Tamarind Restaurant is one of our favorite restaurants in the Norfolk area for authentic Indian cuisine. The dishes are always fresh and flavorful, and we especially recommend bhel and chili paneer. The restaurant features a simple, clean interior, and the service is attentive and welcoming. Catering is available for those interested. read more

See all

Tamarind is a fast-casual Indian restaurant, so if you're looking for something more casual or your typical restaurant, this probably isn't the place to go. When you enter, you order at the counter. If you are dining in, you choose where you'd like to sit, and your food is brought out on trays. They do use paper plates and plastic utensils, but again, it is fast-casual. They have a vegetarian side of the menu and then a side with meat. The only meat they offer is chicken. We got the Chicken Biryani and the Chicken Curry and garlic naan. We asked for it to be VERY mild. The flavor was all very good but I would not call it mild lol that's probably my only complaint - it was a little too spicy for me. I have been to other Indian places that offer American mild, medium, hot AND indian mild, medium, hot. I think they realize that they are able to tolerate a lot more spice! I would say my meal was probably "Indian" mild. I realize spice is subjective, and I am a wimp! They offer a variety of different drinks in their cooler and they have a filtered water station. They do not offer ice at all. Our food came out very fast but was still PIPING hot and fresh! The customer service was excellent. The gentlemen at the counter was extremely nice! During our meal one of the women from the kitchen came out to use the restroom but stopped to ask us how our meal was and to let them know if we needed anything. Very sweet people! I would absolutely recommend this place for a flavor, service, and If you like spicy! read more

See all

Had a dosa. My buddy didn't feel like eating his curry chicken sadly . My dosage was very nice. Marketed as a street food spot. Enjoyed it. Would go back! read more

Excellent and flavorful! I have never had to eat Indian food at any restaurant because I can usually get home cooking from my friends. Plus I am like to have meat in my food. I was delightfully surprised that their food was satisfying and tasty. read more

Tamarind - Combination dish suggested by the owner gentleman. - Indian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I've always wanted to try this place out and experience the street food experience! First thing.....whenever I think of Indian food. I think of exotic decor. Well to my surprise it was nice clean modern decore. Pleasantly surprised! So when I think of street food I think of traditional Indian dishes made in various ways, and in smaller portions. I am a creature of habit and normally order my favs. I ordered the "Dosa-Mysore Masal & Saag Paneer" The Dosa -Mysore Masala was perfect! The crepe was perfectly cooked, and crispy. And the potato stuffed seasoning was so tasty. Just the right spices.! Well, for the Saag Paneer.. I can understand they made there version of the dish, but it just didn't have any flavor to it. I am used to slow cooked cream spinach with whole Paneer pieces rather than chopped up. Everything else was fine the rice and small salad. Well ...that's "Street Food" for you. In honesty I will definitely go back for the Masala Dosa..it's that good! But will definitely try other street food dishes! read more

See all

Located by Planet Fitness in a strip mall. The location has ample parking. The interior has seating or 24 guests and an ordering area. The menu is located outside of the restaurant and on a menu screen board inside. There is refrigerated drinks inside of a side by side door cooler. You may pay by card, cash, or mobile tap with a tip service menu. On this visit I ordered a sev usal (mild), a bowl of white rice (sold separately), and garlic naan. Paired with a canned drink which, upon ordering, they'll ask if it's a canned or bottled drink. The sev Usal was hot and delicious flavors of peas, beans, and Indian spices. The rice had carrot and pea chunks which were nice, and the Naan was a good balance of garlic & butter. I would return as I have time and time again. This is a dish worth trying! read more

I've always had great food and service at this location. It almost feels like a street food location, but with much better food and service. When I previously worked in the area, I would commonly visit this location weekly or bi-weekly. The interior is always clean and I would highly recommend. read more

We were there for lunch around 12.15. Ordered some dosas and a vada sambar. The dosas were ok but the vadas were done in some old oil, was dark brown and looked burned. Ordered some masala chai also -The chai was way too expensive and took a long time to get served. Terrible service and no order in which things arrived. For a café style place service was too slow. read more

