India Jones — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

I don't really even know how to put into words to describe this review about this gem, holy grail of restaurants that is India Jones. The level of taste, quality, innovation, presentation, creativity, delectability and pure magic will leave you wondering and questioning how it can be even possible to create and execute such perfection and flavors that we never thought were attainable. I am an American born Indian. I have been to India 6 times at various times in my life from a kid to an adult. My entire lineage is Indian. So I know what I am talking about when it comes to Indian food. I am also a very accomplished cook in my own right. I am the definition of a foodie. And I don't give high praise and accolades very easily. I barely even write reviews unless I have been beyond impressed by a specific restaurant. And this restaurant has not only impressed me, it has transcended me to a different place and a different mindset about culinary inventiveness. This is the Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Mozart of Indian restaurants. India Jones is in it's own class. It is a master class representation of Indian food on a level that I have never experienced before. I have eaten at some of the best Indian restaurants in NY, NJ, LA, SF, Chi, and many places around the USA as well as in London, Italy, Hong Kong, Singapore and many other countries. And obviously in India of course. I can honestly say that I have never had Indian food even close to this good and at this level in any restaurant outside of India. The authenticity of the spices, flavors and taste can only be compared as if I was dining in India, and still India Jones left a unique unforgettable impression on me that I've never experienced before. I dined there for 4 nights and tried almost all of the items on the menu and as much as I would like to say one or two were my favorites, I just simply can't choose. It was as if every single dish was handmade by god and on a pedestal all on it's own. I simply cannot tell you that one is better than the other because they are all a perfect 10+! It really doesn't matter what you order because your taste buds will be in total bliss. An explosion of flavors that keep coming from the second you put a bite into your mouth, as you chew and then swallow, more flavors keep popping up and then your sinuses and your head, chest and stomach permeate with constant aftershocks of delicious flavors that you never want to end. I woke up every morning in Playa with cravings from the night before like a drug addict who needed his fix, just waiting until dinner time so I can get more and more each day. And I stuffed my self so much that I could barely walk after each meal because I did not want to get full. I just wanted to keep eating. Sanat Patel and his wife Namrata are the most wonderful couple and such hospitable owners. They are so friendly and nice and make it a point to chat and get to know every customer that comes in. The entire staff are just a joy to be around and are so thoughtful, professional, friendly and they all have experience and knowledge to answer any questions about the food. This restaurant is a home run and every patron who I spoke to had the exact same sentiment and consensus. There are even local people who I met who really don't eat out anywhere else except India Jones. This restaurant deserves 3 Michelin stars!

If you do to Playa Del Carmen, you must go eat at India Jones. You don't know what your missing until you miss it and you won't understand until you taste it. It isn't just a restaurant. It is a culinary journey, just as they say. And if you are a foodie like me and you are always searching for the perfect bite, then you don't need to search anymore. Because perfection exists. And it's name is...

The headline: India Jones is not simply the best Indian food you’ll find in Playa del Carmen, it’s among the best Indian food you’ll find anywhere.

In our first 18 months living in Playa del Carmen, the one cuisine my husband and I missed the most was Indian. There are some places that will just about scratch the itch when you really needed a taste, but having spent the previous 7 years in Washington, DC where we would enjoy Indigo and Rasika on a near monthly basis, nothing came close to satisfying our Indian cravings. Suffice to say when trusted friends of ours came back from dinner at India Jones raving, we knew we had to give it a try. Our first visit was in mid-February That night, we enjoyed the Malai Broccoli (chargrilled broccoli with cheese foam), Roti Pe Boti (slow-cooked short rib), and Chicken Tikka Biryani and it blew us away. In the subsequent three months, we’ve visited at least eight more times – as a couple, with groups of friends, with family, with our teenage niece who had never tried Indian food before – and each time was better than the previous, leaving India Jones first-timers near speechless with how incredible the food was. And as we’ve gone back again and again, very rarely have we ordered a dish we’d previously enjoyed…such is the diversity and quality of the menu. Burrata Papdi Chaat, Bhuna Paneer Tikka, Cocktail Samosas, Zafrani Chicken Tikka, Gosht Seekh Kebab, Fish Amritsari…and those are just the starters and appetizers. There is literally something for every taste and any mood and it is executed to perfection. The biggest praise we can offer is this: we recently went back to DC for the first time in nearly two years and knew we had to get back to Rasika, long-considered one of the finest representations of Indian cuisine in the United States. As we sat there through our meal – which was fantastic – we couldn’t help but long for a night at India Jones upon our return.

Beyond the food, the atmosphere of the restaurant is upscale, but cozy and the service staff always wear smiles and are among the most polished we’ve encountered in Playa. On top of it all, Sanat and Namu, the husband-and-wife ownership team, could not be more pleasant, welcoming, and passionate about their restaurant. It comes across in the way they greet you upon arrival, speak about the food, discuss future plans for the restaurant, and chat with you over the course of your meal. Whatever expectation we could have held for India Jones has been far surpassed and we couldn’t be more excited for them to be a part of the Playa del Carmen...

India Jones and the Lost Temple of Naan As our float plane gently landed in the calm blue Caribbean waters just off mamitas beach we reminisced of our hallowing times back in the jungle ruins of Peru and how we felt lucky to just be alive. We all soon boarded our rubber dingy and set off for the sandy playa. Julio, our trusted local driver, awaited our arrival and welcomed us with a broad smile and a laugh. Bienvenidos mis amigos! Knowing Julio like I did, I was certain he would be delivering us to one the best restaurants in town tonight, so I didn’t even ask. I laid my trusty whip and weathered hat on the seat next to my best girl and relaxed knowing we were finally safe and heading for a night of some good food and drink. And man, I could use a good stiff drink! Our nuevo international friends were to join us soon at this second-floor Indian eatery strangely named India Jones just south of calle 32 but right on Quinta Avenida. As I ordered my vodka martini, me esposa fantastica requested the muy especial Indian Ginger Sunset Cocktail, we waited for our germanhawaiiancalifornian-ish friends to arrive. Both our cocktails were on point and aside from the somewhat odd playlist seeping up from just behind the bar, it was quite chill, just like I felt after taking that blow dart in the butt back in the Congo. We all gathered at a small table on the terrace just as it began to rain, ordering drinks and a couple of starters. As we discussed all the geopolitical and socialistic topics of the day, a new waiter brought our babedias to the table. I glanced under his tray just to make sure he wasn’t carrying a small revolver beneath. But other than a bad haircut, it was all good as the food appeared. And yes it all was simply delicious, and a clear precursor to things to come. And it was. The chicken tikka 3 ways, garlic butter naan, Goan shrimp, curried fish, chicken marsala were all superb. Each dish had its own scene going on and each was brilliant on its own accord. My shrimp bowl reminded me of Texas red chili but with a wonderfully exotic heat twist. Fantastic! I tried our guests’ plates too, as we tend to share. Everything I tasted was a combination of highly intense favor and spices rendered into a deep heavy soulful base combined with delicate cut of fish, shrimp and chicken. Simply one of my favorite meals in PDC or anywhere else, and immediately on my next top 10 PDC post. Then suddenly I heard a loud metal crash down below on the street. I signaled to Julio to get...