstick which is chicken drumstick stuffed with lamb mince. Lol itâs like a lamb pretending to be a chicken kind of dish. I have never eaten a dish like this in an Indian restaurant, but my dining companion and I really loved the flavours of this dish. Itâs a bit creamy with cheesy goodness and the stuffed lamb has the classic Indian spices through it.
Next was probably one of my friendâs favourite dish of the night, samosas stuffed w potato and peas. She reckons itâs one of the best samosas she ever had and I think it tasted really good too, thin and crispy on the outside and stuffed full of ingredients and spices with a ever so slight kick at the end. There is a tamarind dipping sauce that went with it but frankly I didnât find it necessary and a wee bit too sweet for me.
I love a bit of spice so I ordered the lamb vindaloo. It has a nice fiery kick and I felt a film of sweat on my forehead- I love it! My friend equally loved that dish and finished most of the dish. I was taught by my other friend that flavour balance in Indian curries are so important, and I reckon they did it right at curry Smuggler. One thing though is that some of their lamb could probably do a bit more slow cooking as the meat wasnât melting in my mouth yet.
My friend is a big fan of butter chicken so we tried it as well. My friend once again loved it, whereas I like butter chicken but havenât eaten a lot of it so I can only say itâs really enjoyable.
We also ordered some saffron rice and garlic naan and for a gal who I rarely seen eat carbs, my friend ate almost half the rice and 2/3 of the naan cos she reckons the mains and naan was THAT GOOD. I think I like my naan soft and fluffier but my friend likes Curry Smugglerâs one better, she reckons itâs thin and slightly crispy like pizza.
All in all it was a great night, and if they slow cooked the lamb a tad bit more i would have given them a full 4 stars. Apparently they have a kids menu too so I would love to bring kiddies here next time.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Curry Smuggler is a popular restaurant on the busy streets of Fitzroy, serving traditional, homemade Indian cuisine. I was invited to dine here and, being new to Indian food, I was eager to check this place out!
Upon arrival, we were greeted so kindly by the staff, and seated in one of the spacious, comfortable booths. The venue is warm and cosy, yet still pertaining some grandness and sophistication.
The menu is extensive, with both vegan and vegetarian options, as well as a specials board. It was so hard to choose as everything looked so good!
For entrees, we started off with:
Daaku Di Tangri (Smugglerâs) Drumsticks - a drumstick if chicken with a core of lamb mince, topped with the most delicious chefâs special sauce. Itâs cheesy, creamy and flavourful, and the chicken AND lamb were both tender. What a unique and exciting dish - definitely a must-try, and also recommended by the staff!
Tandoori Prawns - you can definitely taste the char from the tandoori oven. Itâs vibrant in colour, fragrant in taste, and perfect with the mint-yoghurt sauce.
For mains, we had:
Butter Chicken - an essential when having Indian cuisine! The sauce was rich, creamy and sweet, slightly spicy and overall amazing. The chicken is tender and absorbs all the flavour from the sauce. This classic dish and itâs definitely a winner here!
Palak Paneer - you MUST try this dish! Possibly the best dish of the night - itâs basically cottage cheese cooked in spinach purĂŠe and spices, and itâs absolutely amazing. Itâs creamy and sweet, and the cottage cheese is a lovely texture.
Tawa Lamb - a dish that put on a show! This was served on a smoking hot plate to our table, with the strong aroma of sizzling lamb and complex spices. Usually served medium, but was kindly made mild for us, it was a fantastic meaty, hearty dish.
Garlic Naan - they sure know how to make their naan here! The garlic naan was superb - crispy, chewy, and garlicky. So delicious with the curry but just as delicious on its own!
Plain Basmati Rice - it was fluffy and tinted yellow with saffron. Curry and rice go hand-in-hand so this is an essential! And they do give a very generous portion of it too!
For drinks, we got ourselves a Mango Lassi and an Original Sweet Lassi. This was my first time trying Lassi and it was delightful. Itâs basically a yogurt-like drink, sweet and tart, that balances perfectly with the spices of the curry.
Service was spectacular throughout our meal. Our plates were replaced and we were constantly check on by the waitress.
I would highly recommend Curry Smuggler to anyone whoâs looking for amazing Indian food, or if youâre like me and you want to try Indian food for the first time! You definitely canât go wrong here!
Very good food and variety for everyone including vegetarian and vegan options. Plenty of spice for those who enjoy and some dishes not for the faint hearted. Service was good and no complaints, a definite recommend.
Excellent food, good level of spice, service was acceptable. Absolutely no complaints, would happily go back. Good variety, with lots of vege and vegan options, not that I look for that. Some interesting specials and house dishes that Iâve not seen before.
