Aura Indian Bar & Eatery

About Aura Indian Bar & Eatery

Aura Indian Bar & Eatery is a modern and welcoming restaurant located in the heart of Whanganui's city centre. The restaurant celebrates the rich flavours and traditions of Indian cuisine, offering an inviting atmosphere where guests can enjoy authentic curries, tandoori specials, freshly baked naan breads, and flavourful rice dishes. Every dish is prepared with fresh ingredients, aromatic spices, and traditional cooking techniques that honour Indian culinary heritage. The menu ranges from familiar classics like butter chicken and paneer tikka masala to more adventurous offerings such as the spicy Naga Chicken and premium Desi Surf & Turf. Whether visiting for lunch, dinner, a family gathering, or a special celebration, Aura welcomes all guests with genuine hospitality and care, including accommodating dietary requirements with advance notice.

Aura Indian Bar & Eatery: Authentic Flavours and Modern Warmth in Whanganui

In the heart of Whanganui's city centre sits Aura Indian Bar & Eatery, a modern restaurant that brings the rich culinary traditions of India to life. Located at 23A Victoria Avenue, Aura has become a welcoming destination for anyone seeking authentic Indian cuisine prepared with care, fresh ingredients, and time-honoured cooking techniques.

What Sets Aura Apart

Aura's philosophy is simple: food should be more than a meal—it should be an experience. The restaurant celebrates Indian cuisine in all its diversity, from familiar classics like butter chicken and paneer tikka masala to bold, adventurous dishes like the spicy Naga Chicken that comes with a government warning about its heat level. Every dish is crafted to balance flavour, spice, and authenticity.

The menu is extensive and thoughtfully organized, reflecting different regions and cooking styles within Indian cuisine. Whether you're drawn to tandoori specialties, creamy curries, or coastal seafood preparations, there's something to discover. Signature dishes like Desi Surf & Turf—a premium combination of beef and prawns—showcase the restaurant's ambition to offer both comfort food and culinary adventure.

For Every Occasion

Aura serves lunch and dinner most days (closed Tuesdays), making it accessible whether you're catching a quick midweek meal or planning a special gathering. The team welcomes family celebrations, dates, and group occasions, ensuring each visit feels personal. The modern atmosphere provides the right backdrop—warm and inviting without being fussy.

Inclusive Dining

The restaurant takes dietary requirements seriously. A vegan menu is available on request, and the printed menu includes clear markers for gluten-free options. The team also notes allergies and will take extra care to prevent cross-contamination, though they ask diners to communicate dietary needs in advance.

From their rice and bread selection—featuring varieties like peshwari naan, missi roti, and traditional tandoori roti—to vegetarian mains like dhaba dal makhani and chana masala, Aura ensures no guest leaves hungry or excluded.

The Aura Experience

What makes Aura memorable is the attention to detail. Spices are balanced, naan breads arrive warm, sauces taste like they've been simmering for hours (some literally have), and the team remembers returning guests. The restaurant honours Indian culinary heritage while maintaining a relaxed, modern sensibility.

Whether you're a long-time curry enthusiast or new to Indian food, Aura welcomes you warmly. Come for the Aura Butter Chicken, stay for the genuine hospitality.

Signature items

• Aura Butter Chicken
• Desi Surf & Turf
• Naga Chicken
• Paneer Tikka Masala
• Dum Biryani
• Prawn Malabari

Menu

Beef

• Beef Rogan Josh — Kashmiri spices, slow braised
• Beef Malabar — Roasted spices, coconut, curry leaves
• Salli Boti — Parsi lamb with crisp potato straws
• Beef Vindaloo — Goan chilli, vinegar with bold heat
• Beef Kadhai — Roasted kadhai masala, capsicum, ginger

