8 Best Indian Restaurants near St. Petersburg

“TWISTED INDIAN is the BEST!! This is prob my FAVE SPOT in St Pete for a quick dinner. The dishes are bangin’ and anything you try is going to taste amazing. Rich flavors and just the right spice. I’m vegetarian & always get the Seitan Korma tacos with rice & chickpeas. It’s the perfect balance of spicy & savory, then the rice, beans & slaw cool you down. I can never get enough of this place! 🫶🏼❤️“

“Where My Taste Buds Got a Workout and My Ego Got Humbled

I walked into Lajawab Indian thinking, “Yeah, I can handle spice.”
Reader… I could not. But what a beautiful journey it was.

We kicked things off with samosas and onion bhaji, which were so crispy and delicious I briefly considered ordering 47 more and calling it a personality trait. Then someone said, “Let’s get pani puri,” and suddenly I was playing flavor roulette with little crunchy water bombs of joy. 10/10 chaos.

Then the mains arrived… and this is where things got serious.

The butter chicken was so rich and creamy it felt like it had a trust fund. Smooth, perfectly spiced, and honestly disrespectful to every other butter chicken I’ve ever had.

We also got chicken tikka masala, which came out looking innocent… but had just enough spice to remind me that I am, in fact, not built for war.

Someone ordered the lamb chops masala and let me tell you—those things were so tender they basically surrendered the moment you looked at them. Unreal.

And then… the garlic naan.
I don’t trust anyone who doesn’t like garlic naan. This was elite. Fluffy, buttery, slightly crispy… I would fight for this bread.

We tried to be responsible adults and added sides like raita and chutneys, but let’s be honest—they were just there to help us survive the spice level we bravely (and foolishly) chose.

Then dessert hit.

Gulab jamun—these little syrup-soaked dough balls of happiness—had me questioning why I ever eat anything else. Soft, warm, and dangerously addictive.

Was I sweating? Yes.
Did I drink an irresponsible amount of mango lassi? Also yes.
Would I do it all again? Immediately.

Final verdict:
Lajawab isn’t just a meal—it’s an experience. Come hungry, come brave, and maybe don’t act tough when they ask your spice level. They’ve seen people like you before.

Absolute 10/10. My mouth is still recovering… but my soul is thriving. 🔥🍛“

“Sometimes you want to try a special Indian meal you can find at the usual place. It might be a good meal and more to your liking. It is very good and traditional to the way you expect it. However, the come times when you want to find the other version of Indian food you do not even know of. If you were lucky to visit India and explore, you notice that if you take the street behind the main street you find it different. This is the food the locals create and enjoy. It is their way of good "street food". There is a taste, a style and an expectation you cannot always find in another place. Finding India King Tandoor & Wine was just that. It sits at the end of a smalls trip mall with other restaurants and tastes. There at the end is a small location that, when you step inside, you are in the back street to try the street food that is special and a great experience. We stepped in and sat down. Sam, the gentleman who helped us, was perfect to be with. He told us what was available and what we can expect. He knew different things you could not find in other places around. Naturally, the first thing to start with was the Taj Mahal Beer. This is a rare beer to find here because it comes from India. And India King had it. It was what I had hoped to have with the meal. Of course, also had t have a Lassi - the typical drink in India. Fresh and healthy. Naturally, we placed our order and the kitchen cooked it fresh. This is not pre-made items. First u was the Samosas. These potato dumpling like roll was filled with potatoes and fresh peas and spices. The side dipping sauces added some sweetness and spice. The more you used, the spicier it became. This was ideal with the beer. Next up was the Lamb Korma...Made the way they make it in Delhi. It was small portions in a rich sauce and mixed with spices and falvour. Served over a bowl of white rice it was a good combination. Of course, simple Nan was way to enjoy and dip the nan into the bowl of sauce. The other dish was purely Vegan style Curry. This is normal in many portions of India where people do not eat meat and stick with vegetables. Again, having lived in India I am use to finding this. And here at India King they made it the way I would find it in a restaurant or on a cart on the street. It was creamy and warm and had a spice you do not find. It was rich and tasty and filled with fresh grilled vegetables that is a mix for the day. Do not expect only one type of item. It is mixed based on what was available for the day. Again. over rice and with garlic Nan it was being back in Delhi. Combining each meal with each other made it a true way to explore and see what it is to eat over there. But here, hiding in the back is India King. It is like being here, nbut really being back in India and trying a variety of meals you do not find anywhere else that you imagine. In the end, I would go back to India King. It reminds me of Delhi and where I could trust what I eat even from someone with a cart and fresh ideas. The price is good. The portions is a good size. Sam and the team are perfect. And the Chef is also the owner. It is good home cooking after all. Visit India King and visit the Taj Mahal beer. It benefits everything you can do here!“

“Food was good. A bit Americanized but still very flavorful and delicious.
Rasmalai for desert was the highlight of the menu on our first visit!

Service was kind and friendly. Could have been more organized.

Interior is ok. It felt kind of empty, or maybe that was how they had designed it to be.

Great overall experience. Will be back!“

“Quiet atmosphere. Good menus with clearly labeled sections for vegetarian and vegan entrees. Food was excellent, and server/cashier recommendations were delicious. Had garlic naan, palak paneer, dal, rice, and mango lassi (4 oz maybe), all authentic and delicious. I ordered my palak paneer mild, glad I did, it was still on the border of my ability to enjoy spicy food, but I know I do not handle spicy foods well. Glad I had the mango lassi to tame the spice 🤪
Love the fancy bottle of water they brought to the table so we could refill our own glasses.“

“Very nice selection of vegetarian options. My husband and my family are Hindu vegetarian. We love everything about this place“

“The minute you walk in and take in the aromas, you start to relax and feel better ! Healing powers come from this wonderful food ! Great for take out also!“

“Very helpful staff! Will be back for sure!“