Swad
1810W Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 45239
Swad Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1810W Galbraith Rd
Cincinnati, OH, 45239 - Phone (513) 522-5900
- Website https://www.swadtasty.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
- Mon :Closed
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
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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Jeff G.
This family used to run the dis mesh restaurant located by Cincinnati State College. The new location is larger and offers much more parking. In my opinion they serve the best Indian fair in the area. I would give 5 stars but the service was slow. I'm sure they will improve on that as they become used to the larger facility. Highly recommend the lamb saag and ginger chicken dishes.
(4)David A.
The food here is the best Indian in town. Combined with great service from a wonderful staff this is the place to go. I loved it when these people owned Dushmesh on Ludlow but only because it was closer to my home. Swad is worth the drive!
(5)Vanessa K.
Just had a wonderful meal. We had the chicken curry, Nav Ritan Corma, chicken dal and the mango vegetables. Excellent all around. The owners are the former owners of dushmesh. It was great to see them. They are always very helpful and learn their customers by name. :) We are excited to have them so close to where we live!
(5)Suzy W.
I've heard a lot of hype about this place, they are the same owners of the original dusmesh. I was very disappointed in my lunch at this place. There was something off with the spices. Not a fan at all. Their chicken tikki masala was very watery (too much liquid base). The vegetable pakora was very dried out. The soda was flat. Maybe I went on an off day, but I will not be going back any time soon.
(2)April K.
My friend and I have been on an Indian kick lately and this has been by far one of the best places we've been to lately. Our waitress was so sweet and kept our drinks refilled at all times. *We got naan with mint (with chutney of course) and I couldn't really taste any of the mint though. It seemed like they just sprinkled it on top of the naan and that was it. I was hoping for more of a mint flavor but it was still fantastic. Compared to other Indian restaurants I've been to, they cooked the the naan perfectly. Not too oily, not too soft; it was just right. *My friend ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala-3 (which everyone and their mom orders) and it was actually my first time trying it as I usually get Lamb curry-2 (as I did in this situation) and it was good. I still prefer my Lamb curry but I see why everyone orders the Chicken Tikka Masala as well. The lamb was cooked perfectly and the chicken was amazing (it was shredded beautifully). You won't go wrong with the Chicken Tikka Masala; but go a little out of your comfort zone and try the lamb curry because you won't be disappointed at all. *Lastly, our waitress was amazing. She was so sweet and she's definitely part of the reason we will be coming back. When we got our check another waiter have us this round donut soaked in what I think was melted butter and sugar. I'm not sure if they do this all the time as it was our first time eating here but it was a sweet gesture and made our experience that much better. We will definitely be coming back!
(4)Sara B.
Definitely the best indian restaurant in the Cincinnati area. Amazing food & excellent service. I will be here every time I visit Cinci. I have eaten here twice this visit and it was perfect each time. The naan was simply amazing and their saag is always my top choice. I've never been to a better indian restaurant (I have been to about 15 diff places). I plan to try many more in the future, but I can't imagine it getting much better than this place. My only suggestion is that they not have flashing twinkle lights above the bar. I love the lights; dislike the flashing. Not pleasant. Another great thing is that they are byob AND they have a bar! How cool is that?! This place will be a favorite of mine for as long as they are around (which I hope is forever).
(5)Jesus O.
Very good indian food restaurant. I live pretty close to this restaurant and have tried a lot of different indian restaurants before but this one is my favorite. Clean, fresh flavor with a fusion of spices and good nose. I love the fact of the carry out service and friendly staff. They even have a nice long bar with wine and other drinks. Clean and comfortable atmosphere, with nice neutral modern design. A must try indian restaurant.
(5)Lewis C.
This place has some of the best service I've experienced in recent memory, fine dining included. My four year old daughter was able to interact with the staff and didn't seem to be a burden one bit. A lot of places don't have the patience for this kind of thing. The food was brought out very fast and hot. Everything we ordered exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend this place for just about every occasion. If you come during lunch, they have the absolute best lunch buffet of this variety I've ever tried.
(5)Heather M.
I went there on a Sunday. It wasn't too bad. They had it in a buffet style and that way is great for people who is not sure on Indian food. Great variety of appetizers and entrees. The staff excellent and attentive. If I want a quick bite and need a place to curve my Indian food, I will come here.
(3)Bunny E.
Just an addendum to the older review: They now have a liquor license, offering many wonderful Indian Beers! Rejoice!!!
