Marjorie MillerFinding an incredible meal in town can feel like discovering a hidden oasis, much like relaxing in a cozy beauty salon after a long week. When you’re planning a memorable romantic getaway with your partner, sharing a flavorful dinner is the perfect highlight.
And that’s where the best Indian restaurants in Jacksonville come in. Indian food is the ultimate comfort food when you want something satisfying and filled with flavor.
Luckily, the city’s culinary scene is packed with intense spices and comforting textures that’ll blow your mind.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up the must-visit spots you’ll want to try, so read on!
How much does an Indian restaurant cost in Jacksonville?
Indian restaurants in Jacksonville typically cost around $15 to $50 per person, depending on how much you order and whether you choose a casual meal or a full feast.
| Menu Item | Average Cost |
| Appetizers (Samosas, Pakoras) | $6 – $10 |
| Vegetarian Entrées | $14 – $18 |
| Non-Vegetarian Entrées | $16 – $22 |
| Biryani & Rice Dishes | $15 – $22 |
| Breads (Naan, Roti) | $3 – $6 |
| Lunch Buffets | $15 – $20 |
1. 5th Element Indian Restaurant – Town Center
Website: https://my5thelement.com/jacksonville-town-center/
Address: 10208 Buckhead Branch Dr.
Contact: (904) 893-4265
Hours: Mon to Thu: 11 AM – 2:30 PM & 5 PM – 10 PM, Fri: 11 AM – 2:30 PM & 5 PM – 10:30 PM, Sat: 11 AM – 10 PM, Sun: 11 AM – 9:30 PM
5th Element stands out with a fully halal menu, along with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. That makes it easy to feed a big group without stressing over different dietary needs.
Their menu covers everything from crispy mixed vegetable pakoras to hearty samosa chaat, so there’s plenty to choose from.
Plus, they offer event catering for big celebrations like weddings, making them a handy option for busy local professionals craving bold Indian flavors.
The Town Center location is also convenient if you’re grabbing a quick bite after shopping.
The main drawback is their limited afternoon hours. They don’t open early for breakfast, and the kitchen closes from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM on weekdays.
Customer Reviews
5th Element offers excellent, upscale Indian cuisine
5th Element offers excellent, upscale Indian cuisine. I came here for a weekday date night and our server Kaushal ensured that our experience was superb. You can’t miss with the Chicken Tikka Masala and be sure to request the special custom garlic cheese naan. Chai tea and the complimentary mango soft serve made for the perfect finish to our meal.
- Tony Fed | Google Review
Truly a special place where the staff are remarkably nice and courteous
Highly recommend! Fantastic restaurant featuring authentic Indian cuisine that is absolutely unique and delicious. The various fried rice flavors and curries, the Butter chicken and Tandoori chicken were all incredible. Plus, the homemade mango ice cream is the best we have ever tasted. Truly a special place where the staff are remarkably nice and courteous. We will definitely be back! Thank you!
- Lee Hullinger | Google Review
2. Persis Indian Grill
Website: https://www.persisjacksonville.com/
Address: 8490 Baymeadows Road
Contact: (904) 903-7007 | [email protected]
Hours: Mon to Thu: 11 AM – 2:30 M, 5 PM – 9:30 PM, Fri to Sat: 11 AM – 2:30 PM, 5 PM – 10 PM, Sun: 11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9:30 PM
Persis Indian Grill focuses on authentic North Indian classics and juicy kebabs, with a huge menu covering everything from rich biryanis to fresh tandoor plates.
We spoke with a client who tried their fiery chicken vindaloo, and she told us the bold flavor really stood out.
And with such a wide selection, picky eaters will have plenty of options to choose from.
This Baymeadows spot is also open every day, making it a convenient choice for workers looking for a quick lunch.
However, the huge menu can sometimes make the restaurant feel less focused on standout signature dishes. Additionally, they close for a few hours every afternoon, so you won’t be able to grab a late lunch around 4 PM.
Customer Reviews
I have ordered spicy briyani and it didn’t disappoint me
Chicken briyani was awesome. The chicken was tender and well marinated with good amount of massala. I have ordered spicy briyani and it didn’t disappoint me. The spice level was spot on. The rice was cooked nicely with each grain separately rather then being mushy.
Mirapakaya Kodi Vepudu, chicken appetizer had nice taste, with tender chicken and the spice level was good as ordered.
- Hemant Chandel | Google Review
We will definitely be back!
Looking to try a new Indian restaurant and stumbled across this based on google reviews. The people are right, the food is amazing. Samosas were mild-medium spiced and the mint chutney had a great fresh herbaceous taste that cut through the spice. Butter chicken and Lamb Korma were ordered mild/no spice so my son could enjoy them and he definitely loved them both as did we. The star is the biryani, the fluffy rice with the tandori chicken and hints of carmelized onion and dried fruit was the best I’ve had around town. We will definitely be back!
- Bruce Lee | Google Review
3. Karma Indian Restaurant
Website: https://karmajaxindian.com/
Address: 8661 Baymeadows Rd.
