Daawat a Ishq

Delicious, unique, very authentic Indian food. Best in town! Portland has a lot of Indian food, but this small, quaint restaurant blows them all away. Impeccable, attentive service by the owner, himself. Atmosphere was a casual, clean, covered outdoor dining area. We were glad to have discovered this place, and we will definitely be back.

Having been to just about every Indian joint from here to Troutdale and on, I am very impressed with this place. We usually drive into Portland for our Indian cravings and now we don’t have to. We got the mixed veggie pakora, the vegetable samosas, an order of plain naan, and butter chicken. When we arrived, we were greeted warmly by staff, which continued through the rest of our dining experience. Everyone was warm, friendly, and so thorough & attentive. Now, onto the food. My husband is what I would consider a relatively picky eater, and he was taken aback by how delicious every single dish was. The samosas had wonderful texture and flavor, the mixed veg pakora (while a relatively simple appetizer) was great. The tamarind sauce was a revelation, and probably the best I’ve had anywhere in the area. The mint sauce was so good that even my husband enjoyed it. The portions are also generous given the low price. For our entree we shared an order of the butter chicken, which came with basmati rice. The server made sure to ask about our preferred spice level, which we loved. We enjoy spicy food, but there are some days we just want it a little more mild. In addition to the butter chicken, we also ordered some plain naan. While we were enjoying this ethereal dish we couldn’t stop talking about how the flavor was unlike anything else in the area and how it was the best we’ve had. I’m only kind of joking when I say that I could drink this sauce. Vancouver has needed a good Indian restaurant badly, and they deliver. We will be back. With friends. And family. And any strangers we meet that look like they might enjoy good food. Please do yourself a favor and sit down for a meal here. You deserve it and honestly, so do they.

My friend and I met up for Sunday lunch at this place and I was floored by the food quality, the service, and price. We shared a few dishes — as well as an appetizer and a couple different breads, and the flavors were absolutely exquisite! We have both lived in the Portland area for over 10 years—my buddy has about 5 more years here than I do—and we both agreed this was one of the most standout meals we’ve had in years. Highly recommend, and order enough to take home…the leftovers were amazing too!

Went here on a Saturday afternoon. There was no wait. We ordered pain puri, shahi paneer and naan. Loved the taste of all the items. Fairly priced and the place is neat and as the seating is outside and covered it's a nice hangout too. Service was quick. Will come back to try more items.

Guri gives such phenomenal service. He is so kind and manages the rush with grace. Delicious food, perfect spice level. Fans for life!

Amazing Indian food !! We had samosas, chicken vindaloo, butter chicken, and chicken tikka masala. I love the fluffy garlic Naan 🫓 Definitely will be coming back! The service was amazing the staff was checking in with us frequently and providing good service. Mango lassi is also very delicious!

You cannot go wrong with their cooking! Excellent blend of flavors and spices. Everything was delicious. Service was quick, food was good, the atmosphere was casual and relaxed.

They have rare off-street parking. They have covered patio seating that is going to be awesome in the rainy weather. They have really really tasty food. The menu makes for some hard decisions, but the earnest and attentive staff will help! I don’t live in this neighborhood and I’ll drive back for the best Indian food I’ve had in Portland in 20 years. Truth. If the name really translates to “food is love” then I’m in food! See you again, Guri & Crew.

My favorite Indian restaurant in Portland so far. Not quite sure why but most other Indian places in Portland I have visited seem to be tamed down in spice & flavor but not here. Been a few times now, I usually go for a spicy goat curry, but I've tried a couple of the milder vegetarian dishes too and all have been excellent. My favorites so far are the Kadahi Goat Curry, Vindaloo (w/ goat of course) & the Aloo Tiki Chaat. The curries had that depth of flavor & heat I was looking for - the extra spicy had me sweating. The goat was also nice and tender. The chaat was not something I usually get but am very glad I tried - some a mix of chickpeas w/ cilantro, minced onion & Im sure other stuff on top a fritter of sorts, very good. I really enjoyed the contrast of the hot fritter w/ the cool freshness of the toppings, so best eaten dine in. It was listed in the appetizer section but could easily be a meal for me. The curries easily last 2 even 3 meals. No indoor seating but plenty of covered outdoor seating and an enclosed patio. And also, their hours don't say but they close every day 2:30-4 pm.

Weak. Small portions and lacking in substance. On a recent Saturday, I picked up some Dal Tadka, Onion Bhaaji, Plain Naan and a Mango Lassi. The Dal Tadka was VERY runny and had so few lentils & veg it could be considered a broth. The mango lassi was more like coconut milk with mango coloring. I didn't taste any mango, and it was so runny, I doubt they added any yogurt. The Onion Bhaaji was the highlight, flavorful and light. Not sure how others think this is the best Indian they've ever eaten; ya'll need to get out more.

Some of the best Indian food I've ever had. Everything was so fresh and flavorful. Highly recommend the naan sampling. It goes well with everything on the menu and it was so buttery and fluffy. The butter chicken is top notch.

Went here on a Saturday afternoon. There was no wait. We ordered pain puri, shahi paneer and naan. Loved the taste of all the items. Fairly priced and the place is neat and as the seating is outside and covered it's a nice hangout too. Service was quick. Will come back to try more items.

I think I need to come try more dishes before I really decide but I came here last night and ordered take out. The bread was really good. We had the garlic naan and the gobi paratha and both were really tasty. The veggie samosa was good. However the Bhindi masala and the Aloo Gobhi were just ok. I would like to try some other dishes. Also they had a fish that was called potato fingers and I only ordered it because I pictured something else and it turned out to be french fries! My photos unfortunately are not the best as it was takeout and not plated there. The place is a small hole in the wall but there had a few people and the enclosed area outside was warm and dry.

Tandoori chicken was dry like cardboard. Paneer was over cooked and chewy absolutely the worst Indian food in Portland

It's quaint with limited seating, but they had an open table when we went for lunch on Sunday. We like to try new places when we're out running errands and thought we'd check out this one based on the reviews. It's not super clear when you get there where you go, but once you find your way into side to the counter they give you menus and you seat yourself in their outside area (partial cover). Which was fine. The server was nice and took our order promptly. We always order appetizers when we eat Indian food because they're typically really good. The onion bhaaji was so yummy! I'd order it again next time. However, we ordered "potato fingers" which are described as a type of fried mashed potato. We were expecting something like Aloo Tikki or other deep fried potato ball. Unfortunately all we received were plain old frozen French fries. I even asked our server just to clarify that they were the "potato fingers". Such a disappointment. Needless to say we did not eat them. The main course was yummy, in-line with the onion bhaaji. So we were still so confused when we left why they'd lost a very common America food on their menu as an Indian appetizer. So just be ware when ordering. Not sure we'll go out of our way to go back, but if you're in the area you could try it.

Arguably the best Indian in the city. You can't go wrong with the most frequently ordered items like Butter Chicken, Chicken Tiki Masala, etc. (see my previous review.) But if you want to go a little off script then try the Malai Kofta: potato and cheese fried balls in rich gravy. Opt for medium spice.

Such great Indian cuisine! This is a go-to spot for takeout. In restaurant dining is awesome too in the quaint space. Outdoor seating also for the summer months. Great customer service! Butter Chicken and Tikka Masala are the usual orders. Garlic naan is a must and don't pass on the veggie samosas with the mint chutney!

Yay, finally found an Indian restaurant on the East side that is amazing! Big range of vegetarian dishes. Naan bread is to wonderful.

This place needs better signage, but has great food and nice staff. Even after following my maps directions from my phone, I wasn't sure I was at the right place until I walked around the building. I walked into the enclosed outside area which had heaters on the ceiling, making it toasty and warm despite the outside damp coolness. I approached the register and was handed menus and told to sit wherever I'd like, so I seated myself under one of the heaters to get warm. I decided to have the saag paneer and some garlic naan along with a masala chai tea. (Only the chai tea was actually on the menu, but other tips and reviews had mentioned how good the saag paneer and garlic naan were) A huge carafe of water came out first followed by silverware and napkins, and my chai tea. Soon after, the saag paneer and accompanying Rice was brought. The garlic came in a basket a few minutes later. Everything looked and smelled delicious, and it was. I could've used a little bit of salt, but I like a lot of salt, so most people would not need it. The chai tea was perfect, warm and sweet. The garlic naan was crisp yet still fluffyand well seasoned. The saag was creamy and delicious. After eating, I decided to try the Kheer for dessert and it was also wonderful.

The food was quite delicious, probably some of the best Indian food in Portland. The service was kind of meh. I didn't find that it was particularly accessible for disabled people. We sat outside because it was counter service and the inside was more of a patio too just similar to the outside. I would definitely try in the summer.

Short on time to write a proper review. By far the best Indian breads I've had in the area. The sauces are amazing and the entrees are superb. Covered patio is the main seating, so bring a jacket during the winter...I'm sure they are working towards getting heaters out there. We tend to be homebodies, but this place definitely will get us to drive the extra 20 min from home

Though we're likely to try another meal at Daawat A Ishq, our first dinner had a couple of hits and a couple of misses. Hits included the butter chicken and the gobi paratha (Indian flatbread stuffed with onions and spices). Both were very good and worth going to Daawat A Ishq for. A big miss was the dal makhani (black lentils with subtle smoky flavor and creaminess), which was thin and watery and lacked taste. Dal makhani is supposed to be both buttery and creamy. We were also overcharged for the lamb samosas, listed on the menu at $6.99, run up at the register for $8.99. The restaurant is a busy place, with take-out orders competing for the service staff's attention. While we did order at our table and our dishes were brought out by a waiter, no one stopped by during our meal, and no one brought our check to our table. We had to wait in line behind the other orders (a customer and a detailed carry-out) to pay at the register. Had a check been brought to our table, we would have been able to notice the overcharge on the samosas, and we could have considered deducting the amount from our tip.

Second visit for takeout and still impressed! Chai, chili chicken (large and addictive!), gobi paratha, garlic naan, palak paneer, and veggie pakora all delicious! They also built out their patio sides and have a cozy heated space now -- it's basically indoors. Friendly and right on time tonight. We are so happy this place exists!

Absolutely delicious food. A must-visit if you live in or visit Portland. The owners are clearly proud of their restaurant and the service couldn't be better.

AMAZING Indian food! Granted, I only had the classics- saag paneer, malai kofta, Samosa, naan...but WOW! Super fresh, delicious and seasoned appropriately. Service is great. Takeout is packaged well, these guys are obviously experienced in how to get food out the door. A+!

The food was very good, the saag goat was a little short on flavor, but the bindi masala was excellent, the naan was so thin it was torn in places and more cracker like than bread some of it was a bit burnt . The service was excellent, very friendly and attentive if a bit slow. It still looks like a mexican restaurant but not in a horribly jarring way, it was hot inside, they had windows and doors open on a 88 degree day, they had a/c vents but don't know if it wasn't working, or maybe they just like it warmer. We will definitely be ordering takeout from there at least until it cools down. Best quality Indian food we have had in the couve.

Feels like eating by the roadside in India - an authentic experience!!! I ordered the Chhole Bhature and I almost passed out 'cos it came with raw onions and chutney - OMG. The service is incredibly friendly in true Portland and Indian style. The chhole were yummy, and so was the gajar halwa. Can't wait to come back to try more things!

Food: The food was average. I'm still going to laugh about this for a while, they added spring onions in samosa chat '!! We ordered Bhindi masala, samosa chat, palak paneer, all of them were average. Service was not great too, people were rude and just felt like they wanted us to leave soon. Ambiance, this is a huge disappointment because there's no proper place to sit, it's like a transparent shed kind of place and not a viable option if you want to visit a sit down restaurant. If you are planning on visiting this place, I would recommend a take out. I would pass this place for next visit because I find good indian restaurants in and around Hillsboro.

Delicious!! Been meaning to come and wouldn't you know it we came on one of the coldest nights. Totally hit the spot! The lamb samosas were savory, moist inside, with plenty of filling and crispy outside. We share family style (as it should be) and ordered 2 mains: the Madras chicken Curry and Malai Kofta. The Madras was a very nice change from our usual Korma. The Kofta.... oh my, let me tell you about the Malai Kofta (or maybe not, might have to keep this a secret!) They were like little, soft pillows in creamy deliciousness! Both my daughter and I said they were the best we have ever had! Kudos! We will be coming back again and again! Glad they have outside seating with heatlamps so we can bring our pup! Inside there are only 3 very small tables. Worth it!

Outside of a home cooked meal I once had at an Indian friend's home, this is the best Indian food I've ever had. I haven't tried every Indian restaurant in Portland but I can't imagine there's any better. Friendly staff, they were patient with me even though I took up a table for a bit before my wife arrived (she was stuck in traffic). It's a nice covered outdoor-ish space. Small but nice and warm, even on a rainy night. We will 100% be back.

This spot is 2mins away from my house. My girlfriend and I come here at least once a week. If not three times a month! Its definitely a must try on any ones list.

Food was so delicious. We especially loved the samosa chat! Service was very attentive. Our service checked in and made sure we were pleased with the spiciness level. We will be back!

Exceptional Indian Food. This is a STAND OUT in Portland when it comes to Indian food. My measuring stick of good Indian food is always based on the execution of the aloo gobi dish. All Portalnd Indian restaurants serve this dish up in a sludgy watery gravy, minimal in spices and for the most part a rather forgettable bag of veggies in the mouth. In Comparison.... The aloo gobi dish here was a 12/10. Stir fried and spiced to perfection, no lazy sloppy gravy accompaniment. Had the rich and luxurious butter chicken. It was flavorful and very generous in portion size. If you are looking to get slapped in the face by some gorgeous aromatic Indian spices and have been scouring the earth for some REAL Indian food, this place is it. TRULY EXCEPTIONAL INDIAN FOOD.

Portions are very small for the price. Not enough to share. The food was just ok. The service wasn't great either, we kept having to ask for water and waited about 15 mins for the bill when there was only 1 other party in the restaurant. I wouldn't come here again based on my experience.

Ate in and the food was really, really good. I haven't been super impressed with a lot of the Indian places we've had in Portland but this one was quite good. All of my interactions with the guy at the counter made me feel like he saw us some sort of sub-humans, and he never communicated in a style of speaking beyond "muttering", so ideally I'll never eat-in here again, but I'd probably go out of my way to get pick-up.

They are the best in food quality, service and price. On another time, they accommodated us for special occasions food (food eaten during fast).

Man, this place is incredible! I got the Madras Curry with chicken and the depth of flavor was outstanding. Their Tandoori Naan is flaky and soft, the rice is flavorful while allowing the other flavors from the curry to do their work. Glad I came in to give them a shot. Best Madras Curry I've ever had hands down.

Delicious food and great service. Got the Chana Masala and naan and it was delicious. A great addition to NE 42nd Street!

Picked up dinner here to go but they also have some enclosed patio seating. I got shahi paneer, pani puri, garlic and regular naan and a chai. Everything was super flavorful and the amount of paneer in the entree was very generous! I would say that the "mild" level of spice is none at all and I probably could have gone for hot! I will next time because I would love to eat here again. I do wish there was more filling to accompany the pani.

I discovered that this new Indian restaurant finally opened today. I got paneer pakora and a mango lassi for a late night snack and they were delicious! Fresh paneer, Perfectly cooked. Mango lassi not too sweet but lots of mango flavor. Excellent chutneys. Welcome to the neighborhood!

Tried this new place today which we were anxious to see open. Food was excellent. Lots of veg and non veg options. Portions decent. Large menu which worried me as it is a small place but they use the indoors mainly for cook and store and a little outside patio. Not sure what they will except takeout in winter rains. Portions decent. I like spicy bit warnings for non spicy folks- I ordered medium for my wife and it was quite spicy enough for her. Mine is always extra spice of coure. We had: Lamb Biryani Veg Samosa Palak Paneer (spinack and Indian cheese) Dal Chadka (lentils) Channa Masala (chickpea stuff) Chilli Cheese Naan Chili Chicken All excellent and would order again. Service was all with a smile.

Totally delicious and vegan-willing: they made my wife's and my samosa chats vegan and superb! Fresh, flavorful, generous, well priced, and fast. My daughter, who eats dairy, loved her paneer and her mango lassi. Oh, and yummy rice and paratha, too. Check em out!

Very nice food. We got pani puri and seriously never had better pani puri in Portland. Authentic Indian taste. Staff is very helpful.

Delicious and authentic. Friendly staff. The mildest was still bit too spicy for our kids but I loved it.

Delicious! Finally! A fantastic Indian restaurant in NE PDX with a variety of options, good portion sizes and prices, to boot. Everything we had was scrumptious! However, the *mild* tandoori chicken we ordered was actually hot! At least for us. I couldn't eat it. We just wouldn't order it again. Daawat A Ishq will definitely be our go-to for Indian food from now on.

