Small cute place that is clean and well decorated. Had dinner here Saturday night and was seated promptly, it wasn't crowded. Staff was polite and attentive. We ordered the saag chicken and korma lamb. The saag was good, but the korma was amazing! Rich and savory with a touch of sweet from the raisins. It was a little slow getting the food but didn't matter was having fun talking with friends. The food tasted freshly prepared, not like some other places were its been simmering in the kitchen all day. I would eat here again and recommend to others.
(4)
James C.
This is my wife and my favorite Indian restaurant! The Saag Paneer and Chicken Saag is what we always get. Oh, and don't forget the chai - BEST CHAI EVER! The workers are also very nice and will always serve you more chai tea. Their lunch is delicious and their dinner portions always generous.
(5)
Jacob T.
Not bad for a buffet lunch, but dinner is always oddly empty. The food I find is a bit too watery and mildly spiced. I prefer Little India for the depth of flavor I love about Indian food, and after being in India and sampling a wide variety of Mumbai street food and "traditional" Indian dishes, it's hard to return here and settle for their versions of it.
(3)
Jennifer R.
Just mediocre. A few years ago, this was the best Indian food on the south side of town. Now, we will choose India's Kitchen in Parker or India's Clay Oven in Lone Tree instead. The samosas were tasty, but my chicken korma was bland. My husband's saag was good, but not as flavorful as others we've tried. The naan is really good, but the paratha is not - too thin and greasy. The service is also just OK, as is the atmosphere. It has been really sedate the past few times, which makes a person think it's gone downhill. Too bad!
Ordered Paneer makhani: bland, tasteless and way too oily. The host did not write down orders. We asked him to write it down when he repeated the wrong order. Said he would remember but still messed up and delivered a wrong order. Had ordered samosas that did not look appetizing at all and the chutneys were so off, I could not palate it. I wouldn't come back to this place.
(1)
Kelsey T.
Great food and service. Enjoyed the Chicken Tiki Masala. Yum! We also shared the rice pudding dessert. We definitely weren't disappointed, and we will certainly return soon! Oh, and let's be real, Nan is always a must. Enjoy!
(5)
Kara T.
I've now been to India Tavern twice for the lunch buffet. It's only been mediocre both times. The service was only ok, too. I was pretty disappointed by this since a lot of my coworkers had raved about this place. The first time was just a couple of friends during the work week. There weren't that many people there, and it took a bit longer than I'd expect to get some water and tea. The food was okay both times. By far the best dish was the tikka masala. The other dishes were just a little off to me, or seemed to be missing something. The saag was missing what I thought was supposed to have cheese in it. Kind of disappointing. All in all, if you're looking for a quick lunch and something different from the Chipotle/Noodles-types of restaurants, may as well give this a try. Maybe if you go in with lower expectations than me, it'll be awesome for you!
(2)
Jen L.
I had dinner at this spot near my conference hotel and was excited for Indian food since my hometown is not so well known for that. We nearly had the place to ourselves and the four of us ordered a pile of food. Everything was tasty and the food came out pretty quickly despite the single server. We shared the shrimp pakora and the veggie samosas and both were tasty. I couldn't resist the Navrattan Korma as my entree and I was pleased that they offered Saag Paneer as a side so I sampled a bit of that as well. All my friends were pleased with their entrees as well. The spices were a little different then I was accustomed to but I discovered that this spot specialized in Northern India cuisine so there you go. My guess is that they are more of a lunch spot and they do have a bunch of steamer tables for their lunch buffet. The staff was really accommodating. One of my dinner companions asked for a non-menu item (by description and not name) and they immediately made up a batch.
(4)
Priya A.
I had the buffet which was cold and everything was almost gone but they made no effort to refill. Everything was tasteless, the naan bread was dry, dal makhani had no salt, and I am still not sure whether the one curry they had was chicken or paneer. The appetizers including the chicken tandoori was insipid. It felt like a hotch potch of some curries. Not recommended at all. On the other hand the ambience is really nice, loved the Fida Hussein art reprints. And the cocktail list was impressive.
(1)
Sara V.
Worst lunch buffet, no spice, no variety, nothing. Pakoras were under cooked on the inside. Samosas were burnt on one side, Veggie options: plain dhal, boiled broccoli(wtf), chick peas, plain spinach. All bland. This place's buffet is a shame for Indian cuisine
(1)
Amanda D.
Five star just because they use swordfish for their fish curry, rather than those cheap soft fish. I also had the buffet with big chunck cauliflower steak and all your Indian stables like Saag Paneer and Tandoori Chicken. Very contemporary interior with high ceiling and attentive service. Both food and drinks are on a pricey side well I guess it's for a reason. Overall good experience. Will definitely come back.
(4)
Kristin M.
I wish I never had to give a bad review, but not every place deserves a good review. Husband chose this place based on the $20 for $10 deal you can buy via yelp. Good marketing, but I can say I will never go back. I always tell my husband to read the yelp reviews, but he's never as religious in checking yelp reviews as I am. If you have read my other reviews, you know I judge Indian restaurants by their saag paneer. I cook Indian food myself at home (naan included) so its nice to splurge from time to time at a restaurant because they have access to do many more exotic spices (those that are harder to find and usually out of my budget to buy in small quantities). I would rate the saag paneer a 3; as it had good flavor and ample paneer. Nothing special though with not nearly the complexity of spices found at other restaurants and it was a bit on the thick side. I wish I could give India Tavern 3 stars based on the saag paneer, but the rest of the meal was not very good. The naan was terrible. Hard and chewy, barely tearing with your fingers or your teeth. Stale, day old is what it tasted like (other revised say the same). I can tell you it's not hard to make naan, so I am not sure what their kitchen is doing here. The chicken vindaloo flavor was good, and very spicy, but the three pieces of chicken were inedible - tough, dry and too many tendons. I think I got one edible piece of chicken. For a $40 tab before the coupon (2 entrees, 2 naan), I felt cheated. I should have spent $15 dollars at Chipotle and left with a smile - even $8 at taco bell would have been more satisfying. On a good note they don't charge extra for the rice here.
(2)
Jay G.
Food was OK for lunch buffet ( that's the only reason it got more than one star), but the buffet was poorly stocked. We did arrive at 110 PM, but there is no excuse for us having to repeatedly ask for more bread, more of the only 2 meat dishes and more of the samosas. The second chicken dish was never refilled. The hot sauce was never refilled and there was no spicy pickle. We tried to use a Groupon, but I made a mistake and missed the clause that said it was only good for dinner. The manager was very rude about it when I tried to use it . Of course he didn't point out his own coupons right on the front counter that would have given me a $5 discount and made me relatively happy. I got a refund on my Groupon as we will not be going back to this restaurant.
(2)
Kendra W.
Food was not very good. The service was very slow and only one person was working at the time . I would not recommend this place for dinner. Came on a Friday night and the restaurant only had 3 other couples seated and only one staff member working in the front. Took us awhile to be able to order our food and even longer to get the food. The food was not very great I got butter chicken and cheese nan. The chicken tasted like it had more Mexican food spices in it than Indian spices. Got cheese nan and it had barely any cheese on it and was very dry. Then after eating it took awhile to get our check even though the waiter saw that we were clearly done. Will not go back again maybe there lunch buffet is better.
(2)
Hanh P.
Went here for lunch on a weekday. If you're looking for a place with no wait, well India Tavern will get you right in. There were only a few tables there at peak DTC lunch hour. The buffet has a very limited selection. Really not impressed with the flavors. Masalaa, saag, naan were all pretty disappointing.
(2)
M S.
Had the lamb biryani, one of my favorite indian dishes, for dinner and it was a disappointment. There was a lot of rice and not enough meat. The rice was on the verge of being undercooked and the meat itself was bland and dry. Although the serving size could be good for 2 people, still it came up to $21 (including 15% tip), without any naan or even chips to start with! (It did come with some sour yoghurt which I barely touched). Parking is difficult to find, and for dinner the restaurant was kinda dark and gloomy. The service was not bad. May give this place another try but right now it's at 2-stars.
(2)
Brittany M.
Hands down the BEST Indian food in the city!! I've never had a bad meal here and I will gladly drive down from cap hill for the chicken tikka masala because it's amazing! It's family owned and authentic so If you're looking for great Indian food make sure you check this place out!
(5)
Jill H.
What a great meal with wonderful service! Had a nice lunch with a girlfriend. We will definitely come back. I'm one happy vegetarian. :)
(5)
Cindy D.
The food was delicious and a warm atmosphere. Wish this place was in Grand Junction! Definitely recommend!
(5)
Brian B.
Both my fiancee and I are huge into Indian food, and for over 3 years, India Tavern is the only place we'll order from time and time again. The vindaloo's and masala's are the best I've had and are always consistently delicious. The owner is always very kind, generous, and always gets the spice level correctly when we want it really hot! If you are in the DTC area, you will not find better Indian Food anywhere else - give it a shot. This is my go-to Lamb Vindaloo spot!
(5)
Jessica T.
Great lunch buffet with hot naan brought to your table. I really appreciate the extra touch of them bringing the naan to you, all hot and buttered, rather than having to balance it on your plate as you walk from the buffet. They have a relatively small selection, but everything is hot and fresh. Per buffet standards, the food is pretty basic in terms of spice level, but the saag paneer and chicken tikka masala are staples and quite tasty. $8.95 for the buffet. I gave them extra star for absolute cleanliness. And it's always nice dining with a proper napkin rather than paper. Even the silverware is sturdy and classy. They tend to be pretty quiet during the lunch hour, which is unfortunate, because it's one of the better Indian buffets around when you look at the food, service, cleanliness, upscale decor and price. I've been here half a dozen times, and will continue to keep them on my lunch rotation.
(4)
Phil M.
I had a business meeting across the street and craved good Indian food for lunch. I was surprised to only see one other patron when I visited. Very reasonably priced lunch buffet! The fresh naan was absolutely DELICIOUS! As with many, my favorite dish is chicken tikka masala. It's sad to say but I found theirs fairly bland. In my opinion it needed to have more heat (not temperature) and additional spices other than just the curry. Perhaps bay leaves and something else. I haven't done enough Indian cooking to recommend anything. My comparison is to Indian restaurants in New York. My brother-in-law is Indian and lives in the NY area. When I'm in the area I will try this location again
(3)
Jenn E.
DO NOT. I repeat invest any of your precious dollars into this business. I don't write that many reviews but when I do, know that they are the truth and sincere. This place has the WORST customer service. And that is from the owner himself. They need to be closed or sell the business to someone who is in tune with the culture and importance of customer service and professionalism. I admit the food isn't the worst but it is somewhere between week old stale pizza and mediocre. The gist of my story is I called for delivery last night. The owner who took my order ended our convo with "ok bye" after I gave him the card number. So I guess they enjoy element of surprise when it comes to the total and how long it takes to deliver. When I call back about 8x nobody answers -_- strike 2. An hour and 15min later the delivery guy shows up and we ask what took so long and he laughs and says "Well it's a good thing you were the first building!" I'm assuming he was insinuating it would've taken longer if we lived deeper in our apt complex. My b/f was agitated as you can imagine and did not leave a tip. When we opened the bags we noticed an Ãtem missing but didn't sweat it I figured I would just call today to request a refund. I also noticed one piece of cold, stale naan. 1 piece?? 1 piece of cold naan for 3 bucks. I would've been happier with sandwich bread. I call today. I talk to the owner. I let him know that something was left out of our order and if we could be refunded and the first thing he says to me was "Why didn't you leave our delivery man a tip??" In a extremely brusque tone. Say what??? Last time I checked tips follow good service and a happy customer. I redirected him and asked if he was going to refund us for the item and he said "yes but next time you need to leave a tip!" At that point I was heated and we did get into a bit of a tiff. I tried to explain to him that you don't demand tips in this business nor request them at that. That it's unprofessional and he's lacking the customer service to run a successful business. He was furious and told me "I don't like people like you! If someone brings you food you tip!!" Then he hung up... I just moved here from Cali. Denver is a beautiful place. Has beautiful people and energy but this restaurant is a BAD SEED. You can find better and I really hope you do... I wish I could leave 0 stars. But yelp is merciful...
(1)
Mike M.
Great food and service. Paneer makhani was perfect and samosas were supper flaky and light. Chai tea was hot and fresh.
(5)
Jimmy J.
Really good northern Indian food. In New Zealand where I'm from we have an abundance of Indian food, so I guess all the competition means the food is really good. I've been to quite a few other Indian restaurants in Denver and this is the best so far. Unlike other places they don't swamp their curries in cream, and they can also make them without cream if you'd like (other restaurants in Denver don't allow this). The chicken was not as tender as I would like, but flavors were good and the curry had a nice kick. Will be going back for more.
(4)
Charles B.
Amazing food, great service, clean, comfortable environment, and one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Will definintly be back and highly recommend to anyone.
(5)
Bret R.
I really like this place. The phaal curry sauce truly is exceptionally hot but the best curry sauce I have ever had. I always get some to go!
(5)
Peter H.
There's just no sugarcoating it. India Tavern is a disaster at lunchtime. - One server waiting and bussing 20 tables - No beverages until long after we had started eating - Forgotten orders - Cold, bland food in the buffet. I can't even think of an adjective to describe the alien curried potatoes. Well, I guess I just did. - Dark and dingy. No lights on in the entire restaurant, except the 4 tiny bulbs in the buffet cart. Just bizarre. I came here a couple of years ago and wanted to give it another chance, but nothing's changed. It was bad then and is still bad now, which is just a shame. There are no other good Indian restaurants in the area-- talk about a blown opportunity. It's easy to forgive a bad restaurant when you see their effort, but it doesn't seem like they're even trying here. Smells like Indian. Tastes like apathy.
(1)
Jem C.
Our favorite go-to Indian spot in the area. Friendly, attentive staff and they deliver too. I highly recommend the Lamb Korma, and their Rice Pudding is the best I've had. Fair warning: Spicy is burn your mouth hot and their medium has a kick.
(4)
Mo C.
I did not have a good experience here. But, it was likely the specific situation rather than a systemic problem with this place. I dropped in on a Sunday afternoon, Groupon in hand. The Open sign was on, but the entire restaurant was empty. I wandered around for what felt like 10 minutes before someone finally came out of the kitchen. Apparently the only person in the entire restaurant was the cook. He definitely did not want to play server as well and really would have preferred that I just do the buffet. But, I generally order off the menu because I like my Indian food a bit spicier than they usually serve in in the buffet. After quite some time, which I imagine was spent calling around trying to find the owner or a server to come back to the restaurant, the cook took my order. A server showed up a bit later. The food was good, but not so good as to make me forget the akward situation and the fact that it took entirely too long to be seated, order food and receive food. I won't be back.
(2)
B G.
This place is so delicious. We weren't quite sure what to order because everything looked so good but the waiter had great recommendations and mmmmmm, the butter chicken is incredible! Staff was nice and accommodating. Our new spot for Indian food in DTC, want to try the lunch buffet.
(5)
Sonja A.
A hidden treasure! Tucked away off Belleview, this place deserves a shout out. Using a Groupon, the merchant was very open and gracious to offer the entire menu. Tikka Masala was our entree of choice and while dinners do not include Naan (extra 2.50), our server still provided to us an order of Naan *and* Roti at no charge. Not sure if that is typical at this location but it was appreciated. Service was lovely and staff friendly. Food arrived hot and in a timely manner. Will definately be going back!
(4)
Chris A.
This is hands down the worst Indian restaurant in Denver. I went last night with my newly purchased Groupon deal. I have tried most Indian restaurants in the area and thought we might give this one a try. We walked in at 6:30 and saw a clean restaurant. There were exactly 3 people eating. At first, I didn't give too much of a thought. The entrees seemed overpriced at $16-$20 but we ordered Butter Chicken and Chicken Jalfrezi and one naan priced at $4 and 2 orders of chai. Communication with the young male waiter was very awkward as he was unsure about a lot of things and constantly gave us a deer in the headlight looks. The dishes came in a small portion. If you have ever microwaved leftover basmati rice, you'd understand how sometimes it gets crispy around the edges of the plate. Well, guess what, we were served rice that was re-heated. Butter chicken came with super cut up thigh pieces and was very mild (we ordered medium) and it tasted more tomatoey than buttery. Chicken Jalfrezi tasted like it was missing a couple of ingrediants and was just blah. We were really disappointed but we don't like to send food back because we worry if they will "mess" with our replacement dish, if you know what I mean. I wish I read other reviews on Yelp. Even with the groupon offer, this was not a deal. This place deserves a 0 star. Look elsewhere.
(1)
Florence B.
I went for the lunch buffet and one of the sauce (green) was bad and I got sick at work the same afternoon... I won't come back.
(1)
James K.
This place used to be well worth the $8 price. It was a hidden gem. The all you can eat buffet selection wasn't huge by any stretch but the food they did have was pretty good. I haven't been there for a year or so but decided today I was in the mood for Indian and went here. I arrived at just after 1 the place was empty and most of the food was gone. I asked for more and they kept saying "is coming" but "Is Never Came!!!" I ordered a Diet Coke to drink and they brought a can to which when I asked for another they said they are $2.00 WTF??? A couple came in at the end of my meal and I overheard the guy say "this is one of my favorite restaurants." He started asking for things because they were out... he received the same answer "is coming"... but then it came right out. So either they weren't going to waste time/food on 1 person or this guy came in all the time and knew someone.... So I will never be back.
(1)
Alexis G.
India Tavern has nice decor, but the service is slow and the food is overpriced. We had to wait about 10 minutes for our server to take our order. I can understand that in a crowded restaurant, but this place was dead. I just felt like we were being overlooked. My lunch entree was $18 for the garlic shrimp which included shrimp and rice. Naan was an extra charge, so we didn't get any. The shrimp was too spicy for my liking, so I didn't really enjoy my expensive lunch.
(3)
Travis O.
When I say service is slow it's an understatement. We were here for a hour waiting at every step. We were the only ones in the place! The food Is marginal, there are better Indian places around. The value is there if you have the groupon dinner. Other than that you will be paying too much for bad service and mediocre food.
(3)
Mary O.
This place is great I used grub hub and they are always on time and very nice. I got a side of the phaal and I have to say the spice is intense I am glad I got a side of it cuz it's so spicy. I loved it! I get the tikki masala and it's very tasty and good!! The naan is really good. I always buy 2. I'm addicted to their lassi. Overall this place is great and I don't know why people give such bad reviews. It may be a bit pricey but the flavors are there and you can tell it's a well ran single owned business. Not chained!!!
(5)
Jonathan D.
Great Indian food. The saag paneer is excellent! The naan is also delicious. The buffet variety is about average. They have most of the basic Indian dishes and some non Indian dishes. The only reason I gave them a 4 star was because they made it difficult and uncomfortable for us to use our groupon. They tried to tell us it was not valid at lunch and no where in the terms did it state that. Other than that this place is great.
(4)
Charlene K.
What incredible Indian food! I had the Tandori Mixed Grill, and read this -- the chicken WASN'T dry!! It was fabulous. I don't think I've ever NOT had a dry chicken at an Indian place. You get 5 stars just for that. We had the Onion Bhaji for the appetizer. It's onion seasoned with turmeric and deep fried. De-lish! Something different, I really enjoyed the flavor. We also had the Shrimp Pakora. Oh my! It's worth it to come back just to order these shrimp. Amazing flavor, light, crispy, slightly sweet and fun to eat. Best dish of the night. The staff is friendly and attentive, my dinner companion and I stayed for a couple hours and they must have filled my water glass at least ten times. I had a glass of red wine also that was excellent. My friend had the garlic shrimp. I tried some, it was more like cilantro shrimp instead of garlic shrimp, but still tasty. We were there on a Friday night and the place was slow. What's wrong with you, Denver? Maybe they need a happy hour, they have a huge bar and a fantastic mixed drink menu, but I'm telling you, this is great food you should really try it out!
(5)
Nicole S.
We visited during what we thought would be the dinner rush, but we arrived to a freakishly DEAD restaurant. We were the only ones in the restaurant apart from one other lady. It was so quiet, every movement we made seemed to echo. This stillness, along with the awkward combination of sophisticated place settings with authentic Indian cuisine, made for an uncomfortable dining experience. The waiter's unenthusiastic and borderline depressing attitude certainly didn't help either. The food itself was good, but the portions were surprisingly small considering the exorbitant prices. Not worth it.
(2)
Manu M.
This restaurent has a kind of quitessential diner feel. It has an upscale look among the Indian restaurents i have been to in Denver.The windows are big and gives a lot of light and makes the place a good one in sunny days. Unfortunately there is no park on the other side, but the drive-thru of Wendy's. Parking is a little mystery, because you need to come in through the gate for Wendys or Garcia's to get in here. This restaurent is a stone's throw away from my work so we frequent this place a lot. Good Stuff: Tandoori Chicken, Palak (Spinach) ,Friendly staff Bad stuff: Sometimes the curries fail to achieve the usual taste. veg dishes are below par apart from the fantastic palak.
(3)
Josh F.
I have been eating indian food for all my life and India Tavern is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The restaurant and decor is nice and simple. The place is clean and they always have clean tablecloths and silver wear as well. The staff are nice and are happy to offer their advice if you have never been there before. I come to this place all the time because I live too far away to do delivery. They are located in the DTC near 225 and 25, and thankfully right next to my office. The lunch buffet is great if you want to get out of the office and even though I like my indian food spicy, I can always add the hot sauce they keep ready, next to the salad dressings, to kick the heat up a few pegs. The tandoori chicken is delicious, the garlic naan is fantastic, and I love the coconut curry shrimp. they always give you a lot of rice and give you more if you run out and they have delicious mango lassi. I recently discovered their samosa chatt and I am very disappointed I didn't try it sooner. Anyway, if you love indian and like to order off the menu or do buffet this place has great food, good service and fair prices. I have introduced a few coworkers to this restaurant and no one has gone back to work displeased. I even have a British coworker who loves his "curry" and he thinks it's the best he has had in his 7 years in the states. Give it a try and write a review. Also, I don't know what Suzanne and Mo were talking about. I have never walked in and not been greeted. The food is great and I think Suzanne only wanted to write a "cute & funny" review on here since she seems to only write reviews that focus on her delightful sense of humor and not the services and goods of the establishments she visits.
(5)
John N.
Had a delightful dinner here the other night. The staff was friendly and accommodating. They were willing to chit-chat and converse with us, not rushed to run back to the kitchen, etc. All the dishes ordered were not too spicy - our 5yr old was able to sample everything. Appetizers: Samosa - crispy and flaky crust filled with savory ground lamb and spices. Being a tad oily kept this from getting full 5 stars. Cheese dish - a firm, dry cheese appetizer with sauteed onions. While quite good, this was the wallflower of the meal. This is the other dish that held back the 5th star. Battered Shrimp - a very light batter makes this a nice opener. Entrees: Butter Chicken - wife's favorite. Lots of flavor, really creamy-'buttery' curry like sauce. Terrific spices make for a delicious savory dish. Coconut Lamb Curry - my favorite. The lamb was tender and not too gamey. The coconut curry was delightfully rich in flavor. It was very savory and the slight coconut sweetness really set it off. Dessert: Balls of dough/bread soaked in honey sauce. What a great way to finish dinner. The honey sauce is not overpowering, nor is it overly sweet. I've had some great Indian food in Chgo and this one is right up there.
(4)
Bill B.
Not a bad lunch buffet, but not remarkable, either. The atmosphere inside is nice. Tall windows let in a lot of light and give a good view of the Wendy's across the parking lot. They use white tablecloths and napkins. Service was acceptable, though the single waiter on duty needed to hustle to keep up with payments and orders, even with the floor only a quarter full for early lunch. I found the tandoori chicken to be moist and flavorful. I would consider going back for dinner to order of the full menu.
(3)
Jason R.
When it comes to Indian Food in Denver the selection is rather narrow. The few restaurants (6) that we do have are scattered at best... On that note, I frequent the lunch buffet at India Tavern, located in the heart of DTC. With plenty of food to choose from and relatively fresh fare, one can't go wrong. (The $8 price take is what warrants the 4th star.) Speaking now to the dinner I had last night. It should be noted that this was the first time that I have had dinner at this establishment and I am pleased to say that both the service (Excellent Waiter!) and the fare was a step above what is offered at lunch. The two dishes we ordered were the Tandori Mixed Grill (which had an assortment of lamb, prawn, fish and chicken) and the lamb Phaal. While the Tandori was cooked to perfection, it was the Phaal that knocked my socks off! *It should be noted that the warning on the menu is there for a reason. This dish is not for the faint at heart.* Made with a mix of Thai Chilis, Jalapenos and an absurdly well balanced combination of curry and flavor, this dish is sure to make even the hottest pepper chaser sweat! In an effort to keep this post as short and sweet as possible I must say that if you have a hankering for Indian Food, live south of University and I25 and are up for a thrill, give both India Tavern the Phaal a shot. @Paul D. (excellent review)
(4)
Cielo G.
Tops at the Tavern with a concise, quality lunch buffet ($9) served on higher-end decorative plates and white tablecloths. Saag, dal, and curries were well flavored, although the second visit didn't prove as tasty. They were bland; thus, I downgraded the rating to three stars. Asked for roti (whole wheat) without butter and they gladly obliged. Haven't been there for supper. Enjoyable atmosphere and food.
(3)
Davin A.
Our favorite Indian restaurant closed down and we started to search for a new one. We tried a half dozen places and were not impressed. We came to India Tavern and we were blown away. The food is incredible! We have not gone anywhere else since we discovered this hidden jewel, and this is now our new favorite Indian restaurant. Enjoy a high quality lunch buffet or a private dinner setting. The wait staff is friendly and attentive.
(5)
Nathan C.
This place is relaxed, has fresh food and the staff are very nice! I have come here a couple different time by myself and with my girlfriend and we both have lived the verity of the menu and how fresh the food is. You must try this place to see what I'm talking about.
(5)
Timothy H.
They refused to accept a Living Social Coupon even though we listened to the already strict standards. They said they would not accept the Living Social coupon during the weekend at all. They said it was Living Socials fault. They were extremely rude and did not admit fault for a mistake that was probably there own. I will never step foot in that restaurant again.
(1)
Carolyn S.
My husband and I just enjoyed our second dinner here. We ordered different items than last time, and we truly can't decide which dishes we love the most! We arrived just 45 minutes before closing, so it was very slow, but we received prompt, courteous service. The naan was hot and fresh, and our grilled paneer appetizer was unique and delicious. We will be returning, for sure. It is clear that this is a small, family owned business. We love to support local places. Yummmm!
(4)
Brady K.
Happened on this place because of a Denver Daily Deal. Since it was in DTC, I figured that its not that far and I'm always wanting to explore Indian food. First, India Tavern is hard to get into, you can only take a right into it, and then you got to circle around to get to the parking lot. If you make a left at Wendy's and go into their parking lot, you will be greatly disappointed to find that the parking lots are blocked off by grassy mediums. Then you have to go back out of Wendy's and then go further down and take a right. The place itself was nicely decorated and service was very polite. When we looked at the menu, I we were not sure what to order. A lot of the menu seemed foreign, so I went with the basic butter chicken and my wife went with the garlic shrimp. The chicken turned out to be what I know as classic curry and it was pretty good. I really liked what they had and they also had a buffet which looked pretty good. The main problem is that it cost 16 dollars for lunch! Most of the entree's were around that price point. Too steep for lunch and if its dinner, it better come with nan, basmati, and some belly dancers.
(3)
Gavin C.
Delicious food! I am in love with their lamb masala, but initially my girlfriend and I were going there for the lamp chop. Unfortunately they were sold out. Turns out that we ordered the lamb Samoa. It tastes just ok, not too surprising, and the ground lamb meat is too dry. Yet their masala is really good! 100% recommend! Butter chicken is too blend, not much taste to it. Don't order the lassi, they are too warm for a cold drink... If you ask me if I will go back? Yes!! Just can't forget about the masala + naan
(3)
Shea S.
Armed with a Groupon Now! promotion, I decided to give India Tavern's biryani a try. The lamb was very tender, and the portions were substantial. The dish certainly played the part of biryani, but could have used a bit more flavor for the price compared to other biryanis I've had. Still a tasty and filling meal though. A-OK is exactly what my experience was at India Tavern. An interesting note is that they have a dish with a lengthy warning about how hot it is. So if you have the craving for heat, perhaps you should try it out.
(3)
Jack p.
I am use to Indian buffet's because I want a little of everything. This was way nicer than I expected. Prices were way higher than what I was expected. Friendly service and great food. I live very close to this place- I need to make it here for the lunch buffet because I believe that is the best way to experience Indian food. Unless they get a item on the menu that is a combo platter for 10 bucks with naan.
(3)
Jeff S.
I finally tried this place after I got a $15 off coupon that was circulated through my neighborhood. I came in on a Saturday night by myself, there were only a couple of other tables, I sat at the bar and got service immediately. I ordered garlic naan and lamb vindaloo. The naan was very fresh and tasty, I liked the flavor of the vindaloo, the lamb was tender, but I'm used to that dish being really hot, and this wasn't. It wasn't bland, but could have been much spicier. They have a decent selection of wine and liquor, the restaurant is spacious, especially the bar, and it's dimly lit and cozy. They seem to have a good lunch buffet, I will most likely come back for that rather than dinner, mainly due to the price.
(3)
Brad F.
This is a legitimately good Indian place in DTC!! I have been to India Tavern close to fifty times and haven't been disappointed yet. The Chicken Tikka Masala is my favorite and is usually my go to, however their Coconut Shrimp Curry is also very good. The samosas, both vegetable and lamb, are great and the Samosa Chaat (vegetable samosa covered in chickpeas, mint and tamarind chutney) is amazing!! The Tandoori Mixed Grill is good and includes lamb, chicken, fish, and seekh kebabs. They make a delicious Mango Lassi. For dessert (when I'm not too full) I like to get some Khir (rice pudding) topped with sliced toasted almonds a few Gulab Jamoons on the side that I like to mix in. The service is good and the staff is very friendly. Because they are located in the Tech Center and within walking distance of several nearby hotels and offices they can get very busy. Particularly when there are conventions going on nearby and the word-of-mouth starts to spread, you may be forced to wait, but its definitely worth it. The lunch buffet is fantastic and open every day of the week and considering the price $8.95, how can you complain? The naan is always fresh which is nice at a buffet. I have been many times with people from work and everyone has enjoyed it, even those less familiar with Indian cuisine. The buffet is not spicy at all BUT if you like yours hot, like I do, they keep some red sauce in the cold section that will heat things up a little. I usually add 2 spoonfuls to every plate but beware because I like it hotter than most. (WARNING: If you're a wuss, like my coworkers, you probably should start with a little on the side just to gauge the hotness.) This place is a great alternative to some of the other dining options DTC has to offer.
