Tarka Indian Kitchen Introduce
In the vibrant and diverse culinary landscape of Houston, Tarka Indian Kitchen has established itself as a go-to spot for authentic and flavorful Indian cuisine. This isn't your typical Indian restaurant; Tarka offers a modern, accessible, and fast-casual dining experience without compromising on the rich, complex flavors of traditional North Indian food. It's a place where classic dishes are prepared with a focus on fresh ingredients and healthy options, catering to a wide range of dietary needs. The restaurant's inviting atmosphere, a mix of casual, cozy, and trendy, makes it an ideal destination for everyone from college students to families and groups. Tarka Indian Kitchen has become a local favorite by providing a comfortable setting where patrons can enjoy high-quality Indian food that is both delicious and mindful of various dietary preferences, including a wealth of vegan and vegetarian choices. It represents the perfect bridge between authentic Indian flavors and a contemporary dining style, making it a standout in the Texas food scene.
Tarka Indian Kitchen is strategically located in the heart of Houston, making it a convenient stop for a fantastic meal. You can find it at 721 W 19th St #7, Houston, TX 77008, USA, in the lively Heights neighborhood. This location is easily accessible for locals and visitors alike. The restaurant takes accessibility seriously, offering a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating, ensuring that all guests can dine comfortably. In addition to a free parking lot, there's also free street parking available, which makes visiting even easier. For those who prefer to dine outdoors, there is charming outdoor seating available, which is also dog-friendly. The restaurant offers a variety of service options to fit your lifestyle, including dine-in, takeout, delivery, curbside pickup, and no-contact delivery. This flexibility and commitment to customer convenience are part of what makes Tarka a popular choice in the community. The welcoming and casual atmosphere is perfect for a relaxed dining experience, whether you're with a group or enjoying a meal on your own.
Tarka Indian Kitchen offers a diverse and flavorful menu that showcases the best of North Indian cuisine. The restaurant is particularly known for its commitment to healthy options, with many vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes clearly marked. Their menu is designed to cater to various tastes and is perfect for a quick bite or a full, satisfying meal. Here is an overview of the services and food options you can find at Tarka:
- Fresh Breads: A selection of delicious, freshly baked breads including Naan, Garlic Naan, and the vegan-friendly Roti.
- Soups and Salads: Light and flavorful options such as the Mulligatawny Soup and the Chicken Kabob Salad.
- Curries: A cornerstone of the menu, featuring classic favorites like Tikka Masala, Vindaloo, and Coconut Curry, all customizable with your choice of protein.
- Kabobs: Skewered meats and vegetables, including the popular Combo Kabob and Chicken Kabob.
- Starters: A great way to begin your meal with options like Chicken Pakoras, Vegetable Samosas, and Tikka Masala Fries.
- Biryanis: Fragrant rice dishes with your choice of Vegetables, Lamb, Chicken, or vegan Beyond Keema.
- Lassis and Beverages: A refreshing selection of traditional Indian yogurt drinks, including Mango Lassi and Strawberry Lassi, alongside specialty lemonades and iced teas.
- Kid's Menu: A dedicated menu with kid-friendly portions of classic dishes like Kids Curry Bowl and Kids Chicken Pakoras.
- Vegetarian & Vegan Options: An extensive selection of dishes like Yellow Daal, Channa Masala, and Aloo Gobi to ensure plenty of choices for those on a plant-based diet.
Tarka Indian Kitchen stands out in the Houston food scene due to several key features and highlights that enhance the overall dining experience. The restaurant is well-known for its fast service, which makes it an excellent option for a quick lunch or a dinner on the go. Tarka is dedicated to providing healthy and dietary-conscious options, with a strong focus on vegan and vegetarian dishes, and many items are also gluten-free. Their commitment to offering a variety of food types is a huge plus for those with specific dietary needs. The restaurant has a great tea selection, perfect for pairing with your meal or enjoying as a standalone beverage. The atmosphere is casual, cozy, and trendy, making it a great place to meet with friends or family. It's a family-friendly spot that offers high chairs and a kids' menu, and it's also recognized as LGBTQ+ friendly. The payment process is convenient, as they accept credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments. The availability of free parking, both in a dedicated lot and on the street, makes the visit hassle-free. Tarka also offers a range of services from dine-in and takeout to curbside pickup and no-contact delivery, showcasing their commitment to convenience and customer service.