Contact: (904) 503-1608
Hours: Sun to Thu: 11:30 AM – 3 PM & 5 PM – 9:30 PM, Fri to Sat: 11:30 AM – 3 PM & 5 PM – 10 PM
Karma Indian Restaurant shakes things up by mixing South Indian classics with fun Indo-Chinese street food. Here, you can enjoy a traditional spicy curry alongside tasty Hakka noodles, giving you plenty of variety in one meal.
We spoke with a regular who highly recommended their fusion dishes. They told us the flavors were incredible, especially if you enjoy trying something beyond the usual tikka masala.
For traditionalists, they still serve excellent biryanis and smoky tandoori plates. Plus, the cozy vibe makes it a nice choice for relaxed weekend family dinners.
Unfortunately, the restaurant is closed early in the morning. Also, if you’re a food purist, you might not love the Chinese fusion options on an Indian menu, so you may prefer another spot for a strictly traditional experience.
Customer Reviews
I had the Chicken Tikka Masala, again WoW, great flavor
We have tried most of the Restaurants on Baymeadows, this is our new favorite one, our waitress was great, everything we had was spot on, tasted great, the bread basket is a great option to get all the Naan, the new garlic and cheese naan was the Bomb! the Vegetable Samosa where awesome the Mix Tandoori Platter was great, 3 different types of Tandoori on the plate the Wife had Butter Chicken super creamy and full of flavor, I had the Chicken Tikka Masala, again WoW, great flavor. the Rice was fluffy not dry …we definitely will be back
- Big Ron | Google Review
Overall excellent experience and I cannot wait to return
Great atmosphere with a pretty interior design. The staff were friendly and helped pick out dishes to meet our preferences. I had the chicken tikka masala and my friend lamb karma curry – they were delicious. Fresh, fragrant, with plenty of sauce. The basmati rice and garlic naan are phenomenal. Overall excellent experience and I cannot wait to return.
- Harry Roberts-Dear | Google Review
4. Masala Indian Cuisine
Website: https://jaxmasala.com/
Address: 9825 San Jose Blvd #6
Contact: (904) 268-6499 | [email protected]
Hours: Mon to Sat: 11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 10 M, Sun: 11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9:30 PM
Masala Indian Cuisine brings together creamy North Indian curries with perfectly crisp dosas. Their menu also shines with comforting lentil bowls and flavorful vegetarian dishes, so plant-based diners have plenty to enjoy.
Plus, their massive daily lunch buffet lets you sample a little bit of everything in one meal. For added convenience, they offer easy online ordering for quick takeout.
They even provide large catering trays for weddings and private parties, making them a handy choice for bigger gatherings.
However, the daily mid-afternoon closure can frustrate anyone craving a late lunch. The strong focus on buffet dining may also disappoint those who prefer a quieter table-service experience.
Customer Reviews
My favorite restaurant
My favorite restaurant. We’ve been coming here for years and have brought many friends and family. The owners know us as frequent customers and greet us each time. My favorite way to eat Indian food is via buffet, so we go often for lunch, but we also love their Coconut Curry Special and Peshwari Naan for dinner. Very good for vegetarians and pescatarians as well. I enjoy watching the Bollywood music/dancing videos while we dine. Always appears clean including the restrooms, and they’ve recently undergone some remodeling.
- K F | Google Review
The restaurant is clean and all of the food on the buffet was good
I was pleasantly surprised to see they were doing lunch buffet and their signs say it is available 7 days a week until 3pm. They have the chi on the buffet and they also have the good paneer tikka masala with the chunks of paneer in it. Atmosphere appears upscale and the staff are friendly. The restaurant is clean and all of the food on the buffet was good. Nothing looked old. Will start going here from now on instead of making the trip to baymeadows.
- Bryan Tucker | Google Review
5. JaxSpice at Beach
Website: https://www.jaxspice.com/locations
Address: 311 3rd St N, Jacksonville Beach
Contact: (904) 853-6217
Hours: Mon to Sun: 11 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM – 10 PM
JaxSpice at Beach serves handcrafted Indian and Nepali meals right by the ocean. Their custom catering menus can feed anywhere from 10 to over 200 guests, making it easy to plan and execute flawless events with their experienced crew.
Beyond catering service, this local brand has grown to three locations across the city. You can enjoy stopping by the beach branch for sizzling chicken tikka after a long day.
Plus, a refreshing mango lassi is perfect for cooling down on a hot Florida afternoon.
Unfortunately, the chain-style setup lacks some of the quirky charm of a standalone kitchen. The strong Nepali influence may also disappoint diners looking strictly for classic Indian recipes.
Customer Reviews
This is a true legit Indian place
Came to this highly recommended Indian place. It’s an upscale take on Indian. Everything was really great. The chefs did an awesome job. Everything seems to be cooked to order and highly flavorful. The chicken biryani was excellent. This is a true legit Indian place. Sanjeev was a great server and was very thorough in explaining everything. Good job guys
- Aaron | Google Review
We always enjoy dining at Jax Spice!
We always enjoy dining at Jax Spice! Our waiter, Sanjeev, provided excellent service and gave great recommendations for our meal. The food was, as always, delicious—we had butter chicken, chicken vindaloo, and the chicken 65 appetizer. The Spicy Margarita and Taj Mahal beer were perfect pairings and never disappoint!
- Erica Sayers | Google Review