(5)
Paul D.
Let me preface this that I'm writing this review based on one experience, and with one menu item--The Phaal. I read it was spicy, and it didn't disappoint. HOT and fantastic flavor. Chile-head Bliss. One of the hottest dishes I have found in Denver--And they don't cheat by putting capsaicin extract in--It's all real, legit chiles. If you like spice, don't miss it! Also must give the owner props--He was there when I was and chatted with me for quite a while about his history in the restaurant business, Indian Beer (oh, and he bought me one for eating the Phaal) and all the chiles he puts in his Phaal. Only thing that prevents me from giving it 5 stars is that it's a bit spendy. I would eat there all the time if it was a little less expensive
(4)
Melissa M.
I'm going to throw this place a bone. I usually get take-out. Usually the butter chicken or lamb massala but since I'm a vegetarian, I replace it with veggie pakora and paneer...anything. They are really nice there, and only once I've had to go back with the wrong order so just a word to the wise to please check your order before leaving just to make sure. The garlic naan is pretty good. It's not the most spectacular, but it is good and close in the DTC area.
(4)
Robert C.
Great variety of awesome foods and above all it's a excellent buffet of Indian food. We will be back again and again. Next time I'm dragging Jim Shearer here to try this restaurant. They are awesome! Where have this restaurant been hiding?
Meh. if i'm paying a premium for lamb shish kabobs, i'd expect it to be not ground up meatballs. Also, paid for cheese naan, got regular, but charged the price for the stuffed naan! awesome. or not really. food is good, delivery was reasonably quick so 3 stars.
(3)
Angelique V.
The saag paneer was inedible. They really need to work on that recipe. But their korma is delicious. Ordered take out, so can't speak to the service, but the restaurant is nice looking, new and clean. A little pricey for Indian food.
(3)
Larissa V.
Went for the lunch buffet and liked most of the food. The tandoor chicken was pretty dry and the saag was way too spicy. The buffet was not labeled very well, so I'm not sure what everything was supposed to be. It's not horrible, but I'm not sure I would go back.
(2)
Karen S.
I was surfing on the internet looking for some good indian food and India Tavern popped up. My parents were a little bit hesitant but enjoyed it most of all. The service was great, the food was great, the decor was great. I would definitely come back and recommend it to many. I do recommend the dish saag and tikki masala and for a drink the mango lassi.
(5)
Elisabeth C.
My boyfriend, daughter, and I went here on a Thursday night- when we pulled up the parking lot (and the restaurant) were completely empty and my boyfriend wondered out loud if we should still go in. I'd scanned the menu online quickly, and felt confident the food would be pretty good judging by the items they were offering- so we went in. The server who greeted us was very warm and friendly. We ordered papadums and pickle as well as the samosa chaat to start. The papadums (two) and pickles were very good- it was a sour/spicy lime pickle, tamarind, and a cilantro. The chaat was excellent- our daughter loved all the chickpeas in it. For the main courses we ordered a saag dish (spinach), and lamb rogan josh. The meat in the rogan josh was very tender, and the sauce was adequately spicy (we ordered medium, spicy would have been very hot indeed), the saag was creamy, rich, and delicious. Before leaving, we had to order a portion of gulab jamun (2). If you've never had these before, they are essentially Indian doughnut 'holes' in a sweet cardamom-infused syrup. These were perfectly cooked and super delicious. The water brought out two complimentary steaming cups of chai- which were delicious, and a really nice touch and end to the evening. The service was attentive but not overbearing, and yes, the price isn't incredibly cheap, but I found the portion sizes more than adequate (we had half of our food to bring home!). Indian food tends to be very rich, you don't need heaping American-sized portions to feel full! I do hope this place stays in business despite the somewhat awkward location. I'm from the UK (near Bradford of all places!) so I appreciate good Indian food, and we will most definitely be back. Give this place a try!
(4)
Dan S.
The slightly bad location (getting to the parking is a bit awkward, the business next door is closed?) and slightly upscale interior (white table cloths, etc) make me wonder if this place will survive. For better or worse, there aren't too many fancy Indian places in the area - they tend to be casual and less expensive than India's. And then, of course, there is the food. More below. The buffet is reasonable ($8) and extensive enough. They make their own chai (too sweet to be the real thing, which may be some foreshadowing) and the food appeared fresh and enticing. As I often do at a buffet, I got a little bit of just about everything to try - Aloo Ghobi, Tandoori Chicken, Saag Paneer, Pakoras, Curry Chicken, Dal, Tamarind chutney, Beef Meat balls (which seems out of place, maybe some foreshadowing again). They brought some fresh naan to the table - simple and tasty and hot, I really liked it. After I tried everything, I went back for more (reliably gluttonous American that I am). Here's the rub - nothing stood out. None of the dishes had a big, "get me some more of that" flavor. I had a little bit more of everything. The desserts were similar - the Gulab Jamun a little too dense, the Kheer (just labeled as rice pudding) a mite too hard, the Rasmalai too sweet (did I mention gluttonous?). I have a sneaking suspicion that the chef knows what s/he is doing, but has toned down the food for an 'American' customer. Everything was too bland, too sweet, and not all that, well, Indian. All in all, left me wanting some good Indian food. Not sure how long it has been here - maybe they will improve, but I can only muster a couple stars at this point. I would prefer every other Indian place in the general vicinity (that I've been to) if you wanted to go Indian tonight.
(2)
Brett C.
As other reviewers stated, VERY OVERPRICED. Even with a Groupon for the Indian Tavern it was still way too much $$. $16 got my wife a small bowl of chicken curry and a side of rice. The chicken was scarce and chewy soft bone was a regular find in the curry. $18 got me a small bowl of shrimp curry that had very little shrimp as well as flavor. Both curries had a very similar base with only a slightly different flavor. I've had far better curry out of a jar from Trader Joe's. I would say a fair price based on quality and size would be in the $6-$8 range, instead this place is priced as if it were a highly sought after steak house. Went on a Friday night and it was fairly empty, no surprise there, definitely not a place I would recommend to any friend... but I might send my enemies. Mango lasso was good.
(2)
J C.
Save your money and even if you get a Groupon, it's not worth your time and money. The portion was ridiculously small for the price. I've been to other restaurants w/ high prices and small portions but their quality and presentation were worth it however this place did not live up to that. The wait staff was very slow; we had to get the waiter ourselves to place our order and that was when we were sitting there for at least 15 mins. I will never go back to this restaurant again.
(1)
Sarah H.
I never thought I'd say this about an Indian restaurant, but my food was bland. I ordered the coconut shrimp curry (it came out in what I can only assume was mild, I was not asked what spice level I wanted) and my partner ordered chicken vindaloo medium. His vindaloo had a nice kick but, as he put it, "tasted like spicy marinara sauce". The portions are quite small for the price and it seemed to take a long time to get our food. Nobody checked in on us and we had to flag our waiter to get drink refills. I ordered dessert and they brought out the wrong thing. They corrected this and even let us keep the first dessert, but I'm about 80% sure the replacement dessert was spit into - I can't be sure since I've never had that particular item before, but the consistency and sour smell were pretty worrisome. Needless to say, we won't be going back.
(1)
Chris J.
I'm in total agreeance with Courtney G. What's going on with all the hatred Colorado? India Tavern cooks your food to exact specifications with culinary precision. Service is fast and I believe this is thanks to all of negative reviews which have driven down customer traffic significantly. Each time I've been here the service has been solid, their curries have been excellent, and the prices are fair considering their location. This place is worth a shot and it won't rob your pockets.
(4)
Dan D.
Good food, friendly service, and clean. If I lived in the area, I'd go back. :)
(4)
Terry T.
Ordered the coconut curry shrimp and some nan. I was shocked to find fresh and warm nan delivered to my hotel room. The curry was spiced very well and so very good. I cannot speak on the service (delivery went very well) or the interior so take my review with that in mind. I recommend the food...can't speak on the rest.
(4)
Jess W.
This might possibly have been one of the worst meals I have ever paid for... I made the mistake of buying a groupon to India Tavern without checking yelp reviews first (silly me), and paid the price for it. The two of us ordered of the vegetarian menu (the eggplant dish and the cauliflower/potato dish...I always forget what they're called), and were served two small plates and a tiny plate of rice to share. It looked decent...until I took a bite. I am pretty sure they used liquid smoke to season the eggplant. No joke. And I think they may have used tabasco and three pounds of salt to season the cauliflower. We forced down as much as we could, and asked for the check, which after the $20 groupon, was still an extra $24. For one order on roti and two vegetarian entrees..... The service was just fine, but the atmosphere was not great. The entire restaurant is made really disproportional by the huge cruise-ship like bar right in the middle of the room. It also smelled like sewage in the hallway behind the kitchen, apparently because they are doing some remodeling...and accidentally hit a sewage line...? Or something? Because that's pretty much what it smells like. So...unless you love liquid smoke and the smell of sewage....avoid.
(1)
Marie S.
Service: The service gets 1/2 a star. The server seated us at a table right next to the bar and then gave us our menus and just stood there waiting for us to order. I told him that we needed time to look at the menu first. That was the first awkward moment. Then he came back and my boyfriend knew what he wanted but I wasn't sure and I asked him what he would recommend. He said two different entrees. They simply didn't sound good. I went with the really a really spicy dish. In it's description it has a disclaimer about how spicy it is. When I asked for that he said you don't want that, and you wont like it. I can make those decisions for myself. Then when I said I still wanted it, he asked me again if I was sure. Yes!! It just made for a very awkward and annoying experience. While we were waiting for our food there were three employees behind the bar, one talking on his phone, the other two talking to each other. It's one thing when the person at the next table has casual conversation but when the employees are just standing around doing that it was frustrating. Food: Good food. But not worth the price. One and a half stars. We walked in with a Groupon and ended up paying 15 dollars after the Groupon. I was honestly shocked because we had ordered two entrees and one drink. And apparently that was a 50 dollar value tin total. I wont be coming back.
(2)
Leslie W.
The lunch buffet is definitely above average. The variety is pretty good, at least 8 different hot dishes to choose from, includes all the typical stuff (tandoori chicken, saag paneer, daal, some type of fried rice). I think it also tastes great, not too oily and all very fresh. I love that the lunch buffet, $8, comes with fresh naan too. My only complaint is that I don't like the layout of the buffet and the space. It's a big angular with some tables placed in some weird corners. Also, they didn't quite have it down with when to bring out food and how many people were coming. A few times they were out of food and we had to wait for them to bring more out. Since this place is pretty new, I think they're still trying to get down a rhythm. Overall, I enjoyed it and would definitely come back. The waiters were nice and the food is good.
(3)
Peti T.
Awesome food! Traveling from out of town and found this place down the street from my hotel. I am no expert in Indian cuisine (which is why I gave it only 4 stars) but my food was prepared perfectly, tasted great, portions were huge and service was good. Could maybe be a tad more spicy. I didn't think it was expensive, considering the ingredients were really good. Can't wait to try other things next time I'm in town.
(4)
Garner M.
A nice dinner, though a little expensive for the portion size. I had the Chicken Korma ($16) and a side of plain naan ($2.45). The Korma sauce was excellent, and just the right amount of spiciness for the "medium" I asked for. (It had a kick, which I like; if you don't, ask for mild.) A side of basmati rice was included, and it was dry and fluffy, as basmati is supposed to be. The portion seemed a little small for the price, particularly since it used cheaper dark meat. I'd have preferred white meat, but there was no option. The naan had a very nice texture and crunch, although the flavor was a little on the bland side compared to others I've tried. Service was quick and competent, if not particularly warm and friendly. Water was brought shortly after I sat down, and I ordered a few minutes later. I wasn't offered a beverage initially, but after ordering, I asked him about their beer selection. I opted for a Kingfisher ($5.50), which was bottled but poured in a glass. (There was a set of taps behind the bar, but there didn't appear to be anything in them.) Overall, a nice dinner; I'll definitely come back, maybe to try the lunch buffet.
(4)
Mingmar S.
Beware of extremely DRY chicken in the Tikka Masala. Grab a sample before you order, maybe this was just a bad batch? The nan (bread) and Tandori chicken on the other hand was excellent. Good looking place and a good deal, $6.75 for a lunch box...although I threw half of it out since it was impossible to swallow.
(2)
Layla R.
I'm not sure why the reviews are so bad on Yelp, but we had the best Indian food we have ever had here at India Tavern. Everything was fresh and extremely delicious. None of our meals were overly greasy- trust me-I CAN'T stand greasy food! The resturaunt itself was very clean, including the plates. Our server was VERY attentive. I know it may seem a little discerning if you walk in for dinner and don't see many cars at the location. This is because this place is in a business area and not the best location. It is hidden and the enterance to the place is off the street and through other business parking lots. The resturaunt actually does not face the steet, so it is easy for it to be overlooked. It is also in a little corner of the DTC, which again does not seem to be well traveled. It is usually through word of mouth that brings people into the resturaunt by those who have been able to find it. . I have never been there for the lunch buffet. But, like most buffet places, especially indian buffets- you can't expect everything to be spactacular. You have to remember, they aren't making much money by buffets, so again- I wouldn't expect to have vindaloo or anything other than easy- low costs meals. And again, when food is left out in a buffet style, do you really expect the heat lamps to keep it to perfect temperature and quality? Yeah- this is why most buffett places usually have okay food. So- if you are looking for a GREAT place to have indian food for dinner, I would DEFINATELY give this place a try. You might be surprised and you might be helping to keep a great place in business during these hard times.
(4)
Julie L.
The appetizer of something with potato, garbanzo, sauce and Yogurty goodness was the most amazing thing I've eaten. It would have been great and filling as meal- for 8 bucks it's well worth trying. My tikka masala with fish was completely enjoyable. I would try something else if I were to come again. The appetizer got my hopes up. It was a 5 whereas the tiki masala would have been a 3.
(4)
Kelly W.
Uhh slowest service ever. Been here 40 minutes and haven't even gotten a refill of water. The menu says they serve coffee but when asked for coffee the waiter laughed in my face and said "NO."
(1)
Maria S.
Nope. Not a fan. We went for dinner last night and I was not impressed. My main complaint is that it is really over priced for what it is. 2 entrees, nan and just water to drink. It was $45 with tip. The servings were really small and just ok tasting. The space is nice, but the experience was lacking. It would probably be better if you were only paying $8 for a buffet. My husband liked his dish, but I found it to be too spicy for me, while my dish was bland. I feel a little ripped off.
(2)
Vanessa H.
My husband and I came here because we bought a groupon a few months back. We ordered the butter chicken, saag paneer, naan, and some lamb dish that I can't remember. The butter chicken was delicious! The saag paneer was really good, but the lamb I probably wouldn't order again, it was too tough for my liking. But the sauces on everything were great, very flavorful and tasty. When the server brought our order, we initially thought that the portion sizes were on the small side. But looks can be deceiving and we ended up taking some home--because everything was very filling. And this was after both of us being super hungry because we were eating a late dinner. The service was excellent, very attentive without being overbearing. We agreed that this is the best Indian food that we've had in Denver, and we've both had the opportunity to visit India in the past. We will definitely be back to India Tavern in the future.
(4)
Michelle A.
Just got back from lunch with my husband. We decided on the buffet. The dishes next to the food were very dirty. The waitress did wash 2 for us. But after that I wasn't so excited to eat. We had a Chai tea which was luke warm. We ordered the Naan bread again just so so. The meal certainly was not anything exciting. This place is in the Tech center close to Shanahans. I can't imagine it will last.
(1)
Aaron D.
Great restaurant with some of the best Indian cuisine in Denver. My wife and I were fans of India House downtown, and were saddened to hear of its closing. Luckily, the owner of India House also owns this fine establishment, and we were relieved to find that the food at India Tavern is just as good as India House was. I spent some time in the UK, and this restaurant is on par with the many Indian restaurants I enjoyed while staying there. We started with the mixed vegetable hors d'oeurves, and were delighted with a plate of crispy fried vegetables served with raita (yogurt sauce). The vindaloo I had was fiery and flavorful. Luckily there was plenty of naan bread to cut the heat! My wife loved her favorite vegetable korma, and also enjoyed the pillowy naan to sop up the gravy. We were too stuffed to order dessert, but did enjoy some of the best chai we've found in Denver. Definitely recommended.
(5)
Peter C.
One of the worst restaurant experiences of my life. I went for the $9 dollar lunch buffet. They were all cleaned out of food except for some naan, rice, and chicken. So I nibbled a bit and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally about 25 minutes into sitting there waiting for food they brought some more naan. And two heapings of rice. But there were no main courses to be had. Eventually they brought out some beef meatballs and mixed veggies that had clearly been frozen and pre-cooked. Every time the waiter was asked if there would be more food coming, he replied "in two minutes." I felt sorry for a group of four who had just sat down and also had nothing to eat by the time I left. The ownership here clearly doesn't care in the least, and I believe that they kept the buffet empty on purpose to save themselves money. Hopefully this strategy will also save themselves from having to serve customers at all.
(1)
Coral E.
I've now been to India Tavern twice, once for dinner and once for their lunch buffet, and both times I've left feeling somewhat let down. The first time I came here, I came for dinner not long after they had opened. The restaurant was empty, I assume because they were still new, and even so, my service was a little slow. I ordered the chicken vindaloo, my favorite, and some garlic naan. The food was ok, though I felt the portions were small particularly for the cost, and I left a little disappointed. For lunch, I normally check out India's lunch buffet on Hampden, which I've found to be a great deal and pretty reliable lunch buffet. I decided to try India Tavern this week for a change of pace and because it's more conveniently located near my office. This buffet was a great value for the money ($9!) and included the all-you-can-eat buffet plus a basket of fresh naan brought to your table. I loved the naan especially because many other Indian places here have you get it at the buffet and it's either dry or they are out of it. The naan was warm, chewy and fresh-- no complaints there! As for the buffet itself, they had pretty standard offerings-- several curries, saag, basmati rice, and some fried vegetables that I believe were to be like Pakora? The rice was perfectly cooked and moist, and I really enjoyed the saag. Their curry vegetables were basically just frozen peas/carrots/green beans in a curry sauce-- not good. They had butter chicken, which I tend to like less than a chicken tika masala or other dishes, but it was fine. Their curries had a weirdly absent chicken to sauce ratio, and the raita was just ok. Overall, the lunch buffet seems like it could be hit-or-miss, but that it's a good value if you want to have some rice, naan, saag, and hope the other offerings are good for the day.
(3)
Terry P.
Very poor service. Food was just okay. But then they added $10 to my credit card tip and I am having to fight them over it. Bad bad bad!!!
(1)
Travis T.
Best vindaloo / naan in Denver!! People make the error of judging an Indian restaurant based on their lunch buffet which is a MISTAKE because I can't think of any buffet that has ever exceeded my expectations (Indian or other cuisines). Buffet food is pre made and toned down for the masses, which is especially apparent in Indian food, a cuisine known for it's vast array of spices. Anyway, the naan is light and fluffy with the perfect amount of char from the oven and the vindaloo is a perfect blend of spice and flavor. My gf's butter chicken was also a hit. HIGHLY recommended!
(5)
John S.
So to start off with i grew up on the east coast eating at a lot of locally owned 1st generation Indian immigrant restaurants and this can hold its weight against them. The lamb saag and the lamb curry is superb. In addition the naan is fantastic as well. I have been to this restaurant several times and it is consistent in its excellent food. Something that is extremely enjoyable is the ambiance of the restaurant, it makes for a great romantic dinner with the wife. The service is definitely not fast but in my opinion that adds to the experience because it slows you down and can focus on enjoy the experience. Lastly the owner is very friendly and personable and without fail has been there every time i have come to this restaurant so kudos's for his work effort.
(5)
Tim O.
Had a groupon for these guys and ended up having a great meal there. It's a little hard to find and there was almost nobody in the place (the other 4 people had the groupon too) but the food was great. I hope they make it! Great wait staff, and again great food.
(4)
Kumi H.
I went here to have dinner with two friends last week, one of those friends had her birthday that day we went. India Tavern actually closes for a few hours between their lunch buffet and their dinner hours, which I personally didn't realize until shortly before I arrived there to meet with my non-birthday friend (we both were 20-30 minutes early for our reservation at 6:15 and waited until the doors were opened at 6; her reason was that she works at a school along Speer, had to stay after school hours for a meeting, and left to go straight to the restaurant instead of picking up her dog from her house in between because she thought she'd run into more traffic than she actually did; mine was also due to traffic reasons and from having to pick up said friend's dog). This is the first Indian restaurant in Denver that I've been in, so I can't compare India Tavern to other Denver Indian places. I had the buttered chicken, and we all shared some naan and an appetizer that I can't think of the name for right now. The food was great and reminded me of the first time I ever tried Indian food while visiting Vancouver, BC, where teacher-friend and I went to a local Indian place to eat a few times. The food was about $15-$16 for main entrees, which I know sounds pretty expensive for the portion size, but there aren't a lot of Indian places in Denver that I know (as opposed to what I saw when I was in Vancouver, where near the hotel, there were two local Indian restaurants one block apart, so there was competition in food quality and pricing). Same thing here as I experienced in Vancouver was that you can ask for the spice level to be lowered/raised as per your taste and tolerance level (my spice tolerance is mild). Service was pretty good. The host asked if we were waiting very long outside and apologized for the wait. No clue about the lunch buffet.
(4)
Sean O.
I went here with my family after having bought a LivingSocial deal. We came for their lunch buffet. It was ok, but less than my expectations. The buffet selection was small, and didn't include any Naan or dipping bread. We also got a lamb samosa appetizer, it was expensive, small, and very dry. Not worth the money. I wouldn't say this place is bad, but just not very appealing. It's probably perfect for a quick lunch for all those office workers in the Denver Tech area. It's not worth driving down from where I live though.
(3)
Cortney G.
What's up with all the haters? Okay, so I'll concede the lack of cars the first time we buzzed the parking lot had me a little concerned: just after noon, Tech Center location, virtually in the parking lot of several major corporate centers, one other car parked alone near the front door.... what was wrong with this picture??? And really, what's wrong with the picture has NOTHING to do with the food, service, pricing, or ambiance... those were all spot-on. I think, unfortunately, it's India Tavern's location: to access from 25-northbound requires a left turn across Belleview, a quick whip into the parking lot of a mirror-windowed skyscraper, working your way back around the periphery of that building's parking lot, sneaking behind the Wendy's, then finally snaking around a landscaped median in front of what looks to be a largely-unoccupied building (save India tavern itself) before you even hit the front door. So that one-star-short of a 5-star review? Yeah, folks: it's for having to play "Mousetrap" before getting your tastebuds onto India Tavern's lunch buffet! All that being said, India Tavern is about the best game in town in or around Tech Center. The restaurant itself is cozy and lit via floor-to-ceiling picture windows, the artwork is modernized regionally-appropriate fare, tables are covered in white linen, and walls dark: definitely going for the urban standard, and they've hired attractive younger staff at both the bar and on the restaurant floor. Service is swift and attentive, but if you're expecting typical Indian restaurant "hovercraft" waiters, you'll be sadly disappointed; these folks are slightly cool and stand-offish, but that being said, when my kids needed straws, or our water glasses dropped to a quarter full, our waiter was there. These staffers are clearly comfortable with giving patrons a little independence of their own, and frankly, I prefer it that way if I'm trying to have an actual meaningful conversation with a lunch guest, or juggle hellions (i.e. my children) solo. Having been a 21-+ year vegetarian, I consider myself a bit of an Indian food connoisseur, and on that front, India Tavern definitely doesn't disappoint. The saag paneer is delicate and creamy and heady and delightful; the tikka masalaa delightfully spiced (even if the sauce is slightly thin). I've found their curries to be consistently satisfying and yummy, and love the ready offerings of minted and tamarind chutnies... goodbye, India's Castle (which has TRULY been on the decline for the past 6-8 months, both food and service-wise): you used to be tops in my book, but there's a new favorite in town! We've really enjoyed India Tavern the handful of times we've been in, and look forward to patronizing them for many lunches & dinners to come!
(4)
Nam T.
Food is good, portion is a bit small.
(4)
Brian W.
Good, just not full price good. I enjoyed my meal, really liked the flavors, they just did not stand out and say wow. Swordfish was a very nice touch and different. Very dead place on Friday night as I said in my check in, made me Leary of using my groupon, but glad I had a discount. I will not go back but not good enough for 3 stars, I do love all the flavors Indian food has, and the Bir rice was tasty with the fish. Oh, the portions were way smaller than any of their competetion.
(2)
Joan C.
My husband and I had dinner here a couple weeks ago. I thought it was overpriced for what it offered. I think my chicken dish made with thighs was about $15. It tasted good enough, but that's a pretty expensive price for something made out of inexpensive meat (and probably not even organic). I didn't mind that portions aren't very large - that's the way I think all restaurants should serve food - but again that points to the prices seeming a bit high. Like another reviewer, I had an unclean plate. It looked like it might have just been rinsed and wiped off, not actually washed with soap. It didn't have visible food residue on it but was just kind-of greasy looking. Given that there are a number of other good Indian restaurants nearby, I think we'll stick to the others for dinner, at least. I am willing to give this place a try for the lunch buffet sometime, but if I see any dirty dishes or the food isn't good, that'll be the last time. Too bad, because I was really excited about a new Indian restaurant coming to DTC.
(2)
Levi L.
Excellent customer service, clean, somewhat romantic atmosphere, and stumbled upon an incredible appetizer that blew my mind. The dinner, however, was a little too "clay oven roasted" and the chicken was very rubbery. I wanted so bad for the dinner to be good after the excellent service and appetizer but they just didn't pull it off. I probably won't go back- but don't let that stop you from giving them a try. I wasn't terrible.
(3)
Ssspecial S.
I saw this place advertised on the 25 ...thought I'd give it a try. Had the eggplant dish, super yummy, the samosa, also good but not as flavorful as others I'd had. I did love the pastry crust. The paratha was a disappointing, it was a tad stale on the edges and not as buttery as my friend can make it. Another downer was the price... $26 for the three items. I will give it another shot though, as the eggplant dish was yummy; hopefully, the other dishes will be as tasty.
(3)
Nicholas A.
Went in here for lunch on a Saturday. It was pretty much empty but they had the buffet available so we decided on that. Lots of vegetarian dishes available and plenty of fresh fruits/vegetables. Lunch came with a basket of plain naan that was also pretty good. Overall I'd say that this was a nice place for a quick lunch and I'll probably be back to see what they have on their dinner menu.
(4)
Brian S.
I don't eat a lot of Indian food but I love this restaurant. Its usually very quiet and kind of quaint. The staff tries very hard to make sure you have everything you need and your happy and the Lamb is AWESOME. I really enjoy eating here and interacting with the staff.
(4)
Sandra C.
Great lunch buffet...with all the good Indian food. Good price...too.
(4)
Matt S.
nope. When a restaurant is empty, there is no explanation for waiting two hours for food. I would rank the quality for price as mediocre. When I need my subcontinent fix in the future I will seek out a more reputable tandoori provider.
(1)
Morgen O.
My boyfriend and I had a LivingSocial coupon to go try this place out. We ordered Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Raita, and garlic naan. The serving sizes were quite small but everything tasted SOOO good! We were still a bit hungry after splitting the above so my boyfriend ordered Spicy Chicken Coconut Curry it came and was a super small serving but tasted amazing...however they failed to refill our waters for 30 minutes, our mouths were burning so we munched on our ice. The service overall was not good, seems to be understaffed and run by a family. The woman working there will be more concerned about her cell phone than your meal/table. We asked her for our bill and got it about 20 minutes later she cleared our table without ever refilling our empty water glasses....we ate ALL the ice. I would go back again, hopefully get some better service... or just order a pitcher of water for our table. Overall- GREAT FOOD, but mediocre SERVICE.
(4)
Soetjahjo S.
I am not impressed with the buffet, the food were bland, maybe I did not come at the right time, even my Indian friends said the foods are not good, but they have lamb meat for buffet and the naan bread is freshly cooked.
(2)
norm p.
Had the lunch buffet today. As good as any Indian food I ate while living in Scottsdale for 17 years.
(4)
Charles B.
Amazing food, great service, clean, comfortable environment, and one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Will definintly be back and highly recommend to anyone.
(5)
Mo C.
I did not have a good experience here. But, it was likely the specific situation rather than a systemic problem with this place. I dropped in on a Sunday afternoon, Groupon in hand. The Open sign was on, but the entire restaurant was empty. I wandered around for what felt like 10 minutes before someone finally came out of the kitchen. Apparently the only person in the entire restaurant was the cook. He definitely did not want to play server as well and really would have preferred that I just do the buffet. But, I generally order off the menu because I like my Indian food a bit spicier than they usually serve in in the buffet. After quite some time, which I imagine was spent calling around trying to find the owner or a server to come back to the restaurant, the cook took my order. A server showed up a bit later. The food was good, but not so good as to make me forget the akward situation and the fact that it took entirely too long to be seated, order food and receive food. I won't be back.
(2)
B G.
This place is so delicious. We weren't quite sure what to order because everything looked so good but the waiter had great recommendations and mmmmmm, the butter chicken is incredible! Staff was nice and accommodating. Our new spot for Indian food in DTC, want to try the lunch buffet.
(5)
Sonja A.
