10 Best Indian Restaurants in Napier to Try in 2026

Looking for the best Indian restaurants in Napier? There’s more options than you’d think.

From Marine Parade and Napier’s city centre to Ahuriri, Westshore and Taradale, the local Indian food scene ranges from traditional curry houses and tandoori restaurants to takeaway-focused spots and restaurants that mix Indian food with a broader dining experience.

But there is a problem with most top 10 restaurant lists- they often treat every restaurant as if diners want exactly the same thing.

They don’t.

Some may want a date night, and some might not want something other than a family getaways ordering take out. A visitor staying close to Marine Parade might want “close to the centre”, whilst a local may have no qualms about driving to Taradale for a favourite curry.

Instead of copying a ranking from a review site, this guide examines which Indian restaurants in Napier to consider for various types of eaters.

The 10 best Indian restaurants in Napier in 2026

The 10 best Indian restaurants in Napier in 2026

Restaurant rankings can change as menus, reviews, ownership and customer experiences change. The information above is from 2026.

Rasoi Cuisine of India – best overall choice

If you want one restaurant to start with when searching for Indian food in Napier, Rasoi is an obvious contender.

RASOI CUISINE OF INDIA is situated on Marine Parade and is very convenient for those staying around the centre of Napier.

The significant amount of feedback received by its clients also makes it one of the more prominent names that is well established in the Indian culinary scene. There are over 1,000 reviews for the current business listing, and Tripadvisor ranks Rasoi in the top in their Napier Indian restaurants.

Ideal for: newcomers to the area, couples and those looking for a complete Indian dining experience.

Location: 125 Marine Parade, Napier.

Bollywood Napier — best for tandoori Indian and Pakistani cuisine.

Established Bollywood Napier is also one of the oldest ones nearby central Napier.

The restaurant is particularly worth considering if your idea of Indian food involves tandoori dishes, curries, naan and a lively restaurant atmosphere.

The Bollywood Stars Indian Tandoori Restaurant currently has a Tripadvisor rating of 4.8/5 based on over 400 reviews, which ranks it among the best-rated Indian restaurants in Tripadvisor’s Napier results.

Best for: tandoori dishes, dinner with friends and visitors wanting a central restaurant.

Location: 4 Thackeray Street, Napier.

Indian Tikka – strong option in Westshore.

Indian Tikka now serves the Westshore side of Napier, without its diners having to trek into the city centre.

Currently it has a good rating off customers, with more than 150 reviews on the restaurant listing section so it is one of the more interesting alternatives to the better known central city restaurants.

Best for: Residents of Westshore, tourists who stay slightly outside of the busier central district, and those who prefer Indian cuisine not at the busiest location.

Location: 19 Meeanee Quay, Westshore.

Indigo Indian Restaurant and Bar – Good for evening meal and drink

Indigo Indian Restaurant and Bar adds a bit to the mix.

This is one to extend the thought consideration when the entire meal is of importance, not just the location to collect a curry.

It is also close to the dining and night time hub on Hastings Street in Napier.

Lots of platforms rate Indigo differently, and, yes, restaurant ratings are not universal, but so far, First Table gives it 4.8/5 from 674 reviews.

Best for: dinner, couples, drinks and a more social evening.

Location: 24A Hastings Street, Napier.

The Turmeric Cuisine of India — Best for Ahuriri

If you are located near Ahuriri, there is no use having the drive all the way to Napier to have Indian food.

Turmeric Cuisine of India | Indian Restaurant Napier, West Quay, provides a convenient restaurant and dining experience in the Ahuriri area.

There are hundreds of reviews for The Turmeric on First Table today, and numerous more across dozens of business listings.

Best for: Ahuriri visitors, dinner and people staying around West Quay.

Location: 14 West Quay, Ahuriri.

Master of India: A classic Napier curry-house option

Master of India Napier has been part of Napier’s Indian dining scene for years and is located in Ahuriri on Bridge Street.

This is the type of restaurant you will want to think about if you aren’t so accustomed to traditional Indian dishes like curries, naan, rice or restaurants.

Tripadvisor’s overall rating for Master of India is 4.4/5 based on approximately 250 User ratings, and has listed the restaurant as one of the top restaurants in Napier, India at the moment.

Best for: traditional curry-house dining, families and groups.

Location: 79 Bridge Street, Ahuriri.

The Everest — For Indian and Nepalese flavours

The Everest is an interesting choice if you don’t want to restrict your meal to Indian cuisine alone.

It is a restaurant with Nepalese and Indian influences which opens the door for the visitors to try the food beyond the basic curry-house menu.

Tripadvisor currently lists The Everest with a 4.9/5 rating, although the number of reviews is much smaller than some of Napier’s long-established restaurants. The Everest is one of best Nepali as well as Indian restaurants in Napier, Hawke’s bay.

That has also been a topic to consider, but star ratings don’t mean much without review volume.

