Nirvana The Taste of India Menu (2025 Update)
Welcome to Nirvana The Taste of India, a culinary gem located at 1680 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA. This restaurant invites you to indulge in an authentic Indian dining experience that plays on age-old family recipes, meticulously crafted with fresh ingredients and rich spices.
The all-day menu offers a tantalizing array of options. Delight in the Chicken Saagwala, featuring boneless chicken simmered with spinach and spices. For seafood lovers, the Shrimp Vindaloo stands out, skillfully balancing heat with a touch of vinegar. Vegan dishes like Sambar Soup provide warming comfort, while dishes like Dal Makhani and flaky naan are crowd favorites.
Each dish tells a story of tradition, and the warm service ensures a memorable dining adventure. Discover why so many have fallen in love with the flavors at Nirvana The Taste of India!
All Day Menu - Seafood
Shrimp Curry
Juicy jumbo shrimp cooked in a spicy curry sauce and garnished with fresh coriander. Served with basmati rice only.
Shrimp Saagwala
Juicy shrimp with fresh spinach and exotic spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Kerala Fish Curry
Fresh swordfish in a coconut sauce with curry leaf, mushrooms, green peppers and onions. Served with basmati rice only.
Shrimp Vindaloo
Shrimp in a spicy curry sauce with potatoes, onions and tomatoes, touched with vinegar. Served with basmati rice only.
Swordfish Masala
Chunks of fresh swordfish in a rich creamy tomato sauce, garnished with fresh coriander. Served with basmati rice only.
Shrimp Do Piaza
Juicy shrimp pan-roasted with ginger, garlic, onions and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Shrimp Masala
Fresh jumbo shrimp, cooked in a rich creamy tomato sauce garnished with fresh coriander. Served with basmati rice only.
Shrimp Korma
Juicy jumbo shrimp cooked in a creamy sauce with nuts and raisins. Served with basmati rice only.
Goan Shrimp Curry
Shrimp cooked in tangy sauce with coconut milk and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Tomato Coconut Soup
Vegan. Creamy tomato soup with spices and a touch of coconut.
Sambar Soup
Vegan. Lentil soup with mixed vegetables and tamarind.
Chicken Soup
Boneless chicken soup, with herbs and spices.
Mulligatawny Soup
Vegan. Spicy hot soup, made with lentils and spices.
All Day Menu - Soup
All Day Menu - Chaat & Salad
Aloo Papri Chaat
Contains gluten. Spiced potatoes and fried wheat wafers tossed with yogurt and sweet and sour sauce.
Garden Salad
Vegan. Seasonal garden greens, tomatoes, onions and cucumbers.
Samosa Chaat
Contains gluten. Spiced samosa deep-fried mixed with cucumbers, chickpeas and tomatoes, with yogurt and sweet and sour sauce.
Aloo Tikki Chaat
Spiced potato patties deep-fried mixed with cucumbers, chickpeas and tomatoes, with yogurt and sweet and sour sauce.
Chicken Chaat
Pieces of white meat chicken and cucumber tossed in our sweet and sour tangy sauce.
Beet Salad
Vegan. Roasted beets, spinach, cucumber, lemon zest and mint.
Bhel
Vegan. A mixture of puffed rice, gram flour sev, crushed poories, tomatoes and onions served with hot and sweet chutneys.
Chat Papri
Wheat chips and chickpeas served with tamarind and yogurt.
All Day Menu - Special Regional Dishes Banglore & Madras
All Day Menu - Special Regional Dishes Dosa
Uttapam
Vegan. A thick rice and lentil pancake topped with tomatoes, onions, green peas and fresh coriander. South Indian-style crepes made with rice and lentils and served with coconut chutney and sambar (lentil soup).
Idli Sambar
Vegan. Rice and lentil batter steamed in molds and served with lentil soup. South Indian-style crepes made with rice and lentils and served with coconut chutney and sambar (lentil soup).