A hidden treasure! Tucked away off Belleview, this place deserves a shout out. Using a Groupon, the merchant was very open and gracious to offer the entire menu. Tikka Masala was our entree of choice and while dinners do not include Naan (extra 2.50), our server still provided to us an order of Naan *and* Roti at no charge. Not sure if that is typical at this location but it was appreciated. Service was lovely and staff friendly. Food arrived hot and in a timely manner. Will definately be going back!
(4)
Chris A.
This is hands down the worst Indian restaurant in Denver. I went last night with my newly purchased Groupon deal. I have tried most Indian restaurants in the area and thought we might give this one a try. We walked in at 6:30 and saw a clean restaurant. There were exactly 3 people eating. At first, I didn't give too much of a thought. The entrees seemed overpriced at $16-$20 but we ordered Butter Chicken and Chicken Jalfrezi and one naan priced at $4 and 2 orders of chai. Communication with the young male waiter was very awkward as he was unsure about a lot of things and constantly gave us a deer in the headlight looks. The dishes came in a small portion. If you have ever microwaved leftover basmati rice, you'd understand how sometimes it gets crispy around the edges of the plate. Well, guess what, we were served rice that was re-heated. Butter chicken came with super cut up thigh pieces and was very mild (we ordered medium) and it tasted more tomatoey than buttery. Chicken Jalfrezi tasted like it was missing a couple of ingrediants and was just blah. We were really disappointed but we don't like to send food back because we worry if they will "mess" with our replacement dish, if you know what I mean. I wish I read other reviews on Yelp. Even with the groupon offer, this was not a deal. This place deserves a 0 star. Look elsewhere.
(1)
Florence B.
I went for the lunch buffet and one of the sauce (green) was bad and I got sick at work the same afternoon... I won't come back.
(1)
James K.
This place used to be well worth the $8 price. It was a hidden gem. The all you can eat buffet selection wasn't huge by any stretch but the food they did have was pretty good. I haven't been there for a year or so but decided today I was in the mood for Indian and went here. I arrived at just after 1 the place was empty and most of the food was gone. I asked for more and they kept saying "is coming" but "Is Never Came!!!" I ordered a Diet Coke to drink and they brought a can to which when I asked for another they said they are $2.00 WTF??? A couple came in at the end of my meal and I overheard the guy say "this is one of my favorite restaurants." He started asking for things because they were out... he received the same answer "is coming"... but then it came right out. So either they weren't going to waste time/food on 1 person or this guy came in all the time and knew someone.... So I will never be back.
(1)
Alexis G.
India Tavern has nice decor, but the service is slow and the food is overpriced. We had to wait about 10 minutes for our server to take our order. I can understand that in a crowded restaurant, but this place was dead. I just felt like we were being overlooked. My lunch entree was $18 for the garlic shrimp which included shrimp and rice. Naan was an extra charge, so we didn't get any. The shrimp was too spicy for my liking, so I didn't really enjoy my expensive lunch.
(3)
Phil M.
I had a business meeting across the street and craved good Indian food for lunch. I was surprised to only see one other patron when I visited. Very reasonably priced lunch buffet! The fresh naan was absolutely DELICIOUS! As with many, my favorite dish is chicken tikka masala. It's sad to say but I found theirs fairly bland. In my opinion it needed to have more heat (not temperature) and additional spices other than just the curry. Perhaps bay leaves and something else. I haven't done enough Indian cooking to recommend anything. My comparison is to Indian restaurants in New York. My brother-in-law is Indian and lives in the NY area. When I'm in the area I will try this location again
(3)
Travis O.
When I say service is slow it's an understatement. We were here for a hour waiting at every step. We were the only ones in the place! The food Is marginal, there are better Indian places around. The value is there if you have the groupon dinner. Other than that you will be paying too much for bad service and mediocre food.
(3)
Mary O.
This place is great I used grub hub and they are always on time and very nice. I got a side of the phaal and I have to say the spice is intense I am glad I got a side of it cuz it's so spicy. I loved it! I get the tikki masala and it's very tasty and good!! The naan is really good. I always buy 2. I'm addicted to their lassi. Overall this place is great and I don't know why people give such bad reviews. It may be a bit pricey but the flavors are there and you can tell it's a well ran single owned business. Not chained!!!
(5)
Charlene K.
What incredible Indian food! I had the Tandori Mixed Grill, and read this -- the chicken WASN'T dry!! It was fabulous. I don't think I've ever NOT had a dry chicken at an Indian place. You get 5 stars just for that. We had the Onion Bhaji for the appetizer. It's onion seasoned with turmeric and deep fried. De-lish! Something different, I really enjoyed the flavor. We also had the Shrimp Pakora. Oh my! It's worth it to come back just to order these shrimp. Amazing flavor, light, crispy, slightly sweet and fun to eat. Best dish of the night. The staff is friendly and attentive, my dinner companion and I stayed for a couple hours and they must have filled my water glass at least ten times. I had a glass of red wine also that was excellent. My friend had the garlic shrimp. I tried some, it was more like cilantro shrimp instead of garlic shrimp, but still tasty. We were there on a Friday night and the place was slow. What's wrong with you, Denver? Maybe they need a happy hour, they have a huge bar and a fantastic mixed drink menu, but I'm telling you, this is great food you should really try it out!
(5)
Josh F.
I have been eating indian food for all my life and India Tavern is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The restaurant and decor is nice and simple. The place is clean and they always have clean tablecloths and silver wear as well. The staff are nice and are happy to offer their advice if you have never been there before. I come to this place all the time because I live too far away to do delivery. They are located in the DTC near 225 and 25, and thankfully right next to my office. The lunch buffet is great if you want to get out of the office and even though I like my indian food spicy, I can always add the hot sauce they keep ready, next to the salad dressings, to kick the heat up a few pegs. The tandoori chicken is delicious, the garlic naan is fantastic, and I love the coconut curry shrimp. they always give you a lot of rice and give you more if you run out and they have delicious mango lassi. I recently discovered their samosa chatt and I am very disappointed I didn't try it sooner. Anyway, if you love indian and like to order off the menu or do buffet this place has great food, good service and fair prices. I have introduced a few coworkers to this restaurant and no one has gone back to work displeased. I even have a British coworker who loves his "curry" and he thinks it's the best he has had in his 7 years in the states. Give it a try and write a review. Also, I don't know what Suzanne and Mo were talking about. I have never walked in and not been greeted. The food is great and I think Suzanne only wanted to write a "cute & funny" review on here since she seems to only write reviews that focus on her delightful sense of humor and not the services and goods of the establishments she visits.
(5)
Nathan C.
This place is relaxed, has fresh food and the staff are very nice! I have come here a couple different time by myself and with my girlfriend and we both have lived the verity of the menu and how fresh the food is. You must try this place to see what I'm talking about.
(5)
Timothy H.
They refused to accept a Living Social Coupon even though we listened to the already strict standards. They said they would not accept the Living Social coupon during the weekend at all. They said it was Living Socials fault. They were extremely rude and did not admit fault for a mistake that was probably there own. I will never step foot in that restaurant again.
(1)
John N.
Had a delightful dinner here the other night. The staff was friendly and accommodating. They were willing to chit-chat and converse with us, not rushed to run back to the kitchen, etc. All the dishes ordered were not too spicy - our 5yr old was able to sample everything. Appetizers: Samosa - crispy and flaky crust filled with savory ground lamb and spices. Being a tad oily kept this from getting full 5 stars. Cheese dish - a firm, dry cheese appetizer with sauteed onions. While quite good, this was the wallflower of the meal. This is the other dish that held back the 5th star. Battered Shrimp - a very light batter makes this a nice opener. Entrees: Butter Chicken - wife's favorite. Lots of flavor, really creamy-'buttery' curry like sauce. Terrific spices make for a delicious savory dish. Coconut Lamb Curry - my favorite. The lamb was tender and not too gamey. The coconut curry was delightfully rich in flavor. It was very savory and the slight coconut sweetness really set it off. Dessert: Balls of dough/bread soaked in honey sauce. What a great way to finish dinner. The honey sauce is not overpowering, nor is it overly sweet. I've had some great Indian food in Chgo and this one is right up there.
(4)
Jason R.
When it comes to Indian Food in Denver the selection is rather narrow. The few restaurants (6) that we do have are scattered at best... On that note, I frequent the lunch buffet at India Tavern, located in the heart of DTC. With plenty of food to choose from and relatively fresh fare, one can't go wrong. (The $8 price take is what warrants the 4th star.) Speaking now to the dinner I had last night. It should be noted that this was the first time that I have had dinner at this establishment and I am pleased to say that both the service (Excellent Waiter!) and the fare was a step above what is offered at lunch. The two dishes we ordered were the Tandori Mixed Grill (which had an assortment of lamb, prawn, fish and chicken) and the lamb Phaal. While the Tandori was cooked to perfection, it was the Phaal that knocked my socks off! *It should be noted that the warning on the menu is there for a reason. This dish is not for the faint at heart.* Made with a mix of Thai Chilis, Jalapenos and an absurdly well balanced combination of curry and flavor, this dish is sure to make even the hottest pepper chaser sweat! In an effort to keep this post as short and sweet as possible I must say that if you have a hankering for Indian Food, live south of University and I25 and are up for a thrill, give both India Tavern the Phaal a shot. @Paul D. (excellent review)
(4)
Cielo G.
Tops at the Tavern with a concise, quality lunch buffet ($9) served on higher-end decorative plates and white tablecloths. Saag, dal, and curries were well flavored, although the second visit didn't prove as tasty. They were bland; thus, I downgraded the rating to three stars. Asked for roti (whole wheat) without butter and they gladly obliged. Haven't been there for supper. Enjoyable atmosphere and food.
(3)
Davin A.
Our favorite Indian restaurant closed down and we started to search for a new one. We tried a half dozen places and were not impressed. We came to India Tavern and we were blown away. The food is incredible! We have not gone anywhere else since we discovered this hidden jewel, and this is now our new favorite Indian restaurant. Enjoy a high quality lunch buffet or a private dinner setting. The wait staff is friendly and attentive.
(5)
Carolyn S.
My husband and I just enjoyed our second dinner here. We ordered different items than last time, and we truly can't decide which dishes we love the most! We arrived just 45 minutes before closing, so it was very slow, but we received prompt, courteous service. The naan was hot and fresh, and our grilled paneer appetizer was unique and delicious. We will be returning, for sure. It is clear that this is a small, family owned business. We love to support local places. Yummmm!
(4)
Dkoda J.
The worst indian food I've ever had.
(1)
Nicole S.
We visited during what we thought would be the dinner rush, but we arrived to a freakishly DEAD restaurant. We were the only ones in the restaurant apart from one other lady. It was so quiet, every movement we made seemed to echo. This stillness, along with the awkward combination of sophisticated place settings with authentic Indian cuisine, made for an uncomfortable dining experience. The waiter's unenthusiastic and borderline depressing attitude certainly didn't help either. The food itself was good, but the portions were surprisingly small considering the exorbitant prices. Not worth it.
(2)
Brady K.
Happened on this place because of a Denver Daily Deal. Since it was in DTC, I figured that its not that far and I'm always wanting to explore Indian food. First, India Tavern is hard to get into, you can only take a right into it, and then you got to circle around to get to the parking lot. If you make a left at Wendy's and go into their parking lot, you will be greatly disappointed to find that the parking lots are blocked off by grassy mediums. Then you have to go back out of Wendy's and then go further down and take a right. The place itself was nicely decorated and service was very polite. When we looked at the menu, I we were not sure what to order. A lot of the menu seemed foreign, so I went with the basic butter chicken and my wife went with the garlic shrimp. The chicken turned out to be what I know as classic curry and it was pretty good. I really liked what they had and they also had a buffet which looked pretty good. The main problem is that it cost 16 dollars for lunch! Most of the entree's were around that price point. Too steep for lunch and if its dinner, it better come with nan, basmati, and some belly dancers.
(3)
Gavin C.
Delicious food! I am in love with their lamb masala, but initially my girlfriend and I were going there for the lamp chop. Unfortunately they were sold out. Turns out that we ordered the lamb Samoa. It tastes just ok, not too surprising, and the ground lamb meat is too dry. Yet their masala is really good! 100% recommend! Butter chicken is too blend, not much taste to it. Don't order the lassi, they are too warm for a cold drink... If you ask me if I will go back? Yes!! Just can't forget about the masala + naan
(3)
Shea S.
Armed with a Groupon Now! promotion, I decided to give India Tavern's biryani a try. The lamb was very tender, and the portions were substantial. The dish certainly played the part of biryani, but could have used a bit more flavor for the price compared to other biryanis I've had. Still a tasty and filling meal though. A-OK is exactly what my experience was at India Tavern. An interesting note is that they have a dish with a lengthy warning about how hot it is. So if you have the craving for heat, perhaps you should try it out.
(3)
Brad F.
This is a legitimately good Indian place in DTC!! I have been to India Tavern close to fifty times and haven't been disappointed yet. The Chicken Tikka Masala is my favorite and is usually my go to, however their Coconut Shrimp Curry is also very good. The samosas, both vegetable and lamb, are great and the Samosa Chaat (vegetable samosa covered in chickpeas, mint and tamarind chutney) is amazing!! The Tandoori Mixed Grill is good and includes lamb, chicken, fish, and seekh kebabs. They make a delicious Mango Lassi. For dessert (when I'm not too full) I like to get some Khir (rice pudding) topped with sliced toasted almonds a few Gulab Jamoons on the side that I like to mix in. The service is good and the staff is very friendly. Because they are located in the Tech Center and within walking distance of several nearby hotels and offices they can get very busy. Particularly when there are conventions going on nearby and the word-of-mouth starts to spread, you may be forced to wait, but its definitely worth it. The lunch buffet is fantastic and open every day of the week and considering the price $8.95, how can you complain? The naan is always fresh which is nice at a buffet. I have been many times with people from work and everyone has enjoyed it, even those less familiar with Indian cuisine. The buffet is not spicy at all BUT if you like yours hot, like I do, they keep some red sauce in the cold section that will heat things up a little. I usually add 2 spoonfuls to every plate but beware because I like it hotter than most. (WARNING: If you're a wuss, like my coworkers, you probably should start with a little on the side just to gauge the hotness.) This place is a great alternative to some of the other dining options DTC has to offer.
(5)
Paul D.
Let me preface this that I'm writing this review based on one experience, and with one menu item--The Phaal. I read it was spicy, and it didn't disappoint. HOT and fantastic flavor. Chile-head Bliss. One of the hottest dishes I have found in Denver--And they don't cheat by putting capsaicin extract in--It's all real, legit chiles. If you like spice, don't miss it! Also must give the owner props--He was there when I was and chatted with me for quite a while about his history in the restaurant business, Indian Beer (oh, and he bought me one for eating the Phaal) and all the chiles he puts in his Phaal. Only thing that prevents me from giving it 5 stars is that it's a bit spendy. I would eat there all the time if it was a little less expensive
(4)
Melissa M.
I'm going to throw this place a bone. I usually get take-out. Usually the butter chicken or lamb massala but since I'm a vegetarian, I replace it with veggie pakora and paneer...anything. They are really nice there, and only once I've had to go back with the wrong order so just a word to the wise to please check your order before leaving just to make sure. The garlic naan is pretty good. It's not the most spectacular, but it is good and close in the DTC area.
Great variety of awesome foods and above all it's a excellent buffet of Indian food. We will be back again and again. Next time I'm dragging Jim Shearer here to try this restaurant. They are awesome! Where have this restaurant been hiding?
(5)
Jesusio C.
Meh. if i'm paying a premium for lamb shish kabobs, i'd expect it to be not ground up meatballs. Also, paid for cheese naan, got regular, but charged the price for the stuffed naan! awesome. or not really. food is good, delivery was reasonably quick so 3 stars.
(3)
Jack p.
I am use to Indian buffet's because I want a little of everything. This was way nicer than I expected. Prices were way higher than what I was expected. Friendly service and great food. I live very close to this place- I need to make it here for the lunch buffet because I believe that is the best way to experience Indian food. Unless they get a item on the menu that is a combo platter for 10 bucks with naan.
(3)
Jeff S.
I finally tried this place after I got a $15 off coupon that was circulated through my neighborhood. I came in on a Saturday night by myself, there were only a couple of other tables, I sat at the bar and got service immediately. I ordered garlic naan and lamb vindaloo. The naan was very fresh and tasty, I liked the flavor of the vindaloo, the lamb was tender, but I'm used to that dish being really hot, and this wasn't. It wasn't bland, but could have been much spicier. They have a decent selection of wine and liquor, the restaurant is spacious, especially the bar, and it's dimly lit and cozy. They seem to have a good lunch buffet, I will most likely come back for that rather than dinner, mainly due to the price.
(3)
Elisabeth C.
My boyfriend, daughter, and I went here on a Thursday night- when we pulled up the parking lot (and the restaurant) were completely empty and my boyfriend wondered out loud if we should still go in. I'd scanned the menu online quickly, and felt confident the food would be pretty good judging by the items they were offering- so we went in. The server who greeted us was very warm and friendly. We ordered papadums and pickle as well as the samosa chaat to start. The papadums (two) and pickles were very good- it was a sour/spicy lime pickle, tamarind, and a cilantro. The chaat was excellent- our daughter loved all the chickpeas in it. For the main courses we ordered a saag dish (spinach), and lamb rogan josh. The meat in the rogan josh was very tender, and the sauce was adequately spicy (we ordered medium, spicy would have been very hot indeed), the saag was creamy, rich, and delicious. Before leaving, we had to order a portion of gulab jamun (2). If you've never had these before, they are essentially Indian doughnut 'holes' in a sweet cardamom-infused syrup. These were perfectly cooked and super delicious. The water brought out two complimentary steaming cups of chai- which were delicious, and a really nice touch and end to the evening. The service was attentive but not overbearing, and yes, the price isn't incredibly cheap, but I found the portion sizes more than adequate (we had half of our food to bring home!). Indian food tends to be very rich, you don't need heaping American-sized portions to feel full! I do hope this place stays in business despite the somewhat awkward location. I'm from the UK (near Bradford of all places!) so I appreciate good Indian food, and we will most definitely be back. Give this place a try!
(4)
Dan S.
The slightly bad location (getting to the parking is a bit awkward, the business next door is closed?) and slightly upscale interior (white table cloths, etc) make me wonder if this place will survive. For better or worse, there aren't too many fancy Indian places in the area - they tend to be casual and less expensive than India's. And then, of course, there is the food. More below. The buffet is reasonable ($8) and extensive enough. They make their own chai (too sweet to be the real thing, which may be some foreshadowing) and the food appeared fresh and enticing. As I often do at a buffet, I got a little bit of just about everything to try - Aloo Ghobi, Tandoori Chicken, Saag Paneer, Pakoras, Curry Chicken, Dal, Tamarind chutney, Beef Meat balls (which seems out of place, maybe some foreshadowing again). They brought some fresh naan to the table - simple and tasty and hot, I really liked it. After I tried everything, I went back for more (reliably gluttonous American that I am). Here's the rub - nothing stood out. None of the dishes had a big, "get me some more of that" flavor. I had a little bit more of everything. The desserts were similar - the Gulab Jamun a little too dense, the Kheer (just labeled as rice pudding) a mite too hard, the Rasmalai too sweet (did I mention gluttonous?). I have a sneaking suspicion that the chef knows what s/he is doing, but has toned down the food for an 'American' customer. Everything was too bland, too sweet, and not all that, well, Indian. All in all, left me wanting some good Indian food. Not sure how long it has been here - maybe they will improve, but I can only muster a couple stars at this point. I would prefer every other Indian place in the general vicinity (that I've been to) if you wanted to go Indian tonight.
(2)
Brett C.
As other reviewers stated, VERY OVERPRICED. Even with a Groupon for the Indian Tavern it was still way too much $$. $16 got my wife a small bowl of chicken curry and a side of rice. The chicken was scarce and chewy soft bone was a regular find in the curry. $18 got me a small bowl of shrimp curry that had very little shrimp as well as flavor. Both curries had a very similar base with only a slightly different flavor. I've had far better curry out of a jar from Trader Joe's. I would say a fair price based on quality and size would be in the $6-$8 range, instead this place is priced as if it were a highly sought after steak house. Went on a Friday night and it was fairly empty, no surprise there, definitely not a place I would recommend to any friend... but I might send my enemies. Mango lasso was good.
(2)
J C.
Save your money and even if you get a Groupon, it's not worth your time and money. The portion was ridiculously small for the price. I've been to other restaurants w/ high prices and small portions but their quality and presentation were worth it however this place did not live up to that. The wait staff was very slow; we had to get the waiter ourselves to place our order and that was when we were sitting there for at least 15 mins. I will never go back to this restaurant again.
(1)
Chris J.
I'm in total agreeance with Courtney G. What's going on with all the hatred Colorado? India Tavern cooks your food to exact specifications with culinary precision. Service is fast and I believe this is thanks to all of negative reviews which have driven down customer traffic significantly. Each time I've been here the service has been solid, their curries have been excellent, and the prices are fair considering their location. This place is worth a shot and it won't rob your pockets.
(4)
Sarah H.
I never thought I'd say this about an Indian restaurant, but my food was bland. I ordered the coconut shrimp curry (it came out in what I can only assume was mild, I was not asked what spice level I wanted) and my partner ordered chicken vindaloo medium. His vindaloo had a nice kick but, as he put it, "tasted like spicy marinara sauce". The portions are quite small for the price and it seemed to take a long time to get our food. Nobody checked in on us and we had to flag our waiter to get drink refills. I ordered dessert and they brought out the wrong thing. They corrected this and even let us keep the first dessert, but I'm about 80% sure the replacement dessert was spit into - I can't be sure since I've never had that particular item before, but the consistency and sour smell were pretty worrisome. Needless to say, we won't be going back.
(1)
Dan D.
Good food, friendly service, and clean. If I lived in the area, I'd go back. :)
(4)
Terry T.
Ordered the coconut curry shrimp and some nan. I was shocked to find fresh and warm nan delivered to my hotel room. The curry was spiced very well and so very good. I cannot speak on the service (delivery went very well) or the interior so take my review with that in mind. I recommend the food...can't speak on the rest.
(4)
Angelique V.
The saag paneer was inedible. They really need to work on that recipe. But their korma is delicious. Ordered take out, so can't speak to the service, but the restaurant is nice looking, new and clean. A little pricey for Indian food.
(3)
Larissa V.
Went for the lunch buffet and liked most of the food. The tandoor chicken was pretty dry and the saag was way too spicy. The buffet was not labeled very well, so I'm not sure what everything was supposed to be. It's not horrible, but I'm not sure I would go back.
(2)
Karen S.
I was surfing on the internet looking for some good indian food and India Tavern popped up. My parents were a little bit hesitant but enjoyed it most of all. The service was great, the food was great, the decor was great. I would definitely come back and recommend it to many. I do recommend the dish saag and tikki masala and for a drink the mango lassi.
(5)
Manu M.
This restaurent has a kind of quitessential diner feel. It has an upscale look among the Indian restaurents i have been to in Denver.The windows are big and gives a lot of light and makes the place a good one in sunny days. Unfortunately there is no park on the other side, but the drive-thru of Wendy's. Parking is a little mystery, because you need to come in through the gate for Wendys or Garcia's to get in here. This restaurent is a stone's throw away from my work so we frequent this place a lot. Good Stuff: Tandoori Chicken, Palak (Spinach) ,Friendly staff Bad stuff: Sometimes the curries fail to achieve the usual taste. veg dishes are below par apart from the fantastic palak.
(3)
Bill B.
Not a bad lunch buffet, but not remarkable, either. The atmosphere inside is nice. Tall windows let in a lot of light and give a good view of the Wendy's across the parking lot. They use white tablecloths and napkins. Service was acceptable, though the single waiter on duty needed to hustle to keep up with payments and orders, even with the floor only a quarter full for early lunch. I found the tandoori chicken to be moist and flavorful. I would consider going back for dinner to order of the full menu.
(3)
Jess W.
This might possibly have been one of the worst meals I have ever paid for... I made the mistake of buying a groupon to India Tavern without checking yelp reviews first (silly me), and paid the price for it. The two of us ordered of the vegetarian menu (the eggplant dish and the cauliflower/potato dish...I always forget what they're called), and were served two small plates and a tiny plate of rice to share. It looked decent...until I took a bite. I am pretty sure they used liquid smoke to season the eggplant. No joke. And I think they may have used tabasco and three pounds of salt to season the cauliflower. We forced down as much as we could, and asked for the check, which after the $20 groupon, was still an extra $24. For one order on roti and two vegetarian entrees..... The service was just fine, but the atmosphere was not great. The entire restaurant is made really disproportional by the huge cruise-ship like bar right in the middle of the room. It also smelled like sewage in the hallway behind the kitchen, apparently because they are doing some remodeling...and accidentally hit a sewage line...? Or something? Because that's pretty much what it smells like. So...unless you love liquid smoke and the smell of sewage....avoid.
(1)
Leslie W.
The lunch buffet is definitely above average. The variety is pretty good, at least 8 different hot dishes to choose from, includes all the typical stuff (tandoori chicken, saag paneer, daal, some type of fried rice). I think it also tastes great, not too oily and all very fresh. I love that the lunch buffet, $8, comes with fresh naan too. My only complaint is that I don't like the layout of the buffet and the space. It's a big angular with some tables placed in some weird corners. Also, they didn't quite have it down with when to bring out food and how many people were coming. A few times they were out of food and we had to wait for them to bring more out. Since this place is pretty new, I think they're still trying to get down a rhythm. Overall, I enjoyed it and would definitely come back. The waiters were nice and the food is good.
(3)
Marie S.
Service: The service gets 1/2 a star. The server seated us at a table right next to the bar and then gave us our menus and just stood there waiting for us to order. I told him that we needed time to look at the menu first. That was the first awkward moment. Then he came back and my boyfriend knew what he wanted but I wasn't sure and I asked him what he would recommend. He said two different entrees. They simply didn't sound good. I went with the really a really spicy dish. In it's description it has a disclaimer about how spicy it is. When I asked for that he said you don't want that, and you wont like it. I can make those decisions for myself. Then when I said I still wanted it, he asked me again if I was sure. Yes!! It just made for a very awkward and annoying experience. While we were waiting for our food there were three employees behind the bar, one talking on his phone, the other two talking to each other. It's one thing when the person at the next table has casual conversation but when the employees are just standing around doing that it was frustrating. Food: Good food. But not worth the price. One and a half stars. We walked in with a Groupon and ended up paying 15 dollars after the Groupon. I was honestly shocked because we had ordered two entrees and one drink. And apparently that was a 50 dollar value tin total. I wont be coming back.
(2)
Peti T.
Awesome food! Traveling from out of town and found this place down the street from my hotel. I am no expert in Indian cuisine (which is why I gave it only 4 stars) but my food was prepared perfectly, tasted great, portions were huge and service was good. Could maybe be a tad more spicy. I didn't think it was expensive, considering the ingredients were really good. Can't wait to try other things next time I'm in town.
(4)
Kelly W.
Uhh slowest service ever. Been here 40 minutes and haven't even gotten a refill of water. The menu says they serve coffee but when asked for coffee the waiter laughed in my face and said "NO."
(1)
Maria S.
Nope. Not a fan. We went for dinner last night and I was not impressed. My main complaint is that it is really over priced for what it is. 2 entrees, nan and just water to drink. It was $45 with tip. The servings were really small and just ok tasting. The space is nice, but the experience was lacking. It would probably be better if you were only paying $8 for a buffet. My husband liked his dish, but I found it to be too spicy for me, while my dish was bland. I feel a little ripped off.
(2)
Garner M.
A nice dinner, though a little expensive for the portion size. I had the Chicken Korma ($16) and a side of plain naan ($2.45). The Korma sauce was excellent, and just the right amount of spiciness for the "medium" I asked for. (It had a kick, which I like; if you don't, ask for mild.) A side of basmati rice was included, and it was dry and fluffy, as basmati is supposed to be. The portion seemed a little small for the price, particularly since it used cheaper dark meat. I'd have preferred white meat, but there was no option. The naan had a very nice texture and crunch, although the flavor was a little on the bland side compared to others I've tried. Service was quick and competent, if not particularly warm and friendly. Water was brought shortly after I sat down, and I ordered a few minutes later. I wasn't offered a beverage initially, but after ordering, I asked him about their beer selection. I opted for a Kingfisher ($5.50), which was bottled but poured in a glass. (There was a set of taps behind the bar, but there didn't appear to be anything in them.) Overall, a nice dinner; I'll definitely come back, maybe to try the lunch buffet.
(4)
Mingmar S.
Beware of extremely DRY chicken in the Tikka Masala. Grab a sample before you order, maybe this was just a bad batch? The nan (bread) and Tandori chicken on the other hand was excellent. Good looking place and a good deal, $6.75 for a lunch box...although I threw half of it out since it was impossible to swallow.
(2)
Layla R.
I'm not sure why the reviews are so bad on Yelp, but we had the best Indian food we have ever had here at India Tavern. Everything was fresh and extremely delicious. None of our meals were overly greasy- trust me-I CAN'T stand greasy food! The resturaunt itself was very clean, including the plates. Our server was VERY attentive. I know it may seem a little discerning if you walk in for dinner and don't see many cars at the location. This is because this place is in a business area and not the best location. It is hidden and the enterance to the place is off the street and through other business parking lots. The resturaunt actually does not face the steet, so it is easy for it to be overlooked. It is also in a little corner of the DTC, which again does not seem to be well traveled. It is usually through word of mouth that brings people into the resturaunt by those who have been able to find it. . I have never been there for the lunch buffet. But, like most buffet places, especially indian buffets- you can't expect everything to be spactacular. You have to remember, they aren't making much money by buffets, so again- I wouldn't expect to have vindaloo or anything other than easy- low costs meals. And again, when food is left out in a buffet style, do you really expect the heat lamps to keep it to perfect temperature and quality? Yeah- this is why most buffett places usually have okay food. So- if you are looking for a GREAT place to have indian food for dinner, I would DEFINATELY give this place a try. You might be surprised and you might be helping to keep a great place in business during these hard times.
(4)
Julie L.
