Tonka reviews . (Restaurant) in Melbourne (Victoria).

Tonka

781 Reviews

327 Comments

Restaurant

Modern Indian restaurant

20 Duckboard Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Description

Here you'll see all the information of Tonka, Restaurant in Melbourne (Victoria)

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Situation

Service hours of Tonka

Busiest hours

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Comments of Tonka

r. k.

Well its Indian cuisine but not Indian.. Its sort of Modern Indian Fusion. You will have a nice experience if you don’t keep your thoughts on Indian cuisine. Even the interior is warm and artistic. We enjoyed our visit and will surely try again.

S. F.

Tonka comes with a big reputation and it doesn't disappoint. Creative and very well executed fusion dishes with an Indian influence. The tandoori trout was incredible. A great food experience with excellent wait staff, that makes this restaurant a must go.

A. K.

An incredible journey of different flavours over small but perfectly sized dishes. These dishes are small with exception of the mains, intentionally. Designed for sharing or to have several. The service was second to none with attentive but not invasive wait staff. Recommendations were offered based on pallette and dietary requirements. A wide variety of drinks including several non alcoholic ones or drinks that could be modified to noon alcoholic. The venue itself is light, white and well insulated. Overall a great experience and a true culinary journey of you're looking for fine food. 🍛🍷🍹😎

D.

DIVINE!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! First time visit for us and it didn't disappoint, the service is wonderful and the food is DELICIOUS! My partner enjoyed his cucumber (with volcanic salt) martini ( he had 3!) and I with the mango lassi with white rum For entree, we had the vindaloo steak tartare and Kabuli Chana in betel leaf with roasted pineapple For mains, we opted for the half serve of the butter chicken and lamb curry- just as well because the serving was quite generous as well as the fried cauliflower For dessert, I thoroughly enjoyed the guava and mango Bombe Alaska with caramelised quinoa The restaurant is very trendy and decor is sublime. The staff and crew was very friendly Would definitely come back next time we visit Melbourne

B. &. K.

Heard a lot of good things about this place, all of them are true. The food is amazing - kingfish with pappadum is a great way to start, chicken tikka in lettuce is very delicious, love the lamb curry that goes well with basmati rice, the fried cauliflower is a good side dish. Don’t forget to get the cocktail, they’re great! Most importantly the staff are very friendly and helpful, waitress gave us suggestions and make sure we don’t over order. The kitchen staff greeted us as we depart the restaurant, such a nice restaurant to dine in.

B. M.

Ambiance and customer service was excellent 👌 and they do have variety of drinks 🍸 too. The only concern I have with food serving quantity was too little. ( like a child meal). Having said that the test of food was excellent 👌 😋.

R. F.

Man it was amazing food. Loved the flavours. I will definitely come back again. The flavours have so much depth and you can just keep eating. Highly be recommend and will definitely go back again. Thank you

W. W.

While I may not pay for the restaurant experience, their Thaili at the Thaili bar during lunch was while worth it to have a taste of their curries. Even though the butter chicken and lamb curry doesn't taste authentic Indian, but the meats were tender and juicy. The Pani Puri was well presented, interesting spin on a classic Indian Street food. Service was almost non existent at the Thaili Bar though.

J. L.

Loved TONKA. Modern Indian cuisine. Delicious food, immaculate service. I’m no connoisseur but that had to be the best butter chicken I’ve ever tasted

V. R.

Absolutely loved this place. One of the best Places I have been to. If you are looking for a place for Indian food with a twist this is it. The food was great and the drinks too. The service was very friendly and attentive. They were quite fast with our order which was impressive.Will definitely return.

C. C.

Food was excellent.... Timing for service was out, we had to rush to eat and for dessert had to change table. Felt like we were pushed out. Luckily team members tried to compensate.

M. F.

The ambiance and service of the restaurant were great however do not recommend the restaurant for Indians (and desi’s) familiar with the Indian cuisine. The taste of the food was average at best and the portions size for the price were not justifiable regardless of the restaurant being fine dining. Felt like joke having to pay $5 for literally one piece Gol Gapa which had no modern twist or innovation.

E. M.

I think this may have been our best dining experience to date. Wait staff were perfection. So helpful, designing our menu and wine to match. All the food was incredible. But if I had to pick a highlight it would be the burrata- OMG! 😋 Thanks for making my partners birthday and our trip back to Melbourne so special!

M. B.

The surroundings, the food, wine recommendations, and service was faultless. A wonderful fusion of food where we were taken on a tantalising tastebud journey. Not only tasted good but was a talking point for every shared plate. The sommelier was supportive and demonstrated his knowledge to what would best suit us and I say thank you.

X. T. T.

We were debating whether to give Tonka four or five stars. Honestly, we really couldn’t fault the place. All the food was delicious, the cocktails were refreshing and different, the service was polite and the decor was pleasing. We’d happily visit again. I can’t say there was a standout dish that I simply couldn’t get anywhere else, but I’d like to try and find it if we go there again.

S. L. C.

Ambiance was beautiful! Sides and appetisers were good! However, the recommended curries were so disappointing! Butter chicken was so salty and lamb curry had a bitter after taste. I definitely have had much curries in local places. The rave about this place was quite falsified in my belief. Moreover, the pricing was ridiculous.. for what we received. However, it does have a good atmosphere and some good dishes.

S. H.

gorgeous ambience with some delectable fine indian fares. went for dinner the other night with the family and i was impressed with the items in the menu. Some of the items that summed up the indelible experience were the five spices calamari, the mangalorean spiced pipis and the goan curry barramundi...simply outstanding. The service was excellent and very helpful. Will be coming back for my favourites again soon! Thanks Tonka for the wonderful experience!

T. M.

First time to Tonka last Friday. Got to say enjoyed the service as much as the meal. Such a joy to go to a renowned restaurant and have an exemplary experience from start to finish. Food was yumski, a little bit pricey but every bite was delicious. The trout as a main was a recommendation by the sommelier who paired it for us. Just lovely. Don’t hesitate going here. On trend but without the- too cool service some like for like restaurants tend to think is appropriate. 🙏

D. M.

Great flavours and service. My friend booked his birthday dinner there. Four of us had a dinner feast. We didn’t know actually what we were eating but we thoroughly enjoyed the food and wine which pair really well by a handsome sommelier.

S. K.

This is one of the hidden gem. Indian blended Aussie restaurant. Food tastes very good. But very limited food menu. Indian dishes named aussie style. Curries are too pricey but you can order half in a size so price becomes half too. Staffs are very friendly definitely you need their help for ordering. This restaurant offers lot of varieties of liquor menu bit more than other pubs especially cocktails and mocktails. Pretty decent ambience. Culteries used for serving food are impressive. Booking is very much required. Restaurant is next to AC/DC lane which is well known for its graffiti the lanes are very small so it makes difficult to find the entrance of it. We can't see display board with the restaurant name. But checkout on the floor of entrance, restaurant name Tonka has be painted with graffiti. They have one more branch named as Coda which is an Asian cuisine restaurant.

D. o. L.

Easily one of the best Indian places in Australia. Fantastic fusion options . The sea food and the chicken biryani is out of this world. Pricey - average per person is 50-55$ for a three course meal. Great staff members who love serving you , booking in advance is a must. A couple of parking places nearby - Wilson n Greenco.

G.

What a way to serve Indian food. The fusion is quite amazing. Dishes I would recommend the most is their king fish with wasabi crisps , spinach with cottage cheese (palak paneer) and duck curry. Also don't forget to try their cocktails. Their lassi cocktail infused with rum is just amazing.

G. M.

Just wow. But a amazing place. Loved the food. My wife took me there for my birthday . We ordered a tandoori chicken, Chicken briyani and mutton. Tandoori Chicken was soo juicy and tender that its even hard to describe. Very friendly staff. You to book a table atleast 1.5-2 months earlier. If you didn’t plan earlier don’t worry just walk-in for there bar menu. I’ve heard its even better.Must go and visit this place.

