Saffron Indian Bistro

I’m a big fan of Indian food. I enjoy the spices and abundance of flavors in all their dishes. The Chicken Biriani was full of large pieces of Chicken and spices. Very tasty. The garlic naan was full of garlic and cooked just right. The ambiance is open and casual. They also offer a nice bar. Highly recommend this restaurant if you’re looking for a quality Indian dining experience.

UPDATE Dec 2025: We were so happy with Saffron that we had both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner here in 2025. Your $25.95 per adult is a much better deal than the 'traditional' holiday meals served around Tucson. And for holidays they add several more very good savory and sweet dishes compared with their everyday buffet. And the staff seemed happy enough to be there on a holiday (but please leave 'em a decent tip!). :) *** We love a good Indian buffet because of the variety of dishes, which is how Indian is supposed to be enjoyed. For us, it isn't about hogging out on vast amounts of food. But sadly, all the ones we've liked over the years closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. We tried a couple here in Tucson, but they were not good. After a while, we pretty much gave up looking. Which is how we missed Saffron Bistro in the two+ years we've lived in Tucson. But better late than never, yeah? :) So, we went for the lunch buffet ($15.95 per person + any additional drinks) on the holiday formerly known as Columbus Day. And it was absolutely great. There were several very good chicken-based dishes, several vegetarian entrees, plenty of sides, endless tasty naan, and Bhature (a frybread-like pocket bread we've never seen in any other Indian restaurant). The place is very clean and attractive, the staff is helpful and friendly, and parking is free and plentiful. If we could add anything, it would be a couple deserts like Gulab Jamun or Gajar ka Halwa. But it was fine as-is.

I’ve always wanted to try this place out and was very impressed! The buffet (a little pricey as others have reviewed), but well worth it! The buffet was laid out very organized and clean. The food looked amazing. All food items were clearly labeled and they options for just about everyone. Vegetarian options also. The food was on point, and no deviations from traditional Indian dishes. Will definitely be coming back!

Saffron is a wonderful Indian restaurant in Oro Valley. It is a beautiful moderb setting. The staff is friendly, competent and helpful. There is outdoor and indoor seating. The menu has a wide variety of items. Portions are generous. Prices are reasonable. Saffron offers a luncheon buffet.

Awesome place for dinning and organizing events. I love their daily lunch buffet. We had a graduation party for our daughter here recently on their patio. Mintu helped plan all the details and the service was great. One of our friends is allergic to chillies. Mintu arranged for few dishes for her made without chillies, so our friend was able to enjoy the food. That was really a great gesture. Love Saffron!

This is by far the best Indian food in Tucson. The spice level was conservative, so if you know you like it hot, ask for hot. But the flavors were amazing and complex. The portions were generous. And the service was very good, with knowledgeable and helpful recommendations on the menu items.

I had a positive experience during my first visit to the restaurant. Upon entering, we were warmly greeted by the manager and several staff members, who guided us to our seats and provided us with the menu right away. Shortly after, someone came by with water, followed by our server. Since we were new to the restaurant, the server took the time to briefly explain the menu, which made our decision-making much easier. The food we ordered was delicious, and the manager was friendly and attentive when he came to our table. We even inquired about a dish that wasn’t on the menu but was featured on the website, and he was very accommodating. Overall, it was a great dining experience with wonderful food, and I appreciate the hospitality we received from the staff. We definitely coming back for more.

The Chicken Tikka Masala was incredibly flavorful and perfectly cooked—every bite was a delight. But the real stars were the Garlic Naan and Bullet Naan—absolutely out of this universe! Soft, aromatic, and packed with flavor, they elevated the entire meal. A truly recommended place if you’re craving authentic Indian flavors. Can’t wait to go back! 🍛🔥🥰

I had lunch with my brother here this week. He's vegan and I'm on a gluten free diet. We both ate well. I wish I had discovered this place sooner! Most of the menu is gluten free! Where many restaurants use wheat flour in their food preparations, Saffron uses chickpea flour in many of their dishes. The Aloo Matar Gobhi was heavenly and the Daal Makhani was delicious. The service was beyond hospitable and the atmosphere was welcoming and lovely. They went the extra mile to provide a great dining experience. They offer a lunch buffet, but we ordered off the menu. I was having such an amazing time that I forgot to take photos...but I will be returning soon. I will take some photos then. The prices are very reasonable. Definitely recommend.

