Tamarind Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Castle Rock

When Hunger Meets Hype — A Not-So-Indian Dining Experience:

If you have time, read the whole story below:

Some meals leave you speechless. Others leave you wondering why you didn’t just stay home and make Maggi. This was, unfortunately, one of those days.

After scrolling through glowing reviews and convincing ourselves this could be “the” spot for some good ol’ Indian comfort food, we hit the road with growling stomachs and high hopes. Spoiler alert: only the stomach growls lived up to the expectation.

The moment we walked in, the vibe was off. No welcoming smile, no warmth — just a mechanical nod from the host, who later revealed herself to be the owner. The space itself felt…stale. Not the vibe you expect from an Indian restaurant that claims to know its roots. It was poorly ventilated, the air stagnant enough to remind you of waiting rooms, not eateries.

We sat down, browsed a very limited fixed menu, and placed our order — Gobi Manchurian, Malai Kofta, Veg Biryani, Garlic Naan, and to beat the heat, a Kingfisher beer. We were clear about one thing: make it spicy. All of it. Except the beer, obviously.

Let’s start with the Gobi Manchurian — no garnish, no side chutney, and no sign of freshness. Lukewarm, soggy, and tasted like it had time-traveled through a microwave. Spicy? Not even a hint. Honestly, even ketchup would’ve been an upgrade.

Then came the beer, or what was left of it. It lost its fizz the second it hit the glass. It was like drinking regret — flat and soulless.

Next up, the sacred Veg Biryani, which turned out to be a crime scene. Who puts broccoli in biryani? It was bland, under-salted, and nowhere near the spicy kick we were promised. For anyone who grew up on biryani that sings with flavor and aroma — this was culinary betrayal at its peak.

The Malai Kofta arrived swimming in raisins. I mean, sure, raisins have their place — but not as the main character in a rich curry. The only saving grace? The Garlic Naan. Soft, warm, and well-made. The only thing that didn’t leave us questioning our life choices.

But here’s where it gets interesting.

We finally asked the owner about the missing flavor, the missing heat, and the general disconnect. Her answer? “This is an Americanized Indian restaurant. Our food is made for white people.” She said it without hesitation, as if that explained everything. Broccoli in biryani? That was for “American preferences.” Mild spice? Again for local Americans.

When I told her they should’ve at least informed us of that when we walked in — her response was a smile. That’s it.

Now don’t get me wrong — I understand restaurants cater to different demographics. But if your food is tailored specifically to a non-Indian palate, then it’s your responsibility to say that upfront. Especially when actual Indians walk in expecting a taste of home and leave with disappointment as a side dish.

So here’s the bottom line: If you’re really craving authentic Indian food — the kind that hits your soul and not just your stomach — this place isn’t it. But if you’re looking for something Indian in name only, with extra broccoli and a side of under-seasoned confusion, then sure — give it a go.

Just maybe, don’t show...

I have never tasted such fresh food as I have from this place. Everything was delicious and fresh. I am hard to please when it comes to Indian food and this place has now become my new favorite. When I walked in, I noticed how lovely it was decorated and the ambiance was just what you would want in an Indian restaurant. My husband is very particular, as well, and he could not stop telling me how wonderful the food was. He ordered Chicken Ticca Saag and he said the spinach was so very fresh and good. I ordered the Chicken Ticca Masala and the sauce was mild and perfect. If you would want it spicy, I am sure they could spice it up but I loved it the way it was and would not want it spiced up for me. We also ordered Gulab Jamun and Kheer. The Gulab Jamun was crisp on the outside as it should be and was very delicious. The Kheer was very delicious. I also wish to comment on the prices, as well, which are phenomenal. They are low priced with fantastic food which is hard to find both at the same time.

I am so happy that Castle Rock now has it's own Indian restaurant and I dont have to travel 25 miles to get to one. Not only is it convenient but the customer service and food are just as wonderful! We will definitely be...

I'll probably give this place another try and update my review if I do, but for my first time here, I was not impressed with this place at all. The food was mild. It didn't taste bad, just not a lot of flavor that you'd expect from Indian dishes.

The biggest reason I didn't like this place was the service. The waiters were not the whole problem, it was the time it took to get our food. We were there for dinner on a Tuesday night and the place was about 1/3 to 1/2 full. It took 30+ min to get our food after we ordered. As we looked around wondering where our food was, we noticed other tables were looking around too, waiting on there food. No apologizes or reasons were given to us as too why it took so long when it finally came. A simple "We're sorry it's taking so long" from the waiter would have gone a long way, but we got none.

As I said, I'll probably give this place another try, but best I can say is, if you like and know good Indian food, this place is just so-so. And hopefully you'll get faster...