N. V.

Modern twist of the Indian cuisine. The staff were super friendly and so knowledgeable of the food that was being served. I had come here for my birthday and the waitress had organised our dessert with a candle. They are famous for their cocktails. Definitely need to try them. They're as interesting as their names. The pani puri was served in a way that I haven't seen before. A full of flavour. The butter chicken still had the rich aromatic taste. Could have probably had a little less cream. Served in a clay pot mushroom dhal was something I have never tried and was amazing! (Highly recommend). Lamb cutlets were fair tender. The anchari that it came with was a bit too bitter (but that could've just been me). The pistachio ice cream sat on a bread like piece that really complimented the the ice cream. Wasn't too sweet like most indian desserts. The dark chocolate brownie was soft and at perfect texture. Wonderful blends of flavours throughout the whole meal. Definitely a fancy night kind of place but would recommend.

C. L.

Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Perfect for a bit of trendy, modern dining. Went for lunch, but imagine it would be fantastic in the evenings in an intimate setting. Will be back again.

e. m.

Me and my boyfriend spent our last night in Melbourne at Tonka and it was just fab! We didn’t have a reservation, but that actually turned out well as we were seated at the counter making it more intimate.. the dining room is nice with stylish ceiling lightings and installments, but quite crowded. The menu is structured in smaller plates, “in between”/startes and bigger / mains. We had 2 small plates (the scallop with curry cream and bottarga - not in photos but really good), shared the 5 spice calamari as starter and shared a main - the Tandoor petuna ocean trout (which was amazing).. finished with 2 desserts which were very well done - the croque meringue was delicious. The waitress took care of us throughout the dinner with valuable suggestions and was very polite. Good wine and reasonable bill. In short, if your looking for a place to have an Indian-fusion dinner in Melbourne city head to ACDC Lane and go to Tonka.. 100% recommended!!

A. D.

Came in for a few snacks and a glass wine(after visiting their sister restaurant coda) and got 4 AMAZING DISHES.... asked from a glass of wine to match and got 2 half glasses which were great.... Then while finishing off the meal I see the kitchen team smiling as they are finishing off the lunch shift... What more could you ask for?

M. K.

Beautiful food and a great alcoholic lassie. Last time I actually sat down there I had to deal with an arrogant uninterested waiter. But I'm sure management clear these arrogant little men out regularly.

A. B.

Food was delicious, service could improve! Will give them another chance and hoping the service has improved!

P. F.

Food: Fantastic selection of modern Indian cuisine. Innovative takes on old favorites. Reasonably priced. Don't come here expecting a cheap Indian curryhouse like some of the negative reviewers below. Service: friendly, attentive and informative Verdict: Would and have returned.

A. G.

Beautiful presentation, friendly and accommodating staff, nice ambience. Food didn't taste any good except for rum lassi and desserts.

R. V.

The fusion indian dishes were superb. The traditional indian dishes were nice but not great. However, the service was friendly.

J. T.

Came here on a Friday night. Highly recommend their vegan dishes. We had a vegan friend and they were super accommodating. Lamb was tasty but a bit salty. Really enjoyed the calamari dish. Main disappointment was the wine choice. The shiraz by glass was recommended as being full in flavour which it was not. On top of that we ordered a bottle of white as well and they never came around to top us up. We had to ask if there was any wine left ( we knew there would still be almost half a bottle left). The waiter picked up the wrong wine and topped us up with wine which wasn't ours even though I confirmed with him. He didn't seem too happy when I questioned him as I knew our wine was sitting in the other chiller. Apart from the wine issues, would come back for the food.

G. G.

Delicious Modern Indian cuisine 😋

I. B.

Very delicious tasting food. Definitely not enough of it but non the less extremely tasteful.

V. B.

I love this place and I wish I lived in Melbourne so I could eat here all the time. Delicious fusion Indian cuising. Each dish has its own unique distinct flavours and textures. The drinks menu is great and the cocktails are made to perfection. We ate the biryani, the pani puri and the lamb cutlets. They were all amazing. The restaurant is gorgeous! So elegant and artistic. The bright atmosphere from the natural light peaking through the window is stunning. Perfect restaurant for an anniversary or birthday celebration or even a night out with your friends.

S. G.

We had the most fantastic meal at Tonka. We had fantastic service and wait staff were very attentive and efficient. Holy. The food. Was spectacular. I thoroughly enjoyed the cuisine! It was so different to anything I’ve ever had (and I’ve eaten a lot). When people say Indian cuisine, you always think rustic home cooked meals. But this was on a whole other level! The flavours and spices were so refined to create a brilliant menu!! We would 1000% go back again. Everything was perfect.

K. H.

Delicious food that is packed with flavour and looks beautiful. Stand out dishes for us were the tuna tartare and the lamb curry. Outstanding lunch location in Melbourne

B. S.

Delicious Indian-Australian fusion food. Good service. Good wine. Loved the cloud-like ceiling decorations. Quite fancy and expensive. Cool location off a graffiti alley, looking over the Yarra. Favourites were the vindaloo tartare, Mangalore pippies, naan and best of all was the tandoori chicken with raita. Lovely, special evening

M. W.

I really enjoyed the food here. It was a cute find in an alleyway with graffiti all around. Didn't know if I was going in the right direction, but saw the neon sign, walked in and they had space available for lunch. Great Indian flavours in the dishes, awesome service and a beautifully decorated restaurant

M. v. d. V.

4.5 stars for quality of the food and balance of the flavours. Service of staff (I believe James) was excellent. Vibe is nice and music selection interesting. However...value was not great (total bill $229 for 2 people with just 2 alcoholic drinks). Charging $12 for one bite size leaf with a few peas is plain arrogant. Dessert was good quality, but a tiny portion and at $22 far from reasonably priced. To add insult to injury they think it's okay to charge $10 for tap water. Any place that thinks it's okay to rip off customers with paying for tap water won't ever see me back.

A. S.

Pani puri was great, tandoori items are unique and placed in a lettuce, biriyani and curries are awesome. Seems to have a Bangladeshi touch which makes it awesome, if that is the case

T. M.

Excellent service with very attentive wait staff. Book in advance. That said we came on a Monday night around 6:30, 2 people, walk-in and they had space on the bar. There's a lot on the menu so they offer you to just take care of the selection for you. It was a good idea and we had a very balanced meal - just be sure to let them know your budget before you choose this option! The food was very tasty - try the broccolini.

M. L.

Mouthwatering dishes. You should do the set menu if you are unsure of what to order. We were a group of 7 and everyone was well fed!! If you want fine dining Indian food this is the place to go!! Melt in the moth meat and fish and an amazing modern twist to the entrees. Highly highly recommend this restaurant 😃

W. T.

I had the thali lunch set at the thali bar. Lunch set is pretty good value. I preferred the lamb curry to the butter chicken. Lamb was cooked beautifully. Super flavourful and tender. Overall a pleasant experience.

J. H.

I went here today for a friends birthday and oh my gosh! This is an absolute 10 out of 10 for me. One of the best restaurants in Melbourne. Everything from the service to the food (sooo tasty) and all the intricate details in the presentation of the mains and deserts, the wait staff were beautiful and took the time to make sure we were really looked after and that even included taking a few snaps of us as a group! Thank you Tonka, will be back for sure and will highly recommend to everyone!

j. t.

The service impeccable. The girls that serviced our table had a good sense of humour, the meals were well timed, and our drinks were always full. The food was absolutely fantastic. There wasn't a single dish that we didn't enjoy. Overall, it was a magnificent dining experience.

C. K.

Absolutely love the location, the vibe and the food. History of this place tells a story and they’ve done a beautiful job in designing the restaurant whilst keeping the original bar and DJ stage. As a fan of Indian food, every dish hits the spot and I’ve nothing but praise & compliments. The crew looks good too!

