Curry on Queen — Local services in Waitematā

This is the first time in my life, leaving a Google review, and unfortunately it has to be for this place. I moved nearby recently, and since this was the closest Indian restaurant, I visited few times. At first, I thought their student lunch deal was pretty good value, so I kept going back on.

Here is the thing, about two months ago, I had an experience that completely put me off. I ordered the butter chicken lunch set with naan and rice around 1pm. When I started eating, I noticed that the naan was covered with a huge amount of black, ash-like burnt residue. It looked so bad that it was never possible to eat (unfortunately don't have a photo).

I took it to the counter and asked the owner (or the worker), “Is this okay to eat?” And then without saying a single word, he just took it, went into the kitchen, and after about three minutes gave me back the exact same naan, just shaken off a bit. I was stunned. How could anyone think it’s acceptable to return something that was clearly unhygienic, instead of replacing it? Like what is this situation.

I’ve eaten a lot of Indian foods at many many Indian restaurants across New Zealand, but I have never seen anything like that before. I doubt how clean their kitchen and equipment are.

The worst part wasn’t the food, it was the attitude. No apology, no explanation, no expression of concern at all. Just blank face and the same naan handed back to me. And ofc, no refund. Honestly, if this had happened to another customer, I guarantee they would’ve demanded for sure.

I walked out without taking the food right after happened. I didn’t plan on writing a review at the time, but I now think I had to leave a review because I’ve never felt this uncomfortable at a restaurant in New Zealand before. I’m writing now so that other customers are aware.

When a customer is visibly upset, a restaurant has a responsibility to at least acknowledge it. Sadly, my experience exposed me how little care was given here. Very...

Absolutely blown away by our experience at Curry on Queens! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and genuine hospitality. The staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome, checking in just the right amount without being intrusive.

The ambience was spot on—cozy, inviting, and perfect for a relaxed meal. It had that perfect balance of a lively atmosphere while still feeling intimate.

Now, the food—just wow. Every dish was packed with authentic flavors, perfectly spiced, and cooked to perfection. The butter chicken was rich and creamy, the naan was fresh and fluffy, and the biryani had that amazing depth of flavor that only comes from a well-balanced blend of spices. The veg biryani was a standout—it had the perfect balance of fragrant basmati rice, tender vegetables, and a medley of spices that made each bite absolutely delightful. It wasn’t just an afterthought on the menu; it was a dish in its own right, bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection.

What stood out the most was the hospitality. The team genuinely cares about their guests and their dining experience. They even took the time to recommend dishes based on our preferences, which made the whole experience even better.

If you’re looking for a place in Auckland that serves incredible Indian food with top-notch service and a welcoming atmosphere, Curry on Queens is a must-visit. Can’t...

Have tried this outlet 2 times.

The 1st time food was good and portion size was okay.

This time it was a disaster. Ordered Chicken Biryani and Bhuna Chicken

Both the items were not worth the money. Quantity wise they were still okay.

Biryani The biryani was too salty and the taste was completely skrewed. It tasted of half cooked ginger garlic paste with a tinge of saffron coloured rice and some masala randomly thrown together. Felt was made in a hurry without any concern for taste and quality. There was only 1 single chicken piece.

Last time the biryani was good and had multiple chicken pieces. It makes me feel the quality and consistency is lacking in this place.

Bhuna Chicken Bhuna (Hindi word) literally translates to fried (can also mean dry roasted). So expectation was that the gravy would be thick coating sauce (generally of onion and tomato) with fragrant pieces. However it was a random creamy tomato gravy. It's not that the place is super cheap and charges comparable prices for...