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    Tarka Indian Kitchen

    3.9 (1.1k reviews)
    ModerateIndian, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Tarka Indian Kitchen Photos

    Business Info

    TARKA INDIAN KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Tarka Indian Kitchen

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    Chicken tika masala
    Jin S.

    Tarka has been consistently good and reliable. The chicken tika masala is a favorite. You can add veggies and adjust the spice level. If you order extra spicy, it comes with jalapenos. The samosas are consistently good as well as the garlic naan. When I have an Indian food craving, I usually order from Tarka and it never disappoints!

    Ellie N.

    Tarka remains our favorite Indian fast food restaurant in austin. It's quick, affordable and the quality is consistent. Today I got tikka masala for the first time and I had to admit that it's my least favorite dish from Tarka so far, hence the 3-star review.

    Menu
    Bruce M.

    Tarka is a great place to eat. I love the chicken pakoras. I also get the plain naan and their mango lemonade might be the best drink in south Austin. The restaurant is always busy but service is great. Servers are so friendly. The cleanliness is remarkable. Overall great place to sit outside and relax with family and friends.

    Chana Masala -- Zesty garbanzo bean curry with sautéed onions, garlic and ginger? garnished with the cilantro. Served with basmati rice.
    Fellman B.

    I went to Tarka on the last possible date to redeem my birthday reward: buy one adult entree and receive a free adult entree of equal or lesser value. The food was delicious, but there was a slight glitch in the ordering process. I wanted a vegetarian option and inquired about tofu. The cashier said they only have paneer, an Indian cheese. So I ordered that as my main choice. I ordered the Chana Masala and the Mataar Paneer to go. The Chana Masala entree was delicious, served hot and steaming! I had requested medium spicy. It was tasty, but I wanted an additional sauce to enhance the flavor. A cashier agreeably complied, and it made the dish even better! The to-go order was listed on the receipt as Saag Chana. I was surprised that it did not contain paneer. (Or maybe it was a miscommunication on my part.) The server agreed to add paneer to the takeout order. That was totally acceptable to me. It took about 10 minutes for the order to be prepared, and the restaurant ambiance is pleasant while waiting.

    Biryanis paneer
    Airon A.

    Tarka Indian Kitchen is my favorite restaurant for authentic Indian cuisine. They have an app that is easy to use to place an order. Their food is fresh and flavorful and you can customize the spice level. I always start my meal with the garlic naan that is made fresh. They offer a variety of entrees that you can choose a protein with or go the vegan route. My go-tos are the saag paneer that is a rich creamy spinach dish served with basmati rice and the tikka masala with its rich creamy garlic tomato base. I enjoy the Biryani stir fried rice dishes as well with garlic, ginger and spices served with yogurt. I tried the Aloo Globi special which was cauliflower, potatoes and peas with spices. My all time favorite is the mango lemonade. I must drink 3+ glasses of this juice it is amazing. Food is ready when promised and is always fresh and delicious.

    Brooke N.

    I ordered a salad and mild Beyond biryani when I was visiting a friend last week. The cashier was nice and he was very helpful. The food was very good and I ate to the full. The salad was fresh and the rice was cooked perfectly. The restaurant was clean and very well designed.

    Inside
    Jodi M.

    This place smacks you in the face as soon as you walk in. In a GOOD way. The spices, the aroma of fresh garlic nan cooking amongst other delicious Indian fare was delightful. Friendly service and plenty of indoor seating. Their curbside orders were BUSY on a Tuesday. I kept seeing the runner go out every 5min. A very unexpected place in a strip mall off Brodie Ln across the street from Academy where the DSW is. Thank you yelpers. I was really missing Indian food. We used to live 15min from Little India in Southern California where you could get any regional indian fare and cruise the snack and carry grocery stores. My eyes were bigger than my tummy when I ordered. When you get a welcomed hug from the spices in the air you can't help but talk yourself into everything you ate craving. What I got: Tikka marsala with chicken (med). It wasn't that hot. Next time I will get the hot. Came with some lovely Jasmin rice. -It was full of flavor and depth like the sauce was cooking for days -It didn't even need the chicken. I could have easily got that with a vegetarian option Soo good and comforting. Not oily or too rich Garlic Nan -warm, chewy, crispy edges -no more vampires here. Heavy on the garlic which was delicious with swipes of butter -let this be your ok carb day and enjoy.. Samosa Chaat Appetizer -mix of hot and cold -spicy, savory and warmth from the mix of spices -it could easily be a meal on its own. I ate a few bites then realized I need to keep space for the marsala All that food came up to around 20.00. When I was done eating, It looked like no one ate. It Could easily have fed 2 adults. I ate the left overs for breakfast the next morning. It was just as good! Would I go again. YES. This will be on my monthly rotation. Its nice to see and eat something besides burgers, bbq, sandwiches or other "beige" foods. Great to bring your family, a business lunch, girlfriends, or date night. Doesn't break the bank which is nice these days. Come visit and be adventurous!

