Indian Monsoon Restaurant Bar - Durham

Indian Monsoon serves excellent Indian cuisine in downtown Durham. Every dish we tried was truly delicious. The coconut pumpkin curry was delightful, though it leaned towards the sweeter side. The spicy mango shrimp curry was also amazing, but it lacked the heat I was hoping for, even though I requested it extra spicy. The drinks are fantastic as well, and I highly recommend the GOC margarita. However, I did notice that the drinks were somewhat light on alcohol and could be more generously prepared. Furthermore, the most affordable entrees start at $14, with many going over $20 for meat options. Overall, while Indian Monsoon offers tasty food and drinks, its high prices may be hard to justify, especially given the variety of Indian restaurants throughout Durham and the Triangle area.

Every dish we ordered was bursting with incredible flavors and had a freshness that truly impressed us! The monsoon cauliflower appetizer was my favorite and could easily serve as a meal on its own. Don't underestimate the fries at an Indian restaurant until you've tried these—they were outstanding! For main courses, I highly recommend the tikka masala and palak paneer (spinach and cheese). And make sure to grab some naan too!

The staff appeared somewhat inattentive. I had to wait quite some time to be seated due to the lack of a host. However, once I was seated, the service improved. The cocktails were decent—while they were visually appealing, they lacked strong flavor. On the other hand, the food was delicious, and the presentation was outstanding!

This was my second time dining at this restaurant, and once again, it was a fantastic experience. It is definitely on the pricier side, but worth it. Be sure to request the smoke or bubble effect with one of the cocktails—it adds a visually stunning and enjoyable element as the aroma of the smoke fills the air. Each of us had our own dishes, and we shared plenty, leaving feeling satisfied and not overstuffed.

For vegetarians, there are plenty of options available. It's also very family-friendly, making it a great choice for everyone. There’s ample parking around the restaurant, and wheelchair accessibility is excellent, with plenty of space. Additionally, for those with dietary restrictions, they offer mild, medium, and hot options if you prefer to avoid spicy food.