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Indian food in Denver has never been better or more varied. Those days are long gone when the most common lunch buffet options included saag and samosas (though those are still available and delicious). Instead, new eateries are focusing on serving up upscale, vegan, or dishes that aren't yet well-known in the United States.
Selecting the best among a bunch of options can take little time and effort, as there is so much to discover. For convenience, here is a list of the best restaurants in Denver that specialise in Indian food, ranging from Boulder's idli to biryani, to assist in exploring this fascinating area of Colorado dining.
Video Credit: YouTube/Bong Eats
1. Azafran Indian Cuisine And Wine Bar
Saurav and Rishu Mehta, who serve as chef de cuisine and general manager/wine director, respectively, have been serving homely Indian food with a sophisticated, white-tablecloth twist since starting their venture with Broomfield's Azitra Indian Restaurant in 2021. The restaurant, which they renamed Azafran (Urdu for "saffron"), offers a menu that features popular Indian dishes like lamb vindaloo and vegetable korma.
Also, try one of Saurav's creative dishes like the Surf and Turf Malbari, which is a platter of lamb, tandoori salmon, and prawns spiced with curry leaves, coconut, and tamarind from the southwest coast of India. The Mehtas also offer a variety of breads, like kulcha, which are baked pita-style breads filled with blue cheese and rosemary or butter chicken.
Address: 535 Zang Street, Suite C, Broomfield, CO 80021
Time: Lunch- Mon to Fri- 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Sat- 12 pm – 3:00 pm
Dinner- Mon to Thur- 5 pm – 9:30 pm
Fri & Sat- 5 pm – 10 pm
Closed- Sundays
2. Coriander
Coriander's comfortable booths are the ideal spot to enjoy hearty Indian cuisine in a laid-back setting. The restaurant has two locations—one in Green Valley Ranch and the other in Golden that opened in May 2022. They mainly serve mixed rice dishes, the most well-known is the biryani, which is a favourite throughout the Indian subcontinent. A variety of protein options are available with coriander, including a more classic lamb biryani and an aromatic prawn version.
Gluten-intolerant people must order gluten-free chicken biryani; vegetarians can also order from their wide range of vegetarian menus. Guests can even change the amount of spice to suit their taste.
Address: 4968 Tower Rd, Denver, CO 80249, United States
Time: 11 am to 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm to 9 pm
Price: $7 to $16 approx. for 1
Image Credit: Freepik
3. Yak And Yeti
Yak and Yeti's buffet takes the palate on an amazing journey. Start with a variety of filling dishes such as dal (stewed lentils), aloo gobi (seasoned potato and cauliflower), and saag paneer. Guests can also begin their culinary journey with vegetable samosas loaded with potatoes, peas, and onion.
It can be quite easy to become full very quickly with the savoury items offered with sides like naan, and basmati rice, but make room for dessert. The divine mango custard and the Nepalese dish sikarni, which is sweetened yoghurt with cinnamon and banana, are not to be missed. Yak and Yeti are open for lunch, and they have a lot of vegan and gluten-free options as well.
Address: 9755 E Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80231, United States
Time: 11 am to 9:30 pm
Price: $10 to $25 approx for 1
4. Total Vegan Restaurant
This is for all the omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. They don't have to be concerned about the possibility of cross-contamination thanks to the classic Indian specialties served at the recently opened Total Vegan Indian Restaurant in Highlands Ranch.
The restaurant is entirely vegan. There, guests can select gravy options like vindaloo, saag, or tikka masala and then add up to two protein choices like cauliflower, tofu, or potatoes to their dish. The flavour of Total Vegan may persuade people to try vegan food even if they are diehard fans of chicken and lamb.
Address: 9563 S University Blvd A, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126, United States
Time: 11 am to 9 pm
5. Little India
While Indian food can be found throughout Denver, Little India is the best place to get it. Since its opening in 1998, the restaurant has enjoyed great success. This is a result of the desire to introduce Denver residents to real, classic Indian cuisine. The best Indian restaurant close to Downtown Denver is Little India Restaurant & Bar, which is located on Downing Street.
There are many delectable Indian food recipes on the menu at Little India Restaurant & Bar, including curries that are both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Every dish is made in the traditional manner, including breads like naan and vegetable dishes. This effectively retains the flavour. The restaurant offers a vegan menu in addition to gluten-free options. For the past 16 years, Little India Restaurant & Bar's buffet has been consistently approved as Denver's Best Buffet Service.
Address: 2390 S Downing St B, Denver, CO 80210, United States
Time: 11 am to 11 pm
Tuesday- 11 am to 10 pm
Price: $20 to $30 approx. for 1
Image Credit: Freepik
6. The Madras Cafe
Looking for a flavorful, nutritious bite? There are 28 different varieties of dosas at the vegetarian-only Madras Cafe in Aurora. Dosas are high-protein crepes made of rice and black lentil batter that are typically served with sambar, a vegetable stew prepared with pigeon peas and tamarind, and nutrient-dense coconut chutney.
This restaurant offers a dosa for every taste, ranging from the ultra-thin and crispy paper roast to the chocolate variation made with paneer potato masala. One must try the pepper-forward ennai kathirikkai kuzhambu as well; the Tamil word for this dish is "oily eggplant stew." As a side dish, it goes nicely with savoury dosas. Enjoy a spiced buttermilk garnished with ginger, cilantro, and green chilies to wash it down, or pick up some payasam, or milk pudding.
Address: 5422 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80015, United States
Time: 11:30 am to 9:30 pm
Tuesday and Wednesday- 11 am to 2:30 pm, 4 pm to 9:30 pm
7. Namaste: Cuisine Of India And Nepal
Namaste operates out of a modest strip mall and offers some of the most delectable Indian food in the burbs. This can be great for trying out a variety of dishes from the restaurant. Guests can enjoy lamb curry, prawn masala, dal, saag paneer, naan, kheer, and two vegetable samosas for $30. Locals also like the tandoori mix, which is a mixture of chicken, lamb, fish, and prawns that are expertly roasted in Namaste's tandoor oven.
Address: 3355 S Wadsworth Blvd F120, Lakewood, CO 80227, United States
Time: 11 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 9:30 pm
Sunday and Saturday: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 9:30 pm
Denver's Indian food scene is expanding, offering a wider variety of dishes from different parts of the country. Modern takes on the cuisine are also widely available, with eateries serving everything from "surf and turf" platters with lamb, tandoori salmon, and prawns to vegan menus like cauliflower vindaloo.
