Tulsi
20 Walker St, Kittery, ME, 03904
Tulsi Menu
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Address :
20 Walker St
Kittery, ME, 03904 - Phone (207) 451-9511
- Website https://www.tulsiindianrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
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.
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Ballard M.
There times we have tried this place and three times we have been left high and dry by the wait staff. The first time was a date night and the waiter kept walking back and forth pay is as we waited over 45 minutes for our meal, the next two times were almost as bad only with the added benefit of having the kids with us. The food is just not good enough to support this place
(2)Stephanie W.
Tulsi has the best Indian food in the seacoast. It is relatively pricey for the portion size, but the quality is good. Their new space is lovely, but I often find myself getting take out (which they do neatly) or going to the Sunday lunch buffet. What keeps Tulsi from being a five star establishment for me is that they AUTOMATICALLY ADD 18% GRATUITY for buffet lunch service, and sometimes the service is not good. Not only will they automatically add 18% gratuity for a table of 2 whom have no drinks and serve themselves from a buffet line, but they will not point it out to you either and will allow to tip on top of the amount they've automatically included. That is, they don't tell you they've included gratuity outright when they give you the check, and when they process your credit card the line for TIP amount is blank, prompting you to specify your tip amount, thus if you didn't look at your itemized receipt beforehand, you'll likely think that gratuity is NOT included and calculate the tip from the total amount - not realizing that the total amount already includes the tip. In fact, unless they just started automatically adding the gratuity this month, I'm sure I have made this mistake and double tipped (I remember last time leaving $8 cash). Today, I left an additional $5 thinking I was leaving a bad tip. So for two people to eat the lunch buffet with only water, the total comes to $38 - no matter what. Whether you don't get your naan bread until you're ready for the check over half an hour after you've been seated, whether you never get your water glass filled, or whether your used plate(s) are never removed from the small table- YOU WILL TIP AT LEAST 18%! - but more likely you'll be tipping 30%-35% like I did today for service that is less than great. For example, today: after being told they have a mango mojito, I never heard from the server again. I asked the young, polite (assistant?) server clearing the dishes for the check. The server set it on the table in front of my boyfriend without a word. I placed my card inside (ahem, yes the female, not the male, paid) and waited for her to pick it up. About 10-15 minutes later, she finally picks it up, and again doesn't say a word, but flutters around with my payment in hand talking to other tables. Ugghh, we want to leave. My boyfriend goes to bathroom. The server returns and carelessly tosses the bill folder on the end of the table furthest away from me and turns around and leaves so quickly she doesn't even notice the bill folder fall to the floor. So as I'm crouched down underneath the table gathering the papers, pen and my credit card from the floor I'm thinking, "sure won't be tipping highly today!"...so I leave only $5 cash for the $38 meal I had....or so I thought. I get back home and realize: "oh wait, I DOUBLE TIPPED a server who tossed the bill at me and had me underneath the table picking up the things I needed to pay for a meal my boyfriend and i served ourselves from a buffet line...I tipped over 30%!" Sure, the food was good, great even.My problem is not paying the $30 for the food; my problem is being automatically forced to pay an 18% tip, and it being presumed of patrons of a buffet that they want to tip even more and are knowingly intending to leave 30% tips for service that is less than satisfactory.
(3)Dan E.
This place was amazing. Shrimp appetizer was delicious. Girlfriend and I split the Chicken Thiki Masala and a Cashew Chicken dish. Both were amazing. They gave us the choice of spicyness - we opted for as hot as you get - and as lovers of spice we were flush with happiness. Especially left overs the next!
(5)Alain A.
Simply not as good as it once was. Anything out of the tandoor tasteless. Seems like various meats were just covered in the curry ordered. No complexity. The mussels were delicious!
(3)Isha T.
The food tastes pretty good, but it's not great. The reason for the four stars is that Tulsi is probably the best of it's kind in the area. It is easy enough to make out that the food is always freshly cooked and served. I do love the Kadhai Paneer, it makes me nostalgic about the one I used to have back home in India! I only wish that they had a better variety in their Sunday buffet menu. I mean the buffet which doesn't force you to loosen up your belt buckle by the time you leave the restaurant isn't worth it for me!
(4)David C.
For magnificent Indian food, Tulsi is can't miss. I went through curry withdrawl as they shifted from their old spot on Government St to their new Walker St locale (where Enoteca used to be) and the food is better than ever. Between my days spent in London and living next door to Cafe of India (now closed) on Brattle St in Cambridge, I've eaten more Chicken Tikka Masala than I care to admit. Chef Raj Mandekar is outstanding - he's from Mumbai and blends his western culinary training with his Indian roots, and the results are tremendous. The restaurant is named after an aromatic basil leaf, which is an appropriate name because my senses always come alive upon entering. My wife and I usually order three dishes and share - in addition to Chicken Tikka Masala (chicken marinated in yogurt, grilled in a Tandoori clay oven, smothered in tomato, cream and pureed cashews, $14.75) we also love his Chicken Korma, a milder dish in yogurt and cashews ($15.75) and always get Aloo Ghobi Matar (sauteed cauliflower, potatoes and peas in a tomato curry sauce, $10.50) that I mop up with Naan. Channa Masala, a simple but spicy chick pea dish, is also hard to resist. Get a bottle of Kingfisher beer, indulge in a few plates, close your eyes and you may as well be in west London, cricket match on the telly, content as can be. Bottom line: If you like great Indian - and not afraid of a little tumeric, fenugreek and cardamom - you will adore Tulsi. I certainly do.
(5)carol a.