Chicken Dosa
Crepe stuffed with barbecued chicken and potatoes. South Indian-style crepes made with rice and lentils and served with coconut chutney and sambar (lentil soup).
Mysor Masala Dosa
Vegan. Crepe stuffed with potatoes and onions. South Indian-style crepes made with rice and lentils and served with coconut chutney and sambar (lentil soup).
Medu Vada
Vegan. Lentil dumplings served with sambar (lentil soup). South Indian-style crepes made with rice and lentils and served with coconut chutney and sambar (lentil soup).
Plain Dosa
Vegan. South Indian-style crepes made with rice and lentils and served with coconut chutney and sambar (lentil soup).
Mysor Dosa
Vegan. Crepe layered with tamarind and coconut. South Indian-style crepes made with rice and lentils and served with coconut chutney and sambar (lentil soup).
Lamb Dosa
Crepe stuffed with barbecued lamb and potatoes. South Indian-style crepes made with rice and lentils and served with coconut chutney and sambar (lentil soup).
Paneer Burji Cheese Dosa
Vegan.
Pav Bhaji With Toasted Roll
Contains gluten. Famous Bombay-style potatoes, cauliflower, peas, carrots, tomatoes, beans and onions seasoned to your preference degree of spiciness and served with a toasted roll.
All Day Menu - Special Regional Dishes From the Shores of Bombay
All Day Menu - Chicken
Chicken Do-Piaza
Fresh boneless chicken, pan-roasted with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, scallions and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Chicken Curry
Boneless chicken cooked in thick curry sauce. Served with basmati rice only.
Chicken Vindaloo
Boneless chicken cooked with potatoes and tangy sauce. Served with basmati rice only.
Chicken 65
Chinese Hakka-style chili chicken with ginger and green chilis. Served with basmati rice only.
Chicken Saagwala
Boneless chicken cooked with spinach and freshly ground spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Chicken Chili
Boneless chicken cooked in a spicy chili curry. Served with basmati rice only.
Chicken Korma
Boneless chicken, exotic spices, herbs and nuts in a mild cream sauce. Served with basmati rice only.
Mango Chicken
Pan-roasted boneless chicken cooked with mango sauce and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Chicken Methi
Boneless chicken cooked with fresh fenugreek leaves. Served with basmati rice only.
Coconut Curry Leaf Chicken 20
Pieces of boneless chicken cooked in delightful coconut curry.
Chicken Tikka Daal
Boneless chicken cooked with black lentils. Served with basmati rice only.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Diced boneless, white meat chicken tandoori-style and cooked in rich tomato cream sauce. Served with basmati rice only.
Butter Chicken
Pulled tandoori grilled chicken in a buttery tomato and nut sauce. Served with basmati rice only.
Desi Salad
Vegan. Red onion, chillies and lemon.
Mango Chutney
Vegan.
Basmati Rice
Vegan.
Papadum
Vegan. Lightly spiced lentil wafer.
Raita
Yogurt with shredded cucumbers and mint.
Tikka Masala Sauce
16 oz.
Plain Yogurt
Mixed Pickle
Vegan.
All Day Menu - Side Orders
All Day Menu - Nirvana Dinners
Nirvana Vegetarian Dinner
Served for 2. Soup, samosa, saag paneer, malai kofta, naan, raita, rice, kheer, and gulab jamun.
Royal Dinner
Contains gluten. Serves for 2. Soup, meat samosa, butter chicken, lamb bhuna, tandoori mixed grilled, naan, rasmalai, and gulab jamun.
Gobi Manchurian
Vegan. Deep-fried cauliflower with onion, garlic and chili sauce. Served with basmati rice only.
Desi Stir-Fry Noodles
Vegan. Stir-fried vegetable lo mein. Served with basmati rice only.
Lobster Masala
Lobster with mustard seeds, tamarind, coconut milk and curry masala. Served with basmati rice only.
