The need to eat something Indian comes much less often than the need for Thai noodles, Vietnamese sandwiches or Chinese dumplings. Not so often as the need to have sushi, however lately more often than the desire to go for a pizza. We started eating Indian food a few years ago, in Warsaw, not knowing how it should look like back then. On our first visit, I ended up in Mandala on ul. Emilii Plater with my work colleagues. I get the feeling that this place is already legendary since it was the first restaurant serving things like chicken tikka or butter chicken. We returned there several times. Then we went to India and tried Indian meals on the spot – in New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and on Goa.
Nowadays, when we want to have some Indian food we go to three places. Our favourites. Top of the list. Places where we like Indian food best, where the meals have this special ‘something’ even though they all differ considerably. One thing in common? Great, Indian cuisine!
WHERE TO HAVE INDIAN FOOD IN WARSAW???
1) CURRY HOUSE – ul. Żeromskiego 18 (corner of ul. Reymonta)
Curry House is one of these places people talk about! And that’s not because it’s sexy-fancy-posh-i-trendy and you “ought to go there” but because it’s a place WORTH EATING IN. The place is really inconspicous – just a small barack somewhere near Żeromskiego station. On Bielany, far from culinary routes. We heard about curry house from our friend. He loves Asian cuisine and spicy meals. About Curry House he said: “I almost cried over chicken vindaloo!”. Such recommendation is always something!
In this small barrack, you will find vibe and definitely one of the best approaches to Indian cuisine in Warsaw. If not the best! Menu is vast, as usual in Indian restaurants. Meals with chicken, lamb but also plenty vegetarian options with paneer cheese, chicpeas or potatoes. Try paneer pakora – a battered cheese served with addictive sauces or juicy tikka masa. If you want to test your spicy food tolerance, go for Chicken Madras or Vindaloo. At your own risk 🙂
There are no luxuries at Curry House and you have to cross the backyard to get to the toilet. But is it really a problem if the food is great? Just don’t take your wife there for a romantic dinner 😉 All the details and opening ours can be found here HERE. Full Curry House review – HERE.
2) BOMBAJ MASALA – ul. Marynarska 21 (Mokotów) and al. Jana Pawła II 23
When we first got to Bombaj Masala on ul. Jana Pawła we said: “Finally an Indian restaurant where you can come for dinner or an elegant family lunch!”. Before that, we used to go to Mandala where it was modest and minimalist. Bombaj Masala is cosy and nice with a kids’ corner and restaurant level service. You can come with your friends or invite your loved one for dinner. And during weekend there’ a babysitter present who organises dedicated activities for kids (details can be found on their website! We have to check it finally! Maybe this winter! 🙂
Right now Bombaj Masal boasts two locations – second place was established on ul. Marynarska a while ago, just a few steps from Galeria Mokotów. Perfect for lunch for everyone working in Mordor. Perfect for us because even though we haven’t been there yet, we often order takeaways from Bombaj Masala! A perfect creamy butter chicken, very spinachy palak paneer and mix pakora or samosas for starters. I love their paneer tikka masala and that’s why I order it to eat at home so often. Full review of Bombaj Masala can be foundHERE.
3) MANDALA – ul. Emilii Plater 9/11
I already mentioned Mandala. It’s a place where we got to know with Indian cuisine. It’s also where we returned to after we came back from India because it reminded us of the flavours of Agra and Jaipur. Mandala was the first place I’ve eaten naan bread in and where I fell in love with sweet shahi naan wit cheese, raisins and desiccated coconut inside. We haven’t been there for a while and we don’t know if Mandala can still be considered one of the best Indian places in Warsaw.
We returned this week. The place changed a bit. It’s not as raw and alternative as it used to be. It’s a pity because right now it just looks normal.. A place that’s good for a regular lunch or a quick lunch on the go. We started with Mango Lassi – still great! As for the main courses, Łukasz went for spicy mutton (vindaloo again!) and a garlic naan. I on the other hand ordered a lunch set which was very tempting! For PLN 21 you get two small meals (one veggie , one with meat), raita, rice or naan and a tea! Geat idea! The price for lunch as for the city centre is very good and you can taste different meals. I already wrote about lunch in Mandala HERE.
It’s just a pity that I have no place for sweet Shahi Naan anymore – I have to try it on my next visit! We’ll see if it’s as good as it was 5 years ago 🙂
That’s our TOP 3 when it comes to Indian food! I suppose that the desire will get bigger and bigger as the cold days approach us!
Tell us your favourite places! 🙂 We’ll be happy to expand our list! 🙂
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