SAFFRON INDIAN FOOD BAR AND GRILL — Restaurant in La Fortuna

Having savored Indian cuisine across continents, from bustling Mumbai to the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, we were utterly delighted to discover Saffron in La Fortuna. This restaurant is, quite simply, amazing.

Every dish we tried—from the rich daal to the flavorful paneer—was a testament to authentic Indian flavors, rivaling those found in Mumbai's finest establishments. But the true heart of Saffron is Chef Negi. His culinary journey, honed in various five-star hotels across India, is a story worth hearing directly from him.

Chef Negi is nothing short of a culinary wizard. Beyond the menu, he effortlessly crafted off menu items like, non-spicy Punjabi Kadhi and Veg Hakka Noodles for our children, ensuring they enjoyed hearty meals while we indulged in our spiced favorites. This level of flexibility and personalized service is exceptionally rare.

He masterfully balanced spice levels, delivering a robust kick for the adults and mild, comforting dishes for the kids who prefer a gentler palate. Such meticulous care is a hallmark of truly exceptional dining.

Our eight planned meals in La Fortuna saw us returning to Saffron for six of them. This wasn't due to a lack of alternatives, but because nothing else came close to the experience Saffron offered. In addition to the items mentioned above, he made other off menu items like vada pav, mumbai sandwich and more. He also made food for us for our travels home like thepla and puri bhaji.

Chef Negi's warmth, genuine hospitality, and "we'll make it happen" attitude made us feel truly at home. Each dish was prepared with freshness, vibrant flavor, and clear intention.

If you're considering Indian food in La Fortuna, look no further. Saffron is an...

Best Indian Restauarant, beats many in India and all in Houston ! Trbute to Trilok (Chef), and staff (Hira and Uttam). After a longday of adventures we ended up here. Our day started with authentic costa rican coffee experience at North Fields, afternoon zip line in rain and cold at Sky Adventures, and comforting natural hot waters at Tabacon hot springs. After eating Ceviche our palette desired indian food though we were trying to avoid it knowingly the disappointment which we have faced in the past at places. However, our desires overpowered the rational mind. We were lucky to find this little gem. Me and my wife (Diane) had a great time. We loved the entrance of the restaurant next to a busy highway which reminds us of the constant noise we hear in India, but obviously much cleaner air and atmosphere. We were greeted warmly by Hira and Uttam. We ordered Chicken tikka masala, chicken curry (pahari chicken) and naan. The food was excellent. Chicken was juicy and tender. Naan were perfectly cooked. I wished we could cook like this at home. For deserts we really enjoyed the kulfi.

I was wondering who cooked all this ? and that too La Fortuna. My inquistiveness and unbound enthusiasm lead me to the back of the kitchen where I met a sober, soft mannered and humble chef - Trilok. To my amusement they had a tandoor (vertical clay owen) which explains the finely cooked chicken and naan.

We requested a picture with the chef and staff to show our affection to their restaurant and hard work to bring to Costa Rica the best...

Full disclosure..I am first generation Indian living in US near Portland, Oregon. I am super picking about Indian food especially since my husband is a great cook. We ate here yesterday and we was so impressed with the flavors, we came back today. The smells wafting from the restaurant will make you drool. We had the lamb bhuna the first day and the curry was amazing and the lamb very tender. The chicken biriyani was excellent with lots of the curry mixed in the rice the way I love it. My only complaint is they used white meat for chicken biriyani which tends to be dry and less able to absorb the curry. Today, we got the lamb biriyani instead, and that was amazing. We also order palak paneer and one garlic naan. Both were excellent! I also asked to have the food very spicy and they did that well. The mango Lassis were exceptional. I asked to talk to owner to tell him that his food was better than any food served in restaurants near where I live (north Indian cuisine specifically). He told us how he got started in Costa Rica which is a pretty interesting story. The prices are a bit high but considering that he has to import so many specialty ingredients and the cost the basic ingredients (like tomatoes and onions), it makes total sense to have to charge accordingly. In my mind, I'm on vacation... I'm going to eat well and enjoy myself! ...