Subz Panchmeal
Red, yellow, green peppers, artichoke and asparagus, stir-fried with flavored tomato and green cardamom sauce.
Tandoori Duck Masala
Tender pieces of boneless breast of duckling, tandoori-style, cooked in rich cream sauce. Served with basmati rice only.
Chicken Fry Noodles
Noodles stir-fried with tender chicken and fresh vegetables for a flavorful crunch.
Tandoori Duck Kadahi
Boneless breast of tandoori duck, pan-roasted with onions, tomatoes and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Lobster Do Piaza
Fresh Lobster, pan roasted with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, cilantro and spices.
All Day Menu - Chef's Recommendation
All Day Menu - Beverages
Pistachio Shake
A delicious pistachio milkshake.
Coffee
Soda
Mango Lassi
A delicious mango yogurt shake.
Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
Tea
Lemonade
Fruit Juice
Lassi
Sweet or salty. A delicious yogurt shake.
Masala Tea
Lauki Ka Halwa
Delicious sweet dish delicately flavored with bottled guard, chopped nuts, ground cardamoms, and milk.
Rasmalai (2)
Home-made cheese patties, cooked in a milk syrup, almonds and nutsy.
Ice Cream
Homemade mango, vanilla or pistachio flavor.
Badami Kulfi
Exotic Indian ice cream with saffron, almonds and nuts.
Moong Dal Halwa
Sweet semolina pudding enriched with ghee, cardamom, and nuts, offering a rich and aromatic treat,
Gajar Ka Halva Carrot Cake
Minced carrots in milk flavored with nuts and rose water.
Kheer
Rice cooked in sweetened milk, raisins and almonds.
Gulab Jamun (2)
Deep-fried wheat and milk balls, soaked in syrup.
All Day Menu - Desserts
All Day Menu - Fresh Indian Breads
Makia Ka Roti
Vegan. Griddle cooked corn flour bread.
Naan
Contains gluten. Unleavened bread baked in clay oven tandoor.
Pashawary Naan
Contains gluten. Unleavened bread stuffed with dried fruits, shredded coconut and nuts.
Coriander & Chili Naan
Contains gluten.
Keema Naan
Contains gluten. Unleavened white bread stuffed with spices and minced lamb.
Stuffed Naan
Contains gluten. Unleavened bread stuffed with potatoes and spiced.
Chicken Naan
Contains gluten. Unleavened bread stuffed with diced chicken, herbs and spices.
Onion Kulcha
Contains gluten. Unleavened white bread stuffed with onions, baked in tandoor.
Tandoori Roti
Contains gluten. Whole-wheat naan.
Poori (2)
Contains gluten. Vegan. Whole wheat, deep-fried puffed bread.
Bhatura
Contains gluten. Refined flour, deep-fried puffed bread.
Aloo Paratha
Contains gluten. Vegan. Whole-wheat bread, stuffed with spiced potatoes, cooked on a griddle with butter.
Plain Paratha
Contains gluten. Vegan. Multi-layered whole wheat bread griddle cooked with butter.
Chapati (2)
Contains gluten. Vegan. Thin whole-wheat bread, griddle cooked with or without butter.
Garlic Naan
Contains gluten. Unleavened bread stuffed with fresh garlic.
Mozzarella Naan
Contains gluten. Unleavened bread stuffed with fresh Mozzarella cheese.
Kali Mirchi Ke Tikka
Tender pieces of white meat chicken cubes marinated in yogurt and spices, cooked on skewers in our tandoor. Tandoor is a traditional pitcher shaped oven made of Indian clay which burns with charcoal fire. It's slow and steady heat does not leave the meat completely dry, rather it helps in retaining the juices and flavors of meats and bakes them to perfection. Served with basmati rice and masala sauce.
Lamb Kabab
Cubes of succulent leg of lamb, marinated in yogurt sauce and baked in tandoor. Tandoor is a traditional pitcher shaped oven made of Indian clay which burns with charcoal fire. It's slow and steady heat does not leave the meat completely dry, rather it helps in retaining the juices and flavors of meats and bakes them to perfection. Served with basmati rice and masala sauce.
