MADRAS KITCHEN LIMITED South indian Restaurant and Takeaway

About MADRAS KITCHEN LIMITED South indian Restaurant and Takeaway

Madras Kitchen is a South Indian restaurant and takeaway on Stoddard Road in Mount Roskill, Auckland, serving family recipes that trace back to the kitchens of Chennai. The business began life as a food truck feeding the streets of Auckland and grew, through quality food and community support, into a full restaurant — and every dish still carries the same love and authenticity that started the journey. The kitchen is 100% Halal Certified, and its chutneys, batters and spice blends are prepared fresh every day.

The menu runs deep in South Indian tradition: crisp dosas in many forms, soft steamed idlies, lentil vadas and other snacks, comforting curries like Ennai Kathirikai Kulambu and dhal tadka, and homestyle rice dishes such as lemon, tamarind, curd and coconut rice. There's an Indo-Chinese section for those after noodles and Manchurian, and the Chicken Biryani — fragrant basmati layered with tender meat, saffron and aromatic spices — is the chef's special.

Inside, the dining room is warm and inviting, with dedicated customer parking at the rear. Madras Kitchen is open daily from 11am to 10pm, takes reservations by phone, hosts private events for up to 50 guests, and offers catering across Auckland complete with a live dosa station and tandoor counters.

Madras Kitchen Mount Roskill: Authentic South Indian Dosa, Idly & Biryani in Auckland

On Stoddard Road in Mount Roskill, Madras Kitchen cooks the food of Chennai for Auckland. It's a South Indian restaurant and takeaway built on recipes passed down through generations — grandmother's spice blends, time-tested techniques, and batters and chutneys made fresh every day. The kitchen is 100% Halal Certified, and the menu leans generously vegetarian while still serving a biryani that regulars rave about.

From food truck to dining room

Madras Kitchen's story started on wheels. The founder, who learned South Indian cooking in the bustling kitchens of Chennai, began with a humble food truck serving dosas and other favourites to the streets of Auckland. Through challenging times, a loyal community grew around it, drawn by quality food and genuine hospitality. Step by step the menu expanded with new dishes and family recipes, and eventually the restaurant opened its doors at Mount Roskill — bringing the food truck experience into a warm, comfortable dining space. More than five years on, the mission remains the same: to share the rich culinary heritage of South India with Auckland, one authentic dish at a time.

The values that guided the food truck still guide the kitchen — passion, fresh ingredients, authenticity and community. Everything is cooked with the same care as if it were for the team's own family.

What the kitchen is known for

Dosa is the headline act. The range runs from a classic Plain Dosa with sambar and chutneys to the spiced-potato Masala Dosa, fiery Mysore Masala Dosa, extra-crisp ghee roast versions, podi-dusted variations and cheese or paneer fillings. For something to share, the Family Paper Dosa is extra large and paper thin. Idly gets equal attention: bite-sized Mini Idly soaked in hot sambar, and Ghee Podi Idly coated in aromatic ghee and roasted lentil powder. The snacks list covers Methu Vada, Masala Vada, Aloo Bonda, banana bajis, onion samosas and pakodas.

Beyond tiffin, the mains are pure comfort: stuffed brinjal in tangy tamarind gravy (Ennai Kathirikai Kulambu), SI Style Dhal Tadka, Mango Dhal and rich Paneer Curry. Homestyle rice dishes — lemon, tamarind, curd and coconut — sit alongside an Indo-Chinese section of Manchurian, Schezwan noodles and fried rice. The Chicken Biryani, fragrant basmati layered with tender meat, saffron and aromatic spices, is the chef's special, and a Family Pack Briyani feeds four to six.

The experience

Madras Kitchen is open every day from 11am to 10pm, with dedicated customer parking at the rear. The dining room is warm and inviting, set up for everything from a quick dosa stop to a family gathering — the team can host private events and parties for up to 50 guests, with custom table layouts and set menu packages. Catering extends across Auckland for weddings, housewarmings, corporate galas and outdoor festivals, complete with a live dosa station and tandoor counters, and tailored menus for veg and non-veg groups.

