10 Best Indian Starters to Share at Your Table

A table feels more generous when the first plates arrive in the middle, still sizzling, fragrant with toasted spice and made for reaching across. The best Indian starters to share bring everyone into the meal from the first bite: a little smoke from the tandoor, a crisp edge from the fryer, cooling yoghurt, bright chutneys and plenty of conversation while you decide what to try next.

For a relaxed dinner in Naas, a family takeaway or a gathering at home, starters are not simply something to nibble before the main event. They set the rhythm for the evening. Choose a mix of textures, heat levels and ingredients, and there will be something delicious for every person around the table.

What makes Indian starters so good for sharing?

Indian starters have a wonderful way of offering contrast on one table. A chargrilled chicken tikka brings warmth and gentle smokiness; a crisp samosa gives way to a spiced filling; onion bhajis offer a satisfying, savoury crunch. Add chutney or a cooling dip and every bite can be tailored to the person eating it.

That variety matters when you are dining with a group. One person may want a familiar, mild favourite, while another is looking for a bolder chilli kick. Sharing a selection means nobody has to commit to just one flavour. It also makes Indian food especially welcoming for guests who are trying it for the first time.

The best approach is to combine a few lighter, crisp dishes with one or two tandoori options. If your group is hungry or ordering a takeaway as the main meal, be generous with the number of plates. Starters disappear quickly once they are placed in the centre of the table.

The best Indian starters to share

1. Onion bhajis

Few starters invite sharing quite like a basket of freshly cooked onion bhajis. Fine slices of onion are folded through seasoned batter, then cooked until golden and crisp at the edges. They are comforting, fragrant and easy to pick up between sips of a drink and stories from the day.

Bhajis work particularly well for mixed groups because their flavour is warmly spiced rather than fiercely hot. A spoonful of tangy chutney makes the sweetness of the onion shine. They are also an excellent vegetarian choice, though it is worth ordering enough – they tend to be the first plate emptied.

2. Vegetable samosas

A good vegetable samosa is all about the contrast between its flaky, crisp pastry and its softly spiced centre. The filling often brings together potatoes, peas and aromatic spices, creating a starter that is familiar enough for children and full of character for seasoned Indian-food lovers.

Samosas are a dependable choice when you want to make sure the table has something substantial without making the opening course too heavy. Serve them alongside bhajis and a chutney, and you have a crowd-pleasing vegetarian pairing with plenty of texture.

3. Chicken tikka

Chicken tikka is one of the great shared starters for good reason. Tender pieces of chicken are marinated in yoghurt and spices, then cooked in the intense heat of the tandoor. The result is lightly charred around the edges, juicy within and carrying that unmistakable smoky aroma that signals a proper Indian feast.

This is a wise choice for guests who enjoy straightforward grilled flavours. It is usually a comfortable middle ground in terms of heat, but the spice level can vary by recipe. If children or spice-sensitive diners are at the table, choose a milder tikka and let chutneys add extra brightness rather than heat.

4. Tandoori chicken wings

For hands-on, celebratory eating, tandoori chicken wings are hard to beat. Their marinade brings spice, colour and deep savoury flavour, while the grill gives the skin a deliciously caramelised finish. They are made for a group that does not mind getting happily messy.

Wings are best balanced with fresher, lighter starters. Pair them with a salad-led dish, a yoghurt dip or crisp vegetable bites so the spread never feels too rich. Napkins are essential, but so is a second portion if you are feeding a larger group.

5. Seekh kebabs

Seekh kebabs bring a richer, more savoury note to a shared order. Minced meat is blended with herbs, onion and warming spices, shaped onto skewers and cooked until the outside takes on a beautiful char. The texture is tender, and the flavour has a depth that sits beautifully alongside sharp mint chutney.

They suit an evening when you want your starters to feel a little more special, whether you are meeting friends after work or marking a birthday meal. Because kebabs are filling, they are ideal for sharing among four or more diners, especially if the main courses include lighter curries or vegetable dishes.

6. Lamb chops from the tandoor

Tandoori lamb chops bring drama to the table. Their aroma arrives first: smoky, spiced and deeply inviting. When cooked well, the meat is tender, richly flavoured and perfect for guests who enjoy a more luxurious starter.

This is not always the most economical choice for a small, casual order, and it can be too substantial if everyone plans a large main course. But for a celebration, a long weekend lunch or a gathering where food is the occasion, lamb chops are a memorable centrepiece among the starters.

7. Paneer tikka

Paneer tikka deserves a place well beyond the vegetarian section of the table. Cubes of paneer are marinated in spices and yoghurt, then grilled with peppers and onions until lightly charred. The paneer remains soft and satisfying, carrying the marinade beautifully without overwhelming the palate.

It is a brilliant answer when your group includes vegetarians but you want the whole table to share the same sense of tandoori theatre. Paneer tikka also pairs effortlessly with chicken tikka, giving guests a choice of two equally inviting grilled dishes.

8. Chilli chicken

For a group that enjoys a little lively heat, chilli chicken brings a bolder, contemporary note. Expect tender chicken with peppers, onions and a punchier sauce, balancing spice with savoury sweetness. It has more sauce than a traditional tandoori starter, so it is especially good for sharing with naan or using as a flavourful bridge into the main courses.

The trade-off is heat. Chilli chicken can vary from gently warming to properly fiery, so it is worth asking for guidance when ordering for a group with different preferences. Add a cooling paneer or vegetable dish alongside it and everyone can find their own pace.

9. Fish pakora or fish tikka

Fish starters offer a welcome change from chicken and lamb, particularly when you are building a varied spread. Fish pakora has a crisp, delicately spiced coating, while fish tikka is often lighter, with the clean flavour of the fish lifted by the tandoor and a citrusy or herb-led finish.

Choose fish pakora if your group loves crunch and dipping sauces. Choose fish tikka if you are after something fresher and less filling before curries arrive. Either way, fish is a thoughtful addition when the rest of the table leans towards richer meat dishes.

10. Papadums with chutneys

Papadums may look modest beside sizzling kebabs and golden samosas, but they are one of the easiest ways to start sharing. Light, crisp and wonderfully moreish, they invite everyone to sample a little mango chutney, mint yoghurt or sharp pickle while deciding which starter to claim first.

They should not replace a proper selection of starters for a hungry table, but they make the whole experience feel more abundant. Order them as the opening crunch, then let the hotter dishes arrive to a table already in good spirits.

How to build a sharing order for your group

For two people, choose one crisp vegetarian starter and one tandoori dish. Onion bhajis with chicken tikka, or vegetable samosas with paneer tikka, gives you enough variety without leaving room for mains.

For a family or a table of four, add a richer option such as seekh kebabs, wings or lamb chops, plus papadums and chutneys for everyone. If there are children, familiar mild choices such as samosas, bhajis and chicken tikka are often the safest starting point. Adults wanting more heat can then add a spicier dish without turning the entire meal into a challenge.

For a larger celebration, think in contrasts rather than simply ordering more of the same. Include something crisp, something grilled, something vegetarian, something bolder and at least one generous plate that feels special. This creates a table that looks inviting, smells extraordinary and gives every guest a reason to reach for one more bite.

At Maloti Indian Cuisine, sharing starters is a lovely way to turn a dinner, takeaway or home delivery into an occasion. Gather your favourites, pass the chutneys, and let the aromas of the tandoor do the welcoming before the first curry is served.