Tandoori Chicken
Tender chicken, marinated in yogurt, spices and baked. Choice of half or full chicken. Tandoor is a traditional pitcher shaped oven made of Indian clay which burns with charcoal fire. It's slow and steady heat does not leave the meat completely dry, rather it helps in retaining the juices and flavors of meats and bakes them to perfection. Served with basmati rice and masala sauce.
Tandoori Rack Of Lamb
Rack of lamb chops marinated in yogurt and exotic spices, succulent and tender from our clay oven. Tandoor is a traditional pitcher shaped oven made of Indian clay which burns with charcoal fire. It's slow and steady heat does not leave the meat completely dry, rather it helps in retaining the juices and flavors of meats and bakes them to perfection. Served with basmati rice and masala sauce.
Seekh Kabab
Finely minced lamb, seasoned with chopped onions, chopped bell peppers, herbs and spices, then baked on skewers in our tandoor. Tandoor is a traditional pitcher shaped oven made of Indian clay which burns with charcoal fire. It's slow and steady heat does not leave the meat completely dry, rather it helps in retaining the juices and flavors of meats and bakes them to perfection. Served with basmati rice and masala sauce.
Tandoori Jhinga
Fresh jumbo shrimp marinated in delicate yogurt, baked on skewers in our tandoor. Tandoor is a traditional pitcher shaped oven made of Indian clay which burns with charcoal fire. It's slow and steady heat does not leave the meat completely dry, rather it helps in retaining the juices and flavors of meats and bakes them to perfection. Served with basmati rice and masala sauce.
Tandoori Mixed Grill
Combination of tandoori specialties like tandoori chicken, chicken tikka, boti kabob, tandoori shrimp, seekh kebab. Tandoor is a traditional pitcher shaped oven made of Indian clay which burns with charcoal fire. It's slow and steady heat does not leave the meat completely dry, rather it helps in retaining the juices and flavors of meats and bakes them to perfection. Served with basmati rice and masala sauce.
Fish Tikka
Filet of fresh salmon, marinated in yogurt and spices, cooked in tandoor. Tandoor is a traditional pitcher shaped oven made of Indian clay which burns with charcoal fire. It's slow and steady heat does not leave the meat completely dry, rather it helps in retaining the juices and flavors of meats and bakes them to perfection. Served with basmati rice and masala sauce.
All Day Menu - Tandoori Specials
All Day Menu - Vegetarian
Shahi Aloo Gobhi
Vegan. Cauliflower and potatoes cooked with tomato, onion, herbs and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Aloo Bhindi
Fresh okra with potatoes, onions, chopped garlic, ginger and exotic Indian spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Mutter Paneer
Fresh green peas cooked with homemade cheese chunks, herbs and light spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Saag With Makai Ka Roti
Spinach with griddle cooked corn flour bread. Served with basmati rice only.
Shahi Paneer Korma
Fresh homemade cheese sauteed with ginger and garlic in a light tomato cream sauce with cashews and raisins. Served with basmati rice only.
Paneer Tikka Masala
Cubes of cheese, cooked in a rich tomato cream sauce. Served with basmati rice only.
Kabuli Chanaa
Vegan. Whole chickpeas cooked with onions and tomatoes. Served with basmati rice only.
Malai Kofta
Vegetable balls cooked in a creamy nut sauce with fresh herbs and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Paneer Chilli
Spicy chili curry cooked with pieces of fresh home-made cheese.
Tofu Do Piaza
Vegan. Tofu pan-roasted with onion, bell peppers, tomatoes and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Vegetable Korma
Fresh garden vegetables cooked in a creamy sauce with nuts and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Tadka Daal
Yellow lentil cooked with herb and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Tofu Masala
Vegan. Tofu cooked in a tomato coconut cream sauce. Served with basmati rice only.
