Review Sagar Indian Restaurant - Birkenhead

Great honest food. Quite possibly the best Indian fare locally cooked by a family that cares for its guests. This place is a local institution and the price of everything is very affordable.

We tried this Indian restaurant out on Sunday the 23/4. The service was very fast thanks to the friendly, hospitable waitress. Nothing like good service! The curries had lots of flavour and the nann bread was very fresh. Affordable prices. We’ll certainly go back.

Has always been reliable but recently it's just gotten a whole lot better. Curries are top quality.

The food here was an adventure on my tongue!! 🫦I was served by a very hunky man with a nice back 🫣 The restaurant is wheelchair accessible which is great for my kids!

Love this place. The place I can count on for great Indian take away.

Had dinner for four people here. Both the food and service were excellent. The staff were pleasant and attentive to our needs. Have come here many times over the last 15 to 20 years. Prices are very reasonable and the surroundings are pleasant. Whether you are a couple or a larger group you will get great service. The "Take Away" service is very good as well.

Food was incredible! I was even served by Captain India himself! Huge back and muscles!

Sagar is our favorite. Whether we eat in or takeaway, man, we have been eating here for 4 years, and every time is better than amazing. Tonight(like most nights) I asked for chicken Tika masala VERY HOT, and got exactly that! Man, I will be crying tomorrow morning, but it was amazing(like usual). I have been singing their praises for years now. I should buy shares. Hey Sagar, can we talk about shares? You guys are amazing. I love your food. Let's talk.

Edit: Came again for the first time in a while in June 2023. Food and service were great. Recommend the Palak Paneer. As others have said, the food is consistently good quality, and the price is amazingly cheap (don't let that put you off... the food is much better than restaurants which are a lot more expensive!). Often busy, especially for takeaways, but I would strongly recommend Sagar, either for dine-in or for takeaway.

Best Indian i think ive ever had. We picked up takeaways - but next time will dine in. Restaurant looked super clean and nice atmosphere. Thank you!

Always a fantastic meal. We get takeaway meals and they are always well priced, steaming hot and incredibly tasty. Would definitely recommend

Great service, Excellent variety , excellent tasty meals. Reasonable charges. Have recommended to others and we will definitely go again.

The food here brought me to tears and gave me flashbacks to my childhood when everything was better.

Not one of your boutique modern style Indian restaurants, but a clean, well presented one. The food is very good in both taste & value. The portions excellent & the drinks are possibly the best value around. The staff are hard working & friendly enough but a few more smiles would round off a very nice visit to, in my view, a TOP VALUE restaurant. Thank you Sagars.

We have been eating at this restaurant for the last 20 years even after the owner moved to different locations and the food here is the best in Auckland. We go all the way from St Luke's and our friends from Howick to eat here. The decor isn't the best but the place is clean and food is what brings us here.

One of the best Indian restaurants anywhere, Wonderful flavours and everything l've had here has been cooked to perfection. Try the lamb Jalfrizi or the chicken Tikka Masala, wonderful.

This place never disappoints. It’s a bit run down but they serve an amazing been here to many times to count and have never left disappointed

This is our go- to indian restaurant. We have tried them all in birkenhead and this is by far the best. Their food is consistently good and their garlic naan bread are a must. It is also BYO and takeaway. And the staff are great!

Our local Indian takeaway closed so we tried Sagar... so glad we did! Awesome palak paneer, veggie biryani and daal makhni! We have been back on a regular basis and will continue :)<br/>

Fantastic food. Really enjoy the entree selection. Butter chicken an absolute winner. Lamb Malibara a close second. And the best service ever from the staff.

M888888. Lamb korma is a banger . Highly recommend just smashing your face into it , it’s mean. Garlic Naan was fine , prefer more garlic though . Missus took the palak paneer for a test drive , gave it 10 skkkkrts out of 10. She’s quite the fussy , hard to please lass so I would say they do a pretty decent job .

Yum!! First time we tried here food tasted fresh and so tasty will definitely eat here again. The restaurant is nice and has a nice feel. We had the jelfrezi and mixed starter for two, the tandoori fish was 👌🏻

Been here today for dinner. Food was good, we ordered Malai kofta and naan breads. Food was yummy. Service needs to be improved. Staff are not that friendly and welcoming. Overall it's a good place!

A pretty decent local Indian restaurant/takeaway. Nothing outstanding but nothing to complain about, although the nan was more like a pizza dough.

Omg really enjoyed our takeout. We asked for extra hot and it was great. Had enough for the next nights dinner and the spice had matured more and had my eyes running. Loved it.

