Cassia

Indian restaurant · Auckland Central ·

Cassia

Indian restaurant · Auckland Central ·

Creative Indian plates from local ingredients in a trendy subterranean spot

Information

Level 3/90 Federal Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand Get directions

NZ$100+

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,992 Cities

The 38 Best Restaurants in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland, New Zealand) | Eater

"Sid and Chand Sahrawat are two of the most notable players developing Auckland’s particular blend of modern Indian cuisine. Cassia, the couple’s modern Indian bistro, boasts classic flavors reimagined and refined in a moody space just off Queen Street. Te Matuku oyster pakoras or Malabar-style fish with curry leaf deliver deep flavors alongside bubbling and blistered naan. Eight years in, the duo are still as sharp as ever. — HE" - Hillary Eaton

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-tamaki-makaurau-aotearoa-auckland-new-zealand

Babiche Martens

Cassia

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Often lauded as Auckland 's best restaurant, Cassia boasts modern Indian plates that offer a stellar and spicy step up from a neighborhood curry house. The childhood culinary memories of chef Sid Sahrawat are channeled here into contemporary dishes by the team running Cassia's bustling open kitchen. Amid the intimate ambience of the brick-lined space, standout dishes include duck with kumara (sweet potato), lychee, and cardamom, and tandoori fish with smoked yogurt, macadamias, and sorrel. The drink list is equally eclectic, including a fine array of New Zealand craft beers (the zingy citrus hit of Liberty's Halo Pilsner goes nicely with the Indian flavors); one of Auckland's best gin selections provides the basis for suitably Subcontinental cocktails featuring cucumber, hibiscus syrup, and artisanal tonic water."

The Best Restaurants in New Zealand

Photo courtesy of Cassia

Cassia

Rinal C.

Google

The atmosphere at Cassia was fantastic—really inviting and vibrant. The small plates were absolutely mind-blowing, especially the Crispy Eggplant and the Roasted Carrot was full of flavour The Hawke’s Bay Lamb Chops were cooked perfectly. However, some of the mains were a bit disappointing—the Lamb Shoulder Bhuna and Tandoori Chicken were served slightly cold and slightly blend. Overall, still a great experience, just missing a star because of the mains.

Shammi K.

Google

We had the journey through India menu and the food was amazing. Each course had a unique modern twist on an Indian dish, and none of them missed. They also changed some of the menu items to take my parents dietary restrictions into account, with no hesitation. Our favorites were the beef and ghost chilli croquettes, and the sesame chicken. Some delicious cocktails to accompany the meal too, like the brown butter old fashioned. Service was excellent too. The wait staff were attentive without being overbearing. Food came out fairly quickly too. This is the best Indian restaurant in Auckland. Looking forward to coming back!

JANKI V.

Google

We had a lovely first visit here and really enjoyed our experience. The service was spot on — welcoming, friendly and very attentive. We were given corner seats which were a bit tight and not the most comfortable, but that’s understandable as we booked before an hour. It’s clearly a busy and popular place! Tried mocktail and it was so good. There are good vegetarian options on the menu. We tried a few small bites and they were tasty (and yes, true to “small bites” portion size). The cone on rice was delicious — I especially liked the little white sauce on top, not sure what it was but it worked well. The kulcha in the small bites selection was also very good, though a little oily for me. For mains, the signature mushroom dish was a definite standout — a must try. The black lentils were okay, but the overall flavours were still enjoyable. We were quite full, so skipped dessert this time, but will definitely come back to try it next visit. A special thank you for the little complimentary treat for our anniversary — such a thoughtful touch. Overall, a great experience and we’d happily return! 😊

Monique S.

Google

What an amazing experience. WOW. I couldn’t recommend Cassia enough. From the moment we sat down, our waiter was attentive, friendly, and kind, setting the tone for the night. We ordered the Chef’s Special Banquet, which was such a fantastic choice—it meant we got a curated selection of the chef’s favourite dishes. Every course felt like a journey, and each bite was an explosion of flavour. The spices were layered beautifully, nothing felt overpowering, and everything balanced so well. The presentation of the dishes matched the quality of the flavours—vibrant, fragrant, and inviting. It was the kind of food that makes you pause after each bite just to savour it. By the end of the banquet, we were beyond satisfied but still wishing we could keep eating. Cassia is more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience. Definitely one of the best modern Indian dining spots I’ve been to, and one I can’t wait to return to.

Galib H.

Google

I had my pleasure to have dinner at Cassia. We tried the Feast Menu. The foods were delicious! Great cocktails! Lovely services. The Daal could be improved because there was an overwhelming taste of Maggie Spice. The Fish Taco was the star for me. And of course Beef and Lamb!

Jack L.

Google

Would give this restaurant 4.5 stars out of 5. Was very impressed with the presentation and taste of the food. The service was great but for two hiccups: first, the Skycity online reservation system made it unnecessarily stressful. Second, the waiter accidentally served me the meat dish when I was vegetarian. But otherwise great food, great service, and good atmosphere.

Parul M.

Google

My husband and I went there to celebrate our 20th anniversary after reading all the reviews ( picked Cassia over VT Station) but came out disappointed. Made a reservation and mentioned we were celebrating our anniversary and they put us in a tight spot between a family with kids. We asked to be moved to a quieter area so glad that worked out. Service was below average for a fine dining restaurant. We waited 15-20mins for our server to take our order and we got our dinner before we got drinks! Also we had to remind the server it was our anniversary for her to make the evening special for us. Luckily food was as fantastic and we felt that the portions were generous!

Ajay Y.

Google

This was my second visit to the restaurant. On my first visit, I chose à la carte mains and found the portions smaller than expected, until I reminded myself it’s a fine dining establishment, where the focus is on quality and nuanced flavors rather than quantity. This time, I opted for the four-course meal, and the experience felt unexpectedly heavy. The starter, entrée, and dessert were among the best I’ve had in Auckland, beautifully presented and full of flavor. However, the mains were disappointing. The mushrooms and onion sauce tasted undercooked, and the tomato-based paneer and chickpea gravy had an overpowering raw tomato flavor that made it difficult to continue eating. Additionally, the portion sizes across the four courses were far more generous than anticipated. On a date night, I wasn’t prepared for such a substantial meal, and by the time dessert arrived, I was too bloated to truly enjoy it despite how lovely it looked. I may return in the future, but I’ll steer clear of the four-course option. A lighter, more curated selection would suit me better next time.