This was one of the best restaurants I've been too, if not the best Indian restaurant. The Palack Paneer was easily the best I've ever had. It was cooked perfectly with just the right amount of spices of onions. My girlfriend ordered the tandoori chicken and the meat just fell off the bone it was so tender. So we have established that the food is amazing; The service was equally as impressive. We shared a bottle of wine and not a single glass of water or wine went empty before someone came by to refill them. Overall we had a great experience. The interior of the restaurant was very well appointed, exceptionally clean (Even the A/C vents on the ceiling had no dust on them) and the seating was very comfortable. The prices were much cheaper than I expected for such a nice restaurant so we were very pleased all around.
(5)
Michelle R.
It was very good. I'm a huge fan of Indian cuisine, so I'm always checking out new Indian places whenever I go. And the hotter the better. Don't be scared of the outward appearance, once you walk inside it's a lot nicer. The food is excellent and the service is very good. They have about four different naan breads you can order. I tried the garlic naan and it was tasty. My friend had the onion naan and that looked really good. I also had the lamb vindaloo and asked for it spicy. When it came it was the perfect amount of heat and the lamb was so tender you could cut it with a fork. It's a must try.
(4)
Jane S.
4.5 overall stars??? Maybe I came on an off night, but I don't see what the fuss is about. We were in the area during our recent Orlando vacation and decided to come here based on Yelp reviews. First and foremost, the food was good. The garlic naan and my go-to Palak Paneer was pretty solid. What drops my rating down to 3 stars was the subpar, almost nonexistent service and the mango lassi that was on the cusp of expiration (yogurt isn't supposed to taste slightly fizzy, is it?!?!). I judge a restaurant based on overall experience, and I didn't leave Tamarind all that impressed. I guess I would go back if I happened to be back in the immediate area and had an intense craving for Indian cuisine, but I'd probably check out the other Orlando Indian restaurants first.
(3)
Mike P.
My BFF just flew in from Ethiopia and he wanted to come here for dinner so we made it a family outing. As usual the food was delicious and the service was great. I had the Manchow Soup and for you spicy food lovers, this is the soup for you! I followed up with the Lamb Boti Kabob with a side of red curry and some butter Naan. All I know is they forced me to eat EVERY LAST BITE of food... OK I did it willingly because it was simply delicious. Normally I write some very long winded reviews EXCEPT when it is a family outing, I keep it brief out of respect for the rest of the family. Now that my BFF is back in town, I will be taking him to some of the hidden gems I have already found and we will explore some new ones together! I will admit I am glad he waned to come here because the whole family loves this place as much as we do! If you have not been here, you have no idea what you are missing!
(5)
R P.
Wow. Unassuming, well priced, outstanding flavors, very good service and a consistently interesting wait staff. We've visited for an early dinner many times over the last year. I really like that each part of an item has its own distinct flavor. Meat separate from gravy/curry separate from included vegetables. Just is not always the case at many restaurants. A menu item can all taste the same. Its really the difference between a choir all trying to hit the same note in the same octave vs. each of four groups hitting the same note in their preferred octave. When it happens you know it. The wait staff is happy to help and well versed in the menu. So when i say i'm thinking about the chicken curry and maybe also the eggplant the waiter is nice enough to first ask if Im familiar with indian food and then after he accessed my experience he then suggests other similar less well known (to me) choices that may introduce me to new flavors. After the appetizer course the waiter and I start talking a little. He asks me if i have ever been to india. I say no and ask if he has. He said he had grown up there . So i ask if there is something he misses from his childhood. Then I get to hear a very nice story about where he grew up and the places he and his brother played as children. He is a graduate UCF student and very well educated. Typical of all of the wait staff we have met here. Food check check Service check Ambiance check Value check
(5)
Jamieson R.
Good Indian food. Memories of India in Lake Mary is still my favorite, but this side of town, this is the best Indian food I've eaten (outside of my friend's house that is). The service was prompt and attentive. Prices are on par with my expectations ($15 for lamb dishes, $8-$10 for dosa, $2-3 for naan.) My only criticism is the food was not as flavorful as I'm used to. If you like Indian, you should try this out.
(4)
Jennifer W.
My husband and I went Sunday for lunch. We each had the buffet and iced tea for a total of $27.05 before tip which we found fair enough. The service was good; plates were cleared fast and tea was refilled when necessary. There was plenty of food choices for both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. I had the butter chicken, chicken tandoori, a spicy broccoli dish, a spicy cabbage dish, rice, and an assortment of sauces. Everything was flavorful. I think f I was to go again I would order off the menu instead of eating off the buffet. I don't believe a buffet showcases the true talents of the restaurant. All in all a pleasant enough experience.
(3)
Kishore D.
The food is okay. Especially when you are at UCF and starving for Indian food. It is not that great taste but just good enough to revive Indian cuisines. Don't expect warming welcome from them if you're brown skinned. That's typically how Indians in U.S. are. **PS: this review is from an Indian.
(3)
Meghal P.
Best tasting indian food in east orlando. Prices are decent for the location. Good service, always courteous servers. Very good for carry out n doorstepdelivery. Try their tandoor section. Ambience not 100% to the prices, but i guess thats because they are crowded always.. lunch buffet for 9.99 is value for your bucks.
(5)
J C.
Every dish on the lunch buffet was awesome. Get there early or you will stand in line.
(4)
Alden K.
We were originally going to go to Bosphouros but it's far and my wife ate Turkish for lunch. So we decided to try Indian. We usually cook Indian at home because it's not easy finding good Indian food in Orlando. We went there with friends who frequently eat Indian food in Lake Mary. My wife loved the lamb and liked it more than any other Indian food in Orlando. I had the butter chicken and it was almost as good as the stuff I make at home. I had the butter naan and it was good, buy my wife really liked the onion naan. My friend found his lamb to be not complex enough in flavor. He also mentioned that his favorite spot in Lake Mary was spicier. His wife said the food was equally as good as the Indian she normally eats in Lake Mary. All in all, I liked it a lot. It's about average, but better than anything else I've tried here in Central Florida. If you live on the east side, it's not worth driving anywhere else. Stay here and enjoy good Indian food. I have to go back and try the buffet. But the dinner portion was really all I could eat anyway. The dinner prices are decent, though I don't like spending so much on food I can easily make at home. I will update this review when I do the buffet. Thanks for reading.
(3)
Lydia C.
Delicious food and great service! I had dinner here recently with my husband and was really impressed with all of the food I ordered. We started with some king fisher beer and samosas. Samosas are one of my favorite Indian appetizers. Crunchy, flaky pastry stuffed with seasoned potatoes and peas. One order comes with 2 samosas so perfect for splitting with someone. For our entrees, we split the palak paneer which is my favorite vegetarian Indian dish! Palak paneer is Indian fresh cheese (paneer) cooked in a spinach based gravy. It is so rich and flavorful. We also ordered the lamb vindaloo. Let me warn you (and the server warned us) this dish is spicy! They make a mild version for the lunch buffet but the one you order off the menu is hot! Of course these dishes come with a side of white rice and we also ordered a side of garlic naan. We feasted and had plenty of leftovers to take home. At the end of the meal, the server brought out a complimentary dessert, an order of rasmalai. Rasmalai reminds me of the Spanish dish tres leches. It's a creamy ball of paneer soaked in cream and flavored with cardamom. Perfect to cool off since my mouth was on fire! I love this place and will be back soon!
(5)
Kayla N.
The foods here are very good. I love Indian food and enjoyed it. Came in 20 minutes before they close and they are very nice. Ordered the chicken 65 which tasted fine but big for appetizer so I was only able to eat a quarter of it. The person recommended a lamb curry dish with tomato and coconut based gravy. It's delicious and the lamb chunks were tender. Their plain basmati rice was good too. Everything came out hot and tasted fresh.
(5)
Maria B.
By far the most delicious Indian food I have had in a long time. This restaurant beats Gateway to India and Mogul Indian Cuisine cannot compare. I loved the environment inside the restaurant so clean, super friendly staff.Their Chicken Briyani was amazing! Chicken Tikka Masala was to die for. Everything was just awesome. The bread brought fresh to your table. My glass was never empty. Just an amazing experience. This is officially my favorite place to eat.
(5)
Joe S.
This is an excellent Indian restaurant not too far from us. My fiance and I have eaten here a number of times and we both love it. The lunch buffet can't be beat if you want to give Indian Food a try and have no idea what to order. (Hint, if you don't know what to get, order the Chicken Tikka Masala and Naan). The Tandoori Chicken is also a safe bet. It's bright red and not overly spicy. I like it with some of that white yogurt sauce on it. Speaking of sauces, the Lunch Buffet has the tamarind sauce, yogurt sauce, and a few chutneys as well. It's another good way to sample the flavors without committing to ordering a whole dish that you might not like (let's be honest, not everyone likes everything you do). It seems as if the lunch buffet items don't change all that much, so I wouldn't hit it every couple of days. For Dinner, we have ordered the Chicken Haryali Tikka which was absolute delicious after the smoke cleared from the table. My fiance loves the Malai Kofta which are some type of vegetable balls in a really delicious sauce. I like the sauce a lot, but the texture of the balls isn't my thing (or maybe I just like meat in my balls). We had a few of the Paneer dishes which is cubes of cheese in different sauces. The spicy one was pretty spicy, and they're pretty good about returning to refill the water glasses (they wouldn't let me put the straw right in the pitcher). Tandoori Chicken Wings are also good and have a nice spice to them. If it's a cold day (which I guess is like 70 degrees), the Lentil Soup will warm you up nicely! Naan with dinner can get costly if you're a bread lover. I definitely recommend this place if you're in the area. The staff is always super friendly and attentive. Our friends from a half-hour away usually request we meet there if they're in the area. I plan on trying some of the Vindaloo dishes on the next trip.
(4)
Joe C.
It's kind of funny - when I previously reviewed Cypriana Cafe, which used to occupy this space, I mentioned that it felt like a repurposed restaurant. It just felt like it was sort of missing its own identity. Tamarind feels exactly the same. Now, instead of murals of Greek temples, there are murals of Indian palaces. But that's just ambiance - let's discuss what really matters. Like most Indian restaurants, Tamarind offers a lunch buffet. Looking at their offerings online, it seemed like a pretty standard selection. We chose to visit for dinner instead. Our dinners were amazing. We ordered the Lamb Roganjosh, and the Palak Paneer, with an extra side of Garlic Naan. Both of our dishes could easily be turned into two meals if you want to (my wife did). The Naan was a little crispier than most other places serve it, but it was still really good. Service here was excellent. The staff was attentive, helpful, and friendly. If I had any complaint, it was that the Garlic Naan felt a bit overpriced for the amount you get. Our entrees, however, were fairly priced.
(5)
Erika E.
This is my favorite restaurant in Orlando. By far. It's the best-tasting Indian food I have ever had. The butter chicken, samosas, naan, rice...all to die for. I can't get enough of this place. It's a bit pricey, but worth every penny.
(5)
Tony T.
Man.. Nothing was absolutely deal breaker to not come back if I'm starving but there were too many fails. Start with 4 stars because the food was solid. Not great but definitely good. Knock off 1 for two mango lassis being turned bad fermented and the third taking a while longer to come out but tasting right. They apologized and said the two were from an older batch that was in a different fridge..? Ok, still a fail. Lose another star for the nonexistent service and absolutely terrible tasting water. Honestly would I give it another chance? If I lived here, probably not until I'd tried every other Indian place and discovered this was average for the area. This was our first dining together in Orlando and so far you guys are going for striking out on the food scene.
(2)
tiffany w.
The best Indian in town. Enough said.
(5)
Paul D.
Very good food and even better service! definitely worth a try! we will return
(4)
Tracey F.
We went for dinner on Friday night and had a really nice meal. We were greeted and seated as soon as we arrived. We had an amazing samosa tiki appetizer. Came with 3 sauces that were all very good. My husband thought it was like Indian nachos which was a pretty good description . I ordered tandoori chicken with a side of red curry sauce. Very nice but not as spicy as I usually get. Hubby ordered lamb something that was very good. He ordered his mild but it was a little too spicy for him so I ate most of it. The food was good and a generous portion. We had plenty to take home. The server was nice and answered any questions my hubby asked. Nice change from all the chain places over here. None of the lights were on in the parking light and it's behind construction so it's not well marked.
(4)
Enit S.
This review is for their lunch buffet. Tamarind is a wonderful addition to the East Orlando area. If I'm not mistaken, lunch buffet is $8.95 and in addition to the choices at the buffet, they also have naan bread brought to the table. I'm usually the person who will steer clear of buffet's but I could definitely see myself coming here again because it's only a few key items that are constantly being refilled and not just left sitting there. The clear winner for me was their tandori chicken, extremely flavorful. Their chicken briahni rice was also very good. Can't go wrong here if you're craving Indian.
(4)
Heidi A.
Awesome Indian food and it never disappoints! Samosas are wondefully spiced and fried just right. The naan is perfect. The staff is always willing to accommodate special requests (chicken instead of cheese in the palak paneer for example). I rarely give 5 stars, but I could actually find nothing to improve upon in this place. It has an unassuming exterior, but the interior is nicely decorated, clean, and the buffet has so many choices if you luck out and are there for lunch. You will always leave stuffed and feel like you got a good deal. I cook my own Indian food and don't get out to eat much, but when I do, this is one of the places I want to go!
(5)
Jeff K.
