Butter chicken with garlic naan and basmati rice at SPICE ROOM Denver
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Guide to Indian Cuisine: What to Order at an Indian Restaurant

ByCulinary TeamLast updated

First time at an Indian restaurant? This beginner-friendly guide covers the must-try dishes, spice levels, and ordering tips for a perfect meal.

Walking into an Indian restaurant for the first time can feel overwhelming. The menu is long, the names are unfamiliar, and you’re not sure what “medium spice” actually means. This guide will help you navigate with confidence — whether you’re visiting Spice Room or any Indian restaurant in Denver.

Start With Appetizers

Indian appetizers are some of the most flavorful bites you’ll ever try. Here are our top recommendations for first-timers:

  • Samosas — crispy pastry triangles filled with spiced potatoes and peas. Universally loved.
  • Onion Bhaji — golden-fried onion fritters with a crunchy exterior and soft center.
  • Chicken Tikka — marinated chicken pieces cooked in a tandoor (clay oven). Smoky and tender.
  • Pani Puri — hollow crispy shells filled with spiced water. A fun, interactive street food experience.

The Main Course: Curries, Biryanis & Tandoori

Most Indian main courses fall into three categories:

Curries

A curry is any dish with a sauce or gravy. The range is enormous — from mild and creamy to fiery hot. Start here:

  • Butter Chicken — creamy tomato sauce with tender chicken. The most popular Indian dish worldwide for good reason.
  • Chicken Tikka Masala — similar to butter chicken but with more spice complexity.
  • Palak Paneer — fresh spinach with cubes of Indian cottage cheese. A vegetarian classic.
  • Dal Makhani — slow-cooked black lentils in a rich, buttery sauce. Comfort food at its finest.

Biryani

A fragrant rice dish layered with meat or vegetables, saffron, and whole spices. Our chicken biryani is one of our most ordered dishes. Think of it as an all-in-one meal.

Tandoori

Dishes cooked in a tandoor — a cylindrical clay oven that reaches 900°F. The high heat creates a distinctive char and smoky flavor you can’t replicate at home. Try our tandoori platter for a sampler.

Bread: More Than Just Naan

Indian bread is meant to scoop up curries and sauces. Garlic naan is the most popular, but don’t overlook roti (whole wheat flatbread) or paratha (layered, flaky bread).

Understanding Spice Levels

At Spice Room, we customize spice levels to your preference. “Mild” still has flavor — it just won’t burn. “Medium” has noticeable heat. “Hot” is for experienced spice lovers. When in doubt, start mild — you can always ask for more heat.

Ready to Explore?

Browse our full menu to see everything we offer, or check out our Denver Food Guide for more detailed recommendations. We have three locations: Highlands, Colfax, and Arvada.

SPICE ROOM Kitchen, Culinary Team at SPICE ROOM Denver

SPICE ROOM Kitchen

Culinary Team

The SPICE ROOM culinary team collaborates on recipes inspired by generations of family cooking traditions from across India and Nepal. Every recipe we share is tested and refined in our Denver kitchens to bring you authentic flavors at home.

Indian Cuisine
Himalayan Cuisine
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West 38th Ave — 3157 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80211East Colfax Ave — 3100 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206Ralston Rd — 7355 Ralston Rd Unit H, Arvada, CO 80002
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