Charlie Daniels (Curious Charlie)
+4
Located on Main Street, Fitzroy is Curry Smuggler, an ambient Indian restaurant that offers all the classic Indian dishes in a warm atmosphere, most Indian places we go to are more takeaway places, but this is one of those lovely dates worthy spots.  . Located in Fitzroy it's very easy to get to on no.19 West Preston...
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
I've heard a lot about Curry Smuggler and being invited to dine in I couldn't feel any more privileged. The restaurant itself is quite spacious, you'd want to get in early to snag one of those booths for comfort and privacy.
We start off with a beer, that of which was Kingfisher (India) on tap, perfect as it was quite muggy outside. As the evening progressed we moved onto their mango lassi which was quite thick. I personally enjoyed the consistency whereas my friends like theirs a little finer, thinner would go well on hotter days. It was a large serve and was quite filling.
We start of with their daaku di tangri (Smuggler's) drumsticks, being one of their signature items how can I not resist? It's a chicken drumstick stuffed with a bit of lamb mince and smothered in what I could only describe as a creamy carbonara-like sauce. Very delicious and tender I tried to stop myself from spooning the sauce into my mouth. Fortunately it didn't feel too heavy either.
We also got some tandoori prawns which were covered in a mixture of spices which gave the prawns a bright red coating. Plump and fiery, pair that with the mint raita on the side to counterbalance the heat and provide some freshness.
Soon after clearing the table our spread of curry arrived at the table all at once. The palak paneer was very creamy and spinachy, this is the best version I've ever had. The butter chicken wasn't as sweet as I expected and I appreciated that, I loved the ginger and other spices that came through very nicely. The goat curry packed the most heat, the goat meat was amazingly tender and if you're luckily you'll get some marrow pieces. The waitress credits the tenderness to it being Halal. We did all find the curry to be quite salty, as much as I wanted to polish this off I could not. I am told that the intense flavours are enjoyed by other patrons and is usually prepared this way.
On the side we also had some fluffy basmati rice as well as garlic naan, that of which had a lovely aroma and soft/chewy texture, the perfect vessel to scoop up the delicious curry.
We were absolutely stuffed at this point and could not make room for a heavy dessert, Indian desserts tend to be very sweet (thinking back I think I could have). The mango lassi itself was kind of a dessert! It's some of the most refined Indian food I've had (all but one) and the team are passionate about what pumps out of that kitchen. Thanks for having me.
We learnt about this place through EatClub and it was a very pleasant dining experience. My kids love the naan breads and chicken korma, I really enjoyed the chicken vindaloo. And service is very attentive. Happy to recommend this place.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
**3.5 stars** We came here after being invited to try out this restaurantâs food. First of all, the interior is nice (not what youâd expect from walking past the front of the store). The seats are comfy because of their leather skins, and the tables arenât set close together, leaving a nice space between diners. There are also two booths.
In terms of service, it was okay. As we walked in, the waitress wasnât too welcoming or friendly. But after double checking our invite, I guess she became nicer. I also found that the food took a while to come out. 18 minutes for the entree to reach our table and from there, 27 minutes for the mains to be placed on our table.
The food was the highlight of our experience. As mentioned earlier, we had an entree to begin with (Chicken Tikka - boneless pieces of chicken marinated in yoghurt, herbs and spices, cooked in the tandoori oven served with kachumbar salad). I really liked this dish as the chicken was juicy and tender but also somewhat aromatic. Just F.Y.I, this dish alone is filling and could pass for a main. So if youâre thinking of going for mains, maybe think about getting one less item on the menu.
For mains, we chose the âButter Chickenâ, â Tawa Lambâ, garlic naan and basmati rice. The butter chicken was above average/ different from other places in that it was less creamy but more richer in flavour (it was also more orange in colour). The tawa lamb was standard - we found the meat to be soft but the sauce a tad weak.
On the other hand, the garlic naan was delicious. It wasnât that oily and had a nice hint of garlic taste that complimented with the other curries. The basmati rice was indeed plain, a little dry, but easily passable because once you eat with those curry dishes, it doesnât matter.
Overall, this restaurant does serve nice dishes and the environment is great. However, waiting time is a little long and staff could be friendlier - especially to customers who walk in. First impressions are important when aiming for a memorable dining experience.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
With its catchy name, Curry Smuggler aims to please the locals of Fitzroy and the surrounding suburbs with classic Indian dishes and favourites.
The restaurant is perfectly placed, with South-Asian restaurants few and far between in this area (and surrounded by many watering holes too).
Several comfortable booths line one side of the restaurant, and the atmosphere feels clean and spacious, with obligatory cultural pieces decorating the mostly plain walls.
Given the area, the restaurant does have a separate vegetarian and vegan menu, which is a plus.I recognise a lot of classics, however I was hoping for something a little different, like panipuri.
⢠Salmon Tikka â the restaurantâs tandoori oven imparts its light smoky flavour into the salmon, so it has great flavour, however itâs a little on the dry side for me.
