Located just outside of Wallingford, in North Haven, Zaika Indian Cuisine boasts a wide selection of Tandoori kebabs, curries, and seafood dishes with roots from different regions of India.
In purchasing Zaika in 2014, the Nepalese owners “set out to create an elegant Indian restaurant that offered authentic Indian dishes.” According to the restaurant staff, Indian food is popular in Nepal due to the proximity of the two nations, so the owners had much experience preparing the cuisine before they purchased the restaurant.
Zaika Indian Cuisine’s expansive menu includes marinated chicken in tomato sauce and lamb boti kebab masala.
The restaurant is a ten-minute drive from campus, down Route 5. Students can use UberEats to order from Zaika, but to enjoy the whole dining experience, students should head to the restaurant. They won’t be disappointed. Adorned with elephant decor and jade candleholders, Zaika offers a softly lit, sophisticated atmosphere in which diners can enjoy their meals. They also offer a lunch buffet every day, during which customers can enjoy the restaurant’s vast array of meat curries, naan, rice dishes, salads, and desserts.
Zaika’s menu presents an extensive selection of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. The Saag Paneer, a classic Indian dish of cooked spinach studded with cubes of paneer cheese, is a hearty and filling go-to meal for many vegetarians. Navaratan Korma, which translates to “nine-gem” curry (the gems being the fruits, vegetables, and nuts that constitute the curry), is another delicious selection.
Though Zaika does boast a diverse and delectable selection of eats, some diners feel it does not quite sate their cravings for authenticity. “It’s quite different from home food as they don’t go all out with their spices and flavors,” commented Khushi Tyagi ’20, a student from New Jersey. “However, I do think that the restaurant does a good job with providing non-Indian customers with an introduction to Indian food.”
Zaika is not all about sticking to the classics, however. As their website describes, “Zaika blends authentic Indian cooking with modern styles and presentation, creating a sensory experience unlike any other.”
