The Verandah Kitchen in Hampden

I was in the area to pick up and this spot popped up and thought it would be a good one to try for appetizers.Cozy interior with some outside seating. I was asked if I had a reservation when I walked in-I didn't and asked if I was out of luck. They did have some open tables but I was picking up. Quite around 5:30.Based on the friendly staff's recommendation, ordered Tikki Chaat, Mixed Veggie Pakodas and Trini Doubles. All 3 were Vegan and delicious with complex spices/flavors- the Pakodas are also Gluten free. If I had to choose a favorite it would be the Chaat-Potato Patties dipped in curried chutney with just the right amount of spicy. Service was exceptional with a high level of patience for answering my questions and providing recommendations. Picked up a bit by 6. Will be back for dinner. If in Hampden, make this stop!

A small, but mighty restaurant located in Hampden. The owner is very kind, and the servers are the same. If you are new to Indian cuisine, the menu gives a great explanation of the dishes and types of sauces used. The Goan Fish Fry and the Prawns of Ghee were my favorites and I absolutely recommend. There are a couple of tables outside, a bar that seats about 4 people, and maybe 6 other tables. It's a small spot, so I would recommend a reservation or calling ahead.

What a cute little spot in the heart of Hampden!We stumbled across this place after googling Indian restaurants in the area and this one stood out. Now I know why! we went by for a Saturday lunch - the restaurant is small and cozy. They were a little short staffed that afternoon but managed to get us seated and served in a timely fashion.They have indoor and outdoor seating. Ambiance - the place is well decorated with cushions, paintings, and brightly coloured walls! Service - fantastic! We got to meet the owner of the place and she was able to make fantastic recommendations for usFood - I loved the tapas concept, which meant we got to try 4 or 5 different dishes. I also loved that she has kept the flavours authentic and not tried to dampen down the intensity of some of the traditional dishes. I felt like I was eating home cooked food! (if you are not a fan of richly flavoured, or spicy food, this may not be the place for you)They have a good selection of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. I do believe they have some vegan options too. Prices - reasonableIt is very rare to find an Indian restaurant that hasn't "Americanized" their dishes - Verandah kitchen is one of them. We will definitely be back.

Summary: If you want food that tastes like my mom cooks it at home in India, go here!Not going to waste time putting you through a long review. Im picky with my five stars and this place gets one. The food was excellent (not your usual synthetic Indian restaurant types), location was great, ambience was amazing, and service was awesome. Prices are not cheap, but the Verandah delivers on flavors and the experience. I'd definitely go back and would be happy to say positive things about this place to everyone.

Back at Verandah for another delicious dinner! We pretty much ordered the same exact things again except this time, instead of the chicken meatball, we got the chicken kurma. The veggie pakoras were very yummy despite being a different selection of veggies this time around. It was more onions and less squash and sweet potato (or pumpkin?) than last time. Probably just due to seasonal availability. The chana masala was also delicious and very filling but much spicier than I remember. I love spicy food and can handle a bit of heat but this was definitely making my nose run! I loved the chicken kurma too and the soft potatoes it came with. A little disappointing they don't have a butter chicken on the menu but this was a nice option if you're craving something like that. We also tried the chilled red wine and we were pleasantly surprised with how refreshing it was. Service was friendly as always too. Always love the fact that I can come here and not be confused about allergens. Everything is so clearly marked and I love how the menu is organized by vegetarian, poultry, seafood, etc. Makes it so easy to order and select what you're in the mood for!

For Hampden, this is a nice restaurant. I wouldn't give it 4 stars, but it's a high 3 for sure. Not the best Indian food I've ever had (as it's more of a "fusion-style"), but, definitely not the worst. It's a restaurant in an old house so it's quaint and cozy inside and maybe good for a casual date but not super fancy. The service was probably the high point of the meal as it was relatively fast, friendly, and attentive. I would come back if in the area and looking for this style of Indian food, so give it a try and see what you think.

Tapas is such a fun concept to me and I especially love it when it's a cuisine I'm not as familiar with. It means I can try many new things in one experience! I'm super excited to come back here and try even more.Basket Chaat--loved this. The crispy bottom added depthPaneer Kofta--okay, none of us would order againAmritsari Fish Fry--really good with a great seasoningTikka masala--yummy!! We Ate the sauce up with a garlic naan sideFor dessert, we tried fried dough balls in rose water. It was a very pretty presentation, but 2 of 3 of us weren't into it. (Rosewater is a very strong flavor which I've only had twice in my life, so that is part of it).Our waiter was very nice and offered explanations as needed. If you want guidance they are happy to give it to you!

I had a really delicious meal here for winter restaurant week. As many times as I've walked by this place I had yet to order or stop in so restaurant week was a good opportunity to try something new. The space is small but really inviting. It feels like you're sitting in someone's home waiting for a dinner party to begin. The restaurant week special was a six course menu tasting. There were two selections one for omnivores and one for vegetarians. I selected the omnivore option. The tasting begin with the most luscious soup I've had in a long time, before moving on to a fried seafood shrimp dish with my favorite spicy green chutney. The next courses were curry chicken and keema paratha. Paratha is one of my favorite Indian foods and this one did not disappoint. The chicken curry was fine, but I actually enjoyed the curry tofu more; the flavors that were imparted, chef's kiss! The final savory course was a rice dish speckled with lentils and served with a side of ghee. To end our culinary journey we indulged in the perfect gulab jamun. Everything was truly wonderful! The chef/owner came out to ask how our meal was and we were so stuffed we could only smile and nod lol. Definitely coming back!

The Verandah is one of my other favorite spots in Hampden. My go-tos are always a Mango Lassi and the vegetable pakoras. This quiet little spot is so charming and I always feel well taken care of when I come here. This place is definitely part of my regular rotations of restaurants and is a great back up if we can't decide on a spot. I have never been there on the weekend, but I am sure that it does get quite busy as their food is very good!

My friend and I went to the Verandah for dinner and had a great experience! We sat outside on the porch which was nice and shaded from the early evening summer sun. The menu was super descriptive and I appreciated the cultural context shared for various dishes.We split the Basket Chaat (crisp tortilla baskets loaded with spiced potatoes, red onions, chutney, and yogurt) which was delicious and the perfect way to start off our meal. For my main course, I got the Paneer Tikka Masala. I had never seen an Indian dish presented quite this way - it was really nicely plated! The food was super flavorful and a perfect portion size. I definitely recommend checking Verandah out for some delicious Indian!