I met a friend for dinner here on a Saturday early evening. I already had this place on my radar for a while now, I didn't realize it was in a shopping center. No worries though. They only had one group there. This is not a fancy place by any means. However, they had a thorough menu at the front and an accent wall with the names of Indian entrees. Basic but it was really a nice touch for a long wall. We shared an appetizer of sort, I can't seem to find the name but it was a big tortilla-like bread folded over with potato and spices inside that came with a mint dip of sort. Delicious! I ordered the Meat Thali because I wanted some of both butter chicken and chicken curry. It came with rice, pickle, a dessert ball of sort, and some chapatis. Very yummy. My favorite was the butter chicken. My friend had a green veggie dish with cheese inside served with rice. Sorry, I have no idea what it was. Service was good. My dish was good. read more

This is a hidden gem on Military Circle! I really appreciate Tamarind for tasty and authentic food. You order at the register and pay, then it is brought to your table or taken to go. This is a great place to stop by for lunch. The ambiance is relaxed and homey. The pani puri is a great appetizer, and the sauces provide a blast of flavor. The meat thali was great to share. So much flavor packed in. We got medium spicy. I do wish it was a bit spicier for a medium, but it still tasted delicious. The dessert with the meat thali as not too sweet. Thank you for the delicious meal! Will be back! PS There is an awesome market right next door with many Indian groceries. Convenient! read more

See all

It is a hole in the wall place. Great flavor! Quick and friendly services. I'd come back.

I had a taste for Indian food. So off to Tamarind i went. When i entered i was greeted by the friendly staff. The restaurant was clean and had plenty of seating. They also have outdoor seating. They have a good amount of options on their menu. I got the samosa chaat which had samosas, chickpeas in a tasty tomato sauce, cilantro, onions, and yogurt. I asked for heavy yogurt but they forgot to put any on top. So i went back in and they fixed it. I am glad i did because it wouldn't have been the same without the yogurt. All the different flavors came together and tickled my taste buds in the best way. It was a very flavorful dish. I highly recommend it. I like hummus but am not a fan of whole chickpeas but these were delicious!! I also got mint chutney on the side and that was good also. I highly recommend this dish... Check them out!!! read more

See all

Didn't go there to eat yet, but had their take out samosas and those were amazing! We also loved the sauces they came with! Samosas were huge, just the right amount of spicy, and very reasonably priced. Can't wait to go back there! read more

Amazing and nice ambiance with great hospitality . Recommend this restaurant. Thank you

I've been here twice with my family. Both times have been delightful and we've left completely satisfied. This time we tried the samosa chaat and the chole puri. We love chickpeas and both dishes were spot on what we were craving. The samosa chaat (chopped samosa covered in channa, yogurt dressing, and tamarind) was like two dishes in one. This will be a favorite from now on. The puri is a puffed soft bread that is airy and yummy with a side of channa. I love the sprinkle of onions and the robust flavor of the chickpeas and so did my little one. We also got a masala chai, which was my first time trying it. I felt the spices were underwhelming and probably won't get it again. But glad I finally tried it. Overall, I love the Indian fusion cuisine served here and the clean, fresh vibe from the interior. Will definitely be returning again and again! read more

Tamarind - Chole Puri (front), Samosa Chaat (in back), and Masala Chai Tea Latte (on the left) - Indian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Indian Street Food not as fresh as I thought it would be. The young woman who took my order was not very nice and rushing me to place my order. I ordered saag paneer, garlic naan and veggie samosas. The portion size was small for the high price. I have had my share of Indian food and Indian street food, but I wouldn't say this was really in that range. The spices and heat of the food were not there. I was hoping what I ordered would be tasty, but it was so bland I wouldn't order here again. The seating at the restaurant is small and doesn't see warm or inviting to eat here. I was surprised on the other highly rated reviews. It read more

Food Standouts: Puri Puri Puffs: Fun puffs that we stuffed with the potato/chickpea mixture. Had never had these before and they were good! Garlic Naan: So good! A little thicker than I'm used too but one of the best I have had. Samosas- Very good! They were freshly made and delicious. Okay: Butter Chicken- This wasn't my favorite. I am used to more of a tomato flavor. It was still good, and my husband liked it. The chaat (can't quite remember the name) but it had potatoes, chickpeas and then taramind sauce and yogurt over the "chips". My husband said it reminded him of an Indian Nachos. It was good and had a good flavor, just something I wouldn't order again. Service is you order at the counter and wait then for your food to be delivered. The girl taking the orders at the counter was extremely sweet. She also made sure we got to-go boxes and extra sauces when we couldn't finish all of our food. Also really nice is that they have a water filter system so you can get all the water you need! read more

