Indian Restaurants in Rhode Island
Where to get the best tikka masala, curry, kulfi and more.
Chaska serves elevated Indian dishes including fish tacos and smoked spareribs. Photography by Angel Tucker
Chaska
Cuisine: Indian
It’s tough competition for Chaska when its three other sister restaurants are vying for attention in other parts of the state. The restaurant group is owned by Sanjiv and Vandana Dhar, and includes Kabob and Curry, Rasoi and Rasa. Each has its own menu and dining style. Chaska is more upscale with an extensive list of starters and entrees that aren’t mainstream Indian. I tried the chili cauliflower (a must!) and Punjabi samosa chaat, which involves crispy turnovers with mint and tamarind chutneys, yogurt and chickpeas. For dinner, I got the salmon moilee with coconut, turmeric, curry leaves and mustard seeds, with a side of garlic naan, of course. Indian tacos are served on naan-like tortillas with slow-cooked meats and toppings. For dessert, we got a platter with tastes of saffron pistachio kulfi (housemade ice cream), mango coconut rice pudding, chocolate banana bread and cheesecake sandwiches. The cocktails incorporate Indian spices, fruits and flowers like turmeric, tamarind, ginger and hibiscus, all made into housemade syrups. There’s an off-menu tea cocktail that’s not listed because the process to make it is so complicated. Psst … ask for it. 16 Midway Rd., Cranston, 537-7900, chaska-usa.com
The Dining Room at Chaska. Photography by Angel Tucker
India
Cuisine: Indian
India always has a special meal deal drawing in regular customers. The neighborhood restaurant offers a three-course dinner for two with a bottle of wine for $69.99 available all-day Sunday through Thursday. There’s always a lunch thali special Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that allows guests to get a taste of multiple dishes, or you can go for $12.99 grab-and-go lunch deals for your desk. The chicken tikka masala is the house specialty, but I always love the vegetarian-friendly saag paneer, made with fresh farmer’s cheese and spinach curry and served with basmati rice and garlic naan bread. There’s also a weekend brunch thali for $18.99, which is like a mini personal buffet served at your table with three choices of entrees, accompanied by kale cucumber salad, basmati rice, garlic naan, a side dish of plum tomatoes with fresh ginger, star anise and coconut milk, and cardamom rice pudding for dessert. 1060 Hope St., Providence, 421-2600, indiarestaurant.com
Not Just Snacks and Not Just Spices
Cuisine: Indian
An Indian thali platter involves a silver tray filled with tasting-sized portions of several specialties. At Not Just Snacks, you can choose between meat or vegetarian versions. Opt for the vegetarian curry with rice, roti or naan bread as well as dal or sambhar, a salad, pickles and a sweet. The meat version involves chicken, mutton or beef curry with all of the other side dishes. Not Just Snacks means what the sign says, as you can get full-sized Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala and saag paneer, but there’s also a full-sized counter where you can purchase a box of take-home treats like samosas and Indian pastries. Across the street is Not Just Spices, a market where cooking enthusiasts can purchase Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi groceries, spices and specialty ingredients to bring a taste of South Asia to your home cooking. 833 Hope St., Providence, 831-1150; 836 Hope St., Providence, 351-6555, notjustsnacks.com
