Mela Indian Restaurant

70 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
(828) 225-8880

Recent Reviews Order Online Reserve

Customers' Favorites

Vegetarian Thali Platter
Spinach and Goat Cheese
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken Saffron Kabab
Shrimp Tikka Marsala
Madras Vegetables
Chicken Vindaloo
Vegetable Samosa
Aloo Gobi Masala
Tandoori Chicken

Menu

Salads
Tandoori Salmon Salad
Gluten-free. Spring mix topped with tandoori roasted salmon garnished with cherry tomatoes, and tossed with a light balsamic dressing.
Spinach & Grilled Paneer Salad
Gluten-free. Baby spinach leaves, tandoori grilled homemade cheese, slivered almonds, and raisins.
Tandoori Chicken Salad
Gluten-free. Spring mix, cilantro, and tandoori chicken breast.
Tandoori Shrimp Salad
Gluten-free. Large tandoor grilled shrimp served atop a bed of spring mix, cherry tomatoes, and tossed with a light Caesar dressing.

Aagaz - Appetizers
Vegetable Samosa
Vegetarian. Hand made pastry triangles stuffed with mildly spiced potatoes and green peas. Served with tamarind and mint chutney.
Chicken Pakoras
Gluten-free. Strips of boneless chicken marinated with ginger, garlic, chili paste, and spices then deep fried. Served with mint chutney.
Punjabi Pakoras
Spicy. Vegetable fritters made with spring onions, cilantro, and peppers in a spicy chickpea and rice batter.
Palak Pakoras
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Baby spinach dipped in spiced chickpea and rice batter.
Calamari Porichathu
Fresh calamari dusted with curry flavored chickpea and rice flour batter. Served with mint and tamarind chutneys.
Samosa Chaat
Samosas topped with masala chickpeas, mint and red pepper chutneys, garnished with onions, and cilantro.
Chowpatti Ragada
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Potato patties topped with curried chickpeas, tamarind, yogurt, and mint chutney. Garnished with cilantro.

Shorba - Soups
Dal Shorba
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Lentil stew finished with cream, herbs, and spices.

Subzi - Vegetarian
Shahi Paneer
Gluten-free. Fresh paneer cheese cubes cooked in a rich tomato cream spiced sauce and a classic North Indian dish. Served with basmati rice.
Saag Paneer
Gluten-free. Homemade cheese cubes with spinach and ground spices. . Served with basmati rice.
Madras Vegetables
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Fresh vegetables cooked in a mild coconut and curry leaf gravy. Served with basmati rice.
Aloo Gobi Masala
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Spicy. Potatoes and cauliflower in a spicy sauce of ginger, garlic and tumeric. Served with basmati rice.
Punjabi Chole
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Delicately spiced chickpeas in a tomato base with coriander, paprika, and chili. Served with basmati rice.
Mutter Paneer
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Peas and paneer cheese in a mild spiced sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Bhindi Masala
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Spicy. Fresh okra in a spicy sauce of onions, cilantro, coriander and cumin seeds. Served with basmati rice.
Baingan Bharta
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Tandoor-roasted eggplant, mashed seasoned and sautéed with onions, and tomatoes. Served with basmati rice.
Vegetable Vindaloo
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Spicy. Vegetables cooked in a very hot and spicy sauce, a goan specialty. Served with basmati rice.
Vegetable Chettinad
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Spicy. Fresh vegetables cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, black pepper powder, cumin, cloves, cinnamon and cardamom. Served with basmati rice.

Murgh - Chicken
Chicken Tikka Masala
Spicy. Marinated boneless chicken breast pieces simmered in a thick, spicy sauce made with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and spices. Served with basmati rice.
Chicken Korma
Gluten-free. Boneless chicken cooked in a rich almond and cashew sauce and topped with nuts and raisins. Served with basmati rice.
Kozhi Milagu Chettinad
Gluten-free. Boneless chicken cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, yogurt, garlic, black pepper powder, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. Served with basmati rice.
Chicken Vindaloo
Gluten-free. Spicy. Boneless chicken cooked with potato in a very spicy, and tangy curry sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Mela Chicken Curry
Gluten-free. Chicken cooked in an aromatic onion and ginger curry with cilantro, and okra. Served with basmati rice.

Gosht - Lamb
Lamb Vindaloo
Gluten-free. Spicy. Boneless pieces of lamb cooked in fiery spicy sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Lamb Chettinad
Gluten-free. Boneless lamb cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, black pepper powder, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. Served with basmati rice.
Mela Lamb Curry
Boneless tender pieces of lamb cooked in northern style original curry sauce flavored with cilantro. Served with basmati rice.
Gosht Rogan Josh
Gluten-free. Lean cubes of lamb cooked in the Kashmiri style with ground almonds, cardamom pods, pureed tomatoes, and cream. Served with basmati rice.