E. G.

You have to go through an alley with interesting graffiti and when I thought the door was some sort of back door. Viola it’s the entrance Good atmosphere people are not only friendly but enthusiastic Should try their cocktails quite original. And spicy Starters are small in portion so can try more dishes. In general not bad. The tuna tartare was nice though the chips not crispy enough. The steak tartare added the Indian herbs sort of overwhelmed the taste of beef. Interesting yet making the beef tasted a bit flat Main dish was the lamb curry. Delicious

M. B.

Brilliant atmosphere, Great service. Received a warm welcome and found the restaurant very nicely decorated. Excellent staff and great ambience. Good place to hangout. Would definitely recommend!!!

M. T.

I will be back! What a gem ! Great for a work lunch as they have an express menu and also great if you have time to enjoy the full menu! We got the butter chicken with naan & rice, the king fish and the burrata! All delicious ! The service was super friendly and efficient as I said I will definitely be back ‘

R. W.

FOOD 4/5 ENVIRONMENT 5/5 SERVICE 5/5 Very nice staff, Very comfortable environment, and very untraditional Indian foods. Anyway, happy diwali. 😊

K. M.

Overall a good dining experience. Portions were a bit small for the price but good flavour.

a.

Lovely atmosphere. Food was great especially the MasterChef runner up Kishwar’s dishes 👍🏻

A. S.

Superb Service done by staff. Would come again

T.

My lord, the food is exquisite and the aromas of food and tastes is exceptional, would definately come here again.

S. V.

Excellent! Loved the Modern Indian Cuisine

K. S.

Been twice and while presentation is nice, service is great and atmosphere is good, the food is just okay. I guess when I think Indian (even if it is just fusion), I expect stronger flavours and to be wow'ed.... just don't feel it here!!

L. T.

Great Indian food Loved the Lamb curry. The starters missed the mark for me.

C.

Amazing food. Delicious, beautifully presented along with the best table service.

S. D.

Beautiful set up. Overpriced for the food for sure. Still not a bad experience.

M. M.

Pleasant ambience n Very good presentation.Loved it. But the biriyani had from here was more like indian masala spice rice.

T. B.

The food here is excellent, although be prepared to open your wallet. Outstanding spices and balance in the dishes. Good atmosphere and service.

A. M.

The place is good. It really has nice ambience. The cocktails they serve are pretty good. Trust me I hadn't had those cocktail flavours before. The food is good but it wasn't really what I expected. The butter chicken tasted more like a normal chicken curry. It didn't have those rich flavours of cream and butter. We had king fish and Trout and it was really delicious. The quantity of the food they served was pretty decent. And the service was really good and quick.

R. S.

Fun place -- All food was well presented Taste wise it was ok - Not like ethnic Indian Its different...Only go if you are willing to try different Good ambiance

D. A.

It is nice fusion stuff, easy place to go to and stay a few hours. Panipuri could he served at the end perhaps, that may be nicer. Also, could get some Indian beers and i missed seeing any lassi cocktails. Lots of whisky choices and friendly though.

P.

We did the Tonka x NGV dinner experience and I must say I was a bit dulled after the food. It was beautifully cooked and presented, however flavours were all very flat, at times I would've loved to add at least some salt, that's how boring it tasted. I've never been to Tonkas actual restaurant but its supposed to be better. I think this was a bit of a dampener on our Saturday night.

D. C.

Food is really good and very friendly service. Relax and quiet during the lunch time.

l. l.

Great vibe! Great food! :)

K. W.

Excellent food. Wonderful wait staff with attention to detail and attentiveness to food allergies. Loved the options of small and large plates. Definitely worth the extra expense over your local run down Indian takeaway joint. Treat yourself.

H. S.

Really good place with some really yummy Indian food which took us back to our hometown. I would definitely recommend tonka for dinner with candle light. The staffs were very friendly and considerate. Had a good time with my friends.

D. F.

Interesting dining experience. Contemporary twists on classic dishes which don't always work (for us). The food lacked bite, flavour and character which is something I never thought I'd say about Indian food. The very friendly staff, unfortunately, didn't make up for the food which was a shame.

J. W.

The food was absolutely fantastic. The best Indian food I have ever eaten. The wine list was quite comprehensive and the cocktails had fantastic modern indian tastes woven into them. All in all a great place to eat and well worth a visit.

J. H.

All the staff had smiles. A different experience to your usual Indian which is a great idea. We were not disappointed at Tonka. From the moment we walked in we were met with super friendly staff who made us feel very welcome. The food was amazing, the service excellent.

V. T.

Food was absolutely delicious, service was fantastic. A modern twist to Indian food in a very contemporary setting. I loved the fact that they gave us wet towels to clean our hands, for every dish that required us to use our fingers. Definitely won some brownie points there. The wine list is fantastic too. Just make sure to have an open mind with the dishes, take your appetite with you, and share as many dishes as you can on the menu.

A. B.

Best service. Very professional. A unique experience and a nice twist on Indian fusion cuisine. Awesome presentation. Although the deserts has a big room for improvement

J. B.

We were great at the door and spotted our friends having a drink, we were offered a drink straight away. After this we were shown to the table, every staff member said hello and smiled, it was one of the nicest greetings I’d ever had at a restaurant, ever. We weren’t sure what to eat but were happy to share dishes amongst the four of us, our waitress was amazing and said she would help us to order if we wanted, we took her up on the offer and between us ordered around 10 dishes. The food was amazing and the service was on point, the staff made our evening with their knowledge of what was in offer, about $100 per person for food and drink, and worth every cent spent.

D. Z.

Excellent food and service. Good Indian Fusion

M. J.

Writing a positive review is the least you can do after you've dined at a restaurant like Tonka. The food is directly on point, not your classic Indian but with a modern, fresh twist. Highly enjoyable!

J. H.

We were not disappointed at Tonka. From the moment we walked in we were met with super friendly staff who made us feel very welcome. The food was amazing, the service excellent. All the staff had smiles. A different experience to your usual Indian which is a great idea.

N. C.

Chic Indian fusion restaurant. Amazing flavours and great service.

P. P.

We had a very warm welcoming by the staff and the atmosphere and the setting of the place was really nice. As an Indian food fan, i’d say the quality of the food was great but the biriyani can be improved even if under the concept of “fusion” as we thought it lacked a bit of authentic flavour. Overall a good experience.

K. W.

I've been to Melbourne countless times and if i can get a booking at Tonka, I'm going!! The service is incredible, staff are very attentive and food is just UNREAL. It is on the pricer side but totally worth the splurge. The lamb curry and roti was incredible, the pipis and smoked trout were also standouts. Don't drive; the cocktails are amazing and the wine is divine. Their sommelier was also fun and attending to each table. What I liked most was the atmosphere - it was a super fun place to have dinner! Exceeds expectations every time

K. M.

I there last night with my daughter. Cocktails were lovely and service was good considering so many staff. We have always ordered our favorite Indian being butter chicken. What we got tasted nothing like butter chicken. Very disappointed.

n. j.

Delicious fine dining twists on Indian classics, with absolutely fantastic staff. The coconut lamb curry main is a must-try. Not actually that expensive for what you get too. Recommended!

J. C.

Came here for my birthday. Food was delicious and service was excellent.

d. f.

Fine dining and Indian food don't often go together but they do here! Excellent food and outstanding service. We let them choose a menu for us which worked well. My only negative is that the cocktails were very small - 2 or 3 sucks on the straw and they were gone. Not cheap ($200 for three with one cocktail each) but a great dining experience.

R. a.

The food was really good and the service was excellent! The staff is super accommodating as well, I came in during a lunch rush and did not have to wait long for a table or for my order. A really good spot for lunch or dinner. The decor is a pretty aesthetic too!

P. M.

A modern twist on Indian cuisine (maybe a fusion). Either way a really enjoyable place to eat. The food was delicious and the menu is well thought out. I was able to get a table for two without a reservation on the night. The staff were very helpful and friendly. I recommend.