I live on the east side of Orlando, and while subsequent to the loss of Mama Millie's due to the destruction of the UC7 plaza I was able to wipe away the tears of loss with a big piece of jerk chicken at Mark's, I had never found a suitable replacement for Indian cuisine on this side of town when Anmol suffered the same fate. So it was an uplifting moment when I saw that Tamarind had risen from the ashes of Cypriana (a sad loss in itself, if only for the skordalia -- find a better one in town, I dare you). Great, finally an Indian restaurant not far away! They've done a great job remodeling the interior into something more comfortable and attractive than in its previous life. It's much more clean and inviting. The service was quick and friendly, and I was well attended to throughout my visit. I ordered the Lamb Korma and the Chicken Hyderabadi for my wife and I to share, along with an order of the Garlic Naan. The Lamb Korma (ordered with a medium spice level) was my favorite, although both dishes were delicious, aromatic and flavorful. While the korma was creamy with just a touch of sweetness to balance the added spice, the hyderabadi was a curry-based dish with a real kick. Both are served with rice. The Garlic Naan was the only weakness -- definitely tasty, but two pieces for $3.50 seems a little high. Based on my first experience, I'd have a really hard time finding any fault with the place. Great experience all around. I'm interested in trying the lunch buffet soon. Update (4/11/2014) : I've tried the lunch buffet now, which at $8.95 is a really good value. It's a larger size buffet, with a good selection of menu items to try. Included in the price is free naan at the table, which will keep coming as long as you want it to. I won't be doing it often because I just can't help myself when I do. And I'm trying to LOSE weight, not gain it!
(5)
Frank L.
I have to say, look out Moghul, you have some competition. As Ricky stated this is the old Cypriana Greek restaurant building, but they actually did a pretty good job on "Indianising" it. We arrived at 11:30, and it wasn't supper busy, but by 12 the line was huge! For $8.95, you get a really good selection of fresh, hot buffet items such as chicken tandoori, tikka masala and some spinach dish, as well as some salads, chutney's and Naan. The service is impeccable, I didn't have to ask for my water to be refilled once. Another thing to note is that they had lamb on the buffet. Hopefully different menu items will last as time goes. I will certainly be back!
(4)
Mel R.
Went for the lunch buffet after church on a Sunday. The customer service was excellent and management payed great attention to detail. The buffet was $11 and had a good variety of food. Menu items seemed to be around $12-$17 for entrees. Both food and customer service were good here. I wouldn't make it a point to drive directly there to dine in but I would go again if I were in the area.
(4)
Jeff N.
Love this place. Really delicious food here. The buffet is really good to with high quality food. Was so stuffed. For side dishes try the tikki chat or the tikka paneer. Both very tasty! One of the best Indian restaurants in Orlando
(5)
Samuel O.
We were happy to see Tamarind branch out over here from their west side location in Winter Park. I would regularly make the drive all the way across town to eat at the west location. I still think the food at the west location is better, but with that said, there is nothing wrong with the east location. You get larger portions, especially on carry-out, at the west location and the food is just richer and tastier. The best value at Tamarind is the lunch buffet, but keep in mind, the restaurant is always packed that time of day. I'm glad to see that Tamarind is doing well. The east side desperately needed this. I would definitely recommend Tamarind.
(4)
Kady W.
I went here for a dinner service on a Friday night and it was fine. Our server was shy and very timid so he didn't take our order. Another gentlemen approached us and asked what we wanted. I think he was uninterested or distracted because he kept rushing each person as they ordered. Seriously, CHILL OUT! Your restaurant is half empty and it's 2 hours before closing. What's your deal man? FYI, It's really annoying when you rush someone to order, don't write down what they want, and then forget items. Anyway, our group ordered: Tandoori wings- Spiced meaty wings with citrus tang Samosa Chat - Chopped up samosa with various toppings. This app could of been an entree on it's own. Chicken Tikka Masala Lamb Vindaloo Palak Paneer Lamb Biryani All the dishes were delicious and served piping hot. Luckily my table was dining family style as the entrees came out at varying times. There's no doubt that the food here is great, but I need to be in a positive mood before I can come back to their service.
(3)
Jon D.
Fantastic place to eat. I recently had The pleasure of finding this little gem as I was driving home and absolutely starving. My wife and I shared three different dishes including the vegetable samosas and the cheese naan bread. The food was prepared perfectly, not too spicy and absolutely delicious. The service was very good, our waiter was very attentive kept our water glasses full and checked on us several times to see how we were doing. Everything a restaurant should be, tasty food, reasonable prices, and good service. You really can't go wrong here.
(5)
Karl P.
So far I've only had the buffet at lunch time during the week and it has become one of my favorite places for lunch. The naan bread is served warm and is always good. My favorites are the Chicken dishes Tandoori and Biryani and the buffet has considerable variety of dishes to choose from. The service and atmosphere is great. You really have to try the Lassi!
(5)
Simon A.
Wholly Cow You Ever Seen A Place For Awhile & Thought Maybe Need To Check It Out Then When You Finally Go & You're Like What Took Me So Long?! Well That Day Just Happened For Me & A Good Friend At Little Tucked Away Spot On East Colonial Hwy Next To Wawa & OMG What A Treat of All My Favorite Indian Cuisines Experienced In 1 Sitting! Judging By The Crowd Of People No Doubt Regulars Who've Known For A Long Time This Is The Place To Go When The Indian Food Mood Hits #BonAppetit
(5)
Shreya T.
This is one of our favorite places! We go there every weekend for the delicious lunch buffet. I am a vegetarian and my husband is not so we enjoy the wide selection and variety that suits both of us. The staff is always smiling and happy to serve you. We love Tamarind and look forward to our next visit :)
(5)
Poorva N.
Let me start with their lunch buffet, its varied & refilled religiously, there are always the staples like Tikka Masala & some new and interesting vegetarian options as well. All in all a great deal in this part of Orlando for $8.99. Have tried their a la carte menu options as well and they are equally delicious. Will definitely revisit this restaurant because above all, the service is exemplary whenever i've been there.
(4)
Cathryn G.
Oh Yelp! You steered me wrong! I came here for the lunch buffet after reading all of these great reviews and I was majorly disappointed! First, I got there at 12:20. The place was packed. I was stoked. Must be good. It was so crowded I had to sit at the bar. Problem number one. It's not a real bar! It's just a counter. If you put your legs in front of you you hit a wall and are very far from the counter. So I had to sit with my legs spread to get anywhere near the counter! What's worse is while I was in line at the buffet someone took my spot at the counter and so I had to move. I ended up by the register so everyone and their brother is hovering over me trying to pay while I am trying to eat. Next, I got in line for the buffet. What a line!Took 8 min for me to get to food. They had mango ice cream, oranges, several chutneys on the cold bar. On the hot bar there was rice which I was scraping the bottom of both times I went up. There was vegetable curry. Paneer, chicken biryani, tandoori chicken, and goat. I felt like compared to all the places I've been this selection was limited. The Indian buffet options on I drive alone put this place to shame! The only thing I was eating here was tandoori chicken. Where was my lamb dish? The tandoori chicken was fine. It wasn't bad, but not great either. I've never been to an Indian restaurant and not drank at least two glasses of water. Indian food in my experience is spicy and I like that! I drank half a glass of water. Not remotely spicy. The ice cream was also no good. It had been frozen, thawed, and frozen again. It was filled with ice crystals. All I can figure is that the east side is starved for good Indian restaurants and people have not experienced the glorious options on the southwest side. Worst Indian restaurant I've ever been to! I gave it 2 stars instead of one because my service was good and the chicken was all white meat.
(2)
Ho L.
I am not a big eater of Indian food, but when I heard how good this new Tamarind location was, I decided to give it a try. The $8.95 lunch buffet is quite good, offering a wide variety of meat and vegetarian dishes. Some of the items I couldn't quite make out at first, but everything tasted very good. Especially when eaten along with the all-you-can-eat naan bread.
(4)
Eric P.
The East Orlando/UCF area desperately needed a good Indian place, especially with a buffet. Tamarind fills this void perfectly. Great lunch buffet selection and everything tastes fantastic. It's reasonable authentic --lots of interesting tastes and spices here. I personally like it, but there are plenty of non-spicy options if that's not your thing. Service is generally attentive and polite. They do their best to keep the buffet filled, which is tough because everything goes fast once people get eating! My company recently did a catered lunch through Tamarind as well. Everything came out well and we had excellent service to help load the car. The portions were plentiful, especially the naan bread. Good food, good value, good service, good location. Nothing to complain about here.
(5)
Carmen A.
Love this place. The food is always fresh, flavorful and delicious. My family and I love coming here at least a couple times a month.
(5)
Uyen D.
So glad there is an Indian place by my house now to fulfill my cravings of butter chicken and naan! I decided to stop by and do a buffet to go, luckily they don't do it by pound but rather 1 price and I get two small boxes, 2 containers and naan! I think I will be eating this for the next week or so, there is so much food haha. Everything tastes very good, the butter chicken could use a little more seasoning, but the tandoori chicken is yummy! overall, it's a beautiful restaurant with delicious food :)
(4)
Sheryl H.
Good food. I usually like the goat in any Indian buffet the most. However, the fresh bread and great spinach really took me by surprise. Very fresh, totally awesome. Also the grill chicken is tender and fresh. Definitely 5 star taste. I would have given 3 stars because they told me they would stop let in customer when I asked whether they would stop the buffet at 2:30 or just stop letting in customers, while in fact they stopped the buffet at 2:30. I panicked a little and got extra food when they announced the buffet is closing down and then later on all other customers are gone and I feel uncomfortable eating in an empty restaurant. So I asked the manager whether I can take my food with me and he was very nice about it. So that kinda balanced out the untruthful answer to my question. The one star was knocked off because of the limited selection. They have 10 warm food selection including 2 rice and a small salad bar. A little surprised they don't have the fried puffy bread. With good and not so good being said, overall it's a great neighborhood place for Indian food and we will come back and I hope next time I'll be able to give it a five star review because I really want to see good Indian food restaurant thrive.
(4)
Tu D.
4 words: All you can eat Naan!!!! Came in on Saturday to try the new tamarind Indian restaurant which took over old location of the Greek restaurant Cypriana. We came in and were greeted and taken to our table. Server asked if we would like to eat the lunch buffet or order off the menu...I didn't hear the second part bc she had me a buffet. Buffet selections ranges from classics to tiki masala and samosas to lamb curry and my fav Briyani. All in all it costs us about 10$ pp for the buffet so pretty cheap for Indian food. Oh did I also mention UNLIMITED NAAN to scrap your plate clean!
(4)
David H.
Came for the lunch buffet... when we arrived they were not open and it was already ten minutes past their open time... man I was hungry. Something was wrong with their buffet line, so no big deal. Decent selection of items on their buffet. Seems like they also cater to the vegetarians, as there were a few veggie only dishes. I had the tikka masala, some fish curry dish, and tandoori chicken. For what you pay for lunch, the selection was well worth the price and they bring out naan to your table. The tikka masala was especially flavorful and was great over the rice and dipping for the naan.
(4)
Jocey F.
I've been here twice in the span of 12 hours. I am hooked! I first went for dinner with my boyfriend. The waiter was very pleasant and helpful. I said I wanted something delicious and spicy and he recommended just the thing! I had a feeling this place would be good, but I knew it was really good when my picky eater boyfriend tried my dish first and exclaimed "Wow, that is REALLY good!" I ordered the Chicken Hyderabadi which comes with rice. He had Chicken tikka Masala. I think both dishes were freaking delicious! I also ordered a side of Aloo Paratha, naan stuffed with spicy mashed potatoes. I first tried this when I was living in abroad and loved it. This place made it even better than I remember! I also had some hot chai tea that was super spicy/herby and full of goodness. The service was a bit slow, but our waiter came over and apologized profusely letting us know they had two big groups on the other side that had ordered before us. He was so apologetic I really didn't mind. We left very full and happy with promises to return soon. When making that promise I didn't realize just how soon I would return.... So the lunch buffet. After ranting and raving to my coworkers about this magical place they were too excited not to go for lunch. When they asked if it was ok (because I JUST ate there the night before) I immediately responded "Of course it's ok!" (maybe I'm becoming obsessed? I'm ok with that!). Their lunch buffet is $8.95. When we got there it was already starting to get full, once we got in line for the buffet everrrryyyyone came in! It was a little warm inside the building, but not awful. The buffet had plenty to choose from (a delicious goat curry!). The servers immediately remembered me from the night before and were super friendly. They had little bowls for the soup and different little salads and sauces. I am more than pleased with their lunch options and we got a ton of naan! I will return here, but maybe I will wait a week (or not!). I would definitely give this place a try!!
(5)
Aya L.
Went dinner tonight. Very good food and service. I am glad I find Indian restaurant this good.
(5)
Nicole T.
Just dined at Tamarind -UCF. I absolutely love this place. First off, the waiters are great at helping you make selections. Our waiter, Anand, helped us select the Goan Shrimp and the Lamb Xcuti. Both were incredibly delish. For dessert, we had the Mango ice cream which I also highly recommend. If you like flavors that make your mouth sing, this is the place for you.
(5)
Ricky L.
May be one of my new favorite Indian places in town... I dropped by this week for lunch for their lunch buffet ($8.95) that goes on till 3:00pm. No I did not stay till 3:00 pm but I would have if I didn't have any self restraint... Anyways this is actually a sister restaurant to Tamarind in Winter Park, same owners as that one. The owners also own Bombay Cafe and Aashirwad near Kirkman, so you can be sure this restaurant has some tried and true practices when it comes to Indian food. On my visit, the buffet had some truly tasty choices: from savory dishes like tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala (or butter chicken as it's known in some parts), and goat biryani to veggie options like the aloo mutta with potatos and peas and the gobi manchurian (a kind of Chinese influenced sweet and sour veggie stirfry mix). Overall, a varied and satisfying selection that day, which will change daily. For dessert, I had a nice, sweet mango kulfi ice cream. One thing I was struck about the place was the remarkably good service I had here. The waiters were friendly and accommodating and all in all very sincere which is a breath of fresh air when compared to most other Indian restaurants that I've been to. I hope to return for dinner to try their dosas and other dishes soon! The restaurant is in the former location of Cypriana Greek, and several other restaurants before that, so hopefully they will do well. Very happy to have a proper Indian restaurant on the East side of Orlando again!
