Award-winning Indian restaurant to open at a new location

Cassia, the award-winning Indian restaurant by acclaimed chef Sid Sahrawat and Chand, is preparing to turn the page once again, this time with a move to a new standalone location in Auckland’s CBD.

After relocating to SkyCity Auckland following the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods, Cassia will soon leave the dining precinct for a fresh address on the corner of Albert and Wyndham Streets.

"The move is responding to better economic conditions and us wanting to move back to being 100% owner operated again, as we are with The French Cafe," Sehrawat told The Indian Weekender in a statement. 

In an Instagram post announcing the change, Sahrawat also shared, “Our final dinner service at Cassia SkyCity will be Friday June 5, before we reopen as Cassia v3 in a new standalone CBD home this August, on the corner of Albert & Wyndham Streets,” he posted.

The new site, a previously unoccupied corner space owned and managed by Pro-invest Group, sits beside the voco hotel. 

This marks the second relocation for Cassia in recent years. In 2023, the restaurant closed its doors on Fort Lane after sustaining damage during the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods, later reopening within SkyCity’s dining hub.

Reflecting on that period, Sahrawat acknowledged the support the team received during a difficult time. “The SkyCity team welcomed us with open arms and gave us stability during a really challenging time. We’re incredibly grateful for that support and proud that Cassia has continued to grow, retaining our 2 hats in the Cuisine Good Food Guide along the way,” the post read.

“Now it feels like the right time to put down permanent roots again,” it added.

For Restaurateurs Sid and his wife Chand, the move represents not just a change of address, but a continuation of a journey that began when the chef moved to New Zealand in 2000. Over the years, the couple have built a formidable presence in the country’s dining scene, co-owning celebrated establishments including Anise and The French Cafe alongside Cassia.

Cassia’s reputation has been cemented through a string of accolades. The restaurant earned 2021-2022 Cuisine Magazine Good Food Guide 2 hats, 2019 Metro Peugeot Restaurant of the year Best Smart dining restaurant, Awarded 2024 Viva Top 60 Restaurant, Awarded two hats at the Cuisine Good Food Awards 2023/2024 & 2024/2025, Awarded 2024 Metro Top 50 Restaurant.

In a press statement, David Allott, GM of Hospitality at SkyCity said, “We’ve been proud to have Cassia as part of the SkyCity family over the past three years, particularly through the challenges of 2023. Sid, Chand and their team have delivered an exceptional experience for our guests. We wish them every success as they establish their new home in the CBD.”