The short answer
Royal India: what visitors should know first
Yes, if you want a sit-down North Indian meal in Phahurat with vegetarian choices. It is not a vegetarian-only kitchen, so ask how dishes are cooked, and go after the lunch rush if you want a quieter table.
Diet
What we checked
- Indian. An Indian restaurant outside India. Checked November 2026 · Source
Menus and kitchens change. If you follow a strict diet or have an allergy, confirm with the restaurant before you order.
History and context
The story behind Royal India
Nation Thailand reports that Royal India claims to be Thailand's first Indian restaurant and began in the Phahurat area before opening further branches. We found no independent history to confirm the date.
Useful facts
Royal India facts at a glance
- Location
- 392/1 Chakphet Road, Phahurat, opposite India Emporium
- Dining style
- Casual sit-down North Indian restaurant
- Price signal
- Wikivoyage gives about 250 baht a head
- Signature order
- Try: rogan josh, or the vegetarian set menu
- Good for
- Lunch after Chinatown, Indian food, families
Why it matters
Why Royal India is worth your time
Phahurat is the old Indian quarter of Bangkok, and Royal India is one of the restaurants most often named there. Nation Thailand says the restaurant claims to be the first Indian restaurant in Thailand, which we could not independently verify, but its place in the district is plain from how many guides list it.
For an Indian family a long way from home, a plate of dal, naan and a familiar curry is a comfortable pause in a trip that is otherwise full of Thai flavours. The set menu lets first-time diners try several dishes without ordering one by one, which helps older travellers who prefer a simple, predictable meal. It also anchors a visit to Phahurat's sweet and spice shops.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Rogan josh
Wikivoyage names this curry as the dish to order.
- 02
Vegetarian set menu
Nation Thailand reports a vegetarian version of the set menu, alongside a non-vegetarian one.
- 03
Phahurat location
It sits opposite India Emporium, among Indian sweet shops and stalls.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Wikivoyage places Royal India at 392/1 Chakphet Road, opposite India Emporium, and names rogan josh as its recommended dish. Bangkok magazine's guide to Little India lists butter chicken and garlic naan among the orders, and suggests arriving after about 1:30 pm to avoid the lunch crowd.
For vegetarians, Nation Thailand reports that the restaurant offers its set menu in a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian version, and it singles out kabuli chana, a spiced chickpea curry, and kadai paneer as meat-free choices. That article describes a different branch of the same restaurant and dates from 2013, so treat the Phahurat menu as something to confirm at the table. The kitchen also cooks chicken and mutton, so Jain and strict vegetarian guests should ask how vegetable dishes are prepared.
Pair the meal with a walk along Chakphet Road, where Indian sweet shops, sari sellers and spice stalls line the street. A late lunch followed by sweets is an easy half day.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Arrive after 1:30 pm to avoid the lunch rush
- Ask which dishes are meat-free and how they are cooked
- Confirm opening hours before travelling
- Take a taxi to the door if walking is tiring
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- 392/1 Chakphet Road, Phahurat, opposite India Emporium
- Time needed
- About 1 hour
- Best time
- After about 1:30 pm, once the lunch rush has eased
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Flat street-level access from Chakphet Road, but Phahurat's pavements are crowded with stalls and the dining room can be busy at lunch. Choose an off-peak hour and take a taxi to the door if walking is tiring.
- Tickets and access
- Walk-ins are normal. Bangkok magazine lists daily hours of 10 am to 10 pm and Wikivoyage lists the same, but sources differ on phone numbers, so confirm hours before travelling.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Royal India
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Flat street-level access from Chakphet Road, but Phahurat's pavements are crowded with stalls and the dining room can be busy at lunch. Choose an off-peak hour and take a taxi to the door if walking is tiring.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Royal India vegetarian?
No. It serves meat dishes as well, though sources report a vegetarian set menu and meat-free curries such as kabuli chana and kadai paneer.
Is it a Jain restaurant?
We found no source saying so. Jain guests should ask about onion, garlic and root vegetables directly.
Where is it?
At 392/1 Chakphet Road in Phahurat, opposite India Emporium, according to Wikivoyage.
Sources and further reading
- Wikivoyage: Bangkok/Chinatown
- Bangkok magazine: eating in Little India
- Nation Thailand: A true taste of India
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
