Indian Restaurant Near Albert Park — Award-Winning Modern Indian Dining at Elchi Melbourne CBD
The Best Indian Restaurant Near Albert Park Is 10 Minutes Away
Albert Park residents searching for modern Indian dining near Victoria Avenue, Albert Park Lake or Lakeside Stadium have one answer that stands above every other option in this part of Melbourne — and it is ten minutes away by car, Uber or the Number 1 tram.
Elchi at 72 Flinders Street Melbourne CBD is Melbourne's most celebrated, most press-covered, most award-winning Indian restaurant. Not a neighbourhood local. A destination — an invitation to experience the rich history, culture and exceptional cuisine of India in a dining room that no other Indian restaurant near Albert Park can match.
The Number 1 tram from Albert Park runs directly into the Melbourne CBD. Board at Tram Stop 32 on Beaconsfield Parade and Victoria Avenue — the same stop Albert Park residents use to reach Elchi in 10 minutes. Step off at Flinders Street Station. Elchi's gold doors are steps away.
Elchi is praised as a visually stunning, culturally immersive modern Indian dining experience in Melbourne, led by Chef Manpreet Sekhon, the Curry Queen. Its food is widely praised for its bold, modern interpretation of Indian cuisine, combining authentic regional flavours with refined contemporary technique. Dishes are recognised for their depth of flavour, elegant presentation, and creative balance between tradition and innovation, delivering a memorable dining experience that stands out in Melbourne's modern Indian restaurant scene.
Address: 72 Flinders Street Melbourne CBD VIC 3000 Distance from Albert Park: 10 minutes — Number 1 tram from Tram Stop 32, Beaconsfield Parade and Victoria Avenue, Albert Park Private dining: up to 50 guests — more than any other Indian restaurant near Albert Park
Indian catering: yes — official catering partner of W Melbourne
Best for: date nights, special occasions, corporate dinners, private events, Indian catering across Albert Park, Middle Park and Port Melbourne
As featured in: Broadsheet, Time Out, Good Food, Herald Sun, Urban List
Why Albert Park Chooses Elchi — Any Night of the Week
Albert Park's dining scene runs from casual lakeside cafes to some of Melbourne's most celebrated neighbourhood restaurants. When the suburb wants modern Indian cuisine at the highest level — when Victoria Avenue locals want a contemporary Indian dining experience that goes beyond a neighbourhood meal — Elchi is where Albert Park goes.
Not just for special occasions. Elchi's seasonal menu, Indian cocktail bar and Leave It Up to the Curry Queen set menu at $95 per person make it just as rewarding on a Tuesday dinner as on a milestone anniversary. Albert Park residents come for the 24-karat gold chicken mussalam on a Friday and come back on a Wednesday because the dal makhani has been on their mind all week.
Chef Manpreet Sekhon — recognised across Australia as the Curry Queen — spent two decades training in India's finest five-star hotel kitchens before arriving in Melbourne. She opened Elchi at 72 Flinders Street in March 2022 in the former home of The Press Club — one of Melbourne's most celebrated dining addresses. Melbourne's food press followed immediately.
Broadsheet — a restaurant that walks the line between classic and contemporary Indian dining with extravagant dishes like fragrant chicken mussallam topped with 24-carat gold leaf.
Good Food — a swish space somewhere between a club room and a limousine — an entirely appropriate canvas for the culture and cuisine of India.
The Herald Sun — mind-blowingly good. A must-visit Melbourne restaurant.
Time Out Melbourne — where the line between traditional and modern Indian food is beautifully obscured.
Urban List — a contemporary frontrunner for best Indian restaurant in Melbourne.
Elchi is also the official catering partner of W Melbourne — a five-star luxury credential no other Indian restaurant near Albert Park holds.
Read all Elchi press coverage — Discover the full Elchi story
The Best Date Night Indian Restaurant Near Albert Park
Albert Park is one of Melbourne's most sought-after date night suburbs — and for Albert Park couples searching for a contemporary Indian restaurant worthy of a special evening, Elchi is the clear answer.