For those interested in visiting or learning more, Tarka Indian Kitchen is easily accessible. You can find them at 721 W 19th St #7, Houston, TX 77008, USA. To make an inquiry or to place an order, you can contact them by phone at (346) 802-2096 or on their mobile phone at +1 346-802-2096. This information is key for confirming hours, checking on catering options, or arranging for a pickup order. The friendly and helpful staff is ready to assist you and ensure a seamless experience, whether you're dining in or taking your food to go.
What makes Tarka Indian Kitchen truly worth choosing is its ability to deliver an authentic and enjoyable Indian meal in a modern, convenient setting. While one review described the chicken tikka masala as "just okay," it also praised the overall "good flavors" and the "delicious" samosa. This highlights that while individual tastes may vary, the quality and flavor profile are consistently good. The reviewer also noted the clean environment and friendly staff, which are crucial for a positive experience. A second review provides a more enthusiastic perspective, calling Tarka "truly one of the best Indian meals I’ve had here in the US." This customer praised the "authentic flavors, warm hospitality," and the cozy ambiance. They specifically highlighted the freshness and flavor of the chicken kabob salad and garlic naan, as well as the rich and perfectly spiced chicken biryani and chicken korma. The review also pointed out the affordability and, importantly, the cleanliness of the toilets, which speaks to the overall high standards of the establishment. This kind of feedback—praising not only the food but the entire dining experience—is a strong indicator of Tarka's quality. For anyone in Texas craving real Indian food with the added benefit of a clean, friendly, and modern environment, Tarka Indian Kitchen offers a memorable and highly recommended dining choice.
Tarka Indian Kitchen Food & drink
Fresh Bread
- Roti (V) $3.00
Unleavened whole wheat bread
- Cheese Naan $5.00
Freshly baked Naan topped with Mozzarella cheese, melted to gooey perfection with a dusting of masala. Served with your choice of Tikka sauce, Desi Ranch or Raita.
- Pav (V) $3.00
Freshly toasted vegan sweet yeast rolls
- Garlic Naan $3.50
Leavened flatbread brushed with garlic & basil
- Naan $3.15
Leavened Indian flatbread
Soup/Salad
- Mulligatawny Soup (GF) $3.60
Flavorful vegetables, lentils & minced chicken, infused with lemon juice, curry powder & coconut milk.
- Madras Soup (V) (GF) $3.30
Tomato-Coconut Soup cooked with Indian spices & finished with an aromatic tarka of onions, cumin & garlic.
- Green Salad (V) (GF) $4.75
Mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, chickpeas & & gluten free masala crisps.
- Chicken Kabob Salad (GF) $13.00
Freshly grilled chicken atop mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, garbanzos & gluten-free masala crisps.
Curries
- Yellow Daal Curry (V) (GF) $0.00
Yellow & red lentils cooked with Indian spices & finished with a tarka of onions, tomatoes, cumin & coriander
- Vindaloo (GF) $0.00
Tangy onion and tomato sauce sauteed with bell peppers & potatoes, finished with tamarind chutney. Served with basmati rice.
- Saag (GF) $0.00
Pureed spinach sauteed with garlic and onions, delicately spiced and enriched with cream. Served with basmati rice.
- Mirchy Mirch Curry (GF) $0.00
A fiery curry made with sauteed garlic, ginger & whole spices, simmered with chilies, mint & coriander. Not available Mild.
- Tikka Masala (GF) $0.00
Mouthwatering creamy tomato curry infused with fresh herbs and ground spices. Served with basmati rice.
- Coconut Curry (V) (GF) $0.00
Smooth onion sauce infused with fresh ginger and garlic, finished with coconut milk & potatoes. Served with basmati rice.
- Korma (N) (GF) $0.00
Rich cashew almond pistachio cream sauce. Served with basmati rice.
Kabobs
- Combo Kabob (GF) $15.50
Can't decide? Get the best of both worlds with chicken and lamb kabobs. Served with a choice of chutney.
- Chicken Kabob (GF) $14.35
Tender chicken breast delicately seasoned in our chef’s special marinade. Served with mint-tamarind-yogurt chutney.
- Lamb Kabob (GF) $15.50
Juicy boneless lamb marinated in yogurt with fresh garlic and ginger, roasted cumin, herbs & spices.
Starters
- Chicken Pakoras (GF) $6.50
Tender chicken strips dipped in a seasoned chick pea flour batter. Served with mint-tamarind-yogurt chutney.
- Samosa Chaat $6.00
Classic Indian street fare! Samosa topped with onions, garbanzos, mint & tamarind chutneys, raita & roti crisps.
- Chicken & Cheese Samosa-Nadas $5.00
Two flaky pastry shells stuffed with minced curried chicken, cheddar jack cheese, cabbage & onions, delicately spiced and fried to golden brown. Served with choice of chutney.