(5)Lori W.
This is our favorite Indian restaurant. I always order the chicken tikka masala, it never disappoints. The staff is friendly and the restaurant is clean and welcoming. This is a weekly ritual in my home. The portions are large. We usually order several meals and then everyone shares. I have found many items on the menu that are amazing, but chicken tikka masala is still my favorite.
(5)Pamela M.
Delicious -had Samosa, garlic naan and shrimp vindaloo. Recommend by co worker and I will be back. Constantly busy, lots of take out orders and friendly service , could have refilled water sooner but food warranted 5 stars.
(5)Sara H.
SO GOOD. By far the best Indian in Cincinnati. It being on the Westside is a plus for me, but I'd definitely trek across town if I had to for Swad. Tasty tasty tasty. Tip: There are two main chefs and one views the spicy levels differently than the other, so if you're picky about how spicy/unspicy your food is, I'd inquire about this before deciding on a number.
(5)Nancy K.
Amazingly fresh buffet. The selection is impressive, and each item is truly fresh and tasty. Instead of being a generic compilation of so-so items, the buffet stands out as a showcase of the excellent food they offer. The naan is especially flavorful. I have been to Swad two or three times in the past couple months, and am glad I live fairly nearby, so I can go again soon.
(5)B T.
I love Indian cuisine and Swad was no exception. When my wife and I ordered food, it was great! However, I must rate it a 2 star based on my last (and most likely, final) experience. My wife placed an order, but the woman on the other end was too distracted to take it. I was greeted by a young woman, who promptly stood up, said to another woman to take care of me and vanished into the kitchen. The other woman neither smiled, nor made any attempt to be friendly. I handed her my credit card as payment and she put it on the counter after processing it. When I brought the food home, we were in for more disappointment. The food came in smaller containers than they had in the beginning. My wife ordered our food with a #2 spiciness. Our food was bland and flavorless. The fried naan was heavy with grease. All of this at a higher price than another Indian restaurant which is close to our location as well. We will not be back.
(2)Jen H.
The wait staff were so friendly and accommodating. The food was fresh and served fast. They will substitute the cream for coconut milk to make the dishes a little lighter. The tika masala and samosas were great. The mango lassi was large and very filling. We look forward to going back to try the other great menu items.
(4)Monika S.
Great food and excellent service Buffet is great...flavorful..just right..price is very good. .can't beat that. .it's also tried their dinner....you can choose your own spicy level. From 1 to 6..we got spicy level 4.which was just right..we ordered chicken mango..lamb saag and kes. Naan. .all was so good. .services is great.. We will definitely go back..
(5)TP M.
We had an early dinner of 4 people. Waitstaff was not a problem. All food was brought out in a reasonable time. We got an assortment of dishes. Everything was very good. Our vacationing guest from Pakistan approved as well. Two others were having Indian food for the first time and was very happy with the food. I eat at a lot of places in the city and this was as good as I've had at many of the other highly rated Indian places.
(5)Nick T.
Went for the lunch buffet and was pleasantly surprised. Very clean, new looking restaurant with a regularly restocked buffet. Excellent selection, definitely would recommend!
(5)Krishna Babu M.
The restaurant is clean and ambience is great. The service is one of the best. But...unfortunately, food is NOT tasty. Its NOT Indian food. When I went, ours was the only Indian family there. Lots of Americans were there with families. If you love authentic Indian food, I would NOT recommend this place. Not good!
(1)Eileen E.
My boyfriend and I have made this our new "it" place for Indian. We have eaten here about five times and each time they impress us with service and quality. The food is delicious. I order the vegetarian thal-the entrée sampler platter-at a spicy number four. It has the right amount of kick and the ability to sample several different dishes in one go is perfect for someone who wants a taste of everything. The servers have all been attentive and kind. They are very knowledgeable about the menu and are very helpful with explanations of dishes, spiciness, and suggestions for other items you might also like. I would highly recommend this restaurant to both frequent Indian style foodies and newbies.
(5)Rachel S.
What impressed me most about my visit to Swad was that the server recognized my husband, remembered that he was gluten free, and was very careful to suggest menu items without gluten. We will go back just for this fantastic service! We sat outside on the patio and it was very loud and echo-y because of a table of exuberant kids, but when they left I quite enjoyed the space. We really enjoyed the tandoori veggies (can't remember the Indian name) and the Special Chicken Tikka Masala.