The room at 72 Flinders Street is built for exactly this. Gold ceiling. Curved natural leather booths — intimate, private, designed for conversation. A glass-fronted kitchen where the Curry Queen's brigade works in full view. The grand neoclassical facade of the former Herald and Weekly Times building above Flinders Street — one of Melbourne's most storied and romantic addresses.
The Indian cocktail list is entirely original — signature creations alongside all three premium Indian single malts, Rampur, Amrut and Indri. The kind of drinks list that turns a dinner into an evening.
The service operates on the Sanskrit principle of Atithi Devo Bhava — a guest is like a God. At Elchi this is not a slogan. It is the standard every table receives.
Albert Park couples regularly choose Elchi for anniversaries, birthdays and first dates that leave a lasting impression. Smart casual. Adults 12 years and above. Book your date night table here.
The Menu — Contemporary Indian Cuisine at Its Finest Near Albert Park
Albert Park residents who appreciate the modernist approach to Indian cuisine — the waterbath techniques, the contemporary presentations, the seasonal ingredients — will find in Elchi a menu that takes this ambition further than any other Indian restaurant accessible from Albert Park.
Chef Manpreet Sekhon's seasonal menu moves through India's extraordinary culinary landscape with precision and depth. Pistachio lamb chops with saffron mash and pomegranate — a dish that draws on India's royal culinary traditions and arrives looking like modern art. Gunpowder gobhi — crispy cauliflower dusted in spicy lentil — a contemporary take on India's bold southern spice traditions. The signature 24-karat gold chicken mussalam — slow-cooked, finished with real gold leaf, arriving at the Albert Park dinner table as a ceremony rather than simply a main course.
The classics — butter chicken, dal makhani, paneer — made completely from scratch every service. No shortcuts. No compromise.
The Leave It Up to the Curry Queen set menu at $95 per person hands the entire evening to Chef Manpreet. Wine pairing at $70 per person. Available Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm.
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options throughout. Elchi's meat is halal certified.
Private Dining and Indian Catering Near Albert Park
For private dining near Albert Park, Elchi offers something no other Indian restaurant in Melbourne's inner south can match — a private dining room seating up to 50 guests exclusively in the former Press Club building at 72 Flinders Street.
Corporate dinners for Albert Park's business community. Birthday celebrations. Engagement parties. Anniversary dinners. Diwali feasts. Christmas functions. Any occasion worth marking properly — Elchi's private dining room is available for exclusive hire with a bespoke menu by the Curry Queen.
As the official catering partner of W Melbourne, Elchi also brings the same award-winning food and five-star service to off-site events across Albert Park, Middle Park, Port Melbourne and South Melbourne. From intimate Bridport Street gatherings to large lakeside celebrations near Albert Park Lake — the Curry Queen's catering team handles every detail.
Enquire about private dining and events or email goodtimes@elchirestaurant.com.au
Getting to Elchi from Albert Park — Tram Stop 32 to Flinders Street
Elchi is at 72 Flinders Street Melbourne CBD — 10 minutes from Albert Park by car or Uber.
By tram: Board the Number 1 tram at Tram Stop 32 on Beaconsfield Parade and Victoria Avenue, Albert Park. Ride directly into the Melbourne CBD to Flinders Street Station — steps from Elchi's front door. Total journey approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
From Albert Park Lake, Lakeside Stadium and Middle Park — Elchi is equally accessible via the same Number 1 tram route along Beaconsfield Parade and St Kilda Road.
Elchi serves diners from across Melbourne's bayside and inner south — Albert Park, Middle Park, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, St Kilda, Elwood, Prahran, South Yarra and Toorak. All within 15 minutes of 72 Flinders Street.
Address: 72 Flinders Street Melbourne CBD VIC 3000 Phone: 03 9654 6717
Email: goodtimes@elchirestaurant.com.au
Lunch: Tuesday to Thursday 12pm–2:30pm Dinner: Tuesday to Sunday 5pm–10pm
Indian Restaurant Near Albert Park — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Indian restaurant near Albert Park?
