House of Naan Indian Kitchen and Bar — Restaurant in New Haven

At the bustling edge of New Haven, where academic discourse meets culinary innovation, House of Naan has carved out a distinctive niche that transcends the typical Indian restaurant experience. During a recent evening visit, the restaurant's commitment to both tradition and contemporary flair was immediately evident in a scene that unfolded before us: a sizzling tandoori platter arrived casting dramatic shadows under thoughtfully placed lighting, while pristine glasses of water caught the warm glow of ambient fixtures.

The menu, which reads like a love letter to both traditional Indian cuisine and modern sensibilities, delivers on its promises. A recent dinner service showcased this perfectly: a generously portioned tandoori dish arrived on a dramatic black plate, the protein perfectly charred and accompanied by vibrant, carefully roasted vegetables including fresh broccoli and carrots. The presentation, set against stark white basmati rice and pillowy naan bread, demonstrated the kitchen's understanding that we feast first with our eyes.

The restaurant's approach to dining spaces merits special attention. The lighting – neither too bright nor too dim – creates an atmosphere that encourages both intimate conversation and appreciation of the artfully plated dishes. This attention to ambiance transforms what could be a simple dinner into an experience worthy of third date night status.

House of Naan's strength lies in its ability to layer flavors and experiences. Take, for instance, their chickpea salad: fresh herbs and diced tomatoes elevate what could be a simple side dish into a refreshing counterpoint to richer curry dishes. The accompanying sauces – served in pristine white ramekins – showcase the kitchen's mastery of spice blending, offering varying levels of heat and complexity.

The carbohydrate offerings deserve their own paragraph. The naan bread, served on crisp white paper, arrives properly blistered and tender, ideal for soaking up the restaurant's array of sauces and roundly bulking up for winter's cold nights. The basmati rice, often an afterthought at lesser establishments, is perfectly cooked, each grain distinct and aromatic.

Operating daily from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, with a particularly popular 9-11 PM happy hour, House of Naan has mastered the art of being both a special occasion destination and a reliable neighborhood favorite. The moderate pricing ($$) makes it accessible without compromising on quality or experience.

At 65 Howe Street, the restaurant has become more than just a dining establishment – it's a testament to New Haven's evolving culinary landscape. Whether you're seeking a romantic evening out or a satisfying meal with friends, House of Naan delivers with both style and substance. The forthcoming website launch promises to make this gem even more accessible to its growing fan base.

WHAT TO ORDER: The tandoori platter showcases the kitchen's expertise with proteins and vegetables. Don't skip the house-made naan bread or the freshly prepared chickpea salad. The rice, while simple, provides the perfect canvas for the restaurant's complex sauces.

ATMOSPHERE: Romantic lighting and thoughtful table settings create an intimate atmosphere perfect for date nights or special occasions, while maintaining enough warmth and accessibility for casual dining.

SOUND LEVEL: Conversational RECOMMENDED DISHES: Tandoori specialties, butter chicken, malai kofta, house-made naan varieties DRINKS AND WINE: Full bar with creative cocktails; extensive wine list PRICE RANGE: $$ HOURS: Monday through Sunday, 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM RESERVATIONS: Recommended for dinner...

I don't know where to start with this place. One bartender will spend 30 minutes chatting with two girls at the bar, all the while giving them free vodka drinks, while ignoring everyone else at the very crowded bar. Meanwhile, some new person is struggling to get orders right, messing up a good fifty percent of the orders I saw him take... then sets the wrong food down with no silver to eat it with.

So for now, we got one bartender giving free drinks to his friends ignoring others at the bar, while the new guy gets everything wrong and has to try VERY hard to get assistance from the one hookin' up the girls. Even though this guy is getting things wrong, I feel like he's at least trying with everyone - he just had no help from the obviously senior bartender. He also seems to have had no restaurant experience.

Then we get our bill ($50). Whatever, such a bad experience at this point that I just don't have the strength to fight about the things that were rung up incorrectly. I pay the bill and leave a $10 tip. Charge comes out of my account minus tip - as expected. 10 days, later, the charge comes out again - now with the tip included. Instead of just adding the $10. A $50 meal with numerous errors while being ignored by staff who delivered us incorrect food as favored visitors were handed free liquor has now cost me $110. *edit - The billing was taken care of. The awful staffing situation remains. *

This is the second time my wife and I had come here. The same head bartender guy was there both times, and his MO is the same both times. He obviously has friends that come see him that he always hooks up while ignoring others. This was also the last time I will come here until a major staff shakeup happens and the place starts becoming customer focused.

Hands down the worst experience I've had at a New...

DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE!! Shouldn’t even deserve 1 star. The person who runs this place doesn’t have any manners at all! Was least courteous and called their customers liars. So the thing goes like this. We were 11 people on our way back to Boston from NY City and looked for a place to have dinner in the evening. We found House of Naan would be on our way so we called up this place to check on reservation etc. This guy picked up and we went over the details etc.. When we mentioned we were 11 people he was excited but mentioned he couldn’t seat more than 8 on a single table due to covid restrictions. We said ok we could split and seat of separate tables only if they were atleast adjacent to each other. He thought and said ok and he would make arrangements while we were on the way. But when we reached he offered us tables in totally separate areas. When I mentioned we had specifically asked for adjacent tables he simply denied that we even requested for that. He said we never said that and we dont remember. He was lying on the spot and it was evident he thought let them come and they will anyway eat! Very unprofessional. We eventually walked off not because we didnt want to sit separately but because of the behavior of this guy towards their customers. We went to another Indian restaurant nearby and had a great time. The guy was super funny and nice and warm. Please avoid this place as customers deserve respect and...