The rise of Indian cuisine in Tucson, Arizona is not a new phenomenon. It has a thriving Indian population and numerous restaurants designed to cater to the taste of home. Indian settlers carried not just their knowledge but also their culinary customs with them and demand for quality Indian cuisines has expanded to make these restaurants a beloved addition to the local restaurant scene.
With a diverse selection of restaurants and dishes, India's enormous cultural and regional variations find representation. From the comforting treats of the south, such as dosas and idlis, to the spicy delights of the north, like butter chicken and naan, every eatery adds its own flavour to the city's culinary offerings. Vegetarian and vegan options are also plentiful, making Indian cuisine suitable for people of all dietary needs.
Here are 7 of the top Indian restaurants to visit in Tuscon.
Video Credit: YouTube/Get Curried
1. Saffron Indian Bistro
The restaurant serves traditional Indian cuisine along with dinner and lunch buffets. They provide a diverse choice of authentic north Indian cuisine. This restaurant stands out for its affordable prices. One of the most popular items on the menu is tandoori pearl prawns. Fresh prawns, flavoured with creamy yoghurt, ginger, garlic, a dash of red chilli, and Indian spices. Guests can also try the vegetarian baingan bharta, prepared with green chiles, ginger root, and coriander leaves to add flavours smoked eggplant with hot chapati. They also offer vegan and gluten-free items like bhindi do pyaza and yogurt masala. Sweet lovers try the kulfi and rice pudding.
Address: 7607 N Oracle Rd #101, Oro Valley, Tucson, AZ
Time: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday- 11 am to 9 pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Must-try: Tandoori Pearl Prawns, Chicken Tikka Masala, Tandoori Lamb Chops, Chole Bhature, Dhansak, Bhuna, Tadka Daal, Chicken Biryani, bhindi do pyaza, and yogurt masala.
Price: $7.50 to $18 approx. Per person
2. India Oven
This family-owned eatery is the ideal spot for a family dinner or a quiet dinner for two. The great ambiance and friendly staff make it even more appealing. If you're looking for a healthy diet, there are some amazing vegetarian and gluten-free options available like aloo gobi, vegetable korma, and aloo matar. Tandoori items like lamb tikka, chicken tikka, and the mixed grill are popular among customers. While visiting the place try the Lamb Rogan Josh. Tender morsels of lambs are cooked in onion and tomato sauce blended with some unique spices. Have it with some rice. Their biryani and rice items like Sindh Biryani and Kashmiri rice are equally delicious. Finish the meal with a glass of cooling lassi.
Address: 2727 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719, United States
- Time: Monday to Sunday- 11 am to 2:45 pm, 5 pm to 8:45 pm
Must-try: Aloo Gobi, Vegetable Korma, Aloo Matar, Lamb Tikka, Chicken Tikka, Mixed Grill, Lamb Rogan Josh, Sindh Biryani, Kashmiri Rice, Garlic Naan, Vegetable Samosa, and Lassi.
Price: $4.39 to $16 approx. for 1
3. Sher-E-Punjab
Sher-e-Punjab is a popular eatery among the locals. Since 1998, the family-run restaurant has specialised in traditional homemade Northern Punjabi Indian cuisine. The eatery makes sure to not disappoint any of its customers as their menu offers non-vegetarian, vegetarian, as well as vegan items. This restaurant is a delight for non-vegetarians due to their wide menu of dishes like shrimp pakora, chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken, lamb korma. Their lamb mushrooms are made with mushrooms, boneless lamb slices, and a blend of fresh spices and herbs. Try the Kashmiri Shrimp, which is made with shrimp, bell pepper, ginger, herbs, spices, mushrooms, and almonds. Their fish curry is simple but delicious, prepared with fish, herbs, spices, tomatoes, and onions.
Address: 853 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85719, United States
Time: Tuesday to Sunday- 11 am to 2:30 pm, 4 pm to 9 pm (Closed on Monday)
Must-try: Shrimp Pakora, Chicken Tikka Masala, Tandoori Chicken, Lamb Korma, Aloo Matar, Chicken Curry, Lamb Mushroom, Kashmiri Shrimp, and Fish Curry.
