OceanBay Indian Cuisine — Restaurant in Jacksonville

A Delightful Indian Culinary Experience

If you’re in North Carolina and craving authentic Indian cuisine, look no further than Ocean Bay. My recent visit was nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing not just delicious food but also remarkable service that made the evening truly memorable.

The Food

Let’s start with the star of the show: the butter chicken. Cooked to perfection, it boasted a rich, creamy sauce infused with just the right amount of spices. Each bite melted in my mouth. It’s easily one of the best butter chicken dishes I’ve ever had!

Accompanying this delightful main course was their garlic naan bread, which deserves a special mention. Fluffy, warm, and generously infused with garlic, it was the best I’ve tasted in North Carolina. It paired beautifully with the butter chicken, allowing me to savor every last bit of that sauce.

For dessert, I opted for their ice cream, which was incredibly creamy and satisfying. It was the perfect sweet ending to a fantastic meal, offering a refreshing contrast to the spices of the main course.

And let’s not forget the masala tea. Sipping it transported me back to my time in Turkey, as it had a wonderfully similar flavor profile. It was fragrant, warm, and comforting—just what you need to round off an Indian feast.

The Service

Equally impressive was the service at Ocean Bay. The owner was incredibly attentive and kind, ensuring that our dining experience was seamless and enjoyable. Their genuine hospitality made us feel welcomed and appreciated, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the restaurant.

Conclusion

In summary, my experience at Ocean Bay was nothing short of fantastic. From the exquisite flavors of the food to the warm, attentive service, it’s a place I highly recommend. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Indian cuisine or trying it for the first time, Ocean Bay will leave you with a lasting impression. I can’t wait to return and explore more...

I have never been to India, but I have eaten at Indian restaurants in Ireland, France, Kuwait, Oman, and many in good old USA. Tonight was my first visit to this gem, long needed in Jacksonville. I had Lamb Vindaloo. I ordered medium heat since it was my first visit to the restaurant. The dish was not as spicey as I expected but the flavor and texture of the food was amazing. The dish was cooked with lots of curry leaves which add a special flavor. The pacora and vegetable shwarma appetizers we ate were substantial in size and very delicious. My son had Aloo Gobi which he told me was amazing. He eats vegan food and there are plenty of vegetarian choices in the menu. Raj the gentleman running the restaurant made sure the dish listed as vegetarian was prepared as a Vegan dish. The Naan bread was exactly as I like it, plentiful and straight from the Tandoor. We had three different breads, all delicious. I had my first cup of Indian coffee, I usually have beer but there is not any alcohol on the menu. The coffee was delicious. I forgot to ask what was added to the coffee, as it seemed to have a spice added. I think it might have been cardamom. In all, the dining experience was excellent. The conversation with Raj on the origins and styles of the dishes was informative and interesting. Monica, our waitress was very attentive and courteous. I have just found my new favorite restaurant in Jacksonville. I encourage anyone who has not had Indian food the visit and allow yourself to be treated to an excellent dining experience. If you already have eaten and like good Indian food, you will not be disappointed. I will...

We ordered take out on their opening night (unknowingly) and were blown away. We have extremely high standards for Indian food, and this was absolutely excellent. Be aware that their current online prices are lower than the actual prices (+$2-$4 per dish), but it is well worth it.

We ordered the following with our personal ratings- butter tikka masala 7/10, chili shrimp 9/10 (the breading was slightly soggy, but we did have to drive 30 minutes home before eating, so it very well could have been due to that. The seasoning was impeccable!), chicken tikka 10/10 (tandoori can easily become very dry but this was the juiciest we've ever had and was perfectly seasoned), lamb biryani 9/10 (the portion of lamb was very generous!), and 4 orders of naan 10/10. The naan was evidently very fresh and made with love (and generous portions.) The garlic tasted as if it was fried before being put on (rather than being fried with the naan) which hugely deepened the flavor and was a pleasant surprise.

The only complaint we have is we wish there was more raita included (we received 1 cup for our whole meal, and of course raita is a necessity for most preferences with chicken tikka/biryani. Plus the 4 orders of naan). As we did takeout, we didn't know to ask for more until we were already home, as they packaged everything up for us very neatly and safe for travel (things were still hot 30 minutes later- huge win!) But for this to be their opening night and that is the only minor change we'd like to see, we could not be happier. We will...