Exotic India
102 2nd Ave, Coralville, IA, 52241
Exotic India Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Coralville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Coralville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Coralville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
102 2nd Ave
Coralville, IA, 52241 - Phone (319) 354-4710
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
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
Categories
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.
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Bill C.
Wonderful Indian food! The variety is amazing. The quality, portions and service were out of this world!
(5)Sandra A.
One day I realized there was actual Indian food in Eastern Iowa.
(4)Anna H.
This is by far the best place in town to go for Indian food. Thier buffet is a great way to sample the menu for cheap. The service is quick and efficient and not overly pushy. The food is served hot and never fails to be amazing.
(5)L B.
Best buffet in town, hands down. Vegetarian friendly. The ability to choose your own protein (anything from seafood to tofu to paneer) with a regional sauce of your choice is a real plus.
(5)Kat H.
Delicious! Tried the cheese korma, fish vindalloo and tofu masala. All 3 were so flavorful. The rice is very aromatic and good as well. The price is steep but good for a special occasion.
(4)tembi b.
I liked the lunch buffet, but I was more impressed with the dinner. We came with friends and shared a bunch of stuff, but I remember being particularly impressed with the butter chicken and the lamb rogan josh. Also, they have a coconut naan that is pink and with raisins and basically the best thing anyone ever did to naan. Since I'm not vegetarian I might pick this place over Masala, even though I really love Masala.
(4)Adam I.
Good food good service, esp. enjoy the lunch buffet.
(4)Dulcinea C.
Went back again for the lunch buffet and was pleasantly surprised at the selection. I've been to two others buffets in the Iowa City/Coralville area and this seemed to top them. The food was all warm and delicious. The butter chicken was fantastic and I kept going back for more. Their samosas were hot and they had a nice selection of sauces. They also offered some tasty deserts like a sort of rice pudding. It was a bit milky, but still refreshing. The staff is quite attentive to you, if needed, and to the food constantly.
(5)Rave P.
So here's the down low, up high my young grasshopper.. If quality indian cuisine equals lebron james, exotic india equals that kid in middle school who was so retardedly bad at tryouts, everyone waited afterwards to watch the coach edward scissor hands his ass.. Miserably sulking and shooting baskets alone during recess the following day was his only recourse.. He even "got something in his eye" whenever you asked him how tryouts went.. Now, i'm a diversified cook, a world class traveler, an INDIAN, and an individual who already set the bar low for India food as we're in iowa. I hereby conclude from the two times I have dined at this establishment, it is the worst Indian food I've ever put in my mouth and it is an embarrassment to art of indian cuisine. TANDOORI CHICKEN poorly marinated and soooo much NaCl (that young salt), it was not edible CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA Reenroll the cook in CTM101 so he can be bitch slapped and learn to NEVER COOK RAW CHICKEN IN HIS CURRY! It draws out all the moisture from the meat.. Pretty much leaving it chewy & stringy, as opposed to tender and succulent.. A quality Indian restaurant perfectly grills or tandoor's the marinated meat to lock in the juiciness and gently drops it in the silky / aromatically balanced gravy.. I've tasted superior microwaveable ctm than what I was served LAMB VINDALOO Simply was not LV. They infused some mango flavor in their dish, destroying this classic recipe. Also, I counted 6 small bites of lamb and 16 big chunks of potato.. Not worth the 11.99 GARLIC NAAN Average, so no complaints
(1)Mark G.
Had tandoori chicken,meat samosa, naan bread, and mango chutney. Everything was very good and had the delicious unique flavors that you would expect from a good Indian restaurant. Service was very good and the food didn't take too long to come out. I've heard good things from others on this restaurant, I am not the most experienced in this style of cuisine, but I did enjoy it a lot and would come back when in the mood. They got a large menu with all the classics, check this one out for sure if you are craving some good Indian food, they do a great job at what they do.
(4)Kelly R.
Service is leisurely but definitely worth the wait. This is hands-down the best Indian food in Iowa City and additionally... I found it to be better than most of the food I had in India! My favorite dish is the Chicken Korma which is out of this world! The rice is aromatic and flavorful, samosas are perfectly cooked and spiced, and the naan is always incredible. My fiance, the biryani connoisseur, adores their lamb and chicken biryani.
(5)Bean B.
The lunch buffet can not be beat here! It is affordable, delicious, and every time I go they have different items on the buffet table. There is always a soup, selection of vegetarian and meat items, and they have different desserts too. They will bring you extra naan for no extra charge. The buffet is everyday but Monday right now. The dinner menu is just as good, with one option were you can try a little bit of what seems to be everything. The atmosphere is calm with both tables and booths. Most authentic Indian in town, as confirmed by Indian coworkers.
(5)Holly D.
Motivated by the mostly positive reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to stop here for dinner on the way back to Des Moines. Glad we did, to say the least. I ordered the dal makhani and my boyfriend ordered a dish with lamb in it (he couldn't remember the name of it even as he was eating it). We like our Indian food with a bit of heat, so told the waiter somewhere between medium and spicy (he called it medium plus) and that turned out to be the perfect choice. To drink, I had the masala chai and he had the mango lassi - both were quite tasty. The garlic naan was good, but nothing to write home about. I used it mostly to eat my dish in the traditional manner, sorry not sorry for the amount of pretentiousness in that. Service was good and fast, though the waiter came three times in the first 5 minutes to ask if we knew what we wanted yet (slightly annoying with a menu of their size). Another minor annoyance: the poorly designed leftover containers they use. There's a sizeable gap where the top connects to the bottom and some of my leftovers spilled onto my jeans even though the container was mostly level.
(4)Ron S.
Very happy with the food, the service, and the variety of selections from the menu. A great selection for family dinning since there is a pretty decent Mexican place next door. For the Midwest earns it five stars. The Chicken Tiki Marsala was excellent according to my table mates, the did the Buffet which was fresh and well tended. I had the Chicken Mango Curry, which was excellent with big chunks of Mango. Going to become one of my goto Favs in the IC - CR corridor. Now just to find a good Mediterranean place and an Ethiopian and my cultural epicurean will be complete.
(5)Archana L.
I tried take out. Service was timely. The food was not good. I had ordered fish pakora..... 5 one inch chunks of dry fish for 7.99.....bad deal. Karahi chichen 11. 99 for app 7-8 tiny pieces (less than one inch of chicken)!! Gravy was tasty but creamy. Karahi chichen recipe does not call for cream. So not authentic. Aaloo parantha was made with risen dough! ! Not professional Paneer naan literally without Paneer filling This food for 31.99....Overall not a good deal for not well made food.
(2)Jamison E.
Ordered sag paneer, rice and samosas. All were very good. As well as the chutney that I normally am not crazy about. When I first went in at 6 pm on a Tuesday night no one was there but since they got so many high ratings I decided to try. The place slowly got busier by the time I left. Glad I went. Good place. Decent prices.
(4)Sachin G.
Extremely disappointing !! As an Indian, I can say with utmost conviction - PLEASE AVOID THIS PLACE. Went here for their lunch buffet. The food was extremely tasteless. The chicken tandoori had no flavor, and the chicken itself looked stale. Even the rest of the dishes lacked taste. My friend, who got disillusioned with the buffet food, ordered Rogan Gosht that turned out to be even more disappointing. I had high hopes from this place after reading the reviews, but left thoroughly disappointed.
(1)Eleanor B.
Good food, good service. Pleasantly surprised to find good Indian food out here. The place is nothing fancy, which suited us just fine. If I find myself in Iowa City again, I'd come back here. Enjoy!
(4)Al N.
For IC-C'ville, I'm calling this the best Indian. No, I ain't never been to Mumbai. But that E.I. serves animal puts them above Masala. And that I've not nearly choked on a chicken bone puts them ahead of India Cafe. I don't know what happened to the older gentleman who took the orders when they first opened, but he had a welcome sense of humor. When he asked how hot I would like my dish he would inquire whether I could stand "One or two tears" while pantomiming tears falling from the corners of his kind eyes. Well, this place disappointed only a couple times when it came to my desired level of heat. I swear, my last time there I had an extended endorphin rush after swallowing their lamb Vindaloo. I hope they can keep it up.
(4)Derek S.