The appetizer of something with potato, garbanzo, sauce and Yogurty goodness was the most amazing thing I've eaten. It would have been great and filling as meal- for 8 bucks it's well worth trying. My tikka masala with fish was completely enjoyable. I would try something else if I were to come again. The appetizer got my hopes up. It was a 5 whereas the tiki masala would have been a 3.
(4)
Vanessa H.
My husband and I came here because we bought a groupon a few months back. We ordered the butter chicken, saag paneer, naan, and some lamb dish that I can't remember. The butter chicken was delicious! The saag paneer was really good, but the lamb I probably wouldn't order again, it was too tough for my liking. But the sauces on everything were great, very flavorful and tasty. When the server brought our order, we initially thought that the portion sizes were on the small side. But looks can be deceiving and we ended up taking some home--because everything was very filling. And this was after both of us being super hungry because we were eating a late dinner. The service was excellent, very attentive without being overbearing. We agreed that this is the best Indian food that we've had in Denver, and we've both had the opportunity to visit India in the past. We will definitely be back to India Tavern in the future.
(4)
Michelle A.
Just got back from lunch with my husband. We decided on the buffet. The dishes next to the food were very dirty. The waitress did wash 2 for us. But after that I wasn't so excited to eat. We had a Chai tea which was luke warm. We ordered the Naan bread again just so so. The meal certainly was not anything exciting. This place is in the Tech center close to Shanahans. I can't imagine it will last.
(1)
Aaron D.
Great restaurant with some of the best Indian cuisine in Denver. My wife and I were fans of India House downtown, and were saddened to hear of its closing. Luckily, the owner of India House also owns this fine establishment, and we were relieved to find that the food at India Tavern is just as good as India House was. I spent some time in the UK, and this restaurant is on par with the many Indian restaurants I enjoyed while staying there. We started with the mixed vegetable hors d'oeurves, and were delighted with a plate of crispy fried vegetables served with raita (yogurt sauce). The vindaloo I had was fiery and flavorful. Luckily there was plenty of naan bread to cut the heat! My wife loved her favorite vegetable korma, and also enjoyed the pillowy naan to sop up the gravy. We were too stuffed to order dessert, but did enjoy some of the best chai we've found in Denver. Definitely recommended.
(5)
Peter C.
One of the worst restaurant experiences of my life. I went for the $9 dollar lunch buffet. They were all cleaned out of food except for some naan, rice, and chicken. So I nibbled a bit and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally about 25 minutes into sitting there waiting for food they brought some more naan. And two heapings of rice. But there were no main courses to be had. Eventually they brought out some beef meatballs and mixed veggies that had clearly been frozen and pre-cooked. Every time the waiter was asked if there would be more food coming, he replied "in two minutes." I felt sorry for a group of four who had just sat down and also had nothing to eat by the time I left. The ownership here clearly doesn't care in the least, and I believe that they kept the buffet empty on purpose to save themselves money. Hopefully this strategy will also save themselves from having to serve customers at all.
(1)
Coral E.
I've now been to India Tavern twice, once for dinner and once for their lunch buffet, and both times I've left feeling somewhat let down. The first time I came here, I came for dinner not long after they had opened. The restaurant was empty, I assume because they were still new, and even so, my service was a little slow. I ordered the chicken vindaloo, my favorite, and some garlic naan. The food was ok, though I felt the portions were small particularly for the cost, and I left a little disappointed. For lunch, I normally check out India's lunch buffet on Hampden, which I've found to be a great deal and pretty reliable lunch buffet. I decided to try India Tavern this week for a change of pace and because it's more conveniently located near my office. This buffet was a great value for the money ($9!) and included the all-you-can-eat buffet plus a basket of fresh naan brought to your table. I loved the naan especially because many other Indian places here have you get it at the buffet and it's either dry or they are out of it. The naan was warm, chewy and fresh-- no complaints there! As for the buffet itself, they had pretty standard offerings-- several curries, saag, basmati rice, and some fried vegetables that I believe were to be like Pakora? The rice was perfectly cooked and moist, and I really enjoyed the saag. Their curry vegetables were basically just frozen peas/carrots/green beans in a curry sauce-- not good. They had butter chicken, which I tend to like less than a chicken tika masala or other dishes, but it was fine. Their curries had a weirdly absent chicken to sauce ratio, and the raita was just ok. Overall, the lunch buffet seems like it could be hit-or-miss, but that it's a good value if you want to have some rice, naan, saag, and hope the other offerings are good for the day.
(3)
Terry P.
Very poor service. Food was just okay. But then they added $10 to my credit card tip and I am having to fight them over it. Bad bad bad!!!
(1)
John S.
So to start off with i grew up on the east coast eating at a lot of locally owned 1st generation Indian immigrant restaurants and this can hold its weight against them. The lamb saag and the lamb curry is superb. In addition the naan is fantastic as well. I have been to this restaurant several times and it is consistent in its excellent food. Something that is extremely enjoyable is the ambiance of the restaurant, it makes for a great romantic dinner with the wife. The service is definitely not fast but in my opinion that adds to the experience because it slows you down and can focus on enjoy the experience. Lastly the owner is very friendly and personable and without fail has been there every time i have come to this restaurant so kudos's for his work effort.
(5)
Tim O.
Had a groupon for these guys and ended up having a great meal there. It's a little hard to find and there was almost nobody in the place (the other 4 people had the groupon too) but the food was great. I hope they make it! Great wait staff, and again great food.
(4)
Kumi H.
I went here to have dinner with two friends last week, one of those friends had her birthday that day we went. India Tavern actually closes for a few hours between their lunch buffet and their dinner hours, which I personally didn't realize until shortly before I arrived there to meet with my non-birthday friend (we both were 20-30 minutes early for our reservation at 6:15 and waited until the doors were opened at 6; her reason was that she works at a school along Speer, had to stay after school hours for a meeting, and left to go straight to the restaurant instead of picking up her dog from her house in between because she thought she'd run into more traffic than she actually did; mine was also due to traffic reasons and from having to pick up said friend's dog). This is the first Indian restaurant in Denver that I've been in, so I can't compare India Tavern to other Denver Indian places. I had the buttered chicken, and we all shared some naan and an appetizer that I can't think of the name for right now. The food was great and reminded me of the first time I ever tried Indian food while visiting Vancouver, BC, where teacher-friend and I went to a local Indian place to eat a few times. The food was about $15-$16 for main entrees, which I know sounds pretty expensive for the portion size, but there aren't a lot of Indian places in Denver that I know (as opposed to what I saw when I was in Vancouver, where near the hotel, there were two local Indian restaurants one block apart, so there was competition in food quality and pricing). Same thing here as I experienced in Vancouver was that you can ask for the spice level to be lowered/raised as per your taste and tolerance level (my spice tolerance is mild). Service was pretty good. The host asked if we were waiting very long outside and apologized for the wait. No clue about the lunch buffet.
(4)
Sean O.
I went here with my family after having bought a LivingSocial deal. We came for their lunch buffet. It was ok, but less than my expectations. The buffet selection was small, and didn't include any Naan or dipping bread. We also got a lamb samosa appetizer, it was expensive, small, and very dry. Not worth the money. I wouldn't say this place is bad, but just not very appealing. It's probably perfect for a quick lunch for all those office workers in the Denver Tech area. It's not worth driving down from where I live though.
(3)
Brian W.
Good, just not full price good. I enjoyed my meal, really liked the flavors, they just did not stand out and say wow. Swordfish was a very nice touch and different. Very dead place on Friday night as I said in my check in, made me Leary of using my groupon, but glad I had a discount. I will not go back but not good enough for 3 stars, I do love all the flavors Indian food has, and the Bir rice was tasty with the fish. Oh, the portions were way smaller than any of their competetion.
(2)
Travis T.
Best vindaloo / naan in Denver!! People make the error of judging an Indian restaurant based on their lunch buffet which is a MISTAKE because I can't think of any buffet that has ever exceeded my expectations (Indian or other cuisines). Buffet food is pre made and toned down for the masses, which is especially apparent in Indian food, a cuisine known for it's vast array of spices. Anyway, the naan is light and fluffy with the perfect amount of char from the oven and the vindaloo is a perfect blend of spice and flavor. My gf's butter chicken was also a hit. HIGHLY recommended!
(5)
Cortney G.
What's up with all the haters? Okay, so I'll concede the lack of cars the first time we buzzed the parking lot had me a little concerned: just after noon, Tech Center location, virtually in the parking lot of several major corporate centers, one other car parked alone near the front door.... what was wrong with this picture??? And really, what's wrong with the picture has NOTHING to do with the food, service, pricing, or ambiance... those were all spot-on. I think, unfortunately, it's India Tavern's location: to access from 25-northbound requires a left turn across Belleview, a quick whip into the parking lot of a mirror-windowed skyscraper, working your way back around the periphery of that building's parking lot, sneaking behind the Wendy's, then finally snaking around a landscaped median in front of what looks to be a largely-unoccupied building (save India tavern itself) before you even hit the front door. So that one-star-short of a 5-star review? Yeah, folks: it's for having to play "Mousetrap" before getting your tastebuds onto India Tavern's lunch buffet! All that being said, India Tavern is about the best game in town in or around Tech Center. The restaurant itself is cozy and lit via floor-to-ceiling picture windows, the artwork is modernized regionally-appropriate fare, tables are covered in white linen, and walls dark: definitely going for the urban standard, and they've hired attractive younger staff at both the bar and on the restaurant floor. Service is swift and attentive, but if you're expecting typical Indian restaurant "hovercraft" waiters, you'll be sadly disappointed; these folks are slightly cool and stand-offish, but that being said, when my kids needed straws, or our water glasses dropped to a quarter full, our waiter was there. These staffers are clearly comfortable with giving patrons a little independence of their own, and frankly, I prefer it that way if I'm trying to have an actual meaningful conversation with a lunch guest, or juggle hellions (i.e. my children) solo. Having been a 21-+ year vegetarian, I consider myself a bit of an Indian food connoisseur, and on that front, India Tavern definitely doesn't disappoint. The saag paneer is delicate and creamy and heady and delightful; the tikka masalaa delightfully spiced (even if the sauce is slightly thin). I've found their curries to be consistently satisfying and yummy, and love the ready offerings of minted and tamarind chutnies... goodbye, India's Castle (which has TRULY been on the decline for the past 6-8 months, both food and service-wise): you used to be tops in my book, but there's a new favorite in town! We've really enjoyed India Tavern the handful of times we've been in, and look forward to patronizing them for many lunches & dinners to come!
(4)
Nam T.
Food is good, portion is a bit small.
(4)
Joan C.
My husband and I had dinner here a couple weeks ago. I thought it was overpriced for what it offered. I think my chicken dish made with thighs was about $15. It tasted good enough, but that's a pretty expensive price for something made out of inexpensive meat (and probably not even organic). I didn't mind that portions aren't very large - that's the way I think all restaurants should serve food - but again that points to the prices seeming a bit high. Like another reviewer, I had an unclean plate. It looked like it might have just been rinsed and wiped off, not actually washed with soap. It didn't have visible food residue on it but was just kind-of greasy looking. Given that there are a number of other good Indian restaurants nearby, I think we'll stick to the others for dinner, at least. I am willing to give this place a try for the lunch buffet sometime, but if I see any dirty dishes or the food isn't good, that'll be the last time. Too bad, because I was really excited about a new Indian restaurant coming to DTC.
(2)
Levi L.
Excellent customer service, clean, somewhat romantic atmosphere, and stumbled upon an incredible appetizer that blew my mind. The dinner, however, was a little too "clay oven roasted" and the chicken was very rubbery. I wanted so bad for the dinner to be good after the excellent service and appetizer but they just didn't pull it off. I probably won't go back- but don't let that stop you from giving them a try. I wasn't terrible.
(3)
Ssspecial S.
I saw this place advertised on the 25 ...thought I'd give it a try. Had the eggplant dish, super yummy, the samosa, also good but not as flavorful as others I'd had. I did love the pastry crust. The paratha was a disappointing, it was a tad stale on the edges and not as buttery as my friend can make it. Another downer was the price... $26 for the three items. I will give it another shot though, as the eggplant dish was yummy; hopefully, the other dishes will be as tasty.
(3)
Nicholas A.
Went in here for lunch on a Saturday. It was pretty much empty but they had the buffet available so we decided on that. Lots of vegetarian dishes available and plenty of fresh fruits/vegetables. Lunch came with a basket of plain naan that was also pretty good. Overall I'd say that this was a nice place for a quick lunch and I'll probably be back to see what they have on their dinner menu.
(4)
Brian S.
I don't eat a lot of Indian food but I love this restaurant. Its usually very quiet and kind of quaint. The staff tries very hard to make sure you have everything you need and your happy and the Lamb is AWESOME. I really enjoy eating here and interacting with the staff.
(4)
Sandra C.
Great lunch buffet...with all the good Indian food. Good price...too.
(4)
Matt S.
nope. When a restaurant is empty, there is no explanation for waiting two hours for food. I would rank the quality for price as mediocre. When I need my subcontinent fix in the future I will seek out a more reputable tandoori provider.
(1)
Morgen O.
My boyfriend and I had a LivingSocial coupon to go try this place out. We ordered Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Raita, and garlic naan. The serving sizes were quite small but everything tasted SOOO good! We were still a bit hungry after splitting the above so my boyfriend ordered Spicy Chicken Coconut Curry it came and was a super small serving but tasted amazing...however they failed to refill our waters for 30 minutes, our mouths were burning so we munched on our ice. The service overall was not good, seems to be understaffed and run by a family. The woman working there will be more concerned about her cell phone than your meal/table. We asked her for our bill and got it about 20 minutes later she cleared our table without ever refilling our empty water glasses....we ate ALL the ice. I would go back again, hopefully get some better service... or just order a pitcher of water for our table. Overall- GREAT FOOD, but mediocre SERVICE.
(4)
Soetjahjo S.
I am not impressed with the buffet, the food were bland, maybe I did not come at the right time, even my Indian friends said the foods are not good, but they have lamb meat for buffet and the naan bread is freshly cooked.
(2)
norm p.
Had the lunch buffet today. As good as any Indian food I ate while living in Scottsdale for 17 years.
(4)
Brittany M.
Hands down the BEST Indian food in the city!! I've never had a bad meal here and I will gladly drive down from cap hill for the chicken tikka masala because it's amazing! It's family owned and authentic so If you're looking for great Indian food make sure you check this place out!
(5)
Jill H.
What a great meal with wonderful service! Had a nice lunch with a girlfriend. We will definitely come back. I'm one happy vegetarian. :)
(5)
Cindy D.
The food was delicious and a warm atmosphere. Wish this place was in Grand Junction! Definitely recommend!
(5)
Jennifer R.
Just mediocre. A few years ago, this was the best Indian food on the south side of town. Now, we will choose India's Kitchen in Parker or India's Clay Oven in Lone Tree instead. The samosas were tasty, but my chicken korma was bland. My husband's saag was good, but not as flavorful as others we've tried. The naan is really good, but the paratha is not - too thin and greasy. The service is also just OK, as is the atmosphere. It has been really sedate the past few times, which makes a person think it's gone downhill. Too bad!
(3)
Teresa M.
Small cute place that is clean and well decorated. Had dinner here Saturday night and was seated promptly, it wasn't crowded. Staff was polite and attentive. We ordered the saag chicken and korma lamb. The saag was good, but the korma was amazing! Rich and savory with a touch of sweet from the raisins. It was a little slow getting the food but didn't matter was having fun talking with friends. The food tasted freshly prepared, not like some other places were its been simmering in the kitchen all day. I would eat here again and recommend to others.
(4)
Kelsey T.
Great food and service. Enjoyed the Chicken Tiki Masala. Yum! We also shared the rice pudding dessert. We definitely weren't disappointed, and we will certainly return soon! Oh, and let's be real, Nan is always a must. Enjoy!
(5)
M S.
Had the lamb biryani, one of my favorite indian dishes, for dinner and it was a disappointment. There was a lot of rice and not enough meat. The rice was on the verge of being undercooked and the meat itself was bland and dry. Although the serving size could be good for 2 people, still it came up to $21 (including 15% tip), without any naan or even chips to start with! (It did come with some sour yoghurt which I barely touched). Parking is difficult to find, and for dinner the restaurant was kinda dark and gloomy. The service was not bad. May give this place another try but right now it's at 2-stars.
I've now been to India Tavern twice for the lunch buffet. It's only been mediocre both times. The service was only ok, too. I was pretty disappointed by this since a lot of my coworkers had raved about this place. The first time was just a couple of friends during the work week. There weren't that many people there, and it took a bit longer than I'd expect to get some water and tea. The food was okay both times. By far the best dish was the tikka masala. The other dishes were just a little off to me, or seemed to be missing something. The saag was missing what I thought was supposed to have cheese in it. Kind of disappointing. All in all, if you're looking for a quick lunch and something different from the Chipotle/Noodles-types of restaurants, may as well give this a try. Maybe if you go in with lower expectations than me, it'll be awesome for you!
(2)
Jen L.
I had dinner at this spot near my conference hotel and was excited for Indian food since my hometown is not so well known for that. We nearly had the place to ourselves and the four of us ordered a pile of food. Everything was tasty and the food came out pretty quickly despite the single server. We shared the shrimp pakora and the veggie samosas and both were tasty. I couldn't resist the Navrattan Korma as my entree and I was pleased that they offered Saag Paneer as a side so I sampled a bit of that as well. All my friends were pleased with their entrees as well. The spices were a little different then I was accustomed to but I discovered that this spot specialized in Northern India cuisine so there you go. My guess is that they are more of a lunch spot and they do have a bunch of steamer tables for their lunch buffet. The staff was really accommodating. One of my dinner companions asked for a non-menu item (by description and not name) and they immediately made up a batch.
(4)
Amisha R.
Ordered Paneer makhani: bland, tasteless and way too oily. The host did not write down orders. We asked him to write it down when he repeated the wrong order. Said he would remember but still messed up and delivered a wrong order. Had ordered samosas that did not look appetizing at all and the chutneys were so off, I could not palate it. I wouldn't come back to this place.
(1)
Priya A.
I had the buffet which was cold and everything was almost gone but they made no effort to refill. Everything was tasteless, the naan bread was dry, dal makhani had no salt, and I am still not sure whether the one curry they had was chicken or paneer. The appetizers including the chicken tandoori was insipid. It felt like a hotch potch of some curries. Not recommended at all. On the other hand the ambience is really nice, loved the Fida Hussein art reprints. And the cocktail list was impressive.
(1)
Sara V.
Worst lunch buffet, no spice, no variety, nothing. Pakoras were under cooked on the inside. Samosas were burnt on one side, Veggie options: plain dhal, boiled broccoli(wtf), chick peas, plain spinach. All bland. This place's buffet is a shame for Indian cuisine
(1)
Amanda D.
Five star just because they use swordfish for their fish curry, rather than those cheap soft fish. I also had the buffet with big chunck cauliflower steak and all your Indian stables like Saag Paneer and Tandoori Chicken. Very contemporary interior with high ceiling and attentive service. Both food and drinks are on a pricey side well I guess it's for a reason. Overall good experience. Will definitely come back.
(4)
Jacob T.
Not bad for a buffet lunch, but dinner is always oddly empty. The food I find is a bit too watery and mildly spiced. I prefer Little India for the depth of flavor I love about Indian food, and after being in India and sampling a wide variety of Mumbai street food and "traditional" Indian dishes, it's hard to return here and settle for their versions of it.
(3)
James C.
This is my wife and my favorite Indian restaurant! The Saag Paneer and Chicken Saag is what we always get. Oh, and don't forget the chai - BEST CHAI EVER! The workers are also very nice and will always serve you more chai tea. Their lunch is delicious and their dinner portions always generous.
(5)
Kristin M.
I wish I never had to give a bad review, but not every place deserves a good review. Husband chose this place based on the $20 for $10 deal you can buy via yelp. Good marketing, but I can say I will never go back. I always tell my husband to read the yelp reviews, but he's never as religious in checking yelp reviews as I am. If you have read my other reviews, you know I judge Indian restaurants by their saag paneer. I cook Indian food myself at home (naan included) so its nice to splurge from time to time at a restaurant because they have access to do many more exotic spices (those that are harder to find and usually out of my budget to buy in small quantities). I would rate the saag paneer a 3; as it had good flavor and ample paneer. Nothing special though with not nearly the complexity of spices found at other restaurants and it was a bit on the thick side. I wish I could give India Tavern 3 stars based on the saag paneer, but the rest of the meal was not very good. The naan was terrible. Hard and chewy, barely tearing with your fingers or your teeth. Stale, day old is what it tasted like (other revised say the same). I can tell you it's not hard to make naan, so I am not sure what their kitchen is doing here. The chicken vindaloo flavor was good, and very spicy, but the three pieces of chicken were inedible - tough, dry and too many tendons. I think I got one edible piece of chicken. For a $40 tab before the coupon (2 entrees, 2 naan), I felt cheated. I should have spent $15 dollars at Chipotle and left with a smile - even $8 at taco bell would have been more satisfying. On a good note they don't charge extra for the rice here.
(2)
Jay G.
Food was OK for lunch buffet ( that's the only reason it got more than one star), but the buffet was poorly stocked. We did arrive at 110 PM, but there is no excuse for us having to repeatedly ask for more bread, more of the only 2 meat dishes and more of the samosas. The second chicken dish was never refilled. The hot sauce was never refilled and there was no spicy pickle. We tried to use a Groupon, but I made a mistake and missed the clause that said it was only good for dinner. The manager was very rude about it when I tried to use it . Of course he didn't point out his own coupons right on the front counter that would have given me a $5 discount and made me relatively happy. I got a refund on my Groupon as we will not be going back to this restaurant.
(2)
Kendra W.
Food was not very good. The service was very slow and only one person was working at the time . I would not recommend this place for dinner. Came on a Friday night and the restaurant only had 3 other couples seated and only one staff member working in the front. Took us awhile to be able to order our food and even longer to get the food. The food was not very great I got butter chicken and cheese nan. The chicken tasted like it had more Mexican food spices in it than Indian spices. Got cheese nan and it had barely any cheese on it and was very dry. Then after eating it took awhile to get our check even though the waiter saw that we were clearly done. Will not go back again maybe there lunch buffet is better.
(2)
Hanh P.
Went here for lunch on a weekday. If you're looking for a place with no wait, well India Tavern will get you right in. There were only a few tables there at peak DTC lunch hour. The buffet has a very limited selection. Really not impressed with the flavors. Masalaa, saag, naan were all pretty disappointing.
(2)
Jessica T.
Great lunch buffet with hot naan brought to your table. I really appreciate the extra touch of them bringing the naan to you, all hot and buttered, rather than having to balance it on your plate as you walk from the buffet. They have a relatively small selection, but everything is hot and fresh. Per buffet standards, the food is pretty basic in terms of spice level, but the saag paneer and chicken tikka masala are staples and quite tasty. $8.95 for the buffet. I gave them extra star for absolute cleanliness. And it's always nice dining with a proper napkin rather than paper. Even the silverware is sturdy and classy. They tend to be pretty quiet during the lunch hour, which is unfortunate, because it's one of the better Indian buffets around when you look at the food, service, cleanliness, upscale decor and price. I've been here half a dozen times, and will continue to keep them on my lunch rotation.
(4)
Brian B.
Both my fiancee and I are huge into Indian food, and for over 3 years, India Tavern is the only place we'll order from time and time again. The vindaloo's and masala's are the best I've had and are always consistently delicious. The owner is always very kind, generous, and always gets the spice level correctly when we want it really hot! If you are in the DTC area, you will not find better Indian Food anywhere else - give it a shot. This is my go-to Lamb Vindaloo spot!
(5)
Peter H.
There's just no sugarcoating it. India Tavern is a disaster at lunchtime. - One server waiting and bussing 20 tables - No beverages until long after we had started eating - Forgotten orders - Cold, bland food in the buffet. I can't even think of an adjective to describe the alien curried potatoes. Well, I guess I just did. - Dark and dingy. No lights on in the entire restaurant, except the 4 tiny bulbs in the buffet cart. Just bizarre. I came here a couple of years ago and wanted to give it another chance, but nothing's changed. It was bad then and is still bad now, which is just a shame. There are no other good Indian restaurants in the area-- talk about a blown opportunity. It's easy to forgive a bad restaurant when you see their effort, but it doesn't seem like they're even trying here. Smells like Indian. Tastes like apathy.
(1)
Jem C.
Our favorite go-to Indian spot in the area. Friendly, attentive staff and they deliver too. I highly recommend the Lamb Korma, and their Rice Pudding is the best I've had. Fair warning: Spicy is burn your mouth hot and their medium has a kick.
(4)
Bret R.
I really like this place. The phaal curry sauce truly is exceptionally hot but the best curry sauce I have ever had. I always get some to go!
(5)
Jonathan D.
Great Indian food. The saag paneer is excellent! The naan is also delicious. The buffet variety is about average. They have most of the basic Indian dishes and some non Indian dishes. The only reason I gave them a 4 star was because they made it difficult and uncomfortable for us to use our groupon. They tried to tell us it was not valid at lunch and no where in the terms did it state that. Other than that this place is great.
(4)
Jenn E.
DO NOT. I repeat invest any of your precious dollars into this business. I don't write that many reviews but when I do, know that they are the truth and sincere. This place has the WORST customer service. And that is from the owner himself. They need to be closed or sell the business to someone who is in tune with the culture and importance of customer service and professionalism. I admit the food isn't the worst but it is somewhere between week old stale pizza and mediocre. The gist of my story is I called for delivery last night. The owner who took my order ended our convo with "ok bye" after I gave him the card number. So I guess they enjoy element of surprise when it comes to the total and how long it takes to deliver. When I call back about 8x nobody answers -_- strike 2. An hour and 15min later the delivery guy shows up and we ask what took so long and he laughs and says "Well it's a good thing you were the first building!" I'm assuming he was insinuating it would've taken longer if we lived deeper in our apt complex. My b/f was agitated as you can imagine and did not leave a tip. When we opened the bags we noticed an Ãtem missing but didn't sweat it I figured I would just call today to request a refund. I also noticed one piece of cold, stale naan. 1 piece?? 1 piece of cold naan for 3 bucks. I would've been happier with sandwich bread. I call today. I talk to the owner. I let him know that something was left out of our order and if we could be refunded and the first thing he says to me was "Why didn't you leave our delivery man a tip??" In a extremely brusque tone. Say what??? Last time I checked tips follow good service and a happy customer. I redirected him and asked if he was going to refund us for the item and he said "yes but next time you need to leave a tip!" At that point I was heated and we did get into a bit of a tiff. I tried to explain to him that you don't demand tips in this business nor request them at that. That it's unprofessional and he's lacking the customer service to run a successful business. He was furious and told me "I don't like people like you! If someone brings you food you tip!!" Then he hung up... I just moved here from Cali. Denver is a beautiful place. Has beautiful people and energy but this restaurant is a BAD SEED. You can find better and I really hope you do... I wish I could leave 0 stars. But yelp is merciful...
(1)
Mike M.
Great food and service. Paneer makhani was perfect and samosas were supper flaky and light. Chai tea was hot and fresh.
(5)
Jimmy J.
Really good northern Indian food. In New Zealand where I'm from we have an abundance of Indian food, so I guess all the competition means the food is really good. I've been to quite a few other Indian restaurants in Denver and this is the best so far. Unlike other places they don't swamp their curries in cream, and they can also make them without cream if you'd like (other restaurants in Denver don't allow this). The chicken was not as tender as I would like, but flavors were good and the curry had a nice kick. Will be going back for more.
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
Teresa M.
Small cute place that is clean and well decorated. Had dinner here Saturday night and was seated promptly, it wasn't crowded. Staff was polite and attentive. We ordered the saag chicken and korma lamb. The saag was good, but the korma was amazing! Rich and savory with a touch of sweet from the raisins. It was a little slow getting the food but didn't matter was having fun talking with friends. The food tasted freshly prepared, not like some other places were its been simmering in the kitchen all day. I would eat here again and recommend to others.
(4)James C.
This is my wife and my favorite Indian restaurant! The Saag Paneer and Chicken Saag is what we always get. Oh, and don't forget the chai - BEST CHAI EVER! The workers are also very nice and will always serve you more chai tea. Their lunch is delicious and their dinner portions always generous.
(5)Jacob T.
Not bad for a buffet lunch, but dinner is always oddly empty. The food I find is a bit too watery and mildly spiced. I prefer Little India for the depth of flavor I love about Indian food, and after being in India and sampling a wide variety of Mumbai street food and "traditional" Indian dishes, it's hard to return here and settle for their versions of it.
(3)Jennifer R.
Just mediocre. A few years ago, this was the best Indian food on the south side of town. Now, we will choose India's Kitchen in Parker or India's Clay Oven in Lone Tree instead. The samosas were tasty, but my chicken korma was bland. My husband's saag was good, but not as flavorful as others we've tried. The naan is really good, but the paratha is not - too thin and greasy. The service is also just OK, as is the atmosphere. It has been really sedate the past few times, which makes a person think it's gone downhill. Too bad!
(3)Dkoda J.
The worst indian food I've ever had.
(1)Nick V.
Great food and service. I need to preface this by saying I did not eat at rage buffet. It looked good, but I just don't do buffets. If I wanted food from a communal trough I wouldn't go to a restaurant. A good bonus is that they're open through the through period, that lull from 2pm to 5pm that most Indian and Nepalese places close for. My fiancé and I split a chicken momo entrée with hot spicy sauce, chicken korma extra spicy, garlic naan, onion kulcha, and plain naan. I had a hot chai to drink and they left a tea pot on the table which was excellent, just like the tea. Perfect blend of spice and dairy. The steamed momas were a little dry, like what happens when they are prepared, frozen, microwaved, and then steamed at the end. They did taste great, but could have been so much better. The korma was much darker than most but had great flavour. Not my favourite korma ever, but pretty darned good. The extra hot was not hot at all but korma is a very rare dish to begin with. The naan was a little small but tasted good. They were pretty thin on the scale of naan but definitely leavened. Botttoms ranged from perfect to crispy to black, but that's just extra flavour. The garlic naan used real pieces of fresh garlic which is good. The onion kulcha had red onion I think embedded in it that had a good crunch but we're not raw. They prepared it very well. Overall a great experience. Nothing was the best ever, but it is worth returning.