- Vegetable Samosas (V) $6.00
Flaky pastry puffs (2 per order) stuffed with seasoned potatoes and green peas. Served with mint-tamarind-yogurt chutney. Vegan chutney available upon request.
- Vegetable Pakoras (V) (GF) $5.65
Potatoes & onions dipped and fried in a gram flour and roasted cumin batter. Served with mint-tamarind-yogurt chutney. Vegan chutney available.
- Tikka Masala Fries (GF) $4.20
Perfectly fried & tossed with our special masala seasoning mix. served with tikka sauce or make it vegan with ketchup or agave-tamarind sauce.
Desserts
- Ras Malai (N) $4.25
Delicate cheese patties served in sweetened cream infused with cardamom.
- Gulab Jaman $4.25
A traditional deep fried milk pastry served warm in a rosewater-honey syrup.
- Mango Cheesecake (GF) $5.25
Light & moist cheesecake, bursting with flavor from the king of fruits
Biryanis
- Vegetables Biryani (GF) $12.00
Basmati Rice stir fried with vegetables, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices. Served with yogurt blended with roasted cumin, seasoning and finely minced vegetables.
- Beyond Keema Biryani (GF) (V) $15.50
Basmati Rice cooked with plant-based ground meat, green peas, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices.
- Lamb Biryani (GF) $15.50
Basmati Rice stir fried with lamb, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices. Served with yogurt blended with roasted cumin, seasoning and finely minced vegetables.
- Paneer Biryani (GF) $13.25
Basmati Rice stir fried with paneer, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices. Served with yogurt blended with roasted cumin, seasoning and finely minced vegetables.
- Shrimp Biryani (GF) $14.35
Basmati Rice stir fried with shrimp, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices. Served with yogurt blended with roasted cumin, seasoning and finely minced vegetables.
- Chicken Biryani (GF) $14.35
Basmati Rice stir fried with chicken, garlic, ginger, onion, and whole spices. Served with yogurt blended with roasted cumin, seasoning and finely minced vegetables.
Special Beverages
- Strawberry Rose Lemonade $3.50
- Iced Tea $3.25
- Kids Mango Lemonade $2.00
- Iced Chai $4.75
Home-brewed Black Tea infused with Cardamom, Cinnamon & fresh Ginger. Sweetened with Agave & poured over Ice with Oat Milk. Dairy Free!
- Sparkling Water $3.25
Sparkling Mineral Water
- Chai $3.25
- Apple Juice $2.00
- Kids Strawberry Rose Lemonade $2.00
- Soft Drinks $3.25
- Mango Lemonade $3.50
Specials
- Pina Colada Lassi $5.00
A refreshing Indian concoction of yogurt and/or coconut milk freshly whipped with ripe pureed pineapple.
- Aloo Gobi (V) (GF) $12.00
Braised cauliflower, potatoes & green peas cooked with a fragrant blend of spices. A traditional north Indian favorite! Served with basmati rice.
- Chicken & Cheese Samosa-Nadas $5.00
Two flaky pastry shells stuffed with minced curried chicken, cheddar jack cheese, cabbage & onions, delicately spiced and fried to golden brown. Served with choice of chutney.
- Iced Chai $4.75
Home-brewed Black Tea infused with Cardamom, Cinnamon & fresh Ginger. Sweetened with Agave & poured over Ice with Oat Milk. Dairy Free!
Sides
- Small Side Tikka Sauce $1.00
- Side Desi Ranch $0.75
- Large Side Tikka Sauce $4.75
- Side Kabob Veggies $3.60
Lightly seasoned zucchini, bell peppers and red onions, grilled on a flat-top.
- Onion Plate $1.50
- Side Saag $4.75
Pureed spinach sauteed with garlic and onions, delicately spiced and enriched with cream.
- Side Mint Chutney $0.75
- Large Hot Sauce $3.50
- Side Korma Sauce $4.75
- Side Vegan Mint Chutney $0.75
- Side Raita $0.75
- Side Veggies $3.60
Lightly seasoned and sautéed zucchini, cauliflower, carrots & green beans.
- Side Achar $1.25
- Side Rice $3.00
- Small Hot Sauce $0.00
Kid's Menu
- Kids Chicken Pakoras (GF) $7.75
Fried chicken strips served with rice or masala fries, & choice of drink.
- Kids Curry Bowl (GF) $7.75
Chicken, veggies or paneer in mild Tikka Masala curry over basmati rice. Served with a choice of drink.
- Kids Kabob Bowl (GF) $7.75
Chicken or Lamb Kabob served over basmati rice or masala fries, with mint-tamarind chutney. Served with choice of drink.