T. A.

Tiny portions left us hungry after spending sixty per head. But the atmosphere and flavours were amazing. Welcoming staff member was not very welcoming. Staff seemed to expect a tip which was unexpected in Australia. Wonder if they aren’t paid to the tune of what the restaurant charges

T. M.

Really excellent service, good beer and wine, but the food was just a little disappointing. It's fine dining done well but it felt like Indian cusine was an afterthought. All the staff were great, knowledgeable and friendly. Drinks were good with an interesting wine list and solid beer options. However the food lacked the big flavours that I associate with Indian food, and some items were a bit bland. The burrata dish was a stand out but everything else we had was just a little average. Overall it was an enjoyable experience but the food failed to meet (admittedly high) expectations.

J. R.

Posh, expensive version of Indian food. But sometime the traditional recipes are best

J. P.

Marvellous modern Indian. A fraction $$$ though. Can be noisy too

M. T.

What a pleasant and cosy place to have modern and traditional fusion Indian food. The authentic flavors of Indian cuisine is redefined with a modern twist while maintaining those flavors. A good variety of Indian food with a well thought out menu. Food was fantastic with a reasonable price. Staffs were very helpful and the service was excellent. The duck korma and mushroom dahl was delicious! I would definitely return.

B. D.

The staff are awesome here. Really awesome. and the smell of the restaurant is incredible. Venue wise, it's fantastic. The place is great. Has a real 'power lunch' kind of feel. But the food and drinks menu is a little on the over-hyped side. It's fancy curry, essentially, but I wonder how much better it is than a really decent curry house. I kind of found the whole food side of Tonka pretty underwhelming.

E. B.

Very clean and stylish and quiet enough to have an electric conversation. Food is nice but lacks the X-factor to warrant the price.

H. L.

Went with a bunch of mates and had a really enjoyable dinner. Service was prompt, all the food tasted great, especially the chicken liver pate. Steaks were impressive and what made the night was that they provided 2 tomahawk steaks instead of 1 simply because the weight was slightly lighter than the 1.4kg that they promoted. Needless to say, we rolled out of the restaurant

A. C.

This was a lovely suprise. Wandering down an alley in the CBD we stumbled across Tonka. Great full bodied flavours and excellent service.

B. T.

Very attentive staff, lovely setting, but a bit pricey for the portions

L. R.

amazing cocktails, the curry was devine

m. A.

Absolutely fantastic. The butter chicken and the cauliflower are a must! It was my boyfriends birthday and we were treated so warmly by staff, they all greet you as you walk in and you feel like you’re walking into a family dining room. Staff are exceptional. Remembered my boyfriends mum was gluten free when we sat down after I told them earlier. Will continue to come back for years to come.

N. G.

The food here was interesting and tasty. I love a fusion menu and some of the dishes had a real home style flair to them. The service was mixed, some waiters really got it, others just weren't supporting the Tonka goodness. The sommelier was fantastic.

A. i.

Great customer service - friendly, attentive and timely. Good fit-out and cozy ambience. However the food is hit and miss. I've been here about 4 times now including work lunches and evening dates. I understand the concept of fusion, but they have got some basics completely wrong. For example, I have never in my life had "pani-puri" in singles, and neither have experienced the same in any restaurant around the world including London or NYC or even Helsinki for that sake. As some of the others have written, the food lacks flavour. Indian food is not known for subtleness, but bold and vibrant flavours. Butter chicken tastes like basic home-made chicken curry that you and I can cook. Same with the lamb. There is no "chef-factor" in it. Why would I venture out to a fine dining establishment for a toned-down home-made curry? That's a question you might want to ask. I might as well go to the conservatory and eat a buffet for similar taste and price-point.

N. C.

Great atmosphere and warm welcoming service. Modern Aussie Indian cuisine. Quality of Food is fantastic but the taste will satisfy the western appetite more than an Indian unless you are prepared to try something different. Perhaps bit expensive but the service, atmosphere and the location justifies it.

D. W.

The most amazing food. We had the banquet and could not finish the amount of food. My second time there and will go back for a third for sure.

P. A.

Excellent food and service as you would expect at this class of restaurant. Subtle lighting and creative decor provide a relaxed visual experience. The acoustics are good too, so you can have a conversation. I was skeptical about the Indian-inspired menu as I went in, but it won me over in the end. Staff accommodated our dietery requirements with ease. I particularly enjoyed the Palak Paneer gnudi. It's an amazing transformation of a traditional dish into a modern epicurean delight.

M. M.

The food was awesome but I just found the some of the staff bit pushy. We were asked again and again to order more food and more drinks even though we had said no twice. It was great as they were looking after us but sometimes they need to be aware of their customer's requests and try not to push to order more food. I believe the staff gets commission on every order but other than that..the food was delicious.5 stars for the food.

D. S.

Good decor and ambience and we recieved good service. Best way to enjoy the food is to not to expect a traditional Indian cuisine as it is an Indian fusion menu. The dishes have a nice twist to the traditional indian dishes and are quite mild. Desserts and Coktails were good too. Sligthly overpriced. Overall a good experience.

L. B.

Absolutely fantastic. The butter chicken and the cauliflower are a must! It was my boyfriends birthday and we were treated so warmly by staff, they all greet you as you walk in and you feel like you’re walking into a family dining room. Staff are exceptional. Remembered my boyfriends mum was gluten free when we sat down after I told them earlier. Will continue to come back for years to come.

N. t. o. t. l.

Trout was the highlight. Overall excellent.

M. S.

The ambience and staff was excellent. Food portions are small for the price. We ordered a chicken biryani as one of our main course. This was a total let down - a total piss take on what a biryani is. This was made more like an Indian fried rice than a biryani. There was no salt or balance to the spices in the food. This was over priced Indian food in a fancy setting. Would not mind paying the price if it was smart cooking, like some other Indian fusion restaurants. Not in any hurry to go back!

d. m.

A friend recommended we try here while visiting Melb on the aus day long weekend. We couldn’t make a booking in the restaurant so after reading some reviews decided to try get into the bar. We happened to arrive at just the right time and were able to sit in the bar area at a small table we you can order from the full restaurant menu. It’s a very trendy place and there’s was lots of people coming in for dinner. We decided to taste a few dishes and relied on the waiters recommendation to make our final choices.

M. I.

Great food. Very friendly and helpful staff. I was pleasantly surprised.

A. D.

Had heard nothing but good things when I booked in for a special night out for four. Was not let down by my high expectations. The venue is bigger than expected but was still full. The waitstaff were very helpful in guiding us through the menu and the best way to order. The food was fantastic, every dish was fresh and full of flavour. Half our table had meat whilst the other were vegetarian and both groups had equally great experiences. Can't wait to come back

S. K.

By a mile one of the best Indian restaurants in Australia. We love our food and enjoy trying a range of restaurants and this is good! Last time I went with a few colleagues and the chef was happy to create a menu/dishes just for us. We asked the waiter to bring in 4-5 entrees and some mains (without Lamb & beef). My personal favourite was their tandoor prawn with salads, chicken biryani & naan... My recommendation would be to ask the waiter to create a 3-5 courses for you and match the wine.

N. P.

10/10. Everything was amazing and the service was great. Specially recommend the aloo, tar tar, butter chicken

R. H.

Maybe my expectations were high but the food was a little underwhelming. Some dishes tasted somewhat bland compared to authentic Indian fare. Service was good though.

H. S.

The place is not worth the hype. The front bar area is quite a concrete jungle and plants are misplaced to break it up. Its also quite noisy. The food is pretentious, overpriced and doesn't taste that great. Staff are a mix bag with some quite friendly and others not so much. They are quite protective of their zoning and if you've been seated at the front. They do not like you venturing to the rear dining area.

O. B.

If you're thinking about going here - do it! Amazing food selection and honestly the best flavour experience you'll ever have. The wait staff were fantastic and had great recommendations.

