Shalimar Indian Restaurant – Brighton

Located at 343 Bay Street in Brighton is Melbourne’s oldest Indian restaurant - ‘Shalimar’.

Shalimar Indian Restaurant on Bay Street in Brighton is indeed Melbourne’s oldest Indian restaurant. For this reason alone, every Brit should making a pilgrimage to this palace of poppadoms, pilau rice and pasanda.

Opened in 1981, this was the third Indian restaurant to open in Melbourne behind the ‘Taj Mahal’ on Chapel Street and ‘Phantom of India’ in Carlton. However, both of these establishments have since closed their doors leaving Shalimar the old lady of Indian restaurants in Melbourne.

Makhan Singh in his days as Senior Chef at the Oberoi Hotel in Singapore.

This historical gem is all the more precious due to the fact that it is still owned and run by the same family that first opened Shalimar’s doors 44 years ago. Makhan Singh, a senior chef who was then based in Singapore at the prestigious Oberoi Hotel, together with wife Sita Rani Singh took the bold step of introducing Indian cuisine to Brighton and beyond. Fast forward to 2025 and both Makhan and Sita are still involved in the running of the restaurant. These days though it is their youngest son Gagan who heads up the operation.

“Mum and Dad brought over Melbourne’s first tandoor from India so we can authentically create Northern Indian Kashmiri cuisine”, Gagan told BRITlist.

Genuinely mouth-watering. Make it a night to remember at Shalimar (that one’s for the disco heads).

Over the years, Shalimar has been a haven for many a Melbourne-based Brit. The flavours and numerous menu options make this place very much suited to the Indian food-familiar British diner. I myself plumped for a Shalimar speciality by ordering the goat curry.

Just some of the many selections on offer at Shalimar Indian Restaurant.

With the impressive tandoori oven on full display to Shalimar’s diners, the right ambience is created for your Indian dining experience.

Do yourself a favour and visit Melbourne’s oldest Indian restaurant. Gagan and the Singh family particularly enjoy welcoming British guests to their restaurant. Make sure you tell them BRITlist sent you!

 

Shalimar Indian Restaurant, 343 Bay Street, Brighton, VIC 3186