Welcome to Nawab, a longstanding mainstay of historic downtown Roanoke. The restaurant has been serving patrons since May '97 in its original location. The offerings at Nawab represent and reflects the 'nest in their genre and cover various regions of India. Various cooking techniques, styles and spice mixes are the base of our menu which incorporates consciously sourced produce and proteins to serve a delicious meal to our diners.
A smart, adequate and diverse wine list and cocktail program complement our food offerings to enhance your dining experience. The dining room has a modern yet casual ambiance and is spacious and relaxing. The view of bustling downtown and passers from our storefront window adds to the charm of the historic building that houses the restaurant.
A smart, adequate and diverse wine list and cocktail program complement our food offerings to enhance your dining experience. The dining room has a modern yet casual ambiance and is spacious and relaxing. The view of bustling downtown and passers from our storefront window adds to the charm of the historic building that houses the restaurant.
Reviews (28)
History Guy
Jan 30, 2022
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Deepthi C.
Jan 02, 2022
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One of the worst indian restaurant. We ordered Biriyani , Roti and Chicken curry. They mixed chicken curry and white rice and then served it as Biriyani. When i have asked, they answered very rudely that, yes we mixed white rice with chicken gravy, and that is our style of Biriyani. If you are a biriyani lover, avoid this place.
Alison M.
Dec 29, 2021
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The only
spot that was open and staffed enough to seat and feed us at around 9pm on a Sunday night in downtown Roanoke!
We seriously walked around for like an hour and went into two places where they were understaffed.
We were happy to find this spot and had excellent food and service in a beautiful, empty dining room.
Nearby bars were busy and full but this spot had some takeout pickups while we were here and two other tables came in right before close.
Staff were attentive and very polite and friendly and the food was quick, fresh, and delicious.
We chose the fried cauliflower and
spot that was open and staffed enough to seat and feed us at around 9pm on a Sunday night in downtown Roanoke!
We seriously walked around for like an hour and went into two places where they were understaffed.
We were happy to find this spot and had excellent food and service in a beautiful, empty dining room.
Nearby bars were busy and full but this spot had some takeout pickups while we were here and two other tables came in right before close.
Staff were attentive and very polite and friendly and the food was quick, fresh, and delicious.
We chose the fried cauliflower and
Janice Tate
Dec 24, 2021
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I had a wonderful experience visiting here with my husband a couple weeks ago. We’ve been craving good Indian food ever since moving to the area and a friend recommended this restaurant. We were greeted with friendly service and loved the intimate ambiance inside. Everything we ordered was delicious and met our cravings! We received attentive and professional service our entire time there. I had wanted a side of French fries with my order which they happily accommodated for me. We did park in the parking lot across from the restaurant and had to pay I believe $7 on a Sunday, just a heads up.
Pearl B.
Dec 21, 2021
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Sadi Jafrey
Dec 17, 2021
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The whole thing had quite a portion that was filling. The beef felt medium well, which was more of my taste. Tenderly cooked salmon. Loved the chicken too, and the shrimp was fresh. The whole assortment was brightened with a generous amount of lemon juice, which simply enhanced the flavour. Bullet naan was seasoned to perfection. The whole thing ended with the rice and purée. Overall, I'd consider it a solid recommendation to my friends and family. Looking forward to another visit.
Especially as a South Asian, I try taking my tastebuds on a trip down memory lane, and this restaurant did exactly
Especially as a South Asian, I try taking my tastebuds on a trip down memory lane, and this restaurant did exactly
Alicia A.
Dec 04, 2021
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Two Bangles Two Pits
Dec 04, 2021
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By far the best Indian food restaurant we have been to !! Absolutely phenomenal food , Service , and environment!! Waiters are extremely knowledgeable about foods . Very patient with those new to Indian cuisine. Highly recommend stopping in you will be very pleased . This will be a spot we frequent as often as we can . Not sure about others but we feel for the service and food you will get the cost is efficient. For two we left with doggie bags full . Just over $100 including two glasses of wine a piece !!
Laurence Walsh
Nov 25, 2021
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Thankful that they were open on thanksgiving with a full staff. We had a lovely dining experience and split the spicy curry lamb and the assorted naan basket. Overall a very pleasant experience. One note for wine enthusiasts, there is a $20 uncorking fee, we discovered when the bill came due. Would visit again!
Rahul B.
Nov 23, 2021
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My friends and I came across this place during our stay in Roanoke. This was a delightful place! We ordered the Patia with Chicken, Ananas Kaju Malai Chicken and the Chilly Paneer. Having grown up in India, I was quite surprised to not have tried the Patia and the Ananas chicken before. We absolutely loved it! Highly recommend this place.
5 STARS!
5 STARS!
C. B.
Oct 20, 2021
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Megan K.
Sep 06, 2021
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Sonja H.
Aug 08, 2021
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It seems as if everything has changed. This has been my favorite restaurant for the last 20 years. Goodness , the entire flavor of the food has changed..... this is my second or third time back in person and the same owners are not there and I asked and they told me the flavor was updated by a person that tastes and establishes the food changes in their restaurant chain.
Chitranjan Nath
Aug 03, 2021
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Rachel M.
Aug 02, 2021
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AMAZING.
My husband and I recently went here, and we will absolutely be back. He always claims to not like Indian food... but his mind is changed now.
The server was friendly and attentive. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful and well-decorated. The food came very quickly and was hot and fresh!
The seasonings they use here are amazing and incredibly delicious.
My husband and I recently went here, and we will absolutely be back. He always claims to not like Indian food... but his mind is changed now.
