The top 10 places for Indian on the Gold Coast as voted by readers
AS VOTED BY YOU THE WINNERS ARE...
When it comes to Indian restaurants, it seems there’s naan better on the Gold Coast than Bombay Affair.
Despite being open for only three months, the Southport eatery swooped to the top spot.
It’s not a bad welcome for chef Heena Serai, whose husband Neresh opened the restaurant to help her settle into her new Gold Coast home.
“My wife arrived from India last year so I wanted to give her something she could really sink her teeth into,” Neresh says.
“She’s a trained chef and her family has run restaurants in India for decades so it’s in her blood. This is a different setting for her but she knows exactly what she’s doing.
“She has done an amazing job setting up the menu and creating the recipes. This win is completely down to her and I’m so proud.”
Neresh says Bombay Affair’s point of difference – providing tapas-style dishes – was its strength.
He says share dishes have always been popular in India but it hasn’t translated to the Gold Coast until now.
“We took the traditional Indian dishes and flavours and took them up a level into the modern tapas style that’s so popular now,” he says.
“It’s funny that no one else has really done this with Indian cuisine before because in India share dishes are quite common.
“My wife did a great job in using all the spices and authentic flavours but working them into a modern presentation.”
Neresh says after 12 years on the Gold Coast he considers it his home, but knew it would be a big change for Heena.
He says while he has helped her set up Bombay Affair, he hasn’t quit his day job as a car dealer.
“This is my home and I love it, but I remember how it felt to come to a new land and feel a bit lost,” he says.
“Heena has obviously found life here quite different but I think having a restaurant of her own has really helped her settle in.
“I’ve actually enjoyed it a lot too. It’s great to set something up together too, especially when it’s worked so well.”
Neresh says the couple was amazed at their result in the top 10 list. He says he didn’t even know the restaurant had been nominated until customers told him.
“I think our trendy take on Indian – plus a central spot in Scarborough St – has really helped us in terms of popularity,” he says.
“We’ve only been open three months so when people told us they had nominated us in this list we were so grateful.
“We are different from the normal Indian takeaway on the corner that people know and love, so it’s great to know that they love us too.
“We want to keep getting better as we go along. Hopefully we’ll still be on top next time as well.”