Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Pema

    4.7 (31 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Waitlist - Pema

    Live Current wait: 0 mins

    Pema Reservations

    Order Pema Takeout or Delivery

    Pema Photos

    PEMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

    Recommended Reviews - Pema

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    This place is a gem if you have not tried it yet you're missing out. We are so happy to report that we absolutely love this place and we do not give reviews often but we had to with this family owned. Great food. Best ever check it out.

    Chicken Tikka Masala, Vegetable Chow Mein and Roti Bread
    Kara L.

    We came here last Sunday afternoon and sat outside. The atmosphere was quiet with no one dining in - it seems like most people choose takeout. We were helped by a woman who I believe might be the owner, and she was incredibly kind and welcoming. She prepared our food quickly, and the chow mein portions were generous. The food was fantastic, comforting and home-cooked in the best way. The chow mein was my favorite, the bread was fresh and tasty, and the tikka was excellent (a little on the creamy side for me, but still delicious). Overall, it was a great experience, and I appreciated the warm, personal service, even though it seemed to be just one person running things, it felt intimate and genuine. I'll definitely be back, likely for takeout next time! Update: I wanted to include that the prices were reasonable! We spent about $37.

    Chicken saag
    Lena N.

    Good location, with friendly service. Got take out via the Too Good To Go app, which is a great deal! Got a very healthy portion of chicken saag with rice. First few bites were good but then tasted too salty after I got into it. Nice to have protein and vegetables all in one dish.

    Chicken Tikka Masala and Keema Noodle with beef. This is not the entire serving.
    Alex S.

    I visited this restaurant for takeout last night. It is new in the neighborhood and I wanted to try it out. I ordered the Keema Noodles with beef and chicken Tikka Masala. The food was ready pretty quickly. The Keema noodles were good, though I have never had this dish before, so I have nothing to compare them to. The chicken tikka masala was average, but did fulfill my cravings. The serving size on both dishes were generous portions, and I have plenty of leftovers. The restaurant was empty when I got there, so if you are looking for good and affordable food in RiNo without having to wait for a table somewhere I would recommend it!

    William M.

    Really good! Ordered to-go and food was fresh & on-time for pickup. Very flavorful and great spice profile. Good portion size as well. 2 entrées was enough for me and the fiancée. Highly recommended trying this Himalayan Cuisine.

    Chicken Chili

    Great food, great ambiance, and great service! The menu is simple with a strong selection of Tibetan, Nepalese, and Indian food. Their Roti and Aloo Paratha's are fluffy, the rice is cooked perfectly, and they do staple dishes really well. I brought my Tibetan relatives who were really impressed with the food. The restaurant is family owned, and the owner is incredibly nice.

    Ron Harman K.

    Absolutely LOVE Pema! A most welcome exotic addition to the neighborhood. The owner has done a remarkable job of an upscale Himalayan decor with modern furnishings, well chosen colors, and authentic artifacts from Central Asia. Prices are quite reasonable for some of the finest Tibetan/Nepalese fare I've had anywhere, including in Nepal. And of course the proprietress -- a bona fide Sherpa from the Everest region -- is overwhelmingly warm and welcoming in the namaste tradition. Pema is becoming a regular habit!

    Saag Paneer, Roti, Chicken Korma
    Kristin P.

    Wow, this spot was such a great find! The coconut soup was HEARTY! The saag paneer and chicken korma were both . Serving sizes are generous and the woman working was a doll! We will absolutely be back!

    Pani Puri
    M N.

    Absolute hidden gem! This place is wonderful with exceptional food and great service! It was the perfect place to stop in for lunch and the vibe was peaceful and calm. We had the momo and the pan puri; exquisite. The chai was also on point, wonderful flavor. Go and support a small local business, you won't regret it!

    Chicken Chili
    Andrea L.

    The food is really good and flavorful! The chow mein was delicious and the portions are pretty big!

    Himalayan momo

    First, the FOOD WAS AMAZING!!!! No brainer, would come back again. COME HERE TO EAT! Second, the service was superb! Thirdly, I ordered the coconut soup (not pictured) but it was DELISH! I could've had three more bowls of it. The Himalayan momo dumplings were tasty with the tomato sauce to dip it with. The shapaley with beef was HUGE in portion size and also flavorful. The keema noodle was lovely and I asked for some extra spicy chili sauce on the side to go with it. The owner said she's originally from Nepal and that her business has been open for 5 months now! She's trying to still acquire her liquor license, and I'm definitely wishing her success in the neighborhood! Will definitely be coming back.

    Hot chai and steamed chicken momo.