The server was friendly and attentive. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful and well-decorated. The food came very quickly and was hot and fresh!
The seasonings they use here are amazing and incredibly delicious.
Tess A.
Jul 26, 2021
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Flavor
Price
Quantity of food
This place has it all. The chicken was so tender a knife wasn't even needed and the sauce was to die for! The samosa was spicy and crisp - just the way I like them. The naan was great too with the bread being soft but sturdy enough to withstand my drowning it in the sauce. One dinner entree lasted me 2.5 meals and I was happy to eat it over and over again. The food was just as good reheated as it was fresh!
Price
Quantity of food
This place has it all. The chicken was so tender a knife wasn't even needed and the sauce was to die for! The samosa was spicy and crisp - just the way I like them. The naan was great too with the bread being soft but sturdy enough to withstand my drowning it in the sauce. One dinner entree lasted me 2.5 meals and I was happy to eat it over and over again. The food was just as good reheated as it was fresh!
Lucia N.
Jul 16, 2021
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Rebbecca Dixon
Jun 28, 2021
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This is by far my favorite restaurant in Roanoke! The food is amazing and the service is even better! Building is always clean and accommodating! The only thing I have negative to say is I miss the buffet! But that is Covid’s fault not the restaurant! If you’re debating trying this place…DO IT! You won’t be let down!
Jason Brewer
Jun 27, 2021
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Dawn C.
May 30, 2021
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Jordan Wyatt
May 25, 2021
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Devon E.
May 19, 2021
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Got some yummy take-out from this downtown Roanoke Indian restaurant. I tend to always do the buffet as I have a hard time deciding what to only order as an entrée. As it was dinner time, we decided to go with some classic dishes that we know we love. This was plenty of food, glad my husband stopped me from ordering more like I wanted too. Their staff was very nice on phone and equally appreciative at pick up. Food was nicely packed in mostly reusable containers and labeled.
We got their Samosas (Homemade Pastry, Spiced Potatoes ,Peas ,Tamrind Chutney) as an appetizer. It included two large
We got their Samosas (Homemade Pastry, Spiced Potatoes ,Peas ,Tamrind Chutney) as an appetizer. It included two large
Amanda G.
May 16, 2021
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Consistency is where they shine. Great food and servive every single time.
Location- wonderful, so many places within walking distance, art gallery , pubs etc.
Interior- has a great vibe inside, dine in and carry out options
Menu- ideal menu size with all of the classics, I typically go with the Tikka Masala but every single menu item i have tried is great. The food is always served at ideal temps, presentation is lovely.
Staff- The servers are always perfect, friendly, helpful, and efficient.
one tip if you are a tourist or have never been here make sure they are open at the time you arrive
Location- wonderful, so many places within walking distance, art gallery , pubs etc.
Interior- has a great vibe inside, dine in and carry out options
Menu- ideal menu size with all of the classics, I typically go with the Tikka Masala but every single menu item i have tried is great. The food is always served at ideal temps, presentation is lovely.
Staff- The servers are always perfect, friendly, helpful, and efficient.
one tip if you are a tourist or have never been here make sure they are open at the time you arrive
Alex O.
May 03, 2021
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Seelia C.
Mar 28, 2021
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We ordered garlic naan, mango lassi, Chennai Masala, samosa, and Chicken Kozhambu.
The garlic naan was lighter than Taaza's but definitely could have used more garlic. The mango lassi is good and balanced. The Chennai Masala Chicken's sauce is really good, but the chicken itself was a little dry. The samosas were spiced well but might have needed more time in the fryer because the shell was not golden brown. The tamarind chutney that came with the samosa was overall a bit too sweet for me. The Chicken Kozhambu is good, but there was too much coconut in the curry. It was somewhat overpowering
The garlic naan was lighter than Taaza's but definitely could have used more garlic. The mango lassi is good and balanced. The Chennai Masala Chicken's sauce is really good, but the chicken itself was a little dry. The samosas were spiced well but might have needed more time in the fryer because the shell was not golden brown. The tamarind chutney that came with the samosa was overall a bit too sweet for me. The Chicken Kozhambu is good, but there was too much coconut in the curry. It was somewhat overpowering
Kaleb A.
Feb 20, 2021
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I don't understand businesses that don't follow safety protocols during a pandemic. The individual who retrieved my food was not wearing a mask. There were customers seated in the restaurant not wearing masks (and they were not eating). It's safe to bet that the kitchen staff were not wearing masks either. Threw the food out. Will not be returning.
Amby S.
Dec 03, 2020
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Coming from cleveland where we actually had great Indian food, this place is a no-no for its food. Although their hospitality was incredible, which is why they'll get three stars, the food is not something I would come back here for ever again.
We are happy to see that they are Indian restaurants around here however the dishes that we ordered were not up to standard which was a huge disappointment.
I'm not sure if we will be back here again. The curry was too run down and the pricing for the amount of food they provided was just ridiculous.
We are happy to see that they are Indian restaurants around here however the dishes that we ordered were not up to standard which was a huge disappointment.
I'm not sure if we will be back here again. The curry was too run down and the pricing for the amount of food they provided was just ridiculous.
Audrey B.
Aug 02, 2019
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I have eaten here two times. The first time, service was great and everyone was friendly. Second time, the service was not so great - multiple orders got messed up and had to be re-made, for some reason we had two servers and they kept assuming the other person already helped us or both asked us the same questions. One of the servers was a bit condescending and implied one of the mix-ups was actually our fault for ordering incorrectly when really, one server did not communicate to the other. It was a little strange, but there was also some sort of event going on in the front of the restaurant so