J. M.

Amazing food, excellent service, funky space and a really enjoyable meal. A little too pricey for me if I were paying myself, but I was travelling for work. I had the king prawn, the pipis, the ocean trout, the pani puri, and the meringue dessert. The pipis and the ocean trout were the best dishes by far - absolutely amazing - as was the dessert. The rest was lovely, but those dishes were stand out. I'll certainly be back.

B. K.

Simply exquisite! Went here for Valentine’s Day - simply brilliant service and food. Being of Indian background I’m always skeptical about modern Indian cuisine. But Tonka surpassed my expectations. Recommendations - five spice calamari with squid ink boodi and the Bengali fish curry.

J. C.

The service here is classy and relaxed. Very nice place for a special night. The waiter took our jackets and then referee us to the waiting bar! The place was fully booked but they managed to find some room at the main bar for dinner after we had a few drinks. Very well presented food and delicious. I thought it was a gamble going Indian for a date however it was a success as this is not just any ordinary Indian restaurant. Definitely not a first tinder date spot.

M. G.

A cool, chic place in central CBD location. But... The dish description in the menu impossible to understand by a layperson - the waiter has to spend way too much time explaining what all those dishes in the menu are. If more than two persons are at the table the chances are the two sitting further away from the waiter will not hear his/her explanations. The portions are small and expensive. The wine outrageously expensive.

J. N.

Great food and wine Staff are super helpful and will help make the food you want with for the numbers at the table Had a great time with no pressure to hurry and move on

A. C.

We went with the "we can't be bothered selecting" menu for lunch. It was amazing, light and fulling Indian food with a twist. A mixture of flavours across each dish. High recommendation here.

M. M.

It was a busy night at the restaurant which can be any night. We were there on a Monday without a booking and ended up with a seat at the bar. The service was lovely. Food comes out quite quickly. I had the duck which was sensational. I also enjoy a glass of pinot noir which was lovely. My friend had the lamb curry which was lovely and tender. Be sure to order sides. We had the dahl two serves of rice. I probably would have ordered the cauliflower side instead of the second serve of rice but my friend was paying so I let him make the decisions. For dessert , we shared two dishes; the mango mouse and the carrot dessert. I preferred the carrot dessert while my friend preferred the mouse. Overall it was a good night. We would have been more comfortable at a table so do make a booking.

a. v.

A good unique experience The food is a fusion of indian and italian with more of seafood on menu. Should introduce more vegetarian options also. The maango lassi is pretty average not a wow! Palak panner is a must order! Naans were again not a wow!! Average!!! The interior gives you a vibe of a fine dine adding the professional staff makes it wonderful!! Great effort!! I heard a lot about this place overall I wasn't facinated the food is just fine! You have plenty of other good food point in CBD its just you are paying for experimental food and the experience!

L. T.

We ordered 1. Pani puri - taste really good. Modern and fancier twist of what you would find on the street of india/nepal but i quite like it 2. Tandoori Trout - it was good 3. Chicken biryani - it was as expected as well 4. Cauliflower - it was OMG. So good! The vibe was excellent, the service was very friendly, the staff patiently explain each dish. Overall it was a delightful experience.

M. K. K.

Sophisticated dinner who would ever thought? Definitely worth a try. 4 of us girls had a lovely dinner doing a 3 course meal with beautiful wines to match

D. D.

Best chicken tikka I've ever had

M. Z.

Experience was excellent and well worth the 5 stars. However by Indian "fusion" I'll definitely state that it's very much a Westernized fusion with the meals being very much weighted towards more European style. Food was still exceptional but thought this was worth a mention.

T.

Not cheap but elegant establishment with classy, high-end Indian influenced food. Choc full of beautiful people, but also peeps in jeans and flannelette shirts. Great staff. Overall very nice experience. Recommend soft shell crab.

R. M.

Fancy restaurant with an Indian vibe to the food. The menu overall is nice, but probably just a bit overpriced for some things - E.g. $12 for a scallop the size of a 20 cent piece. I have no problem with paying for good food, but at that price you can barely get enough to taste. Beyond the entrees the mains are a little standard. The duck breast, for example, is nicely cooked but nothing special, and the curries were, well, curries. The deserts were a total let down. The one with chocolate was, for want of a better expression, weird and did not seem to contain chocolate. Service was Ok. Nothing special. Had to ask for their attention a couple of times, again not justifying the price. I always prefer a single server in an expensive place. We just got the next available person each time, so we lost that rapport. Oh well, got to try these places!

A. S.

Had quite a good experience here for a birthday dinner, but as a group of five we were a bit under catered for portion wise (although we did let them choose the the menu for us), and the service was only okay, which for the price was a bit of a let down. Regardless, the food is incredible, the desserts are worth it and the drinks were great. Would probably go back as two people rather than a group.

A. M.

The entire experience at Tonka was exceptional! We went with a group of friends and had the set menu. The food was so packed full of flavour, fresh and filling. We will most definitely be back

V. d. G.

Restaurant is always fully booked, specially in the weekend. Needs to be booked one month in advance. Unfortunately after such a long wait, the food did not meet our expectation: great food quality, very good cocking techniques but lack of combinations. A tuna tartare was made large dice of tunas with a lot of fresh coriander, there wasn't uniformity and I could taste each ingredient individually: chewing coriander is not a taste experience. Since we moved from Rome to Melbourne, among "1 hat" restaurants, Tonka is definitely the worst so far. However I want to try it again. Amazing venue.

D.

The food was delightful. Not the cheapest place (1 dish of 2 duck legs and salad was $40), but the food was great. Note, this is not traditional Indian, but definitely has Indian tastes and flavours.

P. C.

I was initially disappointed that the name Tonka did not refer to the sturdy yellow trucks and diggers of my childhood, but the restaurant was otherwise excellent. Exceptional Indian fusion cuisine and knowledgeable service delivered with wry humour. Top place.

D. S.

We went to Tonka on 3rd March for our anniversary celebration and loved the food and our waitress was terrific and helpful. My only issue with this place is that when the Sommelier is helping with the wine and advises you to allow him to give you the wine which will match your food he should also advise the customer about the prices of the wine. We had 2 glasses of red wine which he chose for us and it was a sample at 0.2 pour and they cost us $72.00 for 2 glasses and then we had a white wine next at a sample of 0.4 pour and it cost us $68.00 for 2 glasses. We were not expecting to pay these exorbitant prices for a sample tasting of these wines and were extremely taken back by this cost and the size of the pour. Unfortunately this left us feeling rather ripped off by Tonka and made our experience very disappointing. Our last wine were 2 glasses of shiraz at a cost of $28.00 which we were very happy about. Please explain to your customer the cost of the wines he is offering so they can at least have an option to say "no thank you" and make another choice. Our drink bill was $198.00 and our food bill was $137.00. Extremely disappointing.

J. M.

It's a unique fine dining restaurant tucked away in an unassuming laneway. Entering this place, felt fresh, clean and airy.. Was welcomed by a gentleman and ushered into the bar while we waited for our table to be ready. The food was Indian inspired with European style of cooking. The Star dish of the night for us was the the Duck Korma. Really tasty and well balanced. However in some of the dishes, there seems to be a tad too much of salt and it was tellable easily. (Avanis Lamb curry). The waiting time between dishes was boring and was long and it reduces the excitement a bit. So a good restaurant for a special occasion and the 4 stars for the long service time.

B.

Went here yesterday and it was fantastic. Excellent staff and great ambience. Favourite dish was vindaloo steak tartar but every dish was great. Dishes were served degustation style so gaps between meals were well spaced. Would go back!

t. h.

Awesome atmosphere!!! and lovely decor. But food not the best to be honest. Maybe it's just me (got back from the UK) but theirs interpretation of modern is not flavourful and pricey. But give or take I do believe it's one of the best Indian place around melbourne..... But let be honest here..... there isn't lot of good indian places in melbourne CBD and most importantly I don't feel that the pricing justified for the food. Hopefully it this helps.

