Mesa has plenty of great Indian spots. You’ll find them everywhere from upscale dining rooms to the roughly 87,000 strip mall storefronts across town. But sometimes you just want a solid curry from a place that won’t require a reservation. Bonus points if there’s takeout.
Jay Hind Indian Cuisine
$ | (480) 940-2460 | WEBSITE
The verdict: On our last couple of visits, our Punjabi Thali and Chole Bhature were spiced to the point of no return. But with such homely Gujarati food that reminds you of mom’s cooking, we can only hope that was a series of unfortunate flukes. The Bollywood music and fast service are nice touches, though.
Guru Palace
$ | (480) 558-9300 | WEBSITE
You’ll find this reliable Indian buffet mostly in strip malls across Mesa, where Guru Palace has been serving up flavorful dishes since it opened. You’ll also find solid palak paneer, dal maharani, and butter chicken with naan and rice, but the buffet is the move here.
Tap N Tikka
$$ | (480) 590-2317 | WEBSITE
When Tap N Tikka first opened its doors in Phoenix, the word-of-mouth buzz rivaled that of many established Indian spots in the area. These days, Tap N Tikka has become a top-notch destination, and you can generally walk in without much of a wait. A meal here feels in line with what you’d get at one of those authentic Indian restaurants—with warm lighting and food served on traditional platters—but without the pretentiousness and wallet-draining prices.
The staff offers incredible service and hospitality, ensuring every customer has a phenomenal dining experience. They provide excellent recommendations and customize drinks to your liking. The food is hot, tasty, and cooked perfectly, with dishes like gobi manchurian, Malai kofta, garlic chicken, butter chicken, and chicken Manchurian standing out. The Ras Malai dessert is a must-try.
With attentive owners and chefs, Tap N Tikka has become a favorite spot for many who appreciate quality Indian cuisine and can’t wait to return.
Fusion 5 Indian Multi Cuisine & Bar ( Indian, Mexican,Italian,Chinese,Thai)
$$ | (480) 590-7078 | WEBSITE
Fusion 5 is Mesa’s answer to Indian cuisine, but without the predictable menus and the same-old butter chicken. There are dozens of Indian spots across the valley, and this one stands out with its warm, welcoming atmosphere that works for any occasion. All of the dishes follow the same delicious principle—traditional flavors, unique twists, and reasonable prices.
Little India Chaat & Restaurant
$ | (480) 730-7770 | WEBSITE
The Verdict: The first thing worth noticing is the crispy papdi chaat. It’s tangy, crunchy, and perfectly spiced, though the fact that it’s made fresh daily isn’t immediately apparent. The thaali is well balanced, and there are enough variations—mostly traditional regional specialties—to keep things interesting on repeat visits.
India Oven
$ | (480) 892-3333 | WEBSITE
India Oven feels less like a place you go to get a quick Indian meal and more like a place you visit to spend time with friends. There’s a delightful buffet with a wide range of options (for everyone), warm Gulab Jamuns always served fresh (for dessert lovers), and a chill, cozy atmosphere with low-level lighting (for relaxing). All of the dinner buffets here come with fresh, hot naan brought to the table promptly, but you can order à la carte and save a few dollars.
Hyderabad Biryani Pot
$$ | WEBSITE
The verdict: This is an authentic Indian spot that feels like it hasn’t strayed from tradition since it opened. The biryani is cooked to order, and the spices actually taste like they came straight from Hyderabad. Make sure to add an order of masala papad—it’s the best in town.
Tikka Shack Indian Grub
$ | (602) 639-0793 | WEBSITE
Tikka Shack Indian Grub began as a local favorite before becoming a popular spot for Indian cuisine with a modern twist. The menu mostly follows the classic Indian format—chicken biriyani, tikka masala, butter chicken, and masala wings—but Tikka Shack also has a handful of standout items like the crisp garlic naan and mango drink.
The bright, modern decor with ample indoor and outdoor seating creates a welcoming atmosphere, while the quick service and hot, flavorful food keep customers coming back. Though some dishes may not be the most complex and staff can occasionally be less attentive, the $11 Tuesday special offers tremendous value. Overall, it’s a fantastic takeout location that delivers reliable, tasty Indian food, and many diners already plan their next visit.
Bengal Spice, Chandler (Flavors of Bengal, India)
$$ | (480) 205-4755 | WEBSITE
There’s a whole story behind Bengal Spice—a modern Indian restaurant that brings authentic Bengali flavors to Chandler with a unique twist—that you can discover when you visit. All that matters to know today is that Bengal Spice is thriving, and has been since it opened. New Indian spots try to feel authentic with traditional décor, warm lighting, and colorful textiles, but at Bengal Spice, it’s part of the genuine experience.
The Chingri Biryani here is exceptional, served fresh with that unique taste they’re known for. With friendly staff and fast service, including their distinctive robot server, it’s a remarkable dining adventure that shouldn’t be missed. Expect to pay around $15–$25 for main dishes, which feels right for the quality you get. Don’t just read about it—go enjoy what makes this place stand out.
Halal Naan & Curry
$ | (480) 205-8377 | WEBSITE
The verdict: This feels the most like a curry you’d get at a family gathering, complete with that rich, thick sauce that’s super flavorful in the center and tapers off around the edges. At $18, it’s pricier than most of the other base-level curries on this list (you can also get a smaller lunch portion), but it’s cooked well, and nicely spiced.
Celebrated Cuisine Inc
$$ | (480) 460-2102 | WEBSITE
The verdict: Celebrated Cuisine Inc, also known as Chutney’s, reminds us of the authentic Indian food we used to find before so many spots started cutting corners. It’s fresh, flavorful, and conveniently located right here in Mesa. The lunch buffet offers great value with a wide selection of tasty dishes, and the welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff and Indian music makes it a reliable choice for a satisfying meal.
India’s Flame
$ | (480) 456-0155 | WEBSITE
The verdict: With prices (and authentic flavors) that can actually compete with pricier Indian establishments, India’s Flame is the most welcoming, reliable, and reasonable of Mesa’s Indian restaurants. This isn’t a meal you’ll find yourself dreaming about on a random Wednesday, but it’s one that will successfully satisfy the Indian food craving.
Aja Catering
$ | (602) 412-7870 | WEBSITE
The verdict: This is simple Indian food made with quality ingredients that are a step above the average takeout. The parathas are flaky, well seasoned, and perfectly crisp on the outside. And the paneer masala is creamy, aromatic, and nicely spiced. It’s more expensive than a typical fast food meal, but it also doesn’t really taste like one.