The food here is really tasty. I had the punjabi curry and would definitely recommend it. The tap water is a little funky and they only brought out one piece of naan which seemed skimpy for $2.50. But the rice is really good and the service very polite.
(4)R M.
This place serves up consistently great food. We normally land up getting the tandoori chicken which has always been very tender and flavorful. Service can be a little spotty, but the owner/manager is very attentive and courteous. No fuss place with good food.
(5)Sarah L.
I went for the lunch buffet after reading all the rave reviews, but was seriously disappointed. I got there at 12:30pm on a Sunday, the place was half full, but there were people constantly waiting to be seated. There were very few dish selections, all dishes looked watery. Veggie dishes look brown. Meat dishes had only sauce left, no meat what so ever. The tray for tandoori chicken was empty. Taste wise was also disappointing. I couldn't taste anything except salt. Not impressed at all. Can't believe this had the same rating with the Taste of India in Hiawatha, IA. I'd rather drive that 30miles for a decent Indian buffet than this.
(2)Lindsey D.
Amazing food! They have a great lunch buffet with lots of meat and meatless options. The chicken tikka masala is my favorite. If you go during a "non buffet" time they will make the meal as mild as you like. Which is great for me not handling hot spicy. Great staff and love the local business that came back after the flood of 2008!
(5)Jeremy S.
My wife and I love Indian food and were happy to move to an area with a variety of Indian restaurants to choose from. Exotic India is by far the best around. I haven't been disappointed yet with their main courses; I've tried nearly all of them. My wife and I have different preferences, and we both come away pleased. My compliments to the chef. Please don't leave Iowa City/Coralville!
(5)Chris H.
The service isn't fast, but the people are friendly and it's nice a good atmosphere to sit around and talk to friends. It's definitely my favorite Indian food in Iowa City or the Quad Cities. I've had the Saag Paneer and Lamb Biryani with great success.
(4)Tia B.
Meh. I've had better. I was in town for work and stopped in because I was in the mood. The rice was sticky and seemed like it had been sitting around all day. Yuck. The chicken tikka masala was just ok. Not really spicy or flavorful. The garlic naan was just soaked in butter. It seems like because this is a college town the diners don't expect too much because the food is cheap.
(2)Robin R.
Divine. The bhindi masala might as well be added to my "last meal" list. My husband had the saag with tofu, medium spice, and said it was too spicy. Depending on your preference and familiarity with Indian spices, it might be good to start out with the mild on your first trip. The naan was beautiful and light, and the basmati perfect. My only complaint was that we had empty water glasses.
(4)Mat W.
I ended up being very disappointed here. Food was goodish. Had butter chicken, Rohan josh(hot), naan, baangan bharta, samosa chat. The butter chicken was more like tomato sauce, like prego, with chicken. Samosa chat was very good. Rogan Josh was not spicy, and not all that great. Eggplant was just bland as compared to what I am used to. Service was what really did me in. Server was nice. But our food came out well after a table right next to us came in. We were 3, they were a table of 2. We had ordered, they got seated, and their food came first. Nothing bugs me more than that. The server didn't come by all that much and when I made a comment about the other table (2people) food coming out first. He smiled and didn't say anything otherwise. Not a sorry, not a reason. After food was delivered (took 25 minutes, only three dishes) he didn't come by, I had to go ask for the check and ask for to go containers. Just overall unfortunate. I asked for a glass of wine, there were 3-4 tables, it took 10 Minutes. Why? So won't go back. We actually called a different Indian place for food to go, while we were there. if you can believe it. It was much better. So when I come back I know where we will be going.
(2)Suv V.
As an Indian I would say this is not Indian food for Indians. No offense but the food is bland with minimum spices. Tandoori chicken looks like one but my home made boiled chicken is spicier. Goat curry and tikka chicken were okay. The gulab jamun was undercooked, the kheer was cold and fruit salad had red apples and green apples. I have never ever had their tomato soup ( trust me I eat out a lot). TL;DR not good Indian food, try somewhere else.
(2)T R.
This is not just my favorite Indian restaurant, this is my favorite restaurant of all time. If I could choose my last meal in life it would be their Malai Kofta and naan! My only complaint is that they close in the middle of the day and reopens around 5, but that's common with most of my favorite restaurants hehe.. The gulab jamun is a tasty desert as well
(5)Jessica H.
I love trying ethnic foods and the indian food I've experienced, I've liked, for the most part. I really like the idea of having a buffet so I can sample lots of different things and not commit to one thing I may or may not like, which is why we went here. Coralville doesn't haven't a ton of options anyway so to find indian food in the middle of Iowa and for it to actually be good, that deserves a few stars all on its own. The outside looks a lot scarier than the inside. The decor is fairly nice and the food was quite yummy. There weren't a ton of choices on the buffet, it's one line, but there were plenty of things to try out and we didn't leave hungry.
(4)Karan W.
Was over in IA for business over a weekend, this place came highly recommended from a friend of mine who goes to university in the state. On first appearance it doesn't seem like much, it looks more like ye olde mom and pop kinda restaurant what with the halogens, peeling paint and the owners presiding over service. That is about the only reason this review doesn't have 5 stars. Everything from that point on takes a turn for the better. They have a limited selection of beer and wine but I was happy to find Haywards 5000 on the selection of beers and wasted no time ordering one (the strongest indian beer you can find, one 16oz. Bottle gives you a nice buzz!) I ordered the chicken chaat, which was tangy, crispy and very tasty, and so was the non- vegetarian dinner thali. The thali has a massive amount of food, with one chicken dish, one lamb fish, naan bread, lentils, rice and other miscellaneous items along with the choice of desert between gulab jamun or kheer. I was a happy camper at the end of the meal. 8/10 would visit again. I recommend!
(4)Marcus L.
I have only had Indian food a hand full of times and the meal here did not disappoint. The waiter was very helpful in describing/guiding us through the menu. For the price the food was delicious.
(4)Matthew S.
Exotic india tasted pretty good, not the best I've ever had and the prices are ridiculous, way higher than they should have been, take 2-3 dollars off of most items and it'd be ok.
(3)Sidney T.
I love this little restaurant in the wall. The buffet is a great deal and has several selections a day to pick from. My favorite dishes are the vegetable Karahi and the Korma. I will say they are pretty sparing when meat is ordered in a dish and it isn't uncommon to get a big piece of gristle in a meat dish. Veggie dishes are bountiful though and delicious. It is the only place i can go and order a vegetarian dish and not feel unsatisfied. The naan is average. Dinner is definitely pricey compared to the buffet at lunch but is still a filling endeavor as long as you don't mind the price. For the money you get a good meal and I think it is definitely worth the cost. The service is on average good. They can be slow to refill drinks. I will say that I've experienced a few times where I and my party were seated and then another group was seated and then their orders were taken first and they seemed to get better, faster, service. It was not lost on me each of these times the other group was Indian. This, the slow drink refills and the meager meat additions are the only reason I can't give this place 5 stars. It is so close and even with these issues I can't help but LOVE coming here to dine out.
(4)Scot N.
This place is awesome! My Indian friends at work recommended it. So glad I came here. The food is wonderful. The service can be a bit slow, but it's worth it.
(4)Kelly R.
Service is leisurely but definitely worth the wait. This is hands-down the best Indian food in Iowa City and additionally... I found it to be better than most of the food I had in India! My favorite dish is the Chicken Korma which is out of this world! The rice is aromatic and flavorful, samosas are perfectly cooked and spiced, and the naan is always incredible. My fiance, the biryani connoisseur, adores their lamb and chicken biryani.
(5)Bean B.
The lunch buffet can not be beat here! It is affordable, delicious, and every time I go they have different items on the buffet table. There is always a soup, selection of vegetarian and meat items, and they have different desserts too. They will bring you extra naan for no extra charge. The buffet is everyday but Monday right now. The dinner menu is just as good, with one option were you can try a little bit of what seems to be everything. The atmosphere is calm with both tables and booths. Most authentic Indian in town, as confirmed by Indian coworkers.
(5)Adam I.
Good food good service, esp. enjoy the lunch buffet.
(4)Chandri V.
Great food, affordable, such courteous and friendly service!! Am only driving through here and so can experience this but once. I do know that if I am ever here again, this is the place I will visit :) Highly recommended: mango ice cream... Fresh, home made with actual mango pieces and pulp..... Yummmm
(5)Catherine S.
