When Chakna Tandoori Bites opened its doors on Rundle Street in August, it quickly made its mark with its striking exterior, pink accents, and unique late-night dining experience that brings together traditional Indian cuisine with a modern cocktail bar. This family-run restaurant has gained popularity over the past six months for its authentic dishes that stay true to their roots, while creating a fun, spicy vibe that welcomes both families for dinner and those in search of late-night eats.
Chakna prides itself on cooking Indian food the traditional way. The team avoids sweetening or colouring their sauces, so that the dishes remain as authentic as possible, just like you’d find in India. The menu features a range of regional flavours, with dishes inspired by different states in India, from Delhi to the South. The most popular dish at Chakna is the butter chicken, which Manager Rishi describes as “absolutely beautiful.”
“We wanted to make our restaurant stand out on Rundle Street, so we thought why not make it a cocktail bar as well,” Rishi says. “Normally you’d walk into an Indian restaurant, and you’d eat, but we have a full running cocktail bar with a wide variety of cocktails, wines, house spirits and tap beers.”
This fusion of fine dining and a cocktail scene is what makes Chakna Tandoori Bites so unique. The late-night hours (open until 12am on weekdays and 1am on weekends) offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy a late-night feast with friends or family. And for those looking to chill out with a drink, Chakna’s happy hour and specialty cocktails like margaritas and espresso martinis are a hit with customers.
“People can come in and just chill, have some drinks, have a little bit of tapas, or come in with their family and dine in. We offer a combination of both,” Rishi says.
The restaurant’s interior design strikes a balance between elegance and cool vibes, with bright pink tones and warm, dim lighting that creates a fun atmosphere, especially at night. Chakna’s energy is cranked up even more by its playlist of club and house music, keeping the mood upbeat into the early hours of the morning. The restaurant also has a large screen showing everything from footy and cricket to golf, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a cold beer while catching the game.
Open Monday to Friday from 5pm until 12am and weekends until 1am, Chakna Tandoori Bites is unlike any Indian restaurant in Adelaide we’ve heard of, combing traditional Indian dining with a modern nightlife scene. Check it out next time you’re in Adelaide’s city for a late-night snack, a full Indian feast, or simply to enjoy with a cocktail with some tapas.
What: Chakna Tandoori Bites
Where: 266 Rundle Street, Adelaide
When: Open Monday to Friday from 5pm until 12am and weekends until 1am
Instagram: @chakna.tandoori.bites
For more information, click here.
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