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    Nina's Desi Kitchen

    4.9 (44 reviews)
    Open • 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Nina's Desi Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

    Nina's Desi Kitchen Photos

    NINA'S DESI KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Outdoor seating

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    Chicken pulao
    Anna L.

    This is a relatively new Pakistani restaurant in the charming town of Southington. I had high hopes for this restaurant based on all the good reviews, but I was left disappointed. We ordered chicken pulao, lamb pulao, chicken handi, and naan. Both of the pulao is the same; just rice with a few pieces of the choosen meat on top. We were disappointed. The meat is usually mixed in with the rice. The portion is large with a lot of rice but the taste was average. The chicken handi was delicious but the portion was tiny for the price. It was very flavorful but too spicy and uses chunks of breast meat so the meat is a little on the dry side. It comes with one naan. The naan was the biggest disappointment. It was more like pita than naan. (Edit: Note that the naan is tawa naan so it is supposed to be like that). Maybe I should have gotten the biryani instead. That one looks delicious. I wish them the best as they are nice people, but the food was not for me. It's great if you like spicy though albeit the small portion unless you get a rice dish. They have a lot of different Pakistani food that may be hard to find elsewhere. I will give them another try.

    Pink sheer chai
    Sho R.

    Everything I had here was excellent. It was packed with flavor. Pink sheer chai was the best thing I had here. I had pink tea before, but never so good. It had good amount of nuts, which I never thought would be this good in a tea. I would say the highlight is the street food section. I haven't seen these many street food in another menu. Chicken Dum Omelette wrap , as well as Achari chicken pocket was excellent. Shahi chicken biryani was also good.

    Sumatra L.

    Amazing food. Warm comfortable. Covid safe. Thankful. Very good quality. Can't get enough!!!

    Exterior. It's super cute inside. I should've taken a photo of the inside but was busy enjoying the delicious food!
    judy m.

    Found this by chance and am so happy we did. Just left the place and the food was delicious, the decor charming and the owners/chefs are super nice. We got the potato samosa with a fresh tamarind chutney as a starter. Claude had the chicken shami kabab roti wrap and I had the eggplant bharta roti pocket. We finished it off with a desi lassi. We are smiling ear to ear after that delicious lunch! Highly recommend!

    Ali S.

    Good place to be. It's small inside but the environment is relax. I will bring my family here

    Best sheer khurma ever!!
    Zeib Z.

    This cute little place is just sparkling clean the moment you walk in. I was there for the first time and had looked up the menu before my drive. I knew I wanted the chicken Shami kabob naan sandwich. I then asked the gentleman at the counter for his best sellers and recommendations. He kindly turned around the iPad and showed me the nice photos and described the menu items to me. He also answered my questions specifically to each item that caught my eye. He was very courteous and patient which further enhanced my experience. I decided to go for the sandwich which was made with chicken not beef, but I figured that's healthier anyway. I was curious to try it. The photo had looked amazing. And I also ordered the sheer khurma which I hadn't had in two years and never on the east coast since my move from CA. And there's no proper Eid with out this sweet dish so why not? I was going to celebrate with it for myself! Hah! Well when the food was ready, I was impressed with the gentle handling of the professionally made natural brown paper bag stamped with the restaurant name. I carefully handled it flat as instructed, to my car. I opened it up and my hot and toasty sandwich was even wrapped so nicely with a sticker on it. And my dessert nicely waiting in a solid plastic container warmed up. Unwrapped, I gasped and said wow! This sandwich was a beauty! Perfect slices of tomatoes and green leafy lettuce. Perfectly made Shami kabobs, green raita and bread. My mouth watered...boy was my 25 min drive just for this, totally worth it! The taste was delicious! So fresh and amazing! My tastebuds were so happy I ate it all up immediately. Later that night I tried the dessert and I was in heaven! Best sheer khurma I've ever had! So smooth and creamy and with the perfect amount of raisins and nuts like pistachios. And the perfect sweetness. Wow! I regret not getting more! I highly recommend this place. I wish they were closer to me in Manchester. They have an impressive menu, even pink chai! This is probably the best top notch high quality Indian Pakistani eatery I've seen in CT and one of the tops anywhere! Very high quality and these guys really know how to run a business professionally which is rare to see in this food genre. This place is 5 stars for a reason and I'm so glad I made the drive on that beautiful sunny Saturday!

    Zeera Rice (V) Cholay Chat (V, Ve) Pink Sheer Chi Sheer Khurma (Ve)
    Amy V.

    Ordered delivery on a snowy afternoon. The meal arrived hot and delicious and packaged with care. Flavors are absolutely incredible!

    Chickpea dal and bean salad

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    Atif A.

    Thank you very much. Happy to hear you enjoyed your meal.

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    5 years ago

    Amazing service! A lot of vegan options! Perfect sized portions, and most of the time I have left overs.