Tandoori Oven Specialties
Tandoori Chicken
Gluten-free. Tender pieces of chicken marinated and broiled in the tandoor oven. Served with basmati rice.
Salmon Tikka
Salmon marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and tandoori spices and cooked in the tandoor oven. Served with basmati rice.
Tandoori Shrimp
Gluten-free. Shrimp marinated in ground spices and grilled in our tandoor oven. Served with basmati rice.
Tandoori Lamb
Gluten-free. Boneless pieces of lamb, marinated in a lightly spiced sauce and charbroiled in our tandoor oven. Served with basmati rice.
Paneer Tikka
Vegetarian. Lightly grilled paneer cheese marinated in tandoori spices, garnished with roma tomatoes. Served with basmati rice.
Chicken Tikka Kabab
Gluten-free. Boneless breast of chicken marinated in spices and roasted on skewers. Served with basmati rice.

Samundri Moti - Seafood
Kerala Fish Curry
Mahi-mahi lightly cooked in a coconut, curry leaf, and tamarind sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Shrimp Vindaloo
Gluten-free. Spicy. Shrimp simmered in a very spicy and tangy curry sauce. A classic dish from Goa. Served with basmati rice.
Meen Chettinad
Gluten-free. Mahi mahi cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, black pepper powder, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. Served with basmati rice.
Madras Jhinga Masala
Gluten-free. Shrimp, shelled and deveined, cooked in a sauce made with onions, ginger, garlic, cumin, turmeric, tamarind, mustard seeds, coconut, and spices. Served with basmati rice.

Roti - Breads
Garlic Naan
A multi-layered bread flavored with garlic and cilantro.
Spinach & Goat Cheese Naan
Naan
A light bread baked in the tandoor oven.
Peshwari Naan
Naan filled with nuts, dried fruit and raisins.
Paratha
Whole wheat multi-layered bread baked in the tandoor oven.
Onion Kulcha
Naan stuffed with onions.
Pudina Naan
Naan flavored with fresh mint.

Side Orders
Raita
Vegetarian. Made with yogurt, cucumbers, and mildly spiced.
Rice
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Basmati rice flavored with spices.
Cilantro Chutney
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan.
Mango Chutney
Vegetarian.
Tamarind Chutney
Vegetarian.

Desserts
Kheer
Gluten-free. Caramelized basmati rice, almonds, pistachios, and raisins in a sweet milk pudding.
Mango Cheesecake
Classic mango cheesecake.
Gulab Jamun
Gluten-free. A North Indian treat - deep fried homemade cheese balls served in rose flavored syrup.

Salads
Tandoori Salmon Salad
Gluten-free. Spring mix topped with tandoori roasted salmon garnished with cherry tomatoes, and tossed with a light balsamic dressing.
Spinach & Grilled Paneer Salad
Gluten-free. Baby spinach leaves, tandoori grilled homemade cheese, slivered almonds, and raisins.
Tandoori Chicken Salad
Gluten-free. Spring mix, cilantro, and tandoori chicken breast.
Tandoori Shrimp Salad
Gluten-free. Large tandoor grilled shrimp served atop a bed of spring mix, cherry tomatoes, and tossed with a light Caesar dressing.

Aagaz - Appetizers
Vegetable Samosa
Vegetarian. Hand made pastry triangles stuffed with mildly spiced potatoes and green peas. Served with tamarind and mint chutney.
Chicken Pakoras
Gluten-free. Strips of boneless chicken marinated with ginger, garlic, chili paste, and spices then deep fried. Served with mint chutney.
Punjabi Pakoras
Spicy. Vegetable fritters made with spring onions, cilantro, and peppers in a spicy chickpea and rice batter.
Palak Pakoras
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Baby spinach dipped in spiced chickpea and rice batter.
Calamari Porichathu
Fresh calamari dusted with curry flavored chickpea and rice flour batter. Served with mint and tamarind chutneys.
Samosa Chaat
Samosas topped with masala chickpeas, mint and red pepper chutneys, garnished with onions, and cilantro.
Chowpatti Ragada
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Potato patties topped with curried chickpeas, tamarind, yogurt, and mint chutney. Garnished with cilantro.

Shorba - Soups
Dal Shorba
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Lentil stew finished with cream, herbs, and spices.

Subzi - Vegetarian
Shahi Paneer
Gluten-free. Fresh paneer cheese cubes cooked in a rich tomato cream spiced sauce and a classic North Indian dish. Served with basmati rice.
Saag Paneer
Gluten-free. Homemade cheese cubes with spinach and ground spices. . Served with basmati rice.
Madras Vegetables
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Fresh vegetables cooked in a mild coconut and curry leaf gravy. Served with basmati rice.
Aloo Gobi Masala
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Spicy. Potatoes and cauliflower in a spicy sauce of ginger, garlic and tumeric. Served with basmati rice.
Punjabi Chole
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Delicately spiced chickpeas in a tomato base with coriander, paprika, and chili. Served with basmati rice.
Mutter Paneer
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Peas and paneer cheese in a mild spiced sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Bhindi Masala
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Spicy. Fresh okra in a spicy sauce of onions, cilantro, coriander and cumin seeds. Served with basmati rice.
Baingan Bharta
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Tandoor-roasted eggplant, mashed seasoned and sautéed with onions, and tomatoes. Served with basmati rice.
Vegetable Vindaloo
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Spicy. Vegetables cooked in a very hot and spicy sauce, a goan specialty. Served with basmati rice.
Vegetable Chettinad
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Spicy. Fresh vegetables cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, black pepper powder, cumin, cloves, cinnamon and cardamom. Served with basmati rice.

