India Palace

Getting our hands on a halfway decent Indian meal in Minneapolis or Saint Paul has proven to be a challenge for my husband and me. We've given many restaurants a fair shot. From the popular Bombay Bistro in Minneapolis Downtown, where there is little other taste beyond oil and way too much garam masala (an Indian spice which if used in small proportions, can add a good kick to any dish but if used in excess, can just ruin the flavor of other spices) to Dancing Ganesha, also in Minneapolis Downtown, where the music is so loud that you can barely hear the person next to you and the predominant flavor in most tomato-based gravies is ketchup! Surabhi restaurant in Minneapolis adds way too much cream to their curries, to the extent that you can barely taste anything else. And Taste of India in Maplewood is located in a structure that resembles a garage and serves bland curries with overcooked vegetables. 

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We had almost given up hope when some friends suggested we try a little Indian restaurant in Roseville that they frequent. India Palace has a lunch buffet every day, which is fantastic value for money. They also have branches in Woodbury and a brand new one in Plymouth. You'll see very few Indian patrons there, which is quite surprising. But maybe because of that reason, the heat in the dishes is toned down and you can actually taste other spices. The buffet has a good selection of vegetarian and meat varieties. They sometimes have dishes from South India like idli and dosas. I would recommend staying away from these and sticking to the North Indian curries and dals. 


If you're there for dinner, a good option is the "dinner for two" - 
TANDOORI DINNER FOR TWO (Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka, Botti Kebab,Keema Kebab and shrimp served with Rogan Josh, choice of one bread,Vegetable Curry and, for dessert, Gulab Jamun,) INDIA PALACE BIRYANI DINNER FOR TWO (Aromatic rice flavored with lamb, chicken, shrimp and fresh vegetables, fragrant with saffron and garnished with raisins, cashews and almonds, served with Raita and Naan,) and VEGETARIAN DINNER FOR TWO (Somosas, Malai Kofta, Palak Paneer, Raita and choice of two Naans and, for dessert, Gulab Jamun.)


Alternatively, ordering a la carte is also an option if you're more than two people. Good appetizer options are VEGETABLE SAMOSA (Crispy patties stuffed with potatoes and peas, lightly seasoned with spices) , MUTTON SAMOSA (Crispy patties stuffed with lean ground lamb and peas, lightly seasoned with spices) and ALU TIKKI (Seasoned potatoes and peas fried in chickpea batter.) 

For the main course, there are many options to chose from. BANGAN BHARTHA -Charcoal baked eggplant, peeled and cooked with garden fresh tomatoes, peas and onions is a delightful dish especially for the burnt flavor of eggplant. For those who like paener (Indian version of tofu) MATAR PANEER (above) is the way to go. It's fresh green peas and chunks of homemade cheese, onions and tomatoes in a mildly spiced gravy. One of our favorites at India Palace is CHANA MASALA (top) - Tender chickpeas simmered in fresh tomato sauce and numerous spices. A true North Indian treat. 


For meat lovers, CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA - Boneless Tandoori chicken cooked in house special masala with sliced onions, bell peppers, ginger and tomatoes or LAMB VINDALOO - Lamb and potatoes sauteed with spicy tangy sauce are my recommendations. The INDIA PALACE’S SPECIAL lives up to their claim of being a "royal feast." Tandoori Shrimp,Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka, Botti Kebab and served with lamb or chicken curry and choice of bread is a treat for the palate. 


A couple of items deserve special mention. The raita which is yogurt with finely chopped tomatoes and cucumber and lightly seasoned with cumin, salt, mint and cilantro. And wheat rotis are freshly made and a delicious accompaniment to any meal.


The decor is pretty basic and the location is easy to miss. But the flavors are tantalizing, prices affordable and service warm and friendly. Unlike most other Indian restaurants in Minneapolis or Saint Paul, the dishes are not floating in oil, cream or an overdose of spice. In short, we have a winner!


I hope this restaurant review helps!


Foodie recommends
Mutter Paneer
Baingan Bharta
India Palace Special
Vegetable or Mutton Samosa


India Palace, 2570 Cleveland Avenue North, Roseville, MN 55113, 8362 Tamarack Village, Suite 120, Woodbury, MN 55125 and 4190 Vinewood Lane N. #120 in Plymouth
Call: 651-631-1222 (Roseville), 763–383–1880 (Plymouth) and 651-731-6300 (Woodbury)
Meal for two: $35-$45
Lunch: 11am to 2.30pm
Dinner: 5pm to 10pm