I'd be lying if I said I hadn't driven from Des Moines to Iowa City are just for the buffet at Exotic India. If I'm in Iowa City and the people I visit don't want to go to Exotic India, my heart breaks a little. This is the best Indian food I've ever had. The buffet is so good. I've gone for dinner and it was good too, but I love being able to try more items on the buffet. We sometimes pick up "to-go" buffets to enjoy for dinner at home when we're passing through Iowa City.
(5)Ingrid H.
reasonably priced lunch buffet & the food was decent.
(3)Matt U.
The first three times we drove by this place, we thought it said Erotic India and while we quickly realized our mistake, our visit was absolutely amazing. We'd been searching for a good Indian spot and this is officially our place. We started with the exotic naan and simply said, it was incredible. I found myself wishing my mouth was larger so I could have more in at one time. Great with the cilantro sauce. For a main dish we had the mango curry and the Kharahi and both were delightful. Served over the Basmati rice, it was delectable. The flavors were just right and the 3 and 4 stars of hotness we had were masterfully done. Heat, but with flavor, just like Mama makes....if you're mom is from India or works here. The Chai was really good and complimented the meal very well. The only improvement would be making it $5 and having it be an unlimited refill Chai! The waiters were great, very attentive, but not there too much. The made great recommendations and were very friendly. Bottom line: We'll be taking friends here in the near future. It rivals some of the better Indian food I've had on this half of the country and is a definite must try!
(5)Evie R.
The best Indian restaurant around. It can take a while for the food to come out, but it's definitely worth the wait, and the service is very friendly. My favorite dish is the mattar paneer, and you should definitely get the gulab jamun for dessert!
(5)Kristin L.
If one more raving review is what you need to go eat here then read away! I haven't enjoyed a meal like this in a LONG time. I ordered carry out, they said it'd be 10-15 minutes so I started reading. I read 2 pages and my food was ready. FAST! What did I order you ask? Garlic Naan. The aroma alone is killer, and it's a HUGE piece, well worth the price if you ask me. Butter Chicken. HOLY COW! If you're like me and have never had it, it's got a sweet taste to it, not too rich, with chicken in it. Texture of a thick soup, mixes amazingly with the basmati rice they serve with it. Please go here and eat more for me, I've never been so bummed that I was full.
(5)kim g.
Oh wow. First really good restaurant hole in the wall in Iowa city that I've found. I had the onion naan (they stuff it with onions), saag paneer which Is one of my favorite dishes, and rogan josh with lamb. I ate it for 3 days afrerwards. Lamb was tender, sauce spicy (medium is spicier than I would have expected which is a good thing), and saag a lovely texture and more flavorful than I ever had before. Even the rice is good. It's worth a little extra change to try out a few dishes. It's also incredibly rich so maybe not an everyday food, although I'm tempted to go back and try the eggplant now. One thing to improve would be the take out wait time which was a good 20-25 mins. I'll call ahead next time.
(5)Eric B.
I've had much better tandoor Chicken. Surprised no garlic Naan ( had others). Better choices around for Indian food
(2)Megan K.
Incredible Indian food. I had the korma with shrimp - WOW. I don't know if I'll ever be able to get anything else, but I'm going to try! My huz had the lamb madras - it was spicy and very flavorful. The lamb was delicious. The best part of the meal, though, is dipping their (best) naan (ive ever had) into whatever sauce you're eating. Also, I'm sure most people get some type of naan for an appetizer here - try the Meat Samosa. It's like a meaty Indian hot pocket - I could consider just getting 3 orders of this and not getting an entree. I hear the lunch buffet is cheap and great - can't wait to try it. Highly recommended - but don't dress up. This place is not fancy.
(5)Anrey W.
We found this place on Yelp while driving through Iowa. Great place to stop by if you're a veggie. I loved that they labeled which dishes can be made vegan. Thumbs down for their styrofoam take out containers, however.
(4)Arlene P.
Can you say disgusting? Stopped for lunch while on a trip to Colorado, the place was dirty, the food cold and barely edible. Our naan came burnt and when we requested a new serving, it was taken away and nothing was brought in its place. Avoid!
(1)Jessica B.
Go Yelpers! Everyone's positive remarks were spot on. Sooo delicious and sooo filling! I got a sampler of the vegetarian appetizers, the Bengan Bhertha (as recommended by Keke K.), and some garlic Naan. All that came out to just over $20. But it was worth every penny. I couldn't find an online menu, so I had to go in-person to order. It took just under 20 minutes for the food to be done and it was worth the wait. Coralville, Iowa -- this restaurant ROCKS! Lucky Hawkeyes!
(5)Keke K.
good: All of the wait staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. The garlic naan is a must have, and wonderful paired with the Malai Kofta medium-hot. The samosas are good as well. The Bengan Bhertha (eggplant) and Bhindi Masala (okra) are some of my favorites and have the right amount of complexity and flavor. I love, love, love getting any of these dishes made "medium-hot" because the chiefs really know how to make a spicy flavorful dish. This is a wonderful place to take any out of town friends who are new to Iowa City if you want to impress them with some good and hearty Indian food. bad: It's very addictive and its hard to not order the delicious mango lassi everytime. I usually spend too much money here.
(4)Bobby B.
Best Indian food in the area. Service may not be the friendliest, but the food more than makes up for it.
(5)Austin B.
The lunch buffet is reasonably priced and the food is delicious, even though I had no clue what I was eating half the time. My only complaint is that I wish they'd had another meat option or two, but everything else was so good that this isn't a big deal.
(4)Mendel K.
By FAR the best Indian restaurant in Iowa City/Coralville. That's all you need to know. Go here. :)
(5)Chilly R.
Exotic India is hands down the best Indian restaurant in the area. It's really not even close. This is the top dog, el mero mero, the head of state when it comes to those funky fresh sauces, curries, and spices. The buffet is a great deal, and the dinner is worth your time and money. I love this place so much I just composed a little freestyle about it: if you're in Coralville and you spot the Exotic do a quick check breh, dip your hand in your pocket if you got a handful of dollars you should holla at some channa masala or at least spend a few on that vindalloo I first hit the buffet after an interview for a job I didn't get, I was like "Oh man, gosh" ate lunch, came back for dinner had some rogan josh butter chicken, samosas, alloo chat what a vixen my waitress, baby doll you hot got her number and some free bread, later got some action now that's what I call a naan-profit transaction. Word to paneer and pakora from Iowa City to Bora Bora Chilly R is the cuisine explorer like dora watching twin peaks like "who killed laura?" PEACE!
(5)Traffic S.
I am ashamed to say there was a long gap after the flood that took out half of the Coralville strip before I returned to Exotic India. I was there at least twice a week before that. My pattern changed and now I am seeing fit to change it back. The remodel after the flood is VERY NICE the food was excellent before, but for atmosphere they stepped up their game. The tile floors and new furniture really set off the food as a fun place to get some indian food. I LOVE the waitstaff, very attentive to the water glasses and drinks, and the empty plates, (lunch buffet) and the prices are very reasonable. For dinner I would suggest the sampler they have so you can get a good idea of whats available. The Nan is fresh and toasty warm when they bring it from the kitchen, the Garlic Nan is worth asking for. I don't eat meat generally so I can only comment on the vegetarian dishes, which there are enough of the feel like you really ate somewhere. Often there are limited selections for vegetarians. This restaurant is in my top five favorites for food in Iowa City.
(5)Ethan R.
Satisfies my Indian cravings when I'm in the IC. Butter chicken on the buffet. The food is great and less than $10. They don't skimp on the naan, either.
(5)Lola N.
The Exotic Curry was creamy, spicy, fragrant, delicious - everything I could have asked for. My boyfriend's vindaloo was very authentic - I don't like the vinegar-y and highly tomato based sauce, but it was spiced just as he asked. The lhassi was creamy and not too sweet... nearly everything was perfect except the naan which could have had more garlic flavor. I love the menu, and every other table in this restaurant was a table of actual Indian people. This restaurant is adorable and completely delicious with great service - we will be back OFTEN. I definitely want to try the lunch buffet, but dinner was so outrageously well priced it was amazing! $32 not including tip for samosas, 2 curries and a lhassi. Mmmm. I love you Exotic India!
