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San Diego, CA

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Curry Nation

4.8 (146 reviews)
ModerateIndian
Closed • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Order Curry Nation Takeout or Delivery

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CURRY NATION ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Dogs allowed
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Curry Nation

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Mango Lassi
Ari J.

Curry Nation is the rare newcomer that walks into a crowded room full of tired, copy‑paste Indian spots and immediately raises the bar. No hesitation, no warm‑up lap. They show up with the goods. Start with the Gobi Manchurian. Fried cauliflower in a sweet and spicy glaze that hits with the force of a roundhouse. This thing slaps so hard it could make Chuck Norris flinch. It's the kind of appetizer that makes you look around the room like, "Has this been here the whole time and nobody told me?" Then you stack the classics. Chana masala that tastes like someone actually cared. Butter chicken that is silky, rich, and comforting without being a sugar bomb. A cauldron of basmati that smells like it was steamed by a benevolent deity. Put it all together and suddenly you're eating like the Prince of Hillcrest. Service seals the deal. Personal without hovering, professional without stiffness. You feel taken care of. You feel welcomed. You feel like they're genuinely proud of what they're serving. I gotta say it: this is the best Indian food I've had on the west coast. Curry Nation isn't just good for the neighborhood. It's good, period. Five stars, no hesitation.

Sauce
Taelyr V.

We came here after a night out at gossip grill. We were hungry and craving Indian so we decided to come here and boy were we in for a treat!!! Staff was super nice and helpful and the interior is gorgeous and aesthetic. We ordered fry wings and chicken tikaa masala with the cheese naan. Oh my word, everything was divine. The wings were juicy and fall off the bone. I will note, two were still cold in the center, so they may double fry them but tbh it doesnt even matter because they were THAT good. The chicken tikaa misala was flavorful, juicy, and had that heat that got hotter with each bite. The rice was so fresh and soft, it is the best rice I've had at an Indian food place. The cheese naan was miraculous. It was literally just normal naan with a cheesy center, I think I'm ruined for all other naan now. I am absolutely entranced. Anytime I am back in Hillcrest I may have to come here for dinner.

Chicken tikka masala, garlic naan
Aaron D.

The food's quality was absolutely delicious and so well made with reasonable portions. It is easily in my top three favorite Indian places in the county and the price was reasonable, $16 to $20 for most meals. Unfortunately, the entirety of the street is undergoing construction and it was somewhat noisy, which makes their patio area nearly unusable during construction. But this is an issue every business on the street is dealing with and I don't hold it against them. The only problem I had was the server, who is incredibly friendly and nice but said multiple questionable things regarding my young son. At first I chalked it up to him being overly friendly but even if that was the case, things got extremely uncomfortable towards the end of the meal. Because of this reason it's unlikely I would return, at least with my kids.

Temporary banner on the marquee
Emmett T.

This is the latest eatery to operate out of a Hillcrest suite that has seen many restaurants (e.g. Italian, seafood) cycle through its premises. Unfortunately, the recent debut has coincided with a major retrenching of Fifth Ave right in front of the business that will last at least a year. That has reduced the amount of nearby curbside parking on the street. The construction fencing also obscured the visibility of Curry Nation which was not optimal. The inside had seating for about two dozen customers. I think most people opted for takeout (or delivery) because of the self-serve ordering tablet at the service counter. I dined in and sat at one of the two-top tables with a three-page menu booklet given to me. Appetizers (veggie and non-veggie) and Vegetarian Entrees were listed on the first page. Tandoori Kebabs and Non-Vegetarian Entrees made up the second page. The last page featured breads, soups, rice, sides, beverages, and desserts. I ordered the Vegetable Samosa for an appetizer. The classic Indian pastry with a veggie filling came as two pieces on a bed of spinach leaves. Mint chutney and tamarind were provided on the side as dipping sauces. The dough seemed thicker and not as crispy as the samosas I have tried elsewhere. A Meat Lovers section on the second page allowed one to create your own non-vegetarian entree. I went with this option and picked the Saagwala out of the six available sauces along with Shrimp from the three kinds of meat/protein. The sauce consisted of a spinach base that I requested with mild spiciness. The order came with a container of white jasmine rice on the side. I liked how six generous pieces of medium shrimp were included. The spinach curry didn't have any heat which made it a bit bland. The service from the staff was pleasant and prompt. I was the only dine-in customer at the time while a few folks dropped in to pick up to-go orders. I hope Curry Nation can thrive despite the intrusive construction zone right in front of its address. I gave a four star rating for my recent weeknight dinner.

