Indian Aroma — Restaurant in Gainesville

My husband and I were happy to finally try this restaurant since last we tried to visit, it was closed for the afternoon break.

This was our first visit here, so we were relying on the good reviews to hopefully make this our go-to Indian restaurant in town. We went on a Wednesday afternoon around 5:15pm before the dinner crowd. Parking in the nearby free garage was perfect timing since many workers and patients of the nearby UF medical center had already left for the day. Only one other couple was dining in, and there were a lot of take out orders being picked up.

The place was well-lit, clean, and had ample space. We were greeted and seated almost immediately. Scout was our waitress and Deepak was the host. Menu has all the Indian cuisine staples that we expected - we ordered 3 orders of garlic naan, fried rice with veggies and egg, chicken tikka masala, aloo gobi (potato & cauliflower side dish 😋) - all with medium spiciness - with mango lassi and masala Chai tea for drinks.

While waiting for our orders, we washed our hands and the single-occupancy restrooms were clean and stocked. The only downside to the facilities in general are the slightly hard chairs / benches as these were possibly made with the intention of not spending too much time in the restaurant 😉 or for people with more natural padding in that area 🤣.

The naan arrived about 10 minutes later, followed by the rest of the food. The naan was excellent - just the way we like it (not too soft, not too crunchy, with enough garlic oil for taste). The basmati rice was cooked just right in the individual bowls and also in the generous portion of the fried rice. It was my first time trying the aloo gobi, and I loved it! I never knew about this dish, and my husband said it was a must try. I also tasted his chicken tikka masala, and it was also made deliciously. The drinks were also great - mango lassi was fresh and not too sweet. Masala Chai tea was exactly how I imagined it would be. Overall, we spent around 1 hour and about $100 on our date here, including generous tip. We'd be glad to come back to try more dishes and garlic naan 😍.

Thanks for a fun and tasty...

We were traveling from Atlanta to Orlando for the holidays and decided to stop in Gainesville for dinner on Christmas Eve. With 6 adults and 8 kids (yes, 8 kids—just imagine the chaos 😅), we ordered a lot of food. In total, we ended up trying 12 dishes from the menu 🙈—and honestly, every single one was fantastic! This place is truly a hidden gem 💎 that brings authentic Indian flavors to life. A must-try spot for dine-in!

Here are my top 5 favorites from the feast: Chicken Tikka Kabab: The flavors were out of this world—so rich and authentic, it reminded me of Indian dhabas (roadside eateries). Chicken/Baby Corn Manchurian: The taste and aroma were spot-on—just the right amount of spice and tang. Garlic & Butter Naan: Soft, buttery perfection. This naan was clearly made with love. Chicken Tikka Soup: A warm, comforting bowl of goodness. Samosa Chaat: This is a must-try! Tangy, spicy, and absolutely irresistible.

We were so full by the end that we didn’t get to try the biryanis—though I’m already planning a pit stop on our way back to update this review!

For the kids, we ordered Chicken Hakka Noodles (mildly spicy), and let me tell you, they devoured it. They even asked for a second plate, which I happily ordered. My cousin’s eldest (who’s just 8, mind you) declared, “This is the best Indian food I’ve ever had in my entire life!” 😂 Talk about a food critic in the making!

Don’t leave without trying the Mango Lassi. It’s refreshing, creamy, and the perfect way to end your meal.

The portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the quality is top-notch. Plus, the staff are so friendly and attentive—they really made the experience special.

Lastly, the interior design deserves a shoutout. It’s vibrant, colorful, and authentically Indian, adding to the overall charm of the place.

In short, this restaurant is a treasure worth visiting. Can’t wait to come back...

Absolutely blown away by my experience at Indian Aroma — easily a 10/10! From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed with warm hospitality and the rich, inviting aroma of authentic Indian spices. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between cozy and elegant, making it ideal for both casual dinners and special occasions.

Now, the food — incredible. Every dish we ordered was packed with flavor and beautifully presented. The butter chicken was creamy and perfectly spiced, the lamb biryani was fragrant with just the right amount of heat, and the garlic naan was soft, fresh, and addictive. Even the vegetarian dishes like the paneer tikka and chana masala were stars in their own right.

What truly set Indian Aroma apart was the attention to detail and the passion you can taste in every bite. The staff were knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely eager to ensure we had a fantastic experience.

If you’re craving high-quality Indian cuisine that’s both authentic and memorable, Indian Aroma is the place to go. Can’t wait...