NOLA Desi Kitchen

This is my husband's favorite Indian restaurant. I tend to prefer Americanized Indian food, and he prefers authentic Indian food. However, I also enjoy the delicious food here at Nola Desi Kitchen and visit by myself when I'm here on business. I enjoy the various kabobs, Naan, and my favorite beverage in New Orleans, the mint lemonade.

I've tried their Nihari and Goat Biryani as well as their lemonade. The lemonade is so good and refreshing. The Nihari was decent (3.5/5). The Goat Biryani is good (4.25/5). The biryani in particular is very authentic. I've lived in Toronto and California as well and it's as good as the better restaurants in those areas. The staff is great and super friendly! The ambience has room for improvement and I hope to see the restaurant's ambience improve and match the quality of its food.

One of the best restaurants in Kenner, everything in the menu is really good and worthy of a try. Just tried there limited menu , with butter chicken mac and cheese and chicken 65 loaded fries. After being open for 10 years and they don’t miss.

Not just me but all of my friends really enjoyed the food. If you are looking for biryani or a non-veg curry with naan then this is the place. I’m from south India and I like dum biryani and spicy food, this place doesn’t have the dum biryani but the biryani they have tastes awesome. We ordered Chicken haleem (8/10) Goat haleem (not recommended 6/10) Chicken kebab (8/10) Goat biryani (8/10) Chicken biryani (7/10) Dal thadka (not recommended 5/10) Naan (10/10) Kulfi (9/10)

This restaurant is amazing!!! I love their food! The workers here are so nice! I would recommend the beef haleem with garlic naan and chicken biryani!!! Those are definitely my favorites! Even the sit down area is nice! Also, their raita is the best sauce I’ve ever tasted!

One of the best halal restaurant in Louisiana I should say. Their nihari, goat karahi, naan, chai are the best. In shaa Allah We will definitely visit there again.

The biryani is reheated mid. Portion sizes for karahi + especially seekh kebab are so small. But taste decent. At least it’s halal but won’t be back in a hurry.

Only been here once, but it definitely deserves a return visit. The food was very good, not over spiced. The naan was huge and properly cooked. Also I had a mint lemonade that was freshly blended... so good!!

Happened upon this small Indian-Pakistani restaurant in a strip mall in Kenner, LA on my way to a different original destination after I made a wrong turn and decided to give it a shot. At first I was the only diner in the place and wondered if I had made the right decision; but then folks started to trickle in for takeout and a larger group came to dine-in. Not only do the flavors not miss, but the portions you get for the price are just one more reason you should come here. The chunks of goat in the biryani were welcome. The butter chicken was creamy and downright delicious. And the naan was so fluffy and the perfect vehicle to deliver the butter chicken sauce into my mouth.

They have the BEST beef Samosas! The tamarin sauce is bomb! I could eat them samosas for ever! I'f I'm dying my last bite of food is them beef Samosas!

Honestly, I don't go to many Indian restaurants so not sure if this place is exceptional or not, but the menu had various meat choices as well as cooking options. The food we ordered was good, but with naan, I wanted more naan. It was good but curry was much more. The dining room wasn't big and was filled with people that seems to understand the taste better than me. The chicken curry was pretty good.

Three stars. One for the delicious samosa chaat. It was absolutely amazing. I love samosas and have tried them in many places. These were my second favorite ever.

Very typical Pakistani food. My husband ordered seekh kebab, dal fry and aloo paratha. He was happy with all ordered. I ordered over the phone and the customer service was excellent. They were nice enough to call me when it was ready and hold my order until I got across town. The restaurant is small, located in a Kenner strip mall, but very clean. It serves halal food so its another great option for those who's diets are limited by the restriction.

Good taste and friendly service. I was looking for halal food and was not disappointed.

Good spot for desi food. Mango lassi was good. Good spice for each dish. Wish the seekh kebab was bigger and that they use boneless chicken for the biryani but overall good food.

I was recommended to try this place by one of our customers as we were discussing authentic foods in the greater New Orleans area. My partner wanted Chinese food but luckily our favorite Chinese food was literally the next plaza over, so it was a win-win situation. I got the Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Chicken 65, Palak Paneer, 2 beef samosas, 1 mango lassi, and a masala rice that I ordered when I got there. It's a nice mom and pop shop, and the gentleman (the owner) that was helping me is such a sweet guy. He offered us some free mango lassi, having forgotten that I had already ordered some. The owner forgot to pack my masala rice, but he told me when I messaged him that he'll get me next time and that's totally alright with me. The food was spectacular! It's hard to differentiate which one was the Chicken Tikka Masala and which one was the Butter Chicken but they both were good so I can't complain. They had marked BC on the butter chicken one for me but in my haste I mixed up the lids and forgot which one was butter chicken and which one was was the chicken tikka masala. I ordered everything spicy, and everything was spicy to a degree but as a chili fiend I had to add more chilies to my dishes. I also really enjoyed the Palak Paneer. I'm not sure what Palak is but it was green and it looked like spinach. I've had other Indian/South-Asian dishes that were a spinach and paneer dish so I think this might've been that. The beef samosas were good but it needed some sauce (chutneys). I like to mix the tamarind sauce with the mint ones, but I'm not sure if I had to ask for them or if they have it. The owner also gave us a free rice pudding dessert. The naan that came with the meal was fabulous! It was so soft and chewy and even when I left in the refrigerator and heated it up the next two days, it still was really good. Overall given the quality of the food and the hospitality of the owners I am impressed and enthusiastic about returning next time. Thank you for the fabulous meal!

Love this place definitely a hidden gem in Kenner best Indian food in Kenner... would highly recommend

Ordered for take out. The garlic naan was delish, but I paid over $3 for one piece. The lentils were soupy.. not what I have typically gotten. The butter chicken was good but cold. I didn't receive any rice with the order. I don't think I would order food from here again.

Enjoyed my Chicken Tikka. Spice level was the first that actually held true to being actually spicy. Since I ordered via Uber eats I did not know you could substitute naan for basmati rice since it doesn't give you the option to choose and I rarely trust the "special instructions" function for making such a request. Since it was a to go order it can in a plastic Tupperware which at first glance you think it's a small portion but it's sufficient. Also I guess I am use to having more than one piece of naan for an entree so that was a bummer. However, what really stopped me from giving 5 stars was because they forgot my Mango Lassi which I was really looking forward to. So now I have to wait for reimbursement through Uber I suppose. I would just advise the restaurant to take extra care of reading and packing orders. It was about an hour from closing time so I imagine maybe it ran out or you all just wanted to get going but people expect what they do order. I will patronage again in the future because I love this cuisine so we shall see how it goes!

Such yummy food and great customer service! I also had some delicious hot chai. The restaurant was empty and quiet, most of their customers were take away, so we got our food fairly quick. Everything we ordered was delicious highly recommend!

This unassuming spot is a tucked away gem bursting at the seams with delicious AUTHENTIC Indian and Pakistani dishes that can be hard to find in the South. The inside is as basic as it gets, but the flavor is more than bold enough - The goat biryani was served fresh with tender meat still on the bone, and rice bursting with spices. Do yourself a favor and start with the garlic naan, it looks thick but is so light and fluffy it practically melts on your tongue. If you like sweet treats, grab a mint lemonade, it's blended and brewed fresh in-house and worth it. Friendly & quick service was an added bonus. We'll be back. Often!

I haven't ordered anything recently, but this is my regular spot when I'm in town. I was born in Texas, Louisiana raised, half white half Pakistani, and while I reside in TX I regularly come back to visit family, and this place is a non-negotiable stop. Unfortunately this trip I had to skip it and go to a different desi food place in Metairie and it didn't even compare. I always get either biriyani or beef nihari here and I have yet to be disappointed -- everything is seasoned and cooked to perfection every time and I always leave happy. The mango lassi is also amazing. All very authentic south asian food, along with authentic south asian customer service. The owners are incredibly sweet and friendly and I love making conversation with them when I'm waiting on my food. So sad I missed it this run! But can't recommend this place enough

Classic strip mall in Kenner Brah. Super nice and accommodating host/server from Pakistan. Got to dine in and enjoy the Tikki Chicken Marsala and the Goat Korma, both entrees came with choice of Naan or rice. All entree's are available spicy or regular. We got the spicy and it was a good heat, nothing unbearable. Washed it down with a very tasty mango yogurt drink. Bringing my Uncle Peter next time.

There are a few North Indian/Pakistani restaurants in the outer suburbs of New Orleans, and this one is the farthest of them, way out in Kenner (~1/2 hour from the city center). If you're there, this place seemed respectable. I received my takeout quickly (~10 minutes), and it was an eminently flavorful lentil dish with plenty of whole spices, and some samosas drowned in chickpeas and accoutrements. I have to say I was mildly annoyed that their entrees come by default with naan. That being said, you can ask for rice instead. Also, the menu probably needs a rewrite just to be clearer to those people who don't know what all this stuff is. All of this brings the place in just a tad below the other similar restaurant I tried and reviewed near the airport (at which I ordered the same thing for comparison). But I liked both of them and frankly, I haven't found anywhere in Orleans Parish where you can get this food for this price.

Staff was friendly, food was delicious! Gentleman gave me a cup of yummy dessert that tastes like the milk from Cinnamon Toast Crunch while I waited. I recommend the aloo paratha if you're looking for a veggie breakfast that is filling. My boyfriend ate all my biryani unfortunately so I can't comment on it.

Really good! Wanted Indian food and this did not disappoint me. Hot garlic Naan! Delicious beef Samoas. Lamb was tasty. We ate our fill and still have leftovers. The service was prompt and the food was hot. Thank you!

Tucked away in a strip mall, is the absolute best spot to grab an order of Chicken 65 with these huge pieces of naan. I was absolutely pleased. My taste for Indian food was totally satisfied. I ordered using grub hub and my food was hot and ready when I drove up. The inside of the spot was so cozy. I will definitely be going back again.

Nothing fancy, but the food is excellent ! Quiet and clean. Looking forward to going there again. Unfortunately, closed on Tuesday & Wednesday. Go, not expensive. Get the garlic naan!

Delicious food! So glad I discovered them on Yelp. I will be ordering delivery again this week!

Bestest food ever , actual desi food, service is amazing and ambiance ish beautiful , definitely recommend everyone to come

Wife, 6 year old and I are spending Thursday's driving around the region trying every Indian/Pakistani restaurant we could find. Paneer Kahari was the best dish we've had in weeks and i got the Chicken 65 as well. It was great! Well balanced heat and lime. The owner was so kind and let my son have a taste of kheer! Which was great! I'm very pleased and think this one is worth the trek from Uptown more often. Thank you Desi Kitchen! It also advertises Bengladeshi food - I'd like to sample the dishes that are distinct to that area on our next visit.

I would eat anything this lovely lady from Pakistan cooks!!! Her husband is the waiter and delightful to visit with. Food was incredible. Had several items without tomatoes- sister allergic. Garlic naan was nomnomnom!!! Chicken korma perfectly spicy. Lamb kabobs tender and luscious. Beef samosas spiced wonderfully. Will definitely go back!!!

Minus one star for the super slowwwwww service. This was on a Friday around 12:30. I ordered a hot chai and sat in the empty restaurant for over fifteen minutes waiting for my tea or any kind of service. I was grabbing my purse to walk out when I finally got my chai. At that point I figured I might as well stay. The potato samosas were nothing to write home about. They were teeny tiny and looked like they'd been previously frozen. The raita was tasty, though. For only $2.99 I really can't complain. Nola Desi doesn't have the same menu items available every day, so when I asked what vegetarian dishes were available my server told me there was a mixed vegetable curry as well as palak paneer (which wasn't on the menu at all). I think there were probably more dishes available but I stopped her right there because I love palak paneer. OMG. It was the best palak paneer I've ever tasted. It was served with a huge round of fresh naan that you tore pieces off of as you went. I'm in love. It then took forever to get the check and then I had to ask to pay it, but I'll definitely go back with my husband. I'll also be prepared for the wait this time. Worth it for that palak paneer though. Plus all three people I interacted with were pleasant!

The service is excellent and the veggie or the beef Somozas are the best. Also try the lentil soup over white rice,

Not very impressed. No rice came with my curry order. The tikka masala was very greasy and had no creaminess to it. If there was rice, the greasiness would be less noticeable. The chicken was low quality and not very much of it. And the samosas with raiti was very bland and tasteless. Garlic naan was fine.

More like 3.5 stars! We were super hungry by the time we got here for lunch. Cute little place in a plaza off of Williams Rd. There were 5+ tables with chairs, grand chandelier in the middle of the room does scream luxury but not much decor signifying an Indian/Pakistan restaurant. Service was slow, only 1 waitress. I believe it's a family establishment. They definitely need more helpers. We ordered a lot of food so bare with me. Btw, their menu has little or no info on the dish. Menu needs tweaking. For apps: * Samosas: mashed potatoes, peas, onions, aromatics sealed in a rice flour casing and deep fried. Very similar to empanadas. Served with raita (yogurt sauce). My all time favorite appetizer. * Samosa chaat: 2 samosas nestled in a bowl with chickpeas, raita, tamarind sauce, onions, and chaat masala. Very yummy and explosion of so many flavors. * Papdi chaat: same as samosa chaat but without samosas instead topped with flakey Indian savory cookie. Yummy! * Shami kebob: 2 minced beef and lentil patties, deep fried to perfection. Comes with raita. Highly recommended. Entrees: all entrees comes with 1 large naan (Indian bread baked in a high temp oven). * Karahi chicken: chicken with bones in a spicy red sauce. I didn't think it was that spicy. Accompanied with 1 naan. * Paneer Karahi: vegetarian version, not many pieces of paneer. * Dall Makhni: Red kidney beans in a thick sauce, was ok. Overall, a good meal. Good prices! I loved the appetizers but wasn't too crazy for the entrees.

I like this restaurant a lot. The food is insanely good. Our waiter was very nice and gave the baby a free doll. The bathrooms were clean. Very underrated!

Very yummy spot to stop for a quick lunch. Ordered the paneer karahi and potato samosas. Very good flavor with a tiny amount of heat, and friendly service to boot. Not the best I've had ever, but probably the best I've found in the New Orleans area. Worth a stop if you're in the area!

Very good, but painfully slow and inattentive service for the most part on an evening we were the only table. The butter chicken is less creamy than the average butter chicken-more akin to a chicken tikka masala. The samosa was very good. If they were, in fact, microwaved like another Yelper claims, I am shocked. A close second to Wah Kitchen.

I'm from Michigan but heard about them while visiting NOLA! I've tried a lot of Indian restaurants and this compared well to my favorites. We had the Butter Chicken and Chicken 65 regular. Both were amazing and the whole family loved it! Potato Samosas were fresh and great, but PLEASE add sweet tamarind chutney too because that is what's usually included at other restaurants. 5 stars for great food, and trusted halal!!

Delightful little gem in Kenner. Very family-oriented restaurant. We ordered samosas, and split the chicken 65 and palak paneer (spinach and cheese). The chicken 65 was fried thigh meat and then mixed with spices. Both main dishes outstanding. The samosas were pretty good, maybe a 3.5/5, but the yogurt/chickpea sauce underneath made them special. We will be back!

Ground Beef Samosa (2/3$) - ground beef stuffed in dough sheets & fried. I would describe this as a meat pie. It was a light starter. Samosas take up belly space but aren't gonna knock the socks off your taste buds. Papri Chat (5$) - garbanzo beans, potatoes, tomatoes, yogurt, & spices served w homemade dressing & fried chips. Very unique. Something I've never had before. I would say the homemade dressing is a vinaigrette. I really loved this dish because it was well balanced. The fried chips and beans brought textured to the dish. The flavors were harmonized because the dressing brought tart and sweet. Definitely recommend! Karahi Gosht (13$) - goat meat with tomatoes & spices. The goat meat was very tender and not too gamey. It wasn't very spicy to me. Butter Chicken (10$) - chicken breast in curry & spices. I loved the butter chicken and will definitely come back for it! It was perfect. The flavors were very intense. The curry isn't overpowering. There was a nice spicy kick.

I had a craving for curry so took a shot. We got the Butter Chicken which was chunks of white meat in an orange curry sauce which was rich and spicier than expected, and the Beef cabob which was loaded with onions and other veggies. The naan was the best I've had. Local restaurants that deliver around here are rare so used Grubhub and food arrived warm but the bill was high for the convenience. Good food well spiced but we'll pick up next time.

Mr. Ali was able to assist me in providing the most delicious Halal meals for our group attendee this week. I was fortunate enough to sample these dishes when the guest did not attend the first two days. Was actually kind of bummed when the attendee actually showed up, lol! Can't wait to visit your establishment. The food was fresh, absolutely full of flavor, and great use of spices that have you salivating even after you've eaten. Thanks again! Great job!

I LOVE this place! I have been here many times in the last year have have tried most everything on the menu. The portions are great and the naan... Yum! Be sure to order a side of rice if you need some. Sometimes the food takes a moment to come out, but be patient! Food this wonderful is worth the wait. If you are very sensitive to spicy food, they can tone down the spiciness. The owners of the restaurant are so wonderful. They greet me with a warm hello and always come chat with me. They really make you feel welcome.

Yes greetings I have been buying Mediterranean food for a very long time from the Indian cultures when they were located on Williams Blvd since 2011

Amazing food. Hidden gem. Everything tastes great from Nihari to chai. Naans are delicious. They also offer great catering service. Recommended for desi Pakistani and Indian food. Owner is very hospitable.

Indian food is not something I frequent, so I don't exactly know where the best places are to go when I do have that occasional craving. Thank you yelpers for not failing me and directing me to the perfect spot. Keep a look out because this place is extremely easy to miss, located in a small strip off Williams. The inside is nothing fancy, but the food....OFF THE CHAIN. We ordered the butter chicken and the goat biryani. Both were excellent, my favorite being the butter chicken. It was probably the best I've ever had seriously. Served piping hot in a unique little pot and accompanied with naan bread that was equally delicious, it was just the right amount to leave my satisfied but not overly full. I'm not a huge fan of goat, but I did sample my husbands and the spices were excellent. Spicy, but not too spicy to leave your mouth on fire. We also ordered a side of basmati rice and Indian soda with the total coming out to around $30 so it wasn't a pocket killer. The owner served us and was extremely nice as well. I know exactly where I'm coming to get my Indian food in the future. Support this place!

Nope. Nope. Nope. If you're a restaurant, you don't get to serve boxed frozen foods straight from the microwave and charge people. (Samosas) You also shouldn't be using the microwave on every dish... at all?? The shower curtain they have up to shield you from the kitchen was open and I got to see the questionable preparation until they closed it. Doesn't stop the sound of the microwave beeping though. We went for lunch. It was empty. The atmosphere can best be described as you're an unwelcome guest at someone's home. Their whole family is there, with children. They are busy entertaining the kid and forget they have customers. We waited +10m for the check, I eventually had to go up and ask, and waited 5 min for him to stop scolding his child and notice me. The food isn't great but isn't objectively bad either (except for the frozen hard microwaved samosas) I could see using this as take out. Naan is good. Price is decent. The American staples are alright. Just don't stick around to dine in.

Best Indian and Pakistani food. Loved everything there. Quick service and excellent staff.

Don't let this little restaurant fool you. If you weren't looking you might drive right past it and not give it another thought. But I'm telling you this is one of the best kept secrets in Kenner serving the most delicious authentic Indian,Pakistani and Bangladesh dishes even several vegetarian options. It's a hidden gem! The staff is very friendly and the dining room very well-kept and clean. Do yourself a favor and stop in to DESI NOLA Your taste buds will thank me.

I have been here 7-8 times so far, which includes 5 dine ins and 3 pick ups. The owner never fails to impress with his personability. They have the best Kebabs in the city. I love the spicy Behari kebab, its so well cooked that it just melts in your mouth. Biryani is always good. Try paya curry, it is also well cooked. I feel bad for the owners as he tries his best to handle the front end of the restaurant and answers phones, take orders - all at the same time. His wife is the only cook and she is doing her best to serve dishes as quick as possible. They can use some additional help with the kitchen and front end of the restaurant. Expect some delay to be served if the restaurant is full. They specialize in catering. If you plan a small party, give them a heads up of 1 day - your order is specially made and priced better.

This was my first Indian food experience in New Orleans and I am super impressed! It's very authentic and not too greasy. The garlic naan is flaky in the right way and my paneer was healthily crafted with a lot of vegetables and spices. My husband's butter chicken was very buttery and flavorful in a way I'd never experienced before. I can't wait to get their papri chaat and try other veggie dishes on the menu as well as tandoori chicken.

WOW!!! Had this place today for the first time and I can easily say that its the best Butter Chicken I've had in the New Orleans area. I'm from Chicago so I'm used to great indian/desi food and I have to say that this place is by far the best. I won't be going to any other places from now on. I cannot wait to try out the rest of their menu. If you're looking for a fancy place, this isn't it. But if you're looking for the best indian/desi/pakistani food in the area this place is it! Can't wait to go back!!! I live in uptown and will gladly make the 20 minute drive to have this food any day of the week. Its THAT worth it.

1st time customer. Sooo yummy. I ate the samosas in the car they smelled so good. The palak paneer and rice was delicious as well. I ordered to go and it was ready very quickly. I will definitely be back!

I have had better food. the flavor was good But I wouldn't try their karahi ghosht. I didn't like it & also I didn't like their flaooda. We had saag paneer 5stars***** Garlic naan 5stars***** Masala Daal 4**** Karahi Ghosht 3***

We were traveling and we stopped here for lunch. They charged TAX on Gratuity! They mentioned 18% gratuity and posted the amount more than 20%. They charged sales tax more that is more than 30%. And then again a gratuity more than 15%. Completely corrupted restaurant!!