Sometimes (or a lot of the time) you get a craving for really good Indian cuisine. Pittsburgh is home to some great Indian restaurants that will help you get your fix of naan and spicy sauces. Tamarind Flavor of India is a hidden gem in Oakland with authentic cuisine and delicious entrees.
Tamarind feels like it has been a part of Pittsburgh for a long time. Located in a large repurposed house in Oakland, it’s in a prime location near Centre Ave. Inside it feels cozy and warm, with the wafting scents you would expect from great Indian food.
The space doesn’t get too loud, so it’s a great spot to catch up with friends. However, it does get busy pretty quickly. The restaurant opens at 5 p.m., so if you’re hoping to avoid a wait to be seated, it’s best to get there early.
While they don’t deliver, you can order online and pick it up. This is a good option for anyone in the Oakland, Shadyside, Bloomfield, and Lawrenceville neighborhoods. Pick-up orders are available in the evenings from 5-10 p.m.
It’s a pretty typical order at an Indian restaurant, but their tikka masala sauce is anything but typical. The sauce is complex and spicy. The chicken korma is another tried-and-tested favorite. I usually walk away from the meal wishing that I could buy bottles of the sauces to use at home. It’s better than any simmer sauce you can pick up at a grocery store.
If it’s your first time at Tamarind, you may as well order the naan basket too. It’s worth it to try all the different types of naan, and you’ll probably end up with a few to take home along with your leftovers.
The next time you’re in Oakland, follow that craving for great Indian food straight to Tamarind!
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