⢠Lamb Tawa â the lamb chunks were tender and the sauce was rich and smoky. Lovely dish.
⢠Butter Chicken â not overly sweet and had a great depth of flavour. A typical favourite for me.
⢠Dal Tarka â the lentils had an unbelievably creamy texture and balanced flavour.Â
⢠Chicken Biryani â the rice was well seasoned and went really well with the refreshing raita.
⢠Garlic Naan â hot and crisp with a soft middle, the naan had a good balance of crunshed garlic smeared across and wasnât overly oily.
Thereâs something very comforting about south-Asian cuisine, and Curry Smuggler executes many of the dishes very well.
The service is also professional and knowledgeable, always ready to provide a recommendation.
I enjoyed my dining experience and would recommend if youâre in the area and have a hankering for Indian food!
Thanks to the team for hosting us!
5.0
Great service with attentive staff. Well laid out seats and great ambience. A warm, strong aroma is smelt upon entry making you hungry on what to order.
Entree
Chicken tikka is big for an entree size. Presented on a stone grill plate, the chicken is juicy, flavoursome from the herbs and spices and prior, cooked in a tandoori oven. The mint yoghurt compliments the chicken. A must try!
Tikki chat - Vibrant and full of flavour. The garnishes compliment the crispy potatocake.
Sides
Butter naan is layered and flaky , comparable to the plain naan but with more layers. Very aromatic and crispy.
The galic naan is very buttery and the garlic is great.
Mains
Lamb paneer is great. No gamy taste, lamb breaks apart easily and tender. Very flavoursome.
Butter chicken is served with tandoori chicken. Fragrant, tender and well made.
Drink
Mango lassi - rich in flavour and yoghurt is thick.
*** I was invited to try out this place but review based kn my own opinion.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
We were invited to Curry Smuggler in the the heart of Fitzroy to sample some of their dishes. First up, the ambience was very warm and inviting. The background music and the sweet smell of incense stimulated our senses in preparation for a fine meal.
There were many options available, including an extensive vegetarian menu. For starters, we had the onion bhaji (the chickpea batter was amazing and the chutney accompanying it was lovely) and tikki chat - this was like potato cake on steroids! The sauce topping the crispy potato cake is what dreams are made of.
For mains, we upped the ante on spice and got exactly what we expected. We had the best lamb vindaloo ever - this was spicy, the meat was tender and it certainly gave us a kick (as described in the menu!). We also had tawa chicken which was served on a sizzling plate. Once again, it was spicy and gave our taste buds a nice little work out.
The basmati rice was cooked perfectly and we enjoyed devouring the cheese naan. This was crispy and cheesy.
Service was fast and pleasant.
Thank you Curry Smuggler for a fantastic time...I would love to smuggle some curry home with me next time!
Curry smuggler in Fitzroy. It is a 4.5 out 5 dinning experience for me. Love the Indian food restaurant and this one is very authentic and have fresh cooked dishes to choose from. Tandoori prawns and mushroom are must order dishes. Also the chicken korma and kashimiri naan are my favourite dishes as well. More Fresh kingfisher tap beer is also tasty. Thanks for the invite and great food.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Curry Smuggler have been open for a couple of years and slowly building its audience. We were invited to try the menu and had a selection of curries, naans and starters. My personal favourites were the beef khumbi â which is Indiaâs answer to the beef stroganoff with the inclusion of mushrooms. It was something different, and Iâd definitely have it again. The biryani was also flavourful, moist and the meat was tender. The vindaloo brought the heat, which is what its meant to do and the naan was crispy and soft. The curries are high quality presented beautifully. As an alternative to mango lassi, the sweet and salty lassi was very refreshing.Â
I tend to find the interiors of Indian restaurants to be well done, and curry smuggler is no exception. The dark woods and the metals. You canât really see from the outside that itâs going to look that nice indoors. Itâs relatively spacious and the seats are comfortable.
Service was friendly and attentive. The lady knew the menu well, and she was not afraid to make recommendations. All in all, Curry Smugger is great for dine in, but would make a tasty takeaway.
Curry smuggler is certainly no curry in a hurry, it is slow cooked goodness.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
A very popular Indian restaurant in the busy Brunswick St, Fitzroy. We came here for dinner tonight and ordered a few dishes:
Chicken tikka - boneless pieces of chicken marinated in yoghurt, herbs and spices, cooked in the tandoori oven served with Kachumbar Salad. This chicken was very flavourful, and arrived sizzling in the plate. It was particularly nice when dipped in the mint yoghurt provided as it balanced out the flavours well.
Tandoori prawns - prawns marinated in the yoghurt, authentic Indian spices and cooked in the tandoori oven served with Kachumbar Salad.
The prawns were fresh and juicy, but was a bit bland in flavour.Â
Dal Tarka - Lentils cooked overnight on a slow fire on the tandoori oven with herbs and spices.