First, I have to say that I'm extremely picky when it comes to Indian food. I've been wanting to try this place for ages, but when they first opened in a smaller location it was impossible to get a table. Well, we finally got around to trying it and I was pleasantly surprised. We were pleasantly surprised that they had Malbec wine on the wine list and I had a funky martini that was very good. We were very happy to see so many vegan and gluten-free items on the menu! For appetizer we had the spinach pakoras and couldn't believe how light and fluffy they were. I could have eaten a dozen or two of those. For entrees we had the chicken tikka masala and lamb jalfrezi and both dishes were excellent. The garlic naan could have been a bit heavier on the garlic, but overall it was a very good meal. Our waitress was also a doll and was very helpful. Will be going back soon!
(4)Matthew G.
I never liked Indian food before eating here - fact. Raj, the owner/chef, is one of the nicest guys in the world and spends time visiting with patrons in addition to ensuring quality by helping in the kitchen. I've taken some Vegan friends of mine and ventured into Vegan options away from my usual and fully satisfying chicken tikka masal. The bhindi masala was amazing and spinach pakora is something I constantly order now. Thankful I live near the place too, walking distance. The service could be better at times, honestly, and it is a little pricy, but it is delicious. Their rice is typically very good too. Definitely give it a shot, I know several Indian restaurant owners in the seacoast do regularly, that should tell you something.
(4)Sherri M.
Food was great.... I recommend the chicken tikki Marsala and the garlic naan.... Yummy!!!! Clay at the bar is THE MAN!!! Will definitely return.
(5)Sarah C.
I grew up in York/Kittery/Portsmouth and have watched the progression of this area from seaside lobsterman land to crazy stupid hipster haven...and when I first walked into Tulsi I was a little sketched that it was going to be a representation of all image and no substance. We waited at the podium for about 7 minutes waiting for a seat before the one girl in the room was able to get to us. Kudos to her for being able to keep everything on the straight and narrow, and seeing the lack of assistance she had I can forgive the less than 10 minute wait. We decided to perch alongside the wrap around the 90* bar and wait for menus, water, etc. Again, it took some time to be assisted and we took this que as a reason to get our orders ready to rock the minute she came back for our drink choices. Complimentary papadum was appreciated, though I could have a used a little more of the coriander sauce. My curried Manhattan was an interesting drink, but I think a regular would have been just as good. Our little appetizer of fried happiness arrived shortly thereafter, but we were starving and had to hag on the bartender for a little more papadum which she was more than happy to deliver. Dinner came about 20 minutes later and between my kadhi paneer and the two offerings of naan that I ordered, I was pretty much overjoyed. Similar to the one meal I had at Gaylords, this dish wasn't a main show of ghee and cream and sleep inducing fat. There was an ample amount for a dinner and while it could have been a little bit hotter, the flavor was awesome. My friend ordered the saag, which I'd never had before...so I can't really say anything more than it tasted like steamed spinach..and that's all. We grabbed a glass of wine at this point and our service picked up when the mass exodus occurred 2 hours after we had arrived. I'd meant to check out Tulsi a few years back, but I'd never gotten around to it. In that it had been some time since its opening I'd expected any possible service issues etc to be ironed out by now, While it wasn't horrific by any stretch, there is a little room for some improvement to be made.
(4)Steve G.
Very good but make a reservation on Saturday. Lamb was excellent as was the chicken vindaloo. We'll make this our Indian experience of choice when in town.
(4)Nick G.
So glad to find this place as we were never able to drive to Dover for Indian and the Portsmouth option is terrible. Great flavors and good variety of options. Price is right and the setting is very well done. Nothing to say but great things. Loved it and already went back. We will be eating here a lot.
(5)Michael C.
First thing: vegans, check this place out. They have a few appetizers and 4 entrées that are clearly marked as vegan on the menu. Also, they mark everything that is gluten free, which was just about the entire menu except the naan. My wife & I went to dinner here on a busy Saturday night. We didn't make reservations (I didn't realize how busy it would be!). They were full, but the super nice hostess asked if we'd mind sitting at the bar - not a problem. We both ordered a non-alcoholic blueberry/lime drink (I can't remember the exact name) but it was delicious & if you want to try it, it was the only blueberry drink on there. The bar tender was obviously new, but was really nice & answered the questions we had. He kept up with the other people at the bar that were drinking. While we were sitting there eating our very tasty Spinach Pakora appetizer, the hostess came over to us and informed us that a table opened up that doesn't have reservations and would be happy to let us move to it if we wanted. SCORE! Not that eating at a bar is horrible, but a table is much better. For our entrées I got the Bhindi Masala, which is okra, tomato, peppers, onions and a kadhi masala sauce. Comes with rice, as does just about everything. I have been craving okra so bad, and this hit the spot and then some. Very tasty & you get to choose the spiciness of your dish. I got mild, which had some kick every once and a while but I would definitely get the spicy next time. My wife got the Aloo Gobhi Matar, which is cauliflower, potatoes, and peas in an onion, roasted coriander curry base. She got it spicy and her nose was running a little bit, which she loves. I tried a bite, and it was spicy but good spicy. We had left left overs that they packed up for us & gave us a new side of rice to take home. As someone else mentioned, it did take them a while to pick up with check once we put our card out with it, but it's not the end of the world, especially given how busy it was. I would like to note as well since I see people talking about the prices that the vegetarian & vegan entrées are all $11 or less, which is a great deal!
(4)Kelly M.
The food was great. We are recent transplants to the Bangor area from Houston and were craving some awesome Indian food. We chanced this place while visiting friends in Kittery. Best indian food we have had! Every dish was perfect. Place was busy on Sat night around 7 but we were able to sit at the bar and eat right away. The service was a little slow and it looked like they could use some more wait staff on busy nights. We will be going back in a few weeks.
