Gourmet India - S San Diego

This restaurant is also a great option for vegetarians and vegans, offering a wide array of dining choices. It's conveniently located near the parking garage in Horton Plaza—just to the right of the main parking entrance at 4th and F Streets. You can park in Horton Plaza and validate your ticket at the mall for three hours of free parking. One notable aspect of Gourmet India is its Indian clientele, which is often absent in other downtown Indian restaurants. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about that. While Gourmet India charges extra for rice (a common practice at many Indian restaurants in San Diego), the rice is high quality and served as a standalone dish. I recommend trying the vegetable rice of the day. For appetizers, I absolutely love the Uttapam—it's a popular griddle cake from Bombay made with cream of wheat, topped with tomatoes, onions, light green chili, and cilantro, accompanied by sambar soup and coconut chutney. The Mulgutany Soup with chicken—also available with vegetables—is wonderful, featuring lentils cooked with ginger, onion, tomatoes, and coconut milk. All the curries are outstanding and homemade. The chef and owner is very accommodating and will prepare almost anything upon request; I sometimes ask for the chicken yogurt saffron, which isn't on the menu. I also enjoy the Chicken Tikka Masala, a dish of marinated chicken cooked in a tandoor and served in a savory tomato saffron sauce. The Murg Korma is another fantastic choice, featuring boneless chicken in a rich cream sauce with nuts and raisins. While the lunch buffet is nice and offers a good selection, I prefer ordering off the menu. If you're a fan of Indian cuisine, I highly recommend Gourmet India!

After visiting numerous Indian restaurants near and far, I am delighted to have discovered this hidden gem in San Diego. I've had the pleasure of enjoying fantastic Indian cuisine during my travels around the world, but this place truly stands out with its uniqueness. The food is prepared fresh, the naan is among the best in town, and all the flavors are perfectly balanced without being overpowering. For over a year now, I've been a regular at Gourmet India, returning every Saturday for their delicious buffet. I wholeheartedly recommend Gourmet India. Cheers!