Tarka is convenient, clean and possibly an entry point for someone to taste Indian food. They don't have spectacular Indian food. The chicken was tough. The flavors were lacking complexity. For me, Tarka is Indian food without a soul. It's Indian Pei Wei. I did enjoy their free mango lemonade refills. read more

If you are passing by Austin, this is quick and decent choice for Indian food. Our order came very quickly. Mango lassi is really good. Roti came fresh and hot. Dal talks and rice is satisfying. read more

So good. Delicious, affordable and convenient. Love all the dairy & gluten free options.

Tarka is always so good! Clean restaurant and friendly staff! Been coming here for years! Sad when I went in today and they got rid of Nanninies and veggie pakoras! -1 Star for no Pakoras! read more

I would rate this place 5 stars, but they got rid of my beloved naanini. Now.... why would you get rid of the best thing on the menu? Let me fatten myself up with carbs and chicken damn it! I love this place to much to give it a lot of hate, but wow...my heart is broken. read more

Loved the Mirch Masala. I had it made mild with vegetables and it was delicious. DH had Chicken Coconut Curry and the sauce was so tasty, I used 2 pieces of naan bread to wipe the bowl clean. I actually liked dining here better than the Clay Pit. The prices are reasonable and the decor is fun and cheerful. As to the portions, our food came in modest sized rice bowls with generous helpings of basmati rice. The naan bread was just so-so. I am a fan and will definitely be back! read more

It'll do in a pinch but it won't be my first choice for a serious Indian food craving. The Tikka Masala was unbalanced and not as good as what I've had at Clay Pit, Bombay Grille or Taj Palace. Just because it is "fast food" doesn't mean it shouldn't taste right. It isn't bad but it doesn't blow my mind either. read more

Um, I don't get all the hoo ha about how "bad" this place is by some reviewers.. I spend 2008-2010 living in England and had some pretty yummy Indian food. A friend took me here for lunch and I am hooked. I love the smell of Indian food and the taste of the dishes I've tried (all vegetarian) were delicious! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. So the Naan isn't fantastic, it's a great imitation and goes well with sopping up the sauce. I say give it a try and see for yourself. It's inexpensive enough to give it a shot. read more

They have the best Saag, Korma, Coconut Curry and Tikka dishes!! Garlic Naan is awesooooome

Oh Tarka, what should I say about you? As a self-professed Indian food snob (blame my heritage), I walk into any 'Indian' food establishment with my nose turned up, fully expecting a below-par experience, either service that lacks substance or food that is untrue to the original cuisine (read - tuned to the American palate) . It was with a similar mindset that I first cautiously stepped into Tarka, prepared for a mild-as-baby-food meal, especially considering the 'order at the counter/take-out' style of the establishment. Oh what joyous blow it was to my ego! I have one word for you - BIRYANI. It may not be the perfect 'dum-shtyle' or richest biryani in the world, but it is full of flavor, brought to your table in a matter of minutes and is made to suit your spice level. And I do not mean peppered with chilli flakes to make it 'hot'. The 'medium' and 'hot' levels are both excellent and my preference depends on the day in question. I have had other items on the menu as well, but am not going to waste my breath reviewing them here. You can try them out if you please. Bottomline - if you like Indian food and love biryani like I do, you need to check this place out. read more

I've been to Tarka more times than I can remember and have tried several of their dishes, all of which were delicious. My favorite is the chicken korma and the lamb biriani. I get these prepared medium spicy and it's just right. I love spicy food, but if you tell them you want it hot you'd better be prepared for some serious heat! My only complaint is that sometimes there just not enough places to sit! read more

Goddamnit...I keep coming back here for chicken korma. Not as good as Clay Pit's, but almost there, and cheaper, closer, faster, waaay better parking, and definitely hits the spot. Oh, you also don't have to worry about haunted tunnels at Tarka either :P Good mango lemonade and mango lassis, and decent naan. I also have a soft spot for their masala fries. Chicken tikka masala and lamb naan-ini is also pretty good (i.e. do try it!). But really, I just ****ing love their korma recipe. read more

I love it! The Tikki Masala was amazing!!! The garlic Naan was sublime. Can not wait to go back!

Tarka is surprisingly good to be a chain of Indian food restos. I have been there about three times and each time I have had one of the vegetarian currys - I've had the Aloo Gobi, Channa Masala and Veggie Tikka Masala. All were outstanding but the Channa was my favorite. Amazing garlic and regular naan and that mango lemonade is awesome!! I would have given it 5 stars but I wish their menu was a little larger. All in all good and consistent go to for Indian when the craving hits. read more

Have enjoyed the meal each time we've been there. It was a clean, casual atmosphere.

