The Yummiest Indian in Jacksonville

Tikka Bowls and Tacos

★★★★★ 4.7 (143) • $$

"We are constantly on the quest for good Indian food and this place delivers. It follows the Chipotle method of building your bowl or taco or wrap. Staff was very willing to give tastes of items and/or explain them. Portions were very large so plenty of leftovers. My husband thought the goat was very good. I liked my chicken and the pineapple guacamole was a nice flavor. Naan was very good. I wasn't expecting garlic butter to be poured on top. My experience with garlic naan is the garlic is flavored in the bread. Nevertheless, the naan had a great taste and texture. There were regular tablespoons of and hi top tables. Lots of parking in lot outside. We will definitely be back."

Apna Restaurant Pakistani & Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 3.5 (86) • $$

"Apna was a welcome surprise! I love Indian food but had not tried any restaurants in Jacksonville since moving here in 2014.I was on the way to the gun range with my boyfriend and he spotted this restaurant in a strip mall. I told him I would check Yelp when we were ready to eat but he suggested we not read the reviews and try them out. So against my better judgement I listened to him. Although I did peak and see that this spot only had 3.5 stars.There was an entrance to the grocery store and an entrance to the restaurant. We went in through the restaurant door. There were roughly ten tables. As soon as we walked in the smell of wonderful food overcame us. Plus we were really hungry!I ordered the korma and my boyfriend ordered the tandoori mixed grilled platter. We shared our food which was great! The korma reminded me of tikka masala which I love. The sauce was similar but a little creamier. The sauce was perfect for naan dipping! I ordered more sauce to bring home at a small fee of $2.99. Worth it!Now let's discuss the tandoori mixed grilled platter. WOW! The presentation was amazing as it was served steaming hot and sizzling. Check out the video I posted and you will see;)The dish included beef and chicken kabobs, chicken tikka and leg of a tandoori chicken. I loved everything about this dish! All of the meats were cooked to perfection with a gracious amount of seasoning. The flavors were exploding in my mouth like the 4th of July! The tandoori chicken was my favorite. But to be clear there was nothing about this dish that I did not like LOL!Our server was friendly and helped us make our selections. As I mentioned, there was a small area for sit down dining so in the future I will probably call in an order and pick it up. And yes, I will absolutely be eating here again! Very authentic cuisine;)))"

Mesa

★★★★★ 4.9 (186) • $$

"My two experiences here have been beyond fabulous. I love the spin on south Indian cuisine here. This restored home turned into a restaurant is such an inviting theme. You feel warm and welcome as soon as you walk in. The service on both occasions - WOW; amazing. I actually happened to get the same server both times I visited out of luck. She was so patient and kind knowing it was our first time at the restaurant so of course we had questions, and wanted to know what items were some of her favorites as well. She gave great feedback and even let us know when the menu was changing based on upcoming seasons. I loved that. That's actually the reason for the second visit. I wanted to try some of the fall appetizers and drinks. I know many have tried Mesa and rave about it, but part of me still feels like this restaurant is slept on and more need to experience Mesa. I'm very excited to bring friends and family here. I love spending quality time off with my favorites catching up over delicious food and drinks at niche gems such as this. I definitely think it's a love language of mine I'm happy to share. My entree pictures, as well as dessert, and most apps are from Mesa's summer menu, and they are now on their fall menu. From what I remember being told while there on my first visit - it seems like most entrees remain the same each season, maybe one or two small things are tweaked, and it's the apps, desserts, drinks that change with the coming and going of seasons. Honestly it's all good - summer or fall, it doesn't matter when you visit because the entire menu is good. I still Love Jax Spice for North Indian food, but Mesa is a much closer option location wise for me and the South Indian blend here is extremely unique and light. It's almost like Indian food mixed with a little bit of Florida - you have fresh seafood, light and flavorful apps, drinks, etc. If you are sensitive to spice, don't let that keep you from visiting. Nothing I ordered was overbearing and you can always tell your server how spicy or not spicy you would like your food as a precaution. I personally like spice so our meal was perfect for us, but we requested the entrees to include some heat. Get the wing appetizer, and the carrot flatbread. Wings were crispy with some mild to medium heat , and the carrot flatbread is a mix of ricotta cheese, lemon, and hot honey - I could easily eat two of those for myself. The fresh fish and rice entree I had was a huge portion. I had enough to take home and eat the next day, and my dessert was not overly sweet - a nice subtle finish to an amazing meal. I'm excited to check out their happy hour from 5-6pm sometime soon, and looking forward to checking out their outdoor patio seating once it starts to cool off here in Jax."