(5)Amisha R.
Ordered Paneer makhani: bland, tasteless and way too oily. The host did not write down orders. We asked him to write it down when he repeated the wrong order. Said he would remember but still messed up and delivered a wrong order. Had ordered samosas that did not look appetizing at all and the chutneys were so off, I could not palate it. I wouldn't come back to this place.
(1)Kelsey T.
Great food and service. Enjoyed the Chicken Tiki Masala. Yum! We also shared the rice pudding dessert. We definitely weren't disappointed, and we will certainly return soon! Oh, and let's be real, Nan is always a must. Enjoy!
(5)Kara T.
I've now been to India Tavern twice for the lunch buffet. It's only been mediocre both times. The service was only ok, too. I was pretty disappointed by this since a lot of my coworkers had raved about this place. The first time was just a couple of friends during the work week. There weren't that many people there, and it took a bit longer than I'd expect to get some water and tea. The food was okay both times. By far the best dish was the tikka masala. The other dishes were just a little off to me, or seemed to be missing something. The saag was missing what I thought was supposed to have cheese in it. Kind of disappointing. All in all, if you're looking for a quick lunch and something different from the Chipotle/Noodles-types of restaurants, may as well give this a try. Maybe if you go in with lower expectations than me, it'll be awesome for you!
(2)Jen L.
I had dinner at this spot near my conference hotel and was excited for Indian food since my hometown is not so well known for that. We nearly had the place to ourselves and the four of us ordered a pile of food. Everything was tasty and the food came out pretty quickly despite the single server. We shared the shrimp pakora and the veggie samosas and both were tasty. I couldn't resist the Navrattan Korma as my entree and I was pleased that they offered Saag Paneer as a side so I sampled a bit of that as well. All my friends were pleased with their entrees as well. The spices were a little different then I was accustomed to but I discovered that this spot specialized in Northern India cuisine so there you go. My guess is that they are more of a lunch spot and they do have a bunch of steamer tables for their lunch buffet. The staff was really accommodating. One of my dinner companions asked for a non-menu item (by description and not name) and they immediately made up a batch.
(4)Priya A.
I had the buffet which was cold and everything was almost gone but they made no effort to refill. Everything was tasteless, the naan bread was dry, dal makhani had no salt, and I am still not sure whether the one curry they had was chicken or paneer. The appetizers including the chicken tandoori was insipid. It felt like a hotch potch of some curries. Not recommended at all. On the other hand the ambience is really nice, loved the Fida Hussein art reprints. And the cocktail list was impressive.
(1)Sara V.
Worst lunch buffet, no spice, no variety, nothing. Pakoras were under cooked on the inside. Samosas were burnt on one side, Veggie options: plain dhal, boiled broccoli(wtf), chick peas, plain spinach. All bland. This place's buffet is a shame for Indian cuisine
(1)Amanda D.
Five star just because they use swordfish for their fish curry, rather than those cheap soft fish. I also had the buffet with big chunck cauliflower steak and all your Indian stables like Saag Paneer and Tandoori Chicken. Very contemporary interior with high ceiling and attentive service. Both food and drinks are on a pricey side well I guess it's for a reason. Overall good experience. Will definitely come back.
(4)Kristin M.
I wish I never had to give a bad review, but not every place deserves a good review. Husband chose this place based on the $20 for $10 deal you can buy via yelp. Good marketing, but I can say I will never go back. I always tell my husband to read the yelp reviews, but he's never as religious in checking yelp reviews as I am. If you have read my other reviews, you know I judge Indian restaurants by their saag paneer. I cook Indian food myself at home (naan included) so its nice to splurge from time to time at a restaurant because they have access to do many more exotic spices (those that are harder to find and usually out of my budget to buy in small quantities). I would rate the saag paneer a 3; as it had good flavor and ample paneer. Nothing special though with not nearly the complexity of spices found at other restaurants and it was a bit on the thick side. I wish I could give India Tavern 3 stars based on the saag paneer, but the rest of the meal was not very good. The naan was terrible. Hard and chewy, barely tearing with your fingers or your teeth. Stale, day old is what it tasted like (other revised say the same). I can tell you it's not hard to make naan, so I am not sure what their kitchen is doing here. The chicken vindaloo flavor was good, and very spicy, but the three pieces of chicken were inedible - tough, dry and too many tendons. I think I got one edible piece of chicken. For a $40 tab before the coupon (2 entrees, 2 naan), I felt cheated. I should have spent $15 dollars at Chipotle and left with a smile - even $8 at taco bell would have been more satisfying. On a good note they don't charge extra for the rice here.
(2)Jay G.
Food was OK for lunch buffet ( that's the only reason it got more than one star), but the buffet was poorly stocked. We did arrive at 110 PM, but there is no excuse for us having to repeatedly ask for more bread, more of the only 2 meat dishes and more of the samosas. The second chicken dish was never refilled. The hot sauce was never refilled and there was no spicy pickle. We tried to use a Groupon, but I made a mistake and missed the clause that said it was only good for dinner. The manager was very rude about it when I tried to use it . Of course he didn't point out his own coupons right on the front counter that would have given me a $5 discount and made me relatively happy. I got a refund on my Groupon as we will not be going back to this restaurant.
(2)Kendra W.
Food was not very good. The service was very slow and only one person was working at the time . I would not recommend this place for dinner. Came on a Friday night and the restaurant only had 3 other couples seated and only one staff member working in the front. Took us awhile to be able to order our food and even longer to get the food. The food was not very great I got butter chicken and cheese nan. The chicken tasted like it had more Mexican food spices in it than Indian spices. Got cheese nan and it had barely any cheese on it and was very dry. Then after eating it took awhile to get our check even though the waiter saw that we were clearly done. Will not go back again maybe there lunch buffet is better.
(2)Hanh P.
Went here for lunch on a weekday. If you're looking for a place with no wait, well India Tavern will get you right in. There were only a few tables there at peak DTC lunch hour. The buffet has a very limited selection. Really not impressed with the flavors. Masalaa, saag, naan were all pretty disappointing.
(2)M S.
Had the lamb biryani, one of my favorite indian dishes, for dinner and it was a disappointment. There was a lot of rice and not enough meat. The rice was on the verge of being undercooked and the meat itself was bland and dry. Although the serving size could be good for 2 people, still it came up to $21 (including 15% tip), without any naan or even chips to start with! (It did come with some sour yoghurt which I barely touched). Parking is difficult to find, and for dinner the restaurant was kinda dark and gloomy. The service was not bad. May give this place another try but right now it's at 2-stars.
(2)Brittany M.
Hands down the BEST Indian food in the city!! I've never had a bad meal here and I will gladly drive down from cap hill for the chicken tikka masala because it's amazing! It's family owned and authentic so If you're looking for great Indian food make sure you check this place out!
(5)Jill H.
What a great meal with wonderful service! Had a nice lunch with a girlfriend. We will definitely come back. I'm one happy vegetarian. :)
(5)Cindy D.
The food was delicious and a warm atmosphere. Wish this place was in Grand Junction! Definitely recommend!
(5)Brian B.
Both my fiancee and I are huge into Indian food, and for over 3 years, India Tavern is the only place we'll order from time and time again. The vindaloo's and masala's are the best I've had and are always consistently delicious. The owner is always very kind, generous, and always gets the spice level correctly when we want it really hot! If you are in the DTC area, you will not find better Indian Food anywhere else - give it a shot. This is my go-to Lamb Vindaloo spot!
(5)Jessica T.
Great lunch buffet with hot naan brought to your table. I really appreciate the extra touch of them bringing the naan to you, all hot and buttered, rather than having to balance it on your plate as you walk from the buffet. They have a relatively small selection, but everything is hot and fresh. Per buffet standards, the food is pretty basic in terms of spice level, but the saag paneer and chicken tikka masala are staples and quite tasty. $8.95 for the buffet. I gave them extra star for absolute cleanliness. And it's always nice dining with a proper napkin rather than paper. Even the silverware is sturdy and classy. They tend to be pretty quiet during the lunch hour, which is unfortunate, because it's one of the better Indian buffets around when you look at the food, service, cleanliness, upscale decor and price. I've been here half a dozen times, and will continue to keep them on my lunch rotation.
(4)Phil M.
I had a business meeting across the street and craved good Indian food for lunch. I was surprised to only see one other patron when I visited. Very reasonably priced lunch buffet! The fresh naan was absolutely DELICIOUS! As with many, my favorite dish is chicken tikka masala. It's sad to say but I found theirs fairly bland. In my opinion it needed to have more heat (not temperature) and additional spices other than just the curry. Perhaps bay leaves and something else. I haven't done enough Indian cooking to recommend anything. My comparison is to Indian restaurants in New York. My brother-in-law is Indian and lives in the NY area. When I'm in the area I will try this location again
(3)Jenn E.
DO NOT. I repeat invest any of your precious dollars into this business. I don't write that many reviews but when I do, know that they are the truth and sincere. This place has the WORST customer service. And that is from the owner himself. They need to be closed or sell the business to someone who is in tune with the culture and importance of customer service and professionalism. I admit the food isn't the worst but it is somewhere between week old stale pizza and mediocre. The gist of my story is I called for delivery last night. The owner who took my order ended our convo with "ok bye" after I gave him the card number. So I guess they enjoy element of surprise when it comes to the total and how long it takes to deliver. When I call back about 8x nobody answers -_- strike 2. An hour and 15min later the delivery guy shows up and we ask what took so long and he laughs and says "Well it's a good thing you were the first building!" I'm assuming he was insinuating it would've taken longer if we lived deeper in our apt complex. My b/f was agitated as you can imagine and did not leave a tip. When we opened the bags we noticed an Ãtem missing but didn't sweat it I figured I would just call today to request a refund. I also noticed one piece of cold, stale naan. 1 piece?? 1 piece of cold naan for 3 bucks. I would've been happier with sandwich bread. I call today. I talk to the owner. I let him know that something was left out of our order and if we could be refunded and the first thing he says to me was "Why didn't you leave our delivery man a tip??" In a extremely brusque tone. Say what??? Last time I checked tips follow good service and a happy customer. I redirected him and asked if he was going to refund us for the item and he said "yes but next time you need to leave a tip!" At that point I was heated and we did get into a bit of a tiff. I tried to explain to him that you don't demand tips in this business nor request them at that. That it's unprofessional and he's lacking the customer service to run a successful business. He was furious and told me "I don't like people like you! If someone brings you food you tip!!" Then he hung up... I just moved here from Cali. Denver is a beautiful place. Has beautiful people and energy but this restaurant is a BAD SEED. You can find better and I really hope you do... I wish I could leave 0 stars. But yelp is merciful...
(1)Mike M.
Great food and service. Paneer makhani was perfect and samosas were supper flaky and light. Chai tea was hot and fresh.
(5)Jimmy J.
Really good northern Indian food. In New Zealand where I'm from we have an abundance of Indian food, so I guess all the competition means the food is really good. I've been to quite a few other Indian restaurants in Denver and this is the best so far. Unlike other places they don't swamp their curries in cream, and they can also make them without cream if you'd like (other restaurants in Denver don't allow this). The chicken was not as tender as I would like, but flavors were good and the curry had a nice kick. Will be going back for more.
(4)Charles B.
Amazing food, great service, clean, comfortable environment, and one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Will definintly be back and highly recommend to anyone.
(5)Bret R.
I really like this place. The phaal curry sauce truly is exceptionally hot but the best curry sauce I have ever had. I always get some to go!
(5)Peter H.
There's just no sugarcoating it. India Tavern is a disaster at lunchtime. - One server waiting and bussing 20 tables - No beverages until long after we had started eating - Forgotten orders - Cold, bland food in the buffet. I can't even think of an adjective to describe the alien curried potatoes. Well, I guess I just did. - Dark and dingy. No lights on in the entire restaurant, except the 4 tiny bulbs in the buffet cart. Just bizarre. I came here a couple of years ago and wanted to give it another chance, but nothing's changed. It was bad then and is still bad now, which is just a shame. There are no other good Indian restaurants in the area-- talk about a blown opportunity. It's easy to forgive a bad restaurant when you see their effort, but it doesn't seem like they're even trying here. Smells like Indian. Tastes like apathy.
(1)Jem C.
Our favorite go-to Indian spot in the area. Friendly, attentive staff and they deliver too. I highly recommend the Lamb Korma, and their Rice Pudding is the best I've had. Fair warning: Spicy is burn your mouth hot and their medium has a kick.
(4)Mo C.
I did not have a good experience here. But, it was likely the specific situation rather than a systemic problem with this place. I dropped in on a Sunday afternoon, Groupon in hand. The Open sign was on, but the entire restaurant was empty. I wandered around for what felt like 10 minutes before someone finally came out of the kitchen. Apparently the only person in the entire restaurant was the cook. He definitely did not want to play server as well and really would have preferred that I just do the buffet. But, I generally order off the menu because I like my Indian food a bit spicier than they usually serve in in the buffet. After quite some time, which I imagine was spent calling around trying to find the owner or a server to come back to the restaurant, the cook took my order. A server showed up a bit later. The food was good, but not so good as to make me forget the akward situation and the fact that it took entirely too long to be seated, order food and receive food. I won't be back.
(2)B G.
This place is so delicious. We weren't quite sure what to order because everything looked so good but the waiter had great recommendations and mmmmmm, the butter chicken is incredible! Staff was nice and accommodating. Our new spot for Indian food in DTC, want to try the lunch buffet.
(5)Sonja A.
A hidden treasure! Tucked away off Belleview, this place deserves a shout out. Using a Groupon, the merchant was very open and gracious to offer the entire menu. Tikka Masala was our entree of choice and while dinners do not include Naan (extra 2.50), our server still provided to us an order of Naan *and* Roti at no charge. Not sure if that is typical at this location but it was appreciated. Service was lovely and staff friendly. Food arrived hot and in a timely manner. Will definately be going back!
(4)Chris A.
This is hands down the worst Indian restaurant in Denver. I went last night with my newly purchased Groupon deal. I have tried most Indian restaurants in the area and thought we might give this one a try. We walked in at 6:30 and saw a clean restaurant. There were exactly 3 people eating. At first, I didn't give too much of a thought. The entrees seemed overpriced at $16-$20 but we ordered Butter Chicken and Chicken Jalfrezi and one naan priced at $4 and 2 orders of chai. Communication with the young male waiter was very awkward as he was unsure about a lot of things and constantly gave us a deer in the headlight looks. The dishes came in a small portion. If you have ever microwaved leftover basmati rice, you'd understand how sometimes it gets crispy around the edges of the plate. Well, guess what, we were served rice that was re-heated. Butter chicken came with super cut up thigh pieces and was very mild (we ordered medium) and it tasted more tomatoey than buttery. Chicken Jalfrezi tasted like it was missing a couple of ingrediants and was just blah. We were really disappointed but we don't like to send food back because we worry if they will "mess" with our replacement dish, if you know what I mean. I wish I read other reviews on Yelp. Even with the groupon offer, this was not a deal. This place deserves a 0 star. Look elsewhere.
(1)Florence B.
I went for the lunch buffet and one of the sauce (green) was bad and I got sick at work the same afternoon... I won't come back.
(1)James K.
This place used to be well worth the $8 price. It was a hidden gem. The all you can eat buffet selection wasn't huge by any stretch but the food they did have was pretty good. I haven't been there for a year or so but decided today I was in the mood for Indian and went here. I arrived at just after 1 the place was empty and most of the food was gone. I asked for more and they kept saying "is coming" but "Is Never Came!!!" I ordered a Diet Coke to drink and they brought a can to which when I asked for another they said they are $2.00 WTF??? A couple came in at the end of my meal and I overheard the guy say "this is one of my favorite restaurants." He started asking for things because they were out... he received the same answer "is coming"... but then it came right out. So either they weren't going to waste time/food on 1 person or this guy came in all the time and knew someone.... So I will never be back.
(1)Alexis G.
India Tavern has nice decor, but the service is slow and the food is overpriced. We had to wait about 10 minutes for our server to take our order. I can understand that in a crowded restaurant, but this place was dead. I just felt like we were being overlooked. My lunch entree was $18 for the garlic shrimp which included shrimp and rice. Naan was an extra charge, so we didn't get any. The shrimp was too spicy for my liking, so I didn't really enjoy my expensive lunch.
(3)Travis O.
When I say service is slow it's an understatement. We were here for a hour waiting at every step. We were the only ones in the place! The food Is marginal, there are better Indian places around. The value is there if you have the groupon dinner. Other than that you will be paying too much for bad service and mediocre food.
(3)Mary O.
This place is great I used grub hub and they are always on time and very nice. I got a side of the phaal and I have to say the spice is intense I am glad I got a side of it cuz it's so spicy. I loved it! I get the tikki masala and it's very tasty and good!! The naan is really good. I always buy 2. I'm addicted to their lassi. Overall this place is great and I don't know why people give such bad reviews. It may be a bit pricey but the flavors are there and you can tell it's a well ran single owned business. Not chained!!!
(5)Jonathan D.
Great Indian food. The saag paneer is excellent! The naan is also delicious. The buffet variety is about average. They have most of the basic Indian dishes and some non Indian dishes. The only reason I gave them a 4 star was because they made it difficult and uncomfortable for us to use our groupon. They tried to tell us it was not valid at lunch and no where in the terms did it state that. Other than that this place is great.
(4)Charlene K.
What incredible Indian food! I had the Tandori Mixed Grill, and read this -- the chicken WASN'T dry!! It was fabulous. I don't think I've ever NOT had a dry chicken at an Indian place. You get 5 stars just for that. We had the Onion Bhaji for the appetizer. It's onion seasoned with turmeric and deep fried. De-lish! Something different, I really enjoyed the flavor. We also had the Shrimp Pakora. Oh my! It's worth it to come back just to order these shrimp. Amazing flavor, light, crispy, slightly sweet and fun to eat. Best dish of the night. The staff is friendly and attentive, my dinner companion and I stayed for a couple hours and they must have filled my water glass at least ten times. I had a glass of red wine also that was excellent. My friend had the garlic shrimp. I tried some, it was more like cilantro shrimp instead of garlic shrimp, but still tasty. We were there on a Friday night and the place was slow. What's wrong with you, Denver? Maybe they need a happy hour, they have a huge bar and a fantastic mixed drink menu, but I'm telling you, this is great food you should really try it out!
(5)Nicole S.
We visited during what we thought would be the dinner rush, but we arrived to a freakishly DEAD restaurant. We were the only ones in the restaurant apart from one other lady. It was so quiet, every movement we made seemed to echo. This stillness, along with the awkward combination of sophisticated place settings with authentic Indian cuisine, made for an uncomfortable dining experience. The waiter's unenthusiastic and borderline depressing attitude certainly didn't help either. The food itself was good, but the portions were surprisingly small considering the exorbitant prices. Not worth it.
(2)Manu M.
This restaurent has a kind of quitessential diner feel. It has an upscale look among the Indian restaurents i have been to in Denver.The windows are big and gives a lot of light and makes the place a good one in sunny days. Unfortunately there is no park on the other side, but the drive-thru of Wendy's. Parking is a little mystery, because you need to come in through the gate for Wendys or Garcia's to get in here. This restaurent is a stone's throw away from my work so we frequent this place a lot. Good Stuff: Tandoori Chicken, Palak (Spinach) ,Friendly staff Bad stuff: Sometimes the curries fail to achieve the usual taste. veg dishes are below par apart from the fantastic palak.
(3)Josh F.
I have been eating indian food for all my life and India Tavern is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The restaurant and decor is nice and simple. The place is clean and they always have clean tablecloths and silver wear as well. The staff are nice and are happy to offer their advice if you have never been there before. I come to this place all the time because I live too far away to do delivery. They are located in the DTC near 225 and 25, and thankfully right next to my office. The lunch buffet is great if you want to get out of the office and even though I like my indian food spicy, I can always add the hot sauce they keep ready, next to the salad dressings, to kick the heat up a few pegs. The tandoori chicken is delicious, the garlic naan is fantastic, and I love the coconut curry shrimp. they always give you a lot of rice and give you more if you run out and they have delicious mango lassi. I recently discovered their samosa chatt and I am very disappointed I didn't try it sooner. Anyway, if you love indian and like to order off the menu or do buffet this place has great food, good service and fair prices. I have introduced a few coworkers to this restaurant and no one has gone back to work displeased. I even have a British coworker who loves his "curry" and he thinks it's the best he has had in his 7 years in the states. Give it a try and write a review. Also, I don't know what Suzanne and Mo were talking about. I have never walked in and not been greeted. The food is great and I think Suzanne only wanted to write a "cute & funny" review on here since she seems to only write reviews that focus on her delightful sense of humor and not the services and goods of the establishments she visits.
(5)John N.
Had a delightful dinner here the other night. The staff was friendly and accommodating. They were willing to chit-chat and converse with us, not rushed to run back to the kitchen, etc. All the dishes ordered were not too spicy - our 5yr old was able to sample everything. Appetizers: Samosa - crispy and flaky crust filled with savory ground lamb and spices. Being a tad oily kept this from getting full 5 stars. Cheese dish - a firm, dry cheese appetizer with sauteed onions. While quite good, this was the wallflower of the meal. This is the other dish that held back the 5th star. Battered Shrimp - a very light batter makes this a nice opener. Entrees: Butter Chicken - wife's favorite. Lots of flavor, really creamy-'buttery' curry like sauce. Terrific spices make for a delicious savory dish. Coconut Lamb Curry - my favorite. The lamb was tender and not too gamey. The coconut curry was delightfully rich in flavor. It was very savory and the slight coconut sweetness really set it off. Dessert: Balls of dough/bread soaked in honey sauce. What a great way to finish dinner. The honey sauce is not overpowering, nor is it overly sweet. I've had some great Indian food in Chgo and this one is right up there.
(4)Bill B.
Not a bad lunch buffet, but not remarkable, either. The atmosphere inside is nice. Tall windows let in a lot of light and give a good view of the Wendy's across the parking lot. They use white tablecloths and napkins. Service was acceptable, though the single waiter on duty needed to hustle to keep up with payments and orders, even with the floor only a quarter full for early lunch. I found the tandoori chicken to be moist and flavorful. I would consider going back for dinner to order of the full menu.
(3)Jason R.
When it comes to Indian Food in Denver the selection is rather narrow. The few restaurants (6) that we do have are scattered at best... On that note, I frequent the lunch buffet at India Tavern, located in the heart of DTC. With plenty of food to choose from and relatively fresh fare, one can't go wrong. (The $8 price take is what warrants the 4th star.) Speaking now to the dinner I had last night. It should be noted that this was the first time that I have had dinner at this establishment and I am pleased to say that both the service (Excellent Waiter!) and the fare was a step above what is offered at lunch. The two dishes we ordered were the Tandori Mixed Grill (which had an assortment of lamb, prawn, fish and chicken) and the lamb Phaal. While the Tandori was cooked to perfection, it was the Phaal that knocked my socks off! *It should be noted that the warning on the menu is there for a reason. This dish is not for the faint at heart.* Made with a mix of Thai Chilis, Jalapenos and an absurdly well balanced combination of curry and flavor, this dish is sure to make even the hottest pepper chaser sweat! In an effort to keep this post as short and sweet as possible I must say that if you have a hankering for Indian Food, live south of University and I25 and are up for a thrill, give both India Tavern the Phaal a shot. @Paul D. (excellent review)
(4)Cielo G.
Tops at the Tavern with a concise, quality lunch buffet ($9) served on higher-end decorative plates and white tablecloths. Saag, dal, and curries were well flavored, although the second visit didn't prove as tasty. They were bland; thus, I downgraded the rating to three stars. Asked for roti (whole wheat) without butter and they gladly obliged. Haven't been there for supper. Enjoyable atmosphere and food.
(3)Davin A.
Our favorite Indian restaurant closed down and we started to search for a new one. We tried a half dozen places and were not impressed. We came to India Tavern and we were blown away. The food is incredible! We have not gone anywhere else since we discovered this hidden jewel, and this is now our new favorite Indian restaurant. Enjoy a high quality lunch buffet or a private dinner setting. The wait staff is friendly and attentive.
(5)Nathan C.
This place is relaxed, has fresh food and the staff are very nice! I have come here a couple different time by myself and with my girlfriend and we both have lived the verity of the menu and how fresh the food is. You must try this place to see what I'm talking about.
(5)Timothy H.
They refused to accept a Living Social Coupon even though we listened to the already strict standards. They said they would not accept the Living Social coupon during the weekend at all. They said it was Living Socials fault. They were extremely rude and did not admit fault for a mistake that was probably there own. I will never step foot in that restaurant again.
(1)Carolyn S.
My husband and I just enjoyed our second dinner here. We ordered different items than last time, and we truly can't decide which dishes we love the most! We arrived just 45 minutes before closing, so it was very slow, but we received prompt, courteous service. The naan was hot and fresh, and our grilled paneer appetizer was unique and delicious. We will be returning, for sure. It is clear that this is a small, family owned business. We love to support local places. Yummmm!
(4)Brady K.
Happened on this place because of a Denver Daily Deal. Since it was in DTC, I figured that its not that far and I'm always wanting to explore Indian food. First, India Tavern is hard to get into, you can only take a right into it, and then you got to circle around to get to the parking lot. If you make a left at Wendy's and go into their parking lot, you will be greatly disappointed to find that the parking lots are blocked off by grassy mediums. Then you have to go back out of Wendy's and then go further down and take a right. The place itself was nicely decorated and service was very polite. When we looked at the menu, I we were not sure what to order. A lot of the menu seemed foreign, so I went with the basic butter chicken and my wife went with the garlic shrimp. The chicken turned out to be what I know as classic curry and it was pretty good. I really liked what they had and they also had a buffet which looked pretty good. The main problem is that it cost 16 dollars for lunch! Most of the entree's were around that price point. Too steep for lunch and if its dinner, it better come with nan, basmati, and some belly dancers.
(3)Gavin C.
Delicious food! I am in love with their lamb masala, but initially my girlfriend and I were going there for the lamp chop. Unfortunately they were sold out. Turns out that we ordered the lamb Samoa. It tastes just ok, not too surprising, and the ground lamb meat is too dry. Yet their masala is really good! 100% recommend! Butter chicken is too blend, not much taste to it. Don't order the lassi, they are too warm for a cold drink... If you ask me if I will go back? Yes!! Just can't forget about the masala + naan
(3)Shea S.
Armed with a Groupon Now! promotion, I decided to give India Tavern's biryani a try. The lamb was very tender, and the portions were substantial. The dish certainly played the part of biryani, but could have used a bit more flavor for the price compared to other biryanis I've had. Still a tasty and filling meal though. A-OK is exactly what my experience was at India Tavern. An interesting note is that they have a dish with a lengthy warning about how hot it is. So if you have the craving for heat, perhaps you should try it out.
(3)Jack p.
I am use to Indian buffet's because I want a little of everything. This was way nicer than I expected. Prices were way higher than what I was expected. Friendly service and great food. I live very close to this place- I need to make it here for the lunch buffet because I believe that is the best way to experience Indian food. Unless they get a item on the menu that is a combo platter for 10 bucks with naan.
(3)Jeff S.
I finally tried this place after I got a $15 off coupon that was circulated through my neighborhood. I came in on a Saturday night by myself, there were only a couple of other tables, I sat at the bar and got service immediately. I ordered garlic naan and lamb vindaloo. The naan was very fresh and tasty, I liked the flavor of the vindaloo, the lamb was tender, but I'm used to that dish being really hot, and this wasn't. It wasn't bland, but could have been much spicier. They have a decent selection of wine and liquor, the restaurant is spacious, especially the bar, and it's dimly lit and cozy. They seem to have a good lunch buffet, I will most likely come back for that rather than dinner, mainly due to the price.
(3)Brad F.
This is a legitimately good Indian place in DTC!! I have been to India Tavern close to fifty times and haven't been disappointed yet. The Chicken Tikka Masala is my favorite and is usually my go to, however their Coconut Shrimp Curry is also very good. The samosas, both vegetable and lamb, are great and the Samosa Chaat (vegetable samosa covered in chickpeas, mint and tamarind chutney) is amazing!! The Tandoori Mixed Grill is good and includes lamb, chicken, fish, and seekh kebabs. They make a delicious Mango Lassi. For dessert (when I'm not too full) I like to get some Khir (rice pudding) topped with sliced toasted almonds a few Gulab Jamoons on the side that I like to mix in. The service is good and the staff is very friendly. Because they are located in the Tech Center and within walking distance of several nearby hotels and offices they can get very busy. Particularly when there are conventions going on nearby and the word-of-mouth starts to spread, you may be forced to wait, but its definitely worth it. The lunch buffet is fantastic and open every day of the week and considering the price $8.95, how can you complain? The naan is always fresh which is nice at a buffet. I have been many times with people from work and everyone has enjoyed it, even those less familiar with Indian cuisine. The buffet is not spicy at all BUT if you like yours hot, like I do, they keep some red sauce in the cold section that will heat things up a little. I usually add 2 spoonfuls to every plate but beware because I like it hotter than most. (WARNING: If you're a wuss, like my coworkers, you probably should start with a little on the side just to gauge the hotness.) This place is a great alternative to some of the other dining options DTC has to offer.
(5)Paul D.
Let me preface this that I'm writing this review based on one experience, and with one menu item--The Phaal. I read it was spicy, and it didn't disappoint. HOT and fantastic flavor. Chile-head Bliss. One of the hottest dishes I have found in Denver--And they don't cheat by putting capsaicin extract in--It's all real, legit chiles. If you like spice, don't miss it! Also must give the owner props--He was there when I was and chatted with me for quite a while about his history in the restaurant business, Indian Beer (oh, and he bought me one for eating the Phaal) and all the chiles he puts in his Phaal. Only thing that prevents me from giving it 5 stars is that it's a bit spendy. I would eat there all the time if it was a little less expensive
(4)Melissa M.
