Quick answer: These seven restaurants in Little India cover the full Indian food spectrum, from banana-leaf fish head curry to flaky handmade chapatis. Komala Vilas opens at seven for early-bird dosas, while Khansama goes till past midnight for butter chicken and tandoori feasts. Vegetarians will feel right at home at Kailash Parbat and Komala Vilas, and biryani lovers should camp out at Mr Biryani.
The Banana Leaf Apolo
It’s hard to walk past The Banana Leaf Apolo without the scent of curry leaves pulling you in. This spot on Serangoon Road has been a Little India mainstay for years, serving South Indian classics on fresh banana leaves. Their fish head curry is the one dish you’ll hear people say die die must try – the gravy is rich, tangy, and keeps you going back for more rice. The chicken tikka and creamy palak paneer are done right too, and everything lands on your table generous and piping hot.
Come for lunch and you’ll see families and friends scooping rice with their hands, no airs, just good food. The bill won’t make you wince either – it’s one of those places where you eat like a king without the atas price tag.
Address: 48 Serangoon Road, #01-32 Little India Arcade, Singapore 217959
Phone: +65 6333 6111
Hours: Daily 10:30am–10:30pm
Website: https://www.thebananaleafapolo.com/
Perfect if you want the full banana leaf experience – ideal for a lazy weekend lunch or introducing out-of-town guests to real South Indian flavours.
Khansama Tandoori Restaurant
If you’re the sort who walks into a restaurant and makes a beeline for the tandoor, Khansama will be your jam. Set at the junction of Serangoon and Norris Road, it’s all about that smoky clay-oven magic. Their butter chicken is velvety and spiced just enough to make you mop up every last drop with garlic naan. And the paani poori hits the spot – tangy, crisp, and made to order, a solid starter while you wait for the tandoori paneer tikka to arrive.
The vibe is warm and unassuming, and they stay open late, which is a godsend when hunger strikes after hours. Vegetarian options are plentiful, so nobody at the table gets left out.
Address: 166 Serangoon Road, Junction of Norris Rd, Singapore 218050
Phone: +65 6299 0300
Hours: Daily 11:00am–12:30am
Website: https://khansama.com.sg/
Great for group hangouts where everyone orders a few plates to share, or for those late-night dinners when most other kitchens have closed.
We put this list together ourselves – nobody paid to be on it. If you run something that belongs here, tell us about it.
Mr Biryani
For those days when only a mountain of fragrant rice will do, Mr Biryani on Chander Road delivers. They specialise in Hyderabadi-style biryani, where the meat and rice are slow-cooked together in a sealed pot until every grain is infused. The chicken dum biryani is the one to get – tender, not dry, with that unmistakable aroma of saffron and caramelised onions. The boneless mutton biryani is another heavy-hitter, and don’t skip the dal tadka on the side, it’s a small bowl of comfort.
Portions are huge, so come hungry or bring a couple of kakis to polish everything off. Lunch and dinner service have set hours, so plan your timing, but it’s worth the small effort.
Address: 11 Chander Road, Singapore 208807
Phone: +65 6295 0508
Hours: Daily 11:30am–4:30pm (lunch), 5:30pm–10:30pm (dinner)
Website: https://www.mrbiryanisg.com/
Suited for a casual dinner with friends, or when you’re craving something hearty after a long week and want your rice fix sorted properly.
If you’re also exploring meatless meals in the area, our guide to Vegetarian Restaurants in Little India, Singapore has more ideas.
Komala Vilas Restaurant
Komala Vilas has been on Serangoon Road for so long, it is basically a neighbourhood landmark. This vegetarian restaurant opens at 7 in the morning, and that early hour belongs to the dosa crowd – crisp, golden, with sambar you can drink by the bowl and coconut chutney on the side. Fluffy idlis and spiced vegetarian biryanis round out the menu, all light and clean-tasting, nothing heavy or oily.
It is a no-fuss, budget-friendly spot where you can makan well without thinking twice. The service is quick, so you can be in and out, or linger over a second cup of filter coffee.
Address: 76–78 Serangoon Road, Singapore 217981
Phone: +65 6293 6980
Hours: Daily 7:00am–10:30pm
Website: http://komalavilas.com.sg/
A go-to for vegetarians and anyone who appreciates a meal that tastes like home cooking. Also perfect for an early breakfast before the streets get crowded, or a quick, decent lunch that does not leave you feeling sluggish.
For more dining options in the same neighbourhood, see our roundup of Restaurants in Little India, Singapore.
Kailash Parbat
Kailash Parbat takes the chaotic joy of Mumbai street food and gives it a proper sit-down treatment. Their pani puri comes with chilled spiced water that you pour in yourself, and the pav bhaji is buttery, tangy, and moreish – the kind of dish that has you scraping the bowl clean. Vegetarians will be spoilt for choice: everything is plant-based and packed with flavour. The chole bhature is a must, fluffy fried bread paired with spiced chickpeas, and the paneer tikka brings that tandoori char without the meat.
The atmosphere is lively, and the menu lends itself to sharing, so grab a few friends and order across the board. It is the sort of meal that feels like a mini holiday to Chowpatty Beach, right here on Race Course Road.
