Foodies Guide to the Best Butter Chicken in New Zealand
Introduction:
“The land of the long white cloud” or “Aotearoa” as known by the Maori. Are a pair of islands in the south-west Pacific ocean, which is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, and is also famous for its Maori art and Polynesian culture. A part of the commonwealth the country is a melting pot of cultures and traditions.
Home to a large Indian expat population settled in its 3 major cities ie Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, the country boasts of some of the best Indian fares in the southern hemisphere, lets explore this beautiful country, tasting some of the amazing Indian food it has to offer in our pursuit of the best butter chicken in New Zealand.
1. Gorkha Eastern Beach
Location: 1C Eastern Beach Road, Eastern Beach, Auckland 2012 New Zealand
Website: https://www.gorkhaeasternbeach.co.nz/order-now/menu
About the restaurant: Specialising in Nepalese and North Indian cuisine the restaurant has been the go for a quick and fulfilling meal. Serving the best of both worlds from momos and samosas to tandoor delicacies, stir-fried noodles, and biriyanis.
Gorkha‘s Butter Chicken: Traditional slow cooked makhani gravy made from sweet yet slightly tart tomatoes pureed and blended with a smooth cashew nut paste. Add boneless spicy masala marinated chicken cooked in the tandoor to the mix and you get one of the best butter chicken available in New Zealand, especially Auckland.
Cost: $18.50 for a serving that can fill two hungry bellies is more than what most customers bargain for, whether you like to dine in or takeout this dish is sure to keep you coming back for more. Value for money and customer satisfaction are the key highlights of this restaurant.
2. Cassia
Location: 5 Fort Lane, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
Website: https://www.cassiarestaurant.co.nz/menus/
About the restaurant: Offering seasonal ingredients prepared in contemporary styles, emphasising the freshness of the ingredients and the story behind the food, Cassia is known for the extraordinary gourmet experience offering you a tasting menu that seasonally changes and offers something new every time around.
Cassia‘s Butter Chicken: Delhi duck, accompanied with a traditional makhani sauce, with a side of lychee, and kumara a tuber similar to sweet potato. The duck is pan-seared and then poached in the sweet yet piquant makhani sauce before being topped with poached lychees and kumara in mild spices. A contemporary twist to the traditional tandoor dish prepared with chicken making it one of the best butter chicken in New Zealand.
Cost: $42 Is a steep price for a traditionally styled entree, but the dish takes you out of your comfort zone offering you a new experience prepared using a familiar recipe with local falvours presented in a modern way.
3. 1947 eatery
Location: 60 Federal Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand
Website: https://1947eatery.co.nz/
About the restaurant: A trendy and contemporary cocktail bar and restaurant the 1947 eatery is known for its new-age menu offering traditional fare in a modernists vision. Offering tapas styled small eats in a fashionable and eye-catchy theme, the restaurant is a rage with the younger generation of ex-pats in Auckland.
1947 Eatery‘s Butter Chicken: Bang Bang Butter Chicken Prepared the traditional old Delhi style this dish is reminiscent of home and has smokey notes followed by a sweet caramel makhani sauce slow-cooked with sweet aromatic spices. The creamy notes from the cashew nut puree compliment the tart flavour of the tomato sauce.
Cost: $30 dollars puts this dish in the mid-range category and is worth the entire dining experience that the trendy bistro offers, they also have a wonderful bar menu with signature cocktails to complement their food making them one of the best restaurants serving butter chicken in New Zealand.
4. Curry Heaven
Location: 8 Bond Street TeAro, CBD, Wellington 6011 New Zealand
Website: https://www.newtown.curryheaven.co.nz/
About the restaurant: A Family run establishment offering traditional fare, at the most reasonable prices around town, they have a wonderful loyalty program that bolsters their wholesome company approach giving them that homely vibe. They are a BYOB restaurant are perfect for group dinners.
Curry Heaven‘s Butter Chicken: Tender Chicken supreme marinated in the in house special tandoori mix is cooked in a clay oven before being slathered with a smooth and satin tomato sauce with piquant notes of dry fenugreek leaves.
Cost: $17 makes it one of the most affordable locations on your list and is perfect for those weekday dinners or just a casual Sunday night takeaway to sort out those cravings. The affordable pricing the traditional flavour and the overall homely vibe earn it a spot on our list of the best butter chicken in New Zealand.
5. Great India
Location: 141 Manners Street, Wellington 6011 New Zealand
Website: https://greatindia.co.nz/menu.html
About the restaurant: A North Indian restaurant specialising in Gujrati and Northern delicacies, the restaurant is known for its home styled food prepared using heirloom recipes, served in a no frills straightforward fashion. Perfect for family dinners or larger gatheeerings. They also do offer offsite catering making it perfect for private events.
Great India‘s Butter Chicken: One of the best sellers in the restaurant their butter chicken is prepared with honey, butter, dry fenugreek leaves and loads of fresh dairy cream, a leaner version swapping the cashewnuts for the melon seeds.
Cost: $19.50 Makes it a steal deal when paired with their butter naan, making it one of the best butter chicken in New Zealand.
6. Permit Room
Location: 779 Colombo street opposite Crown Plaza, Christchurch New Zealand
Website: https://www.permitroom.co.nz/
About the restaurant: With branches in India and New Zealland, set in a picturesque colonial manor The Permit room is a premier dining establishment offering hand crafted meals with emphasis on south Indian cuisine and the wide range of natural produce in terms of sea food, meat and vegetarian dishes.
Permit Room‘s Butter Chicken: South Indian Coconut Butter chicken is a twist on the traditional recipe swapping dairy cream and the nut puree for a leaner coconut milk broth served with a side of steamed rice and is a flavourful ode to the south indian love affair with coconut milk.
Cost: $25 is a reasonable amount for thee exquisite dining experience and dont forget top try the fantastic range of cocktails on their menu too. Definitely one of the best butter chicken in New Zealand.
7. Mumbaiwala Indian Street Kitchen
Location: BNZ Centre, 120 Hereford Street, Christchurch New Zealand
Website: https://mumbaiwala.co.nz/mumbaiwala-christchurch/menus/
About the restaurant: Capturing the essence of India’s largest city through its various culinary experiences, the restuarant specialises in modern street fare to suit a hipsters palette. Distinct food with authentic flavours which create engaging experiences and guarantee to leave you coming back for more.
Mumbaiwala‘s Butter Chicken: Murgh Makhani prepared the traditional way with smokey chicken chunks cooked in a satin tomato sauce with hints of sun dried fenugreek, blending sweet sour and piquant flavours to create a gastronomical mdele.
Cost: $16 makes it one of the most affordable dishes on the list and earns it a spot on you list of best butter chicken in New Zealand owing to the traditional yet modernist chique approach the kitchen is headed in.
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