5th Element Indian Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (30)

"5th Element is definitely amazing Indian food and maybe also magic, because I'm already planning my next visit. The new location (I haven't been to the older location!) has great ambiance, and service so good you feel like a VIP. The food we tried : The chicken 65 - perfect amount of heat, flavorful, and honestly, I'm considering ordering lunch tomorrow just to have it again. The chicken 555 was also a hit! The lamb biryani was okay. Lamb is always hit or miss for me personally though, so don't let my opinion stop you if lamb is your thing!The wine was... fine. Nothing to write home about, but who needs fancy wine when the food steals the show?Five stars for the 5th Element. With a menu this good, I'll definitely be back to work my way through the rest of it."

Minerva Indian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (177) • $$

"We really like Minerva! Authentic Indian food that is legitimately spicy (you've been warned) and served with a smile."

Masala Mantra Indian Bistro

★★★★★ 4.7 (215) • $$

"Again. The service and place was exceptional. Started off with a glass of wine and Gobi msnchurian for an appetizer. Best thing about Indian restaurants is that the food is sharable. Anna ordered the butter chicken an I ordered the tandoori shrimp. Both very good. Definitely will be back."

Mumbai Delight FoodTruck

★★★★☆ 3.6 (10)

"Tonight I the pleasure of having the Frankie (wraps) with paneer and the chili sauce and my husband had the tofu with the Szechuan sauce. Both were AMAZING. He even let us try each of the sauces before we ordered because we were so torn. Everything tasted super fresh, full of flavor and just the right amount of heat. The fries were also delicious, seasoned just enough, the perfect compliment to the wraps. You get two wraps per order, plenty for one meal. (I couldn't finish all of mine at once.) We were lucky enough to catch them in Murray Hill outside of Town Beer, hopefully they will be back:)"

Gourmet Garden Indian Resturant

★★★★★ 4.5 (2)

"Great outdoor dining experience at Gourmet Garden Indian Restaurant! The lush greenery creates a relaxing atmosphere. Find food without any frills, perfect for a casual meal. Would recommend for a relaxed dining with a touch of nature! On a corner lot so it away from all the hustle. Give them a try."

Maa Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4 (283) • $$

"Very delish good, the service was quick. I have celiac and there were very delish options for me. I has the chicken vindaloo and some butter chicken. Both very delicious"

Hammock Pizza

★★★★☆ 3.8 (29) • $

"This business has been around for almost a decade - from what I understand - and I just happened to stop in for lottery tickets and (initially) some fountain drinks because it looks like your average convenience store.Then....I smelled PIZZA cooking so I moseyed towards the back and found the other owner/cook/chef and of course, I ordered a few slices of the various flavors offered here. Everything was delicious!!!They have a full menu of pizzas, subs, samosas and more! Look forward to trying more when in the Palm Coast area. Wonderful owners and customer service!"

Namaste

★★★★☆ 3.6 (144) • $$

"I've been craving indian food for a long time and was thrilled to find one in my own backyard. We finally found a chance to try it and were not disappointed! Food is delicious and authentic, service was excellent and polite, and the interior beautifully decorated.I had the tandoori mixed grill which comes with tandoori chicken, chicken kabob, lamb kabob, and shrimp. The flavors were intense and exquisite without being overwhelming.The butter chicken was excellent as well.Rice comes with the meals on the side and is okay.Pro tip: Order the naan. Fresh, flavorful, and utterly delicious. The garlic naan made the perfect savory complement to the main dishes, but the peshwari naan tasted more like a dessert, very satisfying.The mango lassi also comes highly recommended.Bottom line is we will return, and in the near future. So many other dishes to try if we can avoid repeat ordering since the first experience was so delish!"