One of my favourite dishes as it was very nicely spiced and a bit of a chilli kick to it. This was great when piled onto the rice.
Beef Khumbi- One of the specials of the night, and was a recommended dish. The beef was very tender yet a bit softer in taste and the sauce was a bit sweet, unlike the usual salty curry tastes.
Tawa goat - smoke flavoured traditional curry served with smoked onions and capsicum on hot plate. This was a recommended dish however, it had a lot of bones and chewy fatty bits which didn't suit my tastes, however, the sauce had a really unique flavour and it went so well with the garlic naan bread we ordered.
We ordered a mango lassi which had an impressive 'mango art' on top. It was nice and thick. We also ordered the original sweet lassi which I thought was really sweet, but it was actually alright and really nice. Had some crunchy bits in it which I am not sure what it is but overall I really liked this drink.
The decor was interesting and very thought out with happy images of couples and things across the walls. The waiters were nice and friendly.Â
Nice place to hang and thank you for having us.
Tasty, authentic and well portioned Indian food that is served with a smile and appreciation of your business. The stand out butter chicken was cooked perfectly. The chicken itself melted in our mouths. Very pleased!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Curry Smuggler is an Indian Restaurant located on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. Inside has a nice ambiance, a relaxed feel & seating in comfortable booths as well as larger tables.
We started with Tandoori Prawns & Chicken Tikka which both arrived sizzling. The prawns were really tasty & juicy & the chicken had a decent kick of spice to it. Fortunately we had also ordered mango lassis so these helped with the chilli burn.
For mains we ordered the Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, Eggplant & Potato Masala & Raita. The butter chicken was delicious, succulent pieces of chicken in a rich & creamy sauce. The Masala was quite spicy with pieces of green chilli amongst the tender eggplant & tasty potatoes. Garlic Naan is one of my favourites & this was light & combined perfectly with our mains. I always order raita (cucumber & spices in yoghurt) as itâs a good way to counteract the heat of curries & perfect for dunking naan bread.
A great little Indian restaurant, a good range of traditional dishes plus a vegan menu & warm hospitality. Thanks so much for having us.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
We were invited to Curry Smuggler last night about 15 months on from my first visit when they had just opened. It was as delicious as ever although a little spicier than I recall but luckily I had a side of raita and a mango lassi on hand to cool me down. I stuck to old favourites in the butter chicken and chicken tikka but we also took the opportunity to try some other dishes.
We tried the tandoori prawns for entree, these had great colour and flavour and were served with a little mint yogurt dipping sauce, yum. Main wise we ordered the eggplant and potato curry which was a delicious little dish. Something a bit different that I havenât really seen on other menus and well worth trying.
Overall an uber tasty evening!
ORIGINAL REVIEW
Cute little name cute little place. A friend saw this as a living social deal and I'll admit I was a little skeptical. It sounded like the deal of the century two mains, two entrees, two sides, two deserts and two wines all for $29?? The entrees alone equated to that monetary value. You could only buy the voucher for two or four people so we purchased for four despite a party of 6 given we had one vegetarian and one severe dieter in our midst figuring they could order a la carte.
Turns out it certainly would've catered to the vego among us given you had choice of majority of the extensive menu. I have to say I was impressed from the moment I stepped in the place. A relative new kid on the block, the interiors were lovely and the servings were generous. I was absolutely relishing the fact I was having a cheat meal (day 12 of diet) and naturally ordered my old friend butter chicken for the main. Absolutely delicious.
The garlic naan as a side smelt phenomenal but was a little doughy. Still very enjoyable. I know I'm working backwards here but the chicken tikka for entree was sensational. Had a bit of a kick to it and came with four sizeable pieces. Extremely filling and hugely satisfying.
I couldn't fit the dessert in but luckily my friends were all too happy to demolish the pistachio kulfi. Beyond sensational value but this is a place I would happily return to paying full price. I wonder if that deals still available..
These guys were great. Ordered via Uber eats which as is typical for uber eats a total fail. We live in an apartment and the refused to deliver to our door and claimed to have left it outside. A call to the restaurant and they were very apologetic and delivered our meal personally. Butter Chicken and Rogan Josh were great as were the naan and roti sides. The Samosas were excellent as well
::invitational::
Invitation from curry smuggler! Another new addition to Brunswick st. Oriental mix Indian interior, staff were nice and friendly. We had Tikki chat which had chutney like taste with potatoes and onion in it. Another appetiser was Indian style onion rings, were fluffy and flavourful! Samosas had that thick batter skin not my fav. Good menu option for vegans as well. Mango lassi has that nice mango and yoguti flavour. Kingfisher beer on tap was my fav. Naan was fluffy and fresh. Goat curry in a sizzling plate was flavourful and staff warned us as it comes with bones which was nice. Butter chicken was a bit average. Every dish nicely garnished and was presentable. However the prices were really affordable/reasonable. Very good option to go after a drink at the pub or with a huge family. Overall taste, quality, ambiance against price gives an overall score of 4.2*
Thus far 2 attempts with Curry Smuggler with excellent results.