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J A.
    0
    2
    0

    3 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of elan P.
    15
    10
    1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kara L.
    2
    15
    72

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alex S.
    176
    74
    39

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K S.
    25
    18
    16

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M N.
    0
    31
    45

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrea L.
    13
    24
    77

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Thanh L.
    108
    32
    21

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Everything is delicious and everyone who works there is very friendly. Highly recommend

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yelper 4.
    86
    37
    11

    7 months ago

    Food was amazing and the owner was super sweet. She gave us extra rice. Got one of the curries and the momos.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    The food is amazing! The only issue was the restaurant was very chilly. I will definitely go back and/or take out.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Ordered the daal (lentil) soup to go! Was asked about spice level and she did a perfect job nailing the spice. Great flavor and service!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Great service, super nice owner. I personally really liked the chicken korma and went back a few times for it. The ambiance is great too!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Pema

    SPICE ROOM

    SPICE ROOM

    4.5
    (635 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    I cannot believe it took as long as it did to get here. To be fair we did try a couple times and…read morethe parking was so packed we couldn't find a spot. All pointing to an excellent experience. The timing was right for my husband and I to come for a Sunday lunch. The service was fast and friendly. We started with potato sliders that were really good but not as good as our main courses. My husband opted for the lamb tiki masala and I opted for the eggplant (Baingan Bharta) Thali meal. The dal soup and spiced potatoes that came in the Thali were incredible. My favorite part was the chai though. I cannot drink milk and the alternative was oat milk. This was one of the best chais I have had in my life. So so good.

    Ordered: Thali w Butter Chicken (~$24): served with…read morestreet-style chaat, garlic naan (+50¢), rice, dal soup, jeera potatoes, dessert (rice pudding), and soft drink Lamb Biryani (~$17): spiced rice, marinated lamb, vegetables, nuts, and spices; served with raita (yogurt sauce) Aya's take: I was craving Indian food during my recent trip to Denver and came across Spice Room. The Thali caught my eye as it's essentially a traditional platter with a variety of balanced small plates from rice to potatoes to dal soup and even dessert all on a single tray. I got it with Butter Chicken which was so good! Highly recommend as it was creamy, medium spicy, and very aromatic. I absolutely loved the street-style chaat! It's creamy, crunchy, cold, and loaded with flavors and textures. Such a satisfying bite and I almost couldn't stop until it was gone. I love that this Thali came with both rice & naan as I usually want both and can't decide lol! The rice was fluffy and aromatic from the cumin while the garlic naan was fresh, soft, and delicately brushed with garlic & parsley. I didn't care for the dal soup (bit too watery) or the jeera potatoes (bit undercooked) but the dessert was a nice way to end the meal. Their options included rice pudding and gulab jamun; I went with the "healthier" option lol. It was creamy, sweet, and cooled down my palate after the various dishes. The Lamb Biryani was another good try! The lamb chunks were tender and seasoned, the rice was aromatic, and it paired well with the onions and raita (yogurt sauce). This definitely satisfied my craving and I'm glad I stopped by before the long day I had ahead!

    Photos
    SPICE ROOM
    Chicken Aachari
    Chicken Aachari
    Lamb Biryani (~$17)

    See all

    Lamb Biryani (~$17)
    Mantra cafe

    Mantra cafe

    4.7
    (66 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Free parking

    Went to Mantra Cafe for a late lunch after hearing a coworker mention the naan tika tacos. I…read moreusually stick to the same few places, but this ended up being a nice change from the usual downtown spots. The tacos came out fresh and had a good mix of flavor without being too spicy. Service was easygoing and the cashier answered a couple questions about the menu without making me feel rushed. My food took around ten minutes, which seemed reasonable since they were getting a steady lunch crowd. The place has a casual atmosphere where people actually sit and relax for a while instead of eating and leaving right away.