Fantastic variety and cost-quality-quantity ratio!!! They had a little live dosa station that was delish and a fun addition to the buffet itself. I have had slightly more flavorful curries in the past, but i'm being super nitpicky here. It's solid food a very cute space both inside and on the patio.

A nicely decorated Indian Restaurant with a nice casual decor. Friendly wait staff. I do not have a lot of experience with Indian Cuisine however if it tastes good I am game . We ordered both the garlic and cheese naan, the chicken tikka masala and the chicken biryani. The naan was nicely flavored good garlic flavor. The chicken biryani was amazingly flavored with large pieces of chicken. A large portion that is almost enough for two. The chicken tikka masala flavorful nice tomato and spices also with large chucks of chicken. A nice dinner option other than the norm. Happy eating all!

We really like this Indian restaurant and wish it was closer to our side of Tucson. We saw online that they were open this particular Tuesday for gem show visitors in town. Tuesday is the day we're on that side of town, so we took advantage of this. We had the buffet which had a nice variety of popular dishes. There was something for everyone. The food was hot and looked fresh for a buffet. We close to sit on the patio since it was a nice day. We went to the larger patio which had several tables and some interesting decor. Our server, Andy, was great, very personable and checked on us frequently. The bathrooms were clean and large, too.

Tonight was as good as we hoped for. We actually had the same meals as last time and added deep fried onion strips. We brought home enough for another meal each. That will be tomorrow night. It was a delicious meal and service was so polite and kind.

We enjoyed the buffet at this restaurant. Great ambiance, decor and service . The deserts at the buffet weren't that great but food was good overall. The mango lassi is to die for!

Best Indian food I have ever had. I highly recommend this place ! Service was great!

It's been awhile. Got the taste for Indian food, so visited our local. Nice indoor and outdoor seating areas. Tables aren't squeezed together, so, while busy, you don't feel like you're imposing on your dining neighbor. Apparently, the wait staff couldn't decide who was waiting on our table and the maitre'd comped us on our appetizer. A pleasant surprise. Unique and tasty mixed drink menu and a nice selection of Indian bottled beers. We shared veggie samosas. My dining partner/Better Half got the Chicken Tiki Masala entree, your humble author got the Chicken Vindaloo. Garlic Naan topped off the repast. A pleasant experience and very tasty food.

Lunch buffet here should not be missed! Lots of options as well as vegetarian options. It stays pretty busy and food getting restocked often. Right under $16 per person. The space is big and with plenty of seating! The food is bomb! I love all the dishes! The only thing I pass on is the fish. Pics are from 2 different times we've came here.

Wow! First time here. We did our meal family style. Staff very accommodating to us since we have limited experience with Indian food. Fresh ingredients I think I could eat this way every night! Fair prices Ask for Keadin -he's a knowledgeable server with a great personality

The restaurant has been around for awhile, and we had stopped going for a period because the sauces were sweet. That was long ago, and I'm so glad we went back! Great naan, delicious curries (fish Malabar is delicious), excellent veggie pakoras and daals. Atmosphere is pleasant, modern and comfortable, and there's a nice selection of wines in addition to the usual beers too!

This is a very spacious indoor restaurant with nice outdoor seating as well. The parking is okay. It's also about expectations, everyone is under staffed, so I always appreciate the service staff who are working. Having said that the service was fast and efficient . It's also about being realistic about the food. It serves Indian food,( including vegetarian choices.) naan, chicken Tiki Masala,lamb, goat, and vegetarian dishes.Classic Tandoori Chicken, curry chicken mandaras. The staff were monitoring the food in the line constantly while I was there even though it was two o'clock. It's still It's a great place with lots of choices good food, wonderful staff and a nice atmosphere. It would be a great place to take people who have never experienced indian food before to go to a buffet and have plenty of choices. It definitely can accommodate larger groups.

Saffron biryani! A mix of all meats and veggies with the most flavorful Basmati rice ever! Flavor is crazy!

Saffron is a beautiful Indian restaurant with great staff and service. I had heard glowing reviews for years and finally made it there. I have to say while not bad it really was unremarkable. The prawns I ordered lacked flavor and the serving size was small for the price. The lamb kebabs were indeed delicious, though again the portion size was small. Neither came with rice or sides which I found surprising. We also tried the garlic naan which lacked flavor and had a strange texture. Cocktail wise I tried the Chai Martini which was watery and bland. The server was kind enough to let me try a different drink, the Arizona Beach which was tasty and a bit sweet. TLDR: Smaller portions, lamb kebabs rock, otherwise pretty bland.

