Beginner’s Guide to Indian Food: How to order like a pro!

Let’s be honest. Indian menus can feel like a maze if you didn’t grow up around them. So many dishes. So many ingredients. What even is kathal?
But Indian food doesn’t have to be intimidating. At its heart, it’s comforting, flavourful, and made for sharing.

So we’ve put together a little guide based on the frequently asked questions. A friendly hand, if you like. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re finally ready to explore beyond dal and naan, here’s how to get the most out of your Sanskruti experience.

Understanding the regional cuisines of India

Indian cuisine isn’t one thing! It’s a collection of cultures, climates, languages and trade routes. Each region brings something unique to the table, quite literally.

North Indian (Punjab, Kashmir, Delhi)

  • Think rich, creamy gravies, tandoori cooking, warm breads like naan and roti
  • Dishes like Paneer Makhani, Kadai Paneer, and Kathal Lazeez are rooted here
  • Influence: Persian, Mughal and Central Asian which is where all the cream, nuts and slow-cooked sauces come from. Read our article about the similarity in North Indian and Persian cuisine here.

If you’re used to your local curry house, you’re probably most familiar with this style and it’s a comforting place to start.

South Indian (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra, Kerala)

  • Lighter dishes, coconut-based gravies, dosas, rice and lentils
  • Our Masala Dosa, Idli, and Medu Vada come from this region
  • Influence: Ancient Dravidian roots, with tropical ingredients and temple food culture
  • Best enjoyed during warmer months or when you want something naturally gluten-free and easy to digest

Western Indian (Gujarat, Rajasthan)

  • Big on sweet-savoury flavour combinations, millet breads, stuffed vegetables
  • Try Ringan no Oro, Kela nu Shaak, Patra, and Masala Bajra Rotlo
  • Influence: Arid climate, seasonal vegetables, and deep home-style cooking
  • Ideal during colder months or when you want something earthy and grounding

At Sanskruti, you’ll find dishes from all of these regions and some lesser-known but absolutely delicious ones too.

What to Start With (and when)

Appetisers at Sanskruti aren’t just an afterthought, they’re an experience. From crisp street-style snacks to sizzling tandoori platters, here’s how to choose:

For chilly evenings, order a sizzler:

  • Tandoori Mushroom Amritsari: Warm and smoky mushroom, loaded with spice specially carom seeds.
  • Tandoori Paneer Tikka: Hearty, juicy and creamy soft paneer paired with mint chutney
  • Tandoori Gobi: Crisp-edged cauliflower with all the heat of the clay oven

For warmer weather:

For sharing:

  • Sharing Chaat Platter or Tandoori Platter (for 2): A little bit of everything, great if you can’t decide and pick your favourite for the next visit.

Choosing a Main (go where your mood takes you)

Here’s what to look for depending on what you’re feeling:

  • Comforting and creamy: Go for Kaju Masala, Paneer Lababdar, or Malai Kofta
  • Smoky and rustic: Try Ringan no Oro or Bhindi Anari
  • Sweet-savoury curry: Order Kela nu Shaak, Kaju Karela, Good old Korma.
  • Protein-rich and filling: Kathal Lazeez (jackfruit curry) or Channa Masala (chickpea masala)
  • Light and balanced: Palak, Vegetable Jaipuri, or our South Indian food.

Every dish is vegetarian and many are vegan or can be made vegan. We use no meat, fish or eggs in our food

Spice Levels at Sanskruti

Not all Indian food is spicy and at Sanskruti, we’re all about balance. Our dishes range from mild and creamy to bold and fiery, and we’re always happy to guide you based on your preferences.

Here’s a quick look at how we scale things:

  • Mild: Dishes like Ringan no Oro, Malabar Korma or Malai Kofta are rich, gentle and comforting
  • Medium: Options like Chana Masala, Bhindi Anari, Kadhi pakora bring warmth without the burn
  • Hot/ Desi style: Dishes like Lasaniya bateta, Masala Chips, Tandoori Mushroom Amritsari or Chilli Paneer have a proper kick but still full of flavour.

Don’t hesitate to ask if you’re unsure. We can always adjust spice levels where possible.

Bread, Rice or Both?

It depends on the texture of your main:

  • Choose any naan or tandoori roti with creamy or saucy dishes (like Malai Kofta, Paneer Lababdar)
  • Pick bajra rotlo or methi thepla for Gujarati curries or if you want a gluten-free option
  • Vaghareli Khichdi is ideal if you’re after something warming and wholesome
  • Mushroom Rice pairs perfectly with dry dishes like Bhindi or Paneer Tikka
  • Peshwari naan works exceptionally got with the hot curries as it balances the hotness with its sweet coconut filling.

How much to order

If you’re not sure how much to order or where to start, here’s a simple way in: pick one from our street food or starters to wake up your palate – something crisp, tangy or sizzling. Then choose either a hearty dosa to fill you up, or go for a comforting curry with a rice or bread of your choice. If you’re sharing, try two smaller mains and a few sides to dip into. Indian meals are made for mixing and matching, so trust your taste and go with what excites you.

A Few Seasonal Tips from Our Kitchen

  • Winter months: Go for thali for a bit of everything, stuffed parathas, rich-creamy gravies, and the sizzling chocolate heaven is truly heavenly in those freezing cold months. You’d also love the masala chai.
  • Summer months: Opt for dahi puri, Patra, dosas, and lighter gravies like Palak
  • Rainy days: South Indian dishes like Idli, Vada and other starters like bhaji, samosa, vada pav all paired with a hot cup of masala chai!
  • Festive periods (Diwali, Navratri): Order dishes with dried fruits, nuts and rich, celebratory spices like kaju masala, kadhai paneer, dal makhani and make sure to try our classic Indian desserts.

Drinks to Go With It All

Drinks at Sanskruti aren’t just for sipping on the side, they’re chosen to complement our bold flavours and balance the spice.

  • If you fancy something spirited, our cocktails are crafted to cut through rich dishes and bring a fresh kick to your meal.
  • A crisp Chenin Blanc works wonders with creamy gravies and a smooth Shiraz holds up well against earthy dishes like Ringan no Oro.
  • Cobra beer is a classic choice- light, smooth, and paired to compliment a hot curry.
  • Not drinking? No problem. Our mocktails like Summer Crush or Raspberry Sling are fruity, fun and cooling, ideal with chaat and Indo-Chinese starters.
  • Nothing beats a cold mango lassi alongside a spicy thali. It’s soothing, lightly sweet, and helps cool the palate. We’ve got savoury options such as nimbu pain, masala soda too if that’s more your style.
  • If you want to end your meal the way many Indians do, end it with a warming cup of masala chai. It’s spiced, comforting, and feels like a hug in a cup.

Feeling a bit stuck with what to order? That’s totally normal especially when there’s so much to choose from. Maybe you’re curious about something but not quite sure how spicy it’ll be, or whether it’ll go with the rest of your meal.

Just wave us over and ask. Honestly, we love these conversations. We’ll help you mix and match dishes, recommend our personal favourites, and suggest little extras that’ll really bring your meal together. No pressure, no pretence! Just good food, tailored to what you love.

Some of the best stories from our guests have started with “I’d never usually order this, but…”
Check out our Google reviews to see what our guests have been loving.

PS: We have a separate Jain menu which has items that exclude onions and garlic and we also offer a lot of gluten free options. If you’d like to know more, please get in touch.

Book your table and experience the Sanskruti magic!