    My first encounter with this restaurant was 7-8 months ago as a quick takeout. As I was quite…read moreimpressed with the quality of the food I had back then I had been looking forward to experiencing it again. This time I go to dine in. Since my adult daughter and I were going to be there for a little celebration I made the reservation through the restaurant's website requesting to be seated at a 4-person table. Unfortunately upon arrival the restaurant not only did not even check to see if they had us on the reservation list they also didn't allow us to sit at a 4-person table. The restaurant wasn't busy at all on a Monday night so they simply treated us like a "walk-in" guest. Mmm...what's the purpose of the reservation link on their website if they don't value it?? They took us to one of the smaller two-person tables. After sitting there for 5 minutes or so perusing the menu, we kindly asked one of the workers if we could move to the bar seating that overlooks the busy Broadway. This was the game changer. The elevated seats and the tabletop made the ambience feel more like a special occasion. Thank goodness...this was the only bummer part of our dinner. The rest, fortunately, went quite well! Food: It looks like another Indian/Nepali restaurant at first but in my personal experience, this one ranks the best or top tier for their authenticity. The below is directly copied/pasted from the electronic recipe of ours: -PANI-PURI (Vegan/DF) $8.00 -Ice Tea $3.00 -Masala Chai $4.00 -COCONUT CURRY WHITE FISH. (DF/GF)$20.00 (Medium heat) -KHATTI MITTHI BHINDI (VEGAN/ GF) $15.00 (Medium heat) -WHOLE WHEAT BREAD $3.00 Pani-puri came out after our two main dishes although Pana-Puri is more of an appetizer (lol). Tho two main dishes were cooked in a medium heat and yet they were extremely doable even for someone like me who is not much of a "heat" person. My daughter is not a big fan of naan bread so as she is way more versed in the very cuisine (she had just come back from India spending a month to be trained to be a yoga instructor with a certification) she suggested we get the thin wheat bread. This bread went efficiently well with our two mains. Both iced teas were a great accompaniment to our whole meal. And again, how authentic everything tasted and how meticulously everything was cooked and prepared, it was something we couldn't ask for better quality. A bit of a disappointment with the whole reservation situation and yet the quality of the food broke even at the end. Service was good to decent although it wasn't exceptional but our basic needs were met.

    Photos
    Chicken tikka masala like no other.
    Chicken tikka masala like no other.
    I bet you cannot stop eating our Gobi Manchurian..
    I bet you cannot stop eating our Gobi Manchurian..
    Mango tango is never enough.

    See all

    Mango tango is never enough.
    Unique Indian Cuisine

    Unique Indian Cuisine

    4.8
    (137 reviews)
    6.2 mi

    We went in for lunch on a Saturday. It was quiet and we had our choice of seats. We know our order…read moreto please our party of four. They didn't have Roganjosh on the menu, but the kitchen whipped up something similar. We also ordered butter chicken, saag paneer, two orders of naan and three mango lassis. Everything was SO tasty and we promised to be back (we live more than 30 mins away - and we will!!). We had a nice chat with our server. She was very gracious & sweet!

    A strip mall restaurant next door to a Middle Eastern market and an El Salvadoran restaurant…read more Unique Indian Cuisine is spacious and clean. They have very soothing spa music playing (a little odd, but also charming). You can see that the owners probably did their own repairs and upgrades. We ordered cocktails and saw that they used top shelf alcohol. The food was very flavorful. Not the Indian flavors that I'm used to, but delicious. The tandoori chicken pieces were massive and they did not skimp on the sides of rice like other Indian restaurants. The garlic naan was paper thin like a roti and infused with so much garlic! Our server was very sweet and attentive. She carefully made both our cocktails and when we complimented her, she was humbled and honored. If you're in the Denver area, please drop by this restaurant.

    Photos
    Restaurant dine-in area 
( We have dine-in  capacity of 70 Customer at a single time )
    Restaurant dine-in area ( We have dine-in capacity of 70 Customer at a single time )
    Veggie Noodle soup - Thuppa or option with chicken too
    Veggie Noodle soup - Thuppa or option with chicken too
    Chicken Tandoori #Indian #Restaurant #Denver #Tandoori

    See all

    Chicken Tandoori #Indian #Restaurant #Denver #Tandoori
    Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food

    Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food

    4.5
    (194 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Casual dining

    My son and I had a very nice dinner here. We started by sharing the very tasty Aloo Tikki ChatI and…read moresome crispy Papadum with chutneys as appys, which disappeared fast! I had the Tandoori Lamb which was excellent (large portion so I will get a second meal), and my son had the Lamb Roghan Josh which was also very good. The garlic naan and butter naan were nice with our meal too. We did not try desserts but maybe next time. Service was very quick and friendly with frequent water refills. Ambiance was okay - nothing special - but our seats were comfortable. Parking was an issue since Maria Empanadas and other local restaurants were busy, but we found a spot within a block. It was amazing to see how many take-out orders were being picked up st Tikka and Grill, so obviously a very popular place!

    Almost everyone I've ever seen talk about Indian food in my area raves about this location. I ate…read morethere about a year ago and was super excited to try it because of all the rave reviews. I don't know if they just had an off night that night, but pretty much all of my food was a major disappointment. We ordered two dishes and naan. Both dishes just weren't very flavorful, and I was majorly bummed with the quality of the food. I have been thinking about trying it again, but given how much it costs to eat here and my experience last time I skip it every time.

    Photos
    Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food
    Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food
    Thupka

    See all

    Thupka
    Himchuli RINO - Indian & Nepali Cuisine

    Himchuli RINO - Indian & Nepali Cuisine

    4.5
    (143 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    This place is delicious! We had chicken tikka masala, biriyani, and vindaloo. Everything had so…read moremuch flavor and the meat was plentiful and tender. We also tried the momos, packed full with filling and a chewy wrapper. They came with a chilled sauce that wasn't my favorite though. The price is reasonable as well, because each portion can serve 2 for the most part. Definitely recommend!