LOVE the lunch buffet - such a great deal. They even allow you to take it go! Also love the malai kofta! Highly recommend!

Not only is the daily and special holiday lunch buffet a great deal, this is some of the best Indian restaurant food we've had anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.

My kids took me there for my birthday. The lunch buffet was good, the atmosphere was pleasant. On the quieter side, the bathrooms are clean and nice. Our service was not good. Lien was our waitress. My son ordered off of the regular menu instead of the buffet, and I had to go get the menu from the wait stand. My daughter and I were completely finished with our food and my son's still had not come. I had to flag people down for water refills. The manager/host walked by and asked if we were doing okay. I said we were still waiting on my son's stuffed naan. (Which when it finally showed up, was really good) He went into the kitchen and within a couple of minutes brought the food out. I was disappointed that the gulab jambin were offered on the buffet, but they are on the menu. And the spice leveled is very mild and there is nothing to add to it, from. The buffet to spice things up. I might go again, since most of the other Indian buffet options have closed in Tucson. But if I were giving it a grade, like in school, I would say C+.

Not my first time here but I don't recall writing a review when I visited a couple of years ago. Every visit here has been great so far. I would say the only things I'd like to have is a more street-vendor style roti and a bit less tangy vindaloo and raita, but overall I loved the food. Next time I will try another Indian restaurant but I won't take this one of my list. Service was stellar and the ambiance is date-night worthy.

The hands-down best restaurant in Tucson. The best food, the best service, the best everything.

Love the food and the service and this establishment. We called in our order and it was packed well.

Where do I start... When we talked in the front door we were greeted with a smile and a good evening. I know it's the little things and that's big for me. First impressions..... Sam our server (Amazing, Great Smile). She was very helpful and kind on our selection of appetizers to our main entrée. This was the first time my girlfriend and I have been to Saffron.... We sat outside do to the weather being Amazing paired with my company and a Great outside patio area. Appetizers were amazing. We had the coconut shrimp paired with some sauce. I can't remember. But that was amazing. Moving onto our entrée I will post pictures on yelp but just Amazing. No other words could say but just Amazing. The owner I believe .. younger gentlemen came out and asked us how our meal was.. and actually had a good conversation with him. Again, first Impressions... I would and will continue to eat and tell all my friends about this Amazing gem in Tucson. Keep up the great customer service amazing food and beautiful smile Sam.

I had been meaning to come to Saffron's buffet for a long time and finally made a trip up here for a delicious meal. I love Indian food and having all of the options that a buffet offers, but sometimes buffets get a bad rap due to food sitting out. That wasn't an issue here, as everything tasted super fresh, and the staff tended to it often. My favorites were the chicken curry and chana masala, but everything was delicious and fun to try. It's also a good value at $15.95. Service was decent but did have to ask for waters to be refilled. I had two plates of food and felt stuffed, but I'm already looking forward to going back!

yall I really didn't want to leave a review, place is beautiful and the staff was very nice. Upon tasting the food it had absolutely no flavor at all, I got the spicy butter chicken my girlfriend got the medium tikki masala and both tasted the same. the garlic naan was super bland and overly strong garlic taste. For $60 you'd be much better going to Twisted Indian. This is a place of no flavor and was clearly represented, I walked in and saw nothing but overweight white people. If you like seasoned food pls don't go here

This review is for the buffet only. Served every day from 11-3. I couldn't find a good Indian buffet in Tucson until I found this place. Is it the best Indian food you've ever tasted? No. Is it great for a buffet? Yes. I'm shy about buffets because the food is usually lukewarm no matter the quality. This place does a good job of keeping the curries very warm. No so much with the nan, but I could feel the hot temp in my mouth when I took a bite. Big bonus points from me. One other thing that sets this place apart is that they serve tandoori chicken. I don't think I've seen that at a buffet before. It could use a little more seasoning but it's good overall and a welcome surprise. The buffet has a couple of rices, a half dozen curries, cauliflower, fried fish, and the aforementioned nan and tandoori chicken. The station is clean and presentable. It's not a huge buffet so if a few people want food is gets kind of busy, but it clears out quickly. You can choose a regular plate or a tray, and the trays are a great idea to isolate the curries and prevent them from running together. See the enclosed pic. The curries have nice flavor. I stuck with the chicken tiki masala and BBQ chicken. The BBQ chicken was another welcome surprise. Good BBQ flavor while being served curry style. The nan was just OK. I like fresher (hotter) nan. The staff was really friendly and they come to your table often to refill your water which is nice since I drink a lot. Seating was quick and easy. The eating area is clean and open. Feels fresh. The price was $15.95 for the buffet and I stuck with water. Add tax and a $4 tip and I was out the door for $21.33. Good value overall. Will return.