Jaxspice - Jaxbeach

★★★★☆ 4.2 (432) • $$

"What a great find in Jaxbeach. Just a short block from the ocean. What could be better than delicious Indian food near the beach?My husband and I are here visiting with friends that live in Jacksonville. They recently found this gem and told us about it. We were excited to go try it. When we walked in, we were greeted by Ryan. He seated us and we proceeded to tell him ALL about our food restrictions and preferences. My husband and I are vegan, and our friends eat gluten free and sugar fee. Ryan said:"No Problem"! He immediately made recommendations for each of us and no one was disappointed. The appetizer was out before we knew it. It was hot and crunchy and not at all greasy. We all loved it. For main dishes we tried 4 different entrees. One was tandoori chicken, a chickpea in a yogurt sauce, Baigen bharta, a spinach and tofu dish and an amazing spinach dish. Each was superb. As we were enjoying our food Ryan wanted us to taste one more dish and brought us a different spinach dish with chicken peas. That too was amazing. Once we were done we realized that we would have enough for another meal. Ryan helped us pack it all up and also added more rice so we surely would all have plenty to eat for another meal. Don't miss this great find near the beach. They also have a 2nd location in St John's. Can't wait to visit them there too. The restaurant is large and they do take reservations. You can also book on open table. They also have a full liquor license."

Spice Grill Indian Cuisine

★★★★★ 4.6 (41) • $$

"Hands down THE BEST Indian food in Jax!Since their opening I've ordered weekly via Uber Eats. Due to a shortage of delivery drivers, I just made the trek from Atlantic Beach (approx 35-45 min- trust me it's worth it), and am currently salivating at the table while waiting for my food.Honestly just ask Sara for her recommendations like I did this evening. From the samosas, paneer bites, tikka masala, vindaloo, biryani- you'll be hard pressed to find something you don't love. I'm not even a fan of butter chicken, but I'm obsessed with theirs. Do yourself a favor pop in for a visit. Your taste buds will thank you."

Persis Indian Grill

★★★★★ 4.7 (32)

"Yea... I've got a new favorite Indian take-out joint. Karampodi chicken, chicken vindaloo and some cheese stuffed green chili naan! Persis Indian Grill is the jam. It's always a good sign when an ethnic restaurant is filled with clientele of said ethnicity. Had a small hiccup with an unavailable menu item and they happily swapped it out. Their spice scale ranges from medium to Indian spicy. I ordered it spicy. Flavorful, mouth watering, savory and just enough heat to keep you going back for more. I am beyond satisfied and the price to value is absolutely worth it for such great food. I will happily order again and can't wait to explore more of their menu! Support their franchise. It's seriously good."

Tikka Bowls And Tacos

★★★★★ 4.9 (21)

"Hook, line, and sinker, they got me. I read about their newest location in Mandarin, and stopped in for dinner, without knowing what to expect. Friends that have eaten at the two other locations raved about the food, but Indian and Mexican cuisine? Here we go...Tikka Bowls and Tacos is situated in the space formerly known as Burnt Ends Barbecue along San Jose Blvd. I must say, the eye-catching wall murals are a stunning feature, adding character and flair to the spacious dining room. The counter is set up in the style of Chipotle, where you choose your base, proteins, sauce, and toppings. Bowls, Burritos, Naan Tacos, and Salads are just a few of the items that are offered. Noms: Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice, Paneer, Chicken, Mild Curry Sauce (I'm a spice wimp), Shredded Cheese, and a drizzle of Sour Cream. I found that while the sauce did have a bit of a kick to it, the cool sour cream saved the day and made this bowl a hands down winner.Garlic Naan: GET THIS. The Garlic isn't too overpowering, just the right touch, and the soft, pillowy Naan was neither too light or heavy.Naan Churros: Yup, you read that right, and YES, they were scrumptious. The two gentlemen behind the counter were very patient and accommodating, answering my "first timer" questions like well seasoned pros. If you're in the area, give this location some love and support, it's well worth it!Till next time, my fellow Yeeps, SUPPORT your local eats and businesses, and as always....SYOY!"