Ordered 2 Biryani (Lamb) spicy and the results were spicy, succulent lamb and tasty biryani rice.
Will give the other items on the menu a go in the coming weeks and will give an update.
We were a group of 6 and got lots of curries plus roti and rice to share and it was all really yummy!
Staff were friendly and they were happy to take us in late ish
Curry Smuggler is now at the top of my list of top Indian restaurants in Melbourne! Nestled along a busy area in the heart of Fitzroy, Curry Smuggler is a casual dining spot with authentic Indian vibes, and a classic Indian menu featuring all the standards of warm flaky naan bready, flavoursome butter chicken, an all-round flavours that made it perfect for a Melbourne dinner during the cold winter.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Curry Smuggler located in Fitzroy at 223 Brunswick Street is a modern Indian restaurant offering a variety of traditional Indian-inspired dishes as well as providing an extensive vegan and gluten-free range of food.
On Tuesday night, my friend and I came to Curry Smuggler for dinner. It was a quiet night and we sat at one of the booths. The restaurant was beautifully designed with black tables and chairs with beige booths and exposed bricks
We ordered the Tikki Chat, Onion Bhaji for entrĂŠes. For our mains we ordered The Butter Chicken and the Lamb Vindaloo that came with the expected spicy kick. For sides we ordered the Plain Basmati Rice and Garlic Naan.
The Tikki Chat was delicious! Delightful pan fried crispy Potato cakes topped with chat sauces and garnished with chopped onions, tomato and coriander. It was full of flavour and most tasty.
The Onion Bhaji were crunchy onion rings and went great with The Tamarind and Mint Chutney.
The Butter Chicken was also scrumptious â the chicken was cooked very well and it was a very large serving. The Lamb Vindaloo was full of flavour as well with the lamb being soft and tender and needed no knife!
We had excellent customer service with staff having good knowledge of the dishes and eager to please. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience â this is the place for authentic Indian food.
Absolutely loved it! The cheese nann bread was to die for! The beef vindaloo and chicken tikka masala Curry had the perfect amount of spice and it was a great atmosphere. Will definitely be coming back here to try other items on the menu. Perfect end to my Sunday evening.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Curry Smuggler has been on my to do list for a while, my partner and I dined here last night.
The restaurant is nice and cosy, service was quite slow and it seemed staff front of house may have been run off their feet. Our waitresses were all warm and welcoming which was lovely.
My partner and I started off with the prawn tandoori, the spices were definitely there and were flavoursome. The mint yogurt on the side was heavenly and I wish I could take some home to eat (it was that good!!) I liked the prawns but didnât love them so next time Iâd like to try the chicken tandoori.
For mains we got the tawa chicken which arrived on a sizzling plate and the aroma - wow! Our nostrils went into overdrive lol This was a delicious curry that packed a punch, not heat wise just full of flavour. We also ordered the beef vindaloo which was nice but again I didnât love the dish. The curry was very tomatoey, more so than Iâve had before. Iâm not a vindaloo expert so perhaps this is the way it is supposed to be..?
Rice and naan breads were great and you can BYO wine which is always fab!
Would I come back again, yes most definitely. I would love to try some other things on the menu. I recommend a visit here as the staff were lovely, restaurant is clean, great menu and yum food.
Eat_today_diet_tomorrow
+5
We were delighted to dine at Curry Smuggler. Easily one of our favourite Indian restaurants in the area. We had a chance to try the butter chicken, naan bread, tawa lamb and papadam. All the dishes were really yummy and enjoyable. The butter chicken was our favourite dish, the chicken was tender and curry was on point!
A Chronicle Of Gastronomy
+4
Sitting in a quieter section of Brunswick Road, Curry Smuggler aims to deliver Indian food so good itâs as if theyâve smuggled it in. Daaku Di Tangri chicken drumsticks have lamb mince hidden inside and is marinated in tandoori spices and yoghurt. The cheesy, slightly creamy sauce adds a good hit of flavour to the moist
One of my friend suggested me this resturant for indian cusine. I had butter chicken and it was great. Butter chicken had authentic indian taste. Staff was really friendly and service was quick. Overall worth for money .
Linnie Eats All The Food
+4
Located at the end of the business end of Fitzroy sits a quiet eatery with a fantastical name â Curry Smuggler. Walking in, you can smell the indian spices and youâre greeted so warmly by the staff. The decor was nothing flash and what youâd find typically in most eateries. But we werenât here for the decor were we? We were here for all those delish dishes containing all those yummy spices!