(4)Carol C.
this is one of my favorite indian places in iowa! good selection, good food, good atmosphere/decor, you can't go wrong with exotic india! wished that the food was spicier...but other than that i love this place! their naan and samosas are so good.
(4)Alison S.
My absolute favorite Indian restaurant!! I order takeout from Exotic India at least once a week and I'm not over exaggerating. They're naan is sooooooo good and their chicken tikka masala is mmmmm mmmmm superb. Ever since I fell in love with this place, I feel like their food has become my definition of comfort food when I'm in need of a good meal in Iowa City. I looove it.
(5)Kathryn H.
After being spoiled by my hometown's close proximity to "Little India." my husband and myself were on the look out for comparable Indian food. To our delight, we found this amazing little place located behind Taco John's and next door to a Mexican food spot. I had low expectations about this place due to the fact that it was located in a strip mall, and it didn't seem too lively. Boy was I wrong. My husband and myself ordered the chana masala, along with the batura. The batura was cooked as recipe dictates- it was fried in the shape of a dome, mildly sweet, and full of steaming hot air. The Chana Masala was good, lots of bits of potatoes, peas, and the like.
(4)Mark J.
The wife's fav Indian food in town (one of the few things we miss about living in CVille). I prefer dinner to buffet lunch, but both are good. The saag paneer is tops. Service can be slow, but that's mostly just cause I'm whiny about always needing MORE NAAN!
(4)Jennifer W.
I've only ever been here for the buffet, but it's pretty consistent and I always know what to expect. There are some vegetarian options. They provide free naan on the side, which is great! My gripe is that my glass sat empty numerous times.
(3)Michael K.
No naan on the buffet. You have to wait for it to be delivered to your table. Sometimes it takes longer than I would expect. I would give them 5 stars if the naan was delivered quicker. Food is great. Updated to 5 stars. Naan arrives much faster now. Or maybe I've grown more patient.
(5)Hunter H.
The best Indian in Iowa City/Orville but still only okay.
(3)ken w.
Lunch buffet is a great deal. Highly recommended. The buffet itself isn't huge. There are only a few items to be had but it's enough for a satisfying lunch. The Korma and Saag were incredible. I was really surprised. The Samosas were good, not great. The sauces were top notch - some of the best mint and honey sauces I've ever had. Very friendly service.
(4)Kim J.
I love their lunch buffet. I wish I lived closer to IC. The tandori chicken is awesome as well as their naan bread. I swear this place has gotten me hooked on Indian Food and I have yet to find a place that matches it. Warning: You will leave here very full but its so worth it!
(4)Kristin L.
It was decent food. I went for the lunch buffet. smaller and more lukewarm than i expected...but i did arrive on the later side for lunch. the naan was amazingly fresh and good though. appears clean. the waiters were always prompt. I missed my mango dessert that I had come to take for granted. A buddy that goes there more often..usually for dinner..says that dinner is much better.
(3)L B.
Best buffet in town, hands down. Vegetarian friendly. The ability to choose your own protein (anything from seafood to tofu to paneer) with a regional sauce of your choice is a real plus.
(5)Kat H.
Delicious! Tried the cheese korma, fish vindalloo and tofu masala. All 3 were so flavorful. The rice is very aromatic and good as well. The price is steep but good for a special occasion.
(4)tembi b.
I liked the lunch buffet, but I was more impressed with the dinner. We came with friends and shared a bunch of stuff, but I remember being particularly impressed with the butter chicken and the lamb rogan josh. Also, they have a coconut naan that is pink and with raisins and basically the best thing anyone ever did to naan. Since I'm not vegetarian I might pick this place over Masala, even though I really love Masala.
(4)Anna H.
This is by far the best place in town to go for Indian food. Thier buffet is a great way to sample the menu for cheap. The service is quick and efficient and not overly pushy. The food is served hot and never fails to be amazing.
(5)Al N.
For IC-C'ville, I'm calling this the best Indian. No, I ain't never been to Mumbai. But that E.I. serves animal puts them above Masala. And that I've not nearly choked on a chicken bone puts them ahead of India Cafe. I don't know what happened to the older gentleman who took the orders when they first opened, but he had a welcome sense of humor. When he asked how hot I would like my dish he would inquire whether I could stand "One or two tears" while pantomiming tears falling from the corners of his kind eyes. Well, this place disappointed only a couple times when it came to my desired level of heat. I swear, my last time there I had an extended endorphin rush after swallowing their lamb Vindaloo. I hope they can keep it up.
(4)Derek S.
The food here is really tasty. I had the punjabi curry and would definitely recommend it. The tap water is a little funky and they only brought out one piece of naan which seemed skimpy for $2.50. But the rice is really good and the service very polite.
(4)R M.
This place serves up consistently great food. We normally land up getting the tandoori chicken which has always been very tender and flavorful. Service can be a little spotty, but the owner/manager is very attentive and courteous. No fuss place with good food.
(5)Sarah L.
I went for the lunch buffet after reading all the rave reviews, but was seriously disappointed. I got there at 12:30pm on a Sunday, the place was half full, but there were people constantly waiting to be seated. There were very few dish selections, all dishes looked watery. Veggie dishes look brown. Meat dishes had only sauce left, no meat what so ever. The tray for tandoori chicken was empty. Taste wise was also disappointing. I couldn't taste anything except salt. Not impressed at all. Can't believe this had the same rating with the Taste of India in Hiawatha, IA. I'd rather drive that 30miles for a decent Indian buffet than this.
(2)Lindsey D.
Amazing food! They have a great lunch buffet with lots of meat and meatless options. The chicken tikka masala is my favorite. If you go during a "non buffet" time they will make the meal as mild as you like. Which is great for me not handling hot spicy. Great staff and love the local business that came back after the flood of 2008!
(5)Jeremy S.
My wife and I love Indian food and were happy to move to an area with a variety of Indian restaurants to choose from. Exotic India is by far the best around. I haven't been disappointed yet with their main courses; I've tried nearly all of them. My wife and I have different preferences, and we both come away pleased. My compliments to the chef. Please don't leave Iowa City/Coralville!
(5)Chris H.
The service isn't fast, but the people are friendly and it's nice a good atmosphere to sit around and talk to friends. It's definitely my favorite Indian food in Iowa City or the Quad Cities. I've had the Saag Paneer and Lamb Biryani with great success.
(4)Hayley B.
I. Love. Exotic. India. By and far the best Indian place in the Iowa City/Coralville area. I typically order the butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, paneer saag and naan. I typically get this to go and stuff my face at home, but two entrees and some naan is the perfect amount to share with another person. Never had a bad meal here.
(5)Katty L.
This is the best Indian place in the Iowa City/Coralville area. Good variety of food for the buffet. They bring you fresh nann to go along with the curry. My favorite is their tandoori chicken. Seasoned very well, not too salty, and most importantly the meat is not dry. The only downside is that the herbal/curry scent will linger off with you after the meal, but again that's a sign indicating their real authenticity.
(4)Ricky D.
I almost always get the butter chicken (2 out of 5 on the spice scale) together with naan and meat samosas, it comes with basmati rice too and so yummy. They recently started delivery which is a great deal if you live within their range. They are speedy, courteous and kind; Long live Exotic India
(5)Rachel G.
It rarely happens but man, Yelp you let me down. Indian food is my fav cuisine so when I was in Coralville and on the hunt for my Indian fix and landed at Exotic India. I was there outside of the lunch hour so had the place to myself (with the exception of the dead fly I discovered on the ledge just next to me who served as my lunch companion). I found myself a booth and immediately opted for the buffet with the assumption that I would have no problem finding a multitude of delicious choices. I couldn't have been more wrong. The food on the buffet did not look very appetizing but I loaded my plate with what I thought would be my best options. Upon returning to the table and trying my selections I was completely disappointed. It was just plain bad. How could this be? How could this place have such great reviews? Is it possible the good folks of Coralville have never had good Indian food? If Exotic India is the best the area has to offer I highly suggest waiting to fulfill your craving for Indian food.
(1)Zac R.