Go here a least once a week. If this food is bland you need your taste bud testing or you need to be brave and order some spicer food. I eat in a lot of curry houses. This oñe is right up there for value and quality.<br/>I will admit for some reason the takeaways are not up to eating in the resturant

The food is normally very good, but waited an hour for our evening takeout and then the curry was bland and really watery. Not impressed and probably won't be back.

Good they do GF, nice flavour and good portion sizes. Nice people...pretty run down though which makes the overall experience a bit average.

Have had curry here a bit and always disappointed. No flavour at all just bland and plain. Was really disappointed last night when we decided to dine in and was heavily over charged and accused of stealing! Shock at this very disappointing. Won't be ever going back.

Great Food. Have been going since we discovered this place in 2007. Have tried almost every dish on the menu and have never been disappointed. Service is really good too. It is BYO which is also great. Sometimes we pop in after a late nights work around 9pm and the place would still be packed with people and they are happy to serve us. Really recommend it as not only is it the best on the shore but propably the best Indian restaurant in Auckland.

Sagar is our best Indian restaurant, we have been going there for a while now , and quite often get takeaways from there. Last night we ordered takeaways onion bhaji, butter chicken, lamb biryani, beef Shahi korma, and peshwari naan and keema naan. The portions are very generous and the food is amazing and very authentic. this would have to be one of our favourite Indian restaurants.

Old Sagar is an old faithful, she always pulls through with consistency!<br/><br/>I haven't been here in 3 years and it's still the same, quirky and tasty! Good butter chicken banging garlic naan! This is one of the OG Indians on the shore!

We enjoyed our dinner here. The restaurant doesn't look like much on the outside but is pleasant and quirky on the inside. The food is great and we felt like it wasn't as generic as the Indian food chains. The prices were not bad either. Will definitely come back.

Had heard good things about this place so decided to give it a go. Ordered a kharra chicken and chicken korma and couldn't tell the difference when they arrived. Both dishes were a gloopy orange with the kharra being slightly seasoned and the korma as bland as possible. Only good thing is the naan bread. Never again. Rahul Mohanty

Make no mistake, I LOVE food, especially Indian food. I always seek out a good 'local curry house', and since arriving in Ackd 7 years ago this place has fitted that bill perfectly. Auckland restaurants can be a bit hit and miss in this price range, but Sagar always delivers consistently flavoursome curries and entres. The staff are super friendly and accommodating whether we eat in or pickup takeaways. We always bring out of towners here and, without fail, they love the food. A+ for the price...we love it.

Best in Birkenhead and one of the best on the shore. Good food, good prices. Staff are polite. Never had a disappointing meal here and have recommended to others.

Had high hopes for Sagar after craving Indian and hearing great things. <br/>Unfortunately I was a little disappointed- I ordered takeaway chicken Madras and lamb mughalai korma and the garlic naan. Got home to discover I got the lamb dish but a completely different chicken dish! Asked for both to be hot but neither were (especially being given the wrong chicken dish). Only saving grace was the naan bread...not enough in my book! Won't be returning in a hurry!

I just came here first time for a take away. chicken Tikka masala come with rice is Awesome in term of portion and taste. 12$ for this meal is quite cheap. I will try other dishes when next visit. wanna give 5 rate but have to try more dishes to finalise.<br/><br/>......<br/><br/>I just come to add my review. After having take away from this restaurant many times and have visited other Indian restaurants around this area, I would say this restaurant might be the best Indian Restaurant in NorthShore. Good Value, taste and portion Consistency. recommend you to have a try.

I went here tonight with a big group of friends. We used to go here a lot years ago but I haven't been back for 2-3 years. <br/><br/>This place hasn't changed by the looks of it. The interior is still the same down to the tables, chairs and decor. The menu hasn't changed too. <br/><br/>We got onion bhaji and I remember this place having the best bhajis compared to other Indian restaurants I've tried. The bhajis are still great especially with the sauces. <br/><br/>I ordered butter prawns and I love how creamy it was. They didn't scrimp on the shrimp too and I got a lot f pieces. Their butter chicken is good. It's not too thick or runny and it's creamy. I also ordered a mango lassi. <br/><br/>We were a big group and the service was pretty good. They were attentive and made sure we had everything except for the naan breads. <br/><br/>We got our mains fairly quickly after entrees but some of the cheese naan breads got out so late. My partner's naan bread was the last to come out and he already finished his rice and butter chicken. Besides that we had a good night here. <br/><br/>We split the bill and ended up costing $30 per person (there were 9 of us) and that included at least 2 drinks each, shared entrees and mains each. I think that's pretty good value!