C. P.

Loved the location and the menu, the lamb and butter chicken gravy tasted almost same. The music can be different. A bit too loud for my taste. The chai tea needs to be hotter!!

T. L.

Gotta say, I got emotional eating here - the moment in Ratatouille after he tastes the food and it just hits him with the feels. Yeah so that happened. Great food, a good interpretation of flavors and great execution of the concept. Shoutout to the somm - hard pairings but you rose to the challenge. Smashed it. 5 stars, would highly recommend.

K. G.

Staff was lovely but a bit too attentive. They would just not leave us alone and kept refilling our water and asking things while we just wanted to spend some quality time. The food was nice but really pricey. I would personally not come back.

A. O.

Delicious food, and cocktails. Our waitress Megan is very friendly, attentive and helpful. Food server explains every dishes patiently. Great experience, highly recommended.

J. W.

I enjoyed tandoori trout. The marination is just right, not too spicy and masala was not powerful. I'd not order biryani and butter chicken again. The masala for both is just not right for me - imbalance. It was not like WOWO, I want it more. Pleasant atmosphere and decent service.

M. D.

Amazing food. You wouldn't expect a restaurant like this to be infront of dumpsters in an alley but once you go inside, it is amazing! Best Indian food in Melbourne and it is not even overpriced (except the panic Puri which was $4.50 each.) I recommend the Palak Paneer gnudi.

A. A.

Awesome twist to indian food. Loved the tandoori chicken, fried cauliflower, pani puri. Palak paneer had an intersting taste. Overall awesome experience., friendly staff and good service. Must try if you are in Melbourne.

E. S.

Food and atmosphere was brilliant, the staff were most helpful and offered great suggestions. Also I can vouch for the authenticity of the food but I loved it's modern touches. Would highly recommend this establishment.

R. D.

This place is all about the food. Sure the restaurant layout is well thought through and the service is impeccable but at the end of the day it’s the deep knowledge of Indian flavours coupled with contemporary culinary delights that triumphs and leaves you amazed by the final result served to you. We relished the following: Appetizers: Pani puri (more the merrier), Prawn balchao. Mains: Palak paneer, Fish tandoori, Butter chicken and Chicken Biryani. Also Naan bread. Desserts: Gulab Jamun (more the merrier), and Carrot halwa. Drinks: Shiraz wine. Booking a table in advance is a must. We tried our luck and went there at 6pm as they opened and were really lucky to get a table for 4 without a booking.

D. S.

One prawn 🍤 $13.00 😂😂😂 same with a small cutlet of lamb. To be honest it’s what I kind of expected. Lamb curry nice and so was the chicken biryani. Not particularly good value for money but their you go!

j. G.

Visited here with my Indian friend who insisted me on trying Indian cuisine. Overall loved the food specially butter chicken and tandoori chicken. Will definitely visit again to try other dishes.

A.

Absolutely amazing atmosphere and food. Pani puri was awesome. Girl who served us was professional. Biryani was divine. Butter chicken need a bit of work as it was really sweet. Rest was just great. Will see you guys again. Thank you.

T. S.

Delicious food, unfortunately let down by the cold, unfriendly service. It's a pity that when you walk in its the surly barman that is welcoming people to the restaurants. First question was whether I wanted the Express menu or A La Carte.....I don't know. I've not been before, there is no menu outside, so how about showing me a menu and explain the options first! Had to ask for a menu to peruse so that I could decide. Turns out if you choose the Express option then you can only sit at the bar, even though the restaurant was mostly empty. Had the smoked eel starter in betel leaf. Excellent, but just needs an extra zing to it. The Thali was a good combination naan, rice, yoghurt, salad and then a choice of chicken, lamb or paneer. Lamb was tasty but some pieces were excellent, tender and juicy, others very fatty. Just needs a little more attention to detail. Perfectly cooked naan bread. Nice, perfectly cooked gulab jamun for dessert and perfectly complimented by the madala chai. Would easily be 5 stars if the service was warmer and a little more attention to detail.

N. H.

We tried lamb curry and butter chicken. Both nice and reasonable size. Small plates are not as exciting. Visit this place during daylight to enjoy the beautiful vieww from the window.

P. B.

Lovely staff and classy decor but very pricey! Our lamb curry was tender but luke warm and the chicken curry was flavoursome but tough. I think it was a bit much to pay for rice and vegetables!

I.

I asked my friend from India what he would rate this experience at tonka as a new take on Indian food and I for one can say it was an amazing ambience, service and had amazing new takes on classic Indian dishes. He agrees. Great experience

R.

Undoubtedly the best upmarket Indian place in Melbourne. Explosion of flavours from the chicken Tikka and the Avani's lamb curry is heavenly. Just make sure you mention your liking on how spicy you would like the food to be.

K. F.

I LOVE Tonka - the food is exceptional with an extensive wine list! The sommelier is on hand to offer suggestions and always gets it spot on! I have been her a dozen times and never left disappointed...

C. T.

LOVE Tonka. As a major Indian fan, I would have to say that Tonka do my favourite cuisine all the justice it deserves. A must try is the Pani Puri, words cannot describe it. A definite for a date night or special occasion. Tonka is by far my favourite restaurant in the Flinders Lane area. Best bit is the half size curries option so you have enough room to try both.

T. F.

Very good service and good food. They catered really well to dietary requirements. Unfortunately a little slow coming out with food though. Sadly for me, didn’t quite live up to the hype!

B. B.

Amazing Indian inpired cuisine, couldn't fault it at all. Superbly presented, delicious dishes. Highly recommend the entree Pani Puri Golgappa. My suggestion would be if you plan to not be rushed to book the later sitting for dinner. You won't be disappointed!

R. O.

The lunchtime express menu is a step up in quality from the standard indian meals elsewhere (so is the price). What I've found more interesting here is the indian flavours inspiring there cocktail selection.

k. b.

The food is caucasian styled Indian...I suppose U can ask them to add chilli....the portions are OK for small eaters....so it may easily be misconstrued as stingy....it's dark in there....but U have yer mobile phone lighting....overall it's OK....don't expect too much....than U won't feel too disappointed....

C. W.

Loved it! Small plates were bite sized. Large plates were very generous, enough to share between two to three. Service was relaxed and friendly. Would recommend.

J. P.

Good wine list and a very comfortable space, the food is exceptional and the staff are great. Fully open kitchen so if you want to see the inner workings of your food you can.

P. S.

Tonka was brilliant. Loved the food and the story that went with it. Service was always helpful and a conversation. Highly recommend!

A. U.

Food quality was good , flavour ok but heat non existent. When asking to make the curries hot, they advised we will be given chilli oil. Unusual for a indian restaurant

D. &. L. F.

Great food and service. The atmosphere is relaxed enough for you feel comfortable wiping your plate with their super tasty nann bread but no too relaxed to feel cheap.

M. S.

Great service and ambience, however the food is nothing extraordinary.

A. A.

Loved the food, atmosphere and service. Decent number of options for veggies.

V. P.

Location is very Melbourne: tucked down an alleyway behind a small entrance revealing a wonderful restaurant with brilliant views across to the arts center. Staff were attentive and friendly. Food was excellent! The Pani puri, lamb tandoor and Palak Paneer were just divine. Pricy but worth it on a special occasion

M. L.

Possibly the best Indian food i have ever had, good service and a reasonable price!! Ocean trout, lamb and vindaloo tartar were amazing

N. W.

I believe this is the most happening place in Melbourne if not Australia wide. The service is simply breathtakingly outrageously amazing. The wine by Travis Howe and Gavin is always something out of the box, generally from a little boutique producer nobody knows about and the pricing for that wine is always fair. That's before we even get to the food which of course is spectacular., We have been to Tonka maybe 5 times in the past year since it opened. Very difficult to get a table sometimes and the reason is as I first said .... probably the coolest and most buzzing restaurant in Australia right now. Book well in advance - you will not be disappointed and it's worth the wait. WORLD CLASS. I tried to book when leaving last night and the wait for Thursday or Friday is a few months.