(4)
Heather P.
Great Indian food and great service. The location is a tad difficult to reach because the restaurant is not connected to the Publix parking lot. I came here for dinner with my family on Christmas Eve. The place was very clean and we were seated immediately. The servers were very nice and made a great recommendation to my mother as to what entree she should order. My dad got the lamb vindaloo (excellent and very spicy), my sister got some entree with okra that she really liked (vegetarian), my mom really liked what she ordered, and I had Tikka Masala (excellent, I ordered it very spicy and they delivered). We also shared a large thin bread dish with a potato filing (Dosa, I believe). It was really good. We also got garlic naan bread. Caution: the garlic naan has cilantro cooked into it. I don't care for cilantro and asked for my food to not have any. Otherwise, I think all the food has some. Overall, this is a great restaurant and I highly recommend it.
(5)
Jessica W.
This place is delicious! I've only been out for Indian once and was disappointed. This is the way to go bc it's buffet style so anyone intimidated by Indian can try what they want, but I really liked everything. The service was great also very accommodating and kind.
(5)
Maria P.
A lunch buffet is a good place to have a friend become familiar with Indian food. This buffet was a very good choice. Everything was delicious, the Chicken Tiki Masal, Chicken Biryani, Paneer with Eggplant, couldn't say what was best! All were well seasoned. The atmosphere and decor were welcoming. A great deal from all aspects!
(4)
Alan J.
Really attentive service and terrific food. Loved the tandoori chicken and the garlic naan.
(4)
Dean L.
I'm a big fan of Indian food and always use my "chicken tikka masala test" when visiting a new restaurant since I cook that meal myself at home and I can tell how much effort they put in through this dish. I went at lunchtime and tried the buffet - I went a little late - 2:10pm - and they close at 2:30pm according to the door, not 3pm as stated elsewhere. There was still a good selection of dishes available (veggie and non-veggie) and while they had clearly been out a little while they weren't dried out. The chicken tikka masala was very good - rich sauce, right level of spice (good kick but not overwhelming) and you could taste multiple flavors in each mouthful. The chicken itself was good quality white meat - and while it didn't look like it had been grilled authentically using skewers it tasted great so I'll forgive this. Basmati rice was tasty, again not noticeably dried-out given the buffet time. I tried the potatoes and they were perfect - soft but not mushy. Service was good - naan bread came out to my table right away and my drink order arrived promptly. Given this was the buffet and not a la carte (buffets are often more quantity versus quality) the food was excellent. Price was reasonable for buffet. In summary - the buffet had a good selection of dishes all with intense flavors, and the restaurant had good service. Definitely recommended.
(5)
Chrissa B.
I was really craving Indian food on weekend - and went on yelp to find anything nearby. The restaurant area was small, but nice. We found out while we were there that they also served a buffet (which we later tried and was delicious!). The service was prompt, and the food was awesome! Definitely a must try if you like Indian food!
(5)
Douglas B.
Absolutely excellent! We came in on a busy Saturday night, and were immediately greeted. Moments later, we were sat and promptly served water, papadum and sauces. We ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma and Lamb Vindaloo, as well as the requisite naan. All was delicious and devoured. We also enjoyed the sweet lassi, which had a pleasantly surprising rose water accent. We finished our exceptionally well-paced meal with the rice pudding and mango lassi. I highly recommend this establishment for its wonderful food and service. I look forward to reprising this meal next week!
(4)
Danny T.
The brilliant minds behind Aashirwad Restaurant (down in the Universal area) opened up Tamarind (out by UCF) and it's just as good. Went for their lunch buffet today and it was a riot. Lots to choose from be you carnivore or herbivore. Tikka masala, tandoori chicken, lentils, paneer, potatoes, assorted sauces and salads. it's all here and it's all bountiful with the colors and flavors premium Indian food should beholden unto you, thine eater. We arrived a little after 11:30 on a work day and it was empty...so we got to carefully craft our dishes exactly the way we wanted. With no buffet line bullies urging us on, we were afforded the time and patience one needs to ponder over the numerous fresh selections, choosing those who would come back to the table with us. Fast forward to check time and it was a different story. By 12:30 the queue was at least 15 people deep and the tables were filling up fast. I regret not getting a bowl of their mango ice cream (had it at Aashirwad, delish) but wasn't going to wait for just a few bites. Next time my pretty. Next time.
(4)
Sandy B.
Enjoyed the lunch buffet today. Wow great selection. Chicken tikki. Vegetable korma, etc. I have to acknowledge the courteous staff members who helped me select the milder options. To keep me happy I was offered and provided a bowl of curd to help me lower the heat. This Tamarind is located on a busy Colonial and Woodbury intersection. Do not let the construction stop you from going to enjoy all of the fabulous food. Delicious. Today was my third time at the restaurant. Lots of options - spicy to mild. Please enjoy and give them your business.
(5)
Lian T.
Lunch buffet had a good selection and really delicious food. Waiter was very attentive and helpful. I've been missing a solid Indian lunch buffet in the ucf area for years so I'm glad I found just that!
(5)
Leyla L.
Food was AMAZING. Great prices, incredible flavor, just wow. The service was good, but a little overbearing. Not sure if it was because we went a little late, but it seemed as though they were hovering over us. The prices were really good for what you got. Not cheap, but a good price for good food. The only complaint I have is that the booths were a little uncomfortable with short benches and tall tables (my boyfriend is a 6'1" 250lb bodybuilder and he didn't have much room to breathe or move) and the music was very quiet (which made it all a bit awkward since there weren't many people there... felt a bit like we were eating in a library and had to be quiet). Also, the wine was a bit expensive for what they serve and there was dust in my red when it came to the table (maybe the glass had been sitting for a while or maybe they had dried it with a linty towel?). All in all, I will definitely go back to give the atmosphere a second chance...if it doesn't seem better, their takeout will be my new best friend.
(4)
Melvin O.
Good food, great atmosphere. I came because this place used to be a Greek restaurant and wanted to see what was happening. From the time I walked in the door I could tell a better flow..better chi if you will. I had the buffet and enjoyed it very much. Buffet was standard things to expect such as tandoori chicken, butter chicken etc. I'm very much a service guy and the service was top notch! My glass stayed full and was asked how I was enjoying my meal.
(4)
Marvin M.
Got the buffet. Great value at around $10. Food quality was good. Nicely decorated with a modern Indian motif. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Aileen P.
My boyfriend and I are regulars at Tamarind. Their food and service is just delightful! The restaurant has great decor and very clean feeling. The staff is always on their game refilling and bringing extra naan. They always have a smile on their faces. The navartan korma (vegetarian dish) was incredible! The naan was super fluffy! We also tried for the first time the mango ice cream and was delicious! You can tell it was fresh and homemade :) If you haven't been here, make sure that changes and stop by!
(5)
Brittany B.
Me and boyfriend's favorite restaurant! Great food and also great service. The people who work there are super sweet!
(5)
Patti M.
The chicken korma was good but a few of the pieces of chicken were a tad gristly. The sauce was not too spicy (so if you are unlike me and like more hear you may not be impressed--but generally kormas are meant to be mild anyway). Our server was nice and kept the ice water coming. I think I will need to come back and check out the lunch buffet.
(3)
Mel H.
Amazing food and customer service! Buffet is the best I have had in Orlando. Everything is authentic and tastes like it came directly from India. Everything on the buffet has it's own flavor and is cooked to perfection. They also have more options than many Indian buffets I have been to, and change it up day to day. Their dinner food is awesome as well. They always bring out papard while you are waiting for your food. Some of my favorites are chicken korma, malai chicken, butter chicken, chicken tikka masala. Always included is rice, but there garlic naan or butter naan is amazing as well. They have excellent chai ( hot masala/ spiced tea) or Kheer ( a Indian type of rice pudding ) if you like something sweet. They are great with kids as I have 3 under 3 and bring them along. They have dealt with a few water spills and have been super sweet about it. Definitely a restaurant I frequent often!
(5)
Kathy H.
This time around was A LOT better =) Servers were very nice and accommodated our request for more of the mango chutney (best one one my opinion). Samosas are the bomb dot com and my dosa came out very crispy this time. Water was chilled and constantly full. I enjoyed this trip much more than my last one.
(5)
Robert H.
First, but certainly not the last, visit - buffet lunch which was an excellent value and variety. Each dish was distinctly seasoned and the whole made a very nice plate. A mango lhassi and ice cream to finish - best Indian meal I've had in Orlando!
(5)
Sara M.
Truth be told, I come here at least once a week for the buffet. I have yet to order off the menu because I love the variety the buffet offers. Plus they serve unlimited fresh naan with the buffet. The staff is super friendly and helpful in case you need further descriptions of the food. My favorites are the masala chicken and tandoori chicken. My previous experience with tandoori chicken has been dry, but Tamarind's chicken is juicy and flavorful. They always have a couple of vegetarian offerings and a dessert option. I am so grateful a great Indian restaurant is finally in my neck of the woods.
(5)
Aa A.
Avoid this restaurant ... Food is very bad ... Not fresh at all ... The rice and chicken are preheated by MR.Microwave ... Come on customers are not stupid ...
(1)
Charchica A.
Nice restaurant... good ambience... Friendly people... Food is very good... I once asked for just choley which was not in their menu but the staff was really courteous to make one from another item.... their veg biryani is among the best....
(4)
Maham S.
I brought my Brazilian friend here to try some Indian cuisine for the first time. She was a bit nervous because of her little tolerance to spicy food. We ended up enjoying it so much ! I recommend their lunch buffet , all the items are refreshed accordingly and it's just the right amount of spice and flavor to satisfy everyone's cravings!
(5)
Mark W.
This place has got it going on. Decided to have a late lunch after a friend ranted and raved about how amazing this new location was. Being close to my house, I figured I'd give it a go. I ordered the Garlic Naan, which was absolutely phenomenal, garlic in the Naan and a light brush of butter. It was so fluffy and warm and delicious. I ordered the Chicken Korma so I would have some saucy goodness for my Naan and it was a very large portion. Huge juicy chunks of chicken braised in their velvety butter coconut milk cream and yogurt sauce. It was divine. I intentionally stopped myself mid meal because I am coo coo for mangos. Their mango ice cream was such a treat. Service - phenomenal. I never had to ask for a refill, the server must have been a mind reader because he knew when to bring me boxes for my leftovers without being pushy or obstrusive. All in all I will definitely be returning to Tamarind, if not for the food, then to just take in the surround smells, sights, amd sounds. Thanks Tamarind!
(5)
Caleb W.
Oh man, so good. Lunch's the best due to the buffet. Everything is delicious. Everyone I've brought here has been so into it. The staff is courteous and the space is cozy. Bummer location, given 50's eternal construction and traffic attack, but golly gosh just go.
(5)
Vedzer B.
Was there for the lunch buffet which was very good and excellent value for money. Will definitely go back.
(5)
Steph B.
Great food; we went for lunch with a group and had the lunch buffet. Great value for less than $10. Our server and the bartender were both very helpful (especially since this was my first visit). I read their menu from their website before going, so I knew what to expect- I highly recommend this if you are eating from the buffet becuase there isn't descriptions, only names of each dish. My favorite was the vegetarian Tadka Dal and the naan was delicious. But really, everything that made it to my place was just great :)
(5)
Chris A.
My family has been here several times and we love it every time. The food is fantastic and the servers are very friendly and will help guide you through the menu that might be intimidating for those who aren't familiar with Indian cuisine. I highly recommend the Butter Chicken, and be sure to get some of their Garlic Naan. The flavor is outrageous and the portions are quite big. Give this place a try and I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Todd P.
Great lunch buffet and it's affordable. Staff is friendly and prompt. My solid for Indian food for sure.
(4)
Vikram J.
Love this place. Great value for quality of food. Really enjoyed there lunch buffet and also Dinner. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Alex B.
Great food, but they put a char on their naan which gives it a little bit of a bitter flavor and isn't as good for dipping in sauces, but it's still delicious. The tandoori chicken is to die for.
(4)
Hallie E.
Delicious food and the best naan I have ever had. Been about 10 times and the service is always great. The Malai Kofta is delicious. The lunch buffet is always fresh and with a great variety of dishes.
(5)
Kevin R.
I love this place! It is very difficult to find good Indian cuisine on this side of Orlando. Always having a friendly and welcoming staff, Tamarind is never a bad decision if you like Indian food. Their lunch buffet is constantly changing, with a new and delicious menu added every few days. My family celebrated Thanksgiving here and had a wonderful time, from appetizer to aperitif. I have brought several co-workers here during the week, and they all agree that this is one of the best places around town. C'est tout bon!
(5)
Daniel S.
Decent Indian food. It's not incredible, but it's the best anywhere near UCF. Recommend their lunch buffet.
(4)
N R.
Very consistent. Have had buffets galore. So it is time to give them a 5 star rating. Well run place. Deshis and pardeshis seem to love this place.. And that per me is difficult to do with ethnic kitchens. Keep it up
(5)
Sophie I.
Wonderful food AND service. We were a group of 3 adults and two kids 3 and under and had a a great experience. Garlic naan always a good.choice!