(5)Michael N.
The menu items are unique but overpriced for Indian food. There are too many tables crowed into this small restaurant.
(2)Janie W.
We spontaneously drove down to Tulsi to try it out one night after a recommendation, and at 7:30 on a Wednesday this place was packed! We grabbed two of the few seats left at the bar, and were admittedly somewhat apprehensive of how good the food will be. I ordered the spinach pakora app and my old standby - aloo ghobi, and the bf had chicken tikka marsala with naan. The food came out hot and tasty, we really enjoyed everything. It was the first time I've had authentic Indian food since moving up to the sea coast, and we were pleased. The service, at least at the bar, was quite good. The bartender was super nice and friendly. I would definitely return, probably with a reservation, for dinner at a table.
(4)JD B.
Tulsi is one of the hidden gems in the area. The food is a taste explosion with every bite. I thought that I loved Indian cuisine before I discovered Tulsi, but I had no clue. Tulsi has really set a ridiculously high standard that will be very difficult for any other Indian restaurant to match.
(5)Susan V.
Delicious food at a reasonable price. The best Indian food on the Seacoast! It is a refreshing find amongst the stuffy high-end restaurants in Portsmouth. This restaurant is a can't miss while visiting Southern Maine.
(5)Annie R.
True true, it is the best indian food you'll find. What a great place. Easy to grt to, fabulous service and he food is wawow!!!!
(5)Shreya P.
I am a regular here. It is indeed the best Indian in the area, unless you plan to drive down to bigger cities around like Boston. Menu is limited but they have some really good stuff which has the ACTUAL Indian taste eg- Malai kebab, Lamb chops, Shrimp Balchow (only if you can handle good amt of spiciness), Goat curry and chicken entrees. I have tried vegetarian here as well, but didnt find them appealing enough. For example once I ordered Bhindi Masala(Okra) and the vegetable in it was not of good quality and was not even fresh. I would rate it high on ambience. Service is good enough but it actually depends on who is attending you. I have had some not so good experiences with service. Overall, totally worth it. I like it!
(4)Allison A.
Thank goodness we had a reservation! Friday night, this place was hopping! Parking was ridiculous, we lucked out with a spot in front of the restaurant. Because of our reservation, we were seated right away, however, there was not an empty seat in the house. Bar was packed, and every table was full. Very loud enviornment. Menu is short and simple. I was dining with Americans that had lived in India for a half a dozen years. A few of their favorites were not on the menu (removed when Tulsi moved from their former location to the current one). We all tried a number of different appetizers and main courses. I thoroughly enjoyed my Goat Curry. I would have preferred it a bit more spicy, but when I asked for hot, the waitress said it came served as medium to hot anyway. The Lamb Jalfrezi was also delicious. The Chicken Tikki Masala, another chicken and another lamb dish were ordered. All served in traditional copper pots. Naan was freely served and refilled when we asked for more. I would absolutely return to try as many dishes as possible. Very pricey ($20 main courses), but worth it. Drinks were also good classic wine and drink list, as well as authentic India Beer companies were served.
(5)Nijesh N.
Food : Good quality - less quantity. Before ordering starters check the number of peices that u ll get. Hospitality and ambience is good. Don't go on weekends and if u r planning to go better make a reservation.
(3)vidya m.
Pulling up curbside, I loved the orange building. It reminds of India. We (a party of 8) went in on a Tuesday night and got seated right away. The interior is decorated mostly lovely. There are a couple of sarees draped in one room and it looks a little odd that there aren't more, but a minor thing. Other than that it was very nice. The hostess seated us and gave us water and menus. The menu is not large by any means and their drinks are not listed on there nor do they give you a separate drink menu. After some time passed, we asked the hostess for the waiter; we had to ask a second time and still had to wait before he came. We felt a little bad asking, but we were starving after a long day in the sun. Once he came we were really happy. He was very helpful and upbeat but not in an annoying way. He took all 8 of our orders (apps, meals and drinks) without writing it down and he didn't screw any of it up. The food was amazing! I got palak paneer and the color of it was so vibrant and showed that it was extremely fresh. You could see and taste that the paneer was also fresh and home made. It was delicious. He brought out never ending rice for our meals. I had the rest of my meal packed to go and he put some extra rice in. The portions do seem small, especially for the price but you do not leave feeling hungry. If I'm ever near Kittery again, I would definitely go back to Tulsi. It is too delicious to pass up.
(4)Will P.
Well, finally made it to the new place. It is quite large. The Sunday buffet was decent. ($15) If you like chicken choices, there were 3 options. The preparation was definitely the best Indian food on the seacoast. Just a word of warning ,everything is pretty spicy so be prepared...no bland food lovers should indulge without plenty of drink! Bon appetit mes amis.
(3)Morgan D.
We met friends here for dinner when we were in the area for the weekend. From the outside, it looks pretty uninspiring, so it was a great surprise to enter and discover a warm oasis of space. It was pretty noisy as there was a birthday party going on with a large group in one part of the restaurant, but we were still attended to in a timely manner. Unfortunately, our waitress seemed very uninterested in waiting on table and it felt like we were bothering her when we asked questions about the menu - glad that all of us are very familiar with Indian food. It was a shame as the other people at the restaurant were very nice and helpful - hostess refilling water glasses, chef stopping by the table to ask how our dinner was, etc. And our dinner way very good. I eat Indian food regularly and would definitely give this meal two thumbs up! I would absolutely go back for another meal - just not with the same waitress.
(4)Cody S.
