Finally! A fine dining Indian establishment that pushes the boundaries of traditional Indian cuisine with even fresher ingredients and even better flavors. Something to highlight is the fact that they don't use ultra-processed ingredients and they grind their own spices in house... that alone sets Barsa apart from other Indian restaurants. The staff at Barsa were extremely hospitable and very welcoming. The servers were very attentive and thoughtful. Our server (Murali) was kind and courteous, and made our experience enjoyable and unique. The menu at Bersa is concise and well thought-out... the only thing we thought they might add was a Samosa. We agreed that their chicken tikka masala, while a classic, was by far the best we've ever had. The palak paneer absolutely melted in your mouth. The coconut almond pumpkin soup was DELICIOUS (order some naan to dip and your life will be complete). Last but not least, the slow-cooked lamb chops, which were tremendous and a favorite of the whole family. We look forward to our next visit, and will definitely include Barsa in our regular rotation of favorite Durham eateries. Barsa is off to a great start, and we look forward to their long-term success.
Arvian “Sparkles” Duval
Jun 18, 2025
5
My son and I visited this restaurant the evening of June 16, 2025. The restaurant opened on May 22, 2025, and my son heard great things about it, so we were eager to try their food.
Upon arrival, we were met by the owner, Sunny, who was very personable, greeted us with a warm smile, and escorted us to our seat. We had lots of questions, so he provided us with some great insights on his new restaurant.
I love the decor of the restaurant. It has a modernized classy look and feels welcoming. The atmosphere is conducive for various types of occasions.
Our server, Murali, was very professional and took great care of us during our visit. He was able to answer specific questions about the menu as well as give recommendations based on our requests.
We started off our evening with a few drinks. We ordered the Mango Lassi, Khatta Meetta Badal, and Chaand Shower. The Mango Lassi had a great authentic flavor, was smooth, rich, and creamy. The Khatta Meetta Badal was flavorful and had a jalapeño kick to give a sweet and spicy taste. The Chaand Shower was the best drink that I’ve ever had. The passionfruit was the highlight of this drink; however, all other flavors were easily identified. It was such a tropical paradise in my mouth that I felt as if I was laid out on a hammock on the beach.
We ordered several items from the menu. For our appetizers, we had the 16th Century Paneer, Megh Beet Hummus, and Pan-Seared Fish in Banana Leaf. For the entrees, we ordered the Lobster Mobile and Baarish Ka Lamb. The presentation of each dish was exquisite. Everything was plated well and some even displayed a smoky background. The portion size was perfect and in some cases more than expected.
The paneer dish had a unique flavor. The cheese balanced with the spices really illuminated my mouth. The Hummus dish surprised me. I just loved the crispiness of the falafel which was perfect for the beetroot hummus and added to the intensity of the dish. The pan-seared fish wrapped in banana leaf was so moist and had great texture. There was also a hint of flavor from the banana leaf which enhanced the dish.
The lobster dish was scrumptious. The lobster meat practically melted in my mouth. All the flavors exhibited in this dish meshed very well and kept me wanting more. My son enjoyed the lamb dish. He said it was incredibly delicate, savory and melted in his mouth. The meat fell right off the bone.
Big kudos to Chef Vinod! Every single dish that we ordered was absolutely fabulous! Everything is made from scratch, and there are no artificial ingredients. All spices are made fresh. There is nothing pre-made or bought from a store.
This restaurant has its own pastry chef which explained why the desserts we ordered (Kavani Millet Halwa and Burnt Butter Pannacotta) tasted so fresh and rich. This was the first time I had a pannacotta presented quite like that. The flavors reminded me of a drink we make in the Caribbean called Coquito. My son enjoyed the Halwa and compared the flavor to another Caribbean dish called Ducana.
We thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience at this restaurant. Every drink, entrée, and dessert was prepared perfectly and with great consistency and flavors. We enjoyed every minute of it! I highly recommend this restaurant!
Dalton Kennedy
Jun 13, 2025
5
The best Indian food I’ve had. The flavors are just a step above any Indian I’ve eaten in the past. We had the fish wrapped in banana leaf, Chicken Tikki Masala, Baarish Ka Lamb, Malai Sag Paneer, and way too much naan bread. They also did a really cool dessert surprise for a birthday we were celebrating. Murali was a wonderful server, and even helped keep an energetic toddler satisfied.
Will be coming back again!
Adheer Allamsetty
May 24, 2025
5
Barsa was such a great experience. I had the Lobster Moilee and it was incredible. The curry was rich and flavorful, and the lobster was cooked perfectly.
The atmosphere is super cool with a modern vibe that feels really welcoming. They also have unique drinks, definitely not your usual cocktail list, which I loved.
If you’re into Indian food and enjoy an upscale dining experience, this place is definitely worth checking out. Everything from the food to the drinks to the ambiance felt thoughtful and different in the best way.
Sneha Saravanan
Mar 26, 2025
5
Wonderful Indian restaurant located in downtown Durham! From the delicious food to the outstanding service, it was an amazing experience. The ambience is modern and elegant. The dishes were all very fresh and flavorful and were presented beautifully. The lobster was so tasty and the chicken was cooked perfectly - crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Chicken tikka is a must try! We also enjoyed some lovely drinks that incorporated Indian flavors. Highly recommend!