Best for: people curious about Nepalese food as well as Indian dishes.

Location: 85 Hastings Street, Napier.

Kohinoor Continental & Indian Cuisine – best for Marine Parade convenience

Kohinoor Continental & Indian cuisine is another convenient option on Marine Parade.

The place is ideal for travellers wanting to see Napier’s waterfront, as you can enjoy a meal and then stroll along one of the most well-known neighbourhoods in Napier.

Business Ratings are based on over 270 reviews and this company earns a rating of 4.7/5.

Best for: visitors staying near Marine Parade and a convenient Indian meal near the waterfront.

Location: 387 Marine Parade, Napier.

Sangam Indian restaurant – a central city option

Sangam Indian Restaurant is located in the heart of Napier along Tennyson Street.

It is a realistic option if you are already visiting the city centre and don’t desire to go anywhere else for dinner.

Tripadvisor currently gives Sangam 4.3/5 from more than 100 reviews, with customer comments also mentioning dishes such as samosas and pakora.

Best for: central-city dining, casual dinners and Indian starters such as samosas and pakora.

Location: 90 Tennyson Street, Napier.

Star of India Taradale – worth the short drive

If you stay in or around Taradale you don’t have to assume you need to go straight to the centre of Napier.

Star of India Taradale is set on Gloucester Street and offers a separate Indian restaurant dining at Taradale.

Star of India Taradale has been rated a high 4.7/5 by over 100 reviews on the Tripadvisor platform, and is currently listed as one of the best rated Indian restaurants in the Napier area.

Best for: Taradale locals, families and people staying outside central Napier.

Location: 242A Gloucester Street, Taradale.

Indian takeaway vs restaurant dining in Napier

Not all Indian restaurants can be considered a destination dinner.

For visitors who are staying in a hotel or holiday accommodation, Indian takeout in Napier may be very appealing after a tiring day of exploring Hawke’s Bay.

Alternatively, when you’re just visiting Napier as part of an enjoyable weekend getaway, dining out around Marine Parade, Hastings Street and Ahuriri can make the evening all about food, and not just for eating.

Here is why we have not solely ranked these restaurants according to the review score.

Your trip is the determinant for the right restaurant.

Which Indian restaurant in Napier should you choose?

Best restaurant is subjective to how people want their meal prepared.

🥘 Best overall

Rasoi Cuisine of India

Good place to start if you just need a good solid well-established Indian restaurant that has lots of user reviews.

🔥 Best for tandoori

Bollywood Napier

A good option when tandoori food is high on your list.

🌊 Best near the waterfront

Kohinoor

Its Marine Parade location makes it convenient for visitors exploring Napier’s waterfront.

🍷 Best for dinner and drinks

Indigo

A good choice when you want your Indian meal to be part of an evening out rather than simply a takeaway.

⚓ Best in Ahuriri

The Turmeric

A convenient choice if you’re staying around West Quay.

🏔️ Best for Indian + Nepalese flavours

The Everest

Particularly interesting if you want to try something beyond a conventional Indian menu.

🚗 Best around Taradale

Star of India Taradale

For people living around Taradale, a practical option for dinners.

What should you order at an Indian restaurant in Napier?

If you’re unfamiliar with Indian food, the menu can look slightly overwhelming.

A simple starting point is a combination of:

For starters

Samosa
Onion bhaji
Pakora
Tandoori chicken

For the main course

Butter chicken for mild creamy curry
For a thicker tomato-based curry, chicken tikka masala is an option.
Lamb rogan josh for a deeper, spiced flavour
If you like spinach curries try saag dishes.
Veggie and brazen side dish if you prefer.

To go with it

Garlic naan
Plain or basmati rice
Raita
Mango chutney

Don’t think that you’ll always get better with the ‘hot’ option. Indian cuisine is vast in taste and often a curry with medium spices is more likely to show the taste.

Are Indian restaurants in Napier expensive?

Dining at a full-service Indian restaurant will be on the moderate price range depending on the food and beverages you order.

A curry and a side of rice or a naan can be an easy meal for one, whereas multiple starters, mains and drinks for multiple people can add up rather quickly.

If you want to spend less for your Indian dinner, you can also head to the takeout area.

Final verdict

Despite this, Napier offers a super diverse Indian food scene, from your tried-and-tested curry house and tandoori to the takeaway foods or Indian fusion dishes to a cuppa or a meal of Indian options with everything else thrown in.

If you are coming on your first visit, then go to Rasoi, Bollywood, Indigo and The Turmeric. If you’re staying in Westshore, Ahuriri or Taradale, however, choosing a restaurant closer to where you’re staying may make more sense.

If you’re planning a foodie holiday around Hawke’s Bay, you shouldn’t limit yourself to Napier. If you are looking for other Indian dining, look to Hastings and Havelock North.

Restaurant ratings and opening hours can change, so check the restaurant’s current information before making a special trip.

FAQs