Chilli Dhaba Mornington

About Chilli Dhaba Mornington

Chilli Dhaba Mornington brings authentic Indian cooking to 43 Mailer Street in Dunedin's Mornington — and it has the silverware to prove it, winning Outstanding Street Food & Casual Dining at the 2024 Otago Hospitality Awards. Whether you are dining in or taking the heat home, the kitchen serves curries, tandoori specials and biryanis straight from the kitchen to your plate, with pick up and delivery available across lunch and dinner services, Tuesday through Sunday.

The menu runs deep. Tandoor starters include chicken tikka, tandoori chicken and overnight-marinated lamb lollipops, while creamy classics like butter chicken, korma and lamb passanda sit alongside fiery vindaloo and chettinad for the chilli brave. There is a generous vegetarian and vegan section — paneer makhani, daal makhani, channa masala and more — plus naan fresh from the tandoor, biryani that is a meal in itself, and family feasts that feed three to five. Every curry can be made mild, medium or hot, mains come with steamed basmati rice, and vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free dishes are clearly marked.

Order online for pick up or delivery, drop in for the dine-in lunch special, or cool things down with a homemade mango lassi. Chilli Dhaba is also on Uber Eats and Delivereasy.

Chilli Dhaba Mornington: Award-Winning Indian Curries and Tandoori in Dunedin

Perched on Mailer Street in the Dunedin suburb of Mornington, Chilli Dhaba does exactly what its name promises: big, generous Indian cooking with the warmth of a roadside dhaba — and the silverware to back it up, having taken home Outstanding Street Food & Casual Dining at the 2024 Otago Hospitality Awards. It is built equally for a table of friends sharing curries and for a solo butter chicken heading home in a paper bag.

Everything starts with fire. The tandoor turns out chicken tikka in a homemade yoghurt marinade, tandoori chicken on the bone, tender lamb tikka and the much-loved lamb lollipops — lamb chops marinated overnight in the kitchen's secret marinade before meeting the coals. Vegetarians are looked after from the first page, with flaky vegetable samosas, onion bhajis, pakoras in a homemade chickpea and rice flour batter and crumbed paneer tikki. Can't decide? The platters for two gather the best of both worlds.

Curries for every mood and heat level

The mains list reads like a tour of Indian curry culture. The creamy side includes butter chicken — tandoori chicken folded through a cashew sauce — along with korma, chicken tikka masala and lamb passanda, all finished with almonds. Coconut shows up in the jalfrezi and in chettinad, a spicy curry with curry leaves that the menu bills as one for the chilli fans, while the vindaloo is flagged for fearless brave hearts. Elsewhere you'll find slow-cooked lamb rogan josh, spinach-rich saag, Kerala-style malabari with fish or prawns and the caramelised-onion dopiaza of Mughlai tradition.

Most curries come in chicken, lamb, prawn or vegetable and paneer versions, every dish can be made mild, medium or hot, and each main arrives with a portion of soft, steaming basmati rice — with cauliflower rice or garlic broccoli and almonds as a worthy swap. The vegetarian section gets star treatment of its own: paneer makhani, butter chicken's meat-free twin; malai kofta in creamy sauce; daal makhani slow-cooked with kidney beans and black lentils; and dry, punchy aloo gobhi and aloo jeera, several of them fully vegan. Breads run from plain and butter naan to kashmiri naan stuffed with nuts and coconut, chilli cheese naan and a chicken tikka-stuffed naan, alongside wholemeal tandoori roti. Biryani — rice and curry cooked together in herbs and spices — is a meal in itself, and pulao, papadums and mango, mint and tamarind chutneys round out the table.

Feeding the whole table

Chilli Dhaba thinks in families as well as individuals. The Chilli Dhaba Feast lays out onion bhaji, butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, aloo saag, three rices, three naans, raita and papadums for three to four people, family biryanis stretch to four or five, and there is a butter chicken feed for the household that is takeaway only. Cool it all down with a homemade mango lassi and finish with gulab jamun and vanilla ice cream. Dine in at lunch (12pm-2:30pm) and the special pairs butter chicken with rice, onion bhaji and a soft drink, or chicken biryani with raita, papadum and a soft drink.

The practical details

The Mornington restaurant, at 43 Mailer Street, opens Tuesday to Sunday across two services — lunch from 12:30pm to 2:30pm and dinner from 5pm to 8:30pm — and closes on Mondays. Rather eat at home? Order online for pick up or delivery; Chilli Dhaba is also on Uber Eats and Delivereasy, and the team takes calls on 03 453 4460. Whether you are chasing a vindaloo challenge, a gentle butter chicken for the kids' table or a vegan-friendly spread with all the trimmings, there is a plate — or a paper bag — with your name on it.

