“Running a small restaurant is not always easy, so recognition like this gives us motivation to keep going and keep improving.”
For husband and wife duo Bishnu and Anu Kharel, that recognition reflects a daring move that has grown into one of South Australia’s best Indian restaurants.
Indian Club SA first opened its doors in 2021 during one of the most challenging periods for hospitality, the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time major roadworks were being undertaken on Magill Road, where the venue is located.
The venture was a leap of faith built on a shared love of authentic Indian cooking and a desire to create something entirely their own.
“Food has always been a big part of our family life, and we wanted to share that with the community here in Magill and with South Australia,” Anu says.
The duo have a deep history in the hospitality scene and tried many different recipes, ideas and styles of cooking to find the right balance between authentic Indian flavours and what people in Adelaide enjoy.
“It took a lot of testing, learning, and experience to get to where we are today.”
From the moment you step through the door, to the moment you leave, Anu is there to greet customers with a smile, with no one getting through without a hello. She is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the floor, coordinating staff and maintaining excellent customer service throughout each shift.
“We wanted to build our own place where we could serve fresh, honest food and create a space where customers feel comfortable coming back again and again.”
Their dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Recognition at the Restaurant & Catering Australia Awards says it all: winning Best Indian Restaurant in South Australia in 2024, followed by Best Family Dining and Best Prestigious Casual Dining in 2025.
The recent awards, they say, are a reflection of both their team’s hard work and the support of the local community.
Bishnu is the brains behind the meals. As head chef, he has over 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry; first beginning his journey training within the renowned Le Meridien Hotel in Delhi, India. Bishnu was actually born in Nepal, within the small town of Baglung and later moved to Australia in 2003 after training in India.
Indian Club SA reflects the nature of both Bishnu and Anu’s own values.
“Indian Club is a cosy, friendly local restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere, we focus on fresh ingredients, rich flavours, and generous portions,” Anu says. “We love that people feel at home when they visit us.”
Not only do they have a private dining room, perfect for more intimate gatherings and events, the venue also has an outdoor dining for summer nights in the warm dusk air.
The menu celebrates Indian cuisine, covering a wide range of traditional dishes, and not all are spicy. There are classic crowd favourites, which include creamy butter chicken, slow-cooked lamb shank, cheese and garlic naan, tandoori prawns and chicken biryani. Vegetarian and vegan options are well catered for, with 15 options that include curries, masala, shahi paneer and kofta.
It wouldn’t be lunch without a few specials on the board – this is where you’ll find chicken wraps and salad, matar paneer (a popular North Indian vegetarian curry), and lamb korma (a slow-cooked, tender lamb braised in a sauce made from yoghurt, cream and nuts).
“We really care about every dish we serve, and everything is cooked fresh to order.”
Alongside traditional Indian drinks like mango lassi, the rest of the drink list delights with cosmopolitan, our summer favourite Aperol Spritz and even an Indian hot toddy which combines whisky with hot water, lemon juice, honey, and aromatic Indian spices for a great winter warmer. A diverse range of wines make the drinks list alongside any other spirit, or non-alcoholic beverage you may want.
Perhaps to end the evening, you may indulge in a dessert (or two), with mouth watering options including gulab jamun an Indian doughnut, sticky date pudding and kulfi, an Indian ice cream.
Beyond the food, it’s obvious that the personal family touch is what sets Indian Club apart. As a family-run business, Bishnu and Anu put a strong emphasis on authenticity and make every guest feel as though they’re walking into their home.
“We want people to leave happy and come back again and again, with good food and friendly service making all the difference.”
Where: 613 Magill Road, Magill
When: Lunch is Monday to Friday, 11:30am-2.30pm and every day dinner 5pm-10pm
For more info and to book your next feast, click here.