B. P.

Indian fusion. I like more authentic Indian dishes though. The place's ambience is good. Service is superb. Best dish is the mutton curry with naan bread.

J. C.

Great Indian fusion food, super fresh ingredients, friendly staff, lovely view through oak leaves out to the southern train lines. And great wines

C. P. C.

A superb modern new generation Indian cuisine with Italian influence, suggested by dear foodie freind in melbourne, a very classy, fine dine yet informal place with lively and fresh interior, a open kitchen galley to pass through to restaurant sitting so you can view chefs in action and beautiful plated cuisine to go, had a fantastic starter like crispy Softshell Crab , Steak Tartare Vindaloo, Prawns Balchao on Betelleaf and Charred Roti with Buratta laced with Corriander Chutney, for Mains avani lamb curry was suggested as signature dish and had Palak Paneer served very differently and was best, had steamed India Gate Classic rice to go and tandoori breads to accompany the curries. A dessert was superb creation of cream corn mousse wrapped in coconut ice cream with gratinated meringue and Caramelized Popcorn and Steamed Corn drizzled around desert , very creative hat's off to kitchen team and Serving Team.

M. S.

Extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff. Caroline served us at the bar and gave us an amazing dining experience we'll never forget and definitely come back to Melbourne for!

S. B.

The best indian fusion food in Melbourne. Every thing about this place is amazing..the price is on the higher end, but you wont regret paying for the delicious food they serve.

H. C.

Fantastic food with helpful and attentive staff. Would definitely recommend for a Melbourne treat night, especially given then very Melbourne location at the bottom of a lane way and the modern interior.

s. a.

This is an uptown fine dining Aussie-Indian fusion Restaurant. Except from name nothing look or taste like indian. Names dishes are half indian and half Australian. Also surprisingly there too less vegetarian options. So, thats the another reason indian guest hardly visit this place.

A.

Not sure how this place has scored so high. It’s not bad food, at all, it’s just not that good either. If the mains were $15-$20 and not $40 then it would be much better value for the taste. Way better food to be found elsewhere for the same money or less. Honestly, don’t bother.

A. S.

Came here on a saturday night without a booking but were lucky enough to get a seat after sitting in the bar area for about 20 minutes sipping on a delicious Aperol Spritzer. The food here is a mixture between Indian/Asian and was yummo. The prawn tandoori, beef curry and betal leaves were the faves of the night. Great atmosphere, lovely staff and they even do half portions for tables of 2 (you would never find this in Sydney!)

R. J.

Place to be all year round. Great food, exceptional service, more than friendly staff that are well trained, love love this place. Ps anyone that still wears their cheap thick white/silver sunnies on their foreheads instead of over their eyes shouldn’t be permitted to review places like Tonka-go review McDonalds instead.... Lol

G. C.

Nice surrounds, good attention to detail in the entrees which were delicious. Butter chicken and lamb curry were under seasoned but the palaak paneer was really flavoursome.

K. D.

Very overrated. We had to book 2 months in advance to get in so our expectations were high. But it felt fake. The food was not at all memorable. Very expensive. We didn't bother eating dessert there. Went down the street to Supernormal. Only good thing is the décor.

K. D.

Great food! The staff were very helpful in assisting us in choosing our dishes and were very accommodating to dietary requirements.

R. Y.

Attentive staff Extensive menu with amazing flavours Even though we had to be out by 830pm the staff found us another table at the bar to finish off our wine and have dessert

J. B.

What an amazing restaurant. Food was delicious, atmosphere was beautiful and the staff were so friendly and helpful with recommending dishes on the menu. I already have recommended this restaurant to all of my friends

S. S.

The best food I've had in ages, amazing food, service and atmosphere. Wine pairings were perfect. And price was affordable

N.

A suitably priced, higher class Indian restaurant was quite enjoyable. Recommend the steak tartare and the butter chicken.

C. F.

good indian food.. upscale dining with great service.. slow arrival of food.. might be due to the fact that orders are verbally taken.. not sure how orders are passed to the chef😉😊

S. S.

Very classy venue. Good service. But the pricing and portion sizes leave lots to be desired. Prefer Dheli Streets at the other end of town. Much more powerful flavors.

B. T.

Staff very attentive and friendly. So kind and accommodating of my young child and our pram. Very grateful Food delicious

L. F.

Wow, who knew that Indian fusion could be so good? Amazing night here with great service, fine food with a view out over Flinders st. Very special.

A. U.

Had a great meal designed by the staff. Fabulous. The wines given to accompany the food were first class. Delicious.

d. w.

Fantastic food... but I wish that they cook the salmon a bit longer as I told them that I can’t eat raw fish.

A.

Awesome food and cocktails! Service is fantastic and waiters are always tentative. We were full after and will be back!

y. m.

Great food, great atmosphere, good food service. Downside; drinks came after the food. Very very disappointed that a birthday cake was treated like a PROHIBITED item though.

K. J.

Really enjoyed the chicken tandor but I do prefer a curry to be a big group and sharing of dishes. Price point and style pretty much prohibits this but is a very nice upmarket restaurant

M. B.

Always go here! Staff are funny & very proactive, professional without being over the top. Food is AMAZING, but the cauliflower should come back!! :(

J. S.

Not quick to give 5 stars but this place lives up to its reputation. Delicious food, stays true to (real) Indian cuisine and all round great atmosphere.

C. O.

Had the best meal here. Really enjoyable, great staff, great food. Wine a little pricey but good.

S. P.

Not a great place if you are a vegetarian. There was just one vegetarian entree and it did not taste good. The service was slow. The place has a good ambience though.

N. B.

Fantastic food in a great setting. Delicate yet flavourful - let your waiter make all the decision, much more fun!

B. S.

We had the Thali for lunch. Great naan, solid lamb Curry and vegetable curry, friendly service by Chris.

I. F.

Very inventive food that is quite tasty. More Indian-inspired than Indian. Very pricey and the service csn be a bit intense.

J. B.

Sensational modern Indian food with very friendly staff and excellent service. Try the chai punch cocktail, slightly sweet and wonderfully fresh.

W. O.

Great food and atmosphere. Was there for a business dinner and could hear everyone else (most of the time). Well worth the visit.

C. C.

Nice place. Food was great. Just a small gripe that the servings were a bit small and the beer was a bit warm.

C. B.

Amazing restaurant , venue , food and service are impeccable !

C. M.

Great atmosphere, very very attentive staff. Polite and professional. Food is fantastic but it is pricey as should be expected. Loved it

b. g.

Why is the behavior of someone who broke lock down rules being celebrated by your company ( by offering him free meals after being fined ? ) Look forward to understanding why. Thanks

S. B.

I would have to agree with Brad Dunn. This is fancy curry in a Flinders vibe. We went on business and had a good evening and the atmosphere is convivial. There is better curry in Footscray.

W. J.

Arrived early of our booking, got us in, great service and food

S. R.

One of the best places to have butter chicken in Melbourne....worth it.

S. Q.

Good atmosphere and great service! Wish the biryani was less spicy and more flavourful however.

A. S.

Had quite a good experience here for a birthday dinner, but as a group of five we were a bit under catered for portion wise (although we did let them choose the the menu for us), and the service was only okay, which for the price was a bit …

l. b.

Great friendly staff very inviting, great drinks. And the cleaning!! Exceptional!!

G. G.

The stars are for the service and ambience..food did not please my Indian tastebuds..if am craving modern Indian food, this is definitely not the place for me.

R. K.

I heard about Tonka from Mr Butter chicken Werribee guy , I am coming tonight 😍

N. B.

Fantastic food in a great setting. Delicate yet flavourful - let your waiter make all the decision, much more fun!

D. S.

We went to Tonka on 3rd March for our anniversary celebration and loved the food and our waitress was terrific and helpful. My only issue with this place is that when the Sommelier is helping with the wine and advises you to allow him to …

G. G.

The stars are for the service and ambience..food did not please my Indian tastebuds..if am craving modern Indian food, this is definitely not the place for me.