(5)Shane S.
This was my first time eating at Swad. Me and my gf came in expecting it to be a buffet but i guess they only have lunch buffets, because it wasnt open for dinner. I must admit that we are both unknown to the world of Indian food. I ended up getting the Lamb Choley. I actually enjoyed the lamb and the sauce, but the beans (i believe thats what they were) werent very good for my taste. The place had a nice presentation and the staff was friendly, but im just not an Indian food kind of person.
(3)Jeremy W.
This place is one of the best in Cincinnati. Best lunch buffet. Best dinner value. Very clean. Very friendly staff. Very high quality food. Simply the best. Four kinds of apps including Samosa and fish pakorma and garlic naan on the buffet?! Always busy but plenty of room.
(5)Jay P.
This place is so much cleaner than Dusmesh. Smells better too, staff is very friendly and accommodating. Plus they have Palak Paneer, fried spinach! Good place to take a date. Parking was awkward if you never been here before. Wish they have an all day buffet! Oh well stiil food is excellent
(5)Savannah K.
I live nearby in Mt Healthy, so once i found out that an Indian restaurant was opening up not even 5 minutes away, I HAD to try it! I went there for a late lunch/ early dinner around 4 on a Saturday. Being newly opened and such a strange time of day, the place was completely empty. We were seated by the window and given menus and water. I ordered my go to meal: Chicken Tiki Masala- add paneer, with a side of garlic naan. Food took a while to get out, but it was delicious! The only complaint i had is that its a little pricey, but then again, what Indian restaurant isnt? I will definitely be a repeat customer and look forward to going back for the buffet!
(4)Sarah F.
Let's cut to the important part, IT'S DUSMESH!!!!! Before Dusmesh started sucking, aka before all the awesome people left Dusmesh. Otherwise, it's the same thing. And that's a good thing. The buffet is the same, the mango lassi is the same, and the family, most importantly, is the same. When we went, only 3 weeks after they opened and after only a few days of knowing who it was owned by, we were greeted and quickly chastised (in a friendly way) for not coming more often. It's like they never left and we never even ate at that other restaurant that now has their old name. Although I did remind them that it was THEIR fault that we hadn't eaten there in the past few months. In short, best mango lassi, best saag, best tikka massala. And my husband finds the desserts to be the best. I can't say I've ever liked any Indian desserts, but these are the best on any buffet. I would take away a star for now being driving distance away instead of walking distance. But, naaahhh. Best Indian in town!
(5)Charlie P.
The buffet was good, service was great. Not as familiar with this cuisine so a great way to be introduced
(3)John M.
Great lunch buffet - chicken tikka masala was delicious! Nice front dining room and back buffet room. Nice to see the old staff for Dusmesh and their quality of service and food.
(5)Aida M.
This Place is Great. I took my Grandmother who isnt so accustomed to Indian Food like me. She said EVERYTHING was delicious! The Lunch Buffet is great for people new to Indian Food because you get to try everything to see what you like. My Grandmother is also Vegetarian and they have a great selection of Vegetarian food. Me on the other hand i Love chicken.. Everything was great, and they are very nice. Will definitely be telling my friends and family. Oh and its pretty!
(5)Bryan N.
Best on this side of town. I used to go to Dumesh in Clifton their recipes are very similar..
(5)Colin T.
I knew Swad was going to be a classy joint when they painted over the clumsy mural from the days when this location was the failed Van Zandts. The interior also has a pleasant atmosphere with burgundy walls covered in tasteful tapestries. The lighting is low and relaxing, the music is soft and undistracting, and the seating is roomy. I visited on opening day - you would never have known. The lunch buffet had all the classic favorites, but they were all packed with amazing flavor. Even the fried food tasted light and fluffy. I was incredibly impressed, as I've encountered some lazily cooked Indian food at other buffets. There is a long bar, but no liquor license. Don't let that be a deal breaker. The food is worth it, and the chai tea hit the spot! The excitement between guests was contagious. Many of the diverse tables were remarking on the quality and talking with each other, despite the fact they were complete strangers. One guest remarked that the new owners are the same people that were across from Cincinnati State, and he had extremely fond memories of their previous menu that have carried forward to the new place. I just learned that Swad means "tasty"! A perfect name for what I just experienced. Hope they stay in North College Hill!!! P.S. They deliver!!!