(5)
A D.
I was not a big fan of Indian food before coming here, but I must say I am now because of Tamarind. Been to both the lunch buffet and the traditional sit down dinner, I'd highly recommend going to the lunch buffet if you're like me and not sure which Indian dish is for you. The food was delicious, the staff was friendly and the pricing for the lunch buffet was more than reasonable. If you haven't been to this place, you need to go asap!!
(5)
James M.
This is the best Indian restaurant in Orlando! From the first time we tried it we were hooked! They have such a great selection. I am vegan and they have so many dishes that I don't get bored. I never tried anything from them I do not like. That is rare for me. The staff is attentive and very friendly; Hussin the manager is really nice and goes out of his way to make sure everything is awesome. The food is amazing! Service is outstanding! We go here at least once a week. They have a nice variety of wine and beer; I highly recommend trying this place out! Thank you all so much!
(5)
Sasha T.
Tamarind is not only the best Indian in Orlando, but some of the best Indian I've eaten in this country. The service is always stellar, the staff is kind, and the food is outstanding. Lunch buffet is $8.95!!! Such a bargain! And, they always have an abundance of vegetarian options. Can I give 4 thumbs up?
(5)
David L.
Heard good thing about this restaurant - my work place's Indian co-workers all ate here for their luncheon, and decided to come over to give it a try. AH!! Finally, an Indian Restaurant that still uses many of the herbs and spices to give the food its multi-layers of complex flavors!! Although I just sampled the lunch buffet, this place is definitely a keeper. I shall return in the future to sample their menu, and try out their Winter Park location with my wife who also love Indian food!!
(4)
Lisa M.
This is a pretty nice restaurant. It doesn't look like much from the outside but the inside is very roomy, classy and kind of intimate. Good food and friendly service. I went for dinner but plan on going back for the lunch buffet so I can try a variety of dishes. I absolutely loved the thin crispy chips they serve with 3 different sauces before your meal. I could have just eaten those and been happy. The butter naan bread was also awesome! I also loved the tandoori chicken wings. They are very flavorful and come out sizzling like the fajitas at Chili's. The mango lassi drink was like a thick mango smoothie. I added a glass of ice to thin it out a bit and it was perfect! I didn't care much for the crepe I ordered. It was a HUGE piece of thin cylinder shaped bread about 18 inches long. Not what I expected and not flavorful. It comes with three small sides. The cauliflower was awesome. The veggie soup and gritty coconut dish weren't that great.
(4)
April C.
Today, I visited here for the second time. It did not disappoint! We had the lunch buffet both times and it was wonderful. Each time it offered a different selection of dishes and desserts that allowed us to try new things. The korma sauce was my favorIte both times! The service was also excellent! It is a great value for delicious food and know that we will regularly be going here for lunch!
(5)
Roberto H.
I can only wish the buffet in this restaurant continues to be great as I love Indian food and I can get to the place in a jiffy
(5)
JM C.
Great little spot! Haven't had a bad dish yet. Tonight we came in for maybe the 5th time and the servers all knew us and welcomed us back. We started with the Paneer Chili and Garlic Naan, both phenomenal. I had the Lamb Xacuti as my entree and was very happy with my choice. We're already looking forward to coming back soon!
(5)
Michelle J.
This is our second time getting takeout from here, so far everything has been beyond delicious! So happy to have a great Indian restaurant in the area!! Will definitely be coming back!
(5)
Asdf A.
This place is very good. Has authentic Indian food from all over India. I was born in India, eat Indian food everyday, and I approve this. :)
(5)
Margaret E.
The wait staff is very helpful and friendly, and I don't ever remember having better Indian food anywhere. Mom ordered Tandoori Chicken, it was perfect and smoky. I ordered Bagara Baigan, some buttered Naan, and we tried the Indian lime soda. It was one of those experiences where you have to close your eyes with the few first bites and just say mmmmmm.
(5)
Johnetta S.
The food is amazing and the staff is splendid. I love the decor and the food came timely and was delicious. We will certainly be back.
(5)
Stephen R.
We've long bemoaned the lack of decent Indian food in East Orlando. Generally when we were in the mood for it we'd have to drive nearly an hour out to Memories of India II in Lake Mary, which has been our go-to place for years. They've got some of the best Indian food in the region, but an hour each way is a bit of a haul for us. Luckily, our prayers were answered when Tamarind opened up on East Colonial last week, just 15 minutes from our house. They'd opened less than 24 hours before we walked in, but both the food and service were spot on. The biryani and eggplant were both delicious, some of the best we've had anywhere. The wait staff was ultra-attentive, courteous and helpful. All around a great experience, and we hope to make this our regular Indian restaurant from now on.
(5)
Julia N.
I am so glad we have a decent Indian place in the Waterford Lakes area. I was tired of driving 30+ minutes to get my Indian fix. Service was good, and it was reasonably busy on a Monday night. The naan was delicious, and the menu had a mix of the standard fare you find at most Indian restaurants mixed with a few unique items you do not typically see. My one complaint is that the spice level is what it is; you are not asked to specify how spicy you would like your food. My husband and I would have liked a little more kick to our dishes.
(4)
Subhasish R.
This is the second location of a very bad restaurant.
(1)
Dirk D.
Tried it for the first time tonight. Awesome service and the food was delicious. New favorite for Indian night!
(5)
Mohammed Karim B.
The most amazing Indian food ever!!!! Spicy or not there are different options on the menu and the lunch buffet is a must try and not expensive at all. Very clean and nice decor. I like the friendly staff. They go above and beyond to make you comfortable and enjoy your experience. This was my second time here and will definitely come back and bring friends.
(5)
Kailey M.
I've been here twice for the lunch buffet. They have a pretty good selection and it changes regularly. But I think Moghul has a larger selection for their lunch buffet. The naan, palak tofu, tandoori chicken and mango ice cream are delicious! But the chicken tikka masala could use some spices. I will definitely come back for more.
(4)
Debbie P.
My husband and I went for dinner this afternoon, alas they close from 3-5 to give staff a much needed break from working the lunch hours. The manager politely advised why they were closed and gave us menus to look over. We came home for a bit and went back at 5. The restaurant soon started filling up. The food was fantastic and the service was good. Garlic Naan bread is very good. We each had a chicken dish and brought leftovers home. So happy to have a really great Indian restaurant on this side of town.
(5)
Mich W.
No more driving clear over to Dr. Phillips anymore when we have a yen for Indian. Well, less often anyway. Like a few other reviewers, our go-to place for Indian is MOI. We've tried about 4 other places so far but found no viable options, until now. Well, maybe not equal, but close enough. It is a small, quaint eatery serving authentic, delicious Indian dishes at reasonable prices. I was impressed by the staff in general from the hostess to the busboys. They seemed really invested and made us feel welcome. Of course the only exception had to be our own waiter, otherwise it would've been 5 stars. In fact I felt it should be -2 stars for his attitude, but the other wait staff (there were 3 that served and helped) were so brilliant It cancelled out. Sort of. He seemed stressed from the start and was annoyed we had questions rather than being ready to order, I assume it was because they were reasonably busy. I felt pressured to make a choice quickly. At one point, after asking about levels of spiciness, he said "Look, you want spicy or not". In fact I like both so I decided to just pick one to get this part over with rather than get upset and spoil an otherwise perfectly good evening. Luckily It turned out to be good. The 2 vegetarian choices were Tadka Daal & Bagara Baigan, the latter was mildly spicy with the unmistakable flavor of tamarind and creaminess of coconut milk. Yummy. My husband's Lamb Koorma was also really tasty, especially the gravy with their garlic naan. We tried Dosa for the first time, the Masala Dosa. It was amazing. It is a giant crispy-skinned potato "pancake" rolled and served with a coconut mint chutney, a curry sauce and a mildly spicy, seasoned potato mash. Loved it. We asked for it as an appetizer, though its on the entree section, and they accommodated us but explained in advance that it would take about 10 minutes to do so. Excited to go back already.
(4)
S T.
I'm so full...I just had their lunch buffet and I couldn't stop eating. I tried tandoori chicken, paneer Korma (vegetarian!), fish Manchurian, and grilled vegetables, and my friend also had chickpea masala. This is the best Indian food in Orlando. They already have a great crowd in at lunch, so be prepared to wait in a short line for a table and the buffet, but it's worth it! The service is excellent too!
(5)
L G.
My wife and I had dinner today. Very first time dining at Tamarind since the previous tenant, a Greek restaurant closed. One word: great!! Food was very nicely presented & very flavorful, & temperature hot (our Tandoori dish came sizzling in a cast iron serving dish). The decor is very pleasant & colorfully with familiar Indian scenes in the place of the former Greek scenes, but more masterfully painted on the wall murals. The service was also above par. It's nice to find a very good restaurant in the Waterford area of Orlando. We will definitely return.
(5)
Sapana P.
The food is really good and the staff is very friendly. The buffet is a good deal, and has a good variety of food.
(5)
Dominic C.
Super delicious, I had the lunch buffet and am satisfied beyond any reasonable doubt
(4)
Mike A.
Outstanding. My wife and I went for the first time last night. Service was outstanding, good was delicious. I highly recommend it for a good night out.
(5)
J U.
Tried the lunch buffet for the first time. We enjoyed the environment and music, everything seemed clean. The buffet presentation was a bit confusing for people unfamiliar with Indian food, it was unclear what label went with which dish. A brief description of ingredients written underneath the food label would be very helpful. The curries were tasty, but the chicken and lamb meat dishes were tough/bony. Enjoyed the naan bread. After our meal, one of our servers gave us a description of the various curries and sauces at the buffet for our next visit (we should have asked beforehand!) The highlight of our meal (not included in buffet, but well worth the extra $4) was the gulab jamun dessert, amazing!
(4)
Suzanne A.
What a fantastic restaurant! My boyfriend and I wanted to check out an indian restaurant for a date night and went there this evening. The other reviews were very good and I have to say we were not disappointed. The service was excellent, the food delicious and we'll definitely be back in the future.
(5)
Cortney D.
First time here and we will be coming back! I had the Butter Chicken (yum!) and my boyfriend had the Chicken Korma. My chicken was absolutely like butter but the korma chicken was a little on the dry side- that didn't stop us from enjoying it! Also for the Garlic naan and just do it!
(4)
Gaye B.
Amazing lunch buffet for a great price! I've been longing for an Indian food restaurant on the east side of Orlando and was not disappointed. The decor is lovely and very clean. Already it has become popular with the Research Park crowd and was full by 12:30 on a Wednesday. Try everything, especially if you like it a little spicy. I will definitely be a frequent patron.
(5)
Elizabeth M.
My husband and I dine here regularly for dinner, and we are impressed by both the food and service every time. We are eating our way through the entire menu, and there is nothing we haven't enjoyed so far. Love the lamb xacuti, paneer 65, and the naan breads which are our regular "go-tos". The servers treat you like an honored guest, and are happy to explain the menu. Can't wait to try the lunch buffet!
(5)
Jon A.
Delicious food. Staff is welcoming and helpful if you're not familiar with Indian cuisine.
(5)
Amit G.
Excellent tasting authentic Indian Food. I have been there several times for Lunch Buffet and Dinner. Absolutely wonderful. Manager Jose is very friendly and very approachable. Servers also very attentive and very friendly. If you are in Orlando and you want Authentic Yummy Indian Food, this place is a must visit place.
(5)
Tom T.
Lunch buffet was mostly standard stuff, good but not great with the exception of a couple of vegetable dishes. The mixed vegetables & the string bean dishes were extraordinary. They bring the nan to your table. Excellent service.
(4)
Review E.
Unfortunately I'm not around for lunch, so my review is based on Tamarind's dinner offerings. Price for what you get is a tad bit high ($13 gets you a basic chicken entree with rice but no naan or anything), food quality is good but not great. Not one of the best Indian places around, but more than serviceable if you're in the area. Also, probably common sense at Indian places but don't forget to tell the server how spicy you want something; I neglected to mention spice level and left with lips and mouth burning and nose running.
(3)
Gavin P.
This is my first review ever, I normally don't take the time to write these things even for places that I like a lot. But, I felt obligated to do this for Tamarind. Ever since moving to Orlando I was disappointed by how far away all the Indian places were, and when I did drive the required 25 minutes to reach somewhere, the food was ok at best. Tamarind is completely different, easily the best Indian food I have ever had and some of the most friendly service. Not only that, but the buffet price is extremely reasonable for the amount of selection and quality you get. I'm not a vegetarian, but if I was I would be very pleased with the wide array of vegetarian selections available at Tamarind. This place is my favorite lunch spot, cannot recommend it highly enough.
(5)
Pearl C.
I was there the second week they opened and buffet was $7.95,did they up their prices already?The food is very good,but the dinner prices are too expensive,not only Tamarind,but most Indian restaurants are,just hope they keep up with the good service and fresh food,there are a lot of restaurants opening up on that strip of Colonial and competition will be high.
(5)
Levi T.
A few friends and I came here incredibly excited that an indian restaurant with a reputation finally came to the area. Unfortunately I can't remember what all we got because there was literally so much that we ran out of room on the table. What I do remember is that the chicken curries, vegetarian curries, kebabs, and naan were incredible. Everything was spot on and the prices were well worth the taste in my opinion (about $13 for the curries with rice). And customer service was over the top; we ordered 2 batches of garlic naan and a butter naan which unfortunately came out a bit before our food. We were all so starving that it took everything we had not to munch on the naan. Without us even complaining someone came over and said that he was so sorry the naan came out before our food and that since the naan was probably cold by now they would bring out a round of fresh garlic and butter naan on the house with the food. Food was delicious, service was great, and the prices and wait were fine. Now, if they have their naan at the lunch buffet I will truly be in heaven.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
Jeremy A.