    Lamb Biryani (GF)
    Geoffrey P.

    This is one of those places where I don't need a menu. Always get the same thing. The lamb biryani is awesome. Plenty of food for 2. Add an order of garlic naan and I've got two meals for under $20. The folks are always nice and the restaurant is convenient, clean, and not too loud.

    Naan
    Clarisa J.

    This was my second time ever having Indian food, but my first time at this restaurant. Needless to say, it was amazing the quality was great, flavor was flavorful, and the service was great. I can't wait to come back!

    Kofta Korma
    Vis V.

    For takeout, we ordered the following items: - Cheese Naan - Kofta Korma - Saag Chicken - Chicken Korma - Paneer Pakora I highly suggest reheating the paneer pakoras in the air fryer or oven to restore their crispiness. The cheese naan resembled an Indian version of classic cheesy bread. As always, the kormas were delicious , and I would recommend trying the saag with paneer instead of chicken.

    Vegetable Samosas with mint sauce
    Evin G.

    Great prices and decent food. This food is not the most amazing Indian food I've had but for the price and the portion sizes I would absolutely make it a regular spot. I ordered the lamb vindaloo, garlic naan and veggie samosas. The lamb was cooked well and the sauce was very flavorful with a good amount of lamb. The rice was really delicious. The garlic naan was okay. Good at first but the farther from fresh it got, even just an hour, the more flat and chewy. Samosas were standard. I wish they had the tamarind sauce I've sometimes had with it, but there was a spicy mint sauce. Overall, 4 stars for the taste+price.

    Garlic Naan
    Linh T.

    This is such a great spot if you want some quick indian food to satiate your cravings! When you walk into the restaurant; you view the menu, then order at the front table. From there you'll get an order number stick and choose where you want to sit. The place is really chill, perfect as a casual date or hang out spot! It seems quiet enough to even do your homework. There's also outside seating with a roof to give shade, super nice! They'll offer you cups, which I recommend the mango lemonade (it's addicting!) They'll bring the food to you and you can enjoy! I got the chicken saag (mild) with garlic naan and my bf got the lamb biryani (hot). I love the garlic naan here and the saag is pretty good, I'll have to go up a spice level next time though! My bf enjoyed the biryani, but also thinks to go up a spice level next time as well. Make sure to get their app for rewards! I got a buy one adult entree get one adult entree free for my birthday, and the points add up fast for free foods!

    Garlic Naan Curry Fries Shrimp Korma ($11.50)

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    Page 1 of 29

    Ask the Community - Tarka Indian Kitchen

    Do you offer vegan options?

    Yes, we have a lot of vegan options and all of them are clearly marked on the menus.

    Does this place have wifi?

    Yea we do!

    Is the meat halal?

    Our Lamb is Halal. Our Chicken is not.

    Is the biryani dairy free?

    No, our biryani is not dairy free. It contains a little cream.

    Does the check in offer for 10% off work on to go orders?

