Indian Restaurants in Santa Monica

Santa Monica gets the goods of California--26 miles of Pacific coastline, year-round warm weather, world-class shopping, eating and drinking. Lovers of the outdoors can check out the cliff-top Palisades Park where they can walk, jog or bike. Those who prefer to be near the water can spend the day surfing by the pier or biking along the paved, beach-side South Bay Trail. No matter how active types work up their appetite it is sure to be satisfied here. Craving Indian? These restaurants serve up savory dishes.

Akbar Cuisine of India

Diners can test their taste buds at this stylish Santa Monica Indian place. Each entree is rated on a "chili meter" for spiciness. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. daily. All lunch entrees come with the Dal of the Day, basmati rice, fresh baked naan and Katchcumber salad. It is recommended to try the Chicken Aamras, tender chunks of chicken stewed in a bright mango sauce. At dinner, starters include Akbar's version of a classic appetizer, stuffed jalapeños--an Indian version is stuffed with homemade paneer cheese and spices.

Akbar Cuisine of India
2627 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 586-7469

Pradeep's Indian Cuisine

Here California's health conscious meets the flavors of the subcontinent. Chef Pradeep, a New Delhi native, offers low-fat, healthy versions of his homeland's cuisine. Guests will not find any butter or cream in their dishes. A favorite is the Tandoori Salmon with turmeric and cilantro mashed potatoes over California organic greens and a drizzle of balsamic and mint yogurt chutney. Pradeep's is open for lunch and dinner. Online ordering and delivery is also available.

Pradeep's Indian Cuisine
1405 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 393-1467

Dhaba Restaurant

This small, family run restaurant has been serving Santa Monica's Indian food lovers for 30 years. Dhaba uses fresh local ingredients to recreate Indian classics. Guests might want to try the appetizer of Bombay Corn on the Cob--fresh ears of corn roasted over an open flame and finished with lemon and chili. Combination dinners--or thalis--are available as well as traditional curries and briyanis. The Chicken Tikka is a long-time favorite-tandoori marinated chicken simmered in yogurt, ginger and garlic. Guests should take advantage of the California climate and dine outside on the garden patio. Dhaba is only open for dinner.

Dhaba Restaurant
2104 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 399-9452

Resources

Article Written By Anne Marie Bailey

Based in Southern California, Anne Marie Bailey has been a freelance writer since 2008. She has been published in "EAT Magazine" and is a regular contributor to Trails.com and eHow. Bailey holds a Bachelor of Arts in cultural anthropology from the University of Colorado.

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