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    I had the chicken dum wrap and it was amazing. The flavor was incredible. I will definitely be back to try more of their dishes :)

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    6 years ago

    Crazy good! Ordered ghatay wrejay with naan. So good. Spicy comfort food and the naan was a great buffer.

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    5 years ago

    The best! Delicious sauces and condiments, making meals a delight! I would eat there every day if possible.

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    5 years ago

    Wow! This join is amazing. Beautiful decor. Food was delicious and extremely courteous service

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    7 years ago

    The biryani is little spicy, but has amazing flavor. I love it and recomend to everyone to try

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Nina's Desi Kitchen

    City Kebab House - "Mixed Cold Appetizer" - small (combo of hummus, babganush, haydari, soslu patlican, antep ezme, avocado ezme)

    City Kebab House

    4.8(55 reviews)
    15.0 mi•South Green
    •$$

    Came for some apps before a show in town Service was fast &…read morefriendly Cold apps were a hit! Would come again Be sure to try the babaganoush :) Prices very resonable

    City Kebab is a Middle Eastern kebab restaurant that opened in Hartford, Connecticut in September…read more2023. It was founded by husband and wife Uzbek immigrants Timur Rakhimov and Aziza Djalmamedova. The couple immigrated to the United States from Uzbekistan in 2010. After over a decade of education, training, and hard work, they decided to try their luck as restaurateurs. They found a space that used to be home to Hook & Ladder Restaurant (right next to Hartford Fire Department's historic South Green Station). The couple hired Turkish immigrant Hasan Korkmaz as their head chef. Together, they curated a menu full of traditional Turkish and Uzbek cuisine that is all prepared in accordance with halal dietary laws. Some of the menu items include kebabs, samsas, falafel, gyro, and mezzo platters. I recently dined at City Kebab while I was in Hartford to see a concert. I checked Yelp to see if there was anywhere good to grab dinner before the show, and Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine sounded fantastic to me. When I entered, I was greeted by the very friendly co-owner Timur, who said, "I work for my wife. She's the real boss." After being seated, I began to look over the menu. When Timur returned, he tried to recommend that I get gyro. I told him, "Oh no. I know exactly what I want. I'd like to order a variety of small plates to sample. I'm a local food blogger and I want an authentic experience." Timur was just ecstatic and quickly went to give my order to the kitchen staff. I started off first with a small "Mixed Cold Appetizer" (combo of hummus, babganush, haydari, soslu patlican, antep ezme, avocado ezme), the "Falafel" (mixture of chickpeas, parsley, onions, garlic, Middle Eastern spices, deep fried) and a small teapot of "Turkish Black Tea". Timur brought me some complimentary "Ramazan Pidesi" (Turkish Bread) as well as a glass of "Fresh Squeezed Lemonade". He said, "You need to try this!" So far, everything was excellent! For the main course, I had the "Mixed Grill" (mixture of chicken shish, beef shish, kofte, lamb adana, beef & lamb gyro, served w/ white rice, bulgur rice, Mediterranean salad). It was a symphony of Mediterranean flavors! Timur surprised me with a "Pumpkin Samsa" (pumpkin filling in crispy pastry, seasoned with spices, served w/ tomato sauce) and said, "You can't leave without trying this. It's an Uzbek specialty!" It was very tasty! Before the meal was over, he said, "Save some room. I have another surprise for you at the end." He brought me "Künefe with Dondurma" (Turkish ice cream). I had never tried this before. Stuffed with melted mozzarella and then topped with pistachio and almond crumbles, it was simply divine! I repeatedly thanked Timur for his hospitality and for sharing his culinary cultural traditions with me. I had enough leftovers for both my wife and I to have for dinner the following evening. I'll definitely be returning with my whole family. If you're looking for an authentic Middle Eastern culinary experience in Hartford, then look no further than City Kebab!

    Photos
    City Kebab House - Interior

    Interior

    City Kebab House - "Ramazan Pidesi" (Turkish Bread)

    "Ramazan Pidesi" (Turkish Bread)

    City Kebab House - Interior

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    Interior

    Shish Kebab House of Afghanistan

    Shish Kebab House of Afghanistan

    4.1(292 reviews)
    12.9 mi
    •$$

    We love Shish Kebab for dinner, but it's definitely one of our favorite Happy Hour spots!…read more Good deals on drinks, and you can have a small snack or have a feast for a great price. The pita burgers a great and they're filling! We've tried all the protein options, but I think the beef is our favorite because the spices really stand out. I also really like the Ashak which is comprised of dumplings full of spinach and scallions, topped with spiced beef, lentils, and yogurt. The bar feels really open and airy, and bartenders are always friendly and attentive, even when they're busy getting ready for evening service. We frequently go for HH on a Saturday around 5 and it's usually pretty quiet at the bar which we enjoy. Great place whether you've had Afghan food, or you are looking to try something different!

