Pondicheri
Modern Indian restaurant · River Oaks ·
Modern Indian cafe & bakery with street food, thalis, and baked goods
Modern Indian cafe & bakery with street food, thalis, and baked goods
"Helmed by chef Anita Jaisinghani, this Indian eatery is especially welcoming on a rainy day thanks to warm cups of freshly brewed chai and an array of sweet treats from its Bake Lab + Shop. Large windows in the dining room offer views into the nearby Shops at Arrive River Oaks, and the bar provides plug-in seating for those who want to work while keeping company; upstairs, pastries such as rose cream doughnuts, Pondi bars, lemon squares, and chocolate chip chili cookies (a sweet cookie with a spicy kick) make for irresistible rainy-day pick-me-ups." - Brittany Britto Garley
"Nestled upstairs in the space of Pondicheri, this Indian-inspired counter service hotspot churns out colorful breakfast plates, juices, and pastries. Choose from dishes such as the oat uppma and eggs — a South Indian hash with chia seeds, steel-cut oats, millet, buckwheat, black garbanzo, and two eggs or go with the dwaffle — a fermented crispy dosa waffle served with diner’s choice of ghee or maple syrup and fresh fruit. A perfect complement to any meal here is the rose lassi drink — a traditional Indian beverage made from yogurt with rose, hibiscus, and cardamom." - Marcy de Luna
"For those who like breakfast with a side of cilantro chutney and green juice, hit up Pondi Bake Lab above Pondicheri in Upper Kirby. The modern Indian counter-service spot not only has a bright color palette but also colorful and surprising food. Like the masala-spiked scrambled eggs, sauteed mushrooms with savory waffles, and a pastry case full of turmeric cakes and chili cookies. Join the other athleisure-clad diners for a post-yoga refuel, or just because." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas, julie takahashi
"This Upper Kirby mainstay is known for its bright and thoughtfully made modern Indian cuisine and baked goods, but its recently revamped bar makes it a cocktail destination, too. Pondicheri now has a dedicated space where diners can enjoy spice-filled Chai Old Fashioneds made with chai-infused bourbon, a Roserita margarita made with rose and hibiscus, and its golden mule, a wholesome spin on a Moscow Mule made with soda water, vodka, turmeric, and a homemade ginger syrup. The Jardin, a green juice made with cucumber, melon, apple, ginger, mint, and a kick of serrano, is perfectly delicious on its own, but can be spiked with gin. Stop by for happy hour when all cocktails are $9, draft beers are $5, and wine by the glass or bottle are 20 percent off." - Marcy de Luna
"Heralded Houston chef Anita Jaisinghani continues to bring bright, fresh flavors to Houston at this Indian restaurant. In addition to Indian street foods like goat haleem samosas and dahi poori chat, diners can enjoy thoughtfully prepared salads, wraps, and curries. For a well-rounded introduction, try the Earth thalis, which offers cups of sai bhaji, oondhiya, chaat salad, and a choice of butter paneer or chicken with naan, and be sure to visit the newly revamped bar, which serves delightful drinks like the refreshing yet spicy Jardin, made with cucumber, melon, serrano, ginger, mint, melon, moringa, and a choice of alcohol, and the Golden Mule, Pondicheri’s turmeric-infused version of a Moscow Mule. Journey upstairs to the Bake Lab for cups of heartwarming chai, colorful brunch items like dwaffles — waffles made with fermented dosa batter, and saag omelets, plus baked goods like Jaisinghani’s irresistible chili chocolate cookies and sugar-coated doughnuts." - Brittany Britto Garley