Chole Bhature
Chickpeas served with a deep-fried puffed bread. Served with basmati rice only.
Aloo Mutter
Vegan. Fresh green peas cooked in a delicately spiced sauce with potatoes. Served with basmati rice only.
Saag Paneer
Spinach and home-made cheese prepared with a touch of onions and fresh tomatoes. Served with basmati rice only.
Baingan Do Aloo
Vegan. Baby eggplant and potatoes sauteed with garlic, onions, herbs and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Mixed Vegetables
Vegan. Mixed garden fresh vegetables cooked with herbs and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Chana Saag
Vegan. Chickpeas cooked with spinach and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Subz Panchmeal
Vegan. Red, yellow, green peppers, artichoke and asparagus, stir-fried with flavored tomato and green cardamom sauce. Served with basmati rice only.
Aloo Palak
Vegan. Potatoes and spinach cooked with onions, tomatoes and ginger. Served with basmati rice only.
Baingan Mirchi Salan
Vegan. Whole baby baingan and bell peppers. Served with basmati rice only.
Tofu Saag
Vegan. Tofu cooked with spinach and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Baingan Bhartha
Vegan. Eggplant specially baked over an open flame, mashed and sauteed with onions, garlic, ginger and spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Shahi Bhindi
Vegan. Fresh okra, cooked with onions, ginger, tomatoes and Indian spices. Served with basmati rice only.
Dal Makhani
Lentils in butter with fresh herbs and spices, garnished with fresh coriander. Served with basmati rice only.
Paneer Kadhai
Home-made Cottage cheese sauteed with onions, tomatoes and green peppers in creamy sauce. Served with basmati rice only.
Nirvana Special Biryani
Basmati rice cooked in butter with pieces of shrimp, fish, chicken, lamb, paneer (cheese), vegetables, nuts, raisins and garnished with fresh mint.
Goat Biryani
Basmati rice and goat chunks cooked with nuts and flavored with saffron.
Lamb Biryani
Juicy pieces of lamb, cooked with basmati rice and spices, garnished with nuts.
Peas Pullau
Vegan. Peas and fruit cooked with ginger, onion and garlic mixed into basmati rice.
Jhinga Biryani
Saffron flavored basmati rice cooked with shrimp and nuts.
Chicken Biryani
Basmati rice cooked with chicken chunks, nuts and spices.
Vegetable Biryani
Vegan. Basmati rice cooked with exotic spices, herbs and fresh vegetables.
All Day Menu - Rice Specialties
All Day Menu - Hot Appetizers
Vegetable Pakoras
Vegan. Fresh cut vegetables, deep-fried in chickpea batter.
Meat Samosas (2)
Contains gluten. Spicy turnovers stuffed with minced lamb and spices.
Mushroom Samosas
Contains gluten. Vegan. Turnovers stuffed with sauteed mushrooms and herbs.
Paneer Pakoras
Fresh homemade cheese, deep-fried in spicy chickpea batter.
Fish Pakoras
Fresh fish pieces deep-fried in chickpea batter.
Vegetable Samosas (2)
Contains gluten. Vegan. Spicy turnovers stuffed with potatoes and green peas.
Nirvana Vegetarian Platter
Contains gluten. Assortment of vegetable pakoras, samosa, tikki and cheese pakoras.
Nirvana Non-Vegetarian Platter
Contains gluten. Meat samosa, chicken tikka, lamb kebab, seekh kebab and chicken pakoras.
Aloo Tikki (2)
Vegan. Spicy potato patties deep-fried.
Chicken Tikka
Tender pieces of chicken marinated in spices and yogurt and cooked on skewers in tandoor clay oven.
Reshmi Pakoras
Boneless white meat tender pieces of chicken, deep-fried in chickpea batter.
Fried Jhinga Poori
Sauteed shrimp, served with deep-fried wheat bread.