- Kids Biryani Rice Bowl (GF) $7.75
Basmati rice stir-fried Indian style with chicken, veggies or paneer. Served with choice of drink.
Vegetarian
- Daal Makhani (GF) $12.00
Black lentils & kidney beans slow cooked with butter & cream, garlic, ginger & tomatoes. Not available mild.
- Yellow Daal (V) (GF) $12.00
Yellow & red lentils cooked with Indian spices and finished with a tarka of onions, tomatoes, cumin and crushed coriander. Served with basmati rice.
- Beyond Keema Curry (V) $15.50
Plant-based ground meat with green peas & red potatoes, seasoned with coriander, dried chilis & Indian spices, served with freshly toasted vegan sweet yeast rolls.
- Mattar Paneer (GF) $13.25
Paneer cheese and green peas simmered in an onion curry with a touch tomato sauce and cream. Served with basmati rice.
- Kofta Korma $13.25
Savory vegetable dumplings cooked in a rich cashew-almond-pistachio cream sauce. Served with basmati rice.
- Channa Masala (V) (GF) $12.00
Zesty garbanzo bean curry with sautéed onions, tomatoes, garlic & ginger, garnished with cilantro. Served with basmati rice.
- Saag Channa (GF) $12.00
A flavorful combination of our garbanzo bean curry & pureed spinach sautéed with garlic & onions. Served with basmati rice.
- Malai Kofta $13.25
Savory vegetable dumplings cooked in a rich tomato-onion curry sauce. Served with basmati rice.
- Aloo Gobi (V) (GF) $12.00
Braised cauliflower, potatoes & green peas cooked with a fragrant blend of spices. A traditional north Indian favorite! Served with basmati rice.
Lassis
- Mango Lassi $5.00
A refreshing Indian concoction of yogurt freshly whipped with ripe pureed mango.
- Strawberry Lassi $5.00
A refreshing Indian concoction of yogurt freshly whipped with ripe pureed strawberries
- Sweet Lassi $4.50
A refreshing Indian concoction of yogurt freshly whipped with sugar
- Pina Colada Lassi $5.00
A refreshing Indian concoction of yogurt and/or coconut milk freshly whipped with ripe pureed pineapple.
Tarka Indian Kitchen Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Curbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great tea selection
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Comfort food
- Halal food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Family-friendly
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Locals
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Tarka Indian Kitchen Photos










Tarka Indian Kitchen Location
Tarka Indian Kitchen
721 W 19th St #7, Houston, TX 77008, USA
Tarka Indian Kitchen Reviews
samosasfriesvegansaaglemonadevindaloofast casualindian fast foodproteinmulligatawny
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1The chicken tikamasala from this franchise is good, the flavors are there, but just okay in my opinion after trying mild and medium.The samosa was delicious, especially with the sauce it comes with.Overall an okay place for a casual Indian experience with good flavors, the location was clean and staff was friendly.
April 14 · Rick “DevilishReviews”Authentic flavors, warm hospitality, and a memorable dining experience!I recently dined at tTarka Indian Cuisine, and it was truly one of the best Indian meals I’ve had here in the US. The ambiance was cozy and welcoming, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure we felt at home.We started with the chicken kabob salad and garlic nan– both were fresh and packed with flavor. For the main course, the chicken biryani and chicken korma were standouts – rich, perfectly spiced, and accompanied by soft naan and fragrant basmati rice. Prices are affordable and most importantly the toilets are clean. I bough space for parking.Highly recommended for anyone craving real Indian food with a generous side of hospitality. Will definitely be coming back!
May 19 · Maria ReyesSooo good!! First time here and tried the “Not” Biryanis and the Vindaloo. Both were delicious!! Also- you must try the mango lemonade. Tastes like vacation! This will be one of our new fave spots!
May 17 · Shane AldermanWhat fantastic customer service! Immediately I was pleasantly greeted! The facility was clean and well managed. The staff was kind and friendly and very respectful and accommodating to my non dairy/vegan request! I can't say enough how far good customer service goes! This interaction made my day! Not only that, the food was absolutely delicious. Loved everything I ordered. 🫶😎
August 01 · Nessa HillReally good. Ordered from here a few times. Cannot comment on the service and atmosphere but there is no “NA” option so assumed the best. I usually get the kabob plate either chicken or mixed. Veggie Samosas as a tasty starter as well. The rice and veggies that comes with the kabobs is practically a meal I itself. Excellent chutneys and sauces…. Not too spicy for me.
August 02 · Tadhg
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