Guests notice the authenticity. One reviewer calls the dosas 'absolutely perfect'; another says the food reminds them of their grandmother's cooking — the true flavours of Madras in every bite; a third simply calls it a hidden gem. The team asks diners to flag any dietary requirements or allergies and is happy to accommodate special requests where possible.

Whether you're craving a crispy ghee roast dosa, a comforting bowl of rasam, or biryani for the whole table, Madras Kitchen brings the street-side warmth of Chennai to Mount Roskill, one plate at a time.

Signature items

• Masala Dosa
• Chicken Biryani
• Mini Idly
• Methu Vada
• Ghee Podi Idly
• Family Paper Dosa

Menu

Dosa

• Plain Dosa — Classic crispy rice crepe served with sambar and chutneys.
• Set Dosa — Soft spongy dosas served with sambar and chutneys.
• Podi Dosa — Crispy dosa coated with aromatic podi powder.
• Podi Masala Dosa — Podi dosa filled with spiced potato masala.
• Masala Dosa — Crispy dosa filled with spiced potato masala.
• Mysore Masala Dosa — Spicy dosa with red chutney and potato masala.
• Cheese Dosa — Crispy dosa topped with melted cheese.
• Cheese Masala Dosa — Cheese dosa filled with spiced potato masala.
• Ghee Roast Dosa — Extra crispy dosa roasted in pure ghee.
• Ghee Roast Masala Dosa — Ghee roast dosa with spiced potato masala.
• Ghee Roast Podi Masala — Ghee dosa with podi and potato masala.
• Onion Dosa — Crispy dosa topped with caramelized onions.
• Paneer Dosa — Dosa filled with spiced paneer filling.
• Paneer Cheese Dosa — Paneer dosa topped with melted cheese.
• Onion Uthappam (2 pcs) — Thick rice pancakes topped with onions.
• Mix Veg Uthappam (2 pcs) — Thick rice pancakes with mixed vegetables.
• Family Paper Dosa — Extra large crispy paper-thin dosa.
• Rava Dosa — Crispy semolina crepe with a unique texture.
• Rava Masala Dosa — Rava dosa filled with spiced potato masala.

Idly

• Plain Idly (4 Nos) — Soft fluffy steamed rice cakes served with sambar and chutneys.
• Mini Idly (with sambar) — Bite-sized steamed rice cakes soaked in hot flavorful sambar.
• Podi Idly (4 pcs) — Soft idly tossed in roasted lentil powder and spices.
• Ghee Podi Idly — Steamed rice cakes coated in aromatic ghee and podi.
• Ghee Podi Mini Idly — Mini idlies tossed in aromatic ghee and roasted lentil powder.

Mains

• Paneer Curry — Cottage cheese in a rich South Indian curry.
• Okra Fry — Crispy okra stir-fried with spices.
• Ennai Kathirikai Kulambu — Stuffed brinjal in tangy tamarind gravy.
• Potato Kara Curry — Spicy South Indian style potato curry.
• Veg Kuruma / Curry — Mixed vegetables in coconut curry.
• SI Style Dhal Tadka — Lentils tempered with South Indian spices.
• Mango Dhal — Lentils cooked with raw mango.

Soups

• Milagu Rasam (Pepper) — Spicy South Indian pepper soup infused with aromatic herbs and spices.
• Moringa Saru (Drumstick) — Flavorful South Indian drumstick soup cooked with traditional spices and herbs.

Featured

• Chicken Biryani — Fragrant basmati rice layered with tender meat, saffron and aromatic spices.

Rice Dishes

• Plain Rice — Steamed basmati rice.
• Lemon Rice — Tangy rice with lemon and spices.
• Tamarind Rice — Rice with tangy tamarind paste.
• Curd Rice — Cooling rice mixed with yogurt.
• Coconut Rice — Fragrant rice with coconut.

