Zeera Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in Fuquay-Varina

I am from North of India and I know the spices and food. I am vegetarian. So whatever I am writing, writing from my experience of taste of North India cuisine.

On New year's eve, we dined there and we did not have a good experience. I went there with lot of expectations but came out having a bad experience. First of all, food being served there is an Americanized version of India food. I can understand there position. 99% Non-Indian families were dining there so it made sense from business point of view.

We order Samosa chat and it was 3/5, as I already stated, it was American version of real Samosa Chat.

Then in main course we ordered, Paneer Tikka Masala and Daal Makhani (buttered Whole lentils). Daal Makhani was average. Not cooked properly. Paneer Tika Masala was horrible actually. It is $16 dish but if you see the quantity, it was not work 5$. one family cannot eat that. And, top of that Paneer was so hard and chewy, it was literally as if you were chewing the rubber.

Then the actual game changer came, failure wise. We ordered a Laccha Paratha (Multi-layered whole wheat bread, lightly buttered.) and Naan ( Plain traditional clay oven baked bread.)

When Laccha Paratha and Naan were served, we could not make a difference between both(See the first photo, If you can make a difference between the breads, please leave your comment). Both looked same and raw and not cooked properly. they were not near to what they should have looked like. Look at the actual photos. We asked the server and she confirmed that they are not what they are supposed to look like. they took back and then brought new ones and they were also same. Then the server confirmed that Chef did not know how to cook them and he made it somehow. Question is that if you do not have a chef who can cook them, why would you have them on your menu to begin with.

We could not eat them and then server took them out of the final bill.

Overall, the server, Emma, was so nice to us that did pay good tip to her, even though we had a bad experience on New Year's eve. We did not want to ruin a good service form her.

I would not recommend this place, not because I had a bad experience, but due the Americanized version if India food they are serving.

And I was so disappointed with the quality of food, On new year, I decided to cook both dishes and had actual fun. Please the second photo. This is how the Laccha Parantha...

Eating at this establishment has been one of my worst dining experiences! If I could give it a "0" rating I would. Let me start by saying that I am of Indian decent and have been raised on Indian food. I am certain I am qualified to tell the difference between common Indian food and actual restaurant grade food. First however, in all honesty there is nothing wrong with food at this establishment. It is perfectly edible and probably nutritious. The major problem I have with this establishment is that the food offered (Or at least the dish I ordered, Chicken Curry) Was very common tasting as if an unprofessional and untrained chef had prepared it. Certainly, not worth the $17.00 I am relatively new to NC but have visited a few different Indian restaurants such as Bawarchi in Apex, priced very similarly but the quality and taste far exceed that of Zeera. In my personal opinion the owner of Zeera is offering very common sub-par home prepared food and charging customers premium restaurant prices. Not to mention, offering very small portion sizes. Manipulating the general local fan base who most likely does not know the difference. This is easy to do if you do not have much competition in the area. There is a lack of Indian restaurants in NC as a whole. However, that does not mean that an establishment should take advantage of it's patron's due to the lack of local competing restaurants and the knowledge base of it's patrons (Or the lack of) Most diners that frequent Zera probably have very limited knowledge about quality Indian food to begin with (Which Zeera takes full advantage of) The next time you are seeking a fine dining experience and Indian/Pakistani food is what you crave, checkout Kababish, in Cary. They are also similarly priced but you will have a much more satisfying dining experience with about the same out of pocket cost. So, my message to the owner of Zeera is to leave the amateur-ly prepared home-style food where it...

The aroma that wafts from the restaurant is by far the best advertisement! As I patronized a store nearby, I was mesmerized by the flavor in the air which came directly from Zeera. Prettyka greeted me at the door. Shortly thereafter I shared with Avis, the owner that this would be the second time I've eaten Indian cuisine (the first from a girlfriend many years ago). I requested recommendations for less spicy food. Avis said, "None of our food is spicy" She was right, but she should've added, but it is SPECTACULAR.

Avis suggested I try items from the buffet before ordering from the menu. She then explained every dish and gave me a sample of each. I captured a picture of the sample platter, most of which I'd eaten before I took the photo😊.

I was satisfied with the sample. However, I wanted to get a to-go order to share with my husband. I consumed all the bone-in chicken curry from the carton--succulent, flavorful, and delicious. I also devoured the YUMMIEST mango custard dessert Prettyka mentioned. I took a nibble of another sample of gulab jamun (I'll be back for more of that later). I was told they only serve the previously mentioned desserts on the weekend, but I see them on Grubhub delivery items.

Out of all the great things I could state about Zeera's it is the warm welcome that resonates the most which guarantees my return again and again!!! The best customer service in...