(5)Edwardo S.
Great staff. And lunch sagg is awesome on the buffet. And sometimes they have chicken wings that should be award winning for taste and uniqueness.
(5)Russ B.
Based on the solid recommendations, I scheduled a business lunch at Swad and was not disappointed. The staff was very kind and grateful for the patronage. We had the lunch buffet which had a good representation of the standbys and some really unusual dishes too. The egg dish was really tasty. I sampled about 6 things and the Dal soup and it was all really solid Indian food. The place was clean and well kept with two dining rooms and an covered porch area. I would recommend anyone that appreciates good Indian give Swad a try. I'll be headed back when I'm in that area of town.
(4)Abbey W.
The food was absolutely spectacular. Came out fast and hot and was very reasonably priced for the amount and quality. Also got a complimentary dessert! Definitely go!
(5)Holly C.
Inviting, friendly people with the most delicious Indian food in the Cincinnati area. Food has a bright flavor and spices don't feel muddled, so it makes you want to savor every bite.
(5)Dave F.
I have been to many Indian restaurants in Cincinnati and I can honestly say that Swad has the best freshest tasting food! I also enjoyed their atmosphere and décor. What a wonderful experience. We will be back again and again.
(5)Laura T.
So happy to have great Indian food on the West Side! We've frequented this establishment both for the lunch buffet, and for a dinner ordering off the menu. The lunch buffet actually has some spicy items on it- YAY! It consists of a large selection of dishes, as well as the normal salads/desserts. There are always enough customers at lunch to keep a fast turnover of the dishes, and the staff are well aware and timely in replacing/refreshing the dishes. For dinner ordering off of the menu- you have the choice of spicy level 1-6. They have several different types of naan to choose from, and from what I've tried- they're all delicious! My husband sticks with the tried and true chicken tikka masala (where you can hardly go wrong)- but I like to venture and try new things.... and they've all been very tasty. They used to be BYOB- but now serve beer, both on tap and in bottles, but I saw another table drinking wine they brought in a shopping bag. So- I'm not totally sure of the whole situation. Bring your own wine and hope for the best? As a person who often judges restaurants by the ability to keep my water glass reasonably filled- this place deserves 5+ stars. All of the staff pitch in to serve and keep the customers happy. The service is phenomenal, and the employees seem so happy and grateful that you chose to eat in their restaurant. Certainly makes a patron feel appreciated!
(5)Jessica L.
What an awesome restaurant. The owners and staff are super friendly, the interior is upscale, sweet covered outdoor patio, BYOB (for now), and handcrafted delicious food. Swad's lunch buffet is the best I've had. Get gone to Swad Indian Restaurant now, try the mango lassi with your meal and say hi to Maya and AJ.
(5)Jayesh B.
Poor service. The server did not want to serve food 35 mins before closing time. The food does not cater to Indian taste buds.
(1)B K.
I was very happy to find this place as there are very few Indian restaurants nearby. We got takeout so we could try a variety of their dishes. Everything was excellent. The interior of the restaurant was very nice and new. We'll definitely be coming back on a regular basis for dine-in and takeout.
(5)Ronald S.
This is the best Indian food around. We always get the non vegetarian thali. We enjoyed their food when they owned dushmesh. Swad's food is even better.
(5)Ashley B.
This is the best Indian in Cincinnati! I even brought my mom and step dad here for dinner and they loved it! They are accommodating for vegetarians and vegans and will suggest a meal for you if you like. They remember me by name and always greet with a smile. They have patio seating also! The owners used to own Dusmesh, which has gone completely downhill since they sold it. Nothing else compares to Swad, you have to go!
(5)Ted B.
Best Indian in Cinci and I've been to them all, people are driving from all over town to eat here! Maya and Avtar treat everyone like family. I will never eat Indian anywhere else!!!
(5)Miriam A.
We've had dinner at Swad twice and I really look forward to going back. I agree the atmosphere is nice, especially in the front room. The service was excellent and the meals were delicious. The first time we went, we ate in the dining room and were very pleased with our vegetable pakoras, mango lassis, and spinach & eggplant curry. We also ordered saag paneer, which was good, but we both preferred the curry dish. The second time we went, we ordered several dishes to carry out for a larger gathering at our house. They were all excellent. We ordered lamb curry, shrimp curry, and another lamb dish as well as vegetable pakoras, mango lassis, and naan. The entire meal was wonderful!
