So, you're an Indian food lover or would like to try Indian food, and want to know where in our nation's capital to find the best all-you-can eat Indian buffets?

As you might already know, Ottawa has a great abundance of Indian restaurants.  But most of these restaurants simply don't meet the high standards that I require before I share my “foodie intel” with other restaurant goers in the city.  

Unfortunately, many Indian restaurants in Ottawa fall in three categories.  First category is very average or mediocre.  Second category is very, very greasy and tired looking food that looks like it could have been re-heated.  Third category are Indian restos what I wouldn't even step foot in because they have not passed Ottawa public health inspections.

If you want to avoid food poisoning risks, it is definitely best to avoid such restos.  Unfortunately, one of my one time favourite Indian restos in the Rideau Street area slacked its standards, and I have no plans to eat there anymore until there''s a dramatic change in their inspection reports.

When I make a restaurant recommendation, you can rest assured that I will be recommending places that you delicious food, great servings, value for your money, and places which have high standards of cleaniness.  I'm a germaphobe, and I constantly check the city's health reports

So, here are my picks for Ottawa top Indian.

1 . Light of India (Bank Street in the Glebe)

We featured Light of India's buffet in the above video that we produced.  I would rate Light of India 1 because of four must try food items that far exceed their competitors in Ottawa.  Those food items are their Tandoori Chicken; Curry Chicken; Samosas, and Rice.

Rice you say?  Their rice is excellent and helping bring their dishes together.  You might be surprised how many restos in Ottawa I would give a family grade for flavourless, overcooked, or low quality short grain which tastes also terrible.  The only other resto in Ottawa that I would also give an 'A' grade for their rice is Talay Thai which is a fabulous place to go for Thai cuisine in the city.

Their butter chicken is also a favourite among regulars.  Unlike other restos in the city, it is not heavy with a light sweet taste.  Other restos like Coconut Lagoon in particular have great buttered chicken.  Migh you might feellike you had a Thanksgiving dinner after a couple of servings.

The wonderful difference between Light of India and all its other competitors in Ottawa is their homemade quality.

The Light of India also features the best gulan jamun in the city during the lunch buffet .  It's a great way to round off your lunch buffet.  And it's the only Indian dessert that I will give my stamp of approval in the city.  For example, one time I tried a dessert at a "to be unnnamed" Indian restaurant - simply awful!  I had to immediately run to Loblaws to relieve the nausea.  When I later complained to then they said it was way of cheese "from Bombay".  Maybe that was a bit of Mumbai belly?

As a footnote, their gulan jamum at that place was passable but in no way as delivious as Light of India's.

Wikipedia elaborates that gulab jamun (also spelled gulaab jamun) is a milk-solid-based South Asian sweet, particularly popular in India, Myanmar, Nepal (where it is known as lalmon), Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is also common in Mauritius and the Caribbean countries of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname and Jamaica. It is made mainly from milk solids, traditionally from freshly curdled milk. It is often garnished with dried nuts like almonds to enhance flavour.

Eating at the Light of India is the closest you will get to eating at an Indian's family's home.  It's the only Indian restaurant in Ottawa that I would eat on a weekly basis because the food is not heavy, overly spicy, or with “mystery” ingredients that restaurants that sometime put in food that can make it flavourful, but your body might not particularly like.

Light of India's staff is also friendly and the resto is clean.   They are also very receptive to restaurant-goers who are seeking delicious gluten-free options.

All photos which accompany this article were taken at the Light of India.  Watch the above video for our special Light of India feature.

Coconut Lagoon (Saint Laurent - north of Saint Laurent Shopping Mall, and near Vanier)

If you want to get the “Coconut Lagoon Experience” I suggest you try reserving a table for a weekend brunch.  Executive Chef Dan and his staff create an amazing atmosphere for their weekend lunch buffet.

When I have gone their, I have also found a great “buzz” over the weekend.

Coconut Lagoon has a broad selection of items than Light of India.  But their food is also richer, i.e. heavier sauces, etc.

I would go to Coconut Lagoon maybe once a month.  But not weekly like Light of India.

One of my favourite Lunch food items at Coconut Lagoon is their lentil donoughts.  Their lamb curry is also delicious.

Like Light of India, at Coconut Lagoon you will have no problem in getting your money's worth and feeling that you have gotten great value for the quality of food.

Whereas Light of India's food is 'northern India and Pakistani cuisine', Cocunut Lagoon is south Indian cuisine which traditionally has more vegetarian options.

3. Kochin Kitchen (Dalhousie Street, near the Byward Market)

Kotchin Kitchen is definitely high end in its food.  It is also meets my high standards of cleanliness.  

You will also definitely get grateful value for your money going to their lunch buffet.  If you like spicy / hot and somewhat rich food with creamy sauces this will be the place for you.  But personally, I would only eat there once every couple of months – a bit too heavy / spicy / rich for me.

Coconut Lagoon is also rich but less “spicy intense” than Coconut Lagoon.

Kochin Kitchen has efficient and polite staff but less friendly than either Light of India or Coconut Lagoon.