So these guys moved into a new building not too long ago and it's a major improvement. This restaurant absolutely has the best Indian food anywhere near/around the Seacoast region. My wife and I have actually become friends with the owner Raj and he is extremely accommodating. They also have a focus on Gluten Free and essentially everything on the menu with the exception of the naan is GF. This place is easily one of our top three favorite restaurants in the Seacoast and it's great for a date!
(5)Pia D.
Delicious Indian cuisine made with fresh ingredients (and fresh spices). The best mussels I've ever tasted. Great for take out but I like the teeny dining room as well. Nice wine selection - interesting choices that are all amazing with the food.
(5)Peter R.
the only good restaurant in the area. you get more than you pay for. Sunday buffet lunch is great. Most, sometimes all, choices are also gluten free. Raj (spelling?) cooks the kind of Indian food you don't find in usual Indian restaurants. Each ingredient seems to have preserved its distinctive character. Goat is our favorite just because goat is hard to find in restaurants. My entire family (boy, 4, girl, 8, parents, and grandma) enjoys it.
(5)Rick H.
My wife and I have dined here probably a dozen times. We love Indian food and this place represents indian food well. The ambience of the restaurant is great. HOWEVER, while the food is consistently good, the service is consistently awful. It seems like the owners know how to cook but know nothing about customer service or how to train their wait staff. We have experinced long waits to place an order once seated, long waits for food, wait staff that don't come back to offer more drinks, and "forgotten" reservations (apparently the customer's problem not their's...let's make you wait some more). The kicker was our last date night. We arrived for a 6p reservation. Restaurant maybe 1/3 full. The hostess apologized for the choice of tables they were about to offer (sitting next to the kitchen or kitty-cornered uncomfortably close to another couple who was eating dinner). They wouldn't offer a four top (those were soon to be occupied apparently by more valued customers). We walked out and unfortunately won't return. Going out to dinner is not just about the food you know. The experience is important too.
(2)A. K.
We hadn't eaten in the new place since they moved. It is as good as the old. The service was lovely--really friendly and helpful. We loved the cauliflower and potato dish. My partner loved the mussels. The chicken korma was not overdone as it has been in other places. We loved the bread with nuts and the tandori hen was moist. The spinach with cheese was a delight. The wines are nice pours and good prices. You must go.
(5)Joe R.
I drove from Portland just to eat at Tulsi. I heard so many great things. After my 3.5 hour dinner I promise I will not go back. The service was the worst I have ever experienced. From what the waitress said was they only had 1 chef for a few months. We waited 1 hour to order our meal. We waited 1 hour between our appetizers and main courses. Then we waited 45 minutes for the waitress to take our credit card. The food. The lamb naan was tasty but most of the other food lacked the added punch of Indian spices. The rest of the naan crumbled in your hands making it difficult to scoop up your meal. I think I am going to stick to my Portland standby's and of course the amazing restaurants in Boston.
(1)R N.
Tulsi rocks. I find it incomprehensible that anyone would criticize the spice levels or true Indian flavors. The food, the flavors are simply exemplary. I wish I never had to stop eating my pork vindaloo. My wife was thrilled with her chicken tikka masala. Having a couple Dogfishhead Indian Brown with my meal completed the experience. The new space is beautiful and efficient. A major improvement over the original space. It's true that efficiency of service continues to be a challenge. As others state, a reservation is highly recommended. After that, patience may be required. We can only hope that this will improve as the management gains experience and brings in additional, experienced staff. Highly recommended nevertheless as it is a truly unique quality of Indian dining experience.
(4)Michelle D.
You have to try the Full Moon cocktail! It is so yummy!!! The service is awesome and a very trendy place. The food is absolutely delicious. Chicken Tikki Masala is the best. This is the second time we've been here and we'll be back again soon.
(5)Boston R.
Best indian food I've ever eaten. Fantastic flavors. All dishes cooked perfectly with fresh ingredients. Service was exceptional as well! Clay was our waiter. He was very helpful with our questions and made several suggestions which really added to a great meal and a great experience. I give Tulsi 5 STARS!!!!
(5)Sherry B.
Ok, I'm a tough reviewer. I read some of the other reviewers that were hard on Tulsi. This restaurant was fantastic. I would not search for better (which is what I do, I'm always seeking the best.) Sure, you walk in and you're confused about where to go. So what. The tables are close...I mean holding hands with your neighbor close. You are "dining with the neighbors" close. But whatever. The food is great. That mango yogurt drink-WOW! I crave it. Even though it's a quaint little restaurant, it's spendy. I mean Blue Sky spendy. York Harbor Inn spendy...and you don't get the atmosphere. That's a drawback, but hopefully the word gets out and they can get a bigger, better place, perhaps on the water and then they're all set.
(5)Tim W.
Outstanding! One of my favorite restaurants in the area. Service is excellent and the food is just phenomenal. I usually stay with something fairly traditional like the Chana Masala or Palak Paneer, but they have some more exotic stuff too, some really unique dishes. It's a small space, but it actually doesn't feel small if that makes any sense...the atmosphere is really nice. A GIANT five stars for Tulsi!
(5)Stephanie A.
I am a huge fan if Indian food, and have been fortunate to have dinned at many Indian restaurants around the country. Tulsi is my favorite by far. The food is fresh, complex, and amazing! The menu offers dishes that are unique to many of the Indian restraints I have frequented. The service was friendly and informative, the atmosphere was quaint. I'm sorry that I live so far away, but I will go to Tulsi on every trip to Kittery, as I'm afraid that now, nothing else compares.
(5)David M.
Always loved the food, the new location makes it even better!
(5)Beach Girl M.
