Big Tikka Takapuna

When it comes to all-out flavour, this restaurant goes bigger than big. Where authentic Indian dishes are prepared and served in the traditional way, Big Tikka is the only Indian restaurant you need to know about in Takapuna.

Where everything is designed to excite your senses and bring to life the magic that makes India so unique, their warm dining room is a gorgeous mix of colour and patterns without being garish. Warm oranges and yellows are paired with dark furnishings, oriental tiles and globular blue lanterns that bring a feeling of lightness to the whole establishment. And how can we mention this restaurant without acknowledging the spices cart in the corner of the impressive array of traditional copper pots that hang above the exposed kitchen? No detail is spared, and it makes for a beautiful and immersive dining experience.

Of course, Big Tikka really shines when the first dish is served. To start, graze on the likes of marinated tandoor chicken, crispy samosas, Indo-Chinese paneer and moreish bhajis that will tempt you to ruin your appetite altogether. But be strong for the best is yet to come!

The curries form the basis of the main menu with delicacies from every corner of this vast country. NZ lamb is transformed into a Kashmiri curry that bursts with saffron and cardamom, beef is slow-cooked in a punchy gingery broth and chicken steals the show in the much-loved butter chicken. Vegetarians have a host of curries to choose from too, with palak paneer, North Indian dal and boriya also serving up major tastes that will have you scrambling for more. Don't forget to check out their Big Tikka Faves and their glorious array of rice and naans. At Big Tikka, there are no small portions.