Namaste Indian Cuisine Review — The Experienced Eater S2026E12

Key Takeaways

• Britten's verdict: Namaste is second only to the best Indian food he has had anywhere in the country — and he has eaten Indian food from coast to coast
• Gobi 65 (deep-fried cauliflower in ketchup-buffalo sauce) is Michele's personal favorite — light, crispy, unlike anything else in town
• Lamb Korma is Britten's personal favorite — "absolutely insane" — tender lamb in yogurt sauce over rice
• Cheese Naan reaction: "A sweet Jesus" — dip it in the sauce
• Dinner for Two combo is the recommended entry point for first-timers; staff is excellent at explaining the menu

Summary

Britten and Michele McDowell visited Namaste Indian Cuisine & Bar on North Dixie Highway in Elizabethtown for this week's Experienced Eater segment — and Britten did not hold back on the praise. He has eaten Indian food from the east coast to California, and Namaste sits in second place behind only the best Indian he had in Providence, Rhode Island fifteen years ago. For a restaurant in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, that is not a small thing to say.

They ordered the Dinner for Two combo and worked through the Gobi 65, meat samosa, lamb korma, chicken tikka masala, dal, and cheese naan. Every dish landed.

Full Article

Britten McDowell leads with his credentials when it comes to Indian food because they matter here. He has traveled extensively — east coast, San Diego, San Francisco, and points in between — and the benchmark he always comes back to is a restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island, where he lived for a stretch of his life. That was the best Indian food he had ever eaten.

Namaste Indian Cuisine & Bar is a close second.

"I have talked to people that are far more traveled than I am," Britten said, "and they all sing the praises of this little restaurant in E-Town, Kentucky that is doing it right."

Namaste has been at 1609 N Dixie Hwy #102 in Elizabethtown for well over a decade — Britten noted they have been there at least fifteen years, occupying what used to be a Quiznos in that same strip. They execute consistently. According to Britten, he has never ordered anything off the menu that he did not love. That is a high bar and he says it without hesitation.

What They Ordered

Britten and Michele went with the Dinner for Two combo, which includes a selection of dishes presented together and is designed as a great way to sample across the menu. Here is what came to the table.

Gobi 65 — This was the appetizer standout and Michele's personal favorite. Cauliflower, breaded in flour and lentils, deep fried, and tossed in what Britten described as a ketchup-based buffalo sauce. Michele's take: "It is really light, really crisp — the sauce is like nothing I have ever had before. It has got a little kick to it." It is unlike anything else you will find in Hardin County, and it is a strong opener to the meal.

Meat Samosa — A crispy fried shell filled with a blend of chicken, potato, and vegetables seasoned generously. Britten described it as outstanding. For first-timers to Indian food, samosas are one of the most approachable dishes on any menu and a reliable starting point.

Lamb Korma — Britten's personal favorite, and he was not shy about it. Tender chunks of lamb in a yogurt-based sauce, served over rice. "Absolutely insane," he said. "It is my personal favorite." He put it over rice and described the combination of textures and flavors as something he keeps coming back to every visit.

Chicken Tikka Masala — The classic. They ordered it at medium heat. Britten reported his face turned red. Michele confirmed it was spicy. Both kept eating. Rachel, watching from the studio, noted she would have ordered extra extra spicy — "you know my number," she said. The tikka masala arrived with dal (lentils) on the side, and the combination over rice was, per Britten, exactly what you want.

Cheese Naan — This is where things got quotable. Naan is a flatbread cooked against the side of a clay pot — Britten described it as a super soft pita. With cheese added, you dip it into whichever sauce is on the table in front of you. His reaction: "A sweet Jesus." Two words. That was all he needed.

BRITTEN'S OVERALL TAKE

"They are crazy consistent. They execute everything exceptionally well."

That is the Namaste review in a sentence. Britten added that the staff is excellent at explaining the menu to first-timers, which matters because Indian menus can feel overwhelming if you have not ordered from one before. The Dinner for Two combo takes the guesswork out of it — you get multiple dishes, a range of flavors and heat levels, and a complete picture of what the kitchen can do.

His practical advice: start with mild or medium heat, not Rachel's level. Work your way up. "Be brave, be spontaneous. It is absolutely worth it."

Michele echoed the recommendation and added that Namaste is one of their regular spots — a go-to on what she called "Namaste day," the nights when the week has been long and you want a meal that feels like a reward.

FOR FIRST-TIMERS

The Dinner for Two combo is the entry point. You can also use the menu online or copy it into an AI tool to get dish recommendations based on what you like, which Britten suggested as a smart way to approach an unfamiliar menu. But if you can bring someone who knows the restaurant, even better.

Namaste Indian Cuisine & Bar 1609 N Dixie Hwy #102, Elizabethtown, KY 42701 (270) 900-1129 namasteindiancuisineky.com