Lamb

• Lamb Rogan Josh — Kashmiri chilli and whole spices
• Tawa Lamb — Iron-griddled spices with fresh herbs
• Lamb Korma — Cashew, cardamom, saffron
• Lamb Daal Ghost — Slow-braised lamb with yellow lentils
• Lamb Vindaloo — Goan spices and vinegar with slow heat
• Lamb Saagwala — Spinach, garlic finished with cream

Sides

• Raita — Yogurt-based cooling side
• Papadum — Crispy lentil wafer
• Onion Salad — Fresh onion accompaniment
• Mango Chutney — House mango chutney
• Zeera Aloo — Cumin-spiced potatoes

Salads

• Prawn Mango Salad — Tiger prawns with mango and fresh herbs
• Chicken Tikka & Avocado Salad — Tandoor chicken with garden leaves

Chicken

• Chicken Tikka — Tandoor chicken with yoghurt and warming spices
• Aura Butter Chicken — Chargrilled chicken with smoked tomato and cultured butter
• Chicken Vindaloo — Goan chilli, vinegar with warming spices
• Chicken Tikka Masala — Tandoor chicken in tomato-based curry sauce
• Malabar Chicken — Coconut, curry leaves, black pepper
• Chicken Korma — Cashew, saffron, cardamon
• Chicken Saagwala — Spinach and garlic finished with cream
• Chilli Chicken — Crispy chicken with soy chilli glaze
• Mango & Saffron Chicken — Mango, saffron with aromatic spices
• Chicken Jalfrezi — Peppers, onion, tomato, green chilli
• Kadhai Chicken — Roasted kadhai spices, peppers, ginger
• Himalayan Chicken — Mountain spices in traditional mini kadhai

Seafood

• Coastal Fish Curry — Coconut, curry leaves, coastal spices
• Prawn Malabari — Coconut, black pepper, curry leaves
• Prawn Masala — Tiger prawns with roasted masala
• Butter Prawns — Tomato, cultured butter, fenugreek

Desserts

• Gulab Jamun Cheesecake — Cheesecake with gulab jamun and pistachio
• Rasmalai Tres Leches — Saffron rasmalai milk with almonds
• Sizzling Brownie — Warm brownie with ice cream and sauce
• Gulab Jamun — Indian sweet dumplings with ice cream
• Vanilla Sundae — Strawberry, chocolate or mango
• Paan Ice Cream — Betel leaf ice cream with sweet paan
• Gulakand Ice Cream — Rose petal preserve with cardamom

Vegetarian

• Dhaba Dal Makhani — Slow-cooked lentils with house butter
• Yellow Dahl — Slow-cooked lentils with cumin
• Paneer Tikka Masala — Chargrilled paneer in tomato sauce
• Paneer Laba Bdar — Chargrilled paneer with smoked tomato
• Palak Paneer — Spinach, paneer with tempered garlic
• Kadhai Paneer — Paneer with roasted kadhai spices
• Chana Masala — Chickpeas with roasted spices and tomato
• Spinach Kofta — Spinach and paneer dumplings in cashew sauce
• Vegetable Korma — Seasonal vegetables with cashew, saffron
• Aloo Gobhi Adaraki — Cauliflower, potato with fresh ginger
• Mushroom Do Pyazza — Mushrooms with caramelised onions

Small Plates

• Pappad and Dips — Crisp pappad with trio of house dips
• Onion Bhaji — Crispy onion fritters with date chutney
• Potato Samosa — Spiced vegetable in flaky pastry with date chutney
• Paneer Pakora — Paneer fritters with coriander chutney
• Lamb Kebab — Chargrilled lamb with smoked spices
• Delhi Ki Aloo Tikki — Potato patty with mint, yogurt, roasted spices
• Mushroom Duplex — Stuffed mushrooms with spiced cheese
• Honey Cauliflower — Crispy cauliflower with chilli honey
• Spinach Tikka — Chargrilled chicken with spinach marinade
• Aura Prawns — Chickpea-coated prawns with mango chutney
• Gun Powder Prawn — Tandoor prawns with spicy gunpowder seasoning
• Masala Fish Fry — Market fish with coastal spice crust
• Mixed Platter for Two — Chicken Tikka, Lamb Kebab, Onion Bhaji

