Roots Indian Bistro — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Running errands in DTLA we found ourselves hungry and craving some tikka masala....having a teenager, my daughter looked up quickly an "Indian spot" we could eat at. The first TikTok video that popped up was about Roots.

Not thinking to make a reservation and just with growling stomachs we found ourselves walking into Roots at around 6pm. Luckily the quaint place had accommodations for our table of 5, we were seated with 10-15 minutes.

We were greeted by friendly staff, we honestly aren't too versed in Indian cuisine but always like the "safe" foods...ie butter chicken, tikka masala..etc...this time I told my daughter's we would try something new.

They have this phenomenal option called 'fun for 1' which includes what I would consider sample sizes of chicken tikka masala,chana masala (some type of garbanzo dish)our first time trying it, daal(some type of lentil soup)also our first time trying it-it was a little spicy, Raita( some type of yogurt based cream)1st time trying it-it was delicious, rice and your choice of naan. This is a really great option to explore new dishes when you really dont know what to get.

We ordered our typical chicken masala and rice andddd a whole lot of cheese naan, which was the best ive had so far, it was piping hot and cheesy!

We started with the mac & cheese pakoras-please do not overlook these little flavorful bites- they were so good they flew off the plate- the tomato sauce that came with the dish- reminded me of a Mexican fideo base- delicious!

We were famished and ended up having to ask for a second order of chicken masala, the portions aren't very big.

My daughter got a sample of a pink drink- I didn't catch the name, it was sometype of grenadine(possibly) with carbonation. It was alright, not really a favorite but we were glad to try it. I got a cup of Chai, it was delicious.

At the end we got to also try the rose doughnuts- a sweet doughnut hole covered in what seemed a floral honey nectar...the kids loved them, they were a nice surprise but I could only take a few bites since it was so sweet- im not much of a sweets person. This was compliments of the house which we really appreciated because it allowed us to expand our taste buds and we now know what else to order when we go to another Indian restaurant.

The service was good, the portions could be a bit bigger but overall everything tasted great... (4 stars are for food portion comparable to other Indian restaurants we have been too and trouble finding street parking.)

The only surprise we had was that the tip is already added to the bill...Im not sure if that is a custom of restaurants in that area. I always like to leave the tip cash but just fyi it'll automatically be...

I was pleasantly surprised to come across Roots Indian Bistro last night in the Melrose area. It's a family owned spot, the owner Pama was so friendly! As was the rest of the staff. Service was great and so personable!

Atmosphere is great for a date night or a night out with friends/family. Dim lighting, music, and a TV playing the game behind the bar. There's an epic lion mural on the wall. Ambiance fits well into the Melrose fashion district location. " Times change, roots don't " is written on the wall in Punjabi. Extremely clever of them — an Indian (fusion) restaurant that has kept up with the modern times, while staying loyal to its Punjabi roots. Bravo.

We sat in a booth but they have tables and floor seating as well.

I liked that the menu is simple, not over-complicated, and clear labels for vegan/gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions.

Food: (We went for the fusion items mostly and some classics)

Cheese samosas: Would describe as a fusion between mozzarella sticks and samosas. Comes with tamarind sauce, green chutney, and tomato sauce. Unique and flavorful with all the sauces! If you like cheese this is a good pick. Solid cheese pull also. Planning to come back and try the traditional samosas next.

Naan bruschetta: Light and refreshing. The bruschetta is well flavored, placed on top of the garlic naan— resulting in a surprisingly good combo.

Paneer masala fries: This one was my favorite. A burst of paneer masala flavors served over french fries. IYKYK.

Eastside nachos: Another favorite, if you're a fan of chaat masala you're a fan of Eastside nachos. Green chutney, tamarind, yogurt, green herbs all over a bed of warm potatoes and chaat chips.

Bhel puri: This one was the underdog, if you want something light and crunchy with a mix of sweet, sour, and spice all in one bite -- this is it. Better than Haldirams, yes I said it.

Mango lassi: Perfect amount of sweet and tart to cool off your palate after all the spices.

Pipin' hot chai: Not a chai latte, but REAL Indian chai. Solid 5/5 cup of chai.

There aren't many Indian bistro's around the LA area. Especially those that accommodate all types of dietary restrictions. Happy to have come across Roots. I've been to similar style cafes in London and NY but this is the first one in LA that I find comparable. Looking forward to coming back to try more!

(Mostly street parking with some surrounding public parking lots close-by)

Ambiance 5/5 Service...

Located conveniently near Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood sign, Roots Indian Bistro was a delightful find for our lunch. Here’s a detailed review of our experience:

Parking and Ambience Parking at Roots Indian Bistro is available for $10, which is reasonable and convenient. Simply scan the QR code, and you’re all set. The ambiance inside the bistro is decent, adorned with nice wall paintings that add to the cozy atmosphere.

Appetizer We started our meal with the Mac n Cheese Pakoras, which were a hit, especially with the kids. The fusion of traditional pakoras with mac n cheese was creative and delicious.

Main Course For our main course, we opted for the Vegetable Pulav and the Dosa Quesadilla. The Vegetable Pulav was well-spiced and cooked to perfection, with each vegetable retaining its distinct flavor. The quantity was generous, enough to serve two people comfortably. The Dosa Quesadilla was equally impressive, combining the flavors of a traditional dosa with a quesadilla twist.

Beverage Expecting a rich, thick Indian-style tea, we were slightly disappointed as it was more watery than we anticipated. However, the Punjabi guy who served us was very humble and engaging, making our dining experience pleasant despite the tea.

Dessert We ended our meal with the Rusk Ice-Cream Bar, a unique dessert that comes with tea. Dipping the rusks in tea and enjoying them with ice-cream was a delightful experience.

Service and Additional Perks The service was excellent. The staff, particularly the Punjabi gentleman, was very helpful and courteous. He even suggested some great places to visit in LA, which added a personal touch to our visit. The restaurant serves liquor, offering a good selection for those interested.

Overall Experience Overall, we had a very nice lunch at Roots Indian Bistro. The place filled up quickly with both Indians and Americans, indicating its popularity. Vegetarians will particularly enjoy the variety and quality of dishes offered.

Vegetarian people can definitely...