See all

While we are staying up the street, I treated my Mumbai-born wife to some takeout of her favorite foods here. We ordered Paneer Bhurji Dosa, Gobi 65, Ragda Pattice, and mango lassi. Now I'm going to give her opinion first since she's the one who grew up with this food even though I love the cuisine too. She liked it a lot. I would t say she loved it. Call it more satisfied which is a good thing. My opinion of everything I tasted was that I was hoping for more flavor. For example, the Gobi 65 tasted like it had more spice to it than actual flavor if that makes sense. The Ragda Pattice came without tamarind chutney on it which would have completed the flavor. As a result it was good but short of great. We did both enjoy the dosa and lassi. It's a good place. Nothing terribly wrong with it. We weren't blown away. read more

Amazing authentic home made Indian food. I highly recommend the food. We told the owner to pick out some dishes for us. He made us a appetizer that wasn't even on the menu. It was like a party in my mouth. read more

This place was new to me and I've never had Indian food before. I got the butter chicken for the first time and it was delectable. The chicken was so tender and the sauce had the perfect spice. I recommend trying this out. Service was good and nothing to complain about. I however did get this a couple weeks ago and found hair. I was disappointed at the time. But other than that I recommend. read more

Food was good and the chicken was flavorful. Standard restaurant in a shopping plaza with ample parking.

Tamarind is less formal than many other Indian cuisine restaurants. You won't find cloth napkins or China. You'll eat off thick paper plates (think "Chinette" brand plates) and plastic forks. Still, Tamarind has it's place. It's good food, fast, and friendly. It's located in a large strip mall shared with Harbor Freight, Planet Fitness, and several other smaller shops. Parking, including handicapped spaces, is easy. You can even eat at a sidewalk table. Solid 3.5 - 4.0 stars. read more

Incredible food in a casual setting. Very friendly and attentive staff. We will be back! read more

Tamarind - Idli Sambar Saag Salty Lassi - Indian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

Great Indian food! Staff is nice, food tastes and looks fantastic! I usually get chicken biryani but I have been trying to broaden my horizons. I recently tried the chicken Dosa which has chicken inside with spices wrapped in this huge crispy lentil wrap. It's on the spicy side. I love spicy but my body can't handle the heat so I always ask for mild. Haha but even the mild can be spicy too. I had the butter chicken, which haha isn't expanding my horizons, but definitely a "go to" dish. My sister and I shared the ragda Pattice, which is like the Indian take on chili with potatoes in it. It's very tasty and pleasing to the palate! It has a soupy consistency. Tamarind, is my favorite Indian restaurant. It's not a buffet. You can do takeaway, dine outside in their seating area, which is on the store front. It's located in a strip mall like area in Norfolk. They have inside seating but it's not very large inside and it can become very crowded. Their drinks are glass bottles, and cans. No fountain drinks. But they do have water coolers. I think, every time we have came in, the person taking our orders, might be the owner? He is nice and always offers service with a smile. The inside is very clean and is a go to the counter and order establishment. Once you are seated they bring your food out to you. They do offer military discounts. read more

See all

I love this place. I love indian food. Everytime I go here, I am justified. Relative to other Indian restaurants in the area, this place is cheaper, probably due to the street food focus rather than a sit down restaurant. It does however, have seating and is always clean. The food quality, and taste is always on point, and consistently good. The menu is good, and has good vegan options in addition to traditional. I recommend the Aloo puri. I love their Puri bread too. You owe it to yourself to check this place out if you're in the mood for indian food. read more

Only gave 5 stars because I can't give 6! I love this place, and it's my favorite spot to grab some takeout or, on a nice day, eat at one of their outdoor tables. read more

This restaurant serves Indian, vegetarian as well as vegan dishes. Homemade taste keeps you wanting more. Desserts and Mango Lassi are available as well. The nice gentleman who took our orders was very willing to explain each meal, how prepared and offer the spice level. I ordered his recommendations as was not disappointed at all. The menu has something for everyone. Fresh veggies in the cauliflower Manchuria with noodles was definitely a new dish for me. I've eaten in some of NY, 8th street Indian restaurants for years. Tamarind offers some new influences cuisine and they are awesome. I and a friend dined here before doing some shopping at Royal Bazaar so I didn't shop when hungry is not a good idea. Coming back for a few take home meals was a great idea! I will continue to dine and recommend this delightful restaurant. read more

