Best Indian and Nepali Restaurant in San Marcos, TX: How to Choose and What to Order
How to choose a great Indian or Nepali restaurant in San Marcos, TX, what to look for on the menu, and a simple first-visit order at Himalayan.
Searching for the best Indian restaurant in San Marcos, TX usually ends with a long list of names and not much help in choosing. Here is a simpler way to decide, based on what actually shows up on the plate, and what to order if you are trying Himalayan Nepalese & Indian Cuisine for the first time.
What makes an Indian restaurant worth going back to
Skip the star ratings for a minute and look for these signs instead:
- Gravies made from scratch. A good tikka masala or butter masala tastes of tomato, onion, ginger and garlic, not of sweetness or food coloring. If the sauce is the same orange in every dish, be wary.
- Naan baked to order. Real tandoor naan arrives blistered, soft in the middle and a little smoky. It should not be sitting in a basket for an hour.
- Spice you can control. The same curry should come mild, medium or hot, so a family with kids and a spice lover can share one table.
- Real vegetarian cooking. Palak paneer, chana masala and aloo gobi are not afterthoughts in India and Nepal. A kitchen that is proud of them usually cooks everything with care.
- Something you cannot get everywhere. In our case, hand-folded Himalayan momos.
Why Nepali and Indian food belong on one menu
Nepali and North Indian cooking share a lot: lentils, rice, tandoor bread, warm spices. They also differ. Nepali kitchens bring momos (dumplings served with a tomato chutney), lighter sauces and a love of fresh herbs. Indian kitchens bring the rich curries many people already love. At Himalayan Nepalese & Indian Cuisine in San Marcos, you can order both in one meal: a plate of steamed chicken momos to start, then butter masala with garlic naan.
If you want to understand the difference better, read our guide to Nepali vs Indian food.
What to order on your first visit
A simple order that covers the menu well:
- Momos to start. Steamed chicken or vegetable momos, served with chutney. Try the chilli version if you like heat.
- One creamy curry. Tikka masala or butter masala, with chicken, lamb/goat or shrimp.
- One vegetarian dish. Palak paneer or chana masala.
- Naan and rice. Plain, butter or garlic naan, and a biryani if you are sharing with a group.
- Finish with dessert. Gulab jamun, ras malai or coconut balls.
You can see every dish and price on the full menu, and order online for pickup. You pay at the restaurant.
Visit us in San Marcos
We are at 115 Wonder World Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, open Monday to Saturday from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM and closed on Sundays. Call (512) 748-0104, or reserve a table online for groups, birthdays and family dinners.
Frequently asked questions
Is Himalayan an Indian or a Nepali restaurant?
Both. The menu mixes Nepali favorites like momos with North Indian classics like tikka masala, biryani and tandoor naan.
Do you have vegetarian options?
Yes. A full section of the menu is vegetarian, and vegetarian dishes are marked with a green dot.
Can I order online for pickup in San Marcos?
Yes. Add dishes to your cart on the menu page, choose a pickup time and pay at the restaurant when you collect.