Outstanding food- very different from any other Indian food I have tried. We were a group so tried a bunch of appts - shrimp, mussels, breads, lamb and four different entrees. Everything was delicious and perfectly cooked. The service was friendly, knowledgable and top-notch. We sat at the bar. It was completely full in the restaurant but the staff was still welcoming and great. Nothing rushed, hectic or slow either. These people know how to run a restaurant! The inside of Tulsi is very cool looking too. Everyone sitting around us seemed to be thoroughly enjoying their dishes. Will definately be back- worth the drive!!!
(5)Spencer T.
This small, odd boxy little place in an anonymous building in downtown Kittery has the best Indian food you have ever had. It looks like the word is out, so may as well write a review. The ingredients are super fresh, the dishes out of the box, and it's real Indian food. That's about all I can say, you have to go there yourself. You should probably make a reservation, even on weeknights, even at 6:00..........ask for it spicy! We should all be thrilled to have a chef of such high caliber on the Seacoast!
(5)Claudia R.
Who knew you could get innovative Indian food in a little town in Maine?
(4)Brenna J.
The good: food was very fresh and delicious. Thrilled to have reliable Indian on the Seacoast, as another reviewer mentioned. The less-good: weird logistics on arrival. We weren't sure if we were supposed to seat ourselves or wait for someone to greet us (someone did greet us after a minute). Appetizers were served promptly but food took about 10 minutes too long to arrive, and I could have finished my plate before my husband's arrived. Again, the food was very good. Something went wrong with the chicken tikka masala, which several people had ordered. Seemed like a small crisis, but the restaurant comped anyone who accepted the substituted korma. Overall a nice experience, lovely staff, great food. Seems like they need to work out some kinks. Meantime I'll continue buying their take-out at the farmers' market.
(3)Jason W.
Cozy atmosphere and friendly staff... The menu is small, especially at lunch, but the food is great! The lunch dishes are a nice plate with the main dish, side, a little cup of soup and bread. Too bad they don't run the tandor until 4pm, but I can understand in the current economy, the grilled nan-like (forget the name) was good enough I didn't mind. Excellent Vindaloo, good flavor and not crazy hot for no reason.
(4)Serina B.
i love the quirky smallness of this place and love the colors and decor..it is small. it was insanely fresh and yummy and seemed perfect..we come as a group and share 4 vegatarian dishes. which use to be to die for. now well it is hit or miss. the service always seems to have an odd vibe. like something is wrong but the customers can't tell what..and food takes a long time sometimes..but usually great but again lately when we ask for mild it comes out hot..not even medium..so i guess dont ask if the cook is gonna do what he wants. i still like it. maybe it is the yellow walls and delightful smell.
(4)mj b.
this is the best indian food i've ever had. including nyc and d.c. totally worth checking it out.
(5)c w.
I was in NH/ME for 2 weeks and was really craving Indian food, but did not know what to expect...I am from the so-called tri-state area where we have LOTS of Indian restaurants. The food here was great- fresh ingredients, nice seasoning. Raita was delicious. Sag panir good; I asked for the chana masala to be spicier and I got more chillis in it; very good. Codiner's chicken tikki was also good; creamy, spicy, not greasy. The rice was nicely cooked basmati with seeds. This is a great little restaurant with fresh flowers and a nice atmosphere.
(5)alan h.
Tulsi is a welcome addition to depressing downtown Kittery. If it survives, it will be interesting to see how it grows. Right now the menu is limited; no salads, no soups. The food was good, but not great. Small enough to be intimate and nicely decorated. The waiter was very accommodating. I would try it again, but it's not high on my list.
(2)Ciara S.
The food at Tulsi is just wonderful. My ONLY complaint is that their delicious samosas are not on the dinner menu! Available only during happy hour... sigh. Expect to spend a lot more at Tulsi than you will at Shalimar (in Portsmouth) and expect a significant wait on the weekends as well. I usually get the chicken Tikka Masala, but the tandoori salmon, chicken korma, and yellow dal are all excellent. Edit... Tulsi added vegetarian and non-vegetarian Thalis to their happy hour menu, making this place 5 star worthy for sure.
(5)Mike M.
Best Indian food. I used to like Indian food before Tulsi now I crave it. I have had everything except the vegetarian meals and am never disappointed. They use all fresh ingredients and the sauces are all traditional.
(5)Sam T.
I feel lucky to live so close to Tulsi. I am a big fan of Indian food and they do it so well. Another gem in Kittery that is well worth the visit. 5 stars for the food. I do have to say the service has been inconsistent. Never rude, but sometimes slow and almost forgetful. I've had wonderful experiences and really regrettable ones as well. I still reccomend this place without question.
(4)Buju D.
Wow this place is starting to lose it's luster...maybe there are just having a bad day today...I hope I don't get sick because the bartender! I think he has a cold because he keeps sniffling
(3)Amanda C.
It's been awhile since we've eaten here...looks like the menu has changed. I used to order the palak paneer and it was amazing. So flavorful. Always thought it strange that samosas were not on the menu, pakora was a nice change. Orders always took awhile, but the food always worth it.
(5)Tony C.
I got a little fed up with chicken-wing snacks at bars. Tulsi Indian Restaurant has amazing bar snacks during their happy hour. Samosas, little fried pastries stuffed with a mix of potato, onion, peas and Indian spices. Or Chicken 65, a chicken breast dipped in seasoned batter and fried. It comes with a couple of different chutneys. Even a couple of slices of nan bread is delicious, served with two amazing dipping sauces. Soft and chewy, it beats most appetizers hands down. Happy hour is 4-5:30 pm, Wed.-Fri. Check it out. Their happy hour stuff runs $2 to $5. Definitely worth it.
