Essence of India Menu

Cozy, casual spot serving Indian food, wine & beer in a space decorated with Indian artwork. Based on 343 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.3 stars. Price $$

✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ No-contact delivery

Essence of India 60625

Address:
4601 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Phone: (773) 506-0002

Website: https://www.essenceofindiachicago.com/

Social Profile:

Hours

Thursday	4:30–9 PM
Friday	4–9:30 PM
Saturday	12–3 PM, 4–9:30 PM
Sunday	12–3 PM, 4–9 PM
Monday (Labor Day)	4:30–9 PM Hours might differ
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	4:30–9 PM

Lunch/Dinner Menu
Vegetable Samosas Two deep fried crispy stuffed pastries with potatoes and green peas	$3.95
Vegetable Pakoras Vegetables of the day dipped in a lentil batter and deep fried until crisp and golden	$3.95
Vegetable Cutlets Two deep fried patties made with seasoned vegetables	$3.95
Paneer Pakoras Home made batter fried cottage cheese fritters	$5.75
Papadum Crispy, delicate thin wafers (4) of seasoned lentil flour	$1.95
Masala Papadum Papadum topped with onion, cilantro, tomato, spices and masala	$2.50
Vegetable Sampler Platter includes a vegetable samosa, a vegetable cutlet and vegetable pakoras	$7.95
Jhinga Karahi Deep fried shrimp marinated in vinegar and lemon juice along with garlic, ginger, sesame seed, black pepper and corn flour	$6.95
Non-Vegetarian Sampler From The Tandoori Oven Platter includes chicken malai kabob, murg tikka, shrimp and seekh kabab	$11.95
Malai Ka Kofta Fresh cottage cheese and potato, dried fruit, and Indian spices in a tomato and cream sauce	$10.95
Shahi Paneer Cubes of fresh cottage cheese in a rich cashew, tomato and cream gravy	$10.95
Saag Chaman Spinach and homemade cottage cheese simmered in spices	$10.95
Mutter Paneer Combination of peas and cheese cooked in a rich creamy sauce	$10.95
Paneer Khurchan Homemade cottage cheese with yellow, red and green bell peppers, onions, tomato and Indian spices	$10.95
Baigan Bharta Smoked, pureed eggplant cooked with tomato and onion	$10.75
Bhindi Ka Masala Mild curry sauce cooked with fresh okra, tomatoes and onion	$10.75
Gobhi Gulastan Cauliflower and potatoes cooked with herbs and ginger	$10.75
Vegetable Korma Corn, potatoes, carrots, green peas, green beans and cottage cheese in a curry sauce	$10.75
Aloo Do Pyaza Potatoes, onion and tomato mixed with Indian spices	$10.75
Chana Masala Chick peas cooked in a curry sauce with onions, tomatoes and Indian spices	$10.75
Mushroom Mutter Sliced mushrooms and peas saute’d in a creamy curry sauce	$10.75
Dal Makhani Black lentils cooked in a curry sauce	$8.95
Dal Turka Yellow lentils saute’d with onion, garlic, ginger, tomato, Indian spices and whole red chilies	$8.95
Tandoori Shrimp Jumbo shrimp marinated in caraway seeds and a flavored yogurt blended with Oriental spices	$19.95
Seekh Kabab Tender rolls of minced lamb mixed with herbs and spices cooked in the tandoor oven	$11.95
Bhuni Machhli Catfish flavored with tamarind then cooked in the tandoor oven	$15.95
Indian Chicken Tandoori Skinless chicken marinated in spices and yogurt then barbecued in the clay oven	$9.95
Chicken Malai Kabob Chef’s Specialty Skewered boneless chicken marinated in vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, egg white, corn flour and cream cheese with a sprinkle of lemon juice, green chili and cilantro	$14.95
Murg Tikka Skewered boneless chicken marinated in yogurt, herbs and spices then barbecued in the clay oven	$12.95
Lamb Chops Lamb chops marinated in yogurt and spices then barbecued in the tandoor oven	$15.95
Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani) Tandoori chicken simmered in tomato sauce, butter and spices	$11.95
Murg Lajwab Boneless chicken marinated with herbs and spices in a curry sauce	$10.95
Chicken Shahi Korma Chicken, nuts and spices prepared in a mild creamy curry	$11.95
Chicken Karahi Masala chicken tossed with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions and fresh garlic	$11.95
Murg Tikka Masala Skewered boneless marinated chicken cooked with Indian spices and herbs in a cream sauce	$13.95
Achari Murgh Tender pieces of chicken cooked with ground spices such as cumin, rye, fennel and fenugreek	$11.95
Chicken Saag Boneless chicken and spinach cooked in a gravy sauce	$11.95
Bhuna Chicken Chicken in a masala sauce with onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger and green chilies	$11.95
Chicken Vindaloo Marinated chicken and potatoes with fresh herbs, vinegar and spices	$11.95
Gosht Korma Cubes of lamb cooked in a sweet saffron sauce combined with finely ground raisins and almonds	$12.95
Lamb Pasanda Lamb marinated in yogurt then cooked in a cream sauce	$12.95
Rogan Josh Lamb marinated in a spiced yogurt with an onion and tomato gravy	$12.95