(5)Judee K.
We love it here. (The owners of the "old " Dusmesh have opened this new restaurant). 9 months was a long wait for my favorite Dal Makhani. Awesome restaurant. Best Indian food in town. The staff (Maya and AJ) are the best. Will help you choose among their many offerings or modify it for you. I love the "spinach leaves" (ask Maya for the proper name ), vegetables samosas, coconut naan( again not sure of proper name) Dal Makhani , Lamb Korma. Comfortable, affordable, BYOB, great home cooking, feels like home.
(5)john e.
Impressed by the little things. Service, quality of Naan, rice, and of course the food. As with any restaurant it matters what you order. I like my food spicy and love goat dishes.
(5)Jamie W.
Great addition to the College Hill area! The food is solid and you can bring your own beer!
(5)Tina C.
Great place for a lunch buffet. Extremely clean. Server very nice. To the food...a bit bland for my tongue. Saag good flavor, too mild in spice along with everything else. Good, not great.
(3)Kevin F.
Want to talk about delicious food. Dishes are amazing, so happy to have an Indian Restaurant in the area. Clean, friendly, service is amazing. Cannot wait to go back.
(5)Ivan M.
Everthing was very good. I was pleasantly surprised that the dishes relied on well balanced and full bodied spices rather than being excessively rich. Service was excellent and the atmosphere is very nice, perhaps the nicest I've visited in cincinnati. Overall a very solid value!
(5)Jackie D.
swad is hands down the best in cincinnati. i've been to pretty much all of the indian restaurants after living here for a year and i would say you can tell a difference between swad and the rest. The food is all organic and made that morning.Definitely worth checkign out and having outdoor seating is a plus as well.
(5)Katie S.
Food is always delicious and the staff is always so kind and friendly! Love the lunch buffet. Would love to see a dinner buffet! Can't wait til you return so we can enjoy another great meal!
(5)Ben E.
This is really good Indian food, we get take out from Swad about once a week and it we try new things every time and we have not been disappointed. Their heat scale is good as well, some places you can order a 5 or 6 and it's not very hot still but I've tried the 5 and 6 a few times at Swad and it's hot and flavorful! Definitely worth a try.
(4)Anu G.
I went for a lunch buffet. I am a fan of Dushmesh and since I heard it is from the same owner, I had a really high expectation. But nooo. Their food is not authentic Indian food at all. So much food color and tastes so bland. Not going back again.
(2)Pravesh P.
Excellent service and good food. Hope they will maintain good services. Decent place in cincinnati. Hope that they are cooking vegetarian food separately from non- veg.
(5)Jennifer K.
I finished up my day at northside chop shop and wanted Indian food. I could've driven 2 minutes to get to the usual place or drive 15 minutes for the real thing. It was totally worth the drive. Swad is everything you love about their old location, great food & happy smiling faces, plus a beautiful bar serving wine, beer and margaritas!
(5)Dogs H.
Ate there today. Great place, food was delicious and service couldn't have been better! About time a great Indian place came to College Hill part of town! Go there to eat and enjoy!
(4)Mary C.
About time College Hill got an Indian restaurant! But who knew it'd be as good or better than Dusmesh? The lunch buffet on Sunday was excellent!
(5)Mark K.
Had a great meal tonight. Food was very good. Still BYOB but they do have a good beer selection.
(4)Dustin L.
Had the chicken tikka masala, spice 5/6, and three types of nan -- regular, garlic and paneer. Nan is a little thinner than I like but overall the food and service were first rate. Will definitely be back.
(4)Peter C.
Have been to several Indian buffets in Dayton and Cincinnati, this is the best so far. Good variety of dishes and deserts. Will definitely come again.
(5)Shama M.
4 stars not because it blew my socks off but this is literally the ONLY decent Indian food I have tried in Cincinnati. It's very cheap and the portions are sizeable. The lunch-time buffet is pretty good. I've only gotten carryout so I can't speak to the ambiance. For those who like to frequent the Clifton area Indian restaurants, I would suggest making a 10 minute trek out to College Hill for this place which is SO MUCH BETTER. I will definitely be going back!
(4)Karli W.
This restaurant is owned by the family that previously owned Dusmesh in Clifton. It's an adorable spot that's very clean and open, unlike many smaller, more cramped Indian restaurants. Because it's the same family that owned Dusmesh, the hospitality is amazing, and worth the trip alone. The food pushes it over the edge. So far, everything's been fresh and fast and the restaurant hasn't been packed. I'd suggest the Paneer Makhani paired with Garlic Naan. Swad is worth going outside of the Clifton circle of Indian restaurants. You won't regret it.
