Norbu’s Himalayan Hut — Restaurant in Manitou Springs

My husband and I have been here three times. Twice with 5-7 people groups. I am giving a 3 star review because the food is amazing. However, the past two times we have gone the service was TERRIBLE. In addition the portions are small and overpriced ($14-$18 for a small serving of vegetarian food at lunch). Yesterday we went there in a group of 5, on a Saturday, at around noon, and there appeared to be no waiter or manager there. From the time we sat down until our food arrived we waited over an hour. We waited about 10-15 minutes to even get menus, about 20 minutes to give our order to a person who seemed to not be a wait person but perhaps a back kitchen staff, and about 45 mintues for our food to come. The food was delicious but we were so hungry by the time it arrived that I scarfed it down in 5 minutes. The naan and other bread arrived about 10 minutes after our food. When the food arrived without the bread, I reminded the waitress we had bread too and she said she knew. But by the time the naan arrived we were pretty much done with our food AND it was also burnt! A small bowl of rice was given to 5 people to share and I had to request more. The waitress was not friendly and did not smile once. We paid over $100 for this lunch and we left feeling pretty annoyed. As we walked out I believe we saw the manager or owner say goodbye to us. I should have talked to him but just wanted to get out of there at that point. I don't know if he realizes how poorly things had been running until his arrival, but while we dined there were about 4 other tables of people waiting around. One person, dining solo behind us, waited about 30 minutes for his check before getting up, paying at the counter, and getting his own box and bag for leftovers. This was a Saturday at lunch time, which I can assume is one of their busiest days. They need to do better. I hate to leave bad reviews for small businesses and could not bare to give this place a one star but we probably, sadly won't return unless the service improves here. I am leaving this review in hopes that this feedback actually helps them improve. I love the food here and want this...

What a wonderfully authentic Indian and Nepali restaurant! I must apologize in advance for the lack of food photos - I simply couldn’t keep it on my plate long enough! So simple, yet so delicious.

My dinner guest and I opened with Samosa Chat; while only coming out a few minutes in advance of our entrees, it was still exquisite and perfectly seasoned - a perfect opener to awaken our taste buds! The simplicity of the dish and the fullness of flavor(s) was pure delight.

We had some garlic naan, Saag w/lamb, and Rogan Josh w/ lamb for our main course. We ordered it at a medium heat level, which I found to be more toward the mild side. Nevertheless, the flavor of the respective entrees were even more dazzling than the Samosa appetizer! The lamb was cooked to a “melt in your mouth” consistency in both dishes, and the seasoning level left our tastebuds to dance for joy. The garlic naan was a suitable backdrop to sweeping up the last bits of Basmati rice and sauce woven with a potent blending of cumin, ginger, and turmeric.

We kept our beverages simple with the standard water, which the server(s) kept filled for us. We passed on desert, which to be honest I’m not sure there were any listed on the menu. Really no matter however, with Patsy’s Ice Cream and Candy Shop being just across the street - if you don’t know, add it to your visit list.

The portions, presentation and service were on pace with the flavor of all food offerings. The staff was friendly and attentive. The decor was not overdone; rather adding nicely to the overall authenticity of the experience.

So, whether you are familiar and appreciative of Indian cuisine or your pallet is in need of a jumpstart, you need to make a visit to Manitou and show up hungry to Babu’s. It was the best “accidental” discovery I’ve made in quite some time. Price was fair - even with a generous tip. Do your tastebuds a solid and put Babu’s on your dining...

Update (changing from 5 stars to 3 stars): went back on 7/28/22 and didn't have a good experience. I was so excited to go back after how good it was last time. We ordered the veggie samosas and they were cold inside, so they must have been microwaved from frozen. I told the waitress and she said she would take it back, and I thought they would reheat them or make us new ones. Instead, she came back after a few minutes and said she would take them off the bill but didn't give us the option to get new ones, and we were really looking forward to them. Then my chicken makhini came and the chicken was inedible - completely overcooked and hard, could barely chew it. Also, I ordered my dish as medium spicy and it wasn't even mild, it had zero spice. I had to steal my boyfriend's chili peppers from his dish and mix them into mine to get it to have some spice. He ordered the chicken vindaloo and his dish was good, the chicken was dark meat and it was cooked well and the correct spice level, so maybe I just got unlucky.

Original review - 5 stars (February 2022):

Went on a Sunday afternoon with a friend. She got the Aloo Makhani and I got the okra dish (because they were out of Baingan Makhani). We both enjoyed our dishes very much. My okra was very flavorful and well seasoned. Prices are a little steep (paid almost $40 for the 2 of us for 2 vegetarian entrees, no drinks or appetizers or naan) but that's just the...