Best Indian Restaurant

[1104 Bishop St]

In downtown Honolulu, at the intersection of Bishop Street and South Hotel Street, a modest storefront may have escaped your notice. You should know, though, that this is the place locals flock to for Indian food. If you ever get the chance to eat at the family-owned New Kamana Kitchen, you'll understand the hype: this Indian restaurant has garnered a loyal following for its tantalizing, mouthwatering dishes. It's time for you to discover this culinary haven as well.

The Kamana Kitchen story began in 2013, when owner Tirtha Luitel identified a gap in Hawaii's culinary landscape: authentic Indian cuisine. Starting on the Big Island, Luitel's dream of sharing his vibrant, home-cooked meals with Hawaii's residents quickly became a reality, as customers enthusiastically embraced the restaurant. Today, there are four locations across the Big Island, Maui, and O‘ahu, with the Downtown Honolulu outpost opening its doors in 2018.

A popular lunchtime haunt for the business crowd and locals alike (I once even saw someone arrive straight from the airport, with their luggage in tow), Kamana Kitchen has built its reputation on a commitment to quality and authenticity. They locally source most of their produce and ingredients, and they special order spices from India and California.

With crispy appetizers, nurturing soups, flavor-packed entrees, fluffy biryani, creamy curries, and divine desserts, the extensive menu offers a feast for the senses. There are dishes to make a meat-lovers dreams come true. Vegetarians and vegans are also well-served, as Luitel – a vegetarian himself – takes great pride in delivering delectable veggie-forward dishes.

While it’s hard to choose favorites - there are a few dishes that I come back to again and again. In fact, if I am ever having a bad day or am tired after a long day, nothing cheers me up like Kamana Kitchen. The tandoori chicken, for example, is a revelation: succulent, tender, and bursting with flavor, thanks to its fragrant marinade of yogurt and spices and expert preparation in the tandoori oven. To counterbalance the heat, treat yourself to a refreshing mango lassi, a smooth blend of Alphonso mangoes, milk, and homemade yogurt that cools the palate.

And that's just the beginning. The baigan bharta, featuring smoky char-grilled eggplant mashed to perfection, is a heavenly accompaniment to Kamana Kitchen's fresh, fluffy naan. For those seeking the ultimate in indulgence, the malai kofta – vegetable dumplings swimming in a sumptuous sauce – is not to be missed. Finally, round off your meal with the irresistibly plump and juicy gulab jamun, a delightful dessert that leaves you craving more.

It's no wonder that Kamana Kitchen has become a go-to destination for fans of Indian cuisine. With its dedication to quality and flavor, this humble eatery in the heart of Honolulu is a true culinary treasure. Trust me when I say that once you've experienced the delights of Kamana Kitchen, you'll find yourself returning time and time again to savor the rich, bold flavors of Indian cooking at its finest.