    As a fellow Indian travelling to Denver, good Indian food was not something I was even expecting…read more After having tried a couple of different spots, my expectations were guarded. But this place completely changed my take on this. Most of the crowd in here was... well... not Indian which was not uncommon for Denver. When we ordered the Kadai Paneer and the Daal Makhni and told them to make it super spicy... they did. And the flavors literally took us back home. This wasn't just the best Indian food in Denver... but it was one of the Top 10 Indian food we've ever had outside of India. It even put some of the places in India to shame. Super fresh ingredients, made to order unlike most places who have the curries and daals ready. The naan was made fresh as well and not reheated frozen stuff which many restaurants still serve at high pricepoints. The service was topnotch as well. Ambiance was quite cozy and not super loud despite how busy it got after about 7pm. Definitely our go-to Indian in Denver... never thought I'd have an Indian spot in Denver I would crave going to again and again.

    Photos
    2025.01.18 - Interior
    2025.01.18 - Interior
    Chilli MoMo
    Chilli MoMo
    Tandoori chicken

    See all

    Tandoori chicken
    India Express Denver

    India Express Denver

    4.8
    (84 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    Best Indian food I've had in Denver! And Couldn't have asked for a better experience. Their name…read moremight be India Express but they have a lovely dining room and amazing staff that make it a great place to sit down. We came on a Thursday night around 7p, the dining room was empty - crazy. Araz took care of us and he must have refilled the water 5 times he was so top of everything! We started with chai tea, absolutely delicious. Love the creaminess and spices. They bring out come crispy chips and dipping sauces on the house. Such a light and delicious starter. I could eat the dips plain. We also got the chaat samosas. Incredible! The seasonings and textures paired so well, crunchiness of the samosas over a bed of perfectly cooked chickpeas with red onion and yogurt drizzle adding a fresh element. And they cut them to make it easier to share. I had the lamb Korma. Incredible. Just the perfect blend of spices, creaminess. Comes with rice but their garlic naan is amazing and pairs so well with it. My boyfriend had the chicken madras, also amazing. He didn't want a creamy dish and this was perfect for him. Everything was so memorable, i can't wait to come back

    Indian express, don't get confused by the name it's nothing like the polar express so leave your…read moregolden ticket at home. I looked so stupid but my server was very nice about it and consoled me out of my wobbles. First time getting together with all 7 of my siblings in a few weeks so it was a very special occasion. Our servers name was Sharmila and she was very attentive and informed of the menu. She was very kind to have endured my rowdy family and we tipped her graciously for her trouble. My brother and I arrived fashionably early while the others arrived just early. Being fashionable is a recessive gene and we can't all be winners or else there'd be no losers and what fun would that be? They started the table with these neat little fake tortilla chips. It came with 3 sauces for dipping a sweet, tangy/minty and a spicy one. The spicy one is important to try because that's about the level of spice of their hottest dishes. For apps we got the cauliflower, the texture was nice and fluffy, the flavor was tangy without being too aggressive. An app is supposed to ease you in! SOMEPLACES HAVE THE AUDACITY TO CREATE APPETIZERS THAT SUCK YOUR SOUL OUT! Sorry for raising my voice... ahem... this place is thankfully not one of them. We also got the cucumber salad which was really good but it's cucumbers, you love em or you hate em. Moving on. Next was the onion rings. In my head they were gonna be like Indian onion rings but they were just like normal rings but ig since they had Indian dipping sauces that counts? They get by on a technicality. I DONT MAKE THE RULES AND IM TIRED OF YOU GETTING MAD AT ME FOR THEM! Excuse me I'm not sure where that came from... Ok "few" that was a lot! For me main entree I got me some baryani with chx. I got the medium spiciness because the hot sauce at the start was too much for me, call me a knave but my sibs said I'm a prince, WHAT ARE YOU AN HEIR TOO?! Didn't think so. Sorry for yelling, your tone is just bothering me. Anyway my food was good. I could hardly finish it and I don't want to hear it. THE PORTIONS WERE SO BIG FOR THE PRICE! HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW?!?! Ok signing off, I can't with your attitude and I take back my apology from earlier. If you even care to make it up to me go visit this amazing restaurant and Sharmila a 50% tip.

    Photos
    Dining Room
    Dining Room
    Shrimp Boti - Indian Street Appetizer
    Shrimp Boti - Indian Street Appetizer
    Soda water Bottle

    See all

    Soda water Bottle

    Pema - himalayan - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...