Lowkey the most insane prices... but also it was tasty so who am I to judge! The economy is tough out here guys ‍

Very clean Excellent service Good variety of dishes on the buffet Did take a little time to replace the tandoori chicken and the kherr

- love the buffet and it is consistently delicious, fresh and flavorful - the service is always excellent. Everyone is welcoming and kind! - the ambiance is unique and very chill. I like the outside area a lot !

Under chefs specials you can choose any dish vegetarian, and it has a few options we've never tried before because many Indian restaurants aren't as flexible. We ate takeout from here many times and found that the food kept very well as leftovers. We liked: Samosas: deliciously spiced Onion bahji: deliciously spiced Malai kofta: tomato based sauce different from what we're used to, but still delicious Paneer tikka masala Vegetable/paneer buna--tasted better from the second day onward once flavors melded Bengan bharta Malabar vegetables Yogurt masala (kadi): very good, flavor of sauce and pakora like vegetables Mango lassi: tasty and kept well in the fridge as I split it over several meals Ok: pakoras have good flavor and the tamarind and mint sauces were good, though the texture of the pakoras were dense Korma: mild was lacking Dhansak: a lentil dish which reminds me of an Indian kidney bean dish I've cooked Rogan josh: very good first two times, but 3rd time we got this mild and it bore no resemblance to what we remembered having previously (bland af, was it a mistake?) 4th time only ok Madras vegetables Aloo matter gobhi: mild was too mild in flavor, needed more sauce Aloo matter paneer: too mild in flavor Don't get again Curry: mild version bland Saffron mughlai: we weren't fans of this one, and finished it but wouldn't reorder it Karhai paneer: mild was lacking Garlic naan: too flat and firm Plain naan Roti We had to start ordering "mild" spice level due to my heartburn issues, so it could be some of the dishes are better medium and hotter.

The space itself is an open and gently elegant space, suitable for nicer dinners to relaxed ones. Overall the service was great and so was the food. Pretty neat that when we visited they had a robot delivery system. There are several vegan friendly options available here. While everything was tasty and enjoyable to experience, I personally myself, without being able to pinpoint why, wasn't a fan of the flavors but I do fully feel that it's a personal thing and nothing to do with the quality of food. Everything was beautifully delivered and while I myself may not dine here again, my family and friends enjoy this place and will visit many more times.

So good! I am Indian so I am very critical as I have had un flavored experiences elsewhere. Saffron bistro did not disappoint!!! Everything was flavorful and tasty!

From entry to exit our experience was fabulous and my husband enjoyed the buffet. I had the Mango latte and fish and sambas! Such consideration by staff and manager... Happy Father's Day!

Wow wow wow. Came here with my coworker who is from West Bengali and we are both very impressed. We did the buffet and I had everything. It was all perfect. My favorite was the ride pudding. Similar to Mexican ride pudding but lighter in flavor. The naan was soft and well fade. The curry was amazing very well flavored. And my favorite part. The chicken wasn't dry. The ambiance is very cute and I love the wall sconces they chose very unique and adds a warmth of light.

We were quickly seated and greeted by an amazing server that was attentive and kind. He made a couple suggestions and we landed on the chicken Saffron Mughlai and butter chicken. The sauces were fantastic and portions very generous. We loved visiting this restaurant and look forward to another visit soon!

The ambience was calm and chill, our waiter was exceptional, his name was Andy. Super friendly and super helpful. We ordered butter chicken, and a fish dish. The butter chicken was very good and we also ordered the naan bread which was amazing. However, the fish that we ordered to us was way undercooked. It was almost like gelatin texture. But overall a very good place.