This was one of the best restaurants I've been too, if not the best Indian restaurant. The Palack Paneer was easily the best I've ever had. It was cooked perfectly with just the right amount of spices of onions. My girlfriend ordered the tandoori chicken and the meat just fell off the bone it was so tender. So we have established that the food is amazing; The service was equally as impressive. We shared a bottle of wine and not a single glass of water or wine went empty before someone came by to refill them. Overall we had a great experience. The interior of the restaurant was very well appointed, exceptionally clean (Even the A/C vents on the ceiling had no dust on them) and the seating was very comfortable. The prices were much cheaper than I expected for such a nice restaurant so we were very pleased all around.
(5)Michelle R.
It was very good. I'm a huge fan of Indian cuisine, so I'm always checking out new Indian places whenever I go. And the hotter the better. Don't be scared of the outward appearance, once you walk inside it's a lot nicer. The food is excellent and the service is very good. They have about four different naan breads you can order. I tried the garlic naan and it was tasty. My friend had the onion naan and that looked really good. I also had the lamb vindaloo and asked for it spicy. When it came it was the perfect amount of heat and the lamb was so tender you could cut it with a fork. It's a must try.
(4)Jane S.
4.5 overall stars??? Maybe I came on an off night, but I don't see what the fuss is about. We were in the area during our recent Orlando vacation and decided to come here based on Yelp reviews. First and foremost, the food was good. The garlic naan and my go-to Palak Paneer was pretty solid. What drops my rating down to 3 stars was the subpar, almost nonexistent service and the mango lassi that was on the cusp of expiration (yogurt isn't supposed to taste slightly fizzy, is it?!?!). I judge a restaurant based on overall experience, and I didn't leave Tamarind all that impressed. I guess I would go back if I happened to be back in the immediate area and had an intense craving for Indian cuisine, but I'd probably check out the other Orlando Indian restaurants first.
(3)Mike P.
My BFF just flew in from Ethiopia and he wanted to come here for dinner so we made it a family outing. As usual the food was delicious and the service was great. I had the Manchow Soup and for you spicy food lovers, this is the soup for you! I followed up with the Lamb Boti Kabob with a side of red curry and some butter Naan. All I know is they forced me to eat EVERY LAST BITE of food... OK I did it willingly because it was simply delicious. Normally I write some very long winded reviews EXCEPT when it is a family outing, I keep it brief out of respect for the rest of the family. Now that my BFF is back in town, I will be taking him to some of the hidden gems I have already found and we will explore some new ones together! I will admit I am glad he waned to come here because the whole family loves this place as much as we do! If you have not been here, you have no idea what you are missing!
(5)R P.
Wow. Unassuming, well priced, outstanding flavors, very good service and a consistently interesting wait staff. We've visited for an early dinner many times over the last year. I really like that each part of an item has its own distinct flavor. Meat separate from gravy/curry separate from included vegetables. Just is not always the case at many restaurants. A menu item can all taste the same. Its really the difference between a choir all trying to hit the same note in the same octave vs. each of four groups hitting the same note in their preferred octave. When it happens you know it. The wait staff is happy to help and well versed in the menu. So when i say i'm thinking about the chicken curry and maybe also the eggplant the waiter is nice enough to first ask if Im familiar with indian food and then after he accessed my experience he then suggests other similar less well known (to me) choices that may introduce me to new flavors. After the appetizer course the waiter and I start talking a little. He asks me if i have ever been to india. I say no and ask if he has. He said he had grown up there . So i ask if there is something he misses from his childhood. Then I get to hear a very nice story about where he grew up and the places he and his brother played as children. He is a graduate UCF student and very well educated. Typical of all of the wait staff we have met here. Food check check Service check Ambiance check Value check
(5)Jamieson R.
Good Indian food. Memories of India in Lake Mary is still my favorite, but this side of town, this is the best Indian food I've eaten (outside of my friend's house that is). The service was prompt and attentive. Prices are on par with my expectations ($15 for lamb dishes, $8-$10 for dosa, $2-3 for naan.) My only criticism is the food was not as flavorful as I'm used to. If you like Indian, you should try this out.
(4)Jennifer W.
My husband and I went Sunday for lunch. We each had the buffet and iced tea for a total of $27.05 before tip which we found fair enough. The service was good; plates were cleared fast and tea was refilled when necessary. There was plenty of food choices for both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. I had the butter chicken, chicken tandoori, a spicy broccoli dish, a spicy cabbage dish, rice, and an assortment of sauces. Everything was flavorful. I think f I was to go again I would order off the menu instead of eating off the buffet. I don't believe a buffet showcases the true talents of the restaurant. All in all a pleasant enough experience.
(3)Kishore D.
The food is okay. Especially when you are at UCF and starving for Indian food. It is not that great taste but just good enough to revive Indian cuisines. Don't expect warming welcome from them if you're brown skinned. That's typically how Indians in U.S. are. **PS: this review is from an Indian.
(3)Meghal P.
Best tasting indian food in east orlando. Prices are decent for the location. Good service, always courteous servers. Very good for carry out n doorstepdelivery. Try their tandoor section. Ambience not 100% to the prices, but i guess thats because they are crowded always.. lunch buffet for 9.99 is value for your bucks.
(5)J C.
Every dish on the lunch buffet was awesome. Get there early or you will stand in line.
(4)Alden K.
We were originally going to go to Bosphouros but it's far and my wife ate Turkish for lunch. So we decided to try Indian. We usually cook Indian at home because it's not easy finding good Indian food in Orlando. We went there with friends who frequently eat Indian food in Lake Mary. My wife loved the lamb and liked it more than any other Indian food in Orlando. I had the butter chicken and it was almost as good as the stuff I make at home. I had the butter naan and it was good, buy my wife really liked the onion naan. My friend found his lamb to be not complex enough in flavor. He also mentioned that his favorite spot in Lake Mary was spicier. His wife said the food was equally as good as the Indian she normally eats in Lake Mary. All in all, I liked it a lot. It's about average, but better than anything else I've tried here in Central Florida. If you live on the east side, it's not worth driving anywhere else. Stay here and enjoy good Indian food. I have to go back and try the buffet. But the dinner portion was really all I could eat anyway. The dinner prices are decent, though I don't like spending so much on food I can easily make at home. I will update this review when I do the buffet. Thanks for reading.
(3)Lydia C.
Delicious food and great service! I had dinner here recently with my husband and was really impressed with all of the food I ordered. We started with some king fisher beer and samosas. Samosas are one of my favorite Indian appetizers. Crunchy, flaky pastry stuffed with seasoned potatoes and peas. One order comes with 2 samosas so perfect for splitting with someone. For our entrees, we split the palak paneer which is my favorite vegetarian Indian dish! Palak paneer is Indian fresh cheese (paneer) cooked in a spinach based gravy. It is so rich and flavorful. We also ordered the lamb vindaloo. Let me warn you (and the server warned us) this dish is spicy! They make a mild version for the lunch buffet but the one you order off the menu is hot! Of course these dishes come with a side of white rice and we also ordered a side of garlic naan. We feasted and had plenty of leftovers to take home. At the end of the meal, the server brought out a complimentary dessert, an order of rasmalai. Rasmalai reminds me of the Spanish dish tres leches. It's a creamy ball of paneer soaked in cream and flavored with cardamom. Perfect to cool off since my mouth was on fire! I love this place and will be back soon!
(5)Kayla N.
The foods here are very good. I love Indian food and enjoyed it. Came in 20 minutes before they close and they are very nice. Ordered the chicken 65 which tasted fine but big for appetizer so I was only able to eat a quarter of it. The person recommended a lamb curry dish with tomato and coconut based gravy. It's delicious and the lamb chunks were tender. Their plain basmati rice was good too. Everything came out hot and tasted fresh.
(5)Maria B.
By far the most delicious Indian food I have had in a long time. This restaurant beats Gateway to India and Mogul Indian Cuisine cannot compare. I loved the environment inside the restaurant so clean, super friendly staff.Their Chicken Briyani was amazing! Chicken Tikka Masala was to die for. Everything was just awesome. The bread brought fresh to your table. My glass was never empty. Just an amazing experience. This is officially my favorite place to eat.
(5)Joe S.
This is an excellent Indian restaurant not too far from us. My fiance and I have eaten here a number of times and we both love it. The lunch buffet can't be beat if you want to give Indian Food a try and have no idea what to order. (Hint, if you don't know what to get, order the Chicken Tikka Masala and Naan). The Tandoori Chicken is also a safe bet. It's bright red and not overly spicy. I like it with some of that white yogurt sauce on it. Speaking of sauces, the Lunch Buffet has the tamarind sauce, yogurt sauce, and a few chutneys as well. It's another good way to sample the flavors without committing to ordering a whole dish that you might not like (let's be honest, not everyone likes everything you do). It seems as if the lunch buffet items don't change all that much, so I wouldn't hit it every couple of days. For Dinner, we have ordered the Chicken Haryali Tikka which was absolute delicious after the smoke cleared from the table. My fiance loves the Malai Kofta which are some type of vegetable balls in a really delicious sauce. I like the sauce a lot, but the texture of the balls isn't my thing (or maybe I just like meat in my balls). We had a few of the Paneer dishes which is cubes of cheese in different sauces. The spicy one was pretty spicy, and they're pretty good about returning to refill the water glasses (they wouldn't let me put the straw right in the pitcher). Tandoori Chicken Wings are also good and have a nice spice to them. If it's a cold day (which I guess is like 70 degrees), the Lentil Soup will warm you up nicely! Naan with dinner can get costly if you're a bread lover. I definitely recommend this place if you're in the area. The staff is always super friendly and attentive. Our friends from a half-hour away usually request we meet there if they're in the area. I plan on trying some of the Vindaloo dishes on the next trip.
(4)Joe C.
It's kind of funny - when I previously reviewed Cypriana Cafe, which used to occupy this space, I mentioned that it felt like a repurposed restaurant. It just felt like it was sort of missing its own identity. Tamarind feels exactly the same. Now, instead of murals of Greek temples, there are murals of Indian palaces. But that's just ambiance - let's discuss what really matters. Like most Indian restaurants, Tamarind offers a lunch buffet. Looking at their offerings online, it seemed like a pretty standard selection. We chose to visit for dinner instead. Our dinners were amazing. We ordered the Lamb Roganjosh, and the Palak Paneer, with an extra side of Garlic Naan. Both of our dishes could easily be turned into two meals if you want to (my wife did). The Naan was a little crispier than most other places serve it, but it was still really good. Service here was excellent. The staff was attentive, helpful, and friendly. If I had any complaint, it was that the Garlic Naan felt a bit overpriced for the amount you get. Our entrees, however, were fairly priced.
(5)Erika E.
This is my favorite restaurant in Orlando. By far. It's the best-tasting Indian food I have ever had. The butter chicken, samosas, naan, rice...all to die for. I can't get enough of this place. It's a bit pricey, but worth every penny.
(5)Tony T.
Man.. Nothing was absolutely deal breaker to not come back if I'm starving but there were too many fails. Start with 4 stars because the food was solid. Not great but definitely good. Knock off 1 for two mango lassis being turned bad fermented and the third taking a while longer to come out but tasting right. They apologized and said the two were from an older batch that was in a different fridge..? Ok, still a fail. Lose another star for the nonexistent service and absolutely terrible tasting water. Honestly would I give it another chance? If I lived here, probably not until I'd tried every other Indian place and discovered this was average for the area. This was our first dining together in Orlando and so far you guys are going for striking out on the food scene.
(2)tiffany w.
The best Indian in town. Enough said.
(5)Paul D.
Very good food and even better service! definitely worth a try! we will return
(4)Tracey F.
We went for dinner on Friday night and had a really nice meal. We were greeted and seated as soon as we arrived. We had an amazing samosa tiki appetizer. Came with 3 sauces that were all very good. My husband thought it was like Indian nachos which was a pretty good description . I ordered tandoori chicken with a side of red curry sauce. Very nice but not as spicy as I usually get. Hubby ordered lamb something that was very good. He ordered his mild but it was a little too spicy for him so I ate most of it. The food was good and a generous portion. We had plenty to take home. The server was nice and answered any questions my hubby asked. Nice change from all the chain places over here. None of the lights were on in the parking light and it's behind construction so it's not well marked.
(4)Enit S.
This review is for their lunch buffet. Tamarind is a wonderful addition to the East Orlando area. If I'm not mistaken, lunch buffet is $8.95 and in addition to the choices at the buffet, they also have naan bread brought to the table. I'm usually the person who will steer clear of buffet's but I could definitely see myself coming here again because it's only a few key items that are constantly being refilled and not just left sitting there. The clear winner for me was their tandori chicken, extremely flavorful. Their chicken briahni rice was also very good. Can't go wrong here if you're craving Indian.
(4)Heidi A.
Awesome Indian food and it never disappoints! Samosas are wondefully spiced and fried just right. The naan is perfect. The staff is always willing to accommodate special requests (chicken instead of cheese in the palak paneer for example). I rarely give 5 stars, but I could actually find nothing to improve upon in this place. It has an unassuming exterior, but the interior is nicely decorated, clean, and the buffet has so many choices if you luck out and are there for lunch. You will always leave stuffed and feel like you got a good deal. I cook my own Indian food and don't get out to eat much, but when I do, this is one of the places I want to go!
(5)Jeff K.