Not the most authentic Indian food, but who cares - it tastes great. I get the spicy chicken tikka masala with garlic naan. Always tasty and filling. read more

I read about Tarka in the Chronicle when it first opened at this location last year. I was super-excited about it, but it escaped my mind. We finally went the other day, and, well, let's just say I would go there again, but I wouldn't go OUT OF MY WAY to go there again. The food was tasty, and the portions were ample. What bothered me was the NOISE. It seems that they TRIED to make the acoustics that way. You can barely hear the person across from you over other people's conversations and the noise from the kitchen. Don't go here to have a conversation or peaceful meal--at least not at dinnertime. Not to mention, I think I must have a different definition of 'cheap' than other people! The dinners are still 8-10 dollars....once you add an appetizer and drinks, a meal for two still hovers around 30 dollars. read more

My first adventure in Indian food. No doubt I will be back. I should have tried this place sooner.

So very very delicious! The lamb korma is unskippable. I want to try something new every time I come here but the lamb korma always wins me over in the end. The smell is strong for the uninitiated but after a few minutes, you'll begin to love it. This place is always packed and there is good reason for it to be! My wife loves the vegetable samosas and the chutney that comes along with them. The naanini's and fries are fantastic. read more

Everything I've had from here is great, but nothing beats the curry! I could eat it everyday.

Always had a good experience here, I would recommend the chicken korma and also goat biryani! They are pretty quick turning around to go orders as well! read more

I just love everything about this place. SINCE I need to write more...I love the food, the speed the atmosphere, the location, the staff.

I like this place, and I am very grateful to have some more options down south. I think I am voting this lower than average because 4 is reserved for Clay Pitt, Saravar, etc. 5 stars for Indian food not available in Austin. Its a little steep for walk-up counter, and I would have given it another star if it was a buck or two less per person. However, I found my hot Vindaloo very tasty and nice and hot. Not all of the ingredients are particularly authentic (such as the use of jalapeno) and its pretty clear that the sauce hadn't been simmering for long enough as the tastes had not completely blended. I would not make a special trip there, but I will definitely eat there again when I am in the area. read more

I was buying something at a store across the street and asking the teller what was good in the neighborhood to eat. The woman behind me piped in and said TARKA. I did takeout and souped up the yummy grub with the most delicious Naan bread ever. The line was slightly annoying, but well worth the wait. I'll definitely call it in in advance next time. I do wish they had a buffet line with some of their traditional foods so that you could order a combination of things. I always feel like Indian food is better suited to that. I'll definitely go again. read more

We eat here all the time. It's absolutely wonderful and consistently so. Great channa masala and samosas!

They're very close to being excellent. The friendly customer service is appreciated and I always enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. My only critique would be a slightly longer wait then I'd like but then again good food takes time..,I'm not in a drive through here :) read more

I'm surprised how good this place is. I can tolerate heat spices but love my non-heat spices. And this place delivers. Full of flavor! Buyer chicken is gud bih read more

This past Friday, I had my 2nd Tarka experience. Tarka turned out to be awesome for my large group. Originally there were 4 people meeting to dine, and the party grew to 12. We could all order and pay separately without hassling the staff. The food was delicious as I expected, but the Biryani bowl I ordered was more like fried rice than delicious curry goodness. Garlic Naan = delish. read more

A devine selection of tantilizing dishes at a great price. Naan costs extra but its worth it. Ask for dipping sauces and they'll happily deliver them with your food. Yummy, yummy, eat it up!! read more

I take my friends here all the time. The staff and the waiters always recognize me and give off a friendly vibe. The food is even better with my favorite being the lamb curry. read more

Received a very nice message from one of the owners apologizing for the bad service. He asked for a little more info and then sent me a gift card. Can't argue with that. I appreciate the follow up and look forward to eating there again! read more

I'm not a huge Indian food fan, but my boyfriend is and he loves this place. I get the chicken kabobs and it is some of the best chicken that I've ever had. Very tender, juicy, and flavorful! read more

What can I say I love Tarka! For the price and the freshness, you really can't go wrong! I love everything on the menu I have tried so far. I'll even have it delivered from time-to-time and it's still just as fresh and hot as usual, unlike some places I have ordered from. If you like the Clay Pit, you will also like Tarka. read more

One of the best places for desi food...I love their chicken biriyani....

I have been going here since late 2014. Great place for vegetarians and vegans. Love the vegetable samoosas and Chana Masala.

never fails amazing food, good prices, friendly service!!! one of my favorite places to go in austin.

Really wanted to like this place. They have everything I had hoped for in Indian restaurants for years - clean, inviting decor (not the ghastly taj mahal like places), online ordering/pickup, fast service and some adventurous experimentation with the traditional Indian fare. That being said, the nanini is the only thing I like. The veg mirch masala, channa masala, tikka masala with vegetables all have a subtle underlying sweetness that is puzzling and instantly turned me off. Maybe the meat versions are better? read more

My husband and I went to tarka last week . We had samosa chat and chicken biryani and we got to decide our spice level for these dishes. You can go all the way from mild to spicy.The service was quick and the food tasted really gud .The ambience is relaxed and casual. As far as prices go,I felt that it was a little pricy. The prices did not match the ambience and you can forget abt left overs.But overall I would say this is a good place to go, where you can find tasty indian food. read more

Good food and good value. A little noisy when eating in due to poor acoustics. Excellent service.

Yummy, reasonably priced, short wait time, clean and good customer service. I get take out from this restaurant every couple of weeks and I've never been disappointed. read more