Brian Nagele
Indian cuisine is world-renowned for its complex structure of spices and flavor profiles that you don’t find in many other parts of the world’s food.
We’ve gathered up a list of restaurants in Tampa Bay that we feel fully encapsulate the rich characteristics of the best traditional Indian food.
We think Indian is the perfect meal if you’re looking for something with a fiery kick like spicy curry chicken or tikka masala.
There are also plenty of non-spicy Indian foods to choose from as well, and these Indian restaurants we’ve listed below have the best of both worlds.
These Indian places are our favorite vegan and vegetarian food destinations as well, with all of them having plenty of delicious options for when we’re feeling extra health-conscious.
So whether you’re in the mood for a bowl of red-hot chickpea curry or a plate of creamy, comforting butter chicken, this list will be your roadmap to truly experiencing a taste of India in Tampa Bay.
Curry Leaves Indian Cuisine
4843 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: 813-319-4014
Curry Leaves Indian Cuisine in Tampa Bay promises “a culinary journey from India to Tampa”, and we think that they definitely fulfill that completely!
The ambiance here at Curry Leaves is refined and modern, but clearly very much in-touch with their traditional Indian heritage, made clear by the art decor.
Altogether, it creates an ideal atmosphere for a quiet, relaxing night out.
Curry Leaves’ menu is enormous and it has every type of authentic Indian chicken dish you can imagine, and then some that may surprise you like their penne tossed in butter chicken which we highly recommend!
Rasoi Indian Cuisine
1701 E 8th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: 813-241-0003
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Located in the western area of famous Ybor City, Tampa is Rasoi Indian Cuisine which happens to be one of our favorite places to get Indian food after a long day of fun and shopping in Ybor.
Their name means “kitchen” because that’s where the magic happens here at Rasoi.
They offer a refined seated dining experience complete with live piano for a sublime evening, or you have the option to just grab takeout and enjoy their fine Indian food in the comfort of your own home.
They can even cater an event for you as well!
No matter where you choose to enjoy your meal, just make sure to get plenty of their freshly-baked garlic naan and you can’t go wrong!
Bay Leaves Indian Cuisine
4023 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL 33614
Phone: 813-513-2505
Bay Leaves Indian Cuisine serves an astounding variety of Indian, Chinese, and Thai food all homemade from real, authentic herbs and seasonings.
Located in northern Tampa, Bay Leaves has such a huge menu that there are 4 different types of curries alone!
The interior is casual and family-oriented with big tables and booths, so be sure to bring friends and family with you!
Taj Indian Cuisine
2734 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33612
Phone: 813-971-8483
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Just north of Busch Gardens amusement park and the Yuengling Brewing Company is Taj Indian Cuisine who claim to be Tampa’s first Indian restaurant, having opened in 1991 over 30 years ago!
With all of that time to perfect their craft, it’s no surprise that they are one of the most popular Indian places in Tampa Bay.
Taj is open 7 days a week, and their specials include a delectable lunch buffet Tuesday-Sunday that includes a daily variety of 4 vegetarian dishes and 3 non-vegetarian dishes, so there’s something for everyone!
Flames Indian Cuisine
2601 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33629
Phone: 813-252-8069
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Just a few blocks south of Tampa’s gorgeous Palma Ceia Golf & Country club, Flames Indian Cuisine is serving up unbelievably good Indian food made with fresh herbs and spices in an energetic atmosphere.
One of our favorite things to order on a hot Florida day is their mango lassi, a yogurt-based mango milkshake.
Especially since it goes so perfectly with all of their tandoori-grilled dishes like lamb boti kebabs or their tiranga chicken.
Raaga Express Indian Kitchen & Bar
514 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-542-4020
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This next place is located in Downtown Tampa, one of our favorite places in all of Florida.
Just like all of the museums and waterfront parks, Raaga Express Indian Kitchen & Bar is another fantastic reason to head downtown.
In our opinion, Raaga’s expertise lies in their biryani.
They offer 10 different variations of the traditional mixed rice dish, each more exquisite than the last, but our favorite is the classic shrimp biryani.
Spice Kitchen
11653 Countryway Blvd, Tampa, FL 33626
Phone: 813-475-4200
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Spice Kitchen sits almost on the outskirts of Tampa, just 2 miles from the Tampa Bay Downs thoroughbred racing track, and they specialize in authentic North Indian cuisines with a contemporary flair.
