Maharaja is an Indian restaurant and cocktail bar at 1 Restell Street in Papanui, north Christchurch, housed in the old Papanui railway station building. It serves classic Indian dishes in a contemporary setting with traditional accents, and is open from midday until late, seven days a week.
### The food
The menu is North Indian in emphasis. Entrées include onion bhaji, vegetable and lamb samosa, prawn pakora, chicken tikka, kesari chicken kebab, seekh kebab and the house speciality lamb chop nawabi, with a Maharaja special platter for two and a tandoori platter for sharing. Mains cover butter chicken, mango chicken, korma and jalfrezi, rogan josh, kadai gosht, saagh gosht, lamb bhuna, beef vindaloo and madras, prawn Malabari, prawn Maharaja and fish vindaloo. The butter tikka masala is listed as a house creation combining butter chicken and tikka masala.
Vegetarian mains (malai kofta, palak paneer, kadai paneer, channa masala, dahl makhni), biryanis including a goat option, tandoor breads and a dedicated gluten- and dairy-free section round out the offer. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian banquet menus are available for a minimum of two people, which is useful for set-price group dining.
### Drinks
Maharaja runs a full bar with a cocktail list, an extensive wine list weighted towards Waipara and wider Canterbury producers alongside Nelson, Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, Central Otago and Clare Valley labels, tap and bottled beer including Kingfisher, ciders, and non-alcoholic options such as masala chai and mango lassi.
### Functions and catering
Maharaja actively markets itself for events. It offers catering ranging from grazing plates through to live cooking stations, and lists weddings, stag and hen events, baby showers and birthday celebrations among the occasions it caters for. A separate wedding venue enquiry channel is handled by an events manager. Gift vouchers, online ordering, delivery and pick-up are also available.
For organisers, this makes Maharaja a straightforward option for team dinners, celebration lunches and catered events in the Papanui area. Room capacities are not published, so confirm numbers and space availability directly on (03) 352-0150.
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