Price: $6.99 to $17 approx. for 1
4. Gandhi Cuisine Of India
Gandhi Cuisine is a family-run business that specialises in mild to heavily spiced Indian gourmet meals. They offer their guests a comfortable ambiance with the finest dining experience. Customers love the saag paneer along with other items like Malai Kofta and Navaratan from their vegetarian items. They also have an assortment of appetisers starting from veg to non-veg items like vegetable cutlets, vegetable pakoras, tangri kebab, curry crawfish pie, and shrimp pakoras. From their main course items definitely try the Nargishi Gosht, prepared with tender lamb stuffed with spinach, paneer, and fresh herbs. The crawfish Malabar and lamb meatball curry is equally delightful.
Address: 150 W Fort Lowell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705, United States
Time: Monday to Sunday- 11 am to 9 pm
Must-try: Saag Paneer, Malai Kofta, Navarattan, Vegetable Cutlet, Vegetable Pakoras, Tangri Kebab, Curry Crawfish Pie, Shrimp Pakoras, Nargishi Gosht, Crawfish Malabar, and Lamb Meatballs.
Price: $4.25 to $15 approx. for 1
5. Indian Twist
Indian Twist is a modern Indian restaurant that serves classic Indian food such as curries, vegetarian dishes, and a lunch buffet. There are also vegetarian options like matar paneer, Daal Makhani, and Chana Masala. They specialise in tandoori cuisine and use a tandoor to cook naan, lamb, and chicken. Enjoy their Fish Malabar, made with mustard seeds, roasted garlic sautéed in tomato sauce, and onion coconut gravy. The Achari Lamb is equally delicious, prepared with Indian spices cooked in onion gravy with ginger, a favourite among the locals and tourists. They also have a Gajar Halwa, which is in high demand and made of carrots that have been simmered in sugar and milk and then sprinkled with nuts.
Address: 4660 E Camp Lowell Dr, Tucson, AZ 85712, United States
Time: Tuesday to Saturday- 11 am to 9 pm
Must-try: Matar Paneer, Daal Makhani, Chana Masala, Chicken Tandoori, Lamb Tandoori, Fish Malabar, Achari Amb, and Gajar Halwa.
Price: $8.95 to $30 approx. for 1
Image Credit: Tamarind
6. Tamarind
Chef Saumil Patel's London background and professional culinary training contribute to recognising his Indian-fusion food. Even though both South Indian and North Indian styles are available, Patel also incorporates Gujarati and Indo-Chinese components. One of the popular items on the menu is Bhagare Baingan, prepared with eggplant cooked in tamarind and peanut sauce. The murg methi malai and reshmi chicken are prepared with fresh fenugreek cream sauce. They also have some amazing appetisers like Kathi Roll, Tandoori Shrimp, Black Pepper Chicken, and Samosa.
Address: 7265 N La Cholla Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85741, United States
Time: Tuesday to Sunday- 11 am to 2 pm, 4:30 pm to 8 pm
Must-try: Bhagare Baingan, Murg Methi Malai, Reshmi Chicken, Kathi Roll, Tandoori Shrimp, Black Pepper Chicken, Samosa, Egg Kheema, Dhaba Chicken, and Daal Bhukara.
Price: $4.99 to $16 approx. for 1
7. New Delhi Palace - Cuisine Of India
New Delhi Palace - Cuisine of India is one of Tucson's beautifully decorated Indian restaurants where people can enjoy traditional cuisine along with some rare Indian cuisine. One of the rare and most well-liked items is daab malai prawns, jumbo prawns cooked with a five-spice blend in a classic coconut cream curry. The garlicky balti gosht is equally delicious, lamb stewed in a pureed onion, ginger, and garlic paste. People can also enjoy some fantastic chocolate samosas, loaded with raspberry chutney and roasted almonds. Tandoori wings and onion rings with Indian spices are a delightful cross-cultural take on American favourites.
Address: 2001 Diners Ct, San Bernardino, CA 92408, United States
Time: Monday to Sunday- 11:30 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 9:30 pm
Must-try: Daab Malai Prawn, Balti Gosht, Sheesh Kebab, Lamb Pasanda Nawabi, Lahori Fish Curry, Paneer Tikka Masala, Karhahi Palak Paneer, Malai Kofta, and Chocolate Samosa.
Price: $4.50 to $18 approx. for 1
Tucson has a plethora of wonderful Indian restaurants. Although most people do not identify Tucson with delectable Indian cuisine, they would be surprised to learn that the city is home to some of the top Indian restaurants in the country.Whenever visiting this place, try one of these top-notch Indian restaurants for some top-notch Indian food.