Saffron Urban Indian Kitchen — Restaurant in Omaha

WOW. This was one of the best restaurants I've been to in Omaha. I usually don't eat Indian food aside from the occasional curry and this one trip had me trying so many things that were absolutely delicious.

During our trip there we had two of their signature drinks including one of the best Old Fashioned's I've ever had with chocolate bitters. I can't wait to see what else they come up with when the tasting lounge is open.

After that, we ordered three appetizers. Masala Crab Cakes, Papadam and the Spinach Artichoke Naan. Each of these dishes were cooked perfectly and the sauce that was provided (Mint Chutney, Tamarind and Sweet Yogurt Sauce) was equally divine. The two crab cakes were amazing for some crab that was served in Nebraska. Fresh. Delicious.

I asked our waiter about the Cauliflower Chicken and he not only knew every ingredient in it and the allergens, but also knew the history behind the dish. That it's not an Indian dish but is commonly enjoyed in Northern India. It was a sour cream based sauce and was one of his favorites. Sold.

Then he informed us that (as is common in Indian Restaurants) we could choose our spice level from 1-10 and the chef is pretty mild as far as spice goes. If you're okay with habanero in salsa, go for 8+. It's not going to ruin your dish at all or overpower the other flavors. I went for 5 and regret not going higher.

The food was amazing. Holy cow this changed my entire perspective on Indian food and I can't wait to go back and try more dishes. This is a perfect restaurant for a date or your first time with Indian food. The only complaint I have is that it was a bit tough to find at night with the sign so dim. But that's only if I'm desperately searching for a flaw. If this was just the soft open, I can't wait to see the...

Initially we were just walking in for a cocktail and an appetizer so we could walk to another establishment for dinner. (We don’t get to this area a lot so we wanted to dine and explore.)

We ordered the Vegetable and Beef Samosas (not pictured). These veggie puff pastries were stuffed with red potato, and the beef ones with ground beef, and sweet peas. Both served with tamarind and mint chutney. The description on the menu doesn’t explain the absolutely incredible flavor bomb that these are. We knew immediately we had to stay.

So for dinner I ordered the Lamb Madrasi and the hubs ordered the Tandori Half Chicken. We also tried the Chicken Chili.

ALL AMAZING.

So much flavor. I will be dreaming of the Lamb Madrasi and could literally just put that sauce on everything…and I’d feel zero guilt about it. The Tandori Chicken with the Tandori and Tikka Sauce….incredible. I don’t know if I opened my eyes while chewing. I was in my own little world. The power of food, when done right, is just incredible. True joy. Warms the soul. Just enjoyed every single bite.

The Chicken Chili - this is an incredible dish. While we know Americanized Chinese (think sweet and sour chicken) this is an Indo-Chinese Take. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, with the perfect amount of salt. It’s balanced. It’s beautiful.

This experience overall was incredible. But the best part was meeting the owners. These wonderful people are working to make this food FRESH. I respect that, for obvious reasons. You can taste the dedication to the integrity of food by the ways in which they honor the ingredients. And our server, she was the sweetest.

Incredible! If you haven’t tried them,...

Since its opening, I'd been eager to visit Saffron Urban Kitchen in Omaha. I finally had chance to go there for my graduation dinner and it did not disappoint.

The Lamb Biryani was cooked perfectly, with tender meat. It captured the essence of traditional flavors perfectly. The Lamb Chops were impeccable, free of the usual lamb smell. Few times in my life have I had perfect lamb chops, and this was definitely one of them.The Mulgatani Soup was a delightful starter, and the Salmon Bhuna, with its creamy and flavorful sauce, was a highlight. The Garlic Naan, a classic as always, deliciously complemented each dish For drinks, we enjoyed the Mumbai (a blend of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Campari, orange curaçao, and Angostura bitters), the Bombay Old Fashioned (featuring bourbon whiskey, chai, orange, and chocolate bitters), and the Torchlight (made with blanco tequila, lime, agave, cucumber, and a spicy sauce). Each cocktail was expertly crafted and delicious.

The atmosphere was fantastic, with a great vibe that made the entire experience even more enjoyable. Most importantly, our server, Junu, was exceptional. Friendly, professional, efficient, and quick, she was also knowledgeable about each menu item. Her attentiveness was unmatched. The co-owner, Sagar, shared exciting news about their new venture, CattleCall, a cocktail bar on the corner of S16th and Farnam. I can't wait to try it! Saffron Urban Kitchen was an exceptional dining experience with its delicious dishes, impeccable service, delightful drinks, and great atmosphere. Highly...