I'm going to throw this place a bone. I usually get take-out. Usually the butter chicken or lamb massala but since I'm a vegetarian, I replace it with veggie pakora and paneer...anything. They are really nice there, and only once I've had to go back with the wrong order so just a word to the wise to please check your order before leaving just to make sure. The garlic naan is pretty good. It's not the most spectacular, but it is good and close in the DTC area.
(4)Robert C.
Great variety of awesome foods and above all it's a excellent buffet of Indian food. We will be back again and again. Next time I'm dragging Jim Shearer here to try this restaurant. They are awesome! Where have this restaurant been hiding?
(5)Suzanne M.
I get the feeling this place, located as it is in the tech center, concentrates on the lunch crowd. We went for dinner, and with a groupon, so I really don't have a whole lot of room to complain. Which is a shame, because I want to SO BAD. You know what? Screw 'em. I'm still burping that samosa I ate fifteen hours ago. I find this surprising, because I thought I'd thrown it all up while I was waiting for the entrée (believe me, I had plenty of time). That samosa was an overfried glob of barely-seasoned mashed potatoes, and in all honesty, it tasted better coming back up. The waiter said he could have the kitchen dial back on the spice a bit, so I ordered the lamb vindaloo, easy on the fiery. My companion ordered some kind of tandoori chicken, I forget exactly what it was. The lamb had more heat than flavor, and I had to spit out a piece of gristle. I hate having to do that in front of a guy. The chicken wasn't bad, but I don't think naan is supposed to be as greasy and tortilla-like as what they served. It didn't taste like it was cooked in the tandoor; it tasted like it was fried in a skillet. The rice was... weird. The mango daiquiri was pretty good, but I wish it hadn't taken so long to get it. The service was... ok... but very, very slow. I contemplated taking a picture of my empty, waiting (chipped) plate to go with my review. There were only two people working the dining area, and no bartender, but there were only about four tables seated in the whole place, so they should have been able to keep up, I'd think. It's my own fault, really. I know better: the tech center is the place for lunch, not dinner. I'd like to give this place a one-star rating, but with the groupon, the meal only cost eleven bucks, so that hardly seems fair. Two, then.
(2)Jesusio C.
Meh. if i'm paying a premium for lamb shish kabobs, i'd expect it to be not ground up meatballs. Also, paid for cheese naan, got regular, but charged the price for the stuffed naan! awesome. or not really. food is good, delivery was reasonably quick so 3 stars.
(3)Angelique V.
The saag paneer was inedible. They really need to work on that recipe. But their korma is delicious. Ordered take out, so can't speak to the service, but the restaurant is nice looking, new and clean. A little pricey for Indian food.
(3)Larissa V.
Went for the lunch buffet and liked most of the food. The tandoor chicken was pretty dry and the saag was way too spicy. The buffet was not labeled very well, so I'm not sure what everything was supposed to be. It's not horrible, but I'm not sure I would go back.
(2)Karen S.
I was surfing on the internet looking for some good indian food and India Tavern popped up. My parents were a little bit hesitant but enjoyed it most of all. The service was great, the food was great, the decor was great. I would definitely come back and recommend it to many. I do recommend the dish saag and tikki masala and for a drink the mango lassi.
(5)Elisabeth C.
My boyfriend, daughter, and I went here on a Thursday night- when we pulled up the parking lot (and the restaurant) were completely empty and my boyfriend wondered out loud if we should still go in. I'd scanned the menu online quickly, and felt confident the food would be pretty good judging by the items they were offering- so we went in. The server who greeted us was very warm and friendly. We ordered papadums and pickle as well as the samosa chaat to start. The papadums (two) and pickles were very good- it was a sour/spicy lime pickle, tamarind, and a cilantro. The chaat was excellent- our daughter loved all the chickpeas in it. For the main courses we ordered a saag dish (spinach), and lamb rogan josh. The meat in the rogan josh was very tender, and the sauce was adequately spicy (we ordered medium, spicy would have been very hot indeed), the saag was creamy, rich, and delicious. Before leaving, we had to order a portion of gulab jamun (2). If you've never had these before, they are essentially Indian doughnut 'holes' in a sweet cardamom-infused syrup. These were perfectly cooked and super delicious. The water brought out two complimentary steaming cups of chai- which were delicious, and a really nice touch and end to the evening. The service was attentive but not overbearing, and yes, the price isn't incredibly cheap, but I found the portion sizes more than adequate (we had half of our food to bring home!). Indian food tends to be very rich, you don't need heaping American-sized portions to feel full! I do hope this place stays in business despite the somewhat awkward location. I'm from the UK (near Bradford of all places!) so I appreciate good Indian food, and we will most definitely be back. Give this place a try!
(4)Dan S.
The slightly bad location (getting to the parking is a bit awkward, the business next door is closed?) and slightly upscale interior (white table cloths, etc) make me wonder if this place will survive. For better or worse, there aren't too many fancy Indian places in the area - they tend to be casual and less expensive than India's. And then, of course, there is the food. More below. The buffet is reasonable ($8) and extensive enough. They make their own chai (too sweet to be the real thing, which may be some foreshadowing) and the food appeared fresh and enticing. As I often do at a buffet, I got a little bit of just about everything to try - Aloo Ghobi, Tandoori Chicken, Saag Paneer, Pakoras, Curry Chicken, Dal, Tamarind chutney, Beef Meat balls (which seems out of place, maybe some foreshadowing again). They brought some fresh naan to the table - simple and tasty and hot, I really liked it. After I tried everything, I went back for more (reliably gluttonous American that I am). Here's the rub - nothing stood out. None of the dishes had a big, "get me some more of that" flavor. I had a little bit more of everything. The desserts were similar - the Gulab Jamun a little too dense, the Kheer (just labeled as rice pudding) a mite too hard, the Rasmalai too sweet (did I mention gluttonous?). I have a sneaking suspicion that the chef knows what s/he is doing, but has toned down the food for an 'American' customer. Everything was too bland, too sweet, and not all that, well, Indian. All in all, left me wanting some good Indian food. Not sure how long it has been here - maybe they will improve, but I can only muster a couple stars at this point. I would prefer every other Indian place in the general vicinity (that I've been to) if you wanted to go Indian tonight.
(2)Brett C.
As other reviewers stated, VERY OVERPRICED. Even with a Groupon for the Indian Tavern it was still way too much $$. $16 got my wife a small bowl of chicken curry and a side of rice. The chicken was scarce and chewy soft bone was a regular find in the curry. $18 got me a small bowl of shrimp curry that had very little shrimp as well as flavor. Both curries had a very similar base with only a slightly different flavor. I've had far better curry out of a jar from Trader Joe's. I would say a fair price based on quality and size would be in the $6-$8 range, instead this place is priced as if it were a highly sought after steak house. Went on a Friday night and it was fairly empty, no surprise there, definitely not a place I would recommend to any friend... but I might send my enemies. Mango lasso was good.
(2)J C.
Save your money and even if you get a Groupon, it's not worth your time and money. The portion was ridiculously small for the price. I've been to other restaurants w/ high prices and small portions but their quality and presentation were worth it however this place did not live up to that. The wait staff was very slow; we had to get the waiter ourselves to place our order and that was when we were sitting there for at least 15 mins. I will never go back to this restaurant again.
(1)Sarah H.
I never thought I'd say this about an Indian restaurant, but my food was bland. I ordered the coconut shrimp curry (it came out in what I can only assume was mild, I was not asked what spice level I wanted) and my partner ordered chicken vindaloo medium. His vindaloo had a nice kick but, as he put it, "tasted like spicy marinara sauce". The portions are quite small for the price and it seemed to take a long time to get our food. Nobody checked in on us and we had to flag our waiter to get drink refills. I ordered dessert and they brought out the wrong thing. They corrected this and even let us keep the first dessert, but I'm about 80% sure the replacement dessert was spit into - I can't be sure since I've never had that particular item before, but the consistency and sour smell were pretty worrisome. Needless to say, we won't be going back.
(1)Chris J.
I'm in total agreeance with Courtney G. What's going on with all the hatred Colorado? India Tavern cooks your food to exact specifications with culinary precision. Service is fast and I believe this is thanks to all of negative reviews which have driven down customer traffic significantly. Each time I've been here the service has been solid, their curries have been excellent, and the prices are fair considering their location. This place is worth a shot and it won't rob your pockets.
(4)Dan D.
Good food, friendly service, and clean. If I lived in the area, I'd go back. :)
(4)Terry T.
Ordered the coconut curry shrimp and some nan. I was shocked to find fresh and warm nan delivered to my hotel room. The curry was spiced very well and so very good. I cannot speak on the service (delivery went very well) or the interior so take my review with that in mind. I recommend the food...can't speak on the rest.
(4)Jess W.
This might possibly have been one of the worst meals I have ever paid for... I made the mistake of buying a groupon to India Tavern without checking yelp reviews first (silly me), and paid the price for it. The two of us ordered of the vegetarian menu (the eggplant dish and the cauliflower/potato dish...I always forget what they're called), and were served two small plates and a tiny plate of rice to share. It looked decent...until I took a bite. I am pretty sure they used liquid smoke to season the eggplant. No joke. And I think they may have used tabasco and three pounds of salt to season the cauliflower. We forced down as much as we could, and asked for the check, which after the $20 groupon, was still an extra $24. For one order on roti and two vegetarian entrees..... The service was just fine, but the atmosphere was not great. The entire restaurant is made really disproportional by the huge cruise-ship like bar right in the middle of the room. It also smelled like sewage in the hallway behind the kitchen, apparently because they are doing some remodeling...and accidentally hit a sewage line...? Or something? Because that's pretty much what it smells like. So...unless you love liquid smoke and the smell of sewage....avoid.
(1)Marie S.
Service: The service gets 1/2 a star. The server seated us at a table right next to the bar and then gave us our menus and just stood there waiting for us to order. I told him that we needed time to look at the menu first. That was the first awkward moment. Then he came back and my boyfriend knew what he wanted but I wasn't sure and I asked him what he would recommend. He said two different entrees. They simply didn't sound good. I went with the really a really spicy dish. In it's description it has a disclaimer about how spicy it is. When I asked for that he said you don't want that, and you wont like it. I can make those decisions for myself. Then when I said I still wanted it, he asked me again if I was sure. Yes!! It just made for a very awkward and annoying experience. While we were waiting for our food there were three employees behind the bar, one talking on his phone, the other two talking to each other. It's one thing when the person at the next table has casual conversation but when the employees are just standing around doing that it was frustrating. Food: Good food. But not worth the price. One and a half stars. We walked in with a Groupon and ended up paying 15 dollars after the Groupon. I was honestly shocked because we had ordered two entrees and one drink. And apparently that was a 50 dollar value tin total. I wont be coming back.
(2)Leslie W.
The lunch buffet is definitely above average. The variety is pretty good, at least 8 different hot dishes to choose from, includes all the typical stuff (tandoori chicken, saag paneer, daal, some type of fried rice). I think it also tastes great, not too oily and all very fresh. I love that the lunch buffet, $8, comes with fresh naan too. My only complaint is that I don't like the layout of the buffet and the space. It's a big angular with some tables placed in some weird corners. Also, they didn't quite have it down with when to bring out food and how many people were coming. A few times they were out of food and we had to wait for them to bring more out. Since this place is pretty new, I think they're still trying to get down a rhythm. Overall, I enjoyed it and would definitely come back. The waiters were nice and the food is good.
(3)Peti T.
Awesome food! Traveling from out of town and found this place down the street from my hotel. I am no expert in Indian cuisine (which is why I gave it only 4 stars) but my food was prepared perfectly, tasted great, portions were huge and service was good. Could maybe be a tad more spicy. I didn't think it was expensive, considering the ingredients were really good. Can't wait to try other things next time I'm in town.
(4)Garner M.
A nice dinner, though a little expensive for the portion size. I had the Chicken Korma ($16) and a side of plain naan ($2.45). The Korma sauce was excellent, and just the right amount of spiciness for the "medium" I asked for. (It had a kick, which I like; if you don't, ask for mild.) A side of basmati rice was included, and it was dry and fluffy, as basmati is supposed to be. The portion seemed a little small for the price, particularly since it used cheaper dark meat. I'd have preferred white meat, but there was no option. The naan had a very nice texture and crunch, although the flavor was a little on the bland side compared to others I've tried. Service was quick and competent, if not particularly warm and friendly. Water was brought shortly after I sat down, and I ordered a few minutes later. I wasn't offered a beverage initially, but after ordering, I asked him about their beer selection. I opted for a Kingfisher ($5.50), which was bottled but poured in a glass. (There was a set of taps behind the bar, but there didn't appear to be anything in them.) Overall, a nice dinner; I'll definitely come back, maybe to try the lunch buffet.
(4)Mingmar S.
Beware of extremely DRY chicken in the Tikka Masala. Grab a sample before you order, maybe this was just a bad batch? The nan (bread) and Tandori chicken on the other hand was excellent. Good looking place and a good deal, $6.75 for a lunch box...although I threw half of it out since it was impossible to swallow.
(2)Layla R.
I'm not sure why the reviews are so bad on Yelp, but we had the best Indian food we have ever had here at India Tavern. Everything was fresh and extremely delicious. None of our meals were overly greasy- trust me-I CAN'T stand greasy food! The resturaunt itself was very clean, including the plates. Our server was VERY attentive. I know it may seem a little discerning if you walk in for dinner and don't see many cars at the location. This is because this place is in a business area and not the best location. It is hidden and the enterance to the place is off the street and through other business parking lots. The resturaunt actually does not face the steet, so it is easy for it to be overlooked. It is also in a little corner of the DTC, which again does not seem to be well traveled. It is usually through word of mouth that brings people into the resturaunt by those who have been able to find it. . I have never been there for the lunch buffet. But, like most buffet places, especially indian buffets- you can't expect everything to be spactacular. You have to remember, they aren't making much money by buffets, so again- I wouldn't expect to have vindaloo or anything other than easy- low costs meals. And again, when food is left out in a buffet style, do you really expect the heat lamps to keep it to perfect temperature and quality? Yeah- this is why most buffett places usually have okay food. So- if you are looking for a GREAT place to have indian food for dinner, I would DEFINATELY give this place a try. You might be surprised and you might be helping to keep a great place in business during these hard times.
(4)Julie L.
The appetizer of something with potato, garbanzo, sauce and Yogurty goodness was the most amazing thing I've eaten. It would have been great and filling as meal- for 8 bucks it's well worth trying. My tikka masala with fish was completely enjoyable. I would try something else if I were to come again. The appetizer got my hopes up. It was a 5 whereas the tiki masala would have been a 3.
(4)Kelly W.
Uhh slowest service ever. Been here 40 minutes and haven't even gotten a refill of water. The menu says they serve coffee but when asked for coffee the waiter laughed in my face and said "NO."
(1)Maria S.
Nope. Not a fan. We went for dinner last night and I was not impressed. My main complaint is that it is really over priced for what it is. 2 entrees, nan and just water to drink. It was $45 with tip. The servings were really small and just ok tasting. The space is nice, but the experience was lacking. It would probably be better if you were only paying $8 for a buffet. My husband liked his dish, but I found it to be too spicy for me, while my dish was bland. I feel a little ripped off.
(2)Vanessa H.
My husband and I came here because we bought a groupon a few months back. We ordered the butter chicken, saag paneer, naan, and some lamb dish that I can't remember. The butter chicken was delicious! The saag paneer was really good, but the lamb I probably wouldn't order again, it was too tough for my liking. But the sauces on everything were great, very flavorful and tasty. When the server brought our order, we initially thought that the portion sizes were on the small side. But looks can be deceiving and we ended up taking some home--because everything was very filling. And this was after both of us being super hungry because we were eating a late dinner. The service was excellent, very attentive without being overbearing. We agreed that this is the best Indian food that we've had in Denver, and we've both had the opportunity to visit India in the past. We will definitely be back to India Tavern in the future.
(4)Michelle A.
Just got back from lunch with my husband. We decided on the buffet. The dishes next to the food were very dirty. The waitress did wash 2 for us. But after that I wasn't so excited to eat. We had a Chai tea which was luke warm. We ordered the Naan bread again just so so. The meal certainly was not anything exciting. This place is in the Tech center close to Shanahans. I can't imagine it will last.
(1)Aaron D.
Great restaurant with some of the best Indian cuisine in Denver. My wife and I were fans of India House downtown, and were saddened to hear of its closing. Luckily, the owner of India House also owns this fine establishment, and we were relieved to find that the food at India Tavern is just as good as India House was. I spent some time in the UK, and this restaurant is on par with the many Indian restaurants I enjoyed while staying there. We started with the mixed vegetable hors d'oeurves, and were delighted with a plate of crispy fried vegetables served with raita (yogurt sauce). The vindaloo I had was fiery and flavorful. Luckily there was plenty of naan bread to cut the heat! My wife loved her favorite vegetable korma, and also enjoyed the pillowy naan to sop up the gravy. We were too stuffed to order dessert, but did enjoy some of the best chai we've found in Denver. Definitely recommended.
(5)Peter C.
One of the worst restaurant experiences of my life. I went for the $9 dollar lunch buffet. They were all cleaned out of food except for some naan, rice, and chicken. So I nibbled a bit and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally about 25 minutes into sitting there waiting for food they brought some more naan. And two heapings of rice. But there were no main courses to be had. Eventually they brought out some beef meatballs and mixed veggies that had clearly been frozen and pre-cooked. Every time the waiter was asked if there would be more food coming, he replied "in two minutes." I felt sorry for a group of four who had just sat down and also had nothing to eat by the time I left. The ownership here clearly doesn't care in the least, and I believe that they kept the buffet empty on purpose to save themselves money. Hopefully this strategy will also save themselves from having to serve customers at all.
(1)Coral E.
I've now been to India Tavern twice, once for dinner and once for their lunch buffet, and both times I've left feeling somewhat let down. The first time I came here, I came for dinner not long after they had opened. The restaurant was empty, I assume because they were still new, and even so, my service was a little slow. I ordered the chicken vindaloo, my favorite, and some garlic naan. The food was ok, though I felt the portions were small particularly for the cost, and I left a little disappointed. For lunch, I normally check out India's lunch buffet on Hampden, which I've found to be a great deal and pretty reliable lunch buffet. I decided to try India Tavern this week for a change of pace and because it's more conveniently located near my office. This buffet was a great value for the money ($9!) and included the all-you-can-eat buffet plus a basket of fresh naan brought to your table. I loved the naan especially because many other Indian places here have you get it at the buffet and it's either dry or they are out of it. The naan was warm, chewy and fresh-- no complaints there! As for the buffet itself, they had pretty standard offerings-- several curries, saag, basmati rice, and some fried vegetables that I believe were to be like Pakora? The rice was perfectly cooked and moist, and I really enjoyed the saag. Their curry vegetables were basically just frozen peas/carrots/green beans in a curry sauce-- not good. They had butter chicken, which I tend to like less than a chicken tika masala or other dishes, but it was fine. Their curries had a weirdly absent chicken to sauce ratio, and the raita was just ok. Overall, the lunch buffet seems like it could be hit-or-miss, but that it's a good value if you want to have some rice, naan, saag, and hope the other offerings are good for the day.
(3)Terry P.
Very poor service. Food was just okay. But then they added $10 to my credit card tip and I am having to fight them over it. Bad bad bad!!!
(1)Travis T.
Best vindaloo / naan in Denver!! People make the error of judging an Indian restaurant based on their lunch buffet which is a MISTAKE because I can't think of any buffet that has ever exceeded my expectations (Indian or other cuisines). Buffet food is pre made and toned down for the masses, which is especially apparent in Indian food, a cuisine known for it's vast array of spices. Anyway, the naan is light and fluffy with the perfect amount of char from the oven and the vindaloo is a perfect blend of spice and flavor. My gf's butter chicken was also a hit. HIGHLY recommended!
(5)John S.
So to start off with i grew up on the east coast eating at a lot of locally owned 1st generation Indian immigrant restaurants and this can hold its weight against them. The lamb saag and the lamb curry is superb. In addition the naan is fantastic as well. I have been to this restaurant several times and it is consistent in its excellent food. Something that is extremely enjoyable is the ambiance of the restaurant, it makes for a great romantic dinner with the wife. The service is definitely not fast but in my opinion that adds to the experience because it slows you down and can focus on enjoy the experience. Lastly the owner is very friendly and personable and without fail has been there every time i have come to this restaurant so kudos's for his work effort.
(5)Tim O.
Had a groupon for these guys and ended up having a great meal there. It's a little hard to find and there was almost nobody in the place (the other 4 people had the groupon too) but the food was great. I hope they make it! Great wait staff, and again great food.
(4)Kumi H.
I went here to have dinner with two friends last week, one of those friends had her birthday that day we went. India Tavern actually closes for a few hours between their lunch buffet and their dinner hours, which I personally didn't realize until shortly before I arrived there to meet with my non-birthday friend (we both were 20-30 minutes early for our reservation at 6:15 and waited until the doors were opened at 6; her reason was that she works at a school along Speer, had to stay after school hours for a meeting, and left to go straight to the restaurant instead of picking up her dog from her house in between because she thought she'd run into more traffic than she actually did; mine was also due to traffic reasons and from having to pick up said friend's dog). This is the first Indian restaurant in Denver that I've been in, so I can't compare India Tavern to other Denver Indian places. I had the buttered chicken, and we all shared some naan and an appetizer that I can't think of the name for right now. The food was great and reminded me of the first time I ever tried Indian food while visiting Vancouver, BC, where teacher-friend and I went to a local Indian place to eat a few times. The food was about $15-$16 for main entrees, which I know sounds pretty expensive for the portion size, but there aren't a lot of Indian places in Denver that I know (as opposed to what I saw when I was in Vancouver, where near the hotel, there were two local Indian restaurants one block apart, so there was competition in food quality and pricing). Same thing here as I experienced in Vancouver was that you can ask for the spice level to be lowered/raised as per your taste and tolerance level (my spice tolerance is mild). Service was pretty good. The host asked if we were waiting very long outside and apologized for the wait. No clue about the lunch buffet.
(4)Sean O.
I went here with my family after having bought a LivingSocial deal. We came for their lunch buffet. It was ok, but less than my expectations. The buffet selection was small, and didn't include any Naan or dipping bread. We also got a lamb samosa appetizer, it was expensive, small, and very dry. Not worth the money. I wouldn't say this place is bad, but just not very appealing. It's probably perfect for a quick lunch for all those office workers in the Denver Tech area. It's not worth driving down from where I live though.
(3)Cortney G.
What's up with all the haters? Okay, so I'll concede the lack of cars the first time we buzzed the parking lot had me a little concerned: just after noon, Tech Center location, virtually in the parking lot of several major corporate centers, one other car parked alone near the front door.... what was wrong with this picture??? And really, what's wrong with the picture has NOTHING to do with the food, service, pricing, or ambiance... those were all spot-on. I think, unfortunately, it's India Tavern's location: to access from 25-northbound requires a left turn across Belleview, a quick whip into the parking lot of a mirror-windowed skyscraper, working your way back around the periphery of that building's parking lot, sneaking behind the Wendy's, then finally snaking around a landscaped median in front of what looks to be a largely-unoccupied building (save India tavern itself) before you even hit the front door. So that one-star-short of a 5-star review? Yeah, folks: it's for having to play "Mousetrap" before getting your tastebuds onto India Tavern's lunch buffet! All that being said, India Tavern is about the best game in town in or around Tech Center. The restaurant itself is cozy and lit via floor-to-ceiling picture windows, the artwork is modernized regionally-appropriate fare, tables are covered in white linen, and walls dark: definitely going for the urban standard, and they've hired attractive younger staff at both the bar and on the restaurant floor. Service is swift and attentive, but if you're expecting typical Indian restaurant "hovercraft" waiters, you'll be sadly disappointed; these folks are slightly cool and stand-offish, but that being said, when my kids needed straws, or our water glasses dropped to a quarter full, our waiter was there. These staffers are clearly comfortable with giving patrons a little independence of their own, and frankly, I prefer it that way if I'm trying to have an actual meaningful conversation with a lunch guest, or juggle hellions (i.e. my children) solo. Having been a 21-+ year vegetarian, I consider myself a bit of an Indian food connoisseur, and on that front, India Tavern definitely doesn't disappoint. The saag paneer is delicate and creamy and heady and delightful; the tikka masalaa delightfully spiced (even if the sauce is slightly thin). I've found their curries to be consistently satisfying and yummy, and love the ready offerings of minted and tamarind chutnies... goodbye, India's Castle (which has TRULY been on the decline for the past 6-8 months, both food and service-wise): you used to be tops in my book, but there's a new favorite in town! We've really enjoyed India Tavern the handful of times we've been in, and look forward to patronizing them for many lunches & dinners to come!
(4)Nam T.
Food is good, portion is a bit small.
(4)Brian W.
Good, just not full price good. I enjoyed my meal, really liked the flavors, they just did not stand out and say wow. Swordfish was a very nice touch and different. Very dead place on Friday night as I said in my check in, made me Leary of using my groupon, but glad I had a discount. I will not go back but not good enough for 3 stars, I do love all the flavors Indian food has, and the Bir rice was tasty with the fish. Oh, the portions were way smaller than any of their competetion.
(2)Joan C.
My husband and I had dinner here a couple weeks ago. I thought it was overpriced for what it offered. I think my chicken dish made with thighs was about $15. It tasted good enough, but that's a pretty expensive price for something made out of inexpensive meat (and probably not even organic). I didn't mind that portions aren't very large - that's the way I think all restaurants should serve food - but again that points to the prices seeming a bit high. Like another reviewer, I had an unclean plate. It looked like it might have just been rinsed and wiped off, not actually washed with soap. It didn't have visible food residue on it but was just kind-of greasy looking. Given that there are a number of other good Indian restaurants nearby, I think we'll stick to the others for dinner, at least. I am willing to give this place a try for the lunch buffet sometime, but if I see any dirty dishes or the food isn't good, that'll be the last time. Too bad, because I was really excited about a new Indian restaurant coming to DTC.
(2)Levi L.
Excellent customer service, clean, somewhat romantic atmosphere, and stumbled upon an incredible appetizer that blew my mind. The dinner, however, was a little too "clay oven roasted" and the chicken was very rubbery. I wanted so bad for the dinner to be good after the excellent service and appetizer but they just didn't pull it off. I probably won't go back- but don't let that stop you from giving them a try. I wasn't terrible.
(3)Ssspecial S.
I saw this place advertised on the 25 ...thought I'd give it a try. Had the eggplant dish, super yummy, the samosa, also good but not as flavorful as others I'd had. I did love the pastry crust. The paratha was a disappointing, it was a tad stale on the edges and not as buttery as my friend can make it. Another downer was the price... $26 for the three items. I will give it another shot though, as the eggplant dish was yummy; hopefully, the other dishes will be as tasty.
(3)Nicholas A.
Went in here for lunch on a Saturday. It was pretty much empty but they had the buffet available so we decided on that. Lots of vegetarian dishes available and plenty of fresh fruits/vegetables. Lunch came with a basket of plain naan that was also pretty good. Overall I'd say that this was a nice place for a quick lunch and I'll probably be back to see what they have on their dinner menu.
(4)Brian S.
I don't eat a lot of Indian food but I love this restaurant. Its usually very quiet and kind of quaint. The staff tries very hard to make sure you have everything you need and your happy and the Lamb is AWESOME. I really enjoy eating here and interacting with the staff.
(4)Sandra C.
Great lunch buffet...with all the good Indian food. Good price...too.
(4)Matt S.
nope. When a restaurant is empty, there is no explanation for waiting two hours for food. I would rank the quality for price as mediocre. When I need my subcontinent fix in the future I will seek out a more reputable tandoori provider.
(1)Morgen O.
My boyfriend and I had a LivingSocial coupon to go try this place out. We ordered Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Raita, and garlic naan. The serving sizes were quite small but everything tasted SOOO good! We were still a bit hungry after splitting the above so my boyfriend ordered Spicy Chicken Coconut Curry it came and was a super small serving but tasted amazing...however they failed to refill our waters for 30 minutes, our mouths were burning so we munched on our ice. The service overall was not good, seems to be understaffed and run by a family. The woman working there will be more concerned about her cell phone than your meal/table. We asked her for our bill and got it about 20 minutes later she cleared our table without ever refilling our empty water glasses....we ate ALL the ice. I would go back again, hopefully get some better service... or just order a pitcher of water for our table. Overall- GREAT FOOD, but mediocre SERVICE.
(4)Soetjahjo S.
I am not impressed with the buffet, the food were bland, maybe I did not come at the right time, even my Indian friends said the foods are not good, but they have lamb meat for buffet and the naan bread is freshly cooked.
(2)norm p.
Had the lunch buffet today. As good as any Indian food I ate while living in Scottsdale for 17 years.
(4)Charles B.
Amazing food, great service, clean, comfortable environment, and one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Will definintly be back and highly recommend to anyone.
(5)Mo C.
I did not have a good experience here. But, it was likely the specific situation rather than a systemic problem with this place. I dropped in on a Sunday afternoon, Groupon in hand. The Open sign was on, but the entire restaurant was empty. I wandered around for what felt like 10 minutes before someone finally came out of the kitchen. Apparently the only person in the entire restaurant was the cook. He definitely did not want to play server as well and really would have preferred that I just do the buffet. But, I generally order off the menu because I like my Indian food a bit spicier than they usually serve in in the buffet. After quite some time, which I imagine was spent calling around trying to find the owner or a server to come back to the restaurant, the cook took my order. A server showed up a bit later. The food was good, but not so good as to make me forget the akward situation and the fact that it took entirely too long to be seated, order food and receive food. I won't be back.
(2)B G.
This place is so delicious. We weren't quite sure what to order because everything looked so good but the waiter had great recommendations and mmmmmm, the butter chicken is incredible! Staff was nice and accommodating. Our new spot for Indian food in DTC, want to try the lunch buffet.
(5)Sonja A.
