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Table of Content
Table of Contents
What Should a Beginner Order at an Indian Restaurant?

If you are completely new to Indian cuisine, start with dishes that have familiar ingredients and approachable flavours.
Good choices can include:
- Butter chicken or another mild curry
- Chicken tikka or tandoori chicken
- Garlic naan
- Basmati rice or biryani
- Vegetable samosas
- Paneer dishes
- Chicken kebabs
Your ideal choice depends on what you normally enjoy. If you like creamy sauces, try a creamy curry. If you prefer grilled foods, a tandoori dish may be a better starting point. If you enjoy rice-based meals, biryani is worth exploring. You can also ask the restaurant team for recommendations based on your taste preferences and spice tolerance.
What Should You Order If You Don’t Like Spicy Food?
Indian cuisine is much more diverse than simply being “spicy.” Many dishes focus on aromatic spices, herbs, tomato, cream, butter, onions, garlic, ginger, or grilled flavours rather than intense heat. If you prefer mild food, tell your server your preference before ordering. You can also ask which dishes can be prepared with less heat.
Everest Tandoori Kitchen Tip: If you are unsure about spice levels, ask the team before ordering rather than guessing from the dish name. Creamy curries, naan, rice dishes, and certain grilled options can be good choices for diners who prefer milder flavours.
What Should You Order If You Like Grilled or Vegetarian Food?
If You Like Grilled Food
If you enjoy grilled meat, tandoori dishes are an excellent place to begin. The Everest Tandoori Kitchen menu includes:
- Tandoori chicken
- Chicken tikka
- Malai chicken tikka
- Chicken seekh kebab
- Tandoori fish tikka
- Tandoori mixed grill platter
These dishes are prepared around the flavours associated with tandoori cooking and are a good option if you want something different from a traditional curry.
If You Prefer Vegetarian Food
Indian cuisine has an extensive tradition of vegetarian cooking. Depending on your preferences, you can explore:
- Vegetable curries
- Paneer dishes
- Vegetable appetizers
- Samosas
- Vegetable fried rice
- Vegetable Hakka noodles
- Other vegetarian selections from the current menu
Everest Tandoori Kitchen’s St. Catharines location also highlights vegetarian and vegan options. If you have an allergy or strict dietary requirement, always confirm ingredients and preparation with the restaurant before ordering.
What Should You Order with Naan?
Naan works particularly well with saucy curries because it can scoop up the sauce. Popular combinations include:
- Creamy curry + garlic naan
- Spiced curry + tandoori roti
- Tandoori dish + naan or rice
If you are dining with someone else, ordering one or two different breads to share can also be a good way to experience more than one flavour.
What Should You Order for Two People or Takeout?
What Should Two People Order?
For two diners, consider creating a balanced meal tailored to your preferences.
Option 1 – Curry Lovers
- 1 appetizer
- 1 chicken or vegetarian curry
- 1 second entrée
- 1 naan
- 1 rice dish
Option 2 – Tandoori Lovers
- 1 appetizer
- Tandoori mixed grill or another grilled entrée
- 1 curry
- Naan
- Rice
Option 3 – Indian + Nepalese
- Momos
- 1 Indian curry
- 1 Nepalese specialty
- Naan or rice
The best combination depends on your appetite and whether you want leftovers.
What Should You Order for Takeout?
For takeout, dishes that travel well can be especially convenient.
Consider:
- Curry with naan
- Biryani
- Tandoori dishes
- Momos
- Hakka noodles
- Fried rice
These options can make it easy to enjoy a variety of flavours at home. Check the current menu when ordering because availability and preparation can change.
What Should You Try If You Want Nepalese Food?
Don’t limit your first visit to Indian dishes.
Everest Tandoori Kitchen also features traditional Nepalese cuisine, including momos and other Nepalese specialties. Traditional family recipes and Himalayan spices and herbs inspire the restaurant’s Nepalese dishes. If you have never tried momos near me, they are a particularly approachable starting point. These dumpling-style bites are popular in Nepal and can be a great way to experience something different from traditional Indian dishes. You can also combine Nepalese dishes with Indian favourites to create a meal with a variety of South Asian flavours.
Final Thoughts
There is no single “correct” first Indian dish. The best choice depends on whether you prefer creamy, grilled, spicy, vegetarian, rice-based, or noodle-based food.
If you’re searching for a Nepalese or Indian restaurant in St. Catharines, Everest Tandoori Kitchen offers a broad menu that makes it possible to explore several South Asian flavours in one place.
Whether you’re trying Indian food for the first time, looking for vegetarian options, enjoying a meal with friends, or ordering takeout, starting with dishes that match your personal taste is the easiest way to have a great dining experience.
What is the best Indian food for beginners?
Mild curries, tandoori chicken, naan, biryani, samosas, and paneer dishes are approachable starting points.
What Indian food is not spicy?
Many Indian dishes are aromatic rather than hot. Ask the restaurant which dishes can be prepared mild.
What should I order at an Indian restaurant for the first time?
Choose one appetizer, one curry or grilled dish, naan, and rice to experience several textures and flavours.
Where can I try Indian and Nepalese food in St. Catharines?
Everest Tandoori Kitchen is located at 400 Scott St. in St. Catharines.