Itâs a semi fine dining Indian restaurant situated the busy street, Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. Surely, everyone wonât have any hard time to find this restaurant as itâs easily accessible by public transport or private vehicles. As soon as we arrived, weâre welcomed by the friendly customer staff.
absolutely loved everything. quality food, quality service, quality sitting arrangements, excellent choice of music & volume neither low nor loud - just perfect .. was on a tight schedule, so couldn't spend much time. will definitely go back.
We recently had the pleasure of being invited to dine at Curry Smuggler. In addition to the fact that I love their choice of name for their restaurant (it certainly made me giggle!), I love Indian cuisine and never get an opportunity to eat it as much as I would like to so of course we happily accepted the invitation!
Had s great meal here, delicious butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, rice, cheese naan and a great Kashmiri naan yum would definitely eat here again. Friendly service and nice and clean. Highly recommended.
Love the food here. One of the best Indian restaurants in Melbourne. Staffs could be more efficient though and the playlist could be better as well.
My friend Mr . sandesh malla had a birthday party on this resturant on 6th of February.We odered many foods and all the dishes were mind blowing especially butter chicken,paneer tikka,tandoori prown.There was a good environment inside the resturant with pleasent song.The staffs were so friendly and charming. At last we ordered garlic naam and mango lassi and it was the best naan i ever had in my life.I was feeling so good while having naan.
This restaurant was recommend by my friend all dishes which i had test was too good and testy specially goat curry with naan was fantastic so if i have to recommend Indian restaurant to any one then obviously I recommend curry smuggler.
Thank you
This is my very first review! Tonight we were going to our local pho place but found out it had shut down permanently. We started walking down the street, feeling sad and then we stumbled across curry smuggler. Iâve walked past it 1000 times and havenât thought much but we decided to try it tonight - Iâm so glad we did! The service was great, atmosphere was lovely, the tableware enticing and the food was really delicious!! We had the lamb korma, chicken biriyani, garlic naan and cucumber salad. Really well priced and weâll definitely be going back! I was really surprised how good it was and thatâs why I had to leave my first review.
I went there with a friend on Thursday night. It was a nice atmosphere, not too busy and we were served straight away.Â
We ordered the Butter Chicken and the Lam Rogan Josh, we asked both to be mild, it was the prefect amount of spice. The butter chicken was the best part of the night... highly recommend ordering this one.Â
The service was also great, very attentive!
Delicious Indian food in Fitzroy can be found at Curry Smuggler. The authenticity of this restaurant further enhances the experience. You can choose to have you curries cooked in mild or hotter spices, depending on your level of spice tolerance. All of the curries and hot plates that we tried were delicious and traditionally flavoursome, with the accompaniment of biryani rice and naan bread a must with any Indian meal, especially here.
Modern ambience with lots of dishes in menu to chose from went in
With a group of six we had goat curry chicken tikka masala chicken korma and veg korma. Every dishes was cooked with profession and flavour. Let talk about nan which was very soft and hot bite. We definitely return coming back to take advantage of your delicious food. We love your services and atmosphere of Restaurant. Every one should try and highly recommend
Thank youđđťđđť
Amongst the many eateries lining all along Brunswick Street, Curry Smuggler definitely stands out as one of the best Indian eateries weâve had to date.
Our meal was characterised by generous portions of authentic, well-balanced and exceptionally executed items that continued to impressed dish after dish. For an authentic Indian dining experience thatâs bound to satisfy your tastebuds without breaking the bank, you seriously need not look further.
I went to this place few days ago and food is so delicious and very friendly staff.
Highly recommended!!! Daaku di tangri was amazing chicken drumsticks with lamb mince stuffing
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Indian cuisines with just the right balance of flavours is hard to come by these days, which is why we were pleasantly surprised by the authenticity and harmonious palette of spices at Curry Smuggler.
We thoroughly enjoyed our generously portioned entrees; the Paneer Tikka and Onion Bhaji were both accompanied by flavoursome dipping sauces/chutney to create additional ways to eat the dishes that then prepared our taste buds for the hit of flavours encompassed by our mains.
The Chicken Tikka Masala was easily a favourite at the table with its tenderness, but what we didnât expect, was to relish in the depth of flavour provided by the Tawa Lamb. This came recommended by the restaurant owner, as to try something out of the ordinary. Boy, did our stomachs thank him for it!
We appreciated the cleanliness and overall ambience in the restaurant. Providing guests with an elaborate vegan menu is very clever and refreshing (being in the hipster capital of Melbourne and all). It is definitely a place to visit if you are a Melbourne foodie.Thanks for the invite.
Located in bustling Fitzroy, Curry Smuggler is a stunning Indian restaurant by run by passionate owner Manraj, who is a foodie by day and a talented photographer by night. Curry Smugglerâs extensive menu features moreish Indian cuisine with favourites such as butter chicken and other exotic dishes you will not get anywhere else.