What sets Spice Kitchen apart is their offering of an incredible brunch weekend special every Friday-Sunday from 11:00am to 2:00pm where they serve an egg curry that will blow your mind that goes great with a cup of traditional masala chai tea.
Hyderabad Biryani House
6810 E Fowler Ave, Temple Terrace, FL 33617
Phone: 813-988-2220
Northeast Tampa’s hidden jewel for Indian food has got to be Hyderabad Biryani House.
What started as a catering business grew and evolved into a prosperous full dine-in and takeout restaurant that can also cater all of your big events.
While they’re called the Biryani House, we think their seemingly-endless curry options are truly what make Hyderabad shine.
They divide their curries into the categories of vegetarian and non-vegetarian, and both are quite extensive.
We recommend the mutton palak, but for a vegetarian dish we would choose the chana masala.
Saffron Indian Cuisine
10865 Cross Creek Blvd, Tampa, FL 33647
Phone: 813-600-3315
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Far out in Northeast Tampa is Saffron Indian Cuisine, and it is definitely worth the journey for some of their lamb shank masala.
Everything here is made fresh every day from authentic, traditional Indian recipes with all of the distinctive spices and unique flavors that we love so much about Indian food.
Saffron Indian cuisine is definitely the place to go if you’ve been wanting to really branch out with some special dishes like a delicious goat curry or tandoori snapper.
We also love their veggie samosas the best.
Godavari Tampa
1251 E Fowler Ave B2, Tampa, FL 33612
Phone: 813-866-7400
ZAUQ serves the absolute best Indian cuisine in Tampa Bay to find both Indian and Chinese cuisine, and it is sure to create an unforgettable dining experience for every guest.
It’s a small, easy-to-miss place that’s tucked away off of East Fowler Avenue, so look closely for it!
Their samosas are an unbeatable vegetarian appetizer that we never can seem to pass up here at Godavari, but their malai kofta is what we love most because of how unbelievably filling it is.
Haveli Indian Kitchen
12908 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618
Phone: 813-488-6294
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On the corner of the intersection at South Village Drive and North Dale Mabry Highway is Haveli Indian Kitchen, a northern Tampa treasure for amazing traditional Indian cuisine.
Head to Haveli for countless high-quality Indian dishes that are full of the bold, exotic flavors you’re looking for.
You won’t find better Indian desserts anywhere, either.
Kheer rice pudding, kulfi, and carrot halwa are just some of the delectable after-dinner treats that you’re going to want to grab plenty of at Haveli.
Ice Spice Indian Street Food Cafe
20304 Trout Creek Dr #101, Tampa, FL 33647
Phone: 813-591-1758
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In the heart of all the massive suburbs of northwestern Tampa is a place that you do not want to miss: Ice Spice Indian Street Food Cafe.
They have the best Indian street food in all of Tampa Bay here at Ice Spice that are perfect for beating that infamous Florida heat and humidity like homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt, and fruit smoothies!
Don’t worry, they have plenty of amazing food to chow down on as well.
We recommend their signature paneer panini for all our sandwich-lovers out there.
Minerva Indian Restaurant
19050 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33647
Phone: 813-978-8586
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Up by New Tampa is Minerva Indian Restaurant that serves authentic Indian cuisine made from recipes that have been passed down for generations, and it shows!
Minerva offers all the classic Indian food that we all know and love.
What we found to be really special is their lunch buffet that they serve every day of the week from 11:00am to 3:00pm. It’s one of the best deals on Indian food in Tampa Bay!
India’s Grill Kennedy
3437 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: 813-872-8222
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India’s Grill Kennedy is, as the name suggests, located off of West Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa, and it is an incredible spot to hit for one of their signature tandoori sizzlers.
Choose from a wide variety of meats to be cooked on a traditional Indian tandoori grill which gives it that unique roasted flavor that makes their sizzlers so irresistible.
After dinner, grab a cup of their sweet, delicious rice pudding and relax among all the beautiful Indian decor.
Desi Flavors
13418 Telecom Dr, Tampa, FL 33637
Phone: 813-615-0004
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We love Desi Flavors because it is one of the best places in Tampa to get authentic South Indian cuisine.
Desi Flavors boasts a wide variety of dosas, a type of Indian crepe that can be filled with various cheeses, vegetables, or meats, and they serve more varieties of them here than anywhere else in Tampa.
After dinner, we recommend some of their gulab jamun which are milk balls covered in honey and syrup.