Murgh - Chicken
Chicken Tikka Masala
Spicy. Marinated boneless chicken breast pieces simmered in a thick, spicy sauce made with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and spices. Served with basmati rice.
Chicken Korma
Gluten-free. Boneless chicken cooked in a rich almond and cashew sauce and topped with nuts and raisins. Served with basmati rice.
Kozhi Milagu Chettinad
Gluten-free. Boneless chicken cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, yogurt, garlic, black pepper powder, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. Served with basmati rice.
Chicken Vindaloo
Gluten-free. Spicy. Boneless chicken cooked with potato in a very spicy, and tangy curry sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Mela Chicken Curry
Gluten-free. Chicken cooked in an aromatic onion and ginger curry with cilantro, and okra. Served with basmati rice.

Gosht - Lamb
Lamb Vindaloo
Gluten-free. Spicy. Boneless pieces of lamb cooked in fiery spicy sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Lamb Chettinad
Gluten-free. Boneless lamb cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, black pepper powder, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. Served with basmati rice.
Mela Lamb Curry
Boneless tender pieces of lamb cooked in northern style original curry sauce flavored with cilantro. Served with basmati rice.
Gosht Rogan Josh
Gluten-free. Lean cubes of lamb cooked in the Kashmiri style with ground almonds, cardamom pods, pureed tomatoes, and cream. Served with basmati rice.

Tandoori Oven Specialties
Tandoori Chicken
Gluten-free. Tender pieces of chicken marinated and broiled in the tandoor oven. Served with basmati rice.
Salmon Tikka
Salmon marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and tandoori spices and cooked in the tandoor oven. Served with basmati rice.
Tandoori Shrimp
Gluten-free. Shrimp marinated in ground spices and grilled in our tandoor oven. Served with basmati rice.
Tandoori Lamb
Gluten-free. Boneless pieces of lamb, marinated in a lightly spiced sauce and charbroiled in our tandoor oven. Served with basmati rice.
Paneer Tikka
Vegetarian. Lightly grilled paneer cheese marinated in tandoori spices, garnished with roma tomatoes. Served with basmati rice.
Chicken Tikka Kabab
Gluten-free. Boneless breast of chicken marinated in spices and roasted on skewers. Served with basmati rice.

Samundri Moti - Seafood
Kerala Fish Curry
Mahi-mahi lightly cooked in a coconut, curry leaf, and tamarind sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Shrimp Vindaloo
Gluten-free. Spicy. Shrimp simmered in a very spicy and tangy curry sauce. A classic dish from Goa. Served with basmati rice.
Meen Chettinad
Gluten-free. Mahi mahi cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, black pepper powder, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. Served with basmati rice.
Madras Jhinga Masala
Gluten-free. Shrimp, shelled and deveined, cooked in a sauce made with onions, ginger, garlic, cumin, turmeric, tamarind, mustard seeds, coconut, and spices. Served with basmati rice.

Roti - Breads
Garlic Naan
A multi-layered bread flavored with garlic and cilantro.
Spinach & Goat Cheese Naan
Naan
A light bread baked in the tandoor oven.
Peshwari Naan
Naan filled with nuts, dried fruit and raisins.
Paratha
Whole wheat multi-layered bread baked in the tandoor oven.
Onion Kulcha
Naan stuffed with onions.
Pudina Naan
Naan flavored with fresh mint.

Side Orders
Raita
Vegetarian. Made with yogurt, cucumbers, and mildly spiced.
Rice
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan. Basmati rice flavored with spices.
Cilantro Chutney
Gluten-free. Vegetarian. Vegan.
Mango Chutney
Vegetarian.
Tamarind Chutney
Vegetarian.

Desserts
Kheer
Gluten-free. Caramelized basmati rice, almonds, pistachios, and raisins in a sweet milk pudding.
Mango Cheesecake
Classic mango cheesecake.
Gulab Jamun
Gluten-free. A North Indian treat - deep fried homemade cheese balls served in rose flavored syrup.

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Recent Reviews

The location ambiance of the restaurant was really nice. We are not crazy with the food that we ordered. The salad which was advertised as having spinach had virtually none. It was mostly cabbage. We found the food to be a little greasy too, including the naan of course. We heard great things about the place from a frequent customer and were disappointed. Aside from first being next to the bathrooms when there were plenty of open tables, he found the overall service to be very...
July 2025
My food was pretty good. The mango lasse was made with cardamom and was bad. My wife wanted tikka masala with tofu instead of chicken. The waiter had trouble with that order and when she didn't like it, he told her she shouldn't have ordered it. He then tried to get me to agree that she shouldn't have ordered it. The hostess was nice, but we will not be eating there again. There are better options for Indian food in Asheville.
June 2025
We went here with a group of 6. Everything was delicious. The staff was friendly, efficient and accommodating. If we lived in Asheville, we would eat here all the time! Simply delicious!!
March 2025

More Reviews

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Mela Indian Restaurant

70 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 225-8880