Tips for Dining, Eating and Food Shopping in Florida (inc. Orlando, Tampa and the Florida Keys)
Start New ThreadWhat restaurant has the best Indian Buffet in Orlando? I need good Indian food.
Thanks
Rick
By Rick
on Jan 14, 2005 04:42 PM
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Why does it have to be a buffet?
Bob
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I'd be curious to find out as well. I recently moved to Orlando, and I'm very intrigued by Indian food. I'm just not overly experienced--I've only gone to Indian restaurants a few times previously. A buffet setting gives people a chance to sample many different dishes, rather than ordering off a mysterious menu and leaving you wondering if you made a wise decision. Then, when you go back to the restaurant, you can zero in on what you liked. I think a buffet is the best way to get introduced to "exotic" new cuisines you're unfamiliar with.
On that note, I'd be up for a good Thai buffet in the Orlando area as well!
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Clay Oven on 17-92 in Longwood.
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Oooh, I drove by Clay Oven the other day, on my way to Acme Collectibles on 434, just past 17-92. I'd love to go back and try the place, since it isn't too far from me in Casselberry. How is it? Any recommendations? Lunch buffet? DINNER BUFFET? I think there was also an Indian/Pakistani grocery store next door that I'd also like to check out.
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There is a pretty good Indian restaurant in Altamonte that has, or had, a buffet (at least for lunch). The name is escaping me right now...long night...but it's behind the TGI Friday's at 436 and I-4, in the back right corner of the strip mall there. I'm sure someone knows what it's called.
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The best Indian Food Place in Orlando with a buffet is called Essence of India near I-Drive. It's got a great selection for their lunch buffet but I've only ever been there for their weekday lunch buffet. I crave chicken tikka-masala and theirs is top-notch.
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The place your talking about winechick is called Kohinoor. It has an awesome lunch buffet. They are open everyday except Monday. I like it alittle more than Clay Oven but Clay Oven is good as well.
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Any updates on this thread? I'm going to be at Disney Contemporary for 4 days this weekend, but I'll have my car and I know I'll crave spices at some point. I most definitely am NOT interested in a Buffet however!
I know last time I was up there were a few more-or-less "generic" Indian places on I-Drive I think. Any standouts?
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My two favorites are Memories of India on Turkey Lake Road, in the KMart Plaza, and Aashirwad next to Pio Pio on the northwest corner of Kirkman and International Drive.
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Clay Oven is closed. There is a new Indian restaurant in the same location; it is vegetarian only (haven't tried it yet).
We stay away from the tourist corridor so we recommend Kohinoor -- only a block or so off west SR 436 in Altamonte Springs, in the same shopping center as a TGI Friday's and a Wing House. Their chicken tikka masala is the best. They have a buffet at lunch only. Kohinoor is fairly easy to get to off I-4 but if you need better directions let me know....
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I finally tried Kohinoor for dinner about a month ago, based on advice in this old thread, and it was outstanding. Best Indian food I've ever had, even though I'm still no conoisseur. It didn't even kill my stomach, like Indian food always has in the past, although I wimped out and ordered "medium-hot" lamb vindaloo rather than going for "hot." Next time I'll be more daring.
I thought the portions were a bit small for the prices, but I've never been to an Indian restaurant that offered up generous portions (aside from buffets, of course).
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The restaurant that replaced the Clay Oven is Udipi Cafe. It is vegetarian, and a phenominally good restaurant. It has a weekday and Saturday buffet, which features many dishes that are not on their menu.
Lou, if you are interested in trying out Indian food, I highly recommend going to Udipi - many Indians are vegetarians and make some of the best vegetarian food on this planet.
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I live moments away from there, but haven't tried it (although I did like Clay Oven). Unfortunately, my girlfriend doesn't like Indian food at all, so I'll try it myself some time. Thanks for the recommendation!
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Cafe Spice in Dr Phillips is not so bad and off the beaten tourist path enough that it's not watered down. The easiest way to find it is to look up the Five Guys Burgers, Cafe spice is in the same plaza next to Blockbuster.
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are the burgers good at Five Guys?
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Oh, I'm so glad you mentioned Spice Cafe! The food there is so good, and the lady that runs it is very nice.
And herbert1 - I love love love Five Guys Burgers. They are the diner burgers I used to get when I was a kid. Don't forget to order some fries.
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We eat at Spice Cafe all the time. They have new owners and have spruced up the decor; the food hasn't changed a bit. It's quite affordable and very good, with a simple atmosphere.
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can we get an update?
im looking for indian buffets, specifically ones that are vegetarian friendly, or buffets that are vegetarian friendly in general in the orlando area
also can u give me some idea of what the price point is for lunch/and or dinner
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There are a couple off of International drive that are good.
Most notable - New Punjab , Aashirwad, Tabla
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I'm no expert on Indian food but Woodlands on South Orange Blossom Trail has been good when I have gone there for the lunch buffet and it seems generally well regarded by the vegetarians that I know. It is entirely vegetarian. I'm not sure of the buffet price but entrees run $7 - $10 and they have several "dinners" that are mixed plates of several different items and sides that cost about $15. The buffet is available only at lunch.
http://www.woodlandsusa.com/
(They have three locations but only one is in Orlando).
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Tabla has a small be flavorful buffet and is reasonably priced. It's in the absolute stranges location, but the folks who run it are very nice. We go there for lunch fairly often.
5827 Caravan Ct, Orlando, FL
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We recently moved here from Michigan and tried Tabla. It was dinner, so the buffet was not available. The food wasn't awful, but we were a family of 4 and they tacked on an automatic 18% gratuity and then expected a tip on top of that. I haven't had that experience anywhere else on the planet with a party of 4. We won't be going there again for that reason alone.
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Try Aashirwad. I've only had the lunch buffet but it's more cozy friendly environment and is pretty delicious.
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Sorry to hear that. We've only done lunch there whe zip over to Orlando for the day.
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I've done dinner twice and found it to be good food, but pretty expensive. The lunch buffet is very good and reasonably priced.
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Anybody been to a good Indian restaurant in 2011? Buffet or order off the menu?
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I like in no particular order
Memories of India
New PunJab
Aashirwad
and a new place that opened up with an elegant feel to it Saffron - Although it tends to be less spicy than the others, it's still very very good.
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