Lamb Palak Lamb and fresh spinach leaves cooked in a combination of ginger, coriander, garlic and garam masala	$12.95
Achari Gosht Tender pieces of lamb cooked with ground spices such as cumin, rye, fennel and fenugreek	$12.95
Lamb Vindaloo Marinated lamb and potatoes with fresh herbs, vinegar and spices	$12.95
Goan Lamb Lamb curry cooked in a coconut sauce	$12.95
Goan Fish Curry Catfish cooked in a spicy coconut curry sauce	$14.95
Jhinga Masala Shrimp cooked with onions, ginger and Indian spices	$14.95
Shrimp Vindaloo Marinated shrimp and potatoes with fresh herbs, vinegar and spices	$14.95
Amritsari Fried Catfish Deep fried breaded catfish marinated in garlic and ginger paste	$14.95
Non-Vegetarian Biriyani Traditional Indian rice dish made with vegetables, herbs and your choice of:	$11.95
Vegetable Biriyani Traditional Indian rice dish made with vegetables and herbs	$10.95
Peas Pulao Fried rice cooked with peas	$7.95
Kashmiri Pulao Saffron flavored basmati rice with dried fruits and nuts	$8.95
Saffron Rice Basmati rice cooked with saffron threads, cardamom and cloves	$7.95
Plain Basmati Rice Long grain steamed basmati rice	$3.95
Naan Leavened bread made in the tandoor	$2.50
Butter Naan Naan with butter	$2.75
Garlic Naan Naan topped with garlic	$2.95
Keema Naan Naan stuffed with ground lamb	$3.95
Peshwari Naan Naan topped with cherries, pistachios and coconut	$2.95
Onion Kulcha Flour bread stuffed with onions	$2.95
Paneer Kulcha Flour bread stuffed with homemade cottage cheese	$3.95
Paratha Tandoori Whole-wheat dough twisted and lightly brushed with butter and cooked in the tandoor	$2.75
Pudina Paratha Paratha layered with fresh mint	$2.95
Aloo Paratha Paratha stuffed with potatoes	$2.95
Tandoori Roti Flat bread cooked in the clay oven	$1.95
Poori Two puffy deep fried breads	$3.50
Bread Assortment 1 peshwari naan, 1 garlic naan, 1 onion kulcha and 1 pudina paratha	$9.95
Raita Plain yogurt mixed with cucumber, herbs and spices	$2.50
Mango Chutney Sweet pickles made from mangoes	$2.95
Mixed Salad Individual lettuce salad with tomato, onion, carrot, and cucumber, garnished with lemon wedges, green chili and cilantro	$2.95
Gulab Jamun Golden fried dumpling of milk pastry soaked in a sweet syrup	$3.95
Ras Malai Flat cottage cheese dumpling poached in milk and garnished with pistachios	$3.95
Kheer Indian version of rice pudding made with basmati rice, sugar and nuts	$3.50
Gajar Ka Halwa Cooked grated carrots combined with sugar, milk, butter, cashews and raisins	$3.95
Kulfi Indian style ice cream: choice of pistachio or mango	$4.25
Essence Faluda Chef’s Specialty Mango, pistachio and rose flavored ice cream layered with Indian soft noodles and tukmari (similar to tapioca) then topped with a touch of rose syrup	$5.95
Lassi Homemade yogurt shake Choice of sweet or salted	$2.50
Mango Lassi Homemade mango yogurt shake	$3.50
Masala Tea (Chai) Indian style tea boiled with water, milk and herbs	$1.95
Soft Drinks	$1.95
Coffee/Tea	$1.95
Cappuccino	$3.50
Espresso	$2.50
Wine and Beer Menu
Shiraz Ripe cherry and plum fruity flavors with peppery notes mark this smooth, medium-bodied Shiraz. With nuances of oak, this deep purple wine has great balance and a lingering finish. It pairs well with tandoori and tikka sauces as well as lightly spiced curries.
Sauvignon Blanc Rounded wine with a nice mellow fruity nose mixed with sweet pea aromas. The pale green colored wine with herbaceous flavors has a harmonious finish. It pairs well with mild to spicy Indian dishes as well as fish preparations
Chenin Blanc Fruity wine with tropical fruit aromas. Fresh, pale colored wine is semi-dry and has a good acidity with a lingering finish. It pairs well with mild and less spicy Indian cuisine.
Sauvignon Blanc Complex and crisp wine with flavors of green grass, and bell pepper aromas with hints of spice and gooseberries. The wine has a racy acidity with a wonderful long finish and pairs well with spicy Indian foods.
Chenin Blanc An off-dry wine with tropical fruit aromas and mineral notes. The pale colored wine has a nice acidity to balance the residual sugar and has a good long finish. It is a great aperitif wine and pairs well with moderately spicy Indian food.
Minimi Pinot Grigio, Veneto
Tiefenbrunner Chardonnay
Stefano Farina, Gavi
Aviognonesi Chardonnay, Toscana
Georges Duboeuf Viognier (Fruity, Floral Flavor)
La Ginestra Chianti, Toscana (Classic Chianti)
Le Bocce Chianit Classico, Panzano
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile (Pairs Well With Tandoori Dishes)
Morgante Nero D’Avola, Sicily (Spicy Fruity Flavor With Hints Of Herbs/Pepper)
Riverside White Zinfandel, California (Fruity And Sweet)
Due Torre Merlot, Veneto (Plum And Raspberry Flavor)
Santa Rita Merlot
Mionetto Proseco, Veneto (Fruity And Dry)
Kingfisher Lager (350 Ml)
Kingfisher Lager (660 Ml)
Maharaja Pilsner (350 Ml)
Taj Mahal (350 Ml)
Taj Mahal (660 Ml)
Heineken
Amstel
Miller Genuine Draft
Miller Lite

