We had a wonderful experience at Indian Essence. The service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious — full of authentic flavors, perfectly spiced, and clearly made with care. Every dish we tried tasted fresh and satisfying.
Even though the tandoor oven wasn’t working, they served us tawa rotis instead, and they were soft, fresh, and absolutely amazing.
What really stood out was the kindness of the staff and chef. The chef was incredibly accommodating and allowed us to stay seated until we finished our meal without rushing us. That level of hospitality truly made our evening special. Highly recommend for both the food and the exceptional service!
Vipasha
Unbelievably delicious food everything tasted so amazing and had so much flavour. Every dish was big servings and well presented. Our server was so lovely and helpful and explained every dish so we could decide what to get. The restaurant is clean and comfortable. Highly recommend.
Lauren Lowy
Indian Essence in Elsternwick is a true culinary gem! The food is absolutely amazing—flavour-packed, beautifully presented, and authentic. Service is top-notch: attentive, efficient, and warm. The vibe is elevated by the friendliest staff, creating a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere. A must-visit for anyone who loves great Indian food!
Gene Virtser
Had takeaway from here for the first time. Food was delicious, not spicy as this is our preference. We had Navaratan Korma, Palak Paneer, Kashmir Pulao, cheese & garlic naan and Kashmiri naan. Everything was so tasty and beautifully made. The staff were friendly and helpful, both on the phone when ordering and in person when picking up. Will definitely be eating from here again!
Lorraine F
Literally the BEST Indian we’ve had in Melbourne!! Absolutely amazing experience! We had a table of 9 and were all blown away by the food—it was hands down some of the best and most flavourful Indian cuisine we’ve ever had.
The service was exceptional. The staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely cared about our dining experience. One of our guests is coeliac, and the chef personally came out to speak with us to ensure her meal was completely gluten free. That level of care and attention really stood out.
From start to finish, everything was perfect. Highly recommend this spot if you’re after delicious Indian food and outstanding service. We’ll definitely be back!
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We had a wonderful experience at Indian Essence. The service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious — full of authentic flavors, perfectly spiced, and clearly made with care. Every dish we tried tasted fresh and satisfying.
Even though the tandoor oven wasn’t working, they served us tawa rotis instead, and they were soft, fresh, and absolutely amazing.
What really stood out was the kindness of the staff and chef. The chef was incredibly accommodating and allowed us to stay seated until we finished our meal without rushing us. That level of hospitality truly made our evening special. Highly recommend for both the food and the exceptional service! 