Despite its relative small size for a state capital, Annapolis, Maryland, and its surrounding metro area are filled with excellent restaurants. Indian food, however, is somewhat hard to come by, but there are a few options in the area that serve authentic cuisine. Indian restaurants around Annapolis are generally quite casual and many offer both takeout and all-you-can-eat lunch buffets. Reservations are a good idea if you plan to dine on the weekend.
This stalwart of the Annapolis ethnic food scene has had two kitchen fires that required complete renovation, but owners Suraj and Sudesh Kumar are still going strong after nearly 20 years in business. India's menu features a wide selection of appetizers like vegetable pakora, somosas filled with tender minced lamb, and chaana chaat, a tangy blend of chick peas, onions and potatoes tossed in tamarind sauce. Entrees include classics like chicken tikka masala, rogan josh (lamb with yogurt, almonds, spices and cream) and vegetable biryani. Finish with a traditional dessert like kheer (cardamom-flavored rice pudding with nuts) or ras-malai (paneer cheese patties with creamy milk sauce).
India's
257 West St.
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-263-7900
indiasofannapolis.com
Bombay Masala in nearby Greenbelt, Maryland, specializes in authentic Northern Indian cuisine and offers a traditional, casual dining atmosphere. Bombay Masala's small but diverse menu features a variety of samosas, shish kebabs and pakoras with homemade chutneys. Main dishes include murg shahi korma (slow-cooked chicken with almonds and cream sauce), charcoal-grilled lamb shish kebabs and shrimp masala. Vegetarian entrees like palak paneer (curried spinach and Indian cheese) and chole peshwari (Punjabi-style chickpeas and diced potatoes) are also available. Accompany your meal with a refreshing mango lassi.
Bombay Masala
8825 Greenbelt Road
Greenbelt, MD 20770
301-552-1600
bombaymasalarestaurant.com
Voted "Best Buffet In Town" by readers of the Laurel Leader, this Indian restaurant in nearby Laurel, Maryland, offers Indian cuisine as well as many traditional Thai dishes. Sapphire's extensive menu offers starters like aloo tikki (grilled potato patties), somosas filled with ground lamb and Indian spices, and chicken pakora. For something more substantial, try the chicken madras (spicy chicken with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and coconut milk), lamb cooked with onion gravy and mushroom or lobster masala. Complement your dishes with fluffy garlic naan and basmati rice.
Sapphire
13308 Laurel Bowie Road
Laurel, MD 20708
301-490-0555
sapphireindianrestaurant.com