Elchi at 72 Flinders Street Melbourne CBD is Melbourne's most celebrated modern Indian restaurant near Albert Park — featured by Broadsheet, Time Out, Good Food and the Herald Sun. 10 minutes from Albert Park Lake at Tram Stop 32 on Beaconsfield Parade and Victoria Avenue. Private dining for up to 50 guests — more than any other Indian restaurant near Albert Park.
Is there a contemporary Indian restaurant near Victoria Avenue Albert Park?
Elchi at 72 Flinders Street Melbourne CBD is the best contemporary Indian restaurant accessible from Victoria Avenue Albert Park — 10 minutes by the Number 1 tram from Tram Stop 32 at Beaconsfield Parade and Victoria Avenue. Award-winning modern Indian cuisine by the Curry Queen Chef Manpreet Sekhon, featured by Broadsheet, Good Food and the Herald Sun.
What is the best date night Indian restaurant near Albert Park?
Elchi is consistently praised as Melbourne's most visually stunning Indian dining experience — making it the standout date night Indian restaurant near Albert Park. Gold ceiling, curved leather booths, Indian cocktail list and the Curry Queen's seasonal menu. Book your date night table here. 10 minutes from Albert Park by the Number 1 tram from Tram Stop 32 on Beaconsfield Parade and Victoria Avenue.
Does Elchi offer private dining near Albert Park?
Yes — and Elchi offers more private dining capacity than any other Indian restaurant near Albert Park. Elchi's private dining room seats up to 50 guests exclusively. As the official catering partner of W Melbourne, Elchi also caters off-site across Albert Park, Middle Park, Port Melbourne and all of Melbourne. Enquire at goodtimes@elchirestaurant.com.au
Does Elchi offer Indian catering near Albert Park?
Yes. Elchi is the official catering partner of W Melbourne and offers bespoke Indian catering for events across Albert Park, Middle Park, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and all of Melbourne. This is a service no other Indian restaurant near Albert Park currently provides. Enquire at Elchi's private din
ing and catering page or email goodtimes@elchirestaurant.com.au
How do I get from Albert Park to Elchi?
Take the Number 1 tram from Tram Stop 32 at Beaconsfield Parade and Victoria Avenue, Albert Park — directly into the Melbourne CBD to Flinders Street Station. Elchi is at 72 Flinders Street, steps from the station. Total journey approximately 10 to 12 minutes. By car or Uber approximately 10 minutes from Albert Park Lake.
Is Elchi upscale or casual?
Elchi is an upscale modern Indian dining experience with a smart casual dress code. We welcome guests aged 12 and above to maintain the refined atmosphere. Full details at Elchi's dress code page.
Does Elchi have vegetarian and vegan options?
Yes throughout — from small plates and street food to signature dishes and desserts. Gluten free available. Full seasonal menu here.
Is Elchi halal?
All meat served at Elchi is halal certified. However, please note that Elchi is not a fully halal-certified restaurant.
Does Elchi take walk-ins?
Walk-ins welcome. Reservations strongly recommended Friday and Saturday evenings. Book online here.
Albert Park Knows Where to Find the Best Indian Restaurant Near the Lake. Now It Knows Where to Find the Best Near the City Too.
Ten minutes from Albert Park Lake. Ten minutes from Victoria Avenue. Ten minutes from Lakeside Stadium. One of Melbourne's most extraordinary dining rooms at the other end of the Number 1 tram. The Curry Queen's kitchen behind glass. Private dining for 50 guests. Indian catering across Albert Park and all of Melbourne. The award-winning, press-covered, culturally immersive Indian dining experience that Albert Park has been catching the tram for since 2022.
72 Flinders Street Melbourne CBD VIC 3000 Phone: 03 9654 6717 Email: goodtimes@elchirestaurant.com.au
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