(5)Katie H.
As others have said, this restaurant is owned by the family that used to own Dushmesh. I was a regular there, but I noticed quite a change in quality after the change in ownership. I was so happy to finally have a chance to visit Swad yesterday with my mother! Their lunch buffet was even better than I'd remembered at Dushmesh! I'd always loved their Saag Paneer, but I also found a couple other dishes that I really enjoyed, including some goat! They also offer garlic naan and khiir, some of my mom's favorites. While this location is the opposite direction of where I'm usually going, it's very worth the drive! The buffet is a steal for $8! And you can usually find $1.50 off coupons in the Bear Cash magazine. The service is friendly and the buffet is kept fresh. This is definitely a place a miss when I go back to St. Louis!
(5)Tsyria T.
Hands down, this is the best Indian buffet in Cincinnati! It's $8 and all of their food is being refilled constantly because of how much traffic they get. I love that they have both garlic naan and normal naan. The food is hot, and they have a good variety of dishes. Their spice level is perfect! With a lot of Indian buffets, I feel like they go too light with the spice level and the dish just doesn't feel the same. It also seems like their dishes actually have the chicken and other protein in it! A lot of Indian buffets seem to be all sauce, but not Swad! I also tried a Mango Lassi for the first time. Yum! The atmosphere is a little dim, but the service is pretty good.
(4)Steve D.
I found out about Dusmesh late and only got there once before the restaurant changed hands. So pleased that the original owners are not only back, but became the first to open an Indian restaurant west of I-75. (And they are doing very well! Proving once again that west siders will support good ethnic food, if you just bring it to us!) We had chicken biriyani and lamb korma, with samosas and a terrific garlic nan, and thoroughly enjoyed everything. Better atmosphere than Ambar, which has been our stalwart for many years, and more consistent quality. The menu doesn't stray far from the familiar dishes (would love to see them add an evening special to shake things up), but no complaints.
(5)Michael C.
This is hands down THEE BEST Indian restaurant in Cincinnati. Newly opened you have to be mindful that they are closed for four months a year. When they are open they have thee best buffet and the wait for lunch isn't bad. If you're feeling adventurous try the Naan with potato and chicken stuffed inside I s divine. The service is top notch and the bathrooms are enviable. There are more options than the typical Indian restaurant and the ambiance set this place apart from the rest. I recommend adding this one to the list.
(4)Olwen C.
I'd give the food 4-stars, but the service and price earned this restaurant it's 5th star. Everyone was very friendly and came over often to fill up our water. We had the buffet on a Saturday afternoon. All of the food was fresh and tasty. I would have liked the food to be spicier, but I know a lot of folks probably don't want all the spice. When the bill came, I wasn't expecting it to be so cheap. For 3 people, the total was less than $24. We certainly ate our money's worth, let me tell you. I would be here often if I lived nearby. It was fairly busy but not too crowded for a Saturday afternoon. Definitely recommend!
(5)Jessi G.
As far as Indian lunch buffets go, this place is as good as it gets! I came here for lunch last Friday with a few co-workers...We needed to eat quickly and get back to work, and this place was a great stop! We were seated very quickly, and our waitress immediately took our drink orders. The buffet had a lot of options on it, and everything was hot and fresh. I particularly liked the saag with mushrooms and the chicken tikka masala. The only thing I didn't really like was the goat curry because I thought the goat was a little tough. Oh, and they had garlic naan on the buffet! Service was great. They kept our waters full and they immediately took away any dirty plates. They even split our check 6 ways and didn't even bat an eye. And did I mention that this all-you-can-eat buffet was around $8?! So cheap! This Indian buffet is top notch. I'll be coming back again when I need some fuel during work!
(4)Hark J.
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. The food is delicious and served quickly. Even my picky kids will eat here and request it often
(4)Eli D.
We didn't try any dedicated entrees, but we did visit today to try their lunch buffet. The $9 price was awesome. Some of the food items were not good, some were pretty good. As I've heard and read many good things about the food here, I'm pretty sure that their buffet in general is not representative of the overall quality. That being said, I will repeat that the buffet did offer several items that were pretty good; I went back for seconds, then thirds for 5 different food items. And, considering the price is only $9 for as much as you want, this is a great deal. We will be back for dinner soon. The staff was very friendly too.
