BADMAASH Fairfax
Indian restaurant · Fairfax District ·
Indian gastropub with street eats, burgers, beers & bold flavors
Indian gastropub with street eats, burgers, beers & bold flavors
"Fronted by a neon sign with Hindi script and a street art wall reflective of the neighborhood, this spot downplays design but makes up for it in big flavors. Brothers Nakul and Arjun Mahendro tap into their father Pawan’s recipes to showcase dishes from his home state of Punjab, India, as well as other regional specialties including sweet and sour Goan pork curry, Madras-style coconut curry clams, and dahi poori stuffed with chickpeas, mint, and tamarind. There are also plenty of modern, playful takes like chicken tikka poutine (which recalls the Mahendros' Toronto upbringing). An eclectic wine list plays the field, with selections ranging from sparkling Lambrusco from Italy's Emilia Romagna region to a crisp Portuguese whites. On the beer side, think radlers and rice ales, as well as Kingfisher, a classic Indian lager." - Celeste Moure
"Now boasting two locations, this Indian gastropub helmed by a father and his two sons is as popular as ever, and with good reason. The skilled kitchen delivers each dish with flavor and fun, employing authentic ingredients with global inspiration. Find the clearest expression of their philosophy in the poutine, accompanied by masala-spiced potatoes with gravy, mozzarella and chicken tikka. Try one of their butter chicken samosas or tuck into Mother's recipe of saag paneer with sauteed spinach and tomato with garam masala and paneer, then chase it with a mango lassi.The setting, complete with blasts of color, vintage Bollywood posters and a pop-art Gandhi mural, is as vibrant as the food." - Michelin Inspector
"It’s an age-old existential question, one that’s plagued philosophers since the beginning of time: If life is meaningless, then how does something like chicken tikka poutine exist? Salty, savory, and covered in cheese curds, this dish from Badmaash is basically Priority Mail heaven-sent. Yes, it’s as messy and caloric as it sounds, but when something tastes this good, who even cares? Plus, the rest of their menu, from saag paneer to chili cheese naan, is also available to-go. Both locations of Badmaash (Fairfax and Downtown) are available for takeout and delivery via various platforms." - kat hong
"The curries are plentiful at Badmaash and, even better, most are mercifully gluten-free. Outside of the curries (first-timers should try the Goan pork curry or classic chicken tikka masala), gluten-sensitive diners can dish on earthy saag paneer, Punjabi-style fish fry or South Indian fish moilee, daal makhani (creamy black lentils), and aloo gobhi (in Badmaash’s case, market vegetables tossed with spices and masala). All of this in its modern minimalist space that looks out onto the busy Fairfax corridor." - Nicole Adlman
"Downtown’s Bollywood-meets-pop-art gastropub serves modern takes on Indian classics. Founded by chef Pawan Mahendro and sons Nakul and Arjun, Badmaash translates to “naughty,” with a menu that reflects both the brothers’ Indian heritage and childhood in Toronto with dishes like chicken tikka poutine. The butter chicken might be the best version in town and the ghost chile vindaloo might be spicy enough to warrant a few mango lassis to quell the heat. When push comes to shove, Badmaash is probably the best overall Indian restaurant in Los Angeles. It expanded a few years ago to Fairfax District and will soon serve Abbot Kinney in Venice with a hip new location." - Matthew Kang