Finally. Exact taste i was looking for authentic Indian food. Had tawa goat and Karahipaneer both full of flavours and meat was so tender. Tawa goat is my new favourite from now. Thanks to my friend who reffered me for this restaurant
Me and my kids enjoyed masala dosa and haka noodles . Best dosa i had . No excessive oil in dosa and haka noodles with chicken Tikka made a flavours come to life with noodles
Best masala dosa i ever had. My wife had pav bhaaji that was also perfect. Exact tangy flavour couple with pav. Awesome food . With masala dosa the coconut sauce was to rich and thick . Definately best dosa i ever had
Food was really amazing.... had been to many restaurants but here butter chicken was finger licking..đđalthough i dont like beef but i tried for the very first time and now i am crazy for it.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Itâs been a while since Iâve dined on the busy Brunswick Street, fortunately we had an invite from Curry Smuggler (loving the name of this joint already! hahaa) to come try some of their delicious Indian foods mMmmâŚ.
Opened just about 9months ago, this newly renovated restaurant is owned by a lovely couple who were very friendly and humble. Manraj, is a foodie by day with a passion of photographer by night. These are displayed throughout the restaurant.Opened just about 9months ago, this newly renovated restaurant is owned by a lovely couple who were very friendly and humble. Manraj, is a foodie by day with a passion of photographer by night. These are displayed throughout the restaurant.
Hubby and I started off with a Mango Lassi and an Original Lassi each. Wasnât very fond of the original one which had a bit too much spices for my liking. The Mango Lassi on the hand was delicious! Slightly thicker then what I would like it to be but nothing a few extra ice wonât help.
Tandoori Prawns â char-grilled with a lot of great indian spices. Menu did say it came with a Kachumbar Salad unfortunately I think they were missing a few ingredients as it only came with a side of lettuce and tomato..........
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
My partner and I headed off to Brunswick Street on a Saturday night. Mmnn hahaha yes this is a busy street in Melbourne w lots of restaurants so your spoilt for choice.
I laughed when I read the name of this Indian restaurant, so I was really happy to eat there. The staff were really friendly, and happy w great service to match.
Tonight we skipped entree and went straight to mains and naan. Iâve read about the naan on Zomato so we ordered the cheese naan and it was delicious!! Yummm... sooo good đ
We ordered chicken tikka masala delicious, a lamb vindaloo (perfect spice and heat) goat curry, a few too many little bones for me but the flavour was excellent.
A raita (cucumber w yoghurt n spice) which was great and some basmati rice. All of that w a Kingfisher beer and w the ambience, I could have been in India tonight lol.
Overhearing other punters tonight the feedback was excellent. This is authentic food, cooked to perfection.
Oh and I almost forgot, they have a full vegan menu too. Happy days!
Thank you for a wonderful night and the invitation, this place is definitely worth a visit. Enjoy đ
Had a quiet weeknight dinner here for the first time after living across the road and seeing the restaurant pop up about 8 months ago. The husband and wife team running the place were really nice and welcoming and had great attention to detail in terms of sercice. They explained to us how their tandoor oven works and the menu items (they have a whole seperate vegan menu, which is great). We ended up ordering some papadums, vegetarian curries and garlic Naan. Everything was super delish, hearty but light and not too oily. Overall a very a satisfying experience and will be back soon!
We went to Curry Smuggler on a Wednesday evening, it's located on the cool but not elitist Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. Indian restaurants in Australia can be a gamble with dishes often too salty, overcooked and sloppy but Curry Smuggler dishes were aromatic, delicate and presented beautifully. The service was attentive but not intrusive. I'll definitely be returning to sample more dishes.
We had gone here for dinner on a weekday. Though the starters were not very impressive we loved the main course. would definitely visit again.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Came here with a group the other night and apart from us the place was empty. Perhaps understandable given it was a Sunday evening, but also reading the reviews it doesn't seem to be the norm and it was very strange to eat at a restaurant with no one else even coming in for takeaway. Anyhow, couldn't really fathom why the place was so empty because the food was quite enjoyable. Everyone around the table seemed to be pleasantly satisfied with their meal. Particularly the butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, chicken tikka and vegetable biryani which I think were all crowd pleasers.
The service was interesting. Good and on the ball, but almost seemed like they were watching and waiting for us to leave from the minute we got there. I suppose if we were the only ones that might be understandable but it was a little odd.
I think what this place has going for it is its ability to do the basics pretty well. The menu was jumping out with elaborate dishes inspired by cultural fusion, as some Indian restaurants are today, but what it does have is pretty much any curry you could recall by name done pretty well.
Went here the other day  to try some of their food. Afterall who can resist a name like Curry Smuggler!  I arrived at closing time  for my takeaway and found the  owner was very gracious and approachable . I am from India and there's just a few handful of restaurants in Melbourne that mimic that  true authentic Indian flavour and I found this to be one of them . Infact  the food actually reminded me of some of the good restaurants back home.Here's a tip whatever curry you choose try the naan as well, you'll love the combination!