Address: 76 Race Course Road, Singapore 218575
Phone: +65 6444 3444
Hours: Daily 11:00am–10:30pm
Website: http://kailashparbat.com.sg/
Great for a casual dinner with friends who love sharing plates, or when you want a fun, messy, vegetarian meal that doesn’t hold back on the spice.
Azmi Restaurant
Azmi is the sort of place you might walk past unless someone tells you to stop. They have been making chapatis by hand since forever, and you can watch them roll and cook on the griddle through the shopfront. The thin, flaky bread goes perfectly with the mutton keema – simple, spiced, and deeply satisfying. Everything is straightforward and honest, no fancy presentation, just a small counter and a few tables.
It is a solid pit stop after shopping along Serangoon Road. The prices are budget-friendly, and a couple of chapatis with curry make a light meal that hits the spot without weighing you down.
Address: 168 Serangoon Road, Singapore 218051
Phone: +65 9428 0203
Hours: Daily 8:15am–10:15pm
Website: Facebook Page
Best for a quick breakfast or a light dinner when you are craving something homely and unpretentious. Solo diners and anyone who appreciates the craft of a well-made chapati will feel right at home.
Jaggi’s Northern Indian Cuisine
Jaggi’s on Chander Road feels like you have walked into a Punjabi auntie’s kitchen – if her kitchen could seat a few dozen people. The chicken tikka is juicy and charred from the tandoor, and the mutton curry has a deep, slow-cooked richness that demands extra rice. Their stuffed kulchas come straight from the oven, puffed and golden. It is hearty food made with care, not ceremony.
Portions are generous and the prices are fair, so it is a solid pick when you want a meal that sticks to your ribs. The room is simple, the service is steady, and the focus stays on the food.
Address: 37-39 Chander Road, Singapore 219541
Phone: +65 6296 6141
Hours: Daily 11:00am–10:30pm
Website: Facebook Page
Suitable for a family dinner where sharing is the point, or when you want Northern Indian comfort food without the fuss. Also a good choice if you’re feeding a hungry group and nobody wants to leave unsatisfied.
We put this list together ourselves – nobody paid to be on it. If you run something that belongs here, tell us about it.
How to choose
Little India is small enough that you can walk between most of these spots, so let your appetite lead. Ask yourself what you are really craving: South Indian comfort on a banana leaf, smoky tandoori from a clay oven, a grand pot of biryani, or vegetarian street food that brings the heat. Timing matters too – if you are an early riser, Komala Vilas has your morning dosa; if you need a late-night feed, Khansama is open past midnight. Group size and budget will also steer you. For a family feast, Jaggi’s and Khansama make it easy to share. For a solo, no-fuss bite, Azmi’s chapatis and keema won’t let you down.
Most places are moderately priced, and a few are genuinely easy on the wallet without skimping on taste. Vegetarian diners have especially strong options at Kailash Parbat and Komala Vilas, and even the meat-heavy kitchens usually have a few good veg dishes. For more ideas around town, check out our guide to South Indian Restaurants in Singapore or browse Vegetarian Restaurants in Singapore beyond the neighbourhood.
| Restaurant | What to order | Price signal | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Banana Leaf Apolo | Fish head curry, chicken tikka, palak paneer | Moderate | Classic banana leaf, lively |
| Khansama Tandoori Restaurant | Butter chicken, paani poori, tandoori paneer | Moderate | Late-night tandoori, warm |
| Mr Biryani | Hyderabadi chicken dum biryani, dal tadka | Moderate | Casual biryani specialist, group-friendly |
| Komala Vilas Restaurant | Dosa, idli, vegetarian biryani | Budget-friendly | Old-school vegetarian, breakfast crowd |
| Kailash Parbat | Chole bhature, pani puri, pav bhaji | Moderate | Vegetarian street food, lively |
| Azmi Restaurant | Chapatis with mutton keema | Inexpensive | No-fuss, quick bites, traditional |
| Jaggi’s Northern Indian Cuisine | Chicken tikka, mutton curry, stuffed kulcha | Moderate | Homely Punjabi, hearty |
Summary
From fish head curry on a banana leaf to handmade chapatis with keema, Little India’s Indian restaurants cover every hankering you might have. Whether you’re after a sit-down dinner or a quick bite, these spots deliver flavours that are as honest as they are delicious. So jio your makan kakis and let the spice trail begin.
Details can change, confirm with the business before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Which restaurant is best for a big group?
Mr Biryani and Khansama have dishes that are easy to share, and Jaggi’s offers hearty portions made for family-style dining.
Are there full vegetarian restaurants on this list?
Yes, Kailash Parbat and Komala Vilas are completely vegetarian, and Khansama also has a wide range of vegetarian tandoori and chaat.
What is one must-try dish in Little India?
The fish head curry at The Banana Leaf Apolo is iconic, but the Hyderabadi chicken dum biryani at Mr Biryani is equally legendary.
Do these places serve alcohol?
Check with the individual restaurant, as availability varies across these outlets.
Can I walk in or should I book ahead?
Most accept walk-ins, but for dinner service at busier spots like Khansama, calling ahead can save you a wait.
Are these restaurants near the MRT?
All are within walking distance of Little India MRT station, making them easy to reach.