    It does! You also get a discount if you don't get rice! Great low carb restaurant!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Tandoori Lounge

    Tandoori Lounge

    4.4(185 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    I came here with a fellow Yelp Elite and friend after a workout and it surely satisfied our…read morepost-workout hunger. We had the onion kulcha as starter and it was freshly made and delicious. We both ordered the lamb tikka masala and it was rich and savory, we ordered some garlic naan to have some of the sauce with...outstanding! The bartender Shamu came to our table to give us martini options and came back after to check on us, that was a nice extra touch. Our server Ría was very kind and knowledgeable. The ambience at this place is chic casual, I like the black and golds, they have a full bar and plenty of space for big parties. I'd definitely come back here to try more Indian food!

    When I worked in high-tech, I managed the Asian Design Centers in Taiwan, Singapore, China and…read moreIndia and visited these countries twice a quarter. When I walked into Tandoori Lounge, I was immediately transported back to my time in India. The atmosphere is sultry and seductive. You are drawn in my the dimly lit restaurant with warm soothing colors. You hear this soft intoxicating music as you take in these tiny table lamps. We were all in! I met a Yelp friend for dinner that I had not seen for quite some time. It was great catching up! As you walked in, you could smell a hint of the aroma of spices coming from the kitchen. Is it possible that everything you eat or drink is exceptional? Can service be at the highest possible level? Yes and Yes! We ordered the onion kulcha and garlic naan as appetizers. They were fresh, hot, soft and super flavorful. You could taste the onions in the kulcha and the garlic was pronounced in the garlic naan. We both ordered the lamb/goat marsala (medium for me and mild for my friend). The entrée was an explosion of flavors in your mouth...so good! The entrée was rich and enjoyable to eat without being heavy. It came with basmati rice where the kernels did not stick to each other. The rice was airy and fluffy. My friend ordered an Indian beer. When in India, Indian beer is a staple. I ordered a lemon drop martini. This was the best martini I have had in a very long time. Shamu, the bartender, came over to our table to explain what other martinis he could make that were not on the menu. The Lemon Drop martini was ice cold (loved that), smooth and perfectly blended. Shamu said that the glass was first chilled before the martini was poured. Drinking narvana... Riya, our server, was so sweet and kind. She was meticulous in serving our table - water constantly refilled, lemons delivered and food strategically placed on the table. Riya suggested our entrée as the most popular dish. We absolutely understand why. I am not sure why we have never eaten at Tandoori. I definitely will be returning when I am back in the South part of the city.

    Photos
    Tandoori Lounge - Interior - Nice art on the walls is for sale :-)

    Interior - Nice art on the walls is for sale :-)

    Tandoori Lounge
    Tandoori Lounge - Vegetable Samosa

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    Vegetable Samosa

    Nala's

    Nala's

    3.4(207 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Nala's is pretty good, not my favorite but it curbs the cravings for Indian food! My main issue is…read morethe prices are a little high, it's like $16-18 for one small-ish entree, and the chicken 65 app I got for $10 was also like 3-4 pieces. The flavors were authentic enough though. They have lots of seating inside, and a pretty good size lot out front! They had the order ready in about 10 mins after I made it so they're pretty quick. Overall - not my fave Indian place in Austin but occasionally they send me a coupon and when they do, I go check it out.

    Dismal! Not sure where to start. The restaurant is hidden and does not have proper signs to enter…read more We were welcomed to an empty restaurant with fruit flies and moths As a welcome dish, they gave a basket of fryums, they looked colorful but were bathed in high amounts of salt. My order: Sizzling tikka with Paneer Meen polichathu Madurai parota with veg salna The paneer looked great, presentation was amazing but it did not have any salt! It was not consumable without the side chutney but that was running and not thick in consistency. The meen polichathu was so bitter and gave me a puke. It also had blood stains so the fish wasn't prepped well. The parota was alright not bad but the salna was average. We raised a complaint but not sure if they bothered nor they even understood what our issue was. They offered us not to pay but still we wanted to pay for at least one dish. This just reminded that I had already ordered here on DoorDash and the taste was horrible. It just slipped out of my mind and visited again. To the management: Your ambiance needs work. It's full , boring and not clean Replace the chefs with authentic ones. .. but guess what? Probably they don't want to keep this place authentic since their target customer probably doesn't know the authentic taste and they don't mind?