(4)Chad R.
Ordered food from here a couple times. My experience has been that the Chana Masala is overly oily. The Garlic Nan also doesn't have the garlic cooked into it, rather it appears sprinkled on the top and brushed in oil or butter. The Nan is also not soft, but rather seems to have been pre-cooked and then just re-heated in a pan.
(2)Harry H.
Great place to go with friends! Food is authentic, tasty, and exactly what I look for when visiting Indian cuisine. Service was spectacular! Our server had great recommendations and was very attentive. Portions are perfect sized! I would recommend Tulsi to anyone in the area looking for good eats!
(5)Kaley S.
Best Indian food ever. The Good: The food! BEST INDIAN FOOD EVER. The atmosphere! Chef Raj! the Food-- Amazing & delicious everything. Several different kinds of naan--try the one with coconut, fruit and nuts, it's incredible. I also love the garlic naan! The fried spinach pakoras were delicious, light and crunchy and flavorful, as was the fried okra. They spice everything so it's more than just fried veggies, it's delicious. The mussels are amazing, the paneer is incredible, aloo gobi is awesome (and vegan and gluten-free). The pappadams (Indian lentil & rice crispbreads) are crispy and light, and all their dipping sauces are super tasty (pappadams comes with one mint & cilantro sauce, one tangy, sweet dark soylike sauce). Lots of veggie options (7 vegetarian entrees!!) and gluten-free fare, as well as beef, shrimp, chicken, pork, lamb and even goat --my boyfriend gets the goat curry and he loves it. They also have a great lunch deal -- daal, Indian flatbread (not naan but similar) and 2 curries, $7 for the veggie version, I think $8 or $9 for meat. Chef Raj-- Raj the owner/chef is often in the dining room or at the bar talking to customers -- he's super nice, personable and a great chef. The first night we went we met him then watched him receive a round of applause by a group of 20 older folks after their meal, pretty cool! They've been open six years and Travel and Leisure magazine named Tulsi as one of the "Best Indian Restaurants in the U.S." in April 2014. We can see why!!! We like sitting at the bar, they have a decent beer list, wine and a full bar with a special cocktail menu as well as traditional mango lassi. Atmosphere--- I'm used to Indian restaurants being slightly...dingy/dark/older....was pleasantly surprised to find the decor at Tulsi is modern, bright, and colorful, and clean. Great atmosphere , puts other Indian restaurants to shame! The Bad: Prepare to be ignored when you walk in!!!! We bypass this problem by heading straight for the bar, but then we have to wait a while to get greeted, get menus, get waters, and get drinks. But at least we're seated, then we watch as everyone walks in and stands awkwardly in the doorway waiting to be greeted. Literally every time we go (every week, I'm addicted!) we watch a potential customer leave after being unnoticed. Greeting is definitely their biggest problem, and it's not that hard, and it's the guests' first impression, so it's very important!! Anyway, be patient, the service may be slow but the food is fast and so worth it! The Food: Best Indian food ever. I've eaten at lots of Indian restaurants and none came close to the quality and attention to flavor as Tulsi. The flavors are different from what I'm used to in Indian food -- we were told that's because Raj is from northern India and his culinary training is classic French, and his cooks are from southern India. The flavors are incredible and everything is attentively spiced. Everything we've had on the menu (which is a lot!) has been absolutely delicious as well as reasonably priced. I adore the palak paneer (it's not overly creamy, and their paneer is best I've ever had) and the aloo gobi matar, both vegetarian, and we always get naan and pappadams. Their only dessert most days is rice pudding -- it's incredible, try it!! It's light and floral with delicate hints of rose, cardamom and vanilla. Never had anything like it. You can get anything spiced mild, medium, or spicy, and I order everyhing "extra saucy" as well! The Service: Again, be prepared to be ignored at first!!! Takes a while to be noticed/greeted. Overall: Amazing, wonderful, flavorful, classy Indian food with tons of options for meat-lovers and veggie-lovers alike. The best Indian food I've EVER had, and currently my favorite restaurant, I want to eat it every day!!!!! Highly recommended. The food is consistently delicious -- we have a hard time going to other restaurants when we know we can get an incredible meal at Tulsi at a very reasonable price. YUM. The ONLY negative is the lack of greeting and lackluster service....a pretty big negative, but the food -- the food is as good as it gets. I could eat there every day, it's the BEST INDIAN FOOD EVER and now my favorite restaurant.
(5)Ryan H.
This is my new favorite restaurant! I have been here twice with the food being outstanding each time! Both times we sat at the bar and had Brooke serve us. Shes great, shes a world traveler and has spent time in India. We ordered the muscles and garlic bread for an app, and two different chickens for an entree along with the naan bread! Please please please try this bread, its life changing! The reason I didnt give Tulsi 5 stars was because this last time I went they were out of this amazingggg pudding desert. I had been dreaming and telling everyone about this pudding only to be disappointed. In fact they were out of ALL the desert. And im one of those people that loves something sweet after a big meal. I wish they could have found SOMETHING sweet to make me! After all I did drive an hour to eat there! So I highly recommend Tulsi and its especially great for a date night!
(4)Jennie M.
We have tried to like this place ever since we moved here in 2011. The people who write the positive reviews must be related to the owners. Let us preface this with we are Indian food fans - I am a pescatarian and we keep trying. Today we are done - the waits are intolerable, the service horrible and the food is only passible for true Indian fare. Tonight we tried to order take out. I needed some naan in my life. The person who answered the phone (after 6 calls) had no idea what we wanted to order. Really? We were attempting to order off the on line menu. We wanted samosas and vindaloo. Done.
