Naatu Naatu Indian Vegetarian Cuisine — Restaurant in Dr. Phillips

TL;DR:
Naatu Naatu offers authentic South Indian vegetarian cuisine with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, making it a must-visit for anyone craving traditional South Indian vegetarian dishes in Orlando, FL.

Detailed Review:

If you're looking for authentic, flavorful South Indian vegetarian cuisine in Orlando, Naatu Naatu is a hidden gem that should be at the top of your list. Located conveniently near Disney, it’s one of the few places in the area open late (until 11 pm), making it an ideal stop for a satisfying meal after watching the Disney fireworks or a long day at the theme parks.

We ordered takeout, which was a great decision given the timing of our visit. The menu offers a variety of traditional dishes, and we went with kothu paratha, podi idli, and ven pongal. Originally, we had planned on having ven pongal for breakfast on the following day, but we ended up enjoying it for lunch—and we’re glad we did! With very few vegetarian options at Disney and most of them being overpriced, Naatu Naatu’s takeout was a welcome, delicious alternative.

Kothu Paratha is one of the highlights. This dish was a perfect balance of spiciness and texture, with shredded paratha mixed with vegetables and spices. It was rich, satisfying, and a comfort to eat. The podi idli was another standout. Soft, fluffy idlis coated in a mixture of spiced lentils and powder, served with tangy sambhar and fresh chutneys. It was an explosion of flavors in every bite. The ven pongal was the epitome of South Indian comfort food—creamy and mildly spiced with just the right amount of ginger and pepper. Paired with the sambhar, it was a perfect combination. What really stood out, though, was the quality of the sambhar and chutneys. They were impeccably prepared and packed with flavor, complementing each dish beautifully. You can tell the cooks take pride in their food, as the authenticity of the flavors was spot on, just like what you would expect from a South Indian kitchen.

Additionally, the service at Naatu Naatu was top-notch. The women working there were warm, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. It seems like a small family-run operation, and it feels like you're being welcomed into someone’s home. The restaurant has only been open for about a year, and it's clear that they’re passionate about bringing traditional South Indian flavors to the area.

All in all, Naatu Naatu is a fantastic spot for vegetarians and anyone seeking authentic South Indian food. Whether you're visiting Orlando or live nearby, it’s worth the stop for a flavorful, satisfying meal. We’ll definitely be back on...

Naatu Naatu is a pure vegetarian gem tucked away in the heart of Lake Buena Vista, offering an authentic South Indian dining experience.

Menu: The menu here is quite varied, though be aware that not everything is available at the moment. The entire Tandoori section and Chowrasta Khazana section were missing during my visit, with no word on when they'll be back. It would also be helpful if the menu included short descriptions of each dish—after all, not everyone knows what a Dondakaya Vepudu is!

Food: The food really stood out. I absolutely loved the Rasam, Chili Gobi, and Samosa appetizers—they were a perfect start to the meal. The Masala Dosa and Millet Ragi Dosa entrees were equally impressive, with their crisp, savory textures complemented beautifully by the accompanying sambal, masala, and chutneys. The Bezawada Babai Podi Idli was another highlight, perfectly spongy and well-seasoned with Gunpowder Spice, a flavorful blend of dal (lentils), seeds, and spices. The Chili Gobi, in particular, had just the right amount of crispiness and was well-marinated in a Szechuan-style sauce that added a great kick.

However, the Paneer Pasand Bites were just okay—a bit on the bland side. I think they would benefit from a light toss in the same Szechuan sauce used for the Chili Gobi. Unfortunately, the Paneer Chettinad didn’t quite hit the mark. It was overwhelmed by too many chopped onions and tomatoes, which drowned out the masala flavor, and the coconut was barely noticeable. Despite this, the spice levels across all the dishes were spot on.

Service: The staff was friendly, but I think they could use a bit more training. The restaurant is popular with locals, people of Indian origin, and tourists, so the servers seem to assume that everyone is familiar with the menu. A bit more guidance and recommendations would be helpful, especially for those who aren't as familiar with South Indian cuisine. Additionally, the service could be a bit more attentive—clearing plates promptly, providing serving utensils with each dish, and generally being more proactive in meeting diners’ needs would improve the overall experience.

Overall: Naatu Naatu is a clean and inviting restaurant, and it's a solid choice for anyone looking to explore traditional dishes from South India. However, some South Indian classics, like biryani, aren’t on the menu. Despite a few minor service hiccups, the authentic flavors make it...

I visited Naatu Naatu for the first time, and unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. I started with the Paneer Pasand Bites, which were overly greasy. I had to remove the breaded coating just to taste the paneer, and for $13, it felt overpriced, especially with no notable flavor.

For dinner, I ordered Paneer Makhani, butter naan, and tandoori roti. While the gravy was creamy, it had an overpowering sourness from too much lemon juice. The paneer itself was acceptable but seemed less fresh than what I’d expect from a quality Indian restaurant. The tandoori roti was decent, and the plain rice was just… rice.

I initially requested the Paneer Makhani medium-spiced, but it arrived mild. After sending it back, the remake was spiced correctly, yet it was more like a watery soup than the creamy dish I had hoped for. It felt as if water had been added to adjust the consistency.

After my disappointing meal, I asked the server for recommendations. She suggested the dosa section, so I ordered the Ghee Roasted Dosa Mysore style. It was very oily, not made with ghee and while it tasted better than my earlier dishes, I could tell it was not prepared as with ghee as what I’ve enjoyed for over a decade. The accompanying sambar was unexpectedly sweet, resembling Gujarati-style with carrots. However, the masala chai was the only thing good.

I’ve added photos of the items I got before and after for your reference for expectations. Additionally, the sections on the menu of unavailable items are highlighted in a Redbox.

On a positive note, the ambience was pleasant and peaceful, and the server was friendly. However, the food fell short, and I can't recommend this restaurant based on...