Namaste India (North) — Restaurant in Edmonton

Our family was craving Indian food. Did a quick Google search and Namaste India Castle Down was highly rated. So we drove down to try it out.

We were seated down immediately when we go there. The waiter handed each one of us a menu.

Beef Samosa - this samosa had very little beef and was mostly potato. I would have preferred more beef in the filling. The tamarind chutney sauce that came with the samosa was very good. It also came with a green sauce that was different from what I am used to. It was more of a bright fresh sauce. I would guess it wads mint and cilantro sauce.

Lamb Vindaloo - this dish was delicious. It was spicy and was packed with flavour. The chilies, garlic and spices really came together in the sauce. The yogurt that came with the meal was so good and really helped with the heat from the dish.

Saffron Rice - we opted for the saffron rice to compliment our meal. Saffron rice is great as it almost has a buttery flavour profile and goes well with all the dishes.

Naan Bread - the naan bread was so good. It was no burnt which was nice to see. Some places tend to burn the naan bread. The naan had a slight milky flavour and the brushed butter on it just gave it more richness. Used the bread to eat with the butter chicken and the vindaloo. Perfect to soak up all those flavour packed sauces.

Paneer - this dense crumbly cheese dish is delicious. The sauce that they serve it with was loaded with flavours and spices in a curry like sauce. We really enjoyed this dish. It was a nice change from the fish, lamb and chicken.

Butter Chicken - this dish is one of our favourites and it did not disappoint. The sauce was rich and creamy and could really taste the ginger and garlic. All brought together with the tomato sauce and butter. Went great with the rice and naan bread.

Fish Pakora - Fried fish pieces served on a bed of lettuce. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with Indian spices. Perfect little appetizer to kick off our meal.

Chai Tea - was disappointed with the chai tea. I was expecting it to be so much better. The meal was so good that I thought the chai would have been at the same level. I wad hoping for it to be made properly but it was not.

At the end of our meal the chef came out and thanked us for coming to the restaurant. He commented on us being able to eat the spicy dishes and welcomed us back in the future. Super nice guy and it was nice way to end our meal. The food and service was very good. The food came out quickly and seemed to flow well. Just the samosas and the Chai tea I would probably pass...

We went to Namaste India (North) last night (April 23, 2024) and were surprised at the depth of the menu for vegan food in a restaurant that says so little about its vegan offerings on its own website. A whole page of the (instore) menu booklet is devoted to vegetarian, but our server assured us each can be made vegan. And there are quietly vegan choices on other pages. For starters, we had two samosas (fist-sized!) and vegetable pakora (a big plate). They both were deep fried, delicious and crisp but not oily. Then we had the Bhindi Masala (ocra dish, and the only item we chose on the veg page) and the Dal Makhani (it was so smooth, cooked overnight). You can make them as hot as you like. We chose medium. Next time, hot! These dishes both kept revealing wonderful layers of taste. We also had the coconut rice, and two plain (but really not "plain" at all) roti. The bill, $53. We were so stuffed. (Fortunately, Beaumaris Lake and its hiking trail were nearby so we could reduce the "postprandial load.")

And we were warned we'd have too much by our glowing and attentive server, Seema. Gireesh (owner, chef?) came out to chat with us afterward. While we were talking about Namaste's home-country taste, he told us he wanted to serve simple food that would be healthy for the kids and grandparents at home (when people order takeout). He has purposely reduced the oils and butter content to promote health. Very nice man.

The restaurant is in a small mall, so lots of free parking. Kids whizzed in and out, the streaming Bollywood hits were exactly loud enough, and the main area is simple, clean, and actually compelling in its "homeyness," so I give a five for atmosphere (where others might not).

It's too bad google's selection boxes below do not include the many vegan options available at this restaurant. Seems like a missed opportunity to promote this place to new customers, as well as to expand the info on Edmonton's vegan offerings. After our beloved Narayanni's (remember the Tuesday vegan buffet, where you knew everyone?) closed in August 2023, my wife and I have been in mourning. Now I think we'll have a new Indian restaurant that surpasses all expectations: really good taste, simple food and lots of it, at a great price, served by good-hearted hosts, at a place that I believe will soon...

They took a ridiculous amount of time to make the food. We didn't get out food until 30 minutes after it was supposed to be ready. The people who came before us who were seated got frustrated and left rightfully so. Once the food came out finally I took it home to eat. At this point it's 9pm at night and I'm tired I need to sleep and work the next day after I eat. These guys gave me plain naan instead of the garlic naan I asked for. When I called and told them they tried to tell me over the phone that I was wrong even though I am the one looking at it and eating. So then they proposed they send someone down to pick up the naan. WHY? Are you reusing it? I told them it's okay I will eat the plain naan just refund me for it over the phone. I'm sure they can take a small hit for the naan. Nope. They said they can't do that. They said they can pick up the naan and give me the right one or I can get free naan next time. Which makes no sense. If you're giving me free naan next time why don't you just refund this one instead? What if I don't want to come again? And also do they really think in going to wait for a driver to pick up the bread and let my food get cold? They have such nerve taking so long preparing the food which they ultimately got wrong and then being stingy about the naan and then expecting me to come back next time. Ridiculous.

Edit to respond to owner: I didn't mention what day it was so what do you mean "I didn't receive a call like that on that day?" I have the email of the order. It says order at 7:54 and would be ready by 8:14 pm. Didn't get it until around 8:45. It IS the Northside location. And the phone was handed over to a male (possibly cook). You guys only offered me free naan the next time I came on or a refund if you drove over and picked up the plain naan. You didn't offer a refund over the phone and just take a loss...