Mango Pineapple Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Cheese Garlic Naan
Rigo S.

I was craving Indian food and remembered this place opened right by me so thought I'd check it out. Service was good but a little on the slow side. Food was really good, though! I ordered their wings, chicken tikka masala, garlic cheese naan, and mango pineapple chicken. Spice levels were mild, medium, and hot. I ordered medium for all the dishes and it just had a nice kick to it; not too spicy. I'll have to try their hottest next time. Everything had a good flavor and portion size was really good.

Vegetable Samosa
Marcie L.

I came here with a friend on a Saturday around 6 PM and didn't need a reservation, even though it was pretty packed. It was a pretty chill environment, and we could easily hold conversation conversations with one another since it wasn't too loud. Our server was amazing. He gave great recommendations and had such a fun, welcoming personality. Our food took about 20-25 minutes to come out, but it was definitely worth the wait. We ordered: Vegetable Samosa: came with two and two dipping sauces. Crispy and really flavorful. Daal Makhni: my first time trying it, and I loved it. Rich, well-made, and full of flavor. They mentioned it doesn't include coconut milk, but it still tasted amazing. Bone-In Butter Chicken: super flavorful and delicious. The server recommended the bone-in for extra flavor, which I agree with, but it was a bit messy and didn't come off the bone easily. I'd probably try boneless next time. Tandoori Roti: thin, fresh, and the perfect addition to pair with the main dishes. I went with a friend who has a lot of experience with Indian food, and she said this is one of her top spots and would definitely come back. I completely agree. The food felt very authentic, there are tons of options, and the service was great. Would definitely come back!

Nastaran M.

Curry Nation just opened a few months ago and we stumbled upon it on a late night birthday dinner celebration. Talk about 5 star service!! They went above and beyond welcoming us. Their dishes were full of flavor and great ingredients. The saag paneer was my absolute favorite. Not watery like some previous places, and such generous portions. I highly recommend checking them out.

Arian B.

You need to go here asap! I was so surprised by the hospitality and the dedication the server had to making our experience great! The food was above and beyond and they gave me a little something extra for my birthday at no charge. There is construction being done that is currently blocking the building so please make sure you hype this place up so they get seen. The ambiance was so nice too. The portions are very generous! They really are doing a great job.

Dahl soup so good
Adria D.

This place is literally amazing I'm so glad there's finally great Indian food close to me. There's construction out front so it might be hard to miss if you're driving on 5th you see Noah on 5th and it's the opposite side of the street. I had the chicken tikka masala, lentil dahl soup, and cheese garlic naan. Everything was so good the naan could have been crispier that's my only complaint, it was a bit soggy. Maybe that's because of the cheese I don't know but it still tasted good. I thought it seemed a bit pricey but I'm willing to pay for a good quality food however they were huge portions like I'm still eating the leftovers and I went yesterday and I'm going to have more for dinner so this is like three meals for sure maybe four. The gal at the work and the cook and other people were very friendly however I only saw the one gal trying to answer the phone take orders and I feel like she's still learning. I did have to ask for ice two times but eventually I got my ice. The chairs are not very comfortable. But it looks nice and clean, fairly basic.

Henri V.

