By Amber Aldrich

For me, driving half an hour each way to my favorite Indian restaurant on West Broad, Jannat, hasn’t been sustainable, so I decided to try something a little closer to home. Richmond boasts a thriving Indian dining scene, with many renowned locations in Short Pump, the West End, and the Midlothian area. The diverse offerings mean great flavor is rarely far away, and I set out to find it. When I recently stepped into Taste of India off Midlothian Turnpike, the scent of curry and warmth filled the air. Colorful decor lines the ceilings and walls of the room, and ambient lighting sets a delightful mood for a Thursday night meal for me and a friend, St. Catherine’s junior Lillian Walker.

I confess that I am a bit of a butter chicken fanatic, so although we came with open minds and genuine excitement for conversation and new food, I already knew what I wanted. There were only two other parties seated at 7:00 p.m. when we arrived, but drivers from DoorDash and Grubhub were running in and out throughout our entire stay, showing that this place feeds more people than it seats. Taste of India is a small, local spot with a 4.3 rating on Yelp and a dedicated local following.

It’s worth noting that Walker cannot handle any level of spice, so she can offer a differing perspective from my mom and me, who, on the other hand, love fiery food. I made sure to bring home food for my parents as well, since Indian food typically reheats exceptionally well, and Taste of India’s portions offer multiple meals. Despite a few small quirks, Taste of India offers a warm, flavorful experience that balances spice, comfort, and charm.

Service was friendly and attentive, which was partly due to the limited number of people present. The menu is extensive and detailed, with numerous vegetarian options. After a little deliberation and catching up, we ordered a tasting plate of appetizers: two samosas, which are seasoned potatoes and peas wrapped in a flaky dough; two paneer pakora, a type of deep-fried Indian cottage cheese; and six spicy vegetable pakora, mixed vegetables coated in spicy chickpea batter and deep-fried.

The samosas were our favorite, especially the crispy dough surrounding the herbaceous potato and pea mixture. The chutneys offered for dipping went untouched in our excitement, but they likely would’ve made all of it more spectacular. Walker avoided the vegetable pakora (too spicy), but my mom and I adored the crisp texture and slow-building heat. My mom said they were “an acquired taste,” but ended up finishing all of them and dipping them into her spicy curry sauce later.

The unexpected highlight of our meal was the Masala Chai tea we ordered to accompany our main courses. Unlike your standard Starbucks chai latte, this version was bold and aromatic. Hot, spiced, and rich, it is a true standout of the meal. Walker and I agreed on a “10/10.” The warm, spiced beverage complemented the spicy food and added warmth to the experience, but be forewarned: if your food is really spicy, chai won’t cool you down. Spicy curry followed by hot spiced chai means a scorching experience in your mouth. 

There were other beverages we really would’ve liked to try, like the flavored Lassi, which is a traditional sweet or savory flavored yogurt drink. Taste of India offers mango, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, salty, and plain sweet options.

For entrées, my dad, Walker, and I all ordered the butter chicken. The spice levels offered ranged from mild (absolutely no spice, according to Lillian and my dad), medium, which I found to be relatively spicy, and hot. The ultimate challenge, “INDIAN HOT,” is only for those willing to take on the feat. The dish was flavorful and creamy, although my dad wishes he had gone spicier, as we do believe more spice means more flavor. It was accompanied by fluffy basmati rice cooked to perfection, which was brought out in a large bowl for Walker and I to share, and which we happily obliterated. 

My mom ordered the shrimp curry and asked “to make it as spicy as possible,” and they delivered. I would definitely count her meal in the “INDIAN HOT” range. The kitchen took her request for maximum heat seriously. She was thrilled, and I barely dipped my pinky into it to try and deemed it inedible. It’s the kind of spice that fools you at first, then hits you in the back of the throat and burns your mouth from the inside out—she loved it. The flavor of the curry was delightful, though not worth the risk of another bite.

The garlic naan we shared was “to die for,”  according to me and Walker; it was soft, buttery, and charred just right. Unfortunately, there was none left to take home to my parents, so you’ll have to take our word for it. We found that one is plenty for two people to share.

Our server was attentive and helpful with recommendations, and she was patient as we took a long time to order, ask questions, and take photos. The portion sizes were generous, as is typical. The ambiance was colorful, family-friendly, true to its name: a Taste of India. I think a 4.3 rating feels fair—it’s not perfect, but it won us over in the end.

Taste of India delivers a flavorful, authentic experience that welcomes all and is a little closer to home for those of us South of the James River. While it may not replace your all-time favorite Indian spot (we should all have one), it’s a reliable go-to and definitely worth a visit, with fragrant food, delicious leftovers, chai worth coming back for, and a large menu with options for everyone.

All photos taken by Amber Aldrich.