A hidden treasure! Tucked away off Belleview, this place deserves a shout out. Using a Groupon, the merchant was very open and gracious to offer the entire menu. Tikka Masala was our entree of choice and while dinners do not include Naan (extra 2.50), our server still provided to us an order of Naan *and* Roti at no charge. Not sure if that is typical at this location but it was appreciated. Service was lovely and staff friendly. Food arrived hot and in a timely manner. Will definately be going back!
(4)Chris A.
This is hands down the worst Indian restaurant in Denver. I went last night with my newly purchased Groupon deal. I have tried most Indian restaurants in the area and thought we might give this one a try. We walked in at 6:30 and saw a clean restaurant. There were exactly 3 people eating. At first, I didn't give too much of a thought. The entrees seemed overpriced at $16-$20 but we ordered Butter Chicken and Chicken Jalfrezi and one naan priced at $4 and 2 orders of chai. Communication with the young male waiter was very awkward as he was unsure about a lot of things and constantly gave us a deer in the headlight looks. The dishes came in a small portion. If you have ever microwaved leftover basmati rice, you'd understand how sometimes it gets crispy around the edges of the plate. Well, guess what, we were served rice that was re-heated. Butter chicken came with super cut up thigh pieces and was very mild (we ordered medium) and it tasted more tomatoey than buttery. Chicken Jalfrezi tasted like it was missing a couple of ingrediants and was just blah. We were really disappointed but we don't like to send food back because we worry if they will "mess" with our replacement dish, if you know what I mean. I wish I read other reviews on Yelp. Even with the groupon offer, this was not a deal. This place deserves a 0 star. Look elsewhere.
(1)Florence B.
I went for the lunch buffet and one of the sauce (green) was bad and I got sick at work the same afternoon... I won't come back.
(1)James K.
This place used to be well worth the $8 price. It was a hidden gem. The all you can eat buffet selection wasn't huge by any stretch but the food they did have was pretty good. I haven't been there for a year or so but decided today I was in the mood for Indian and went here. I arrived at just after 1 the place was empty and most of the food was gone. I asked for more and they kept saying "is coming" but "Is Never Came!!!" I ordered a Diet Coke to drink and they brought a can to which when I asked for another they said they are $2.00 WTF??? A couple came in at the end of my meal and I overheard the guy say "this is one of my favorite restaurants." He started asking for things because they were out... he received the same answer "is coming"... but then it came right out. So either they weren't going to waste time/food on 1 person or this guy came in all the time and knew someone.... So I will never be back.
(1)Alexis G.
India Tavern has nice decor, but the service is slow and the food is overpriced. We had to wait about 10 minutes for our server to take our order. I can understand that in a crowded restaurant, but this place was dead. I just felt like we were being overlooked. My lunch entree was $18 for the garlic shrimp which included shrimp and rice. Naan was an extra charge, so we didn't get any. The shrimp was too spicy for my liking, so I didn't really enjoy my expensive lunch.
(3)Phil M.
I had a business meeting across the street and craved good Indian food for lunch. I was surprised to only see one other patron when I visited. Very reasonably priced lunch buffet! The fresh naan was absolutely DELICIOUS! As with many, my favorite dish is chicken tikka masala. It's sad to say but I found theirs fairly bland. In my opinion it needed to have more heat (not temperature) and additional spices other than just the curry. Perhaps bay leaves and something else. I haven't done enough Indian cooking to recommend anything. My comparison is to Indian restaurants in New York. My brother-in-law is Indian and lives in the NY area. When I'm in the area I will try this location again
(3)Travis O.
When I say service is slow it's an understatement. We were here for a hour waiting at every step. We were the only ones in the place! The food Is marginal, there are better Indian places around. The value is there if you have the groupon dinner. Other than that you will be paying too much for bad service and mediocre food.
(3)Mary O.
This place is great I used grub hub and they are always on time and very nice. I got a side of the phaal and I have to say the spice is intense I am glad I got a side of it cuz it's so spicy. I loved it! I get the tikki masala and it's very tasty and good!! The naan is really good. I always buy 2. I'm addicted to their lassi. Overall this place is great and I don't know why people give such bad reviews. It may be a bit pricey but the flavors are there and you can tell it's a well ran single owned business. Not chained!!!
(5)Charlene K.
What incredible Indian food! I had the Tandori Mixed Grill, and read this -- the chicken WASN'T dry!! It was fabulous. I don't think I've ever NOT had a dry chicken at an Indian place. You get 5 stars just for that. We had the Onion Bhaji for the appetizer. It's onion seasoned with turmeric and deep fried. De-lish! Something different, I really enjoyed the flavor. We also had the Shrimp Pakora. Oh my! It's worth it to come back just to order these shrimp. Amazing flavor, light, crispy, slightly sweet and fun to eat. Best dish of the night. The staff is friendly and attentive, my dinner companion and I stayed for a couple hours and they must have filled my water glass at least ten times. I had a glass of red wine also that was excellent. My friend had the garlic shrimp. I tried some, it was more like cilantro shrimp instead of garlic shrimp, but still tasty. We were there on a Friday night and the place was slow. What's wrong with you, Denver? Maybe they need a happy hour, they have a huge bar and a fantastic mixed drink menu, but I'm telling you, this is great food you should really try it out!
(5)Josh F.
I have been eating indian food for all my life and India Tavern is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to. The restaurant and decor is nice and simple. The place is clean and they always have clean tablecloths and silver wear as well. The staff are nice and are happy to offer their advice if you have never been there before. I come to this place all the time because I live too far away to do delivery. They are located in the DTC near 225 and 25, and thankfully right next to my office. The lunch buffet is great if you want to get out of the office and even though I like my indian food spicy, I can always add the hot sauce they keep ready, next to the salad dressings, to kick the heat up a few pegs. The tandoori chicken is delicious, the garlic naan is fantastic, and I love the coconut curry shrimp. they always give you a lot of rice and give you more if you run out and they have delicious mango lassi. I recently discovered their samosa chatt and I am very disappointed I didn't try it sooner. Anyway, if you love indian and like to order off the menu or do buffet this place has great food, good service and fair prices. I have introduced a few coworkers to this restaurant and no one has gone back to work displeased. I even have a British coworker who loves his "curry" and he thinks it's the best he has had in his 7 years in the states. Give it a try and write a review. Also, I don't know what Suzanne and Mo were talking about. I have never walked in and not been greeted. The food is great and I think Suzanne only wanted to write a "cute & funny" review on here since she seems to only write reviews that focus on her delightful sense of humor and not the services and goods of the establishments she visits.
(5)Nathan C.
This place is relaxed, has fresh food and the staff are very nice! I have come here a couple different time by myself and with my girlfriend and we both have lived the verity of the menu and how fresh the food is. You must try this place to see what I'm talking about.
(5)Timothy H.
They refused to accept a Living Social Coupon even though we listened to the already strict standards. They said they would not accept the Living Social coupon during the weekend at all. They said it was Living Socials fault. They were extremely rude and did not admit fault for a mistake that was probably there own. I will never step foot in that restaurant again.
(1)John N.
Had a delightful dinner here the other night. The staff was friendly and accommodating. They were willing to chit-chat and converse with us, not rushed to run back to the kitchen, etc. All the dishes ordered were not too spicy - our 5yr old was able to sample everything. Appetizers: Samosa - crispy and flaky crust filled with savory ground lamb and spices. Being a tad oily kept this from getting full 5 stars. Cheese dish - a firm, dry cheese appetizer with sauteed onions. While quite good, this was the wallflower of the meal. This is the other dish that held back the 5th star. Battered Shrimp - a very light batter makes this a nice opener. Entrees: Butter Chicken - wife's favorite. Lots of flavor, really creamy-'buttery' curry like sauce. Terrific spices make for a delicious savory dish. Coconut Lamb Curry - my favorite. The lamb was tender and not too gamey. The coconut curry was delightfully rich in flavor. It was very savory and the slight coconut sweetness really set it off. Dessert: Balls of dough/bread soaked in honey sauce. What a great way to finish dinner. The honey sauce is not overpowering, nor is it overly sweet. I've had some great Indian food in Chgo and this one is right up there.
(4)Jason R.
When it comes to Indian Food in Denver the selection is rather narrow. The few restaurants (6) that we do have are scattered at best... On that note, I frequent the lunch buffet at India Tavern, located in the heart of DTC. With plenty of food to choose from and relatively fresh fare, one can't go wrong. (The $8 price take is what warrants the 4th star.) Speaking now to the dinner I had last night. It should be noted that this was the first time that I have had dinner at this establishment and I am pleased to say that both the service (Excellent Waiter!) and the fare was a step above what is offered at lunch. The two dishes we ordered were the Tandori Mixed Grill (which had an assortment of lamb, prawn, fish and chicken) and the lamb Phaal. While the Tandori was cooked to perfection, it was the Phaal that knocked my socks off! *It should be noted that the warning on the menu is there for a reason. This dish is not for the faint at heart.* Made with a mix of Thai Chilis, Jalapenos and an absurdly well balanced combination of curry and flavor, this dish is sure to make even the hottest pepper chaser sweat! In an effort to keep this post as short and sweet as possible I must say that if you have a hankering for Indian Food, live south of University and I25 and are up for a thrill, give both India Tavern the Phaal a shot. @Paul D. (excellent review)
(4)Cielo G.
Tops at the Tavern with a concise, quality lunch buffet ($9) served on higher-end decorative plates and white tablecloths. Saag, dal, and curries were well flavored, although the second visit didn't prove as tasty. They were bland; thus, I downgraded the rating to three stars. Asked for roti (whole wheat) without butter and they gladly obliged. Haven't been there for supper. Enjoyable atmosphere and food.
(3)Davin A.
Our favorite Indian restaurant closed down and we started to search for a new one. We tried a half dozen places and were not impressed. We came to India Tavern and we were blown away. The food is incredible! We have not gone anywhere else since we discovered this hidden jewel, and this is now our new favorite Indian restaurant. Enjoy a high quality lunch buffet or a private dinner setting. The wait staff is friendly and attentive.
(5)Carolyn S.
My husband and I just enjoyed our second dinner here. We ordered different items than last time, and we truly can't decide which dishes we love the most! We arrived just 45 minutes before closing, so it was very slow, but we received prompt, courteous service. The naan was hot and fresh, and our grilled paneer appetizer was unique and delicious. We will be returning, for sure. It is clear that this is a small, family owned business. We love to support local places. Yummmm!
(4)Dkoda J.
The worst indian food I've ever had.
(1)Nicole S.
We visited during what we thought would be the dinner rush, but we arrived to a freakishly DEAD restaurant. We were the only ones in the restaurant apart from one other lady. It was so quiet, every movement we made seemed to echo. This stillness, along with the awkward combination of sophisticated place settings with authentic Indian cuisine, made for an uncomfortable dining experience. The waiter's unenthusiastic and borderline depressing attitude certainly didn't help either. The food itself was good, but the portions were surprisingly small considering the exorbitant prices. Not worth it.
(2)Brady K.
Happened on this place because of a Denver Daily Deal. Since it was in DTC, I figured that its not that far and I'm always wanting to explore Indian food. First, India Tavern is hard to get into, you can only take a right into it, and then you got to circle around to get to the parking lot. If you make a left at Wendy's and go into their parking lot, you will be greatly disappointed to find that the parking lots are blocked off by grassy mediums. Then you have to go back out of Wendy's and then go further down and take a right. The place itself was nicely decorated and service was very polite. When we looked at the menu, I we were not sure what to order. A lot of the menu seemed foreign, so I went with the basic butter chicken and my wife went with the garlic shrimp. The chicken turned out to be what I know as classic curry and it was pretty good. I really liked what they had and they also had a buffet which looked pretty good. The main problem is that it cost 16 dollars for lunch! Most of the entree's were around that price point. Too steep for lunch and if its dinner, it better come with nan, basmati, and some belly dancers.
(3)Gavin C.
Delicious food! I am in love with their lamb masala, but initially my girlfriend and I were going there for the lamp chop. Unfortunately they were sold out. Turns out that we ordered the lamb Samoa. It tastes just ok, not too surprising, and the ground lamb meat is too dry. Yet their masala is really good! 100% recommend! Butter chicken is too blend, not much taste to it. Don't order the lassi, they are too warm for a cold drink... If you ask me if I will go back? Yes!! Just can't forget about the masala + naan
(3)Shea S.
Armed with a Groupon Now! promotion, I decided to give India Tavern's biryani a try. The lamb was very tender, and the portions were substantial. The dish certainly played the part of biryani, but could have used a bit more flavor for the price compared to other biryanis I've had. Still a tasty and filling meal though. A-OK is exactly what my experience was at India Tavern. An interesting note is that they have a dish with a lengthy warning about how hot it is. So if you have the craving for heat, perhaps you should try it out.
(3)Brad F.
This is a legitimately good Indian place in DTC!! I have been to India Tavern close to fifty times and haven't been disappointed yet. The Chicken Tikka Masala is my favorite and is usually my go to, however their Coconut Shrimp Curry is also very good. The samosas, both vegetable and lamb, are great and the Samosa Chaat (vegetable samosa covered in chickpeas, mint and tamarind chutney) is amazing!! The Tandoori Mixed Grill is good and includes lamb, chicken, fish, and seekh kebabs. They make a delicious Mango Lassi. For dessert (when I'm not too full) I like to get some Khir (rice pudding) topped with sliced toasted almonds a few Gulab Jamoons on the side that I like to mix in. The service is good and the staff is very friendly. Because they are located in the Tech Center and within walking distance of several nearby hotels and offices they can get very busy. Particularly when there are conventions going on nearby and the word-of-mouth starts to spread, you may be forced to wait, but its definitely worth it. The lunch buffet is fantastic and open every day of the week and considering the price $8.95, how can you complain? The naan is always fresh which is nice at a buffet. I have been many times with people from work and everyone has enjoyed it, even those less familiar with Indian cuisine. The buffet is not spicy at all BUT if you like yours hot, like I do, they keep some red sauce in the cold section that will heat things up a little. I usually add 2 spoonfuls to every plate but beware because I like it hotter than most. (WARNING: If you're a wuss, like my coworkers, you probably should start with a little on the side just to gauge the hotness.) This place is a great alternative to some of the other dining options DTC has to offer.
(5)Paul D.
Let me preface this that I'm writing this review based on one experience, and with one menu item--The Phaal. I read it was spicy, and it didn't disappoint. HOT and fantastic flavor. Chile-head Bliss. One of the hottest dishes I have found in Denver--And they don't cheat by putting capsaicin extract in--It's all real, legit chiles. If you like spice, don't miss it! Also must give the owner props--He was there when I was and chatted with me for quite a while about his history in the restaurant business, Indian Beer (oh, and he bought me one for eating the Phaal) and all the chiles he puts in his Phaal. Only thing that prevents me from giving it 5 stars is that it's a bit spendy. I would eat there all the time if it was a little less expensive
(4)Melissa M.
I'm going to throw this place a bone. I usually get take-out. Usually the butter chicken or lamb massala but since I'm a vegetarian, I replace it with veggie pakora and paneer...anything. They are really nice there, and only once I've had to go back with the wrong order so just a word to the wise to please check your order before leaving just to make sure. The garlic naan is pretty good. It's not the most spectacular, but it is good and close in the DTC area.
(4)Suzanne M.
I get the feeling this place, located as it is in the tech center, concentrates on the lunch crowd. We went for dinner, and with a groupon, so I really don't have a whole lot of room to complain. Which is a shame, because I want to SO BAD. You know what? Screw 'em. I'm still burping that samosa I ate fifteen hours ago. I find this surprising, because I thought I'd thrown it all up while I was waiting for the entrée (believe me, I had plenty of time). That samosa was an overfried glob of barely-seasoned mashed potatoes, and in all honesty, it tasted better coming back up. The waiter said he could have the kitchen dial back on the spice a bit, so I ordered the lamb vindaloo, easy on the fiery. My companion ordered some kind of tandoori chicken, I forget exactly what it was. The lamb had more heat than flavor, and I had to spit out a piece of gristle. I hate having to do that in front of a guy. The chicken wasn't bad, but I don't think naan is supposed to be as greasy and tortilla-like as what they served. It didn't taste like it was cooked in the tandoor; it tasted like it was fried in a skillet. The rice was... weird. The mango daiquiri was pretty good, but I wish it hadn't taken so long to get it. The service was... ok... but very, very slow. I contemplated taking a picture of my empty, waiting (chipped) plate to go with my review. There were only two people working the dining area, and no bartender, but there were only about four tables seated in the whole place, so they should have been able to keep up, I'd think. It's my own fault, really. I know better: the tech center is the place for lunch, not dinner. I'd like to give this place a one-star rating, but with the groupon, the meal only cost eleven bucks, so that hardly seems fair. Two, then.
(2)Robert C.
Great variety of awesome foods and above all it's a excellent buffet of Indian food. We will be back again and again. Next time I'm dragging Jim Shearer here to try this restaurant. They are awesome! Where have this restaurant been hiding?
(5)Jesusio C.
Meh. if i'm paying a premium for lamb shish kabobs, i'd expect it to be not ground up meatballs. Also, paid for cheese naan, got regular, but charged the price for the stuffed naan! awesome. or not really. food is good, delivery was reasonably quick so 3 stars.
(3)Jack p.
I am use to Indian buffet's because I want a little of everything. This was way nicer than I expected. Prices were way higher than what I was expected. Friendly service and great food. I live very close to this place- I need to make it here for the lunch buffet because I believe that is the best way to experience Indian food. Unless they get a item on the menu that is a combo platter for 10 bucks with naan.
(3)Jeff S.
I finally tried this place after I got a $15 off coupon that was circulated through my neighborhood. I came in on a Saturday night by myself, there were only a couple of other tables, I sat at the bar and got service immediately. I ordered garlic naan and lamb vindaloo. The naan was very fresh and tasty, I liked the flavor of the vindaloo, the lamb was tender, but I'm used to that dish being really hot, and this wasn't. It wasn't bland, but could have been much spicier. They have a decent selection of wine and liquor, the restaurant is spacious, especially the bar, and it's dimly lit and cozy. They seem to have a good lunch buffet, I will most likely come back for that rather than dinner, mainly due to the price.
(3)Elisabeth C.
My boyfriend, daughter, and I went here on a Thursday night- when we pulled up the parking lot (and the restaurant) were completely empty and my boyfriend wondered out loud if we should still go in. I'd scanned the menu online quickly, and felt confident the food would be pretty good judging by the items they were offering- so we went in. The server who greeted us was very warm and friendly. We ordered papadums and pickle as well as the samosa chaat to start. The papadums (two) and pickles were very good- it was a sour/spicy lime pickle, tamarind, and a cilantro. The chaat was excellent- our daughter loved all the chickpeas in it. For the main courses we ordered a saag dish (spinach), and lamb rogan josh. The meat in the rogan josh was very tender, and the sauce was adequately spicy (we ordered medium, spicy would have been very hot indeed), the saag was creamy, rich, and delicious. Before leaving, we had to order a portion of gulab jamun (2). If you've never had these before, they are essentially Indian doughnut 'holes' in a sweet cardamom-infused syrup. These were perfectly cooked and super delicious. The water brought out two complimentary steaming cups of chai- which were delicious, and a really nice touch and end to the evening. The service was attentive but not overbearing, and yes, the price isn't incredibly cheap, but I found the portion sizes more than adequate (we had half of our food to bring home!). Indian food tends to be very rich, you don't need heaping American-sized portions to feel full! I do hope this place stays in business despite the somewhat awkward location. I'm from the UK (near Bradford of all places!) so I appreciate good Indian food, and we will most definitely be back. Give this place a try!
(4)Dan S.
The slightly bad location (getting to the parking is a bit awkward, the business next door is closed?) and slightly upscale interior (white table cloths, etc) make me wonder if this place will survive. For better or worse, there aren't too many fancy Indian places in the area - they tend to be casual and less expensive than India's. And then, of course, there is the food. More below. The buffet is reasonable ($8) and extensive enough. They make their own chai (too sweet to be the real thing, which may be some foreshadowing) and the food appeared fresh and enticing. As I often do at a buffet, I got a little bit of just about everything to try - Aloo Ghobi, Tandoori Chicken, Saag Paneer, Pakoras, Curry Chicken, Dal, Tamarind chutney, Beef Meat balls (which seems out of place, maybe some foreshadowing again). They brought some fresh naan to the table - simple and tasty and hot, I really liked it. After I tried everything, I went back for more (reliably gluttonous American that I am). Here's the rub - nothing stood out. None of the dishes had a big, "get me some more of that" flavor. I had a little bit more of everything. The desserts were similar - the Gulab Jamun a little too dense, the Kheer (just labeled as rice pudding) a mite too hard, the Rasmalai too sweet (did I mention gluttonous?). I have a sneaking suspicion that the chef knows what s/he is doing, but has toned down the food for an 'American' customer. Everything was too bland, too sweet, and not all that, well, Indian. All in all, left me wanting some good Indian food. Not sure how long it has been here - maybe they will improve, but I can only muster a couple stars at this point. I would prefer every other Indian place in the general vicinity (that I've been to) if you wanted to go Indian tonight.
(2)Brett C.
As other reviewers stated, VERY OVERPRICED. Even with a Groupon for the Indian Tavern it was still way too much $$. $16 got my wife a small bowl of chicken curry and a side of rice. The chicken was scarce and chewy soft bone was a regular find in the curry. $18 got me a small bowl of shrimp curry that had very little shrimp as well as flavor. Both curries had a very similar base with only a slightly different flavor. I've had far better curry out of a jar from Trader Joe's. I would say a fair price based on quality and size would be in the $6-$8 range, instead this place is priced as if it were a highly sought after steak house. Went on a Friday night and it was fairly empty, no surprise there, definitely not a place I would recommend to any friend... but I might send my enemies. Mango lasso was good.
(2)J C.
Save your money and even if you get a Groupon, it's not worth your time and money. The portion was ridiculously small for the price. I've been to other restaurants w/ high prices and small portions but their quality and presentation were worth it however this place did not live up to that. The wait staff was very slow; we had to get the waiter ourselves to place our order and that was when we were sitting there for at least 15 mins. I will never go back to this restaurant again.
(1)Chris J.
I'm in total agreeance with Courtney G. What's going on with all the hatred Colorado? India Tavern cooks your food to exact specifications with culinary precision. Service is fast and I believe this is thanks to all of negative reviews which have driven down customer traffic significantly. Each time I've been here the service has been solid, their curries have been excellent, and the prices are fair considering their location. This place is worth a shot and it won't rob your pockets.
(4)Sarah H.
I never thought I'd say this about an Indian restaurant, but my food was bland. I ordered the coconut shrimp curry (it came out in what I can only assume was mild, I was not asked what spice level I wanted) and my partner ordered chicken vindaloo medium. His vindaloo had a nice kick but, as he put it, "tasted like spicy marinara sauce". The portions are quite small for the price and it seemed to take a long time to get our food. Nobody checked in on us and we had to flag our waiter to get drink refills. I ordered dessert and they brought out the wrong thing. They corrected this and even let us keep the first dessert, but I'm about 80% sure the replacement dessert was spit into - I can't be sure since I've never had that particular item before, but the consistency and sour smell were pretty worrisome. Needless to say, we won't be going back.
(1)Dan D.
Good food, friendly service, and clean. If I lived in the area, I'd go back. :)
(4)Terry T.
Ordered the coconut curry shrimp and some nan. I was shocked to find fresh and warm nan delivered to my hotel room. The curry was spiced very well and so very good. I cannot speak on the service (delivery went very well) or the interior so take my review with that in mind. I recommend the food...can't speak on the rest.
(4)Angelique V.
The saag paneer was inedible. They really need to work on that recipe. But their korma is delicious. Ordered take out, so can't speak to the service, but the restaurant is nice looking, new and clean. A little pricey for Indian food.
(3)Larissa V.
Went for the lunch buffet and liked most of the food. The tandoor chicken was pretty dry and the saag was way too spicy. The buffet was not labeled very well, so I'm not sure what everything was supposed to be. It's not horrible, but I'm not sure I would go back.
(2)Karen S.
I was surfing on the internet looking for some good indian food and India Tavern popped up. My parents were a little bit hesitant but enjoyed it most of all. The service was great, the food was great, the decor was great. I would definitely come back and recommend it to many. I do recommend the dish saag and tikki masala and for a drink the mango lassi.
(5)Manu M.
This restaurent has a kind of quitessential diner feel. It has an upscale look among the Indian restaurents i have been to in Denver.The windows are big and gives a lot of light and makes the place a good one in sunny days. Unfortunately there is no park on the other side, but the drive-thru of Wendy's. Parking is a little mystery, because you need to come in through the gate for Wendys or Garcia's to get in here. This restaurent is a stone's throw away from my work so we frequent this place a lot. Good Stuff: Tandoori Chicken, Palak (Spinach) ,Friendly staff Bad stuff: Sometimes the curries fail to achieve the usual taste. veg dishes are below par apart from the fantastic palak.
(3)Bill B.
Not a bad lunch buffet, but not remarkable, either. The atmosphere inside is nice. Tall windows let in a lot of light and give a good view of the Wendy's across the parking lot. They use white tablecloths and napkins. Service was acceptable, though the single waiter on duty needed to hustle to keep up with payments and orders, even with the floor only a quarter full for early lunch. I found the tandoori chicken to be moist and flavorful. I would consider going back for dinner to order of the full menu.
(3)Jess W.
This might possibly have been one of the worst meals I have ever paid for... I made the mistake of buying a groupon to India Tavern without checking yelp reviews first (silly me), and paid the price for it. The two of us ordered of the vegetarian menu (the eggplant dish and the cauliflower/potato dish...I always forget what they're called), and were served two small plates and a tiny plate of rice to share. It looked decent...until I took a bite. I am pretty sure they used liquid smoke to season the eggplant. No joke. And I think they may have used tabasco and three pounds of salt to season the cauliflower. We forced down as much as we could, and asked for the check, which after the $20 groupon, was still an extra $24. For one order on roti and two vegetarian entrees..... The service was just fine, but the atmosphere was not great. The entire restaurant is made really disproportional by the huge cruise-ship like bar right in the middle of the room. It also smelled like sewage in the hallway behind the kitchen, apparently because they are doing some remodeling...and accidentally hit a sewage line...? Or something? Because that's pretty much what it smells like. So...unless you love liquid smoke and the smell of sewage....avoid.
(1)Leslie W.
The lunch buffet is definitely above average. The variety is pretty good, at least 8 different hot dishes to choose from, includes all the typical stuff (tandoori chicken, saag paneer, daal, some type of fried rice). I think it also tastes great, not too oily and all very fresh. I love that the lunch buffet, $8, comes with fresh naan too. My only complaint is that I don't like the layout of the buffet and the space. It's a big angular with some tables placed in some weird corners. Also, they didn't quite have it down with when to bring out food and how many people were coming. A few times they were out of food and we had to wait for them to bring more out. Since this place is pretty new, I think they're still trying to get down a rhythm. Overall, I enjoyed it and would definitely come back. The waiters were nice and the food is good.
(3)Marie S.
Service: The service gets 1/2 a star. The server seated us at a table right next to the bar and then gave us our menus and just stood there waiting for us to order. I told him that we needed time to look at the menu first. That was the first awkward moment. Then he came back and my boyfriend knew what he wanted but I wasn't sure and I asked him what he would recommend. He said two different entrees. They simply didn't sound good. I went with the really a really spicy dish. In it's description it has a disclaimer about how spicy it is. When I asked for that he said you don't want that, and you wont like it. I can make those decisions for myself. Then when I said I still wanted it, he asked me again if I was sure. Yes!! It just made for a very awkward and annoying experience. While we were waiting for our food there were three employees behind the bar, one talking on his phone, the other two talking to each other. It's one thing when the person at the next table has casual conversation but when the employees are just standing around doing that it was frustrating. Food: Good food. But not worth the price. One and a half stars. We walked in with a Groupon and ended up paying 15 dollars after the Groupon. I was honestly shocked because we had ordered two entrees and one drink. And apparently that was a 50 dollar value tin total. I wont be coming back.
(2)Peti T.
Awesome food! Traveling from out of town and found this place down the street from my hotel. I am no expert in Indian cuisine (which is why I gave it only 4 stars) but my food was prepared perfectly, tasted great, portions were huge and service was good. Could maybe be a tad more spicy. I didn't think it was expensive, considering the ingredients were really good. Can't wait to try other things next time I'm in town.
(4)Kelly W.
Uhh slowest service ever. Been here 40 minutes and haven't even gotten a refill of water. The menu says they serve coffee but when asked for coffee the waiter laughed in my face and said "NO."
(1)Maria S.
Nope. Not a fan. We went for dinner last night and I was not impressed. My main complaint is that it is really over priced for what it is. 2 entrees, nan and just water to drink. It was $45 with tip. The servings were really small and just ok tasting. The space is nice, but the experience was lacking. It would probably be better if you were only paying $8 for a buffet. My husband liked his dish, but I found it to be too spicy for me, while my dish was bland. I feel a little ripped off.
(2)Garner M.
A nice dinner, though a little expensive for the portion size. I had the Chicken Korma ($16) and a side of plain naan ($2.45). The Korma sauce was excellent, and just the right amount of spiciness for the "medium" I asked for. (It had a kick, which I like; if you don't, ask for mild.) A side of basmati rice was included, and it was dry and fluffy, as basmati is supposed to be. The portion seemed a little small for the price, particularly since it used cheaper dark meat. I'd have preferred white meat, but there was no option. The naan had a very nice texture and crunch, although the flavor was a little on the bland side compared to others I've tried. Service was quick and competent, if not particularly warm and friendly. Water was brought shortly after I sat down, and I ordered a few minutes later. I wasn't offered a beverage initially, but after ordering, I asked him about their beer selection. I opted for a Kingfisher ($5.50), which was bottled but poured in a glass. (There was a set of taps behind the bar, but there didn't appear to be anything in them.) Overall, a nice dinner; I'll definitely come back, maybe to try the lunch buffet.
(4)Mingmar S.
Beware of extremely DRY chicken in the Tikka Masala. Grab a sample before you order, maybe this was just a bad batch? The nan (bread) and Tandori chicken on the other hand was excellent. Good looking place and a good deal, $6.75 for a lunch box...although I threw half of it out since it was impossible to swallow.