Signature items

• Butter Chicken
• Lamb Lollipop
• Chicken Biryani
• Chilli Dhaba Feast
• Mango Lassi
• Lamb Rogan Josh

Menu

Rice

• Biryani — A whole meal by itself — rice and curry cooked together in herbs and spices. Chicken, lamb, prawns or vegetarian.
• Plain Rice — Soft, steaming basmati rice. Dairy free and gluten free.
• Jeera Rice — Basmati rice with cumin. Dairy free and gluten free.
• Peas Pulao — Basmati rice with green peas. Dairy free and gluten free.
• Mushroom Pulao — Basmati rice with mushrooms. Dairy free and gluten free.
• Chicken Pulao — Basmati rice with chicken.

Mains

• Butter Chicken — The classic family favourite: tandoori chicken in a creamy cashew sauce. Gluten free.
• Butter Chicken Sauce — The signature creamy cashew sauce on its own.
• Kadai — Meat or vegetables cooked in a colourful homemade capsicum curry with a spicy, unique flavour. Chicken, lamb, prawns, vegetable or paneer.
• Bhuna — Special spices fried together on high for a rich, intensely flavoured dish. Chicken or lamb.
• Jalfrezi — Coconut cream based curry loaded with spices and capsicum. Chicken, lamb, prawns or vegetarian.
• Chettinad — A spicy curry with coconut, curry leaves and spices — one for the chilli fans. Chicken, lamb or prawns.
• Lamb Rogan Josh — Slow cooked lamb in a lovely mixture of herbs and spices.
• Korma — A simple yet luxurious cream based curry topped with almonds. Chicken or lamb.
• Chicken Tikka Masala — Yoghurt based curry with deliciously cooked onions, topped with almonds.
• Lamb Passanda — Comfort lamb curry, rich with cream and yoghurt and topped with almonds.
• Vindaloo — A fiery dish loaded with homemade dried spices and peppers for the fearless. Chicken, lamb or prawns.
• Saag — Mouth-watering curry made with fresh spinach, cream and spices. Chicken, lamb, prawns, paneer or potato.
• Malabari — Mild creamy coconut curry with aromatic spices, from Kerala. Fish or prawns.
• Dopiaza — Classic slow cooked Mughlai dish with caramelised onions, fresh herbs and aromatic spices. Chicken, lamb, prawns or vegetables.

Drinks

• Mango Lassi — Homemade yoghurt and mango drink. A must try!
• Sweet Lassi — Sweet homemade yoghurt drink.
• Ginger Beer — Chilled ginger beer.
• Lemon Lime Bitter — A crisp lemon, lime and bitter.
• Apple Juice — Chilled apple juice.
• Orange Juice — Chilled orange juice.
• Soft Drinks — Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Fanta and L&P.

Extras

• Raita — Cooling yoghurt side.
• Mango Chutney — Sweet mango chutney.
• Vegetable Pickle — Tangy vegetable pickle.
• Mint Chutney — Fresh mint chutney.
• Tamarind Chutney — Tamarind chutney.
• Papadum — Crisp papadums — two pieces or a 12-piece stack.

Desserts

• Vanilla Ice Cream — Three scoops of vanilla ice cream.
• Chocolate Ice Cream — Three scoops of chocolate ice cream.
• Gulab Jamun with Vanilla Ice Cream — Classic gulab jamun served with vanilla ice cream.

Starters

• Vegetable Samosa — Deep fried flaky pastry filled with mashed potatoes, peas and Indian spices. Two per portion.
• Onion Bhaji — Sliced onions in a homemade chickpea and rice flour batter, fried to a crisp. Three per portion.
• Vegetable Pakoras — Spinach, onion and potato in a chickpea and rice flour batter, deep fried. Eight to ten per portion.
• Paneer Tikki — Homemade paneer and potato mixed with fresh herbs and spices, crumbed and deep fried. Six per portion.
• Chicken Tikka — Boneless chicken in a homemade yoghurt marinade, cooked in the tandoor. Five per portion.
• Tandoori Prawns — Prawns marinated and cooked in the tandoor.
• Tandoori Chicken — Chicken on the bone in a yoghurt based marinade, cooked in the tandoor. Half or full portion.
• Lamb Tikka — Tender lamb pieces in the secret marinade, cooked in the tandoor. Five per portion.
• Lamb Lollipop — Lamb chops marinated overnight in the secret marinade, cooked in the tandoor. Five per portion.
• Platter for Two — Samosas, onion bhajis, lamb lollipops, lamb tikka and tandoori chicken to share.
• Vegetarian Platter for Two — Samosas, pakoras, onion bhajis and paneer tikki to share.

