Varanasi is fast becoming one of our favorite dinner spots. There are two choices for Indian food in the city center of Linköping, and Varanasi--the new kid in town--definitely beats the competition. My husband and I crave spicy food, especially here in Sweden where it's harder to come by at restaurants, and the vindaloo at Varanasi satisfies. It was the first thing I've eaten at a restaurant here where I needed to cool my palate a bit with some rice! Hooray! We've also really enjoyed the "Balti" dishes, which come to the table sizzling in a tiny cast iron pan. The rice is perfect, and the paratha and naans (though we haven't tried all the varieties yet--more reasons to go back!) are terrific--they have a subtle pretzel-type flavor to them that is addictive. My man's mango lassi was enormous (and yummy), and the few appetizers we tried were also perfectly sized and came with interesting sauces. The only underwhelming dish for us was a korma, which we found excessively sweet for our tastes--but would probably be ideal for those who don't like spiciness. The menu is extensive and you'll find something for everyone, including vegetarians and vegans. And the kid's menu also offers a nice selection! Varanasi sits in the old Shin Nori location, on the second floor of an unassuming storefront on Ågatan--look for the small red carpet they've placed at the street entrance. From there you walk up two flights and you enter a magical world filled with stained glass lanterns and, in summer, a shaded, private patio. There is an elevator in the courtyard for those who need it. :) This is not a budget restaurant, but it is a fantastic value because of the very high quality of the food and the portion size. All of the ingredients taste super fresh. We will definitely be going back, and we hope it thrives here in Linköping because it is the best Indian food we've had in Sweden so far! read more