Curry Nation opened recently on Fifth Street in Hillcrest, at the space formerly occupied by Swami's Cafe. Curry Nation has outdoor and indoor seating. The street construction right out front created traffic congestion and added to limited street parking. However I was able to park at a private lot a block away but charged ten dollars an hour :( that's what valet fees cost and this was not valet. Upon entry, was greeted cordially by the hostess who was also the waitress Pooja and was attentive, courteous, nice and very accommodating as was the server Neema. Something I need to point out is, that if a customer is dining inside, one would expect NOT to be served in plastic containers...my mango lassi drink was served in tacky plastic and I quickly poured the contents into a glass. Additionally, it would be better if the food prep and servers wore gloves. The interior was clean and tasteful decor with not too over the top. The pictures of India and other cultural touches were nice. The menu offered many Indian food selections but I ordered: mango lassi yogurt drink, vegetable samosas, garlic naan, chicken tikka masala, vegetable korma and Saag paneer. The menu should offer a lunch special because I hate over ordering for myself and now I have Indian food which could last for a week! A lunch/dinner set menu should be offered for diners who want to try a variety. As other restaurants also offer lunch/dinner set menu just to be competitive because there are at least 3 existing Indian restaurants that offer lunch/dinner set menu options. My first experience with Indian cuisine was years ago in London, at an Indian restaurant within walking distance from the Savoy Hotel. It was the best Indian food I've ever had and I always compare others to. Everything I ordered here was delicious, all the exotic Indian spices definitely was sensational to the tastebuds. The curry in the chicken tikka masala was Devine, not too sweet, not too oily, but I can taste that the chicken was not stewed in with curry which I prefer, as this chicken was placed post curry prep and not stewed or simmered into the curry, so the chicken didn't absorb much of the masala flavor. The vegetable korma was delicious as well but was not a creamy as I've had but nonetheless delish. Noteworthy was the Saag Paneer which is the spinach dish, which was surprisingly very good and just from the looks of it, was prepared perfectly. Whenever, I have Indian food, if the saag paneer is not cooked right, it ruins everything for me. And this Saag paneer passed my test! I must remind myself NOT to have the yummy mango lassi yogurt drink before the meal because it kind of filled me and reduced my appetite. Best to have this after the meal. The shahi mango mousse was complimentary and had small pineapple bits was a nice conclusion to a currylicious meal. Curry Nation is Worthy of your visit. Recommend

Extensive Meat and vegetarian Menu

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the flavorful Indian dishes, friendly attentive service, and clean welcoming atmosphere.

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2 months ago

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21 days ago

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2 months ago

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4 days ago

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6 hours ago

Their masala fried shrimp fried... amazing Sarah was also very nice! Definitely coming back.

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9 months ago

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9 months ago

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9 months ago

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10 months ago

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8 days ago

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6 months ago

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2 days ago

Food was amazing! Service was prompt and very friendly. We had a great time and the dining experience was excellent.

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6 months ago

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3 months ago

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7 months ago

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7 months ago

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9 months ago

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3 months ago

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2 months ago

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11 months ago

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30 days ago

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5 months ago

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6 months ago

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3 months ago

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13 days ago

Very delicious food , enjoyed the taste . Very neat and clean environment. Butter chicken was mouthwatering .

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24 days ago

"J" is great. Really love this place. Food is outstanding. Mushroom masala is great.

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7 months ago

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8 months ago

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1 month ago

Our great new favorite place to eat! The food and service are both awesome!! Highly recommend!

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8 months ago

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Curry Nation Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Curry Nation

What choices of entree are on the lunch special, assuming you still offer it?

6 veg options, 6 meat options Served with rice naan and a can o'Soda $17.99

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Bhojan Griha - 58. Lamb Kadai

Bhojan Griha

4.6(410 reviews)
1.9 mi•Old Town
•$$

I did a pick up order of the Chicken Butter Momo and the Cilantro Naan and it was delicious. Next…read moretime I will go straight for a regular order of Chicken Butter because the sauces is absolutely flavorful. Pick up was super quick and the lady who checked me out was friendly. I will definitely come again with friends and sit in their patio. My photo is half the order, I plated my leftovers :)

The ambiance was instantly noticed, it seems very local and it felt like I was back in India but…read morealso had Nepal parts, it smelled like incense when we were in there and the place was built with this clay look The service was quick to get seated, there was only one lady there but there was only one other couple there, the food took 20 minutes for a lot of food, so cannot complain at all The lentil soup is really good, it's not whole lentils they're like ground and uneven texture which i love, very rich and flavorful The Chana masala is reallly good, incredibly flavorful, the onions are soft and there is potato mixed in with it, amazing surprise I love potato curry this made me incredibly happy- I also got spice level 9/10 because I love spice and it actually was a good level of spice This was my first time trying momo, we got the vegetable but it was an interesting flavor jump from the Chana masala, the inside of the dumpling was soft veggies and it was alright, not very flavorful and the sauce was what carried it, but not in a great way at least for me, very bright like a cilantro citrus zest but different, my family also did not like it The murgh curry was interesting, again mixed with potatoes but the curry taste was a tiny bit bland, still good but when in comparison to the Chana masala. This could be because it didn't have the same spice though, it wasn't sweet nor spicy. The chicken was very tender and no complaints there. The chicken tikka masala was great, not sweet at all not super spicy but a great level honestly, everything was at spice level 9 and I think it was all good but Chana masala had a bit of kick The paneer was veryyy creamy and quite sweet, I honestly did not really like it it was a weird sweet to me but it depends on your taste, my dad liked it and my mom did not Overall I would come back knowing exactly what dishes I want now, maybe I am bias because I am Indian and the dishes that had more Nepal influence or weren't like exactly Indian food did not taste as good to me, but normally I am not that picky of an eater.

