One of the coolest things about Indian food is that each state has its own unique flavors and cooking customs. There are only a few best Indian restaurants where the regional tastes come to life in a way that makes both new and experienced food lovers fall in love.
Every state offers a unique gastronomic experience, from the fiery curries to rich Mughlai cuisine, coastal delicacies to spicy street food. All these flavors are shaped by local ingredients, traditions, and climate, making each bite a discovery of culture. Exploring India’s food means traveling through tastes—robust masalas, tangy chutneys, fragrant rice, and diverse cooking styles. If there are any few Indian restaurants that bring all the top-notch chefs and provide a unique gourmet experience, Exotica Indian Kitchen and Bar stands at top.
Great Indian restaurant in Charlotte, NC. We were walking in the street when we felt the delicious smell a block away from the restaurant and had to go there. The food was amazing! The Punjabi Samosas with the mint and the sweet sauces from the apetizers were perfect. We had the chicken tika masala and the lamb korma for entrees and the garlic naan and we were cleaning the dishes with the leftover naan! Highly recommend the Pomegranate Old Fashioned. All in all a great experience.
Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5
Fusion food seemed like it didn’t need to be popular at first but why mess with perfection? But as time went on, it became clear that new ideas in the kitchen were letting in more people. Vegetables are getting the royal treatment they deserve today.
A recent star was a jackfruit biryani that was just as good as, or even better than meat biryanis.
Oh, and cauliflower? It has been turned into steaks and tikkas that are so tasty that chicken doesn’t even stand a chance.
Besides, Zucchini transforms into fragrant koftas and best mushrooms are now the centerpiece in aromatic kheema.
This change is interesting because these foods aren’t trying to taste like meat. Instead, they praise how real vegetables are when they are in their most basic form, and the result is stunning.
People who eat at Indian places often have the same question: why do they serve the same boring drinks when the food is so exciting? Finally, someone has come up with a new way to pair the two, showing that drinks can be just as daring as food.
A turmeric gin drink that is as bright and golden yellow as the sun is one of the best things that can be made. Instead of going against the heat of a spicy curry, it goes well with it and brings out the flavors in perfect balance. Bartenders are using Indian spices in their drinks more and more, like in cardamom martinis and tamarind margaritas. This has led to a wave of new drinks that taste great..
Going back to old-fashioned ways of cooking is one of the coolest trends in Indian food right now. Real tandoor stoves, clay pots, and old-fashioned ways of fermenting food are becoming popular in restaurants. It might take longer and cost more, but you can taste the difference.
Best Indian Cuisine Chefs are also reviving forgotten family and Grandma’s family recipes like classic pickling methods, which bring back authentic flavors once enjoyed for generations.
Meals cooked over wood-fired stoves or with slow simmering techniques highlight the natural taste of ingredients. This return to tradition cultivates nostalgia while delivering a wholesome, soulful food experience.