Vegetarian

• Malai Kofta — Deep fried paneer and potato balls in a creamy sauce topped with cashew nuts.
• Paneer Makhani (Butter Paneer) — Paneer in a creamy cashew sauce — the vegetarian version of the classic butter chicken.
• Daal Makhani — Creamy combination of kidney beans and black lentils, slow cooked with crushed spices and fresh herbs.
• Aloo Gobhi — A dry dish of potato and cauliflower with onions, ginger and garlic. Vegan, dairy free and gluten free.
• Aloo Matar (Peas) — Ever popular North Indian dish with green peas, potatoes, tomatoes and cream.
• Aloo Jeera (Cumin) — Potato and cumin, exactly what it sounds like. Vegan, dairy free and gluten free.
• Khumb Matar (Peas) — Mushroom and peas in a creamy tomato base.
• Daal Taka Tak — Soft lentils in a turmeric based curry, also known as tadka dal. Vegan, dairy free and gluten free.
• Channa Masala — Chickpeas in a spicy masala. Vegan, dairy free and gluten free.

Family Meals

• Chilli Dhaba Feast — Onion bhaji, butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, aloo saag, three rices, three naans, raita and papadums. Serves 3-4.
• Butter Chicken for the Family — A butter chicken feed for 3-4 people. Takeaway only, not available dine in.
• Family Biryani — Biryani made to feed the whole table — chicken, lamb or prawns. Serves 4-5.

Naan & Breads

• Naan Basket — Two plain, two garlic and two cheese naans for four to six people.
• Plain Naan — Classic soft naan from the tandoor.
• Butter Naan — Naan brushed with butter.
• Garlic Naan — Naan with garlic.
• Cheese Naan — Naan with cheese.
• Onion Kulcha — Naan stuffed with onion.
• Kashmiri Naan — Naan stuffed with nuts and coconut.
• Chilli Cheese Naan — Cheese naan with a chilli kick.
• Cheese and Garlic Naan — Naan stuffed with cheese and garlic.
• Chicken Naan — Naan stuffed with chopped chicken tikka.
• Tandoori Roti — The healthier version of naan — wholemeal flour Indian style bread. Dairy free.
• Butter Tandoori Roti — Wholemeal tandoori roti with butter.
• Aloo Cheese Paratha — Wholemeal bread stuffed with potato and cheese.

Lunch Specials

• Lunch Special — Butter chicken with rice, onion bhaji and a soft drink, or chicken biryani with raita, papadum and a soft drink. Dine in 12pm-2:30pm.

Rice Alternatives

• Cauliflower Rice — A grain-free stand-in for steamed basmati rice. Dairy free and gluten free.
• Garlic Broccoli & Almonds — Garlic broccoli with almonds instead of rice. Dairy free and gluten free.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Chilli Dhaba Mornington?

43 Mailer Street, Mornington, Dunedin 9011. You can call the team on 03 453 4460.

What are the opening hours?

Tuesday to Sunday across two services: lunch 12:30pm-2:30pm and dinner 5:00pm-8:30pm. Closed on Mondays.

Is there a lunch special?

Yes — dine in between 12pm and 2:30pm and choose butter chicken with rice, onion bhaji and a soft drink, or chicken biryani with raita, papadum and a soft drink.

Are there vegan and gluten-free options?

Yes. Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free dishes are marked on the menu, including samosas, onion bhajis, vegetable pakoras, aloo gobhi, aloo jeera, daal taka tak and channa masala.

Can I choose how spicy my food is?

All curries are available mild, medium or hot. Vindaloo and chettinad are the picks for serious chilli fans.

Do you offer takeaway and delivery?

Both. You can order online for pick up or delivery, and Chilli Dhaba is also listed on Uber Eats and Delivereasy.

What should a family order?

The Chilli Dhaba Feast serves 3-4 people and family biryanis feed 4-5; the naan basket covers four to six, and there are sharing platters for two to start.

Tips

• {"body":"Lunch runs 12:30-2:30pm and dinner 5:00-8:30pm, so there is an afternoon break between services.","title":"Mind the split hours"}
• {"body":"Dine in between 12pm and 2:30pm and the lunch special bundles butter chicken or chicken biryani with sides and a soft drink.","title":"Time the lunch special"}
• {"body":"Every main comes with basmati rice — swap in cauliflower rice or garlic broccoli and almonds for something different.","title":"Upgrade your rice"}
• {"body":"Skip the wait by ordering online for pick up or delivery; Uber Eats and Delivereasy also cover Mornington.","title":"Order ahead"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Family meals serve 3-4 or 4-5, plus sharing platters and a naan basket for groups.","dietary":"Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free dishes marked on the menu; every curry available mild, medium or hot."}