Kinara (The East)

ABOUT

There's a reason why Kinara has been a mainstay of the Indian dining scene in Singapore for so long, and that reason is, without doubt, the reliably delicious food. The East Coast Road outlet features its signature, old-world decor with an intricately carved swing posted outside, and scents of succu ...More

There's a reason why Kinara has been a mainstay of the Indian dining scene in Singapore for so long, and that reason is, without doubt, the reliably delicious food. The East Coast Road outlet features its signature, old-world decor with an intricately carved swing posted outside, and scents of succulent Indian dishes wafting from the inside!

Kinara means "river bank" in Punjabi, so the fare is appropriately a mix of North Indian classics and some South Indian seafood specialties, particularly from the Kerala region. Each dish is dizzingly complex in flavour profile - as Indian cuisine is famous for - but none are overdone or exorbitant in price. You will find your favourite staples like naan and butter chicken, but if there's one Indian restaurant where you should push your menu boundaries, it's at Kinara. Try the Jhinga Biryani, with plump tender prawns and al-dente spiced rice or the Lucknowi Burra Kebab, with tender morsels of lamb. Heat-level can be tailored to your liking, but with truly great Indian food, the beauty is in the interplay of spices rather than the blunt spiciness.

The vibe here is proper enough for a business lunch but with the approachability of a weeknight family dinner spot. The intricate decor is chock-full of regional artifacts that, along with the sensational food, truly transport you. (Mar 2014)

THE BUZZ

"Main courses of gosht vindaloo ($18) and palak paneer ($14) were spot on: the lamb an authentic Goan specialty worlds away from the over-spiced abomination of the same name that is dished up by thousands of mediocre UK Indian restaurants; the spinach dish fresh, rich and buttery. Our black dahl mak ...More

"Main courses of gosht vindaloo ($18) and palak paneer ($14) were spot on: the lamb an authentic Goan specialty worlds away from the over-spiced abomination of the same name that is dished up by thousands of mediocre UK Indian restaurants; the spinach dish fresh, rich and buttery. Our black dahl makhni ($13.50) had been simmered on the tandoor (oven) to excellent effect, and the saffron rice ($6.50) was perfect." -Expat Living

"The kulfi, a pistachio-flavored ice cream comprising milk and dry fruits, gave a sweet ending to a pleasant meal. This is a good place to try if you're up for something unconventional." -SG Now

"The cooking is complex but not showy, with every dish an example of the fabulous chemistry of spices, herbs and aromatic vegetables Indian cuisine is famed for. Plan your meal around a carb-based dish like a stack of dark-hued naan, flecked with mint, or a biryani. Our Jhinga Biryani - 'The recipe is closely guarded by our chef!' - was a mound of saffron-tinged basmati, embedded with fat prawns that were on the mushy side." -Time Out Singapore

DISHES WE LOVE

Jhinga Biryani, Keralan Fish Curry, Mila Jula Pakoras, Lucknowi Burra Kebab, Ajwaini Machli Tikka