5 New Indian Restaurants Have Opened in Honolulu This Year

Indian food in Honolulu? Hardly new. Eateries like Café Maharani and Himalayan Kitchen are longtime favorites, but the scene remained sparse and little changed—until recently. Spice Up House of Cuisine opened on South King Street in 2021, followed by Curry Guru’s Sri Lankan and South Indian specialties at farmers markets, then Tadka Indian Cuisine last year. And then the floodgates opened.

Five Indian spots have opened across the city this year. Most are expansions, one is new and the last is exclusively at farmers markets. The fact that some offer Nepalese momo dumplings reflects the owners’ heritage and broadens choices beyond masalas and vindaloos. Here’s a look at the newcomers.

New Kamana Kitchen Kapahulu

Photo: Mari Taketa

The Kapahulu spot that was home to Haili’s Hawaiian Foods reopened in late September under a familiar name. New Kamana Kitchen, which has been slinging up naan breads, tandoor skewers and butter chicken, Goan shrimp and other curries from a vast menu on Bishop Street since 2017, transported the same menu across town, minus the lunch specials. Spice levels are customizable—choose level 2 if you like your heat to be noticeable but not building to an unbearable crescendo. The dining area is triple the size of Kamana’s Downtown restaurant, and there’s a small lot with free parking in the back.

760 Palani Ave., (808) 734-3160, newkamanakitchen.com, @newkamanakitchen

SEE ALSO: Why I’m Obsessed With Kamana Kitchen 2, Honolulu’s Newest Indian Restaurant

Namaste Indian & Nepali Cuisine

In the space of the former Bombay Palace, Namaste opened in late summer in Discovery Bay across from the Ilikai Hotel. Among the vindaloos, biryanis and assorted styles of curry, Nepali chicken or vegetable momo dumplings come three ways here: steamed, fried with chile sauce or in sesame-tomato jhol broth. Menu sections list seven vegan and seven vegetarian dishes. Desserts include house-made pista kulfi pistachio ice cream, and there’s masala chai of Darjeeling tea and warm spices. The restaurant validates parking behind the building—enter from Kaio‘o Drive.

1778 Ala Moana Blvd. #213, (808) 941-5111, namasterestauranthi.com, @namastehnl

Café Tadka (temporarily closed for renovation)

An offshoot of McCully Shopping Center’s Tadka, itself an offshoot of Spice Up (Tadka’s chef, Ganesh Shrestha, is former chef and partner at Spice Up), Café Tadka opened at 808 Center in May with a small, wide-ranging menu. Momos are here, along with South Indian dosas, classic desserts and a smattering of dishes that lean into the Indo-Chinese side of the cuisine, including Hakka noodles and Sichuan fried rice. Food comes on disposable plates or packaged for takeout, though there are some dine-in tables.

808 Sheridan St., (808) 888-0216, @cafetadka808

SEE ALSO: Tadka: Where Indian Food Comes Alive

Lasoon Nepali & Indian Cuisine

Photo: Mari Taketa

Lasoon, a fast casual Indian counter at UH Mānoa since 2018, expanded to its own space at Pearlridge Center’s Wai Makai this past spring. Look for the same menu of curries and sides as at UH, except that prices are a tad higher in the mall. And unlike UH, where all side dishes including chana masala and fiery hot eggplant are vegan, the new location’s palak paneer and butter mix vegetables aren’t. Chicken momos, a nod to the owners’ Nepali heritage, are on offer daily; small containers of chutney and piquant, earthy pickles are for sale near the drinks, and the space has a few tables for dine-in. Word is Lasoon hopes to expand to Kapolei next.

98-1005 Moanalua Road, 2nd floor, (808) 744-0400, @lasoonpearlridgecenter

Simply Indulge

A farmers market specialist, Simply Indulge debuted in January with a plant-based menu of Indian favorites and specials. There’s pani puri, crispy shells filled with curry, fresh tomatoes and cilantro and an herby sauce; plus dosas, salads, curries, lassi and house-made masala chai. Many dishes are vegetarian; some are vegan. Find this one at the Kaiser High School PTSA farmers market on Tuesdays and the Farm Lovers Saturday morning market in Kaka‘ako and Sunday morning market in Kailua next to Adventist Castle Health Hospital.

Multiple locations, @simplyindulge808