I live on the east side of Orlando, and while subsequent to the loss of Mama Millie's due to the destruction of the UC7 plaza I was able to wipe away the tears of loss with a big piece of jerk chicken at Mark's, I had never found a suitable replacement for Indian cuisine on this side of town when Anmol suffered the same fate. So it was an uplifting moment when I saw that Tamarind had risen from the ashes of Cypriana (a sad loss in itself, if only for the skordalia -- find a better one in town, I dare you). Great, finally an Indian restaurant not far away! They've done a great job remodeling the interior into something more comfortable and attractive than in its previous life. It's much more clean and inviting. The service was quick and friendly, and I was well attended to throughout my visit. I ordered the Lamb Korma and the Chicken Hyderabadi for my wife and I to share, along with an order of the Garlic Naan. The Lamb Korma (ordered with a medium spice level) was my favorite, although both dishes were delicious, aromatic and flavorful. While the korma was creamy with just a touch of sweetness to balance the added spice, the hyderabadi was a curry-based dish with a real kick. Both are served with rice. The Garlic Naan was the only weakness -- definitely tasty, but two pieces for $3.50 seems a little high. Based on my first experience, I'd have a really hard time finding any fault with the place. Great experience all around. I'm interested in trying the lunch buffet soon. Update (4/11/2014) : I've tried the lunch buffet now, which at $8.95 is a really good value. It's a larger size buffet, with a good selection of menu items to try. Included in the price is free naan at the table, which will keep coming as long as you want it to. I won't be doing it often because I just can't help myself when I do. And I'm trying to LOSE weight, not gain it!
(5)Frank L.
I have to say, look out Moghul, you have some competition. As Ricky stated this is the old Cypriana Greek restaurant building, but they actually did a pretty good job on "Indianising" it. We arrived at 11:30, and it wasn't supper busy, but by 12 the line was huge! For $8.95, you get a really good selection of fresh, hot buffet items such as chicken tandoori, tikka masala and some spinach dish, as well as some salads, chutney's and Naan. The service is impeccable, I didn't have to ask for my water to be refilled once. Another thing to note is that they had lamb on the buffet. Hopefully different menu items will last as time goes. I will certainly be back!
(4)Mel R.
Went for the lunch buffet after church on a Sunday. The customer service was excellent and management payed great attention to detail. The buffet was $11 and had a good variety of food. Menu items seemed to be around $12-$17 for entrees. Both food and customer service were good here. I wouldn't make it a point to drive directly there to dine in but I would go again if I were in the area.
(4)Jeff N.
Love this place. Really delicious food here. The buffet is really good to with high quality food. Was so stuffed. For side dishes try the tikki chat or the tikka paneer. Both very tasty! One of the best Indian restaurants in Orlando
(5)Samuel O.
We were happy to see Tamarind branch out over here from their west side location in Winter Park. I would regularly make the drive all the way across town to eat at the west location. I still think the food at the west location is better, but with that said, there is nothing wrong with the east location. You get larger portions, especially on carry-out, at the west location and the food is just richer and tastier. The best value at Tamarind is the lunch buffet, but keep in mind, the restaurant is always packed that time of day. I'm glad to see that Tamarind is doing well. The east side desperately needed this. I would definitely recommend Tamarind.
(4)Kady W.
I went here for a dinner service on a Friday night and it was fine. Our server was shy and very timid so he didn't take our order. Another gentlemen approached us and asked what we wanted. I think he was uninterested or distracted because he kept rushing each person as they ordered. Seriously, CHILL OUT! Your restaurant is half empty and it's 2 hours before closing. What's your deal man? FYI, It's really annoying when you rush someone to order, don't write down what they want, and then forget items. Anyway, our group ordered: Tandoori wings- Spiced meaty wings with citrus tang Samosa Chat - Chopped up samosa with various toppings. This app could of been an entree on it's own. Chicken Tikka Masala Lamb Vindaloo Palak Paneer Lamb Biryani All the dishes were delicious and served piping hot. Luckily my table was dining family style as the entrees came out at varying times. There's no doubt that the food here is great, but I need to be in a positive mood before I can come back to their service.
(3)Jon D.
Fantastic place to eat. I recently had The pleasure of finding this little gem as I was driving home and absolutely starving. My wife and I shared three different dishes including the vegetable samosas and the cheese naan bread. The food was prepared perfectly, not too spicy and absolutely delicious. The service was very good, our waiter was very attentive kept our water glasses full and checked on us several times to see how we were doing. Everything a restaurant should be, tasty food, reasonable prices, and good service. You really can't go wrong here.
(5)Karl P.
So far I've only had the buffet at lunch time during the week and it has become one of my favorite places for lunch. The naan bread is served warm and is always good. My favorites are the Chicken dishes Tandoori and Biryani and the buffet has considerable variety of dishes to choose from. The service and atmosphere is great. You really have to try the Lassi!
(5)Simon A.
Wholly Cow You Ever Seen A Place For Awhile & Thought Maybe Need To Check It Out Then When You Finally Go & You're Like What Took Me So Long?! Well That Day Just Happened For Me & A Good Friend At Little Tucked Away Spot On East Colonial Hwy Next To Wawa & OMG What A Treat of All My Favorite Indian Cuisines Experienced In 1 Sitting! Judging By The Crowd Of People No Doubt Regulars Who've Known For A Long Time This Is The Place To Go When The Indian Food Mood Hits #BonAppetit
(5)Shreya T.
This is one of our favorite places! We go there every weekend for the delicious lunch buffet. I am a vegetarian and my husband is not so we enjoy the wide selection and variety that suits both of us. The staff is always smiling and happy to serve you. We love Tamarind and look forward to our next visit :)
(5)Poorva N.
Let me start with their lunch buffet, its varied & refilled religiously, there are always the staples like Tikka Masala & some new and interesting vegetarian options as well. All in all a great deal in this part of Orlando for $8.99. Have tried their a la carte menu options as well and they are equally delicious. Will definitely revisit this restaurant because above all, the service is exemplary whenever i've been there.
(4)Cathryn G.
Oh Yelp! You steered me wrong! I came here for the lunch buffet after reading all of these great reviews and I was majorly disappointed! First, I got there at 12:20. The place was packed. I was stoked. Must be good. It was so crowded I had to sit at the bar. Problem number one. It's not a real bar! It's just a counter. If you put your legs in front of you you hit a wall and are very far from the counter. So I had to sit with my legs spread to get anywhere near the counter! What's worse is while I was in line at the buffet someone took my spot at the counter and so I had to move. I ended up by the register so everyone and their brother is hovering over me trying to pay while I am trying to eat. Next, I got in line for the buffet. What a line!Took 8 min for me to get to food. They had mango ice cream, oranges, several chutneys on the cold bar. On the hot bar there was rice which I was scraping the bottom of both times I went up. There was vegetable curry. Paneer, chicken biryani, tandoori chicken, and goat. I felt like compared to all the places I've been this selection was limited. The Indian buffet options on I drive alone put this place to shame! The only thing I was eating here was tandoori chicken. Where was my lamb dish? The tandoori chicken was fine. It wasn't bad, but not great either. I've never been to an Indian restaurant and not drank at least two glasses of water. Indian food in my experience is spicy and I like that! I drank half a glass of water. Not remotely spicy. The ice cream was also no good. It had been frozen, thawed, and frozen again. It was filled with ice crystals. All I can figure is that the east side is starved for good Indian restaurants and people have not experienced the glorious options on the southwest side. Worst Indian restaurant I've ever been to! I gave it 2 stars instead of one because my service was good and the chicken was all white meat.
(2)Ho L.
I am not a big eater of Indian food, but when I heard how good this new Tamarind location was, I decided to give it a try. The $8.95 lunch buffet is quite good, offering a wide variety of meat and vegetarian dishes. Some of the items I couldn't quite make out at first, but everything tasted very good. Especially when eaten along with the all-you-can-eat naan bread.
(4)Eric P.
The East Orlando/UCF area desperately needed a good Indian place, especially with a buffet. Tamarind fills this void perfectly. Great lunch buffet selection and everything tastes fantastic. It's reasonable authentic --lots of interesting tastes and spices here. I personally like it, but there are plenty of non-spicy options if that's not your thing. Service is generally attentive and polite. They do their best to keep the buffet filled, which is tough because everything goes fast once people get eating! My company recently did a catered lunch through Tamarind as well. Everything came out well and we had excellent service to help load the car. The portions were plentiful, especially the naan bread. Good food, good value, good service, good location. Nothing to complain about here.
(5)Carmen A.
Love this place. The food is always fresh, flavorful and delicious. My family and I love coming here at least a couple times a month.
(5)Uyen D.
So glad there is an Indian place by my house now to fulfill my cravings of butter chicken and naan! I decided to stop by and do a buffet to go, luckily they don't do it by pound but rather 1 price and I get two small boxes, 2 containers and naan! I think I will be eating this for the next week or so, there is so much food haha. Everything tastes very good, the butter chicken could use a little more seasoning, but the tandoori chicken is yummy! overall, it's a beautiful restaurant with delicious food :)
(4)Sheryl H.
Good food. I usually like the goat in any Indian buffet the most. However, the fresh bread and great spinach really took me by surprise. Very fresh, totally awesome. Also the grill chicken is tender and fresh. Definitely 5 star taste. I would have given 3 stars because they told me they would stop let in customer when I asked whether they would stop the buffet at 2:30 or just stop letting in customers, while in fact they stopped the buffet at 2:30. I panicked a little and got extra food when they announced the buffet is closing down and then later on all other customers are gone and I feel uncomfortable eating in an empty restaurant. So I asked the manager whether I can take my food with me and he was very nice about it. So that kinda balanced out the untruthful answer to my question. The one star was knocked off because of the limited selection. They have 10 warm food selection including 2 rice and a small salad bar. A little surprised they don't have the fried puffy bread. With good and not so good being said, overall it's a great neighborhood place for Indian food and we will come back and I hope next time I'll be able to give it a five star review because I really want to see good Indian food restaurant thrive.
(4)Tu D.
4 words: All you can eat Naan!!!! Came in on Saturday to try the new tamarind Indian restaurant which took over old location of the Greek restaurant Cypriana. We came in and were greeted and taken to our table. Server asked if we would like to eat the lunch buffet or order off the menu...I didn't hear the second part bc she had me a buffet. Buffet selections ranges from classics to tiki masala and samosas to lamb curry and my fav Briyani. All in all it costs us about 10$ pp for the buffet so pretty cheap for Indian food. Oh did I also mention UNLIMITED NAAN to scrap your plate clean!
(4)David H.
Came for the lunch buffet... when we arrived they were not open and it was already ten minutes past their open time... man I was hungry. Something was wrong with their buffet line, so no big deal. Decent selection of items on their buffet. Seems like they also cater to the vegetarians, as there were a few veggie only dishes. I had the tikka masala, some fish curry dish, and tandoori chicken. For what you pay for lunch, the selection was well worth the price and they bring out naan to your table. The tikka masala was especially flavorful and was great over the rice and dipping for the naan.
(4)Jocey F.
I've been here twice in the span of 12 hours. I am hooked! I first went for dinner with my boyfriend. The waiter was very pleasant and helpful. I said I wanted something delicious and spicy and he recommended just the thing! I had a feeling this place would be good, but I knew it was really good when my picky eater boyfriend tried my dish first and exclaimed "Wow, that is REALLY good!" I ordered the Chicken Hyderabadi which comes with rice. He had Chicken tikka Masala. I think both dishes were freaking delicious! I also ordered a side of Aloo Paratha, naan stuffed with spicy mashed potatoes. I first tried this when I was living in abroad and loved it. This place made it even better than I remember! I also had some hot chai tea that was super spicy/herby and full of goodness. The service was a bit slow, but our waiter came over and apologized profusely letting us know they had two big groups on the other side that had ordered before us. He was so apologetic I really didn't mind. We left very full and happy with promises to return soon. When making that promise I didn't realize just how soon I would return.... So the lunch buffet. After ranting and raving to my coworkers about this magical place they were too excited not to go for lunch. When they asked if it was ok (because I JUST ate there the night before) I immediately responded "Of course it's ok!" (maybe I'm becoming obsessed? I'm ok with that!). Their lunch buffet is $8.95. When we got there it was already starting to get full, once we got in line for the buffet everrrryyyyone came in! It was a little warm inside the building, but not awful. The buffet had plenty to choose from (a delicious goat curry!). The servers immediately remembered me from the night before and were super friendly. They had little bowls for the soup and different little salads and sauces. I am more than pleased with their lunch options and we got a ton of naan! I will return here, but maybe I will wait a week (or not!). I would definitely give this place a try!!
(5)Aya L.
Went dinner tonight. Very good food and service. I am glad I find Indian restaurant this good.
(5)Nicole T.
Just dined at Tamarind -UCF. I absolutely love this place. First off, the waiters are great at helping you make selections. Our waiter, Anand, helped us select the Goan Shrimp and the Lamb Xcuti. Both were incredibly delish. For dessert, we had the Mango ice cream which I also highly recommend. If you like flavors that make your mouth sing, this is the place for you.
(5)Ricky L.
May be one of my new favorite Indian places in town... I dropped by this week for lunch for their lunch buffet ($8.95) that goes on till 3:00pm. No I did not stay till 3:00 pm but I would have if I didn't have any self restraint... Anyways this is actually a sister restaurant to Tamarind in Winter Park, same owners as that one. The owners also own Bombay Cafe and Aashirwad near Kirkman, so you can be sure this restaurant has some tried and true practices when it comes to Indian food. On my visit, the buffet had some truly tasty choices: from savory dishes like tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala (or butter chicken as it's known in some parts), and goat biryani to veggie options like the aloo mutta with potatos and peas and the gobi manchurian (a kind of Chinese influenced sweet and sour veggie stirfry mix). Overall, a varied and satisfying selection that day, which will change daily. For dessert, I had a nice, sweet mango kulfi ice cream. One thing I was struck about the place was the remarkably good service I had here. The waiters were friendly and accommodating and all in all very sincere which is a breath of fresh air when compared to most other Indian restaurants that I've been to. I hope to return for dinner to try their dosas and other dishes soon! The restaurant is in the former location of Cypriana Greek, and several other restaurants before that, so hopefully they will do well. Very happy to have a proper Indian restaurant on the East side of Orlando again!