(4)Peggy S.
A local favorite because their food and service are phenomenal! I have been here twice so far. I have always heard people rave about it so I tried it for takeout a while back. I got their malai kofta which was really tasty! Very close to what I've had in Pune, India. The second time was during a weeknight with a very large group. Our server was very friendly, making jokes and even knowing some of the regulars' orders. The place was moderately filled outside of our group. Everyone got their food in a reasonable time too! This most recent time I got dal makhani with some chapati and papardum. I was worried about the size of the chapati at first since I'm used to them being small but it came out the same size as a naan. The papardum included plain and spicy pieces with enough for leftovers. Now the dal makhani, which is made from a brown lentil -- AMAZING! Not many Indian places seem to have this dal but it is my favorite! Creamy, earthy and filling! Also don't be fooled by the small looking containers. It's a lot of food. Next time I go, hopefully I can check out their buffet!
(5)Katie F.
After quitting Dusmesh, I had a friendly yelper reach out and suggest I try Swad. I owe them, because this place is great! My husband and I came here for the lunch buffet and were not disappointed. Super salty fried pakora, plenty of vegetarian options, loads of dessert choices, fantastic services and wonderful decorations. If I was taking a friend to try Indian food for the first time, I would take them to Swad. Their saag was creamy, they had an egg dish with onions that was delicious, and a great spiced cauliflower dish too. I appreciated their variety of dessert options. Based on personal preference, I like my meals spicy, and lots of the vegetarian options on offer were pretty mild. I'm not sure how to resolve that! We also found a coupon for $3 off in City Beat, which we applied to the two buffet lunches with no problem! I don't know how frequently we will be able to get over to Swad, it's at least 25 minutes from downtown. But when we have the time and the craving for Indian food, we will definitely make the drive!
(4)Rachel C.
Wow. Wow. And wow! Gf and I stopped by looking for something off the wall and DELICIOUS and man did Swad deliver! For less than $8 I couldn't even DREAM of better food! UNBELEIVABLE. GO. Go now. Hurry.
(5)Kristan H.
3.5 stars, really, but I have a strong suspicion that rating will go up on future visits. We called ahead and made a reservation for the same night, then drove over, parked in the side lot, and walked right in. Having been to this location back when it was Van Zandt, it was funny/interesting to see what looked the same and what had changed. The front dining room was pleasantly busy, and based on staff/customer traffic, I think the back dining room probably was too. We ordered mango lassi (delicious but filling!), an appetizer of fried cheese (sorry I can't remember the proper name for it), and then garlic nan and our favorite dish anywhere, chicken tikka masala. Everything was *really* good -- except the fried cheese. That came out kind of dry and spongy, a definite disappointment. (Hence why I think we'll like Swad better in the future. Next time: samosas!) Anyway, this is the first place that I've really thought could compete in my heart against Ambar. It's also much closer to us than Ambar is, and the parking situation is a bit better. (There's a lot on the side of the Swad building, as well as a good amount of street parking on both sides out front.) Service at both places is good, but *friendlier* here. Pricing seems on par.
(4)Tabitha W.
After discovering that Swad had opened nearby, we were fairly quick to place a carry-out order. In fact, we would have placed an order sooner if they'd been open on Mondays when a random Indian food craving hit. ;-) I was impressed with their food even with just trying the carry-out. Taj Mahal had previously been our go-to Indian carry-out place since it was the closest, but Swad's food definitely seems like it's higher quality. There was more paneer in our standard order of Paneer Makhani, and everything seemed more flavorful. We finally made it in to the restaurant to try the buffet on a Sunday afternoon, and they greeted my husband by name, recognizing that he'd been in to pick up a carry-out order previously. The buffet area is tucked in the back of the restaurant, and it was roughly half-vegetarian. The service was perfect for a buffet experience. We were mostly left to eat in peace, but our plates were cleared promptly and the check appeared on the table shortly after we'd picked up dessert. And the total was only $8/person for the weekend lunch buffet, so that's a bargain! Besides being open on Mondays, the only slight complaints we could come up with is that their Gulab Jamun was a little bit dry and it would be nice if they had more of an online presence (i.e. menu). We will definitely be having Swad again, and I'm betting it's sometime soon!
(4)Rachel L.
