Royal Indian Cuisine Sunnynook brings the rich, diverse flavours of India to 318 East Coast Road in Auckland's North Shore. The restaurant is known for authentic Indian dishes crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques — from fragrant biryanis and creamy butter chicken to tandoori specialties, vegetarian delights and rich curries. There is also an Indo Chinese section that fuses bold Indian spices with Chinese cooking for spicy, flavourful plates.
The ambiance is warm and inviting — an easy fit for family dinners, casual lunches or special celebrations — and the attentive, friendly staff round out the experience, whether you're a seasoned spice lover or new to Indian food.
The branch offers dine-in as well as online ordering for takeaway, in a convenient, easy-access East Coast Road location.
Royal Indian Cuisine Sunnynook is a vibrant culinary destination at 318 East Coast Road, bringing the rich and diverse flavours of India to the heart of Auckland's North Shore. The restaurant has built its name on authentic Indian dishes crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, balancing heritage recipes with contemporary presentation. Conveniently located with easy access, it has become a standout choice for anyone seeking a true taste of India in the Sunnynook area.
The menu opens with tempting starters — perfectly seasoned and cooked to kick off a meal with bold flavour. From there the mains take over: hearty, flavourful dishes made with quality ingredients, built to satisfy every craving and appetite. Classic tandoori specialties come hot from the clay oven, and vegetarian options are woven generously through the menu rather than tucked into a corner.
A few names have clearly earned favourite status. Creamy butter chicken is one of the dishes the restaurant is best known for, alongside rich curries like lamb rogan josh and vegetarian delights such as palak paneer. Then there is the biryani — a fragrant, flavourful rice dish layered with tender meat, spices and herbs, cooked to perfection. For a different kind of kick, the Indo Chinese section combines bold Indian spices with Chinese cooking to create flavourful, spicy fusion dishes.
The menu is described as extensive for a reason: it spans a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, from quick starter plates to layered rice dishes and rich curries. That depth rewards repeat visits — regulars can rotate between a trusted favourite and whatever corner of the menu they haven't tried yet.
The kitchen treats spice as a spectrum rather than a wall. Dishes are crafted to balance flavour first, so newcomers can order with confidence while spice lovers still find plenty of fire across the starters, mains and fusion sections. Ask the team for guidance if you're unsure; pointing guests toward the right dish for their taste is part of the service here.
The ambiance is warm and inviting, with a comfortable, elegant setting that suits family dinners, casual lunches and special celebrations alike. The attentive, friendly staff are a big part of the charm; they add to the welcoming atmosphere and make a point of ensuring every guest enjoys a memorable dining experience. If you're new to Indian cuisine, they can steer you toward the gentler end of the menu; if you chase heat, they'll happily point you the other way.
The setting also makes an easy pick for celebrations — birthdays, work dinners or a long catch-up with friends — where a spread of shared dishes across the table tends to be the natural way to eat here. Order a biryani for the centre of the table and let everyone share the curries around it.
The East Coast Road location is convenient and easy to reach. Dine in for the full experience, or order online through the branch's own ordering page and enjoy favourites like butter chicken or biryani at home. Takeaway works well for busy weeknights; the menu travels as happily as it hosts.
However you visit, the idea is the same: bold, authentic flavour served warmly in comfortable surrounds. From fragrant biryanis to creamy butter chicken, from tandoori classics to spicy Indo Chinese fusion, Royal Indian Cuisine Sunnynook sets out to send every guest home with a memorable taste of India — and, more often than not, a plan to come back.