The Turmeric Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.4 (84)

"Eating here comes with a clear message: the folks at Turmeric really want you to have a great meal, and they put a lot of work into making that happen.The inside is nice -- lots of warm colors and a pretty water feature in back. I was in on a quiet night and greeted and seated immediately. The kind young man who served me came over quickly with a menu and a carafe of water. I knew from scoping out the menu in advance that I wanted the dal makhani, and I ordered some samosas, too.The samosas were yummy! The outside was nice and crisp, and the filling was seasoned well.The dal was excellent. My server offered different heat levels when he took my order, and I went with a 3 (on a 1-5 scale). I was impressed that it actually had a kick to it! At some places, "medium" tends to mean "a little spicy" instead of...well, medium spicy. This definitely tasted medium spicy to me. The overall spice profile of the dal makhani was excellent, and I liked the spice included in the accompanying rice, too. I also ordered a side of plain naan and loved it -- it was light and fluffy, you could see and taste the very slight char from baking, which is perfect in my book. The serving size was impressive! I had about 1/3 of my rice and 1/2 of my dal leftover, so I'm excited to get a lunch out of it.Despite being full, I was having such a good meal that I decided to try a dessert. I asked my server for a recommendation, and he recommended the gulab jamun immediately. It's one of my favorites, so I went with the suggestion and am so glad I did. It's some of the best gulab jamun I've ever had! It came out super hot and fresh and beautifully garnished. The flavors were right on point, and while I'm not knowledgeable enough about cooking Indian food to know what it was, there was something just different enough about the gulab jamun here that made it stick out above others I've tried.I found the price to be reasonable! $30 for an appetizer, main course with plenty of leftovers, and dessert is a good deal in my book when everything is made with such attention.I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys Indian food, and I'd definitely recommend coming as a group and enjoying it family style, as it's served to be easily enjoyed that way. (But it still worked for me as a solo diner!)"

Taste Of India

★★★★☆ 4.2 (92)

"The restaurant just opened three weeks ago and was packed. My husband ordered lamb and I ordered channa dal with bowls of long grain rice. We also ordered naan, samosas and raita. The curries were well seasoned and cooked for hours to develop complex flavors. I wish I had seen the dessert items or would have ordered them too. I was married to an Indian from Himachal Pradesh and used to cook North Indian food every night for our friends. If you live in north St Johns you can drive down 210 just past Publix instead of Baymeadows. The food is great and the service will improve with more staff."

TIKKA BOWLS AND TACOS

★★★★★ 4.6 (105)

"After a busy morning of shopping at St. John's Town Center, we were in the mood for something "different" for lunch. A quick Yelp search revealed Tikka Bowls and tacos just a few minutes away. It's a quick service place where you order at the counter and then take the food to your table. The resto was clean and smelled wonderfully of Indian spice.We ordered a chicken tikka curry bowl, made with spiced white rice, chopped chicken, and chose to top it with the smoked curry sauce, Chana masala, and tamarind sauce, and the three taco special, prepared on warm naan. Three meat options were available; goat, beef and chicken. It was easy enough to choose one of each. Three sauces were offered; we chose one of each as well. Customized with Mango Pico (pico de gallo with chopped mango), shredded mozzarella cheese, sour cream, fajita veggies, and more of that wonderful tamarind sauce. Grabbed a side of pani puri, and some fountain drinks.The curry bowl was a large portion; big enough so that we didn't finish it. The rice was fluffy (I hate it when the rice is a mushy mess), there was a good proportion of chicken to rice, and the toppings were solid. The tacos were great; the naan was a good way to serve them. If, anything, there was TOO much filling to naan ratio; I had to grab a spoon to scoop off all of the filling that hit the plate as I was eating them. The goat was the standout; tender, unctuous and so delish! The chicken and beef were good choices as well, but the goat was the bomb. The pani puri was a large order; 8 of the semolina shells, served with spiced potatoes, cilantro water and tamarind chutney. My only complaint was that the potato filling was cool; it would have been better a bit warmer.The bill for this feast (including soft drinks) was $35. Highly recommended for an Indian-ish meal in Jacksonville!"