Heads Up!!: Unfortunately my friend got severe food poisoning and has been severely sick and suspects food was left to sit before eating/served to public.

We have been going since they opened. Sometimes it was great, sometimes just ok. Lately they have been hitting a very high mark every time we dine, no matter what we order. Their Mahi-mahi Tikka Masala is delicious and you can't go wrong with any of their vegetarian dishes. The Nan is fair. Service is excellent and the ambience is upscale for an Indian restaurant in Tucson. Saffron has become our new favorite (although they could raise the spice level a little- we order spicy and it is not really).

Went on the weekend and were able to get a table right away for dinner. They do have both an indoor and outdoor seating area, however I have never actually seen the outdoor patio being used. Customer service from our server was excellent! Ordered the fish pakora as an appetizer along with trying the curry and naan. Had the saffron ajwain fish for an entree, which is my absolute favorite item on the menu. The spicy seasoning on the mahi mahi is really good and they cook it in a clay oven. One of the best Indian food restaurants in town and I like how they give you a reusable bag to take home your leftovers instead of a disposable one.

Ordered takeout and it was ready right when we got there. Ordered malai kofta and a karhai paneer. The malai kofta was SO good! Didn't love the karhai paneer as much, not as flavorful as I would've expected. We also ordered a few naan and some pieces were completely burnt. The manager was AMAZING about it and immediately issued a partial refund! Wouldve rated 3 stars for the food quality but service was above and beyond so added a 4th star. Would definitely order again and try other dishes.

It's been a while since I wrote a review of Saffron It's clean light and airy, lots of room between tables, Bollywood themed wallpaper in the bathroom. I have been frequenting the buffet lately, it's fresh and I love the separation in the trays. The separation trays are common in India and I love it. I haven't been to India in a moment and this place reminds me of the good parts of my trips there. Also I go to Kababaque down on University for their lamb wraps and other stuff. Also the bathrooms are clean.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal at Saffron. Our food was prepared exactly as we asked. Service was attentive and friendly. We went on a busy Saturday night. Portions were a good size. We will be going back soon.

Ambiance a bit cool. Saag paneer and lamb vindaloo 4 star--not the best ive had, certainly not the worst. Had mango cocktail--too sweet, not much alcohol--like a bery sweet glass of juice. A pleasant, but not outstanding experience. Would NOT be good for kids unless very well behaved--definitely date night atmosphere.

I ordered online, it was good i got the tikka masala and the garlic naan will definitely be ordering again soon.

Saffron has been a family favorite for years. We love the food, service, and ambiance, especially the expanded patio.

Chicken vindaloo is yummy. Their naan could be better. The samosas were good but I've had better. Our server tonight was Dani. Service was impeccable.

Good Indian food but a bit white washed in my experience. The food is good but not great. Service tends to be decent in a formal dining experience. Ambiance is upscale and price reflects this even when the food doe not.

I ordered Chhole Kulche today. Instead of kulcha, I got focaccia bread. Very disappointed

One of my five stars! Our first time trying this place, we came at the right time. Few minutes before the place got busy. As we walked into the restaurant the aroma of good food greeted us. Wait time was less than 10 minutes, which is really good. The dining are is open and contemporary. They a small bar which I think is really neat. Not cluttered. They have this robot that brings out to go orders. As we were seated, our server served an appetizer called papadums that came with two dips. It is really good!! Our choice of beverage is Fresh squeezed lemon lime soda, which is really refreshing. An order of Vegetable Samosa, for our appetizer. Chicken Biryani, Fish Tikka Masala an order of Chicken Tikka Naan. Everything was delicious, and they give you a good amount of food. This place is highly recommended. This is my go to place when I'm craving for Indian food.

Ordered again through the Relish food app. Food came promptly and was still hot. This is Consistently delicious Indian food; the flavoring of these dishes is done real well. Meat not as tender as I'd hope but so happy with the creamy sauce. Love the curry vegetables; perfectly done. Equally seasoned and the rich cumin that went too overpowering.

I just came back from India and have been looking for an Indian restaurant, this place is as close to the food in northern India as you can find. Don't assume it is going to be so spicy that you can not enjoy it. I can handle extra hot so when I ordered I was very surprised and pleased about the spice level My friend ordered mild and he said it was very tasty and flavorful. I ordered the lamb and being very picky, It was tender and delicious. I highly recommend it and yes it is kid friendly!!