(4)Heather P.
Great Indian food and great service. The location is a tad difficult to reach because the restaurant is not connected to the Publix parking lot. I came here for dinner with my family on Christmas Eve. The place was very clean and we were seated immediately. The servers were very nice and made a great recommendation to my mother as to what entree she should order. My dad got the lamb vindaloo (excellent and very spicy), my sister got some entree with okra that she really liked (vegetarian), my mom really liked what she ordered, and I had Tikka Masala (excellent, I ordered it very spicy and they delivered). We also shared a large thin bread dish with a potato filing (Dosa, I believe). It was really good. We also got garlic naan bread. Caution: the garlic naan has cilantro cooked into it. I don't care for cilantro and asked for my food to not have any. Otherwise, I think all the food has some. Overall, this is a great restaurant and I highly recommend it.
(5)Jessica W.
This place is delicious! I've only been out for Indian once and was disappointed. This is the way to go bc it's buffet style so anyone intimidated by Indian can try what they want, but I really liked everything. The service was great also very accommodating and kind.
(5)Maria P.
A lunch buffet is a good place to have a friend become familiar with Indian food. This buffet was a very good choice. Everything was delicious, the Chicken Tiki Masal, Chicken Biryani, Paneer with Eggplant, couldn't say what was best! All were well seasoned. The atmosphere and decor were welcoming. A great deal from all aspects!
(4)Alan J.
Really attentive service and terrific food. Loved the tandoori chicken and the garlic naan.
(4)Dean L.
I'm a big fan of Indian food and always use my "chicken tikka masala test" when visiting a new restaurant since I cook that meal myself at home and I can tell how much effort they put in through this dish. I went at lunchtime and tried the buffet - I went a little late - 2:10pm - and they close at 2:30pm according to the door, not 3pm as stated elsewhere. There was still a good selection of dishes available (veggie and non-veggie) and while they had clearly been out a little while they weren't dried out. The chicken tikka masala was very good - rich sauce, right level of spice (good kick but not overwhelming) and you could taste multiple flavors in each mouthful. The chicken itself was good quality white meat - and while it didn't look like it had been grilled authentically using skewers it tasted great so I'll forgive this. Basmati rice was tasty, again not noticeably dried-out given the buffet time. I tried the potatoes and they were perfect - soft but not mushy. Service was good - naan bread came out to my table right away and my drink order arrived promptly. Given this was the buffet and not a la carte (buffets are often more quantity versus quality) the food was excellent. Price was reasonable for buffet. In summary - the buffet had a good selection of dishes all with intense flavors, and the restaurant had good service. Definitely recommended.
(5)Chrissa B.
I was really craving Indian food on weekend - and went on yelp to find anything nearby. The restaurant area was small, but nice. We found out while we were there that they also served a buffet (which we later tried and was delicious!). The service was prompt, and the food was awesome! Definitely a must try if you like Indian food!
(5)Douglas B.
Absolutely excellent! We came in on a busy Saturday night, and were immediately greeted. Moments later, we were sat and promptly served water, papadum and sauces. We ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma and Lamb Vindaloo, as well as the requisite naan. All was delicious and devoured. We also enjoyed the sweet lassi, which had a pleasantly surprising rose water accent. We finished our exceptionally well-paced meal with the rice pudding and mango lassi. I highly recommend this establishment for its wonderful food and service. I look forward to reprising this meal next week!
(4)Danny T.
The brilliant minds behind Aashirwad Restaurant (down in the Universal area) opened up Tamarind (out by UCF) and it's just as good. Went for their lunch buffet today and it was a riot. Lots to choose from be you carnivore or herbivore. Tikka masala, tandoori chicken, lentils, paneer, potatoes, assorted sauces and salads. it's all here and it's all bountiful with the colors and flavors premium Indian food should beholden unto you, thine eater. We arrived a little after 11:30 on a work day and it was empty...so we got to carefully craft our dishes exactly the way we wanted. With no buffet line bullies urging us on, we were afforded the time and patience one needs to ponder over the numerous fresh selections, choosing those who would come back to the table with us. Fast forward to check time and it was a different story. By 12:30 the queue was at least 15 people deep and the tables were filling up fast. I regret not getting a bowl of their mango ice cream (had it at Aashirwad, delish) but wasn't going to wait for just a few bites. Next time my pretty. Next time.
(4)Sandy B.
Enjoyed the lunch buffet today. Wow great selection. Chicken tikki. Vegetable korma, etc. I have to acknowledge the courteous staff members who helped me select the milder options. To keep me happy I was offered and provided a bowl of curd to help me lower the heat. This Tamarind is located on a busy Colonial and Woodbury intersection. Do not let the construction stop you from going to enjoy all of the fabulous food. Delicious. Today was my third time at the restaurant. Lots of options - spicy to mild. Please enjoy and give them your business.
(5)Lian T.
Lunch buffet had a good selection and really delicious food. Waiter was very attentive and helpful. I've been missing a solid Indian lunch buffet in the ucf area for years so I'm glad I found just that!
(5)Leyla L.
Food was AMAZING. Great prices, incredible flavor, just wow. The service was good, but a little overbearing. Not sure if it was because we went a little late, but it seemed as though they were hovering over us. The prices were really good for what you got. Not cheap, but a good price for good food. The only complaint I have is that the booths were a little uncomfortable with short benches and tall tables (my boyfriend is a 6'1" 250lb bodybuilder and he didn't have much room to breathe or move) and the music was very quiet (which made it all a bit awkward since there weren't many people there... felt a bit like we were eating in a library and had to be quiet). Also, the wine was a bit expensive for what they serve and there was dust in my red when it came to the table (maybe the glass had been sitting for a while or maybe they had dried it with a linty towel?). All in all, I will definitely go back to give the atmosphere a second chance...if it doesn't seem better, their takeout will be my new best friend.
(4)Melvin O.
Good food, great atmosphere. I came because this place used to be a Greek restaurant and wanted to see what was happening. From the time I walked in the door I could tell a better flow..better chi if you will. I had the buffet and enjoyed it very much. Buffet was standard things to expect such as tandoori chicken, butter chicken etc. I'm very much a service guy and the service was top notch! My glass stayed full and was asked how I was enjoying my meal.
(4)Marvin M.
Got the buffet. Great value at around $10. Food quality was good. Nicely decorated with a modern Indian motif. Will definitely be back.
(5)Aileen P.
My boyfriend and I are regulars at Tamarind. Their food and service is just delightful! The restaurant has great decor and very clean feeling. The staff is always on their game refilling and bringing extra naan. They always have a smile on their faces. The navartan korma (vegetarian dish) was incredible! The naan was super fluffy! We also tried for the first time the mango ice cream and was delicious! You can tell it was fresh and homemade :) If you haven't been here, make sure that changes and stop by!
(5)Brittany B.
Me and boyfriend's favorite restaurant! Great food and also great service. The people who work there are super sweet!
(5)Patti M.
The chicken korma was good but a few of the pieces of chicken were a tad gristly. The sauce was not too spicy (so if you are unlike me and like more hear you may not be impressed--but generally kormas are meant to be mild anyway). Our server was nice and kept the ice water coming. I think I will need to come back and check out the lunch buffet.
(3)Mel H.
Amazing food and customer service! Buffet is the best I have had in Orlando. Everything is authentic and tastes like it came directly from India. Everything on the buffet has it's own flavor and is cooked to perfection. They also have more options than many Indian buffets I have been to, and change it up day to day. Their dinner food is awesome as well. They always bring out papard while you are waiting for your food. Some of my favorites are chicken korma, malai chicken, butter chicken, chicken tikka masala. Always included is rice, but there garlic naan or butter naan is amazing as well. They have excellent chai ( hot masala/ spiced tea) or Kheer ( a Indian type of rice pudding ) if you like something sweet. They are great with kids as I have 3 under 3 and bring them along. They have dealt with a few water spills and have been super sweet about it. Definitely a restaurant I frequent often!
(5)Kathy H.
This time around was A LOT better =) Servers were very nice and accommodated our request for more of the mango chutney (best one one my opinion). Samosas are the bomb dot com and my dosa came out very crispy this time. Water was chilled and constantly full. I enjoyed this trip much more than my last one.
(5)Robert H.
First, but certainly not the last, visit - buffet lunch which was an excellent value and variety. Each dish was distinctly seasoned and the whole made a very nice plate. A mango lhassi and ice cream to finish - best Indian meal I've had in Orlando!
(5)Sara M.
Truth be told, I come here at least once a week for the buffet. I have yet to order off the menu because I love the variety the buffet offers. Plus they serve unlimited fresh naan with the buffet. The staff is super friendly and helpful in case you need further descriptions of the food. My favorites are the masala chicken and tandoori chicken. My previous experience with tandoori chicken has been dry, but Tamarind's chicken is juicy and flavorful. They always have a couple of vegetarian offerings and a dessert option. I am so grateful a great Indian restaurant is finally in my neck of the woods.
(5)Aa A.
Avoid this restaurant ... Food is very bad ... Not fresh at all ... The rice and chicken are preheated by MR.Microwave ... Come on customers are not stupid ...
(1)Charchica A.
Nice restaurant... good ambience... Friendly people... Food is very good... I once asked for just choley which was not in their menu but the staff was really courteous to make one from another item.... their veg biryani is among the best....
(4)Maham S.
I brought my Brazilian friend here to try some Indian cuisine for the first time. She was a bit nervous because of her little tolerance to spicy food. We ended up enjoying it so much ! I recommend their lunch buffet , all the items are refreshed accordingly and it's just the right amount of spice and flavor to satisfy everyone's cravings!
(5)Mark W.
This place has got it going on. Decided to have a late lunch after a friend ranted and raved about how amazing this new location was. Being close to my house, I figured I'd give it a go. I ordered the Garlic Naan, which was absolutely phenomenal, garlic in the Naan and a light brush of butter. It was so fluffy and warm and delicious. I ordered the Chicken Korma so I would have some saucy goodness for my Naan and it was a very large portion. Huge juicy chunks of chicken braised in their velvety butter coconut milk cream and yogurt sauce. It was divine. I intentionally stopped myself mid meal because I am coo coo for mangos. Their mango ice cream was such a treat. Service - phenomenal. I never had to ask for a refill, the server must have been a mind reader because he knew when to bring me boxes for my leftovers without being pushy or obstrusive. All in all I will definitely be returning to Tamarind, if not for the food, then to just take in the surround smells, sights, amd sounds. Thanks Tamarind!
(5)Caleb W.
Oh man, so good. Lunch's the best due to the buffet. Everything is delicious. Everyone I've brought here has been so into it. The staff is courteous and the space is cozy. Bummer location, given 50's eternal construction and traffic attack, but golly gosh just go.
(5)Vedzer B.
Was there for the lunch buffet which was very good and excellent value for money. Will definitely go back.
(5)Steph B.
Great food; we went for lunch with a group and had the lunch buffet. Great value for less than $10. Our server and the bartender were both very helpful (especially since this was my first visit). I read their menu from their website before going, so I knew what to expect- I highly recommend this if you are eating from the buffet becuase there isn't descriptions, only names of each dish. My favorite was the vegetarian Tadka Dal and the naan was delicious. But really, everything that made it to my place was just great :)
(5)Chris A.
My family has been here several times and we love it every time. The food is fantastic and the servers are very friendly and will help guide you through the menu that might be intimidating for those who aren't familiar with Indian cuisine. I highly recommend the Butter Chicken, and be sure to get some of their Garlic Naan. The flavor is outrageous and the portions are quite big. Give this place a try and I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
(5)Todd P.
Great lunch buffet and it's affordable. Staff is friendly and prompt. My solid for Indian food for sure.
(4)Vikram J.
Love this place. Great value for quality of food. Really enjoyed there lunch buffet and also Dinner. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Alex B.
Great food, but they put a char on their naan which gives it a little bit of a bitter flavor and isn't as good for dipping in sauces, but it's still delicious. The tandoori chicken is to die for.
(4)Hallie E.
Delicious food and the best naan I have ever had. Been about 10 times and the service is always great. The Malai Kofta is delicious. The lunch buffet is always fresh and with a great variety of dishes.
(5)Kevin R.
I love this place! It is very difficult to find good Indian cuisine on this side of Orlando. Always having a friendly and welcoming staff, Tamarind is never a bad decision if you like Indian food. Their lunch buffet is constantly changing, with a new and delicious menu added every few days. My family celebrated Thanksgiving here and had a wonderful time, from appetizer to aperitif. I have brought several co-workers here during the week, and they all agree that this is one of the best places around town. C'est tout bon!
(5)Daniel S.
Decent Indian food. It's not incredible, but it's the best anywhere near UCF. Recommend their lunch buffet.
(4)N R.
Very consistent. Have had buffets galore. So it is time to give them a 5 star rating. Well run place. Deshis and pardeshis seem to love this place.. And that per me is difficult to do with ethnic kitchens. Keep it up
(5)Sophie I.
Wonderful food AND service. We were a group of 3 adults and two kids 3 and under and had a a great experience. Garlic naan always a good.choice!
(5)A D.