JaxSpice At St Johns

★★★★★ 4.5 (126) • $$

"We came on a Saturday for my dad's birthday lunch. Came at 12:30 and there was barely anyone in there. The food here is great! I love that you can choose your spice level. We tried all kinds of food. I loved the tikka masala and butter chicken. The tandoori was really good too, especially the shrimp. It felt clean inside, which is always a plus. The service was not the best, unfortunately. We were begging for water, the woman had rbf the whole time, made us feel like we were an inconvenience. Again, barely anyone there at the time, so I don't feel like it was warranted. My family also didn't like that there was a bar but they were not able to order a drink. The waitress said they don't serve during lunch. Felt odd."

Masala Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4 (318) • $$

"Clean. Tasty. Quiet. No frills service. *First time in. I arrived at 11am, when they opened - I planned to come on a holiday, so I called the day wrote to make sure they would be open. I was the first customer through the doors. I let the host know I would be partaking in the lunch buffet - party for one. - He was also serving as the waiter. - He seated me & immediately asked my drink order. - I'm pregnant, so I typically only drink water, but I did notice an alcohol menu on the table for those patrons who are indulging. On my first go, I grabbed a plate at the buffet and tried just about everything (except the soup & the 2 rice dishes). I noticed about 1/2 the dishes were still like warm (they probably just turned their chaffing dishes on just before they opened). - something to note, if you prefer a hot meal. - I'm not picky, I come for the flavor. I discovered my favorite dishes for the day, and went back for 2nds, and even 3rds. I loved that they had 3 different dessert options to chose from, typically it's just one dessert on the table when I've gone to other Indian buffets. I spend about $19 before tip. A little expensive for some buffets I've been to in the past, but then again... inflation ‍The food was of good quality but the tandoori chicken didn't taste as fresh as some I've had."

Aha Curry Point

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (5)

"Newly opened Indian restaurant in Baymeadows Place Plaza. Casual atmosphere with plenty of seating. For lunch, we ordered the Konaseema Chicken Fry and Telnagana Goat Pulusu (goat curry). They're medium-spiced and flavorful, but a little pricey. Not enough meat and mostly bone/fat on the goat curry on our order. I only ate a couple of pieces. Definitely not worth the price they charged for mostly liquid curry. Don't give me wrong, food was very good, but we walked out still a little hungry. Note: We ended up getting coffee and tiramisu at The Coffee Grinder and a sausage dog at Freshfield Farm afterwards."

5th Element

★★★★☆ 4.1 (526) • $$

"I have been to many Indian Buffets all over the world. The thing that stood out the most was the description of the dish and the time it was placed on the serving line. Service even though it was a Buffet was very good and the Buffet line was monitored and attended to. Price point was very affordable, every dish had its own WOW factor given the exotic spices that many people met not be familiar with. This is adventure for those who may be trying Indian food for the first time. Price was spot on for a buffet and does not include soft drinks but does include sweets and hot tea. Clean an also a full bar. Sorry I didn't post photos of the food, but didn't want butcher the names. Go and try it for yourself, firstimer or old hand."

Kofta & Spice

★★★★★ 4.9 (15)

"I tried this truck tonight after reviewing that all of the ratings so far on Yelp are five stars, so my expectations were high.First my order was wrong, I ordeded the falafel wrap with a side salad and got fries instead. However i was pleased with the fries, they were seasoned really well and still crispy. My falafel was cold, i was expecting it to be warm, like fresh out of the fryer, it definitely wasn't. My husband was happy with his gyro wrap and fries.We also tried the samosa, which was tasty and served hot.Lastly we ordered chicken fingers for my son, they were good for frozen tenders (we got three) but for $12, the price point was off."