This place was a bit hard to find for an out of towner like me. It is situated in a building in which the Mexican restaurant's sign over takes the whole facade. After establishing that I was actually in the right place things started to go a little smoother. Exotic was actually a nice surprise and the food was excellent. I would recommend the Exotic Platter vegetarian style. The Chicken Jalfrezi stole the show. It was much more flavorful than the lamb madras and the mango curry that we ordered as well. Go figure that Iowa City has better Indian food that what I'm getting here in Chicago!
(4)j c.
This review is based on just one visit during the lunch buffet. I have not been to any other Indian restaurants in Iowa City, and I have not tried the dinner menu. I really enjoyed my lunch here. I smelled the aromatic Indian spices as soon as I opened the door. I was promptly seated but it took them a while to bring out water and the side dish of naan bread. The tomato soup was very bland and tasted just like watered down Campbell's tomato soup. However, other items on the buffet were all so very delicious. As a first timer in Indian restaurant, I can't tell you what I had but all were very good. Many were vegetarian dishes involving potatoes. Butter chicken was good but the tandoori chicken was excellent. It had a nice smoky flavor. All the items were seasoned just right, not to salty or spicy. I could have used some more heat but I am nitpicking. After stuffing myself it was still less than $10, including the tip! Very friendly servers but with only two of them, the service lagged when it became very crowded. There were continuous stream of customers despite that it was past 1:00 pm. It's a bonus that the lunch buffet runs until 2:30 pm. Only downside is that my cloth smelled like the spices for several days afterward.
(5)Marvin K.
I will agree with the previous poster that the service was odd. We were shown to our table and didn't see a waiter for about 10 minutes. When he finally came everything went well. Food and beverage came out rather fast. My biryani was excellent. Make sure to ask for it spicy if you like hot foods. Our waiter tried to warn me it was too hot but it really wasn't all that hot. It's a shame I live so far away now but when I'm back in IC, I'll definitely eat at exotic india.
(5)Doug W.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here. I would like to consider myself a discerning Indian restaurant-goer. I have lived near Jackson Heights in NYC, traveled to Northern India, and eaten at almost any Indian place available during my travels in the US. And Exotic India seemed to nail it! I had the lamb Vindaloo. Traditionally it is a spicy, vinegary dish, and this more than delivered. My girlfriend hand the chicken Jalfrezi, which was equally delicious. It wasn't something super concrete that made it so delicious, but more like the usage of actual fresh-ground spices that gave the dishes an ultra-unctous flavor. We were very impressed, and will definitely be back! It is also nice to be able to order things at something approaching an "Indian-level" of spiciness. I'm curious to order a more diverse number of dishes next time, since the offering seems to be pretty extensive.
(5)Karlton K.
I used to go to the Public Library on Saturdays (still do) and hit the India Cafe for the lunch buffet (no more). The wife and I enjoyed their chicken masala (still do) but all the kids would eat was naan bread. The wife and I tried the lunch buffet at Exotic India and were pleasantly surprised with the food. We had been there a number of times and had great experiences. Then my neighbor (with 4 kids) was telling me how his kids ate off the buffet for practically free. He thought they screwed up his bill it was so cheap. We talked the kids into trying the buffet and they really enjoyed the tandoori chicken. Only trouble was the kitchen couldn't keep up with the demand (the place was busy), so the kids waited a long time before finally getting to try it. Then they billed us FULL PRICE for the kids' meals. I was shocked but I did not argue, and paid the bill. So weeks roll by and my son is pestering for more of that "red chicken." I phone Exotic India ahead of time and ask what is the price for a kids buffet? They say it's variable based on how much the kid eats! I'd rather know the price before I venture down there but it's just so Dang YUMMY that we take a shot anyway. This time my kids ate twice as much as the last time and they charge me something like $3 a kid. That's great! But I think the general rule here is that the price of a kid's buffet depends on who is running the register. Anyway ... Now my son requests Exotic India all the time: "Dad, can we go to the red chicken place?" or "you know, the place with my favorite chicken!" I would give 5 stars for the food alone, but they lose one star for their unpredictable kid pricing and because the kitchen sometimes can't keep the buffet stocked fast enough. Regardless of the negatives, I highly recommend Exotic India.
(4)Carla P.
I love Indian food! The food here was really tasty. Although I thought they were a bit pricey at dinner. But I felt good after eating their meals and didn't have to rush home to the bathroom afterwards! :) The Samosa was really yummy for an appetizer. We had Lamb Madras and Tandori Chicken. And a side of Naan. I agree with Derek S about the skimpy-ness of the Naan serving. Just one piece? I'll probably be back. But not as often as I'd like because of the pricing.
(4)Bill C.
Wonderful Indian food! The variety is amazing. The quality, portions and service were out of this world!
(5)Sandra A.
One day I realized there was actual Indian food in Eastern Iowa.
(4)Chandri V.
Great food, affordable, such courteous and friendly service!! Am only driving through here and so can experience this but once. I do know that if I am ever here again, this is the place I will visit :) Highly recommended: mango ice cream... Fresh, home made with actual mango pieces and pulp..... Yummmm
(5)Matt U.
The first three times we drove by this place, we thought it said Erotic India and while we quickly realized our mistake, our visit was absolutely amazing. We'd been searching for a good Indian spot and this is officially our place. We started with the exotic naan and simply said, it was incredible. I found myself wishing my mouth was larger so I could have more in at one time. Great with the cilantro sauce. For a main dish we had the mango curry and the Kharahi and both were delightful. Served over the Basmati rice, it was delectable. The flavors were just right and the 3 and 4 stars of hotness we had were masterfully done. Heat, but with flavor, just like Mama makes....if you're mom is from India or works here. The Chai was really good and complimented the meal very well. The only improvement would be making it $5 and having it be an unlimited refill Chai! The waiters were great, very attentive, but not there too much. The made great recommendations and were very friendly. Bottom line: We'll be taking friends here in the near future. It rivals some of the better Indian food I've had on this half of the country and is a definite must try!
(5)Evie R.
The best Indian restaurant around. It can take a while for the food to come out, but it's definitely worth the wait, and the service is very friendly. My favorite dish is the mattar paneer, and you should definitely get the gulab jamun for dessert!
(5)Kristin L.
If one more raving review is what you need to go eat here then read away! I haven't enjoyed a meal like this in a LONG time. I ordered carry out, they said it'd be 10-15 minutes so I started reading. I read 2 pages and my food was ready. FAST! What did I order you ask? Garlic Naan. The aroma alone is killer, and it's a HUGE piece, well worth the price if you ask me. Butter Chicken. HOLY COW! If you're like me and have never had it, it's got a sweet taste to it, not too rich, with chicken in it. Texture of a thick soup, mixes amazingly with the basmati rice they serve with it. Please go here and eat more for me, I've never been so bummed that I was full.
(5)Ingrid H.
reasonably priced lunch buffet & the food was decent.
(3)kim g.
Oh wow. First really good restaurant hole in the wall in Iowa city that I've found. I had the onion naan (they stuff it with onions), saag paneer which Is one of my favorite dishes, and rogan josh with lamb. I ate it for 3 days afrerwards. Lamb was tender, sauce spicy (medium is spicier than I would have expected which is a good thing), and saag a lovely texture and more flavorful than I ever had before. Even the rice is good. It's worth a little extra change to try out a few dishes. It's also incredibly rich so maybe not an everyday food, although I'm tempted to go back and try the eggplant now. One thing to improve would be the take out wait time which was a good 20-25 mins. I'll call ahead next time.
(5)Eric B.
I've had much better tandoor Chicken. Surprised no garlic Naan ( had others). Better choices around for Indian food
(2)Eleanor B.
Good food, good service. Pleasantly surprised to find good Indian food out here. The place is nothing fancy, which suited us just fine. If I find myself in Iowa City again, I'd come back here. Enjoy!
(4)Megan K.
Incredible Indian food. I had the korma with shrimp - WOW. I don't know if I'll ever be able to get anything else, but I'm going to try! My huz had the lamb madras - it was spicy and very flavorful. The lamb was delicious. The best part of the meal, though, is dipping their (best) naan (ive ever had) into whatever sauce you're eating. Also, I'm sure most people get some type of naan for an appetizer here - try the Meat Samosa. It's like a meaty Indian hot pocket - I could consider just getting 3 orders of this and not getting an entree. I hear the lunch buffet is cheap and great - can't wait to try it. Highly recommended - but don't dress up. This place is not fancy.
