Tulsi Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in Kittery

Call ahead and get a reservation!

This was my first visit to Tulsi and I was surprised to have to wait 30 minutes on a Saturday night in an Indian restaurant for a table of six - aren’t Indian restaurants usually half empty? Not this one and the wait was worth it! We arrived to celebrate my mom’s birthday and my two little ones were with us. We were seated at their bed time so our dining experience was on borrowed time. Lucky for us our server Wendy was fast when she learned we needed it quick. Great beer and wine selection and the mixology looked intriguing. I’m not a martini guy but I spied everyone’s drinks and it made me consider ordering one. I went with the Stone Face Scorpion Bowl Beer instead. Yum!

I got the fried cauliflower appetizer which was delicious. They actually ran out of it while we were there. The table got this spicy potato naan which was different from regular naan in texture and taste. The best way to describe it is “naan elevated” and I’ll definitely be ordering it again. My main course was this vegan potato and cauliflower dish that was served spicy. It was scrumptious (I already used delicious once) and I want to order it again when we don’t go with two ticking time bombs.

Another reviewer already said this and it bears repeating: the menu clearly describes if a dish is vegan, nut free, dairy free, etc. and there are plenty of options for all sensitivities.

I can’t say enough about the staff and possibly the owner? There was a gentleman at the bar that when he learned we may have to leave for another venue due to our kids, he ran back into the kitchen for some naan that I could feed them to hold them over. Who does that? It was a night to remember and we’ll be going...

Title: A Return to Tusli India - A Story of Rediscovery

As a long-time patron of Tusli India, my experiences have spanned from the pre-Covid era of culinary excellence to the uncertain times of change. Post-Covid, my initial return six months ago was underwhelming, marked by a noticeable shift in flavors and styles, presumably due to the change in chefs. This shift left me nostalgic for the restaurant's former glory.

However, my most recent visit has rekindled a sense of hope. It appears Tusli India is on a path of resurgence, inching closer to the high standards it once set. The dishes, though not fully reminiscent of the pre-Covid era, have significantly improved from my last visit. There's a newfound balance in flavors, a hint of the past intertwined with the new culinary direction.

This experience has been a pleasant surprise, and it's heartening to see Tusli India striving to regain its former excellence. It's a journey worth witnessing and partaking in. As of now, I'm optimistic and look forward to my next visit, hopeful to once again relish the tastes that originally made this restaurant a...

My wife and I just got back from there. Not sure what KN ate or others are complaining about but compared to Shalimar in Portsmouth, the atmosphere was definitely up there; almost a fine dining except they serve Indian :) Price is very comparable to Shalimar while the service was excellent and prompt. As for the food, it was delicious. The naan bread was also done just right, not overly cooked or dry. The chicken dish we had including the appetizer was mouth watering. Unlike one of the Indian restaurant we've been to in Dover, the chicken was very tender. Everything from serving all the way to the end, we felt very important while we enjoyed our dinner. Sure, it may be $16 for a dish but you get quite a bit of serving and I'm not exactly a small guy either. The location is very roomy with large bar area near the entrance. It seems dark at first but you get used to it quickly and the ambiance is very calming. If you have children I would definitely stop by early (they open at 5PM except Mondays). In either case it's worth the money if you want quality...