See all

The food is delicious and the owners were super nice and helpful. The dine in space inside is small, so it isn't really conducive for dine in. With COVID restrictions they had 2 booths and a table that could seat 4-6. There were several outdoor tables on the sidewalk. I know this is meant to be street food, but the portions were really small - so treat this place like a tapas style place where you may need to consider ordering several dishes per person and share. I feel it was also priced a bit high. Decided to order the Pani Puri and Chicken 65. The pani puri potato filling was firm and not mush - the puri were light and crispy - tasted fresh and not greasy. The Chicken 65 had surprised me that it was just a pan of protein, but that was likely due my inexperience - I was hoping for a carb to accompany it like rice. I ordered this mild spicy - I like things spicy so will likely kick it up 2 steps next time I go. I had to order this food to transport back to Portsmouth so these were packaged nicely to avoid a soggy crushed mess when I got home. read more

Tamarind - Chicken 65 - Indian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

They do not have a buffet. Person who answered the phone on 6/20/2025 told me so. I will not be going here as they do not correct their ads

Grabbed a takeout and the food was great, service with a smile and warm chai on the way out was the best. Thankyou I'll be back....

Authentic Indian food and very kind owners who operate this small and inviting eatery. Specializing in Indian street food, you'll be pleased with some of the mainstream dishes as well as some not so commercialized choices. Don't worry about ordering an item and the spice level is too much for you. You can adjust it to suit your taste buds. I do recommend ordering some naan as it tasted great. You can dine in, get it to go by ordering in person or by phone. The portions are appropriate and are very good. A military discount is offered. Parking is shared with other businesses and easy to find a spot in front. Clean bathroom, and the dining area was well maintained during my visit. The manager applied just the right amount of attention so as not to annoy or ignore the customer. This is a vegetarian friendly place. They do have dishes that have meat but it wouldn't be hard for someone who enjoys a plant-based diet to find a variety of options. I would recommend this small business and return to try some of its other appealing menu items. read more

See all

Super friendly service and excellent food! Hubs had the meat tali. I ordered samosas and a dabeli. OMG-- we were both stuffed and had to take leftovers home. Super tasty food. We both got medium spice level and it was perfect! We have to come back. The menu is extensive! If you are looking for great Indian food at a reasonable price in a spotless place, definitely check out Tamarind. read more

cafeteria style where you have to pay before you eat. the Naan was good but not as flavorful as what i expected. curry was okay but the rice was kind of weird to me. idk how to explain it but it wasn't the same as other indian restaurants i've been to. Samosas were good though! Service was whatever to me since its a pay then eat service. read more

Tamarind - Indian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Hidden GEM is the best way to describe this place. The service was so kind and welcoming. The gentleman was so friendly and patient with describing the dishes I inquired about and also gave his recommendations. We love spicy so we got the hottest option for the Chicken Saag and the Biryani. The flavors are so fresh and robust. We usually go to Saffron (which is amazing) however I think this place has better rounded flavor in their dishes. The Saag and the Biryani were tasty however I would pass on the garlic naan. read more

Tamarind - Biryani - Indian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

Have been here twice and both times the staff have been SO friendly! The food is absolutely delicious and omg their mango drink! To die for! It's definitely become our go to place for Indian cuisine(: I love their butter chicken. So far we have tried the butter chicken, butter paneer, butter naan bread, samosas, and another chicken curry dish I forgot the name. So far everything has been so good! Highly recommend this place(: read more

See all

The atmosphere was good. The staff was a little unconcerned with me. They had messed my order up and I waited about 45 minutes for my food which was not good. I've had much better Indian food in Norfolk area read more

My husband loves this place and we usually order from here. we like spicy food so that was not an issue for us. Our go to is the naan and this place has dosa options too. In terms of service, no issue when we went to eat there once. Ambiance was okay not a fine dining place but great for families i would say. The only one thing, and it's a small thing, is the plastic cutleries which made it hard to cut food with and kind of pointless. i end up eating the roti with hands, which I usually do anyway. read more

Tamarind - 4 Pieces Vada Sambhar - Indian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