Veg Briyani

• Veg Briyani — Aromatic basmati rice with spices and vegetables.
• Family Pack Briyani — Aromatic basmati rice with spices and veges — serves 4-6.

Indo Chinese

• Chilly Paneer — Paneer tossed in spicy Indo-Chinese sauce.
• Veg Manchurian — Vegetable balls in tangy Manchurian sauce.
• Gobi Manchurian — Crispy cauliflower in Manchurian sauce.
• Veg Fried Rice — Wok-tossed rice with mixed vegetables.
• Schezwan Fried Rice — Spicy Schezwan style fried rice.
• Veg Noodles — Stir-fried noodles with fresh vegetables.
• Veg Schezwan Noodles — Spicy Schezwan noodles with vegetables.

South Indian Snacks

• Methu Vada — Crispy golden urad dal fritters, soft inside and served fresh.
• Masala Vada (3 Nos) — Crunchy lentil fritters blended with traditional South Indian spices.
• Aloo Bonda (3 Nos) — Crispy potato masala coated in a flavorful golden gram flour batter.
• Banana Baji (3 Nos) — Crispy ripe banana fritters coated in a light spiced batter.
• Sambar Vada (2 Nos) — Soft medu vadai soaked in flavorful traditional sambar.
• Rasam Vada (2 Nos) — Soft medu vadai dipped in spicy and tangy rasam.
• Dahi Vada (2 Nos) — Soft lentil dumplings topped with chilled creamy curd and spices.
• Onion Samosa (5 Nos) — Crispy mini pastries stuffed with spiced onion filling.
• Onion Pakoda — Crispy onion fritters tossed with aromatic spices and herbs.
• Paneer 65 (Dry or Semi) — Spicy crispy paneer tossed in bold South Indian flavors.
• Gobi 65 (Dry or Semi) — Crispy cauliflower bites tossed in spicy South Indian seasoning.
• Mirchi Bhaji (2 Nos) — Crispy fried green chilli coated in spiced gram flour batter.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Madras Kitchen located?

At 5/190 Stoddard Road, Mount Roskill, Auckland 1041, with dedicated customer parking at the rear.

What are the opening hours?

The restaurant is open Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Is the food halal?

Yes — Madras Kitchen is 100% Halal Certified.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes, an extensive vegetarian menu spans soups, snacks, idly, dosa, Indo-Chinese dishes, curries and rice dishes.

Can I host a private event at Madras Kitchen?

Yes. The dining space hosts birthday parties, family get-togethers and corporate gatherings for up to 50 guests, with custom table layouts and set menu packages.

Do you offer catering?

Yes, professional catering across Auckland for weddings, housewarmings, corporate galas and festivals, including a live dosa station and tandoor counters, with tailored veg and non-veg menus.

How do I make a reservation?

Call +64 09 650 1744 to reserve a table or ask about events and catering.

Tips

• {"body":"Ample dedicated customer parking is available at the rear of the restaurant.","title":"Park out back"}
• {"body":"Beyond the classic masala dosa, the ghee roast and podi-coated variations are house specialities worth exploring.","title":"Try the ghee roast and podi dosas"}
• {"body":"The Family Pack Briyani serves 4-6, and the team can arrange private events for up to 50 guests with set menus.","title":"Feeding a crowd"}
• {"body":"Let staff know about any dietary requirements or allergies — they accommodate special requests where possible.","title":"Flag allergies early"}
• {"body":"Call +64 09 650 1744 ahead to secure a table, especially for groups and celebrations.","title":"Reserve by phone"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Family Pack Briyani serves 4-6; private events for up to 50 guests","dietary":"100% halal certified; inform staff of allergies or dietary needs — special requests accommodated where possible","parking":"Ample dedicated customer parking at the rear"}