Legacy of India Moruya — Restaurant in Moruya

I was starting the new year with a shared feast with friends and colleagues and we agreed to gather at the Legacy of India. The restaurant is quiet despite a bustling main street, so it is a good place to have a meal and conversation with a larger group. The decor is clean and while not on the high end of luxury, it was comfortable. The wait staff are very competent and accomodating. We decided on ordering a dish that we would then share with plenty of rice (it is important that you just get the steamed rice with little extra flavours - it pays off later) that is topped with your choice of naan bread (there are a few different flavours - be indulgent with cheese or garlic). If you seek an entree, I have enjoyed the Onion Bahji. There is a wide choice of dishes with a good scale of spiciness. The Mattar Mushroom is a great vegetarian option, Lamb Spinach is a very good option but I went for Prawn a la Goa. The meal comes in the small metal dishes with a spoon for every dish (which may sound little but it is great to stop cross clashing of flavours - again this is important; just stay with me). Taking a fair bit of rice and then the meat but more importantly the sauce. This is a pro-level move because the prawns were large and juicy but you can be just as satisfied with the sauce and rice that is then mopped up by a tear of Naan. If you think a splash of pepper on a meal is spicy then try the Butter Chicken (we have a spice phobic member in our little feasting band). This can also be washed down with a sound Mango Lassi, don't get the soda it might be flat. The dishes were quite affordable and they allow you to split the bill. It was a good night with great...

2 people dinner.

Food ordered: Mango lassi (mango yoghurt drink): delicious and seems to be free from artificial colouring and flavouring. Very authentic. It is a refreshing to drink especially when eating spicy/hot/chilli food. Very reasonably priced. $4.5

Beef Biryani* Came out piping hot. They lacked visible tomatoes, but a very fragrant, refreshing and delicious dish because of the subtle mint and coriander flavours and Indian spices. We ordered medium heat but it made me sweat).

Lamb vindaloo. Delicious. Came out piping hot. Love it!

Garlic Cheese Naan. Sensational. Highly recommending going here even if it's just for these naans alone.

Re: service Very friendly, caring and considerate service staff. Eg We ordered beef biryani, but somehow this was miscommunication to the kitchen staff so they gave us chicken biryani. When I explained this to the staff the staff was kind and thoughtful and said they can take the dish back to remake a new one with beef for us. They didn't try to force us to just accept the chicken one. Thank you to the ladies and staff for being professional, courteous and polite. Exemplary staff. They also offered to switch on the air con when asked via the phone.

Re: atmosphere. Country town restaurant. Made a good effort to make it seem like a very authentic Aussie middle class restaurant. More importantly, the place looks and feels clean. Windows are clean. Mirrors are a little dirty, but passable. No big deal.

I will probably try their curry lunch deals in the future if...

Tucked away in a quiet, small town, this unassuming Indian restaurant may surprise diners with its bold and authentic flavors. Though the clientele is largely non-Indian, the food speaks the language of tradition and comfort, proving that great Indian cuisine knows no boundaries.

We sampled two of the restaurant’s stand-out vegetarian curries: a Paneer Curry and an Eggplant Curry.

The Paneer Curry was a creamy masterpiece, with velvety cubes of paneer absorbing the deep, spiced tomato-based gravy. It achieved a perfect balance between richness and heat, with the spices subtly layered to build warmth without overwhelming the dish. The paneer itself had a lovely, firm texture, cooked just right to retain its shape while still melting in the mouth.

The Eggplant Curry was equally impressive. Eggplant can sometimes be tricky to perfect, but here, it was cooked to a soft, silky consistency that carried the flavors of the curry beautifully. The spiced sauce was aromatic, with earthy undertones, and the eggplant held up well to the robust seasoning, offering a smoky sweetness that complemented the dish.

Final Verdict: This small-town Indian restaurant deserves more attention, even from those with a more discerning palate. With its spot-on seasoning, fresh ingredients, and excellent execution of classic Indian dishes, it’s a hidden gem worth seeking out for anyone craving true, flavorful...