(1)E S.
Get some palak paneer and garlic naan and see where the night takes you. Yum fest. Best Indian in the area by FAR. Also have some great local brews.
(5)FoodLover Z.
I am Indian and don't like the food in most Indian restaurants I visit because it doesn't taste like home food. Tulsi was an exception. All the dishes we ordered were very good. It's definitely one of the better Indian restaurants I've eaten at.
(4)Jay T.
This is the best indian food I have eaten to date. I am an Indian who normally avoids eating indian food outside. The food was freshly prepared and the service superlative! I was surprised to see it almost packed fur a Wednesday night! A little pricey but totally worth it!
(5)Jesse-Marie K.
Best indian around! You will not be disappointed! The food, and service are excellent!!
(5)Ben E.
Let me start by saying the food at Tulsi is among the best Indian food on the Seacoast. Consistent, delicious and well prepared. Here are the problems: Price. My wife and I have ordered take out dozens of times since moving to Kittery. If we are VERY careful with our order we can eat take out for under $40. Having said that. Ordering food that you really want to try or perhaps have a few leftovers will cost you in excess of $60. That's for take out remember. Service. I have never been treated to poorly at a restaurant. Others have mentioned the poor service and I agree. I can see Tulsi from my living room. Often I will order, wait the 30-40 suggested minutes before heading over, then wait another 30 minutes before my order is ready. On my last visit a family that came in 10 minutes after I had arrived had their drinks and dinner served before I left with my take out. The staff ignores you, never apologizes and generally makes you feel weird. As others have said, you sit or stand awkwardly with many other people, waiting for someone to acknowledge you. Unfortunately my days eating the amazing food at Tulsi are over. I just can't see past the superiorly poor service.
(2)Ck H.
My first visit to this restaurant after only eating their summer farmer market to go dishes. I was so impressed with the beauty of the restaurant, each table was its own space with a very intimate feeling and tasteful art work. We didn't sit at the bar, but it looked enticing, warm and I want to go back and try it. The appetizers, entrees, and deserts were works of art and had the most amazing tastes. There were four in our party and we were all in awe of the delicious food. Our waitperson, Melodie, made great suggestions for food and drink, was attentive and very personable. All in all, this is truly a gem of an eating establishment. It is now my new go to restaurant. Try it, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Patricia R.
We were driving back to MA from a day trip in ME and happened to spot this lovely restaurant. We had the best lunch......such fresh, delicate flavors of Indian food, expertly prepared and lovingly served. The owner was delightful . It really spoiled us . We have eaten in Indian restaurants all over the country but this one is simply the best! A true serendipitous find!
(5)Venkat S.
Great food...consistent taste. Good customer service. Overall great experience for an indian restaurant in Maine area. Never missed the freshness in the food. Can add more dishes to the menu though...my family love this place
(5)Lisa A.
If you love Indian food, it really does not get any better than this! Creative, delicious choices that you can not find at any other Indian restaurant. We love this place and can not wait to go back!
(5)Jim S.
I generally like it here. Great tasting Indian food. The pork vindaloo is spicy and incredible. Chicken tikka masala is super good. The naan is delicious and traditional, although I am not a fan of their take on my usual favorite peshwari naan (they use coconut to make it very sweet). Service has always been nice and accommodating, although one time it was clear we spent too much time in our seat and they were not overly subtle in getting us to pay our check and move on. Besides that, I've been here probably 10 times and only have had one slightly negative experience with the food. I called in take-out a couple of weeks ago and the woman on the phone told me it would be 35 minutes before it was ready. No problem, I thought, they're probably slammed so they can't prepare the food any faster. When I got there, there was only one couple in the restaurant. Why did it take 35 minutes for a simple two-entree take out order? Additionally, I ordered my wife's food mild and they made it just as spicy as my "hot" dish. Why bother asking if you're not going to monitor the spice? The food was very oily that night, so I can only assume they didn't have their A-team in the kitchen. Regardless of that experience, I'll go back as I thoroughly enjoy their food typically.
(4)Howard M.
We recently visited Tulsi for a second time, our first visit having been about a year ago. On our first visit, we were quite impressed: the food was well prepared, and the ingredients were fresh. However, on our second visit (early on a Thursday evening, May 2014), we were horribly disappointed. The korma was not creamy, the meats were chewy, the naan was stale and dry, the rice was old, the same (single, uninventive) relish was offered for both papadums and pakoras. Perhaps we were too early for the evening chef to have taken over? Service was okay, but the young waiter did not seem to know how to convey our (politely expressed) displeasure to the owners. Four-five stars for our first visit; at best two for the second. The current rating represents the average. We will give them one more chance.
(3)Ali T.
After dining at Tulsu for dinner recently, my husband and I understood why the place was always packed. The food is fresh, flavorful, and interesting. We got naan, a spicy lamb dish, and a delicious rice pudding dessert. I don't think I'm dying to go back though. The wait-staff was very disappointing. Our waitress made us feel as though we were inconveniencing her, simply by asking for refills or politely pointing out the mistake on the bill. Also, the tables are very close together, making our dining experience a little awkward (especially since the lady next to us had no notion of covering her mouth when coughing) By the end of our meal I could not wait to get out of there. That's a shame, for the food was very enjoyable.
(3)Alison M.
The owner is a great guy, and the ambiance in the dining area is warm and welcoming. The bar is noisy, but a lot of fun when you're in the mood for it. Menu is great, with many vegetarian and vegan options. Drink menu is expansive as well. My only criticism is the amount of oil/ghee used in the saucy dishes. I always ask the waitstaff to have them cook my dish with little oil and the request makes a tremendous difference. Otherwise your paneer will come swimming in ghee/oil.