Rice & Breads

• Dum Biryani - Chicken — Fragrant basmati with saffron and raita
• Dum Biryani - Lamb — Slow-cooked lamb with aromatic basmati
• Dum Biryani - Vegetable — Seasonal vegetables with saffron basmati
• Yakhni Pulao — Fragrant basmati with spiced lamb stock
• Zeera Rice — Basmati with toasted cumin
• Plain Naan — Freshly baked traditional naan bread
• Butter Naan — Butter-topped naan bread
• Garlic Naan — Naan infused with garlic
• Cheese Naan — Naan topped with melted cheese
• Cheese & Garlic Naan — Naan with cheese and garlic
• Chili Naan — Spiced naan with chilli
• Peshwari Naan — Sweet coconut and dry fruit naan
• Mince and Cheese Naan — Naan with spiced mince and cheese
• Tandoori Roti — Whole wheat traditional roti
• Sesame Naan — Naan with sesame seeds
• Cheese and Spinach Naan — Naan with cheese and spinach
• Missi Roti — Gram flour and spice roti
• Aloo Paratha — Potato-stuffed flatbread

House Specialties

• Naga Chicken — Spicy chicken with chillies from Nagaland
• Desi Surf & Turf — Beef, prawns in signature masala
• 3 Idiots — Fish, tiger prawns, scallops with coconut
• Pork Belly Masala — Slow-cooked pork with roasted spices
• Chicken Pathiya — Sweet, tangy spice combination
• Masala Goat — Slow-cooked goat with village-style masala

Frequently asked questions

What type of Indian cuisine does Aura serve?

Aura serves authentic Indian cuisine featuring regional specialties including tandoori dishes, curries, seafood preparations, and traditional rice and bread dishes. The menu draws inspiration from various regions of India.

What are your opening hours?

Monday-Sunday with variable hours: lunch service Wednesday-Sunday 11:30 AM-2:00 PM; dinner nightly except Tuesday (4:30-9:00 PM most nights, until 9:30 PM Thursday-Saturday). Closed Tuesdays.

Do you accommodate dietary requirements?

Yes. A vegan menu is available on request, and many dishes are marked gluten-free. Please inform us of allergies in advance—we take extra care but cannot guarantee absence of trace elements.

What are some signature dishes to try?

Try the Aura Butter Chicken, Desi Surf & Turf, Naga Chicken, Paneer Tikka Masala, Dum Biryani, or Prawn Malabari. Each showcases different aspects of our cooking.

Can I make a reservation?

Yes, reservations are welcome and recommended for groups or peak times. You can phone +64 6 348 4851 or use the reservation option on our website.

Do you offer takeout or online ordering?

Yes, online ordering is available through ordermeal.co.nz. You can also call to order for collection or delivery.

What desserts do you offer?

We serve both traditional Indian sweets and modern interpretations—gulab jamun cheesecake, rasmalai tres leches, sizzling brownie, and housemade ice creams including paan and gulakand flavours.

Tips

• {"body":"Peak times fill quickly, especially weekends. Call +64 6 348 4851 or book online to secure your table.","title":"Book ahead for busy nights"}
• {"body":"Many dishes can be adapted or prepared without gluten. The team takes dietary requirements seriously when you mention them in advance.","title":"Ask about the vegan and gluten-free options"}
• {"body":"If you're new to Aura, the Aura Butter Chicken or Desi Surf & Turf are excellent entry points that showcase the kitchen's skill.","title":"Try a signature dish first time"}
• {"body":"Don't just order plain naan—try peshwari, cheese and garlic, or missi roti. The variety of breads here is exceptional.","title":"Explore the bread selection"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Vegan menu available on request; many gluten-free options marked on menu","payments":"Online ordering available through ordermeal.co.nz; phone orders accepted"}