Cheap and left with a food baby. Having only tried Indian cuisine a few times, I was little skeptical in Indian food. This was a nice Indian buffet joint; we came on a Sunday around 11:30am and there were already a few tables there. Many selections of dishes ranging from different types of curry to more curry and.. more curry. Everything was good and tasty. Definitely would have enjoyed a more kick to it but plenty of flavor. Attentive waiters and friendly service.
(4)Zack F.
Cute, cozy, excellent service. And they have the same amazing chef who made me fall in love the food at dusmesh. I now prefer coming here. This is certainly at the top of my list for best Cincinnati Indian food along with Brijmohan. Great vegetarian options. The tea has good flavor and the naan is excellent.
(5)Julie W.
I was here with my sons for dinner. Very good food, family atmosphere, a bit crowded. Friendly service, our waiter was happy to explain the huge menu selection. Generous portions, I will definitely go back.
(4)Scott M.
If you haven't been to Swad in North College Hill yet, you're missing out on the friendliest service in the Tri-State, paired with some top notch Indian cuisine. If you live in North College Hill, College Hill, Mt. Healthy, Finneytown, or Colerain this is your spot for Indian. The servers are on top of it and you will always be greeted by friendly faces. There's never too long a wait and plenty of street parking. They also serve alcohol.
(5)Steven F.
Went for the lunch buffet today. Food was great. Nice and hot. Quality was excellent. Loved how they kept bring out fresh / hot Nan. Some of the food was very spicy - which was a good thing. They had a lamb dish (sorry, I didn't get the name) that was fantastic. All this for ~$8 This is now our top / favorite Indian restaurant in town, and we have tried many other ones. If you enjoy Indian food you must give this a try, you will not be disappointed
(5)Amy B.
My first venture into N College Hill lead me to Swad's lunch buffet! When we walked in I was a little disappointed with how empty it was. I mean it was an Indian lunch buffet at lunch time on a Sunday. The place should be hopping. We were sat at a nice booth up front and there was 1 other table occupied in that room. There was also a HUGE bar (with just 6 chairs... all empty). We went to check out the buffet in the back room. WOAH BUDDY! The back room was packed! That's where all the action was! The food was constantly being refreshed so it was always hot and fresh and delish! I tried just about everything on the lunch buffet (except the goat curry) and it was all good. Even a little kick in a few items which was a delightfully unexpected find! The price per lunch buffet was under $10 which is super reasonable for such a delicious meal! I'm definitely going to have to come back and try out the menu offering!
(4)Alyssa L.
Best Indian food in town and great service! Staff are kind and even remember my order after a few visits!!
(5)lisa w.
Food was great (goat curry and saag paneer). Service was excellent - especially for delivery. Ambiance was really nice - could lend itself to fine dining - but wasn't pretentious. There was a large group (10) that were quite lively (but not obnoxious). But the place is large enough that you could get a table in a quiet space. I'll definitely be back!
(4)Jaz Z.
Tried it for the first time last week. Wow. The food was excellent, everything was perfect. The service was fantastic, friendly staff, drinks were always full, tables always kept clean. Which is to say, the whole restaurant was clean as well, and had a classy atmosphere. I made a joke to my friend that I'll have to come back because I didn't try everything, since the first few items I tried in the buffet were so delicious I just about stuffed myself with those particular dishes, without trying the rest. Yes, it's that good. The price for the lunch buffet ~$7 was ridiculously cheap for the excellent food and great service. This is now my new main go-to Indian restaurant, I'm so glad I'm a 2 minute drive away.
(5)Beth T.
We stopped in for dinner and were really impressed! The restaurant is quaint, clean and service is top notch. Goat biryani and chicken vindeloo tasted fantastic. And don't forget the garlic Naan and bahtura. Definitely a gem!
(5)Huan L.
Try the tali! It comes in a big big tray with 3 different curry (shrimp, lamb, beef), a chicken leg, a garlic nan and a dessert. More than what you can eat for sure.
(5)Adam B.
A good, not great, lunch buffet. I am guessing from the care they take in making sure the buffet is consistently stocked with hot, fresh food that service would likely not be a problem at any time. It's near work so it's a good, fast option for lunchtime dining. I will be back.
(3)Ron G.
The food here is the best Indian I've had; I've had a bunch. The buffet offers many delicious options and the spice level is fantastic. Although the service wasn't very good at all, I will be back.
(4)