    Photos
    Nala's - Buffet

    Buffet

    Nala's - Chicken Tikka Masala with Paneer and Garlic Naan

    Chicken Tikka Masala with Paneer and Garlic Naan

    Nala's

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    Coriander - Sag Panner, Lamb Peshari and Chicken Korma.

    Coriander

    3.7(258 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Great menu offerings and amazing flavor! BUT... many many…read morebones present in the Tikka Masala, as in huge pieces AND small sharp ones. Additionally, as I've never eaten there before, I went with the least spicy option as a test...pretty sure they ignored that note. Gobi Manchurian was PERFECT though.

    Ate at Royal India twice, both having a LivingSocial voucher. I tried the north and the south…read moreAustin location and both restaurants presented me with delicious and authentic food. Started with the Garlic Naan. Heard it was pretty good and I definitely agree. Not only was the bread hot with crispy edges, the flavor of the garlic wasn't too strong but definitely evident and tasty. The Garlic Naan at the south location tasted a tad strange and wasn't as flavorful as the one in the north location, but that may just be an anomaly. My entree was the Dhaba Mutton Curry. You can't say no to bone-in goat. I try to eat different things at restaurants, but after loving it the first time, I had to get it again. The bone-in goat meat is truly tender with occasional pieces of fat. You can really separate the pieces with a spoon. The curry sauce is delicious with just the right consistency to bind with the rice. This dish opened my eyes to the world of goat meat. Seriously. So good. The entree also came with saag paneer (similar to creamed spinach). I don't often rant about vegetables, but this stuff is super delicious. Mix it in with the rice or just eat it by itself, I just can't have enough of it. Can we get endless refills on this? I wanted to ask our waiter, but wimped out. There is an issue with their service though. In the south Austin location, there were only 4 tables with customers, including mine. However, the service was especially slow, specifically after the meal. After showing the waiter our voucher, he put it back down on the table and left. 15 minutes would then go by until they took our voucher again and returned with our check. That's 15 minutes of my party and me aimlessly chatting and glancing around the restaurant. In a near-empty restaurant, speed of service was the last thing I expected to encounter. Other than that, the staff was very friendly and our water glasses were always full.

    Photos
    Coriander - Vegetarian Dinner (includes a little of everything vegetarian)

    Vegetarian Dinner (includes a little of everything vegetarian)

    Coriander - Royal India (buffet)

    Royal India (buffet)

    Coriander - Feast for 2... Get it

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    Feast for 2... Get it

    Kammili's Kitchen - Mirchi bajji - super tasty!

    Kammili's Kitchen

    4.6(5 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    We called ahead to ask whether we can pickup idlis at their earliest and they assured us that…read morethey'll have them ready by 11:30am (listed opening time). We drove 30 minutes, with the kids, reached there at 11:30a, but no one had even opened the truck yet. They drove up a bit later, shocked to find us waiting (though we had just confirmed with them on the phone 30min prior and their listed time is 11:30a), told us they needed some additional time to unpack the food from their car and setup the truck. Close to noon, they asked us our order again, once again saying it'll just be 5-10 minutes max. At 12:30p, we received our two plates of Idlis. They closed the window so we couldn't even request a status check in between. Thank goodness we had carried snacks with us for the kids. We were curious to try more items on the menu but afraid of the long wait times and inaccurate communication to risk it. Though the freshness of the Idlis is much appreciated, and the sambhar was tasty, this kind of customer experience makes it nearly impossible for us to return. If they had let us know at 11am that they couldn't serve food before 12-12:30p, we would've planned accordingly. Additionally, parking isn't easy here. There are 2 food trucks, with 2 spots nearby and 4 further away. The other food truck was open already so it was hard for us to find a spot.

    The owners here are solid people. They actually took the time to give me advice on what to order,…read moreand they were spot on because the food was sooo freaking good. Seriously, everything had great flavor. This is definitely going to become a regular spot for my family. Already looking forward to going back.

    Photos
    Kammili's Kitchen - Garlic naan, chicken Tikka masala

    Garlic naan, chicken Tikka masala

    Kammili's Kitchen - Free dessert!

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    Free dessert!

    Tarka Indian Kitchen - indpak - Updated May 2026

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