(5)Anrey W.
We found this place on Yelp while driving through Iowa. Great place to stop by if you're a veggie. I loved that they labeled which dishes can be made vegan. Thumbs down for their styrofoam take out containers, however.
(4)Arlene P.
Can you say disgusting? Stopped for lunch while on a trip to Colorado, the place was dirty, the food cold and barely edible. Our naan came burnt and when we requested a new serving, it was taken away and nothing was brought in its place. Avoid!
(1)Jessica B.
Go Yelpers! Everyone's positive remarks were spot on. Sooo delicious and sooo filling! I got a sampler of the vegetarian appetizers, the Bengan Bhertha (as recommended by Keke K.), and some garlic Naan. All that came out to just over $20. But it was worth every penny. I couldn't find an online menu, so I had to go in-person to order. It took just under 20 minutes for the food to be done and it was worth the wait. Coralville, Iowa -- this restaurant ROCKS! Lucky Hawkeyes!
(5)Keke K.
good: All of the wait staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. The garlic naan is a must have, and wonderful paired with the Malai Kofta medium-hot. The samosas are good as well. The Bengan Bhertha (eggplant) and Bhindi Masala (okra) are some of my favorites and have the right amount of complexity and flavor. I love, love, love getting any of these dishes made "medium-hot" because the chiefs really know how to make a spicy flavorful dish. This is a wonderful place to take any out of town friends who are new to Iowa City if you want to impress them with some good and hearty Indian food. bad: It's very addictive and its hard to not order the delicious mango lassi everytime. I usually spend too much money here.
(4)Bobby B.
Best Indian food in the area. Service may not be the friendliest, but the food more than makes up for it.
(5)Austin B.
The lunch buffet is reasonably priced and the food is delicious, even though I had no clue what I was eating half the time. My only complaint is that I wish they'd had another meat option or two, but everything else was so good that this isn't a big deal.
(4)Mendel K.
By FAR the best Indian restaurant in Iowa City/Coralville. That's all you need to know. Go here. :)
(5)Catherine S.
I'd be lying if I said I hadn't driven from Des Moines to Iowa City are just for the buffet at Exotic India. If I'm in Iowa City and the people I visit don't want to go to Exotic India, my heart breaks a little. This is the best Indian food I've ever had. The buffet is so good. I've gone for dinner and it was good too, but I love being able to try more items on the buffet. We sometimes pick up "to-go" buffets to enjoy for dinner at home when we're passing through Iowa City.
(5)Chilly R.
Exotic India is hands down the best Indian restaurant in the area. It's really not even close. This is the top dog, el mero mero, the head of state when it comes to those funky fresh sauces, curries, and spices. The buffet is a great deal, and the dinner is worth your time and money. I love this place so much I just composed a little freestyle about it: if you're in Coralville and you spot the Exotic do a quick check breh, dip your hand in your pocket if you got a handful of dollars you should holla at some channa masala or at least spend a few on that vindalloo I first hit the buffet after an interview for a job I didn't get, I was like "Oh man, gosh" ate lunch, came back for dinner had some rogan josh butter chicken, samosas, alloo chat what a vixen my waitress, baby doll you hot got her number and some free bread, later got some action now that's what I call a naan-profit transaction. Word to paneer and pakora from Iowa City to Bora Bora Chilly R is the cuisine explorer like dora watching twin peaks like "who killed laura?" PEACE!
(5)Traffic S.
I am ashamed to say there was a long gap after the flood that took out half of the Coralville strip before I returned to Exotic India. I was there at least twice a week before that. My pattern changed and now I am seeing fit to change it back. The remodel after the flood is VERY NICE the food was excellent before, but for atmosphere they stepped up their game. The tile floors and new furniture really set off the food as a fun place to get some indian food. I LOVE the waitstaff, very attentive to the water glasses and drinks, and the empty plates, (lunch buffet) and the prices are very reasonable. For dinner I would suggest the sampler they have so you can get a good idea of whats available. The Nan is fresh and toasty warm when they bring it from the kitchen, the Garlic Nan is worth asking for. I don't eat meat generally so I can only comment on the vegetarian dishes, which there are enough of the feel like you really ate somewhere. Often there are limited selections for vegetarians. This restaurant is in my top five favorites for food in Iowa City.
(5)Ethan R.
Satisfies my Indian cravings when I'm in the IC. Butter chicken on the buffet. The food is great and less than $10. They don't skimp on the naan, either.
(5)Lola N.
The Exotic Curry was creamy, spicy, fragrant, delicious - everything I could have asked for. My boyfriend's vindaloo was very authentic - I don't like the vinegar-y and highly tomato based sauce, but it was spiced just as he asked. The lhassi was creamy and not too sweet... nearly everything was perfect except the naan which could have had more garlic flavor. I love the menu, and every other table in this restaurant was a table of actual Indian people. This restaurant is adorable and completely delicious with great service - we will be back OFTEN. I definitely want to try the lunch buffet, but dinner was so outrageously well priced it was amazing! $32 not including tip for samosas, 2 curries and a lhassi. Mmmm. I love you Exotic India!
(4)Carol C.
this is one of my favorite indian places in iowa! good selection, good food, good atmosphere/decor, you can't go wrong with exotic india! wished that the food was spicier...but other than that i love this place! their naan and samosas are so good.
(4)Alison S.
My absolute favorite Indian restaurant!! I order takeout from Exotic India at least once a week and I'm not over exaggerating. They're naan is sooooooo good and their chicken tikka masala is mmmmm mmmmm superb. Ever since I fell in love with this place, I feel like their food has become my definition of comfort food when I'm in need of a good meal in Iowa City. I looove it.
(5)Kathryn H.
After being spoiled by my hometown's close proximity to "Little India." my husband and myself were on the look out for comparable Indian food. To our delight, we found this amazing little place located behind Taco John's and next door to a Mexican food spot. I had low expectations about this place due to the fact that it was located in a strip mall, and it didn't seem too lively. Boy was I wrong. My husband and myself ordered the chana masala, along with the batura. The batura was cooked as recipe dictates- it was fried in the shape of a dome, mildly sweet, and full of steaming hot air. The Chana Masala was good, lots of bits of potatoes, peas, and the like.
(4)Mark J.
The wife's fav Indian food in town (one of the few things we miss about living in CVille). I prefer dinner to buffet lunch, but both are good. The saag paneer is tops. Service can be slow, but that's mostly just cause I'm whiny about always needing MORE NAAN!
(4)Jennifer W.
I've only ever been here for the buffet, but it's pretty consistent and I always know what to expect. There are some vegetarian options. They provide free naan on the side, which is great! My gripe is that my glass sat empty numerous times.
(3)Michael K.
No naan on the buffet. You have to wait for it to be delivered to your table. Sometimes it takes longer than I would expect. I would give them 5 stars if the naan was delivered quicker. Food is great. Updated to 5 stars. Naan arrives much faster now. Or maybe I've grown more patient.
(5)Hunter H.
The best Indian in Iowa City/Orville but still only okay.
(3)ken w.
Lunch buffet is a great deal. Highly recommended. The buffet itself isn't huge. There are only a few items to be had but it's enough for a satisfying lunch. The Korma and Saag were incredible. I was really surprised. The Samosas were good, not great. The sauces were top notch - some of the best mint and honey sauces I've ever had. Very friendly service.
(4)j c.
This review is based on just one visit during the lunch buffet. I have not been to any other Indian restaurants in Iowa City, and I have not tried the dinner menu. I really enjoyed my lunch here. I smelled the aromatic Indian spices as soon as I opened the door. I was promptly seated but it took them a while to bring out water and the side dish of naan bread. The tomato soup was very bland and tasted just like watered down Campbell's tomato soup. However, other items on the buffet were all so very delicious. As a first timer in Indian restaurant, I can't tell you what I had but all were very good. Many were vegetarian dishes involving potatoes. Butter chicken was good but the tandoori chicken was excellent. It had a nice smoky flavor. All the items were seasoned just right, not to salty or spicy. I could have used some more heat but I am nitpicking. After stuffing myself it was still less than $10, including the tip! Very friendly servers but with only two of them, the service lagged when it became very crowded. There were continuous stream of customers despite that it was past 1:00 pm. It's a bonus that the lunch buffet runs until 2:30 pm. Only downside is that my cloth smelled like the spices for several days afterward.