Enjoyed a delicious dinner last night. Tikki Chat ( crispy potato ) and tandoori mushrooms for entree ( both vegan ) and chicken biriyani, beef vindaloo, basmati rice, garlic naan ( perfectly cooked ) and kachumbar salad for main. The couple hosting the dinner service were very pleasant. We were asked if we wanted hot or very hot for the vindaloo and although I love spicy, I'm happy that I chose hot as it was hot enough and helped clear my stuffy nose đ. The servings were generous and we were able to take home what we couldn't finish. We can't wait to go back again and work our way through the menu. Highly recommend this restaurant.
Loved our experience here, food was amazing! Staff were really friendly, and super helpful with deciding on what to order. Will definitely be coming back, highly recommend it!
Christopher Alex Pavlidis Garkinis
+4.5
We ordered three curries: Chicken Korma, Butter chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh - all were well made and the rice wad as usual (Fluffy and soft).
The naan was extra special and excellent! Korma however could have had a bit more kick to it - but overall the atmosphere was nice, husband-wife team were lovely and welcoming and it was $101 for three people who ate 4 curries and ordered more rices and naan breads; pretty good for the flavour, venue (Comfortable chairs, nice simple but modern decoration) and quality. Well done! I would come back here and reccomend it...
Lovely, warm and inviting little place with friendly service. The ambiance is also very relaxing, with a stylish deco and soothing music. Great to see a separate vegan menu, which is very thoughtful. We were a table of 5 and tried different dishes: Samosas for entree, which were truly delicious, as well as the Tofu Tikka, full of spices. As a main, the highlight was undoubtedly the Mutter Tofu. I would highly recommend this place.
Food was delicious and staff are lovely, can't go wrong with good spices and perfectly cooked naan bread. All the staff members were so welcoming will definitely be going back!
The staff are so friendly and the food is incredible!!
I heard about this restaurant from my brother who is a local and haven't looked back! 5 star rating from me!!
Been there twice and it's been amazing everytime. Very flavourful curries and rice, and the naan is fresh and fluffy.
Superb Indian vegan food! Came here tonight with my partner and we were extremely impressed. Fantastic service by friendly staff, authentic flavours and a great vegan selection. Just delicious. Will be back soon and bringing more friends. Highly recommended.
![5]( "Recensione")
Curry Smuggler have been open for a couple of years and slowly building its audience. We were invited to try the menu and had a selection of curries, naans and starters. My personal favourites were the beef khumbi â which is Indiaâs answer to the beef stroganoff with the inclusion of mushrooms. It was something different, and Iâd definitely have it again. The biryani was also flavourful, moist and the meat was tender. The vindaloo brought the heat, which is what its meant to do and the naan was crispy and soft.
As an alternative to mango lassi, the sweet and salty lassi was very refreshing.
I tend to find the interiors of Indian restaurants to be well done, and curry smuggler is no exception. The dark woods and the metals. You canât really see from the outside that itâs going to look that nice indoors. Itâs relatively spacious and the seats are comfortable.
Service was friendly and attentive. The lady knew the menu well, and she was not afraid to make recommendations. All in all, Curry Smugger is great for dine in, but would make a tasty takeaway.
Curry smuggler is certainly no curry in a hurry, it is slow cooked goodness.
5/5 for Biryani
4/5 for the remaining order and hospitality
For all you biryani lovers, if you would like to try one of the many authentic versions of one of a Biryani in Melbourne, which does not compromise on the flavors, spices and the heat of synonym to the original biryani, Curry Smuggler is among one of those places....absolutely lives-up to its name.
We also.ordered chicken chicken 65 which was quite decently balanced.
Affordability and good food is Curry Smuggler's USP but they need to be a bit more hospitable, that will take.them places.
A Must!!
Insta: melbfoodie_mark
YT: MelbFoodieMark
** Check them out for more food reviews in Melbourne!
-
Flavourful curry. Decent interiors. Grabbed bunch of curries and sides and they were all alright. It took a questionably long time for foods to come out even though restaurant was fairly empty. The serving of curry was a bit small but definitely rich and flavourful.
My favourites:
Tawa Chicken ($19) - Smoke flavoured traditional curry served with smoked onions and capsium
Goat Curry ($19) - Goat on bone cooked in tomato, gingerm onion, and authentic Indian spices. I actually enjoyed goat curry so much to the point where I wanted to order another one for myself. Def worth getting one!
Loved the overall food, great atmosphere and friendly staff ! Yesterday I have been to this resturent. I have to tried goat curry and Tawa chicken it was superb.Table service was amazing.The owner /host was quiet friendly.Highly recomended this place â¤
Good taste in curry! Mango lassi dont ordered! They make it in big batch and serve it could see that in there fridge but lassi tasted bit off overall the food and service was good.
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes