Tampa Bay has a thriving Indian community, and plenty of bubbling pots of curry in the kitchen. From authentic Indian to modern fusions of traditional flavors, this guide has it all.
5TH ELEMENT INDIAN CUISINE 3780 Tampa Road, Oldsmar, 813-475-5955, fifthelementoldsmar.com. The Oldsmar Indian spot touts a great traditional menu, but with lots of gluten-free options. Chefs are from across India, so the cuisine is a cross-section of the best of the country. Try the signature goat curry and Mango Lassi.
BAWARCHI INDIAN CUISINE 34832 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor, 727-789-9760. Hidden in a nondescript strip mall, Bawarchi’s lunch buffet is not to be missed. Prices are extremely fair and portions are hefty. Beware of the butter chicken, it is highly addictive.
BOMBAY MARSALA 4023 W. Waters Ave. #15, Tampa, 813-880-7511. A seriously tasty veggie-friendly menu. Try the veggie samosas or the onion bhaji (similar to a potato fritter). The Baingan Bharta is perfect for vegans: mashed eggplant served with curry and smoked tomatoes.
CILANTRO 11009 N. 56th St., Tampa, 813-983-8220, cilantroindiancuisine.com. For a sweet tooth, order the Gulab Jamun, fried Indian cottage cheese covered in sweet cardamom syrup. Order some vegetarian meatballs or Malai Kofta. Lunch buffet is an endless sea of all-you-can-eat-Indian for around $10.
DEEYA INDIAN CUISINE 5166 E. Bay Drive, Clearwater, 727-539-0273, deeyaindiancuisine.com. Largo’s only surviving Indian restaurant has been serving up incredible Indian fare for 20 years. Menu includes classic Tandoori dishes cooked in deep clay ovens and dozens of other authentic dishes. Lunch buffet is about $11 weekly and $12 on the weekend.
GREEN CHILI INDIAN BISTRO 310 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-898-2783, greenchilibistro.com. St. Petersburg’s downtown Indian spot is great for trying up-do’s on some Indian classics. Green Chili also offers cooking classes on Saturdays.
INDIA GRILL 4843 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-319-4015, indiagrilltampa.com. Nestled next to a gas station, India Grill serves a lunch buffet fresher than any gas-station-next-door Indian buffet you’d find for $8. Naan is fresh and the lamb curry is to die for. So stop by and fill up your gas tank and your belly.
JAI HO INDIAN CUISINE 2311 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-631-8439, jaihofoods.com. Some call it the best Indian buffet in town. Jai Ho has an incredible selection of Indian food for veggie-heads and carnivores alike. Choose from over 30 dishes on the lunch buffet every day for $8.99. Plus, they’ve recently started serving beer and wine.
LAZIZ AUTHENTIC INDIAN CUISINE 2475 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, 727-797-7541, lazizonline.com. Creative Loafing’s former food critic, Brian Ries, fell in love with Laziz’s chicken korma, a North Indian dish with a gravy made of ground cashews, cumin, and cardamom. An Indian gem in a strip mall in Clearwater.
SAFFRON INDIAN CUISINE 10044 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, 813-600-3315, saffronindiancuisine.us. Saffron offers an extensive menu of Tandoori, with naan flavors like aloo naan (spiced potatoes stuffed inside). Diners will love the Bollywood-style music videos Saffron plays inside. Combination platters on weeknights offer the most bang for your buck.
TAJ TAMPA INDIAN CUISINE 2734 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-971-8483, tajtampaindiancuisine.com. Tampa’s mecca for Indian buffet. Ask anyone for directions to their favorite Indian buffet and Taj is always on the tip of their tongue. The buffet always has four vegetarian dishes, three non-veggie dishes, two rice varieties, two desserts, two appetizers and a massive salad bar.
TANDOOR INDIAN CUISINE 805 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, 813-654-7300, indiancuisinebrandon.com. Get your Indian fix Brandon-style. Northern and Southern Indian dishes plus live music. Naan is baked in the traditional deep-clay oven. Try the curry goat and chicken Tikka Marsala.
TASTE OF INDIA 1241 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-341-8100, tasteofindiafl.us. In search of Indian food in North Tampa? Do not miss Taste of India. The menu has Eastern, Southern and Northern cuisine. Try the Chili Pakora, the Gobi Manchurian, or the Southern Rava Dosa, made with rice and semolina and served with lentil sauce and coconut chutney.
TASTE OF PUNJAB 6540 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, 727-545-4103, tasteofpunjabindiancuisine.com. Taste of Punjab is a friend to the Indian food lover. Students get 10-percent off their bill with I.D. Try the bullet naan for a spicy take on the regular Indian bread. Vegetarian dishes showcases yellow and black lentils.
THE MOON UNDER WATER 332 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg, 727-896-6160, themoonunderwater.com. Great Indian-British fusion, like curry dusted Indian Trigger fish or the open-faced Tandoori chicken sandwich.
TUNDUREE 1506 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-251-2111, 3409 W. Bay to Bay Blvd., Tampa, 813-837-1155,tunduree.com. Get your curry in a hurry at Tunduree. Choose from two Tampa locations and get your Chicken Tikka Marsala slow-cooked and served fast. Perfect for in-and-out business lunch.
UDIPI CAFÉ 14422 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-962-7300, udipiusa.net. Rejoice, veggies, Udipi is pure vegetarian Indian cuisine. Not a goat, lamb, chicken, or fish on the menu. Carnivores should give it a try; chances are you’ll reconsider your stereotypes of vegetable-based dishes.