(2)Layla R.
I'm not sure why the reviews are so bad on Yelp, but we had the best Indian food we have ever had here at India Tavern. Everything was fresh and extremely delicious. None of our meals were overly greasy- trust me-I CAN'T stand greasy food! The resturaunt itself was very clean, including the plates. Our server was VERY attentive. I know it may seem a little discerning if you walk in for dinner and don't see many cars at the location. This is because this place is in a business area and not the best location. It is hidden and the enterance to the place is off the street and through other business parking lots. The resturaunt actually does not face the steet, so it is easy for it to be overlooked. It is also in a little corner of the DTC, which again does not seem to be well traveled. It is usually through word of mouth that brings people into the resturaunt by those who have been able to find it. . I have never been there for the lunch buffet. But, like most buffet places, especially indian buffets- you can't expect everything to be spactacular. You have to remember, they aren't making much money by buffets, so again- I wouldn't expect to have vindaloo or anything other than easy- low costs meals. And again, when food is left out in a buffet style, do you really expect the heat lamps to keep it to perfect temperature and quality? Yeah- this is why most buffett places usually have okay food. So- if you are looking for a GREAT place to have indian food for dinner, I would DEFINATELY give this place a try. You might be surprised and you might be helping to keep a great place in business during these hard times.
(4)Julie L.
The appetizer of something with potato, garbanzo, sauce and Yogurty goodness was the most amazing thing I've eaten. It would have been great and filling as meal- for 8 bucks it's well worth trying. My tikka masala with fish was completely enjoyable. I would try something else if I were to come again. The appetizer got my hopes up. It was a 5 whereas the tiki masala would have been a 3.
(4)Vanessa H.
My husband and I came here because we bought a groupon a few months back. We ordered the butter chicken, saag paneer, naan, and some lamb dish that I can't remember. The butter chicken was delicious! The saag paneer was really good, but the lamb I probably wouldn't order again, it was too tough for my liking. But the sauces on everything were great, very flavorful and tasty. When the server brought our order, we initially thought that the portion sizes were on the small side. But looks can be deceiving and we ended up taking some home--because everything was very filling. And this was after both of us being super hungry because we were eating a late dinner. The service was excellent, very attentive without being overbearing. We agreed that this is the best Indian food that we've had in Denver, and we've both had the opportunity to visit India in the past. We will definitely be back to India Tavern in the future.
(4)Michelle A.
Just got back from lunch with my husband. We decided on the buffet. The dishes next to the food were very dirty. The waitress did wash 2 for us. But after that I wasn't so excited to eat. We had a Chai tea which was luke warm. We ordered the Naan bread again just so so. The meal certainly was not anything exciting. This place is in the Tech center close to Shanahans. I can't imagine it will last.
(1)Aaron D.
Great restaurant with some of the best Indian cuisine in Denver. My wife and I were fans of India House downtown, and were saddened to hear of its closing. Luckily, the owner of India House also owns this fine establishment, and we were relieved to find that the food at India Tavern is just as good as India House was. I spent some time in the UK, and this restaurant is on par with the many Indian restaurants I enjoyed while staying there. We started with the mixed vegetable hors d'oeurves, and were delighted with a plate of crispy fried vegetables served with raita (yogurt sauce). The vindaloo I had was fiery and flavorful. Luckily there was plenty of naan bread to cut the heat! My wife loved her favorite vegetable korma, and also enjoyed the pillowy naan to sop up the gravy. We were too stuffed to order dessert, but did enjoy some of the best chai we've found in Denver. Definitely recommended.
(5)Peter C.
One of the worst restaurant experiences of my life. I went for the $9 dollar lunch buffet. They were all cleaned out of food except for some naan, rice, and chicken. So I nibbled a bit and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally about 25 minutes into sitting there waiting for food they brought some more naan. And two heapings of rice. But there were no main courses to be had. Eventually they brought out some beef meatballs and mixed veggies that had clearly been frozen and pre-cooked. Every time the waiter was asked if there would be more food coming, he replied "in two minutes." I felt sorry for a group of four who had just sat down and also had nothing to eat by the time I left. The ownership here clearly doesn't care in the least, and I believe that they kept the buffet empty on purpose to save themselves money. Hopefully this strategy will also save themselves from having to serve customers at all.
(1)Coral E.
I've now been to India Tavern twice, once for dinner and once for their lunch buffet, and both times I've left feeling somewhat let down. The first time I came here, I came for dinner not long after they had opened. The restaurant was empty, I assume because they were still new, and even so, my service was a little slow. I ordered the chicken vindaloo, my favorite, and some garlic naan. The food was ok, though I felt the portions were small particularly for the cost, and I left a little disappointed. For lunch, I normally check out India's lunch buffet on Hampden, which I've found to be a great deal and pretty reliable lunch buffet. I decided to try India Tavern this week for a change of pace and because it's more conveniently located near my office. This buffet was a great value for the money ($9!) and included the all-you-can-eat buffet plus a basket of fresh naan brought to your table. I loved the naan especially because many other Indian places here have you get it at the buffet and it's either dry or they are out of it. The naan was warm, chewy and fresh-- no complaints there! As for the buffet itself, they had pretty standard offerings-- several curries, saag, basmati rice, and some fried vegetables that I believe were to be like Pakora? The rice was perfectly cooked and moist, and I really enjoyed the saag. Their curry vegetables were basically just frozen peas/carrots/green beans in a curry sauce-- not good. They had butter chicken, which I tend to like less than a chicken tika masala or other dishes, but it was fine. Their curries had a weirdly absent chicken to sauce ratio, and the raita was just ok. Overall, the lunch buffet seems like it could be hit-or-miss, but that it's a good value if you want to have some rice, naan, saag, and hope the other offerings are good for the day.
(3)Terry P.
Very poor service. Food was just okay. But then they added $10 to my credit card tip and I am having to fight them over it. Bad bad bad!!!
(1)John S.
So to start off with i grew up on the east coast eating at a lot of locally owned 1st generation Indian immigrant restaurants and this can hold its weight against them. The lamb saag and the lamb curry is superb. In addition the naan is fantastic as well. I have been to this restaurant several times and it is consistent in its excellent food. Something that is extremely enjoyable is the ambiance of the restaurant, it makes for a great romantic dinner with the wife. The service is definitely not fast but in my opinion that adds to the experience because it slows you down and can focus on enjoy the experience. Lastly the owner is very friendly and personable and without fail has been there every time i have come to this restaurant so kudos's for his work effort.
(5)Tim O.
Had a groupon for these guys and ended up having a great meal there. It's a little hard to find and there was almost nobody in the place (the other 4 people had the groupon too) but the food was great. I hope they make it! Great wait staff, and again great food.
(4)Kumi H.
I went here to have dinner with two friends last week, one of those friends had her birthday that day we went. India Tavern actually closes for a few hours between their lunch buffet and their dinner hours, which I personally didn't realize until shortly before I arrived there to meet with my non-birthday friend (we both were 20-30 minutes early for our reservation at 6:15 and waited until the doors were opened at 6; her reason was that she works at a school along Speer, had to stay after school hours for a meeting, and left to go straight to the restaurant instead of picking up her dog from her house in between because she thought she'd run into more traffic than she actually did; mine was also due to traffic reasons and from having to pick up said friend's dog). This is the first Indian restaurant in Denver that I've been in, so I can't compare India Tavern to other Denver Indian places. I had the buttered chicken, and we all shared some naan and an appetizer that I can't think of the name for right now. The food was great and reminded me of the first time I ever tried Indian food while visiting Vancouver, BC, where teacher-friend and I went to a local Indian place to eat a few times. The food was about $15-$16 for main entrees, which I know sounds pretty expensive for the portion size, but there aren't a lot of Indian places in Denver that I know (as opposed to what I saw when I was in Vancouver, where near the hotel, there were two local Indian restaurants one block apart, so there was competition in food quality and pricing). Same thing here as I experienced in Vancouver was that you can ask for the spice level to be lowered/raised as per your taste and tolerance level (my spice tolerance is mild). Service was pretty good. The host asked if we were waiting very long outside and apologized for the wait. No clue about the lunch buffet.
(4)Sean O.
I went here with my family after having bought a LivingSocial deal. We came for their lunch buffet. It was ok, but less than my expectations. The buffet selection was small, and didn't include any Naan or dipping bread. We also got a lamb samosa appetizer, it was expensive, small, and very dry. Not worth the money. I wouldn't say this place is bad, but just not very appealing. It's probably perfect for a quick lunch for all those office workers in the Denver Tech area. It's not worth driving down from where I live though.
(3)Brian W.
Good, just not full price good. I enjoyed my meal, really liked the flavors, they just did not stand out and say wow. Swordfish was a very nice touch and different. Very dead place on Friday night as I said in my check in, made me Leary of using my groupon, but glad I had a discount. I will not go back but not good enough for 3 stars, I do love all the flavors Indian food has, and the Bir rice was tasty with the fish. Oh, the portions were way smaller than any of their competetion.
(2)Travis T.
Best vindaloo / naan in Denver!! People make the error of judging an Indian restaurant based on their lunch buffet which is a MISTAKE because I can't think of any buffet that has ever exceeded my expectations (Indian or other cuisines). Buffet food is pre made and toned down for the masses, which is especially apparent in Indian food, a cuisine known for it's vast array of spices. Anyway, the naan is light and fluffy with the perfect amount of char from the oven and the vindaloo is a perfect blend of spice and flavor. My gf's butter chicken was also a hit. HIGHLY recommended!
(5)Cortney G.
What's up with all the haters? Okay, so I'll concede the lack of cars the first time we buzzed the parking lot had me a little concerned: just after noon, Tech Center location, virtually in the parking lot of several major corporate centers, one other car parked alone near the front door.... what was wrong with this picture??? And really, what's wrong with the picture has NOTHING to do with the food, service, pricing, or ambiance... those were all spot-on. I think, unfortunately, it's India Tavern's location: to access from 25-northbound requires a left turn across Belleview, a quick whip into the parking lot of a mirror-windowed skyscraper, working your way back around the periphery of that building's parking lot, sneaking behind the Wendy's, then finally snaking around a landscaped median in front of what looks to be a largely-unoccupied building (save India tavern itself) before you even hit the front door. So that one-star-short of a 5-star review? Yeah, folks: it's for having to play "Mousetrap" before getting your tastebuds onto India Tavern's lunch buffet! All that being said, India Tavern is about the best game in town in or around Tech Center. The restaurant itself is cozy and lit via floor-to-ceiling picture windows, the artwork is modernized regionally-appropriate fare, tables are covered in white linen, and walls dark: definitely going for the urban standard, and they've hired attractive younger staff at both the bar and on the restaurant floor. Service is swift and attentive, but if you're expecting typical Indian restaurant "hovercraft" waiters, you'll be sadly disappointed; these folks are slightly cool and stand-offish, but that being said, when my kids needed straws, or our water glasses dropped to a quarter full, our waiter was there. These staffers are clearly comfortable with giving patrons a little independence of their own, and frankly, I prefer it that way if I'm trying to have an actual meaningful conversation with a lunch guest, or juggle hellions (i.e. my children) solo. Having been a 21-+ year vegetarian, I consider myself a bit of an Indian food connoisseur, and on that front, India Tavern definitely doesn't disappoint. The saag paneer is delicate and creamy and heady and delightful; the tikka masalaa delightfully spiced (even if the sauce is slightly thin). I've found their curries to be consistently satisfying and yummy, and love the ready offerings of minted and tamarind chutnies... goodbye, India's Castle (which has TRULY been on the decline for the past 6-8 months, both food and service-wise): you used to be tops in my book, but there's a new favorite in town! We've really enjoyed India Tavern the handful of times we've been in, and look forward to patronizing them for many lunches & dinners to come!
(4)Nam T.
Food is good, portion is a bit small.
(4)Joan C.
My husband and I had dinner here a couple weeks ago. I thought it was overpriced for what it offered. I think my chicken dish made with thighs was about $15. It tasted good enough, but that's a pretty expensive price for something made out of inexpensive meat (and probably not even organic). I didn't mind that portions aren't very large - that's the way I think all restaurants should serve food - but again that points to the prices seeming a bit high. Like another reviewer, I had an unclean plate. It looked like it might have just been rinsed and wiped off, not actually washed with soap. It didn't have visible food residue on it but was just kind-of greasy looking. Given that there are a number of other good Indian restaurants nearby, I think we'll stick to the others for dinner, at least. I am willing to give this place a try for the lunch buffet sometime, but if I see any dirty dishes or the food isn't good, that'll be the last time. Too bad, because I was really excited about a new Indian restaurant coming to DTC.
(2)Levi L.
Excellent customer service, clean, somewhat romantic atmosphere, and stumbled upon an incredible appetizer that blew my mind. The dinner, however, was a little too "clay oven roasted" and the chicken was very rubbery. I wanted so bad for the dinner to be good after the excellent service and appetizer but they just didn't pull it off. I probably won't go back- but don't let that stop you from giving them a try. I wasn't terrible.
(3)Ssspecial S.
I saw this place advertised on the 25 ...thought I'd give it a try. Had the eggplant dish, super yummy, the samosa, also good but not as flavorful as others I'd had. I did love the pastry crust. The paratha was a disappointing, it was a tad stale on the edges and not as buttery as my friend can make it. Another downer was the price... $26 for the three items. I will give it another shot though, as the eggplant dish was yummy; hopefully, the other dishes will be as tasty.
(3)Nicholas A.
Went in here for lunch on a Saturday. It was pretty much empty but they had the buffet available so we decided on that. Lots of vegetarian dishes available and plenty of fresh fruits/vegetables. Lunch came with a basket of plain naan that was also pretty good. Overall I'd say that this was a nice place for a quick lunch and I'll probably be back to see what they have on their dinner menu.
(4)Brian S.
I don't eat a lot of Indian food but I love this restaurant. Its usually very quiet and kind of quaint. The staff tries very hard to make sure you have everything you need and your happy and the Lamb is AWESOME. I really enjoy eating here and interacting with the staff.
(4)Sandra C.
Great lunch buffet...with all the good Indian food. Good price...too.
(4)Matt S.
nope. When a restaurant is empty, there is no explanation for waiting two hours for food. I would rank the quality for price as mediocre. When I need my subcontinent fix in the future I will seek out a more reputable tandoori provider.
(1)Morgen O.
My boyfriend and I had a LivingSocial coupon to go try this place out. We ordered Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Raita, and garlic naan. The serving sizes were quite small but everything tasted SOOO good! We were still a bit hungry after splitting the above so my boyfriend ordered Spicy Chicken Coconut Curry it came and was a super small serving but tasted amazing...however they failed to refill our waters for 30 minutes, our mouths were burning so we munched on our ice. The service overall was not good, seems to be understaffed and run by a family. The woman working there will be more concerned about her cell phone than your meal/table. We asked her for our bill and got it about 20 minutes later she cleared our table without ever refilling our empty water glasses....we ate ALL the ice. I would go back again, hopefully get some better service... or just order a pitcher of water for our table. Overall- GREAT FOOD, but mediocre SERVICE.
(4)Soetjahjo S.
I am not impressed with the buffet, the food were bland, maybe I did not come at the right time, even my Indian friends said the foods are not good, but they have lamb meat for buffet and the naan bread is freshly cooked.
(2)norm p.
Had the lunch buffet today. As good as any Indian food I ate while living in Scottsdale for 17 years.
(4)Brittany M.
Hands down the BEST Indian food in the city!! I've never had a bad meal here and I will gladly drive down from cap hill for the chicken tikka masala because it's amazing! It's family owned and authentic so If you're looking for great Indian food make sure you check this place out!
(5)Jill H.
What a great meal with wonderful service! Had a nice lunch with a girlfriend. We will definitely come back. I'm one happy vegetarian. :)
(5)Cindy D.
The food was delicious and a warm atmosphere. Wish this place was in Grand Junction! Definitely recommend!
(5)Jennifer R.
Just mediocre. A few years ago, this was the best Indian food on the south side of town. Now, we will choose India's Kitchen in Parker or India's Clay Oven in Lone Tree instead. The samosas were tasty, but my chicken korma was bland. My husband's saag was good, but not as flavorful as others we've tried. The naan is really good, but the paratha is not - too thin and greasy. The service is also just OK, as is the atmosphere. It has been really sedate the past few times, which makes a person think it's gone downhill. Too bad!
(3)Teresa M.
Small cute place that is clean and well decorated. Had dinner here Saturday night and was seated promptly, it wasn't crowded. Staff was polite and attentive. We ordered the saag chicken and korma lamb. The saag was good, but the korma was amazing! Rich and savory with a touch of sweet from the raisins. It was a little slow getting the food but didn't matter was having fun talking with friends. The food tasted freshly prepared, not like some other places were its been simmering in the kitchen all day. I would eat here again and recommend to others.
(4)Kelsey T.
Great food and service. Enjoyed the Chicken Tiki Masala. Yum! We also shared the rice pudding dessert. We definitely weren't disappointed, and we will certainly return soon! Oh, and let's be real, Nan is always a must. Enjoy!
(5)M S.
Had the lamb biryani, one of my favorite indian dishes, for dinner and it was a disappointment. There was a lot of rice and not enough meat. The rice was on the verge of being undercooked and the meat itself was bland and dry. Although the serving size could be good for 2 people, still it came up to $21 (including 15% tip), without any naan or even chips to start with! (It did come with some sour yoghurt which I barely touched). Parking is difficult to find, and for dinner the restaurant was kinda dark and gloomy. The service was not bad. May give this place another try but right now it's at 2-stars.
(2)Nick V.
Great food and service. I need to preface this by saying I did not eat at rage buffet. It looked good, but I just don't do buffets. If I wanted food from a communal trough I wouldn't go to a restaurant. A good bonus is that they're open through the through period, that lull from 2pm to 5pm that most Indian and Nepalese places close for. My fiancé and I split a chicken momo entrée with hot spicy sauce, chicken korma extra spicy, garlic naan, onion kulcha, and plain naan. I had a hot chai to drink and they left a tea pot on the table which was excellent, just like the tea. Perfect blend of spice and dairy. The steamed momas were a little dry, like what happens when they are prepared, frozen, microwaved, and then steamed at the end. They did taste great, but could have been so much better. The korma was much darker than most but had great flavour. Not my favourite korma ever, but pretty darned good. The extra hot was not hot at all but korma is a very rare dish to begin with. The naan was a little small but tasted good. They were pretty thin on the scale of naan but definitely leavened. Botttoms ranged from perfect to crispy to black, but that's just extra flavour. The garlic naan used real pieces of fresh garlic which is good. The onion kulcha had red onion I think embedded in it that had a good crunch but we're not raw. They prepared it very well. Overall a great experience. Nothing was the best ever, but it is worth returning.
(5)Kara T.
I've now been to India Tavern twice for the lunch buffet. It's only been mediocre both times. The service was only ok, too. I was pretty disappointed by this since a lot of my coworkers had raved about this place. The first time was just a couple of friends during the work week. There weren't that many people there, and it took a bit longer than I'd expect to get some water and tea. The food was okay both times. By far the best dish was the tikka masala. The other dishes were just a little off to me, or seemed to be missing something. The saag was missing what I thought was supposed to have cheese in it. Kind of disappointing. All in all, if you're looking for a quick lunch and something different from the Chipotle/Noodles-types of restaurants, may as well give this a try. Maybe if you go in with lower expectations than me, it'll be awesome for you!
(2)Jen L.
I had dinner at this spot near my conference hotel and was excited for Indian food since my hometown is not so well known for that. We nearly had the place to ourselves and the four of us ordered a pile of food. Everything was tasty and the food came out pretty quickly despite the single server. We shared the shrimp pakora and the veggie samosas and both were tasty. I couldn't resist the Navrattan Korma as my entree and I was pleased that they offered Saag Paneer as a side so I sampled a bit of that as well. All my friends were pleased with their entrees as well. The spices were a little different then I was accustomed to but I discovered that this spot specialized in Northern India cuisine so there you go. My guess is that they are more of a lunch spot and they do have a bunch of steamer tables for their lunch buffet. The staff was really accommodating. One of my dinner companions asked for a non-menu item (by description and not name) and they immediately made up a batch.
(4)Amisha R.
Ordered Paneer makhani: bland, tasteless and way too oily. The host did not write down orders. We asked him to write it down when he repeated the wrong order. Said he would remember but still messed up and delivered a wrong order. Had ordered samosas that did not look appetizing at all and the chutneys were so off, I could not palate it. I wouldn't come back to this place.
(1)Priya A.
I had the buffet which was cold and everything was almost gone but they made no effort to refill. Everything was tasteless, the naan bread was dry, dal makhani had no salt, and I am still not sure whether the one curry they had was chicken or paneer. The appetizers including the chicken tandoori was insipid. It felt like a hotch potch of some curries. Not recommended at all. On the other hand the ambience is really nice, loved the Fida Hussein art reprints. And the cocktail list was impressive.
(1)Sara V.
Worst lunch buffet, no spice, no variety, nothing. Pakoras were under cooked on the inside. Samosas were burnt on one side, Veggie options: plain dhal, boiled broccoli(wtf), chick peas, plain spinach. All bland. This place's buffet is a shame for Indian cuisine
(1)Amanda D.
Five star just because they use swordfish for their fish curry, rather than those cheap soft fish. I also had the buffet with big chunck cauliflower steak and all your Indian stables like Saag Paneer and Tandoori Chicken. Very contemporary interior with high ceiling and attentive service. Both food and drinks are on a pricey side well I guess it's for a reason. Overall good experience. Will definitely come back.
(4)Jacob T.
Not bad for a buffet lunch, but dinner is always oddly empty. The food I find is a bit too watery and mildly spiced. I prefer Little India for the depth of flavor I love about Indian food, and after being in India and sampling a wide variety of Mumbai street food and "traditional" Indian dishes, it's hard to return here and settle for their versions of it.
(3)James C.
This is my wife and my favorite Indian restaurant! The Saag Paneer and Chicken Saag is what we always get. Oh, and don't forget the chai - BEST CHAI EVER! The workers are also very nice and will always serve you more chai tea. Their lunch is delicious and their dinner portions always generous.
(5)Kristin M.
I wish I never had to give a bad review, but not every place deserves a good review. Husband chose this place based on the $20 for $10 deal you can buy via yelp. Good marketing, but I can say I will never go back. I always tell my husband to read the yelp reviews, but he's never as religious in checking yelp reviews as I am. If you have read my other reviews, you know I judge Indian restaurants by their saag paneer. I cook Indian food myself at home (naan included) so its nice to splurge from time to time at a restaurant because they have access to do many more exotic spices (those that are harder to find and usually out of my budget to buy in small quantities). I would rate the saag paneer a 3; as it had good flavor and ample paneer. Nothing special though with not nearly the complexity of spices found at other restaurants and it was a bit on the thick side. I wish I could give India Tavern 3 stars based on the saag paneer, but the rest of the meal was not very good. The naan was terrible. Hard and chewy, barely tearing with your fingers or your teeth. Stale, day old is what it tasted like (other revised say the same). I can tell you it's not hard to make naan, so I am not sure what their kitchen is doing here. The chicken vindaloo flavor was good, and very spicy, but the three pieces of chicken were inedible - tough, dry and too many tendons. I think I got one edible piece of chicken. For a $40 tab before the coupon (2 entrees, 2 naan), I felt cheated. I should have spent $15 dollars at Chipotle and left with a smile - even $8 at taco bell would have been more satisfying. On a good note they don't charge extra for the rice here.
(2)Jay G.
Food was OK for lunch buffet ( that's the only reason it got more than one star), but the buffet was poorly stocked. We did arrive at 110 PM, but there is no excuse for us having to repeatedly ask for more bread, more of the only 2 meat dishes and more of the samosas. The second chicken dish was never refilled. The hot sauce was never refilled and there was no spicy pickle. We tried to use a Groupon, but I made a mistake and missed the clause that said it was only good for dinner. The manager was very rude about it when I tried to use it . Of course he didn't point out his own coupons right on the front counter that would have given me a $5 discount and made me relatively happy. I got a refund on my Groupon as we will not be going back to this restaurant.
(2)Kendra W.
Food was not very good. The service was very slow and only one person was working at the time . I would not recommend this place for dinner. Came on a Friday night and the restaurant only had 3 other couples seated and only one staff member working in the front. Took us awhile to be able to order our food and even longer to get the food. The food was not very great I got butter chicken and cheese nan. The chicken tasted like it had more Mexican food spices in it than Indian spices. Got cheese nan and it had barely any cheese on it and was very dry. Then after eating it took awhile to get our check even though the waiter saw that we were clearly done. Will not go back again maybe there lunch buffet is better.
(2)Hanh P.
Went here for lunch on a weekday. If you're looking for a place with no wait, well India Tavern will get you right in. There were only a few tables there at peak DTC lunch hour. The buffet has a very limited selection. Really not impressed with the flavors. Masalaa, saag, naan were all pretty disappointing.
(2)Jessica T.
Great lunch buffet with hot naan brought to your table. I really appreciate the extra touch of them bringing the naan to you, all hot and buttered, rather than having to balance it on your plate as you walk from the buffet. They have a relatively small selection, but everything is hot and fresh. Per buffet standards, the food is pretty basic in terms of spice level, but the saag paneer and chicken tikka masala are staples and quite tasty. $8.95 for the buffet. I gave them extra star for absolute cleanliness. And it's always nice dining with a proper napkin rather than paper. Even the silverware is sturdy and classy. They tend to be pretty quiet during the lunch hour, which is unfortunate, because it's one of the better Indian buffets around when you look at the food, service, cleanliness, upscale decor and price. I've been here half a dozen times, and will continue to keep them on my lunch rotation.
(4)Brian B.
Both my fiancee and I are huge into Indian food, and for over 3 years, India Tavern is the only place we'll order from time and time again. The vindaloo's and masala's are the best I've had and are always consistently delicious. The owner is always very kind, generous, and always gets the spice level correctly when we want it really hot! If you are in the DTC area, you will not find better Indian Food anywhere else - give it a shot. This is my go-to Lamb Vindaloo spot!
(5)Peter H.
There's just no sugarcoating it. India Tavern is a disaster at lunchtime. - One server waiting and bussing 20 tables - No beverages until long after we had started eating - Forgotten orders - Cold, bland food in the buffet. I can't even think of an adjective to describe the alien curried potatoes. Well, I guess I just did. - Dark and dingy. No lights on in the entire restaurant, except the 4 tiny bulbs in the buffet cart. Just bizarre. I came here a couple of years ago and wanted to give it another chance, but nothing's changed. It was bad then and is still bad now, which is just a shame. There are no other good Indian restaurants in the area-- talk about a blown opportunity. It's easy to forgive a bad restaurant when you see their effort, but it doesn't seem like they're even trying here. Smells like Indian. Tastes like apathy.
(1)Jem C.
Our favorite go-to Indian spot in the area. Friendly, attentive staff and they deliver too. I highly recommend the Lamb Korma, and their Rice Pudding is the best I've had. Fair warning: Spicy is burn your mouth hot and their medium has a kick.
(4)Bret R.
I really like this place. The phaal curry sauce truly is exceptionally hot but the best curry sauce I have ever had. I always get some to go!
(5)Jonathan D.
Great Indian food. The saag paneer is excellent! The naan is also delicious. The buffet variety is about average. They have most of the basic Indian dishes and some non Indian dishes. The only reason I gave them a 4 star was because they made it difficult and uncomfortable for us to use our groupon. They tried to tell us it was not valid at lunch and no where in the terms did it state that. Other than that this place is great.
(4)Jenn E.
DO NOT. I repeat invest any of your precious dollars into this business. I don't write that many reviews but when I do, know that they are the truth and sincere. This place has the WORST customer service. And that is from the owner himself. They need to be closed or sell the business to someone who is in tune with the culture and importance of customer service and professionalism. I admit the food isn't the worst but it is somewhere between week old stale pizza and mediocre. The gist of my story is I called for delivery last night. The owner who took my order ended our convo with "ok bye" after I gave him the card number. So I guess they enjoy element of surprise when it comes to the total and how long it takes to deliver. When I call back about 8x nobody answers -_- strike 2. An hour and 15min later the delivery guy shows up and we ask what took so long and he laughs and says "Well it's a good thing you were the first building!" I'm assuming he was insinuating it would've taken longer if we lived deeper in our apt complex. My b/f was agitated as you can imagine and did not leave a tip. When we opened the bags we noticed an Ãtem missing but didn't sweat it I figured I would just call today to request a refund. I also noticed one piece of cold, stale naan. 1 piece?? 1 piece of cold naan for 3 bucks. I would've been happier with sandwich bread. I call today. I talk to the owner. I let him know that something was left out of our order and if we could be refunded and the first thing he says to me was "Why didn't you leave our delivery man a tip??" In a extremely brusque tone. Say what??? Last time I checked tips follow good service and a happy customer. I redirected him and asked if he was going to refund us for the item and he said "yes but next time you need to leave a tip!" At that point I was heated and we did get into a bit of a tiff. I tried to explain to him that you don't demand tips in this business nor request them at that. That it's unprofessional and he's lacking the customer service to run a successful business. He was furious and told me "I don't like people like you! If someone brings you food you tip!!" Then he hung up... I just moved here from Cali. Denver is a beautiful place. Has beautiful people and energy but this restaurant is a BAD SEED. You can find better and I really hope you do... I wish I could leave 0 stars. But yelp is merciful...
(1)Mike M.
Great food and service. Paneer makhani was perfect and samosas were supper flaky and light. Chai tea was hot and fresh.
(5)Jimmy J.
Really good northern Indian food. In New Zealand where I'm from we have an abundance of Indian food, so I guess all the competition means the food is really good. I've been to quite a few other Indian restaurants in Denver and this is the best so far. Unlike other places they don't swamp their curries in cream, and they can also make them without cream if you'd like (other restaurants in Denver don't allow this). The chicken was not as tender as I would like, but flavors were good and the curry had a nice kick. Will be going back for more.
(4)