Every evening at our Indian restaurant in Amsterdam, we watch the same thing happen. A table opens the menu, scans the long list of curries, breads and grills, and then orders butter chicken. We understand why, and we love making it. But after more than 20 years of cooking in the Jordaan, we know our menu holds far more than the famous favourites.
So we asked ourselves a simple question: if a friend sat down at our table for the first time, which dishes would we bring them? This list is our answer. These are 11 plates that show the full taste of Indian cuisine, from smoky lamb chops pulled straight from the tandoor to a sweet-and-sour Parsi lentil curry most guests have never tried.
If you want the classics first, start with our guide to 12 must-try dishes of Indian cuisine in Amsterdam. This post goes one step further, into the dishes our regulars order once they know us well.
11 Dishes to Order at Our Indian Restaurant in Amsterdam
We have split the list into three parts: dishes from the tandoor, curries with a story, and the vegetarian plates and drinks that round out the table.
From the tandoor
Our clay oven is the heart of the kitchen. It reaches far higher temperatures than a normal oven, which is what gives tandoori dishes their charred edges and juicy centres. You can see every grill dish in our From the Tandoor section, and we explain the craft in From Tandoor to Table.
1. Tandoori Lamb Chop
This is the dish we would put in front of anyone who thinks they know Indian food. Our tandoori lamb chops are marinated in spices, then grilled in the tandoori oven until the fat crisps and the meat stays pink and tender. Eat them with your hands, with a squeeze of lemon and a little raita on the side.
If lamb is your favourite meat, our guide to lamb curry in Amsterdam covers the rest of our lamb dishes.
2. Tandoori Seekh Kabab
Seekh means skewer. Our tandoori seekh kabab is minced lamb mixed with Indian spices, pressed onto long skewers and grilled. It is smoky, juicy and full of flavour, and it makes a perfect sharing plate while you wait for the curries.
3. Garlic Chicken Tikka
Chicken tikka is boneless chicken marinated in yoghurt and spices, then roasted in the tandoor. Our garlic chicken tikka adds a generous dose of garlic to the marinade. If you like tandoori chicken but want something bolder, order this.
4. Tandoori Prawns or Fish Tikka
Seafood lovers often skip the tandoor section, and they miss out. Our tandoori prawns and fish tikka tandoori cook in minutes in the intense heat, so they stay moist inside with a light char outside. They pair beautifully with a fresh salad and a cold beer.
Want to understand why tandoori food tastes so different from a pan-cooked dish? Read about authentic tandoori food in Amsterdam.
Curries with a story
The curry list is where restaurant Indian cuisine shows its range. Each dish below comes from a different region and is built in a different way.
5. Chicken Tikka Dhansak
Dhansak comes from the Parsi community of western India, and it is one of the most surprising curries on our menu. We grill marinated chicken in the tandoor, then cook it with split lentils, pineapple, lemon, chilli and a little sugar. The result is sweet, sour, hearty and gently spicy, all in one spoonful.
We explain where it comes from in Bhuna, Dhansak and Saag Explained.
6. Chicken Tikka Bhuna
Bhuna is named after a cooking method: frying and roasting the spices until the sauce turns thick and dark. Our chicken tikka bhuna is cooked with lots of onions, tomatoes, ginger and garlic. The sauce clings to the chicken instead of pooling in the bowl, so you will want garlic naan to scoop up every bit.
7. Chicken Hariyali
Hariyali means greenery, and this is our green curry. Chicken fillet is cooked in a rich sauce of spinach, mint and cashew nuts. It is fresh, creamy and gentle, a good choice if you want flavour without much heat. Please tell us about any nut allergy, and see our guide to eating Indian food in Amsterdam with allergies.
8. Madras
For guests who like heat but still want to taste every spice, madras is the answer. We marinate and grill the chicken first, then stew it with lemon in a thick, rich sauce. The lemon gives it a tangy edge. Not sure how it compares with vindaloo? Our korma vs madras vs vindaloo guide sets out the heat scale.
Vegetarian plates and a cool finish
An authentic Indian food restaurant should feed vegetarians just as well as meat eaters. These three prove it.
9. Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Paneer is a fresh Indian cheese that holds its shape in high heat. For our tandoori paneer tikka, cubes of paneer are marinated and grilled in the tandoor until golden at the edges. It is filling, smoky and one of the best vegetarian dishes of India to share.
10. Tandoori Soya Chaap
Soya chaap is a much-loved street food in North India: soy-based pieces wrapped around a skewer, marinated and grilled. Our tandoori soya chaap is meaty in texture and rich in spice, so even meat lovers at the table tend to steal a piece. Many of these North Indian favourites have Punjabi roots, which we explore in Punjabi food and its regional roots.
11. Mango Lassi
Every good meal needs a cool finish. Our mango lassi is a smooth blend of yoghurt and mango, and it is the quickest way to calm the fire of a madras or vindaloo. Guests mention it in reviews again and again. If you prefer beer, we also serve Indian lagers Kingfisher and Cobra.
How to Order at an Indian Restaurant in Amsterdam Like a Regular
Indian food is made for sharing, so we suggest ordering for the table rather than one plate each. Think of it as building your own spread, a little like the idea behind an Indian thali in Amsterdam: many small tastes on one table.
- Start with the tandoor. One grill plate such as seekh kabab or lamb chops gets everyone eating.
- Pick two curries with different characters. For example, a sweet-and-sour dhansak next to a rich bhuna.
- Add a vegetarian dish. Paneer tikka or soya chaap keeps the spread balanced.
- Choose your bread. Garlic naan for thick sauces, peshwari naan for hot ones. Our guide to naan, roti, paratha and kulcha helps you decide.
- Set your heat level. Most of our dishes can be made anywhere from mild to very hot. Just tell us.
- Mention dietary needs. We serve vegetarian, vegan and meat dishes, and our team is happy to help.
Eating at home tonight? All of these dishes are available for takeaway and delivery. Our guide to set menus vs individual dishes will help you order well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at an Indian restaurant in Amsterdam if I have never tried Indian food?
Start with something from the tandoor, such as garlic chicken tikka or tandoori paneer tikka. These dishes are full of flavour without a heavy sauce. Pair them with a mild curry like chicken hariyali and a plain or garlic naan.
Which dishes on this list are vegetarian?
Tandoori paneer tikka, tandoori soya chaap and mango lassi are vegetarian. We also serve many other vegetarian and vegan dishes, so ask our team for suggestions.
Can I ask for a dish to be less spicy?
Yes. Most of our dishes can be made from mild to very hot. Tell us how much heat you like when you order.
Can I order these dishes for takeaway or delivery?
Yes. Take-out and delivery are available. You can call us on 020 624 0122 to order.
Where is Shah Jahan?
We are at Eerste Anjeliersdwarsstraat 18, 1015 NR Amsterdam, in the heart of the Jordaan. It is an easy walk from the Prinsengracht and the Westerkerk.
Come and Taste Them for Yourself
Eleven dishes is a lot for one evening, so bring friends, share everything, or plan a second visit. We are a family-owned restaurant that has cooked for this neighbourhood for over 20 years, and we would love to cook for you.
Browse our full menu, then call us on 020 624 0122 or contact us to book a table. For a wider look at the cuisine, read our guide to the best dishes of India or learn the 10 signs of an authentic Indian food restaurant. We look forward to welcoming you to Shah Jahan, your delicious Indian restaurant in Amsterdam’s Jordaan.