See all

This is an update to my review of 2016 and one that is long overdue. Tamarind is a small Indian street food restaurant that first opened in 2015 by owners Tejan and Charu Patel, who does most of the cooking. It is stationed in a shopping plaza on Military Highway, adjacent to Poplar Halls Drive and the adjoining Poplar Halls neighborhood. I grew up in Poplar Halls and coming here is always a nostalgic homecoming for me. There is a Planet Fitness and a Royal Bazaar Indian Asian Foods Farmers Market in the same plaza. Parking has been plentiful with each of my visits. Their menu consists mostly of vegan and vegetarian Indian dishes with a small Meat Delight section consisting of chicken dishes. There are no other meat proteins listed. The interior presents a snug, clean, and well lit dining area with a tranquil vibe. I counted 6 two-seated tables and 3 four-seated booths inside. Sidewalk seating is also available. The aromatic scents of Indian herbs and spices put me in a state of sensory bliss as soon as I enter. The patronage of diners of Indian descent is a testimonial to their authenticity. Unlike many Indian restaurants, this one is not a buffet operation, This is actually my preference. I have never been much of a buffet person and always prefer to order off the menu. When dining inside, you place your order at the counter and specify your desired spice level. Mine is always "Indian Spicy." You then take your seat, and wait for it to be brought to you. For this update I decided to sample some dishes I never tried for my original review: BHEL: A Mixture of Puffed Rice, Various Chutneys, Sev, Puris, Chopped Potato, Tomatoes, and Onions. This one was listed under their Chaats, which are a family of savory snack dishes that originated in India. Sev is a fried snack shaped like thin noodles made from besan flour, which is made from ground chickpeas, a staple ingredient in Indian cuisine. Puris are deep-fried breads made from unleavened whole wheat flour that originated from India. This dish reminded me of some of the puffed rice snacks and cereals I enjoyed growing up, but with much more flavor. It was served at a cool temperature with a crunchy yet soft and moist texture that was soothing to my tongue. The ingredients underneath the puffed rice exploded with a beautiful balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Hints of green chilies provided some extra zing. My Rating: 5 Stars. CHILLI TOFU: Saucy and Spicy Tofu with Ginger, Garlic, Coriander, Cumin, Red Chili Paste, and Bell Peppers. This dish was listed under the Indo-Chinese section of their menu. The tofu was soft and silky, bathed in an exhilaratingly spicy sauce that made my hot tooth sing. The supporting ingredients combined to form an incredibly delicious taste combination. My Rating: 5 Stars. CHICKEN BIRYANI 65: Aromatic Basmati Rice with Spicy Chunks of Boneless Fried Chicken soaked in Yogurt and flavored with Red Chilies, Mustard Seeds, Fresh Curry Leaves, and topped with Assorted Vegetables. This one was ordered from the Meat Delight list. Chicken Biryani is one of my favorite Indian dishes, and I enjoyed this one as well. Its portion size was not as large as some versions I have tried elsewhere. It looked a bit awkward served in a wobbly cardboard boat container. I think its presentation would be much improved served on a regular plate, even a paper one. Otherwise, the ingredients came through as fresh and flavorful. The veggies were colorful. The basmati rice was nice and fluffy, and the chicken was pleasantly spicy. My Rating: 4 Stars. IDLI SAMBAR: Four Steamed Round Cakes with Fermented Lentils and Rice. Served with Coconut Chutney and Sambar, a Vegetable Stew with a Tamarind Base. This was ordered from their Southern Delight list. This is a popular breakfast dish in Southern India and Sri Lanka. The rice cakes delivered a soft and delicate texture, but their flavor was a bit bland. I could not really taste the lentils. The flavors of the chutney and sambar came through nicely. My Rating: 3.5 Stars. FALOODA: A mixture of Rose Syrup, Vermicelli Noodles, Sweet Basil Seeds, and Milk. Topped with Ice Cream. Falooda is a popular Indian dessert beverage that originated in Persia before settling in India during the 16th century. This one exploded with color and flavor. This was by far the best tasting Falooda drink I have ever enjoyed. My Rating: 5-Plus Stars. GULAB JAMUN: Donut Balls made with Milk Powder and bathed in a Sweet Rose-Cardamom Sugar Syrup. This is a classic Indian dessert. The donut balls were melt in your mouth delicious. The sugar syrup was delicately sweet without being overpowering. My Rating: 5 Stars. The service was friendly and accommodating during each visit. My average food rating comes about to about 4.7 stars, which rounds up easily to my 5 star overall rating. I have made out a list of some of their other dishes I want to try and will be stopping in more often when I am in the area. read more

See all

Tamarind has some of the best Indian food in the Hampton Roads area. The Samosa Chat and Mysore Dosa are some of our go to orders. Highly recommended! read more

Tamarind is one of the best places in VB in my opinion. We always get their chili paneer... their samosas are great. The eggplant dishes are good. Literally cannot go wrong here. Its a more casual environment compared to a formal setting, which is a nice change. You order up front then sit down, they bring the food out to you. read more