(5)Marvin K.
I will agree with the previous poster that the service was odd. We were shown to our table and didn't see a waiter for about 10 minutes. When he finally came everything went well. Food and beverage came out rather fast. My biryani was excellent. Make sure to ask for it spicy if you like hot foods. Our waiter tried to warn me it was too hot but it really wasn't all that hot. It's a shame I live so far away now but when I'm back in IC, I'll definitely eat at exotic india.
(5)Zac R.
This place was a bit hard to find for an out of towner like me. It is situated in a building in which the Mexican restaurant's sign over takes the whole facade. After establishing that I was actually in the right place things started to go a little smoother. Exotic was actually a nice surprise and the food was excellent. I would recommend the Exotic Platter vegetarian style. The Chicken Jalfrezi stole the show. It was much more flavorful than the lamb madras and the mango curry that we ordered as well. Go figure that Iowa City has better Indian food that what I'm getting here in Chicago!
(4)Doug W.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here. I would like to consider myself a discerning Indian restaurant-goer. I have lived near Jackson Heights in NYC, traveled to Northern India, and eaten at almost any Indian place available during my travels in the US. And Exotic India seemed to nail it! I had the lamb Vindaloo. Traditionally it is a spicy, vinegary dish, and this more than delivered. My girlfriend hand the chicken Jalfrezi, which was equally delicious. It wasn't something super concrete that made it so delicious, but more like the usage of actual fresh-ground spices that gave the dishes an ultra-unctous flavor. We were very impressed, and will definitely be back! It is also nice to be able to order things at something approaching an "Indian-level" of spiciness. I'm curious to order a more diverse number of dishes next time, since the offering seems to be pretty extensive.
(5)Kim J.
I love their lunch buffet. I wish I lived closer to IC. The tandori chicken is awesome as well as their naan bread. I swear this place has gotten me hooked on Indian Food and I have yet to find a place that matches it. Warning: You will leave here very full but its so worth it!
(4)Karlton K.
I used to go to the Public Library on Saturdays (still do) and hit the India Cafe for the lunch buffet (no more). The wife and I enjoyed their chicken masala (still do) but all the kids would eat was naan bread. The wife and I tried the lunch buffet at Exotic India and were pleasantly surprised with the food. We had been there a number of times and had great experiences. Then my neighbor (with 4 kids) was telling me how his kids ate off the buffet for practically free. He thought they screwed up his bill it was so cheap. We talked the kids into trying the buffet and they really enjoyed the tandoori chicken. Only trouble was the kitchen couldn't keep up with the demand (the place was busy), so the kids waited a long time before finally getting to try it. Then they billed us FULL PRICE for the kids' meals. I was shocked but I did not argue, and paid the bill. So weeks roll by and my son is pestering for more of that "red chicken." I phone Exotic India ahead of time and ask what is the price for a kids buffet? They say it's variable based on how much the kid eats! I'd rather know the price before I venture down there but it's just so Dang YUMMY that we take a shot anyway. This time my kids ate twice as much as the last time and they charge me something like $3 a kid. That's great! But I think the general rule here is that the price of a kid's buffet depends on who is running the register. Anyway ... Now my son requests Exotic India all the time: "Dad, can we go to the red chicken place?" or "you know, the place with my favorite chicken!" I would give 5 stars for the food alone, but they lose one star for their unpredictable kid pricing and because the kitchen sometimes can't keep the buffet stocked fast enough. Regardless of the negatives, I highly recommend Exotic India.
(4)Carla P.
I love Indian food! The food here was really tasty. Although I thought they were a bit pricey at dinner. But I felt good after eating their meals and didn't have to rush home to the bathroom afterwards! :) The Samosa was really yummy for an appetizer. We had Lamb Madras and Tandori Chicken. And a side of Naan. I agree with Derek S about the skimpy-ness of the Naan serving. Just one piece? I'll probably be back. But not as often as I'd like because of the pricing.
(4)Archana L.
I tried take out. Service was timely. The food was not good. I had ordered fish pakora..... 5 one inch chunks of dry fish for 7.99.....bad deal. Karahi chichen 11. 99 for app 7-8 tiny pieces (less than one inch of chicken)!! Gravy was tasty but creamy. Karahi chichen recipe does not call for cream. So not authentic. Aaloo parantha was made with risen dough! ! Not professional Paneer naan literally without Paneer filling This food for 31.99....Overall not a good deal for not well made food.
(2)Jamison E.
Ordered sag paneer, rice and samosas. All were very good. As well as the chutney that I normally am not crazy about. When I first went in at 6 pm on a Tuesday night no one was there but since they got so many high ratings I decided to try. The place slowly got busier by the time I left. Glad I went. Good place. Decent prices.
(4)Sachin G.
Extremely disappointing !! As an Indian, I can say with utmost conviction - PLEASE AVOID THIS PLACE. Went here for their lunch buffet. The food was extremely tasteless. The chicken tandoori had no flavor, and the chicken itself looked stale. Even the rest of the dishes lacked taste. My friend, who got disillusioned with the buffet food, ordered Rogan Gosht that turned out to be even more disappointing. I had high hopes from this place after reading the reviews, but left thoroughly disappointed.
(1)Hayley B.
I. Love. Exotic. India. By and far the best Indian place in the Iowa City/Coralville area. I typically order the butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, paneer saag and naan. I typically get this to go and stuff my face at home, but two entrees and some naan is the perfect amount to share with another person. Never had a bad meal here.
(5)Katty L.
This is the best Indian place in the Iowa City/Coralville area. Good variety of food for the buffet. They bring you fresh nann to go along with the curry. My favorite is their tandoori chicken. Seasoned very well, not too salty, and most importantly the meat is not dry. The only downside is that the herbal/curry scent will linger off with you after the meal, but again that's a sign indicating their real authenticity.
(4)Ricky D.
I almost always get the butter chicken (2 out of 5 on the spice scale) together with naan and meat samosas, it comes with basmati rice too and so yummy. They recently started delivery which is a great deal if you live within their range. They are speedy, courteous and kind; Long live Exotic India
(5)Robin R.
Divine. The bhindi masala might as well be added to my "last meal" list. My husband had the saag with tofu, medium spice, and said it was too spicy. Depending on your preference and familiarity with Indian spices, it might be good to start out with the mild on your first trip. The naan was beautiful and light, and the basmati perfect. My only complaint was that we had empty water glasses.
(4)Mark G.
Had tandoori chicken,meat samosa, naan bread, and mango chutney. Everything was very good and had the delicious unique flavors that you would expect from a good Indian restaurant. Service was very good and the food didn't take too long to come out. I've heard good things from others on this restaurant, I am not the most experienced in this style of cuisine, but I did enjoy it a lot and would come back when in the mood. They got a large menu with all the classics, check this one out for sure if you are craving some good Indian food, they do a great job at what they do.
(4)Rachel G.
It rarely happens but man, Yelp you let me down. Indian food is my fav cuisine so when I was in Coralville and on the hunt for my Indian fix and landed at Exotic India. I was there outside of the lunch hour so had the place to myself (with the exception of the dead fly I discovered on the ledge just next to me who served as my lunch companion). I found myself a booth and immediately opted for the buffet with the assumption that I would have no problem finding a multitude of delicious choices. I couldn't have been more wrong. The food on the buffet did not look very appetizing but I loaded my plate with what I thought would be my best options. Upon returning to the table and trying my selections I was completely disappointed. It was just plain bad. How could this be? How could this place have such great reviews? Is it possible the good folks of Coralville have never had good Indian food? If Exotic India is the best the area has to offer I highly suggest waiting to fulfill your craving for Indian food.
(1)Kristin L.
It was decent food. I went for the lunch buffet. smaller and more lukewarm than i expected...but i did arrive on the later side for lunch. the naan was amazingly fresh and good though. appears clean. the waiters were always prompt. I missed my mango dessert that I had come to take for granted. A buddy that goes there more often..usually for dinner..says that dinner is much better.
(3)Dulcinea C.
