Without question, Orlando’s theme parks have plenty to offer their hungry visitors. From Universal Studios Florida’s best quick-service options and the dining lineup at CityWalk, there’s something for nearly any appetite and budget. While the culinary masterminds at the major theme parks have certainly gone above and beyond, sometimes guests and locals want something more than what they offer. To that end, tucked away in a small I-Drive plaza between Sand Lake Road and Universal Boulevard is New Indian Punjab Restaurant. Since 1988, the family-owned and operated establishment has delivered traditional Punjabi recipes to Orlando’s visitors and locals.
For the uninitiated, Punjabi food is meant to be hearty and comforting meals, and New Indian is no exception. The establishment’s food captivates patrons before hitting the table with its enticing aromas. Each dish is well-seasoned with complex spices, and the portion and quality are worth the asking prices, as the dishes come with basmati rice and are quite filling. Now, selecting something good from the menu isn’t difficult, and anyone adventurous enough is welcome to do so. That said, we researched the menu and came up with our favorite items for you to try.
Beverages
Mango Lassi – $5.99
The yogurt-based drink dates back centuries with Punjabi origins. Though it may seem merely a sweet treat, lassi is actually meant to hydrate and cool off while aiding with digestion. New Indian offers both the traditional salted and seasoned milk and mango varieties, but we’d recommend the latter. It’s especially refreshing in Florida’s warmer weather, and the yogurt base maintains a decadent flavor and delivers the mango’s delicious tang without much acidity.
Appetizers
Pani Poori – $7.99
Though its roots lie in street food, New Indian’s pani poori, or pani puri, is served as a well-presented appetizer. The fried dough balls, or puri, that hold the potato and chickpea filling were perfectly light and crispy. According to our research, its preparation and serving may vary, as sometimes the pani, or spiced water, is pre-poured and ready to consume. However, New Indian follows the traditional method of pouring the tamarind chutney it’s served with into the fried balls, followed by the spiced water. The result is a uniquely cool and invigorating treat.
New Indian’s pani poori is a delicious, earthy, refreshing dish that is incredibly easy to love. Admittedly, this writer may have gone a little overboard in the amount of pani he poured into the puri, but food is nothing if not fun. Since it’s served in its own vessel, anyone can follow their heart here.
Appetizers
Chaat Papri – $7.99
Put simply, chaat papri is a deep-fried cracker, or papri, that’s topped with chickpeas, yogurt, chutney, cilantro, and potatoes. Its combination creates a creamy, bright dish that is hearty and comforting. The cracker base also provides a satisfying crunch while enjoying each bite. As for its portion size, don’t let the pictures fool you— this is easily shared between two people, but we wouldn’t blame you for taking it all for yourself.
Though you could eat the chaat papri straight from the dish via spoon, we enjoyed teaming it with New Indian’s fresh garlic naan. On its own, the naan was incredible. But as a serving vessel, this particular variety especially added a pleasant, buttery tanginess.
Entrees
Chicken Chef’s Specialty – $18.99
If you choose no other meal, let this be the one. The Chef’s Specialty is a methi malai sauce, a clotted cream (that is to say, malai) flavored with dry fenugreek leaves (otherwise called methi) and Indian spices. The Specialty can be enjoyed as a vegetarian dish, served over fried cheese cubes, or with chicken. Here, the meat is tender and juicy, and the chicken’s savoriness complements the earthy sweetness of the fenugreek sauce. The accompanying bowl of rice not only adds complexity to its texture, but also to its woody and floral flavor notes.
We found this dish incredibly flavorful, and it was even great reheated. One important factor to note when ordering food is the spice level. Many entrees can be made mild, medium, or hot depending on the preference. We ordered ours medium, which turned out to be quite sufficient. It was playfully spicy without the heat getting in the way of the flavor.
Entrees
Chicken Tikka Masala – $18.99
Similar to the Chef’s Special, this dish was delectable and filling. The masala was light and creamy, with its onions and bell peppers boosting the sauce’s savoriness while adding a wonderfully fresh crunch to the texture. While it is tomato-based, the cream in the masala assists in preventing it from being too acidic, while also granting it a slight zing. It’s a near-perfect partner for the roasted chicken and rice, which results in a highly palatable dish.
As chicken tikka masala is a staple in Indian cuisine, this is a great choice for anyone looking for an introductory dish or some familiarity when trying something different. This was a close second to the Chef’s Specialty for us, but we’d still highly suggest this entree when visiting New Indian.
Dessert
Kulfi – $4.99
Per the menu, New Indian’s kulfi is made in a traditional style, which means it’s slowly reduced, using whole-fat milk. The result is a denser, thicker ice cream than the usual fare. What we especially liked about New Indian’s was the inclusion of coconut, which incorporates layers to the kulfi’s texture and introduces a pleasant nuttiness. Before serving, it’s topped with pistachios and rose water, elevating the nutty flavor while adding refreshing floral notes.
Certainly, given the heartiness and generous portions of New Indian’s dishes, no one would be blamed for skipping dessert. Even so, this is worth either saving room for or bringing home to enjoy later. Kulfi’s density grants it longevity, so it’s less likely to melt on the ride home. Just be sure to ask the server to pack it with a little ice to help keep it cold, as ours did.
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