I was not a big fan of Indian food before coming here, but I must say I am now because of Tamarind. Been to both the lunch buffet and the traditional sit down dinner, I'd highly recommend going to the lunch buffet if you're like me and not sure which Indian dish is for you. The food was delicious, the staff was friendly and the pricing for the lunch buffet was more than reasonable. If you haven't been to this place, you need to go asap!!
(5)James M.
This is the best Indian restaurant in Orlando! From the first time we tried it we were hooked! They have such a great selection. I am vegan and they have so many dishes that I don't get bored. I never tried anything from them I do not like. That is rare for me. The staff is attentive and very friendly; Hussin the manager is really nice and goes out of his way to make sure everything is awesome. The food is amazing! Service is outstanding! We go here at least once a week. They have a nice variety of wine and beer; I highly recommend trying this place out! Thank you all so much!
(5)Sasha T.
Tamarind is not only the best Indian in Orlando, but some of the best Indian I've eaten in this country. The service is always stellar, the staff is kind, and the food is outstanding. Lunch buffet is $8.95!!! Such a bargain! And, they always have an abundance of vegetarian options. Can I give 4 thumbs up?
(5)David L.
Heard good thing about this restaurant - my work place's Indian co-workers all ate here for their luncheon, and decided to come over to give it a try. AH!! Finally, an Indian Restaurant that still uses many of the herbs and spices to give the food its multi-layers of complex flavors!! Although I just sampled the lunch buffet, this place is definitely a keeper. I shall return in the future to sample their menu, and try out their Winter Park location with my wife who also love Indian food!!
(4)Lisa M.
This is a pretty nice restaurant. It doesn't look like much from the outside but the inside is very roomy, classy and kind of intimate. Good food and friendly service. I went for dinner but plan on going back for the lunch buffet so I can try a variety of dishes. I absolutely loved the thin crispy chips they serve with 3 different sauces before your meal. I could have just eaten those and been happy. The butter naan bread was also awesome! I also loved the tandoori chicken wings. They are very flavorful and come out sizzling like the fajitas at Chili's. The mango lassi drink was like a thick mango smoothie. I added a glass of ice to thin it out a bit and it was perfect! I didn't care much for the crepe I ordered. It was a HUGE piece of thin cylinder shaped bread about 18 inches long. Not what I expected and not flavorful. It comes with three small sides. The cauliflower was awesome. The veggie soup and gritty coconut dish weren't that great.
(4)April C.
Today, I visited here for the second time. It did not disappoint! We had the lunch buffet both times and it was wonderful. Each time it offered a different selection of dishes and desserts that allowed us to try new things. The korma sauce was my favorIte both times! The service was also excellent! It is a great value for delicious food and know that we will regularly be going here for lunch!
(5)Roberto H.
I can only wish the buffet in this restaurant continues to be great as I love Indian food and I can get to the place in a jiffy
(5)JM C.
Great little spot! Haven't had a bad dish yet. Tonight we came in for maybe the 5th time and the servers all knew us and welcomed us back. We started with the Paneer Chili and Garlic Naan, both phenomenal. I had the Lamb Xacuti as my entree and was very happy with my choice. We're already looking forward to coming back soon!
(5)Michelle J.
This is our second time getting takeout from here, so far everything has been beyond delicious! So happy to have a great Indian restaurant in the area!! Will definitely be coming back!
(5)Asdf A.
This place is very good. Has authentic Indian food from all over India. I was born in India, eat Indian food everyday, and I approve this. :)
(5)Margaret E.
The wait staff is very helpful and friendly, and I don't ever remember having better Indian food anywhere. Mom ordered Tandoori Chicken, it was perfect and smoky. I ordered Bagara Baigan, some buttered Naan, and we tried the Indian lime soda. It was one of those experiences where you have to close your eyes with the few first bites and just say mmmmmm.
(5)Johnetta S.
The food is amazing and the staff is splendid. I love the decor and the food came timely and was delicious. We will certainly be back.
(5)Stephen R.
We've long bemoaned the lack of decent Indian food in East Orlando. Generally when we were in the mood for it we'd have to drive nearly an hour out to Memories of India II in Lake Mary, which has been our go-to place for years. They've got some of the best Indian food in the region, but an hour each way is a bit of a haul for us. Luckily, our prayers were answered when Tamarind opened up on East Colonial last week, just 15 minutes from our house. They'd opened less than 24 hours before we walked in, but both the food and service were spot on. The biryani and eggplant were both delicious, some of the best we've had anywhere. The wait staff was ultra-attentive, courteous and helpful. All around a great experience, and we hope to make this our regular Indian restaurant from now on.
(5)Julia N.
I am so glad we have a decent Indian place in the Waterford Lakes area. I was tired of driving 30+ minutes to get my Indian fix. Service was good, and it was reasonably busy on a Monday night. The naan was delicious, and the menu had a mix of the standard fare you find at most Indian restaurants mixed with a few unique items you do not typically see. My one complaint is that the spice level is what it is; you are not asked to specify how spicy you would like your food. My husband and I would have liked a little more kick to our dishes.
(4)Subhasish R.
This is the second location of a very bad restaurant.
(1)Dirk D.
Tried it for the first time tonight. Awesome service and the food was delicious. New favorite for Indian night!
(5)Mohammed Karim B.
The most amazing Indian food ever!!!! Spicy or not there are different options on the menu and the lunch buffet is a must try and not expensive at all. Very clean and nice decor. I like the friendly staff. They go above and beyond to make you comfortable and enjoy your experience. This was my second time here and will definitely come back and bring friends.
(5)Kailey M.
I've been here twice for the lunch buffet. They have a pretty good selection and it changes regularly. But I think Moghul has a larger selection for their lunch buffet. The naan, palak tofu, tandoori chicken and mango ice cream are delicious! But the chicken tikka masala could use some spices. I will definitely come back for more.
(4)Debbie P.
My husband and I went for dinner this afternoon, alas they close from 3-5 to give staff a much needed break from working the lunch hours. The manager politely advised why they were closed and gave us menus to look over. We came home for a bit and went back at 5. The restaurant soon started filling up. The food was fantastic and the service was good. Garlic Naan bread is very good. We each had a chicken dish and brought leftovers home. So happy to have a really great Indian restaurant on this side of town.
(5)Mich W.
No more driving clear over to Dr. Phillips anymore when we have a yen for Indian. Well, less often anyway. Like a few other reviewers, our go-to place for Indian is MOI. We've tried about 4 other places so far but found no viable options, until now. Well, maybe not equal, but close enough. It is a small, quaint eatery serving authentic, delicious Indian dishes at reasonable prices. I was impressed by the staff in general from the hostess to the busboys. They seemed really invested and made us feel welcome. Of course the only exception had to be our own waiter, otherwise it would've been 5 stars. In fact I felt it should be -2 stars for his attitude, but the other wait staff (there were 3 that served and helped) were so brilliant It cancelled out. Sort of. He seemed stressed from the start and was annoyed we had questions rather than being ready to order, I assume it was because they were reasonably busy. I felt pressured to make a choice quickly. At one point, after asking about levels of spiciness, he said "Look, you want spicy or not". In fact I like both so I decided to just pick one to get this part over with rather than get upset and spoil an otherwise perfectly good evening. Luckily It turned out to be good. The 2 vegetarian choices were Tadka Daal & Bagara Baigan, the latter was mildly spicy with the unmistakable flavor of tamarind and creaminess of coconut milk. Yummy. My husband's Lamb Koorma was also really tasty, especially the gravy with their garlic naan. We tried Dosa for the first time, the Masala Dosa. It was amazing. It is a giant crispy-skinned potato "pancake" rolled and served with a coconut mint chutney, a curry sauce and a mildly spicy, seasoned potato mash. Loved it. We asked for it as an appetizer, though its on the entree section, and they accommodated us but explained in advance that it would take about 10 minutes to do so. Excited to go back already.
(4)S T.
I'm so full...I just had their lunch buffet and I couldn't stop eating. I tried tandoori chicken, paneer Korma (vegetarian!), fish Manchurian, and grilled vegetables, and my friend also had chickpea masala. This is the best Indian food in Orlando. They already have a great crowd in at lunch, so be prepared to wait in a short line for a table and the buffet, but it's worth it! The service is excellent too!
(5)L G.
My wife and I had dinner today. Very first time dining at Tamarind since the previous tenant, a Greek restaurant closed. One word: great!! Food was very nicely presented & very flavorful, & temperature hot (our Tandoori dish came sizzling in a cast iron serving dish). The decor is very pleasant & colorfully with familiar Indian scenes in the place of the former Greek scenes, but more masterfully painted on the wall murals. The service was also above par. It's nice to find a very good restaurant in the Waterford area of Orlando. We will definitely return.
(5)Sapana P.
The food is really good and the staff is very friendly. The buffet is a good deal, and has a good variety of food.
(5)Dominic C.
Super delicious, I had the lunch buffet and am satisfied beyond any reasonable doubt
(4)Mike A.
Outstanding. My wife and I went for the first time last night. Service was outstanding, good was delicious. I highly recommend it for a good night out.
(5)J U.
Tried the lunch buffet for the first time. We enjoyed the environment and music, everything seemed clean. The buffet presentation was a bit confusing for people unfamiliar with Indian food, it was unclear what label went with which dish. A brief description of ingredients written underneath the food label would be very helpful. The curries were tasty, but the chicken and lamb meat dishes were tough/bony. Enjoyed the naan bread. After our meal, one of our servers gave us a description of the various curries and sauces at the buffet for our next visit (we should have asked beforehand!) The highlight of our meal (not included in buffet, but well worth the extra $4) was the gulab jamun dessert, amazing!
(4)Suzanne A.
What a fantastic restaurant! My boyfriend and I wanted to check out an indian restaurant for a date night and went there this evening. The other reviews were very good and I have to say we were not disappointed. The service was excellent, the food delicious and we'll definitely be back in the future.
(5)Cortney D.
First time here and we will be coming back! I had the Butter Chicken (yum!) and my boyfriend had the Chicken Korma. My chicken was absolutely like butter but the korma chicken was a little on the dry side- that didn't stop us from enjoying it! Also for the Garlic naan and just do it!
(4)Gaye B.
Amazing lunch buffet for a great price! I've been longing for an Indian food restaurant on the east side of Orlando and was not disappointed. The decor is lovely and very clean. Already it has become popular with the Research Park crowd and was full by 12:30 on a Wednesday. Try everything, especially if you like it a little spicy. I will definitely be a frequent patron.
(5)Elizabeth M.
My husband and I dine here regularly for dinner, and we are impressed by both the food and service every time. We are eating our way through the entire menu, and there is nothing we haven't enjoyed so far. Love the lamb xacuti, paneer 65, and the naan breads which are our regular "go-tos". The servers treat you like an honored guest, and are happy to explain the menu. Can't wait to try the lunch buffet!
(5)Jon A.
Delicious food. Staff is welcoming and helpful if you're not familiar with Indian cuisine.
(5)Amit G.
Excellent tasting authentic Indian Food. I have been there several times for Lunch Buffet and Dinner. Absolutely wonderful. Manager Jose is very friendly and very approachable. Servers also very attentive and very friendly. If you are in Orlando and you want Authentic Yummy Indian Food, this place is a must visit place.
(5)Tom T.
Lunch buffet was mostly standard stuff, good but not great with the exception of a couple of vegetable dishes. The mixed vegetables & the string bean dishes were extraordinary. They bring the nan to your table. Excellent service.
(4)Review E.
Unfortunately I'm not around for lunch, so my review is based on Tamarind's dinner offerings. Price for what you get is a tad bit high ($13 gets you a basic chicken entree with rice but no naan or anything), food quality is good but not great. Not one of the best Indian places around, but more than serviceable if you're in the area. Also, probably common sense at Indian places but don't forget to tell the server how spicy you want something; I neglected to mention spice level and left with lips and mouth burning and nose running.
(3)Gavin P.
This is my first review ever, I normally don't take the time to write these things even for places that I like a lot. But, I felt obligated to do this for Tamarind. Ever since moving to Orlando I was disappointed by how far away all the Indian places were, and when I did drive the required 25 minutes to reach somewhere, the food was ok at best. Tamarind is completely different, easily the best Indian food I have ever had and some of the most friendly service. Not only that, but the buffet price is extremely reasonable for the amount of selection and quality you get. I'm not a vegetarian, but if I was I would be very pleased with the wide array of vegetarian selections available at Tamarind. This place is my favorite lunch spot, cannot recommend it highly enough.
(5)Pearl C.
I was there the second week they opened and buffet was $7.95,did they up their prices already?The food is very good,but the dinner prices are too expensive,not only Tamarind,but most Indian restaurants are,just hope they keep up with the good service and fresh food,there are a lot of restaurants opening up on that strip of Colonial and competition will be high.
(5)Levi T.
A few friends and I came here incredibly excited that an indian restaurant with a reputation finally came to the area. Unfortunately I can't remember what all we got because there was literally so much that we ran out of room on the table. What I do remember is that the chicken curries, vegetarian curries, kebabs, and naan were incredible. Everything was spot on and the prices were well worth the taste in my opinion (about $13 for the curries with rice). And customer service was over the top; we ordered 2 batches of garlic naan and a butter naan which unfortunately came out a bit before our food. We were all so starving that it took everything we had not to munch on the naan. Without us even complaining someone came over and said that he was so sorry the naan came out before our food and that since the naan was probably cold by now they would bring out a round of fresh garlic and butter naan on the house with the food. Food was delicious, service was great, and the prices and wait were fine. Now, if they have their naan at the lunch buffet I will truly be in heaven.
(5)