T. F.

Very classy. Food is great. Had chicken biryani and chutney. Staff very professional. Great experience.

K. I.

Good food as always.

S. J.

Great lamb curry and Pakoras, not bad butter chicken. Duck was pretty bland. Service was great.

P. M.

Food was innovative and good except butter chicken , service was excellent served by James, he was very knowledgeable with a good sense of humour, atmosphere was good

J. C.

Fantastic food for all our groups idiosyncratic choices; gluten free, lactose intolerant, no red meat, no avocado.

J. P.

Lovely food, exceptional service. little pricey, but with quality like theirs, you dont mind paying

R. L.

Good food. Loved the biryani and lamb curry. However it's really expensive

R. K.

Wonderful food and friendly staff. Has a great view over the river, botanical gardens and MCG.

S. L.

Really good Indian restaurant with a chick and modern touch. One of the best in the busy Flinders Lane.

M. B.

The lamb curry is amazing, been there twice now and never had a bad dish.

J. T.

Great restaurant with a modern take on Indian cuisine. Good range of matching wines and beverages.

R. B.

Wonderfull experience. Great flavours!! Modern Indian cuisine which I prefer!!

M. &. M. C.

Very delicious food. Excellent service.

L. S.

Amazing food and wonderful staff who are super helpful in making the hard choices about what to have off the menu (you'll want it all!!)

C. B.

Fantastic service and modern Indian. Half portions are allowed so you can try even more dishes!

r. n.

Service was good ...but the food taste was not as we expected as per price.

R. T.

Super expensive and average tasting Indian food. Great service, ambience and location 👍

H. M.

Although the food was pricey (desserts $18), the food was good - but nothing worth writing about. The service was great.

J. S.

Thank you for a great experience. The service and food was great. I appreciate you taking a solo diner in the middle of Covid. Thank you.

J. L.

Hadn't been for a long time and still holds up its face and didnt disappoint. Great service and food was really an experience

J. C.

It was my first modern Indian cuisine experience and it did not disappoint.

S. B.

Really good food. Highly recommend. Excellent staff. Nice seating.

S. M.

Beautiful take on modern Indian food set in a crisp simple setting. Highly recommended.

M. G.

Beautiful food, perfect for small groups and / or romantic meals.

J. K.

Fantastic Indian cuisine. Staff were friendly. Definitely go back there.

A. M.

I wish I could give this place a 5 star. Everything ticks the box except value for money.

D. L.

Great food - upmarket Indian with a twist. And great service - thoroughly recommended.

D. C.

Tonka is absolutely amazing i love this place more than i love my kids. would definitely recommend!

D. a. D. D.

10 years between visits and still as good as ever. Thanks guys

M. B.

Great food. Excellent wine choice Very good service.

K. T.

Amazing !!!!! Atmosphere, service, great food reasonable price for the class of restaurant. Highly recommend.

J. Y.

Food is good but extremely long wait between dishes, perhaps they are short on staff.

J. V.

I liked the service had my birthday dinner here . But found it too pricey !!

M. A.

Good food good wine. I'd go again to try all the different menu items.

m. k.

Just a great night. Restaurant is beautiful and service was spot on. It's all about the butter chicken.

M. M.

Food was excellent and staff were attentive and helpful in selecting dishes

S. S.

The food served at Tonka is really delicious...I went twice there and enjoyed the food as well as soothing music..!

B. H.

Tremendous wine choices, and highly recommend you just leave it to the wait staff to choose the food.

R. S.

Omg, Indian fusion so good. Wine guy was helpful and not condescending

J. R.

Plan on 2 hours for dinner. They are not in a hurry. Lamb cutlets are fabulous.

M. N.

Food was amazing and the service was exceptional. Highly recommend.

d. s.

The $20 thali offer at lunchtime is the best deal in town, bar none

P. R.

Great combination and pairings of food. Need to come back and try the other dishes.

K. F.

Fantastic staff. Great vibe. Awesome location. Over priced menu.

K.

Food is great....service is excellent, but feel a touch hyped though

C. R.

What a fantastic restaurant. Food, service and restaurant second to none. All 8 if us loved it.

J. A.

Hands down the best Indian I have tried in the city. An absolute must, can't wait to go back.

H. K.

Amazing cuisine!! Perfect for a business lunch or a date night.

C. K.

Best modern Indian food ever! Hands down. No contest :-)

S. 8.

Amazing cocktails, wine list and food. Can't wait to go back 😊

S. O.

Lovely food,wine was excellent too,nice atmosphere.

M. N. (.

Service was great and the food was good , a bit pricey for what it is but everyone should give it a go !

S. M.

What a fantastic restaurant. Food, service and restaurant second to none. All 8 if us loved it.

S. K.

The thali was good, very expensive and not upto mark for prices. Good Environment though

D. G.

amazing experience, but a little over priced.

J. B.

Sensational food and service. Beautiful room we will be back yet again.

M. N.

Very average food, highly over priced. Good service.

M.

Lovely topend resturant, good food , interesting dishes, pricey.

B. f. a. e. a.

Service was very friendly and food delicious definitely recommend for any occasion!

l. b.

Great friendly staff very inviting, great drinks. And the cleaning!! Exceptional!!

S. R.

Good for tapas and share plates - ask for table along the back window for the view!

R. S.

It's meant to suit the tastebuds of the foreigners, as an Indian, the food tasted a lot less like home.

G. B.

Best Indian restaurant i have ever been to. No Indian music!

G. S. G.

Great Indian inspired cuisine. Loved their Palak Paneer

i. d. w.

Good food, great setting. A bit pricy for what you get

N. M.

Lovely relaxed vibe, great wine and really unique view of the East side of Fed square

J. a. A. P.

Beautiful food and service, we will be back again soon!

A.

Food and drinks are nice and presentation is amazing. Will definitely come back

A. G.

Simply amazing food n top class service. Loved the service 😊😊

R. K.

I heard about Tonka from Mr Butter chicken Werribee guy , I am coming tonight 😍

J. W.

I remember the food being awesome but was a lil drunk so will have to go again lol

J. J.

Favourite place to eat on Melbourne, great food and the Sommelier pairs some awesome wines too

E. N.

Good food but nothing special for that price range.

J. P.

Great food good attentive service all in all a lovely experience

S. V.

Good food ..but not upto the standard i had expected..

S. R.

Modern non-traditional curry - pricy but worth the experience

A. K.

Variety in mocktails..Food is less in quantity but delicious and fresh

T. T.

Always good. Great modern Indian food.

E. G.

Western-Indian fusion done well albeit expensively.

M. Y.

Great Indian Australian fusion , will go again for sure A+++

D. T.

The food was good, and I like the mood on Tonka.

I. W.

Delicious food & nice waiters. Worth the price :)

S.

Great food, good ambience and fantastic service

V. M.

Food was great, but it is pricy

A. S.

Great ambience, food is Indian inspired.... Greaf location

A. P.

Good fun and great modern Indian dishes.

K. S.

Beautiful interpretation. Amazing flavours. Great service. Loved it

A. F.

Fusion Indian dishes, nice atmosphere in a hidden gem.

n. n.

The food was delicious.

J. D.

Great food and awesome service. Highly recommend.

D. S.

It was different and amazing! Indian food reimagined

B. M.

Reasonably good food, staff and vibe. Nothing special.

O. K.

We Love it.

J. L.

Faultless night. Still top of their game

G. T.

Upscale Indian that hits all the spots. Great date night spot!

B. B.

Great atmosphere and cocktails.

A. S.

very delicious food I feel i'm home

S. T.

Great food, little bit pricey

R. K.

Good range of meals we enjoyed

M.

Pastuso for lunch. Tonka for dinner. Nothing between them: both sensational. Thank you ACDC Lane.

A. J.

Adore this place, love the roof and food is to die for

R. G.

Great food great wines great staff

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