Indian Dreams Linwood — Restaurant in Christchurch

WARNING - repeat customers of AJA beware! I pulled up yesterday to pick up my takeaway order to notice a new name on the building and a sign outside saying 'under new management'. This made me nervous, but I got my food anyway to give it the benefit of the doubt. The new person behind the till was very friendly, but sadly that's where the positives ended. Once I had some food it was very clear that new owners meant new chefs, new recipes. I loved AJA because of the chef's bold flavours, beautifully rich sauces, springy delicious breads, and the fact that they weren't pandering to the typically bland tastes of kiwi curry eaters. Sadly, Indian Dreams seems to have gone the other route. My chilli paneer, usually a firm favourite, lacked any chilli, as well as the rich umami goodness that it usually has. I kept looking for more flavour, but with no success. The vindaloo came out like a watery ketchup - sauce very thin with no garam masala or tamarind flavour at all, and no chilli either. It hadn't been cooked down to develop any flavour at all. My naan was the only reason I haven't given 1 star - it wasn't the luxurious springy bread I was used to but it was fine. TLDR: if you want more of the same mediocre bland food you can find at many Christchurch Indian restaurants, go here. If you, like me, were a fan of AJA for its flavour - steer clear. Anyone who knows where the original owner & chef have moved to,...

Update: since the change of ownership, Indian Dreams is as good or better than I mentioned in my previous review. Every curry I have had here since has been brilliant. They are much better set up for dining in than they were before and I would now rate them as best equal Indian for quality of food in Christchurch. I went in last night to try out a lot of the street food and entrees and was not disappointed. Samosa Cholle was delicious, I strongly recommend it, Pani Puri again, still excellent, Non veg platter for two, delicious meats everything excellent, Chicken Solay Kebab absolutely delicious very glad to have decided to give it a try and the Honey Cauliflower was ridiculously tasty. I will very definitely be back.

Honestly some of the best indian I have had in new Zealand. I put this right up there with chanakia as my first equal favourite indian in Christchurch.

Not quite set up for dining in, but it's worth it to have everything beautifully fresh and warm, especially important with chole bhatura, which was incredible. I've not had it better. We also had the methi chicken, which, like the chole bhatura was beautiful. This all with pani puri as a starter. Just a great meal, I couldn't recommend more. I love indian food and try out as many restaurants as I can and so far this has very few others that come close to it in terms of quality. Only birkanavala and chanakia. A+ out of ten, I hope to become a...

Ordered via DoorDash. Once I saw the option for ‘Indian butter chicken’ with its description citing how authentic it is, I had to try it. I was pleasantly surprised when the order got to me. The items in the order were packaged very well.

Now, the ‘Indian butter chicken’. I took the first bite with a spoonful of rice and a piece of chicken. Honestly, wow - the taste and aroma of curry spices, the smoky, tender chicken piece. I don’t remember the last time that I can taste the smokiness in each chicken pieces cooked in curry. It was so enjoyable that I knew I had to leave a review after that bite. I ordered a cheese & chilli naan to complement it, and it was flavourful. I love that the spice level is delivered when I ask for it, while not overpowering the taste of the dishes. Please, keep doing what you do. It’s so...