What to Order at an Indian Restaurant for the First Time (Non-Spicy Picks)

First time at an Indian restaurant? The best mild, non-spicy dishes, how to order and share, and a naan and rice cheat sheet, from Avatar in Bundoora.

Walking into an Indian restaurant for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. Fifty dishes, unfamiliar names and the worry that everything will be blow-your-head-off hot. Good news: it won’t be, if you order well. Here’s how to do it.

How to order like a regular

Share everything. Indian meals are served family-style. Order one curry per person, put them in the middle and share.
Add rice and bread. Plan about one rice per two people and a naan each.
Start with something crispy. Samosas, onion bhaji or momo while you wait.
Ask for your spice level. At Avatar every curry can be made mild, medium, hot or volcanic.

Best mild (non-spicy) dishes

Butter chicken: tandoori chicken in a smooth tomato and butter sauce. The classic first order.
Chicken or lamb korma: mild and creamy with almond.
Malai kofta: vegetarian potato and paneer dumplings in a gentle tomato-cream sauce.
Shahi paneer: paneer in a creamy cashew gravy.
Dal makhani: slow-cooked black lentils with butter and cream.
Steam momo: Nepalese dumplings, mild inside; the achar on the side is where the heat is.
Mango lassi: a sweet yoghurt drink that cools everything down.

Ready for a little more flavour?

Chicken tikka masala is a step up from butter chicken, with onion and capsicum.
Rogan josh is aromatic rather than hot.
Chicken sekuwa is chargrilled, smoky Nepalese chicken with a cooling yoghurt dip.
Biryani is fragrant layered rice with raita on the side.

If you love heat

Try vindaloo, Avatar-style chicken tikka, piro aloo (Nepalese spicy potatoes) or chilli momo, and order them hot or volcanic if you’re brave.

Bread and rice cheat sheet

Plain or butter naan: soft, puffy and good with anything.
Garlic naan: the crowd favourite.
Cheese naan: a hit with kids.
Roti: wholemeal and lighter.
Jeera rice: cumin rice, a step up from plain.

Frequently asked questions

What should I order at an Indian restaurant if I don’t like spicy food?

Butter chicken, korma, malai kofta, shahi paneer and dal makhani, ordered mild, plus naan and a mango lassi.

What is the most popular Indian dish in Australia?

Butter chicken is consistently one of the most popular Indian dishes in Australia, alongside rogan josh, tikka masala and garlic naan.

How many dishes should we order?

About one curry per person, one rice per two people and one naan each, plus an entrée or two to share.

Is Indian food always spicy?

No. Many dishes are mild and creamy, and most restaurants, including Avatar, will adjust the spice level for you.

Hungry now? Order online, book a table or browse the full menu. Avatar Indian & Nepalese Restaurant, 12 Copernicus Crescent, Bundoora · (03) 9191 5003.