Welcome India is an Indian restaurant and takeaway on Main North Road in Papanui, Christchurch, serving authentic Indian cuisine for both dine-in and online ordering. The kitchen is led by a chef with more than 14 years of experience in Indian cooking, and the menu covers well-known favourites such as butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, mango chicken, butter prawns and a range of curries alongside freshly made naan.
The restaurant is set up for lunch and dinner service every day of the week, and stays open through Christmas, New Year and other public holidays, making it a reliable option when many other kitchens are closed. Customers can order online for pickup, or book a table for a sit-down meal.
Welcome India describes its approach as using quality ingredients to keep every dish fresh and tasty, with a menu built around the classic recipes that Indian restaurant regulars look for, from creamy butter-based curries to paneer dishes for vegetarian diners.
Tucked away on Main North Road in Papanui, **Welcome India** has built a reputation among Christchurch diners for serving up authentic Indian cuisine, whether you're after a sit-down dinner or a quick takeaway to enjoy at home.
The restaurant is run by a chef with more than 14 years of experience cooking Indian food, and that experience shows in a menu built around the dishes people actually crave: rich, slow-simmered curries, tandoor-style breads, and comforting vegetarian options.
Welcome India's menu leans on the classics done well. Butter Chicken is a standout, with its creamy tomato-based sauce, alongside Chicken Tikka Masala for those who like their chicken grilled first and simmered in a spiced masala. For something with a bit more heat and tang, the Lamb Vindaloo delivers a Goan-style kick, while Lamb Rogan Josh offers a gentler, aromatic alternative.
Seafood lovers can go for the Butter Prawns, cooked in the same rich buttery tomato style as the chicken dish. Vegetarian diners are well looked after too, with Palak Paneer and Kadhai Paneer both featuring homemade paneer cheese in flavourful spiced sauces.
No Indian meal is complete without good bread, and Welcome India offers both Garlic Naan and the sweeter Kashmiri Naan, filled with fruit and nuts, to mop up the curries or enjoy on their own.
Welcome India operates as both a restaurant and a takeaway, giving customers the flexibility to book a table for a proper sit-down meal or simply order online for pickup. The restaurant runs lunch and dinner sittings every day of the week, and notably stays open through Christmas, New Year and other public holidays — a handy option when many other places are closed.
The team places an emphasis on using quality ingredients so that every dish arrives fresh, and the online ordering system makes it straightforward to get a favourite curry delivered to your table or ready for collection.
Whether you're a regular who already knows exactly what to order or a first-time visitor keen to explore the menu, Welcome India offers a solid, dependable take on Indian restaurant classics in the Papanui area of Christchurch.