Indian Cuisine with Attitude and Care at Clove
I’ve known Navi Dhillon for a few years now, and we’ve often connected over our journeys in Whitianga and how we came to call it home. Both of us arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand young, and the community gave us the space to put down roots. That sense of belonging is exactly what you feel when you step into Clove on Blacksmith Lane. From the moment Navi greets you with his kind smile, there’s a calm that settles in. You know you’ve come to the right place.
For Navi, the path to hospitality began long before Clove opened its doors. “I’ve been working in hospitality for about six years, and it’s always been a passion of mine,” he says. “Even when I stepped away for a while to pursue my apprenticeship as an electrician, I couldn’t stay away. There’s something deeply satisfying about serving food and connecting with customers. It’s a simple pleasure, but it means a lot to me.”
Originally from India, Navi moved to New Zealand at eighteen. “I felt like a lost kid, trying to figure out where I belonged. Auckland was where I studied business, but it was Whitianga that embraced me. The town made me feel at home, and I knew this was where I wanted to build my future.” That blend of business know-how and hands-on hospitality experience gave him the confidence to take the leap into opening a restaurant.
Clove was born out of a shared dream with Navi’s long-time friend and business partner, chef Sushil Paul. “We wanted to create a place where authentic Indian cuisine meets sophistication and service,” Navi explains. “No shortcuts, no ‘cheating’, just genuine, flavourful food the way it’s meant to be.” With Sushil’s culinary expertise and Navi’s operational and customer-focused strengths, Clove quickly became a dining spot known for both elegance and warmth.
The name Clove itself carries layers of meaning. In Indian culture; the spice has long been prized for its flavour and its healing properties. “Clove is not just a spice; it’s a remedy, a symbol of warmth, comfort, and healing,” says Navi. “That’s what we want people to feel when they dine here: relaxed, rejuvenated, and cared for.” He smiles as he adds, “And there’s a fun twist too. If you separate the C from Clove, it becomes C-Love, or Curry Love. That’s what we want to share.”
Spices are the soul of Indian cuisine, and at Clove they’re also part of the restaurant’s educational approach. Navi loves talking about the healing properties behind the flavours. “Turmeric is amazing for digestion and inflammation. Cumin helps the stomach and adds depth to curries. Cardamom is full of antioxidants, and of course, clove itself is good for circulation and has antimicrobial benefits. We want people not only to enjoy the food but also to know that it’s nourishing them.”
Behind every dish is a strong sense of community. Navi recalls arriving in Whitianga as a young man and feeling embraced by the locals. That gratitude guides how he and Sushil run their restaurant. “We want people to feel like they’re part of our family, welcomed with open arms and treated with respect. This is our way of giving back to the community that made us feel at home.”
Sushil Paul
Clove offers a fresh, inviting vibe where every detail shows the care Navi and Sushil put into their craft. Whether you’re discovering Indian cuisine for the first time or returning for a favourite dish, Clove makes dining feel effortless, welcoming, and full of flavour. Stop by and experience it for yourself. You’ll leave feeling nourished in every sense!
Clove Indian Eatery & Bar, Whitianga
13/1 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga 3510
Menu and Bookings: 07 867 1983 | clovewhitianga.co.nz
Words by Leonardo Magri
