Chimes Indian Restaurant

Chimes Indian Restaurant spans the subcontinent from its location in Balwyn, an eastern suburb of Melbourne. Focusing on regional cuisines typical of the northern, coastal and southern sections of the Indian subcontinent, choosing from the a la carte menu (packed with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options) is sure to be a culinary exploration you’re unlikely to forget. A good introduction is to be found in the two set banqueting menus, the most opulent of these beginning with tandoori chicken or mushroom, tandoori-cooked tikka of lamb cutlets or the Indian cottage cheese known as paneer, and samosas. From there, wade through a huge array of main courses, from Goan fish curry to navratan korma, beef bhuna to dal makhani, with kulfi for dessert.

If you do choose to go a la carte at Chimes Indian Restaurant, we recommend checking out the chef’s signature dishes. Labouring in his kitchen on the corner of Balwyn Road and Belmore Road, the enterprising and skilled head chef has perfected dishes like the Andhra chicken, tender chunks of chicken deep-fried before being tossed in a wok with curry leaves, onions and crushed mustard seeds, the Chimes tandoori raan (a leg of lamb marinated overnight before being oven-roasted – give 48 hours notice if you plan to feast on this dish!), or the highly shareable Chimes sizzling tandoori platter laden with traditional Mughal-style chicken, lamb and prawns. Melbourne Indian restaurants rarely do it better, so be sure to book your tables at this Balwyn hotspot well in advance.