We love sagar - best Indian food in the area. Top picks are their Lamb saagwala, lamb madras and chicken Korma. The restaurant interior could do with a facelift

Fantastic restaurant, we have been getting takeaways here for over 5 years and it is consistently excellent..  The staff are friendly, and the order is always ready on time.  The Chilli Chicken is amazing and a must for the person who appreciates hot food.  I cannot go past the butter chicken either and have it every time I have takeaways here.  I would be suspicious of any very bad feedback as I don't believe it would be authentic as another viewer has posted as well.

Our favourite local, still some of the best Indian I've eaten. The lamb saag, butter chicken, palak paneer and prawn Masala are our favourites all super tasty and super spicy. If you are eating in the sizzling platter is also a must. We have been going here for the past 5 years and have yet to be disappointed.

Had takeaways and I was super impressed with the portion size. Huge pieces of meat and completely full dishes unlike other Birkenhead Indian restaurants. Ordered the same quantity as I would at Masala and only ate half, dishes were that large. Very tasty and nice spice levels. Bread is cheaper than the other Birkenhead Indian restaurants also. This is now my new Indian takeaway.

This was the first time I had been to Sagar and was interested in trying somewhere new with my friends. It was busy but the service was terrible, it took 45 mins to give us a menu and then by the time the waiter noticed us and we finally ordered we were all ravenous. The waiter then told us there was no chicken they had run out! My lamb dish was quite nice but not worth the wait and the other dishes didn't look very appealing. I did try the cheese vegetarian curry but nothing to get excited over. I'm sorry to say I won't be returning.

Having not visited this place for a couple of years, we decided to give it another go.<br/>I found myself sitting in a terrible strong draft. Pulling aside a little, the heavy but billowing curtain behind me I discovered an aluminium door opening to an external alcove. Down the hinge side of the door was a near 1cm gap, the source of the gale coming in on my back.<br/>We started with the Onion Bhaji, a large assembly of flavourless crunchy batter over not much onion. Very bland, but the accompanying sauce was very tasty.<br/>The cost (weeknights) is the highest of the 4 Indian restaurants in Birkenhead, but the portions are very generous. I'd ordered medium to hot and it was perfect for me, though beyond the chilly heat there was little other spice flavouring. Pricing for Breads and corkage were also very reasonable.<br/>Service was OK, but it still remains my least favourite of the 4 "Indians" in Birkenhead.

Really good food and reasonably priced. Have never had a problem with service, wait staff have been friendly. We've eaten in and we get takeaways quite often as well.

We often come to this restaurant, we think it's the best Indian on the Shore. The decor may be a little dated, the food it amazing.

The chicken jalfrazi is freaking delicious and one serving (takeaway) is generally enough for my partner and I on a night when we aren't too hungry - so for $12 for two people, it's a steal! Usually get two though, so there's some left for lunch the next day.<br/>Amazing prices and great food - the only thing that would improve it would be a smile from the wait staff. But you can't have it all, I guess...

I had been to this restaurant several times in the past but not for a number of years. Took a special friend with me who is only in NZ for a few more weeks. Was very disappointed to see the wait staff were not dressed in Indian attire - just jeans &amp; top &amp; hardly a smile.<br/>C'mon a lot of other people have to work Saturday nights!<br/><br/>Service in general was OKish.<br/>I found it very difficult to understand why there was no fresh water on the tables. This is standard practice in most restaurants but certainly not here. I had to wave frantically to grab the attention of a waitress who did bring me some water.<br/><br/>I had a lamb dish, unsure of the name now but it was slightly spicier than what I had ordered previously. I ate half of the dish but could eat no more as just too spicy for me. My friend finished it off which was to his demise also.<br/><br/>When I got home I felt a little unwell with indigestion &amp; reflux obviously from the spicy meal but went to bed.<br/><br/>However I was awoken suddenly @ 3am with terrible stomach pains &amp; needed the toilet urgently. From that time on I had terrible diarrhoea &amp; vomiting &amp; had to spent the majority of Sunday in bed recovering &amp; re hydrating. <br/><br/>Come on Sagar this is not acceptable &amp; I certainly won't ever be returning. I am a nurse &amp; recognize this is some of the worst food poisoning I have had!<br/><br/>Will be advising my friends to give this place a wide berth!

Have been going here for years and years now. Absolutly LOVE the food. Great taste can NOT be beaten. Chilli chicken is fantastic and the fluffiest, tastiest naan breads ever.<br/>The decor is a bit dated but hey, at a price so low with quality of food so high who cares if the paint and tablecloths are ugly :) This is compensated by their good service. I cross the bridge to go here as it is far from where I live but it's well worth my trip.