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Reviews

Debby Hsieh

OMG I enjoyed every bite.We ordered Keenan Samosas,Lamb Pasanda and Yogurt Fish. Love it,definitely come back again.

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Lena Jennings

Stopped by for dinner as a result of a long wait at a nearby restaurant. Indian restaurant located on the corner so we decided to stop by. The restaurant was not crowded for a Saturday night and we were seated right away. The menu was really extensive and had the classic Indian staples. Ordered lamb samosas, garlic naan? butter chicken, and shrimp biryani. Absolutely amazing. Everything was phenomenal and so well seasoned. Perfect flavor. Fast service. I can’t wait to return.

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Anneliese Doherty

Oh my gosh, so delicious that I crave it on chilly Chicago evenings! Seriously, to die for!

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Ricardo

The food was good, but not as good as many other places I have tried in the city. Service was great, everyone was very polite and attentive. The butter chicken was just a bit runny and a little sweet.

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Chicago Northside Church of the Nazarene

We have gone to Essence of India many, many times, and we LOVE IT!! Fantastic food. Amazing service. If you haven’t yet checked it out, you’re missing out. Go today!

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Bryan Shrode

Worst Indian food I’ve ever had. Lamb Vindaloo was so vinegary it was inedible. Naan was flavorless and charred to a blackened crisp. Murg Tikka Masala was mostly water with barely any chicken. Nothing I ordered was good, Super disappointing.

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THE REDREAPER

I lived my whole life in Lincoln Square 36 years. I never had this place before tonight. Amazing food. Great little busy corner of Lincoln Ave. Open until 9pm but Tues. I am coming back! Perfect.

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anil kumar gutlapalli

We got food from “Essence of India” for my daughter’s birthday and we got great feedback about the food. We were treated really well and the owner helped us with the estimate of food for the number of people, suggested better dishes and made sure the food was delivered hot, packed well and on time. Definitely recommend for great Indian food when you are in this neighborhood. Madras Chicken curry was delicious, naans are soft and tasty and Mango lassi was yummy. Thank You Mr. Satya and staff!

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Beth Field

Some of the best food and people I have ever met. Kind, nice, and cares about each individual customer. I love the owner. I will be back when im back in this area. Thank you kind sir.

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Maxim Yakuba

Delicious food and knowledgeable service. Will come back. My friends didn’t enjoy their food, because it was too much coconut in it. (And too little spices) But my chicken and nan were perfect. I am very curious to try their other menu items.

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Hours

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Essence of India Menu – Chicago, IL

Hours

Menu

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Reviews

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