Share
Denver, the Mile-High City, is renowned for its diverse culinary scene, offering a wide array of international cuisines that cater to the city's multicultural population. Among these, Indian cuisine holds a special place, delighting locals and visitors alike with its rich flavours, aromatic spices, and a unique blend of traditions and innovation.
The presence of Indian cuisine in Denver is not a recent phenomenon. It traces its roots back to the mid-20th century, when the city began to see an influx of Indian immigrants, particularly in the fields of education and technology. These early settlers brought with them not only their expertise but also their culinary traditions. Over the decades, the demand for authentic Indian flavours grew, leading to the establishment of numerous Indian restaurants.
Indian cuisine is incredibly diverse, reflecting the country's vast cultural and regional differences. Denver's Indian restaurants offer a glimpse into this culinary diversity. From the fiery dishes of the south, like dosas and idlis, to the hearty delights of the north, such as butter chicken and naan, each restaurant brings a unique twist to the Indian culinary landscape. Vegetarian and vegan options are also widely available, making Indian cuisine accessible to all dietary preferences.
Some of the notable Indian restaurants are as follows:
- The Madras Café
It is an authentic South Indian restaurant that offers a wide variety of food. Every item is made with special care here. However, they excel in Navratan Korma, a rich, Mughal-style, mildly spiced curry made with mixed vegetables, raisins, cashews, and traditional spices. Besides, the restaurant serves 28 varieties of dosa, from paneer potato masala dosa to chocolate variations. You can also try out their Thali meal. The ambiance is vibrant and happy.
Address: 5422 S Parker Rd., Aurora, CO 80015, United States
Specialties: Navratan Korma, Dosas
Time: 11:00 AM–2:30 PM; 4:00 PM–9:30 PM
- Bawarchi Biryani Point
As the name suggests, the café-cum-restaurant specialises in biriyani. However, there are a lot of dishes you can try beyond biriyani. From pastries to cookies, you can order anything at the counter. If you are trying biriyani for the first time, opt for vegetable biriyani. It is the traditional biriyani made with ulavacharu (horse gram), tamarind, curry leaves, and veggies and is a bit less intense in the spice department, making it more shareable and family-friendly.
Address: 11001 E Arapahoe Pl. B1, Centennial, CO 80112, United States
Specialties: Biriyani, cookies, pastries
Time: 11:00 AM–10:30 PM
- Mehak India’s Aromas
Located in a garden-level locale in the Cherry Creek neighbourhood, Mehak has a simple menu and keeps the ambiance elegant. Even if you hate veggies, you’ll love their gobi manchurian, followed by lamb pasinda paired with rice. Their pistachio kulfi is the most admired. Mehak is Denver’s first fine-dining restaurant that serves dishes like chicken korma and mutton rogan josh.
Address: 250 Steele St., Suite 100, Denver, CO 80206, United States
Specialties: Gobi Manchurian, Lamb Pasinda, Chicken Korma, Mutton Rogan Josh
Time: 11:00 AM–12:00 AM
- Mint Indian Restaurants
If you’re in downtown, grab a table at Mint Indian Restaurant. Start with pani puri, followed by chole bhature. You can also try out their Paneer Tikka Masala and fluffy naan. The ambiance is quite eclectic and warm. You can visit during lunchtime for a soulful lunch or have a great dinner at night.
Address: 1531 Stout St., Suite 130, Denver, CO 80202, United States
Specialties: panipuri, chole bhature, paneer tikka masala, naan
Time: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM
- Namaste: Cuisine Of India and Nepal
This restaurant serves one of the most delicious meals of all the Indian restaurants in Denver. You can try Namaste Special, which includes tandoori chicken, lamb curry, shrimp masala, dal, saag paneer, naan, kheer, and two vegetable samosas. If you prefer char-grilled mains, then opt for tandoori mix, an assortment of chicken, lamb, fish, and shrimp roasted to perfection in Namaste’s tandoor oven. The ambiance is friendly and warm.
Address: 3355 S. Wadsworth Blvd., F120, Lakewood, CO 80227, United States
Specialties: Namaste Special Meal and Namaste Tandoor Oven
Time: Tue-Fri: 11:00 AM-2:30 PM; 5:00 PM-9:30 PM; Sat-Sun: 11:30 AM-2:30 PM; 5:00 PM-9:30 PM
- The Serene Cuisine Of India
This cosy spot, embraced with orange and white chairs and mid-century modern light fixtures, is all to be ogled at. The authentic eatery also resonates with the vibe of India with murals of the Taj Mahal. The must-try dishes include crab tikka masala, lamb dhansak, and seafood Kerala curry. Do not miss out on this place if you’re in and around the University Park neighbourhood.
Address: 2070 S. University Blvd., Denver, CO 80210, United States
Specialties: Mon-Tue; Thrus-Sun: 11:00 AM-9:30 PM; Wed: 4:00 PM-9:30 PM
- Tiffins India Café
This family-owned Boulder eatery is named after the English word ‘tiffin,’ which means a light morning or midday snack. You can visit this place at any time and order some tiffin like idli and a cup of sambar. You can also have Samosa chaat, which will tantalise your taste buds with tanginess, spiciness, and crunchiness. The place is warm and inviting.
Address: 2416 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder; 1232 S. Hover St., Suite A300, Longmont
Specialties: Idli Sambar, Samosa Chaat
Time: Mon-Sat: 11:30 AM-10:00 PM; Sun: 12:00 Noon-9:00 PM
