Best Indian Food In Minnesota
The Indian restaurant scene in the Twin Cities has markedly changed in the last eight years. North Indian cuisines have been especially well represented among Minnesota restaurants perhaps because food from the north is generally less spicy. "But the profile of the Indian community has markedly changed," says Dr. Ben Baliga, a gregarious and entrepreneurial Professor of Engineering who has recruited many students from India now working in the metro area's high-tech medical industry. "Newer immigrants and students are now mainly from the south, in particular from Andhra Pradesh state. So restaurants that were mainly serving a North Indian cuisine are now increasingly adding South Indian dishes such as Dosa, Idli etc. The food is also becoming spicier," he says. With that in perspective, here are the five best of many good Indian restaurants in Minnesota.
Most Popular Indian Food Restaurant
Plymouth India Palace
4190 Vinewood Lane N.
NE Corner of 494 & Rockford Road
Plymouth, MN 55442
(763) 383-1880
www.indiapalacemn.com
India Palace caters to the northern India palate and is less spicy. As a result, this restaurant attracts a good mix of both Indian-origin clients and locals. This formula seems to be a hit with metro-area consumers as India Palace has now opened restaurants in Eden Prairie, St. Paul and also Woodbury. Each is independently owned and run by a Punjabi, from the far north state of India. The food in each restaurant is excellent and tastes authentically north Indian. Most are based in mall locations with lots of parking and all serve lunch buffets.
Related: Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl's Top 5 Indian Food Buffets In Minnesota
Spiciest Indian Food
Surabhi Indian Cuisine
517 W. 98th St.
Bloomington, MN 55420
(952) 746-3663
www.surabhicuisine.com
"This is the spiciest Indian restaurant and has an almost exclusively Indian-origin client base on the weekends," says Dr Baliga. Surabhi does serve many varieties of food of both the south and north of India as well as Indo Chinese items. Those who are not so adventurous can be comforted by the Surabhi web page, which says it can serve menu selections with mild or medium spiciness. Also publicized is a weekend buffet with more than 25 items for $11.95 and a weekday buffet that is only $7.95. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.
Best Indian Food in St Paul
India House Restaurant
758 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
(651) 293-9124
www.indiahousesaintpaul.com
Chef Joginder Cheema serves fresh north Indian cuisine highlighted on a menu featuring traditional entrees, small plates and dinners for two. India House's brick and glass storefront fits right in with Grand Avenue's urban chic. Inside the door, you are greeted by the high, unfinished ceilings exposing a cleanly painted industrial ventilation system accented by a large chandelier filling the center of the large dining area.
Best Customer Service
Indian Zayka
1260 Town Center Drive
Eagan, MN 55123
(651) 688-8686
www.zaykamn.com
Owner Gurdial Singh and his wife have created the ultimate in dining ambiance with their caring and courteous hosting and their attentive wait staff. The good impression created by their personal attention is reinforced by tasteful decor that serves to highlight tasty authentic Indian foods in their cozy suburban restaurant. The Singhs were selected to cater the Twin Cities Film Fest at the ShowPlace ICON Theater in 2013.
Best Indian Food in Downtown Minneapolis
Bombay Bistro
820 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 312-2800
www.bombaybistromn.com
Bombay Bistro displays its name proudly on the green awnings over the patio across from the Foshay Tower on Marquette Avenue in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. One step into the luxurious dining area, created by owner and experienced hospitality manager Ajay Mehta, arouses the diner's anticipation of quality service and excellent food. As Mumbai is the center of Marathi cuisine, which ranges from mild to very spicy, so has chef Malti Mehta, Ajay's wife, selected a number of dishes from throughout India mindful of the array of customers' tastes and preferences.
Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
