Cassia is the restaurant with nine lives. It started its life in a divey subterranean space on Fort Lane. Instead of serving Western food with Indian embellishments, Cassia broke the mould by making food that was celebratorily Indian through and through, with a good dose of modern flair. Not long after establishing itself as a landmark in Tāmaki Makaurau dining, it was flooded out. Then renovated, reopened and flooded out again. Now owners Sid and Chand Sahrawat have taken that bad luck in their stride and found a third life for this institution within the SkyCity precinct. 

The latest incarnation of Cassia certainly has something a bit SkyCity about it (we’re not sure if it’s the duck-egg-blue colour scheme, the boxy, glass entrance way or the rather eclectic music choices) but it works. Like your old friend who went through a bad patch then came back with a bit more swagger. And right in time for Cassia’s 10-year anniversary, which ticked past in July. 

What we like most is that Cassia consistently delivers crowd-pleasing food without losing itself in the crowd. The mains include deeply satisfying curries, with spice levels that are both robust and flavour enhancing. Other dishes are sure to trigger memories of family meals for those who grew up eating their homemade equivalents. We suggest the chicken and almond kulcha to kick things off — a hot, soft, fully loaded flatbread, going nicely with a cooling cocktail. There is an embarrassment of riches here, for meat eaters and vegetarian diners alike, which, coupled with large portion sizes, leads easily to glorious over-ordering. But do order it all. A heaping plate of vegetable bhaji or a gulab jamun pre-dessert should never be passed by.