Got a takeaway, lamb jalfrazi + btr-chic, lamb was very good and lots of, butter chicken didnt have much chicken in it but well spiced. both dishes a good medium, naan bread not very good at all though, could hardly taste the garlic, the cheese naan pretty basic, after all, pretty good , dishes were $12 each, naan $3 rice $2

We have been coming to this restaurant many times over the years and we always enjoy!! The food is great, love the Chilli chicken and onion Bahji entree's, the Rogan Josh is superb as is the Saagwalla. Staff are always very friendly and best of all the wine glasses are filled to the brim!

I am going there tonight for the first time so will review tomorrow. <br/>I really like the tika masalla at Kashmir in Milford as it is nice and spicy, but was disappointed by the one from the other Birkenhead Indian restaurant - even though I asked for hot it was mild at best. I have travelled extensively and have to say the best Indian food I have had was in Penang.<br/>Also there is no need to get offended if someone posts a review you do not like. Diff'rent strokes etc..

Best Indian in Birkenhead. Good service and value for money.

The best local Indian! I always find it hard to locate a quality, well-priced Indian restaraunt and Sagar never disapoints. I have only ever had takeaway so can't comment about eating in but they are always friendly and the food is of very high quality. Highly recommend.

After many years of going to Sagar - still going - simply because the service is always good, naan bread excellent and food is never dissapointing, great to be able to take family out somewhere reasonably priced in Birkenhead as well.

Quite simply we love Indian food and with my wife being a vegetarian finding good one close to home is like having a personal chef on call for those evenings when time or energy is scarce.<br/><br/>Over the past three years we have ordered from Sagar in Birkenhead at least 2-4 times each month, the naan bread alone makes us happy but the flavour and quality of the cooking means there is a lot more to smile about.<br/><br/>They also have a lovely Taj Mahal candle replica sitting on the counter, so if you haven't yet seen the real thing...... make the journey

My husband and I are going to Sagar tonight (again). The food, service, and mango lassi's are fabulous. Have only been in Auckland a year but have visited many times. We are hooked on this place:)

I have only eaten takeaways, so I don't know what the service is like. However,their dhall is not up to much and the Rogan Josh lamb is often tough. Like most Indian restaurants it is very average.

Most recent visit had the banquet between two, ample food, good variety, Hidden gem in the corner of Birkenhead square

After entering premises was pleasantly surprised with the decor. The meal was excellent with friendly service

Got takeaway here after rave reviews from local friends and have to say we were too embarrassed to tell them what we thought. The food was not fresh, the flavours were unpleasant and the meat was fatty and grissly. Maybe we struck a busy night, but we weren't impressed and wouldn't go back if paid. Loads of other quality options in the location...

This is the best Indian Restaurants on the North Shore. We have been going there at least once a month for the past 8 years. We are so confident that the food will always be consistent that we recommend our guests( we operate a Luxury Bed and Breakfast) go there if they want a reasonable priced nights meal.I just love the Naan bread the best ever!

Been a regular here for 6 or 7 years or more. Ive tried Indian restaurants of the same type all over NZ and Australia and none come close to matching Sagar for value and consistently good food and a great price. There are some really good expensive Indian restaurants in Auckland and I also visit them and enjoy the food there but a family of 5 can eat at Sagar for under $100 - and for that reason we keep going back. Ive tried the other Indian restaurant in Birkenhead also and its quite good also but not as good as Sagar, and the service didnt come close.

Best Indian food in Birkenhead! the initial review written by 'Distress' is most likely by a rival restaurant owner in the area. Buy food here!!

This place is enjoyable and great value for money. It is usually busy and full. I am not an Indian food expert but have eaten in plenty - I cannot understand the very negative review of Sagar - maybe they are regional purists?

My friends and I have been going to Sagar for many years and we love it. Beautiful food, great prices, quick service and plenty of parking. I have now moved from the Nth Shore to Sandringham but still prefer to make the trip to Sagar as opposed to going to one of the numerous average Indian restaurants in my area.<br/>As for the comments made by 'Distress', maybe it was a one off bad experience (or maybe they're in competition with Sagar!), but I can honestly say that we've been extremely satisfied customers on every single occasion.

We have been eating at sagar for over 5 years we love it...you have to try the Chilli chicken "very hot" I think that for the money this place is bang on. Very nice people a great menu to choose from. good for cheap tasty meal.

A very good place for Indian Food, Good Food in little money. Every Variety of Indian Food &amp; Staff is very Nice. Gooooood

I found the food good, it is the best indian in birkenhead. <br/><br/>The staff are kind, price is reasonable and importantly the food is nice.

This place is not bad for the money. The portions are good for the price and it is tasty enough. <br/><br/>As for the other review, I have no idea if they are really Indian... they are not Kiwi for sure though :)

Very very poor food, they call it Indian restaurant and its not even close to it, if you wan to throw away your money, you should visit it. <br/><br/>Just awful food, its not Indian cuisine for sure.