(4)Kris S.
This restaurant was a complete disappointment. We were excited to try it and had heard good things from friends but ultimately it did not deliver. The positives were the atmosphere (far superior to almost all Indian restaurants), the bar and the drinks. The negatives - food and service. Of the 5 dishes we ordered, the shrimp appetizer was the best. It was spicy and the shrimp were succulent. Overall the flavors lacked depth, dimension and the richness I have had at Boston Indian restaurants. They only had one chutney (sweet tamarind) - no onion or mint which in my opinion is akin to no soy sauce at a Japanese restaurant. The service was lackluster but not horrible. Ultimately, for over $90 for two, I would definitely not return.
(2)Norman G.
Beautifully decorated. Excellent food. Raj one of the the chef-owner is one of the most personable and accomodating hosts I have ever met. I've visited Tulsi several times while visiting friends in NH It seems to get better each time .just about everything on the menu is cooked to order...the cooks arer very acomodating about adjusting the spices for the more timid palate. The un-sung heroes on the menu are some of the vegetable dishes and/or appetizers. When my friend suggested we order the fried cauliflower I was less than enthusiatic...it was superb...battered and crisp fried...it was one of the stand out items of our meal. The time before Raj sugggested fried okra ( I blanched...but said I'd try it...) flash fried and then rolled in a spice paste.... again , just superb. The kasmiri Lamb curry was also delicious....the lamb was "fork-tender". Bar offers exceptional mixed drinks. The Chai martini was delicious. Went home and tried to duplicate it the very next night. The only minus continues to be the wait-staff. They seem indifferent,; they are NOT familiar with the menu ....they may or may not suggest specials or offer dessert. Last visit our waiter did not know the specials claiming " he had just walked in the door" WE asked that he find out He returned to tell us " Well, you know, the cooks are Indian, and they're just not communicating very well. The specials are biryani (OKI . I knew what that was....but many diners would not....) and some kind of chicken soup. Really? How descriptive. Service was not bad....but really...the staff should know the menu....maybe a staff dinner would help. Training certainly would.
(4)Don W.
We returned to Tulsi and now that they've had time to get used to the new space, I'm pleased to say that they're back. The menu seems a little less creative and daring than it used to be but everything was delicious. The Shrimp Dum Masala was perfect and while the Goat Curry was difficult to eat because of the mix of bones and meat, it was really tasty. Everything on the menu except the breads was gluten free and there were several vegan apps & entrees. Our server (Aamir, I think) was terrific. If you want the best Indian in the area, this is it.
(5)Jess M.
Positive: Their curry mussels were one of the most flavorful and delicious dishes I've ever had. The space is pretty nice. The cocktails were strong. Neutral: The rest of the food was 'meh.' Negative: I've not experienced such poor service in the Seacoast area. Waited at the hostess stand for about 7 minutes. (Had a reservation.) The place was empty, but we rarely saw the waitstaff. And I just got a call today, confirming my reservation for 7 pm...last night. Get your sh*t together, Tulsi.
(2)Julie M.
It's slim pickings for vegetarians on vacation in Maine, so when my vegetarian partner and I were on vacation recently and she didn't want yet another lame pasta dish at a seafood restaurant, we searched for Indian food and crossed our fingers there would actually be some. Surprise! There is, and it's tasty! We had a pretty standard meal - papadum for the table, she had Paneer Makhanwalam, I had Chicken Chettinad, we split some naan. The spice levels were good, and modifiable, which is always a plus (I like things slightly less mild than standard, she likes things spicier than standard). The portions were perfect, and the service was good (no reservations, walked in at a normal dinner time on a weeknight, no wait and quick seating). Since we go to York Beach every year, I can imagine heading to Kittery and going to Tulsi every year as well. Glad it's there!
(4)Dale Z.
Well, on the one hand, these were some of the best Papadums I have ever had. And the location is nice and clean, and very popular. On the other hand, this was average Indian food at above average prices. I thought the Chicken Tikka Masala was just okay, but my stomach (at 3am) did not agree.
(2)Pia J.
Amazing Indian food, great chef/owner Raj and lovely ambiance. The new bar section is very swanky and is packed most weekends. The food is cooked according to your preference of spice and heat levels. Wonderful favors and adequate portions.Prices are very reasonable as well. We love eating here!
(5)Krishna I.
I was visiting Maine so thought I'd check out this place. I was pleasantly surprised! Food: Very good. Samosas were really tasty. Lachha paratha was nice! Peshawari paratha was sweet, but it had nuts so it was expected. Garlic naan and onion naan were good too. We ordered Paneer butter masala (good), bhindi masala (good) and Chicken Chettinad (very good). Customer service: Very good. All the waiters were friendly! Hygiene/Ambience: Very clean, the ambience is good. Price: The prices are moderate, we were 4 people and our bill was $86. I thought it was worth it though. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Maine!
(4)Saffron M.
Love the sunday brunch buffet here (apparently so do many others, as getting seats can be tough!) Plenty of good veg stuff, as expected, but the spinach pakoras are my favorite thing that I haven't seen at many other Indian restaurants. Plus, the interior is nicely done at Tulsi.
(4)Alan B.
One of the few Indian places I've been with explicit vegan choice on the menu. Much appreciated!
(5)Elinn C.
You've got to love a town that can support an Indian restaurant as good as this one. And the decor is prettier than most restaurants in much bigger cities, which just made the evening all the more pleasant. We ordered too much because so many dishes sounded good but encountered some new recipes and enjoyed it. Seek it out -- not far from Portsmouth. Can walk there across a bridge and get some nice views en route.
(4)