Indian food is always a Female Foodie favorite. We love it whether we’re devouring curry at an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, taking tandoori to go, or indulging in mango cheesecake at an upscale eatery. Luckily, you can satisfy all of these cravings and more with our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Denver.
There is an overwhelming amount of Indian restaurants to choose from throughout Denver, but we’re here to make navigating through them a delicious breeze. You simply can’t go wrong with any of the top 10 Indian restaurants we’ve highlighted below.
10. The Madras Cafe
The Madras Cafe is an authentic Southern Indian restaurant that offers an extensive selection of delicious, fully vegetarian dishes. Everything here is good, but we especially love the Navratan Korma—a rich, Mughal-style, mildly spiced curry made with mixed vegetables, raisins, cashews, and traditional spices. You’ll want to order this dish at a medium spice level to allow full enjoyment of all the creamy flavors. If you find yourself unable to settle on just one menu item, try out a Thali, a small sampler plate of several of their dishes. No matter what you order, you’ll leave The Madras Cafe full, happy, and sure that it’s one of the best Indian restaurants in Denver.
The Madras Cafe
9. Bawarchi Biryani Point
This bustling bakery and cafe serves up much more than biryani, but you definitely won’t want to miss its namesake. As you walk in, you’re welcomed by the scent of just-baked pastries and cookies (make a mental note to grab one on your way out), and once you’re seated and ready to order, just call your server with the press of a button at your booth. If you’ve never tried biryani before, the ulavacharu vegetable biryani makes for a great introduction. It’s a traditional biryani made with ulavacharu (horse gram), tamarind, curry leaves, and veggies, and is a bit less intense in the spice department, making it more shareable and family-friendly. Bawarchi is a bit off the beaten path, but this spot on our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Denver is worth the small trek.
Bawarchi Biryani Point
8. Mehak India’s Aromas
Looking to pair your craving for Indian food with an upscale dining experience? Mehak India’s Aroma is the place for you. Tucked away in a garden-level locale in the Cherry Creek neighborhood, Mehak keeps the menu simple and the ambiance elegant. To really enjoy your night out here, we recommend taking your time and ordering a starter, entrée, and dessert. Begin your meal with the Gobhi Manchurian (sautéed cauliflower florets in an amazing garlic-soy-tomato glaze), then follow with an entrée of your choice (all of which are excellent) and finish with their Pistachio Kulfi (think mini pistachio ice cream cake!). Mehak is the perfect spot to celebrate a special occasion and is open for dinner service only—reservations recommended.
Mehak India’s Aromas
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7. Yak and Yeti
Inside a quaint Victorian-home-turned-eatery near Olde Town Arvada, you’ll find Yak and Yeti, one of the best Indian restaurants in Denver. They serve up a richly diverse lunch and dinner menu (and a great lunch buffet!) of fine Indian food, including vegetarian options. Yak and Yeti has a great, cozy vibe and is a great spot to take the family. Our advice? Don’t miss out on their honey chicken curry, where local honey adds a sweet balance to the spiciness of the curry.
Yak and Yeti Restaurant and Brewpub
6. Yogi’s Indian (Permanently Closed)
A relative newcomer to Denver’s food scene, Yogi’s has quickly and easily made itself right at home near the top of our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Denver. This not-too-fancy, not-too-casual spot is tucked away in City Park and serves up tapas-style Indian food on charming blue plates reminiscent of camping dinnerware. Upon being seated, you’ll receive a complimentary cup of hot chai to sip on while you peruse the menu. We recommend any of the curries they serve at Yogi’s, but if you’re in the mood for something a little lighter try the shrimp Kadai. It’s lightly sauced but full of flavor and fresh veggies.
Yogi’s Indian
5. Himchuli
Himchuli, our top pick out of all the Indian restaurants in Denver, brings the heat in more ways than one: with its incredibly well-executed Indian food as well as its seven levels of spiciness to choose from. Whether you want to tread lightly or breathe fire, a cooling drink of mango lassi is the perfect thirst-quencher to accompany your meal. To sample a bit of everything Himchuli offers (trust us, you want to), try the combination starter while you wait for your main course (you could close your eyes and point to any entree on the menu here). The momos and pakoras are so deliciously addicting, you might find yourself taking your meal to go when it arrives.
Himchuli
3. Serene Cuisine of India
In the DU neighborhood that is packed with dining options, Serene Cuisine of India stands out as one of the best Indian restaurants in Denver. Whether you stop by for lunch or dinner, you’ll find a wide variety of offerings from curries to vindaloos. Our top pick? The tandoori chicken, which includes two chicken breasts, three drumsticks, and a heap of vegetables with masala sauce served on the side. The complex smoky flavor of the chicken and veggies is absolute perfection. If you have any room left, end your meal on a sweet note with the mango cheesecake.
Serene Cuisine of India
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4. Samosa Shop
Once upon a time we would’ve had Biju’s little curry shop on our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Denver, but sadly, they have permanently closed. Lucky for us, Dave Hadley (former chef at Biju’s) has started his own venture called Samosa Shop and it is out of this world. You can find Samosa Shop at pop-ups all over the city, so be sure to look at their instagram account to see where they’ll be weekly! Their samosas—crispy pockets full of fluffy, aromatic goodness—come in three different flavors (try all three!), with chicken being the most fiery. No seriously, prepare yourself for mouth-tingling, spicy satisfaction!
Samosa Shop
$ Indian
908.239.7628
2. Taj Palace Food Truck
Here’s the deal—you’re going to need to find your way to the Taj Palace food truck ASAP because their Indian food is divine. Monday through Friday, the truck is conveniently parked just up the street from the Whole Foods in Union Station. If you’re lucky and work or live within walking distance, you’ll want to make it a regular lunch break spot. The menu here is small (consisting of seven entrees, samosa and pakora options, and a few daily specials) but offers all the beloved Indian staples you’d expect, plus a side of naan with each entree. The portions are huge for the price and the food is rich with delicious flavor, making it an easy choice to include Taj Palace on our guide to the top 10 Indian restaurants in Denver.
Taj Palace Food Truck
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1. The Spice Room
There’s butter chicken, and then there’s the Spice Room’s butter chicken. This neighborhood Indian restaurant, located just outside of Denver’s Highland neighborhood serves up some of the best curries in town, with the star of the show being the butter chicken. This dish alone is enough to put the Spice Room on our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Denver and you’ll find yourself ordering it again and again. Pair it with some garlic naan and it’s enough to feed two people, but we have a feeling you might not want to share.
