The Takeout

HOBSON INDIAN TAKEAWAY 51A Hobson St

There’s also a branch on Beach Rd Open 7 days a week

IN: Want some great Indian vegetarian food in the central city? Then line up at a little spot off Hobson St called, prosaically enough, Hobson Indian Takeaway. It’s very popular with students, local workers and apartment dwellers — and little wonder as prices are affordable and the food is delicious — but keep in mind they don’t accept credit cards, Eftpos is fine. There’s a small leaner adjacent to the counter and some perch their plates on the bollards and snack — but really this is a takeaway spot.

OUT: The curries change daily — usually there are three to choose from — chickpea, lentil or potatobased — don’t leave it too late as the curries often run out by mid-afternoon. Choose your curries (two curries and rice is $7) and pair them with some hotoff-the-pan Indian bread ($1) if you have an appetite. But there’s plenty more to choose from. I always go for the gobhi paratha, freshly prepared while you wait — it’s an Indian bread stuffed with cauliflower and spices and served with pickle, yoghurt and margarine on the side ($6). There’re also paneer and aloo (potato) parathas and you can mix and match the fillings. The samosas here are good too or better still go for their samosa chaat — where the samosas are served with chickpeas, a tamarind sauce, yoghurt and topped with red onion and coriander. Top it all off with a mango lassi ($3).

THE TAKEAWAY: Fresh, affordable, Indian vegetarian street food.