Went back again for the lunch buffet and was pleasantly surprised at the selection. I've been to two others buffets in the Iowa City/Coralville area and this seemed to top them. The food was all warm and delicious. The butter chicken was fantastic and I kept going back for more. Their samosas were hot and they had a nice selection of sauces. They also offered some tasty deserts like a sort of rice pudding. It was a bit milky, but still refreshing. The staff is quite attentive to you, if needed, and to the food constantly.
(5)Rave P.
So here's the down low, up high my young grasshopper.. If quality indian cuisine equals lebron james, exotic india equals that kid in middle school who was so retardedly bad at tryouts, everyone waited afterwards to watch the coach edward scissor hands his ass.. Miserably sulking and shooting baskets alone during recess the following day was his only recourse.. He even "got something in his eye" whenever you asked him how tryouts went.. Now, i'm a diversified cook, a world class traveler, an INDIAN, and an individual who already set the bar low for India food as we're in iowa. I hereby conclude from the two times I have dined at this establishment, it is the worst Indian food I've ever put in my mouth and it is an embarrassment to art of indian cuisine. TANDOORI CHICKEN poorly marinated and soooo much NaCl (that young salt), it was not edible CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA Reenroll the cook in CTM101 so he can be bitch slapped and learn to NEVER COOK RAW CHICKEN IN HIS CURRY! It draws out all the moisture from the meat.. Pretty much leaving it chewy & stringy, as opposed to tender and succulent.. A quality Indian restaurant perfectly grills or tandoor's the marinated meat to lock in the juiciness and gently drops it in the silky / aromatically balanced gravy.. I've tasted superior microwaveable ctm than what I was served LAMB VINDALOO Simply was not LV. They infused some mango flavor in their dish, destroying this classic recipe. Also, I counted 6 small bites of lamb and 16 big chunks of potato.. Not worth the 11.99 GARLIC NAAN Average, so no complaints
(1)Mat W.
I ended up being very disappointed here. Food was goodish. Had butter chicken, Rohan josh(hot), naan, baangan bharta, samosa chat. The butter chicken was more like tomato sauce, like prego, with chicken. Samosa chat was very good. Rogan Josh was not spicy, and not all that great. Eggplant was just bland as compared to what I am used to. Service was what really did me in. Server was nice. But our food came out well after a table right next to us came in. We were 3, they were a table of 2. We had ordered, they got seated, and their food came first. Nothing bugs me more than that. The server didn't come by all that much and when I made a comment about the other table (2people) food coming out first. He smiled and didn't say anything otherwise. Not a sorry, not a reason. After food was delivered (took 25 minutes, only three dishes) he didn't come by, I had to go ask for the check and ask for to go containers. Just overall unfortunate. I asked for a glass of wine, there were 3-4 tables, it took 10 Minutes. Why? So won't go back. We actually called a different Indian place for food to go, while we were there. if you can believe it. It was much better. So when I come back I know where we will be going.
(2)Suv V.
As an Indian I would say this is not Indian food for Indians. No offense but the food is bland with minimum spices. Tandoori chicken looks like one but my home made boiled chicken is spicier. Goat curry and tikka chicken were okay. The gulab jamun was undercooked, the kheer was cold and fruit salad had red apples and green apples. I have never ever had their tomato soup ( trust me I eat out a lot). TL;DR not good Indian food, try somewhere else.
(2)T R.
This is not just my favorite Indian restaurant, this is my favorite restaurant of all time. If I could choose my last meal in life it would be their Malai Kofta and naan! My only complaint is that they close in the middle of the day and reopens around 5, but that's common with most of my favorite restaurants hehe.. The gulab jamun is a tasty desert as well
(5)Jessica H.
I love trying ethnic foods and the indian food I've experienced, I've liked, for the most part. I really like the idea of having a buffet so I can sample lots of different things and not commit to one thing I may or may not like, which is why we went here. Coralville doesn't haven't a ton of options anyway so to find indian food in the middle of Iowa and for it to actually be good, that deserves a few stars all on its own. The outside looks a lot scarier than the inside. The decor is fairly nice and the food was quite yummy. There weren't a ton of choices on the buffet, it's one line, but there were plenty of things to try out and we didn't leave hungry.
(4)Tia B.
Meh. I've had better. I was in town for work and stopped in because I was in the mood. The rice was sticky and seemed like it had been sitting around all day. Yuck. The chicken tikka masala was just ok. Not really spicy or flavorful. The garlic naan was just soaked in butter. It seems like because this is a college town the diners don't expect too much because the food is cheap.
(2)Karan W.
Was over in IA for business over a weekend, this place came highly recommended from a friend of mine who goes to university in the state. On first appearance it doesn't seem like much, it looks more like ye olde mom and pop kinda restaurant what with the halogens, peeling paint and the owners presiding over service. That is about the only reason this review doesn't have 5 stars. Everything from that point on takes a turn for the better. They have a limited selection of beer and wine but I was happy to find Haywards 5000 on the selection of beers and wasted no time ordering one (the strongest indian beer you can find, one 16oz. Bottle gives you a nice buzz!) I ordered the chicken chaat, which was tangy, crispy and very tasty, and so was the non- vegetarian dinner thali. The thali has a massive amount of food, with one chicken dish, one lamb fish, naan bread, lentils, rice and other miscellaneous items along with the choice of desert between gulab jamun or kheer. I was a happy camper at the end of the meal. 8/10 would visit again. I recommend!
(4)Marcus L.
I have only had Indian food a hand full of times and the meal here did not disappoint. The waiter was very helpful in describing/guiding us through the menu. For the price the food was delicious.
(4)Matthew S.
Exotic india tasted pretty good, not the best I've ever had and the prices are ridiculous, way higher than they should have been, take 2-3 dollars off of most items and it'd be ok.
(3)Sidney T.
I love this little restaurant in the wall. The buffet is a great deal and has several selections a day to pick from. My favorite dishes are the vegetable Karahi and the Korma. I will say they are pretty sparing when meat is ordered in a dish and it isn't uncommon to get a big piece of gristle in a meat dish. Veggie dishes are bountiful though and delicious. It is the only place i can go and order a vegetarian dish and not feel unsatisfied. The naan is average. Dinner is definitely pricey compared to the buffet at lunch but is still a filling endeavor as long as you don't mind the price. For the money you get a good meal and I think it is definitely worth the cost. The service is on average good. They can be slow to refill drinks. I will say that I've experienced a few times where I and my party were seated and then another group was seated and then their orders were taken first and they seemed to get better, faster, service. It was not lost on me each of these times the other group was Indian. This, the slow drink refills and the meager meat additions are the only reason I can't give this place 5 stars. It is so close and even with these issues I can't help but LOVE coming here to dine out.
(4)Scot N.
This place is awesome! My Indian friends at work recommended it. So glad I came here. The food is wonderful. The service can be a bit slow, but it's worth it.
(4)Holly D.
Motivated by the mostly positive reviews, my boyfriend and I decided to stop here for dinner on the way back to Des Moines. Glad we did, to say the least. I ordered the dal makhani and my boyfriend ordered a dish with lamb in it (he couldn't remember the name of it even as he was eating it). We like our Indian food with a bit of heat, so told the waiter somewhere between medium and spicy (he called it medium plus) and that turned out to be the perfect choice. To drink, I had the masala chai and he had the mango lassi - both were quite tasty. The garlic naan was good, but nothing to write home about. I used it mostly to eat my dish in the traditional manner, sorry not sorry for the amount of pretentiousness in that. Service was good and fast, though the waiter came three times in the first 5 minutes to ask if we knew what we wanted yet (slightly annoying with a menu of their size). Another minor annoyance: the poorly designed leftover containers they use. There's a sizeable gap where the top connects to the bottom and some of my leftovers spilled onto my jeans even though the container was mostly level.
(4)Ron S.
Very happy with the food, the service, and the variety of selections from the menu. A great selection for family dinning since there is a pretty decent Mexican place next door. For the Midwest earns it five stars. The Chicken Tiki Marsala was excellent according to my table mates, the did the Buffet which was fresh and well tended. I had the Chicken Mango Curry, which was excellent with big chunks of Mango. Going to become one of my goto Favs in the IC - CR corridor. Now just to find a good Mediterranean place and an Ethiopian and my cultural epicurean will be complete.
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