You’ve hiked the highest peak, visited spectacular waterfalls, uncovered ancient Indigenous rock art and witnessed unforgettable beauty, now you’re seeking something to satisfy your hunger and warm your soul.
Step into Spirit of Punjab.
Located in the heart of Halls Gap you’ll be warmed by the welcoming, cosy atmosphere, friendly service and authentic Indian cuisine made using traditional spices and fresh, local ingredients.
Keep warm inside, be served by one of the restaurant’s ‘robot waiters’ or rug up and brave the cold with an unforgettable outdoor dining experience.
The garden features a series of brightly coloured statues which depict the religious stories of peaceful Punjabi village life. In the rear courtyard, diners can take in a magnificent Grampians view of greenery, lakes, grazing kangaroos and spectacular mountains.
Owner and operator Gary Singh migrated to Australia from India in 2005 and opened Spirit of Punjab restaurant in 2011. We sat down with Gary to find out why Spirit of Punjab is such an iconic destination among locals and visitors.
Tell us, what dishes should we be ordering when we visit Spirit of Punjab?
All of them! Although with a menu of over 70 dishes it might be a little hard over a short stay in the Grampians…
If you are visiting, our most famous dish on menu is our delicious Butter Chicken. Think chicken cooked in the clay oven over charcoal and simmered in our famous butter sauce.
Our Lamb Rogan Josh is also a chef specialty. This involves slow-cooking lamb over charcoal for 12 hours coated with a perfect combination of Indian spices.
At Spirit of Punjab they also cater for different dietary requirements including vegetarians and vegans.
Do you have any new menu items this winter?
Our dishes cater to all seasons! However, after a long day of exploring the National Park in winter, we find there’s a demand for our hot Vindaloo. A popular spicy Indian dish of tangy, fiery curried chicken. We also cater to people’s spice levels if you’re looking for something mild.
Why did you decide to open Spirit of Punjab in Halls Gap?
The reason I opened Spirit of Punjab in Halls Gap was to serve authentic Indian cuisine in an area I felt gave customers a feeling of what life is like in Punjab.
The Indian State of Punjab has several mountain ranges, just like the Grampians. And there are many small rural towns surrounded by stunning mountain ranges, just like Halls Gap.
What makes Spirit of Punjab so unique
I was born into a farming family, so I grew up with quality, fresh ingredients, tasty flavours and good food. I have a diploma in food production and spice science and Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management. I believe good food is the ingredient that binds us together. At Spirit of Punjab we live by this ethos which make us so unique.
What do you love about The Grampians?
The Grampians is a great gastronomic region alongside breathtaking natural beauty. You can’t beat that.
If you’re planning to visit Spirit of Punjab on your next Grampians road trip, book ahead by visiting spiritofpunjabrestaurant.com