Authentic food! sitting area inside can be nicer Have not been in Spring/Summer where there are outside sitting areas

Very good food Bhindi masala was spicy and very nicely made , very quick and easy to take go to

Amazing food. I started with my favorites, butter naan, veggie samosa, lamb samosa and my hubby ordered chicken vindaloo. Looking busy with take out, we chilled. I grabbed a beer at NePo while he held home-base. Took awhile. Worth the flavors though. Can't wait to make my way down the menu. Lotsa outside covered seating. Dress with layers.

So excited to have an Indian restaurant in our neighborhood! Ordered takeout a few times and everything was delicious. Ordered onion kulcha, aloo tiki chaat, garlic naan, tikka masala, and Kadahi chicken. Decent portions for the price. Such a shortage of good Indian food on this side of the river- in NE, no less! We've been back a few times since they've opened. Also open until 10pm which is difficult to find with most restaurants in Portland.

Daawat A Ishq is some of the best Indian food in town! Opened by the owner and his wife of the corner store across the street (Evergreen). Absolutely lovely--I love the navratana korma so much! And they kill it with the appetizers--samosa, pakoras, yummmmm. Such good flavors. So happy to have them in my neighborhood!

Amazing quality!! No more driving to Hillsboro for good Indian food. Saag is a highlight. Goat has bones, but is very tasty

Nestled between two of my other favorite neighborhood establishments, this place was a real treat. We arrived here with a party of 6 adults and 2 babies, and found a 6 top outside on a sunny October afternoon. The server was pretty busy with a lunch crowd at the time of arrival but got us seated with menus as soon as they had a moment. The service was fast, friendly, and informative. Now, onto the food we ordered: - Vegetable Samosa, we ordered a round for the table and they were very very good. Nice, crisp dumplings with soft filling inside. Great flavor. - Butter Naan/Garlic Naan, freshly baked with the perfect amount of spring to the dough. -Chicken Tikka Masala, ordered medium and it was amazing. I would probably go spicy next time and will update the review to include my thoughts on different spice level. Chicken was delicate, sauce had a great texture with good seasoning. - Kadahi Goat, ordered medium, also very good. This was not my dish but I tried some and will probably order in the future. Smaller pieces of bone-in meat in sauce. - Paneer wrap, my wife ordered this and it was very fresh and light tasting. Not a large portion but would be perfect for a lunch choice on a work day. - Malai Kofta, I did not taste this but heard a lot of raving about it from the end of the table. Will try next time - Butter chicken, same as above. I did get a chance to try this but heard good things from those who did. Overall it was a great experience, and we are so happy to have another amazing restaurant in the neighborhood.

Tandoori fish and fried cauliflower were absolutely delicious - you can specify spice level and they do not stint on it. Portions are copious. We spent about $30 a person including tip.

I had the Chana masala and Tandoori nan - excellent!!! Super delicious food and fantastic, friendly service. I love the no-nonsense atmosphere too. I am so happy Daawat A Ishq is part of our NE neighborhood.

Third time as a customer. Absolutely delicious. The menu offerings are perfectly balanced between meat and vegetarian options with a good variety to try without feeling overwhelmed by choices. Portion sizes are spot on vs price and service is kind and welcoming. I'm so happy you are in our neighborhood and I hope you get the business you deserve. will absolutely recommend you to friends and will keep coming back for more (Get the lamb samosas! So good!)

It was a rainy Saturday night but we stayed warm and dry in the enclosed outdoor seating area (the heaters kept us warm enough). Our food was tasty (Chicken Handi and Navratan Korma) and the chai was excellent. Friendly service, too. We recommend Daawat A Ishq. It's nice to have an Indian restaurant in this part of Portland, too.

Delicious authentic Indian food. The menu has many vegetarian & non-vegetarian options. Service is very friendly & gave good recommendations. My hubby & I had: Mixed vegetable pakoras Tandoor naan Chicken boneless handi Tikka masala - substituted lamb for chicken at our server's recommendation. Everything was delicious! We have leftovers for another meal. Prices are very reasonable. We ate outside; probably the last nice weather of 2023. We will definitely be back soon & often!