We picked Barsa to celebrate our 23 anniversary and we were not disappointed. The food and the service were above and beyond. The decor just perfect. The food was incredibly flavorful and the drinks were absolutely unique and delicious. It was just the best anniversary dinner.
Most Rahaman
Jul 27, 2025
5
I had dinner at Barsa New Indian tonight and really enjoyed the experience. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala and Creamy Chicken Tandoori, and both dishes were full of rich flavor and beautifully cooked. The Chicken Tikka Masala had a great balance of spices with a smooth, hearty sauce, while the Creamy Chicken Tandoori was tender and well-marinated with just the right amount of smokiness and creaminess.
Service was smooth and the ambiance felt upscale but comfortable. Overall, a solid dinner with standout flavors—I’d definitely return to try more from the menu.
Aaron Ghering
Jul 25, 2025
5
Just had dinner at Barsa New Indian in Durham this evening. The meal was not just among the best Indian food I’ve ever eaten but one of the best meals I have ever had. They have been open for 45 days under new management so nearly all of substandard reviews here are from the previous ownership, and the new owners are responding to them all! They brought in a chef from Michelin star restaurants and revamped their entire operation, to include grinding and blending their own fresh herbs and spices. All of this shows because this place is amazing.
We ordered GARAM PUMPKIN ALMOND SOUP, IMLI PRAWNS, LOBSTER MOILEE, CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA, GARLIC NAAN & GHEE RICE. The garam pumpkin almond soup was out of this world, a perfect start to the meal. The Imli prawns were big, juicy and the flavor was extremely well balanced. The entrees were equally impressive. I know Chicken Tikka Masala seems cliche but this was far from it. There was a wonderful char on the chicken and everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The Lobster Moilee was delicious and cooked perfectly as well. We will definitely be coming back. The food was amazing, the staff welcoming, friendly, and accommodating, and the ambiance is quant and inviting. Thank you Barsa for giving us such a wonderful dining experience.
Betts Willman
Jun 23, 2025
4
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.
Anjali Bhatt
Jun 21, 2025
5
I had an incredible dining experience at Barsa. As soon as we entered, we were warmly greeted by the manager and servers. The ambiance of the restaurant is both cozy and elegant, making it a perfect place for any occasion. The food was fantastic - highly recommend the Shahi Kofta, Paneer Butter Masala, Moong Dal Makhni, and garlic naan. We were informed by the staff and Chef Vinod (experience working in Michelin star restaurants!) that the food is entirely made from scratch, including the spices that are freshly ground every morning. The meal was made even better by the attentive and kind servers (Murali), manager (Sunny), Chef Vinod, and pastry chef (Chef Gautam), who made us feel welcomed and cared for. 10/10 recommend this restaurant, will definitely be coming back soon!
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!
Diana Monroe
Jun 1, 2025
5
We had an extraordinary meal at this new restaurant, Barsa, on Morgan Street in Durham. The dinner was delicious with surprising presentations and unique flavors. We were pleased with the efficient and attentive service even as most of the tables filled up with other guests. We plan to take more friends with us when we return soon. Highly recommend this vibrant restaurant1
Tanya Shriyan
May 31, 2025
5
The food here was incredible! Everything had amazing flavor and the perfect amount of spice. Definitely a restaurant that I will be coming back to often. The drinks were equally as good as the food and our server, murali, was incredibly helpful and kind. He went above and beyond to accolade out dietary restrictions and made sure everything was to our liking 😊
Hind Rasselkaf
May 29, 2025
5
I love this place! The location in downtown Durham is fantastic..you can enjoy great food while soaking in the lively atmosphere. The food is excellent, and the cocktail juices, especially the ones Lavina prepared for us, were outstanding. The service is also is great! everyone is so welcoming, and Lavina truly went above and beyond to make our experience memorable.
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!
