Best Indian Food near me in Orlando, FL

Where to find Indian food in Orlando

Indian restaurants in Orlando cluster in a few areas. Restaurant Row on Sand Lake Road in Dr. Phillips is home to Saffron, and the nearby International Drive and Universal Boulevard area has Tamara inside the Cambria Hotel. South Orange Blossom Trail is the other hub, with Kabab King and Gully Urban Indian Eatery close to each other.

In southeast Orlando, Tabla serves Lake Nona, one of the fastest-growing parts of the county. If you live north of downtown, plan on a drive, since these picks lean south and southwest.

To pick, think about what you want from the meal. Gully is best for something new and casual, Saffron for a sit-down dinner with classic curries, Kabab King for grilled meats and hearty Pakistani dishes, Tabla for a mixed group with dietary needs, and Tamara for convenience near the tourist corridor.

What to order at an Indian restaurant

For a first visit, butter chicken or chicken tikka masala is a mild, creamy start, and dal makhani is the vegetarian equivalent. Biryani, spiced rice layered with meat or shrimp, is a full meal on its own. Tandoori chicken and kebabs come from the clay oven and are good for sharing.

At Gully, skip the curries for once and order pav bhaji, a spiced vegetable mash with buttered rolls, and vada pav, Mumbai's potato fritter sandwich. At Kabab King, nihari is a rich, slow-cooked beef stew usually eaten with naan. Tabla's Indo-Chinese dishes, like Manchurian, are an Indian take on Chinese food and a fun addition to the table.

Tips for eating Indian food in Orlando

Weekend lunch buffets at Saffron and Tamara are the easiest way to try many dishes at once for one price. If you are sensitive to heat, ask for mild; Gully adjusts spice to order, and most kitchens will do the same. Kabab King and Gully serve halal meats, which matters for many diners.

Vegetarians do well at Indian restaurants in general, and Gully and Tabla mark vegan and gluten-free options. Restaurant Row gets busy on weekend evenings, so call ahead at Saffron for a group, and use takeout or delivery for a weeknight meal.

Naan, rice and raita, a cooling yogurt side, help balance spicier dishes, so add them to the order. When you share, plan on one curry or grill dish per person plus bread and rice for the table.

About this list

Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.

This page covers 5 Indian restaurants in Orlando. You'll find them in South Orange Blossom Trail, Dr. Phillips, Lake Nona and International Drive.

What comes up again and again on their menus and websites: Weekend lunch buffet and Catering.