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Bhojan Griha - Restaurant

Restaurant

Bhojan Griha - Appa 1. Fresh Vegetable Samosa; Red Wine

Appa 1. Fresh Vegetable Samosa; Red Wine

Bhojan Griha - Mango lassi

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Mango lassi

Taste of the Himalayas

Taste of the Himalayas

3.9(514 reviews)
0.6 mi•Hillcrest
•$$

We were stumbling around in the mind boggling LaJolla Village traffic and happened upon this strip…read moremall, thank goodness, which held a number of good looking options for our dinner. Taste of the Himalays with its South Indian food won our discussion of where to go. The place has an inviting aroma of spices. We sat on the sunset-glazed patio instead of in the very dark dining room. Our dinner arrived quickly and so many takeout clients' delivery people indicated the popularity of the food. My aloo paratha, a potato-stuffed bread was so delicious alongside a flavorful chicken biryani. It was just what I needed! Having lived in India for three years a long time ago, this cuisine is most definitely my favorite. My husband chose a beautiful shrimp vindaloo which was served with rice, and he loved the samosas which are quite large. We split a Taj Mahal beer- a perfect outdoor experience. Be sure to visit between 3-5 pm for we also had happy hour discounts as promised taken from the bill. Should we find ourselves here in the future, we'd love to try more delicious creations!!

Great variety of dishes. I love that they ask your spiciness preference. Hint: zero means zero…read moreand dishes with zero were really bland. I don't like my food hot at all and 3 to 4 was very good for me. Decor is really nice with brick walls and a nice patio. Service was very slow for the place being not busy at all. Plenty of parking on the front and back street.

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Taste of the Himalayas - View of the bar / front desk

View of the bar / front desk

Taste of the Himalayas
Taste of the Himalayas - Wine

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Wine

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro - Shiro & Beggie

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

4.4(2.2k reviews)
1.5 mi•University Heights
•$$

Food: 5/5 Portions: 5/5…read moreAtmosphere: 4/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Customer service: 5/5 Speed: 4/5 Price: $$ Takeout: yes Outdoor seating: yes Restrooms: yes Dogs: yes Kid Friendly: yes Vegetarian options: yes Vegan options: yes Ambiance: casual Pros: great food. Friendly staff. Large portions Cons: parking can be tricky in the area

So, it was AI that landed me here for lunch this past weekend. I asked for suggestions of places…read morethat focused on authenticity - not trendy. This topped the list. I was dreading parking but somehow, only went around the block once and found parking less than half a football field away. I can only guess at how bad it would be during the lunch and dinner rushes. It was metered parking but it was Sunday and IYKYK. Otherewise, read the sigs and be ready to feed the meter. Service was patient and warm. Wondered if it was a one man crew as our server, host and cashier was one person. He would be there and then he wouldn't. Left me wondering if he was also cooking or at least helping in the back of the house. It wasn't busy - my friend and I were one of three parties/tables. Not that we needed much but there was a moment when we wanted more injera ... which leads me to the food. The injera was nice and spongy - great since it's all hands on deck, no utensils. If you've never had this cuisine, know that the injera is like your plate and your utensil. Use it to soak up and grab the veggie and meat dishes but just be aware, you eat too much of it too fast, and it'll fill you up just as fast. The dishes are on the mild side as far as being spicy. I would have loved it spicier however my friend doesn't handle heat but the flavors made up for compromise of not ordering fire. We weren't able to finish it all and couldn't bring it to go as we were on the road from LA but would have gladly taken it for leftovers for another time. I would have added more seasoning and some heat to tickle my taste buds. Don't read into that - that it wasn't good - I do also appreciate when places favor less which allows me to add because if it's too heavily seasoned, diluting certain dishes is tricky and in some cases not worth it IMO. Note: if you've had this cuisine before, know that Muzita does Entrees - not combo's. One or two orders and you should be good.

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Muzita Abyssinian Bistro - Interior dining area.

Interior dining area.

Muzita Abyssinian Bistro
Muzita Abyssinian Bistro - Exterior of the restaurant.

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Exterior of the restaurant.

Curry Nation - indpak - Updated October 2026

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