    I came here with a friend for dinner one Friday night. We noticed the dim lighting and warm…read moreatmosphere as we entered. We were seated upstairs in a cozy room with just a few other tables. I noticed a door labeled "Hookah Lounge" but we did not partake. I honestly cannot remember what each of us ordered but we both had vegetarian meals and we absolutely loved our food. The service was excellent. We did not feel rushed or ignored even as the restaurant filled up as it got later in the evening. The ladies room is quite nice with a full length mirror and several stalls. I look forward to my next visit!

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    Shish Kebab House of Afghanistan
    Shish Kebab House of Afghanistan
    Shish Kebab House of Afghanistan

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    Zohara - Chicken shawarma

    Zohara

    4.5(1k reviews)
    12.9 mi
    •$$

    I didn't know what to expect coming in, but this spot was great - delicious lunch and lovely…read moreservice! We came here for lunch on a Saturday around brunch time and it was busy, but we got a spot at the bar and they still had a few extra seats. Menu had a good selection of sharables all for decent prices and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time while being super fresh. Hummus was amazing - super great to dip the bread in. Sizes of the dishes were just right, a little small for me but average I'm sure for others. Shrimp and mussels were great whole the artichoke was okay - would probably skip that next time. Overall, great flavors and super tasty - thanks, Zohara!

    We had made a reservation to celebrate my mom's birthday and even said so when we had made the…read morereservation. The restaurant was extremely noisy and the service was extremly slow. Once we placed an order, it took forever for the food to come. We ordered some apps, a meal of the lamb, the kebabs and my mom ordered a seafood tajin. We asked for the steak kebab to be medium rare, it was provided to us well done. The seafood tajin didnt come out at all, and when we asked about it, they put in the order. By the time my mom got her meal, everyone else was done. We also had to ask multiple times to get coca cola refills. When we ordered dessert, they did nothing to acknowledge or celebrate my mom's birthday. Overall the food was average, but what really brought my rating down was the poor service.

    Photos
    Zohara - Front of inside dining area

    Front of inside dining area

    Zohara - Spiced pineapple , market hummus

    Spiced pineapple , market hummus

    Zohara - Whole Roasted Cauliflower

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    Whole Roasted Cauliflower

    Madani's Mediterranean Cuisine - Mansaf. This was a special order. Was great!

    Madani's Mediterranean Cuisine

    4.1(20 reviews)
    7.7 mi

    Two words: chicken haneeth! We get it every time. We love it! I need to write more words to post…read morethis review.

    I love places that seem like they use family recipes for dishes I don't know. That seems to be the…read morecase with Madani's Mediterranean Cuisine's beef ghallaba. Madani's is one of a few businesses in a more residential neighborhood of New Britain between downtown NB and CCSU. The inside is both a food market and restaurant. Although there are two tables squeezed between the kitchen and food display area, the atmosphere is not a selling point and it's safe to call Madani's more of a takeout place. In fact, when I ordered in person, they did not even ask me if I wanted to dine in. Service was professional, but not particularly welcoming. Based upon very quick internet research, ghallaba is a Lebanese stir fry with ingredients such as meat, poultry, onions and/or peppers served with basmasti rice. Madani's dish was served with slightly chewy Halal beef strips and sliced onions - sort of resembling steak fajitas. It was seasoned with warm spices, giving it a well rounded, mildly spicy and smoky flavor. It was very tasty and I would order it again, even though I would prefer more tender beef. The basmati rice was very good and had perfect texture. I noticed a cardamom pod, which I assume was part of the rice rather than the beef. I'm sure that contributed to the great flavor. The meal also came with a small acidic salad of lettuce, tomatoes and onions. The acidity was a welcome contrast to the spicy beef. The dish was served with two condiments. One was a seemingly homemade Green Hot Sauce that I believe is called Zhug (aka, Schug or Zhoug). It was tasty and medium spicy, and I used it in moderation. The second condiment may have been mayonnaise? I'm not sure how that makes sense culinarily speaking, but it looked and tasted like mayo. Feel free to message me if I'm missing something. I had a good first experience at Madani's and I'm sure I'll be back to try something different for takeout. Those lamb chops may be calling my name some night. Four Stars

    Photos
    Madani's Mediterranean Cuisine - Chicken Kabab Wrap fresh grilled chicken lettuce tomato and Mayo?

    Chicken Kabab Wrap fresh grilled chicken lettuce tomato and Mayo?

    Madani's Mediterranean Cuisine - Chicken Kabab Wrap with spicy green sauce

    Chicken Kabab Wrap with spicy green sauce

    Madani's Mediterranean Cuisine - Lamb Haneeth

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    Lamb Haneeth

    Nina's Desi Kitchen - halal - Updated October 2026

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