Barsa
Phone: (919) 908-1800
The space that currently houses Barsa New Indian was another Indian restaurant before (Indian Monsoon), but what makes Barsa different is that they’ve designed the menu with a modern, upscale dining experience in mind. You won’t find pages and pages of options but, rather, a concise and focused list of dishes so that everything can be made fresh and prepared with precision. Barsa grinds up their own spice mixes in house, creating a freshness you can taste on the rubs and in the sauces (Indian spices are even used in the cocktails). While you’ll find both modern and unique signature dishes like lobster moilee alongside classics like tikka masala, even the classics will taste like something entirely new due to the cooking techniques and spices. The kitchen is led by chef Vinod Kumar who previously worked at the Michelin-starred Semma in New York. As word spreads, so does its popularity, so reservations are a good idea
Cuisines
- Indian
Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 9:30 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 9:30 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 9:30 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 10:30 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 10:30 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 9:30 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 9:30 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 9:30 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 9:30 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 10:30 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 10:30 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 – 9:30 PM
Map
Google Rating
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My mom and I stumbled upon barsa when we were deciding on what to eat in the Durham area for our weekend getaway. Our experience there was beyond perfect with the help and charisma of our server Sagar he guided us through a dinner that we will never forget. For drinks we got the pistachio rain gin cocktails which was unique and we didn’t hesitate to order a 2nd round. For appetizers we ordered the tellicherry mushrooms and the saffron malai chicken which were well presented and the flavors were amazing. The tandoor chicken literally came out cloudy from the dry ice they put under it for a cool effect. Also the chutney they gave us for the mushrooms was so good that we used it for our naan to dip it in too. For our main courses we got the lamb shank and the duck vindaloo which were out of this world. Both are a must try and had different flavor highlights. The vindaloo had a tomato based sauce that wasn’t too spicy and complimented the duck while the lamb had a thick rich sauce that coated it well and the meat was so tender it literally melted in your mouth. We made sure to not leave any left on the plate and it was the perfect amount of food for 2 people. We even splurged a little bit and ordered dessert and got the crème brûlée and Sagar was nice enough to recommend us the chocolate mousse dessert as well. From the ambiance to the creativity of the food to the friendliness of the staff everything met our expectations and surpassed that. We will definitely be back in the future. -
Wow wow wow! What an incredible dining experience. The service and the food was phenomenal. Our server attentive and made excellent recommendations, the bartender even stopped by to ensure our drinks were made well. We had the shrimp, oysters and cauliflower as appetizers. For entrees we chose the curry goat and the lobster moilee. Everything was delicious! We also got a piece of strawberry cake for dessert. Definitely recommend and can’t wait to go back
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It can be hard to find a balance in service between overbearing and attentive when there's only one customer(I came in REALLY early) but Barsa nailed it! Food was delicious, fun presentation, and solid price for what you get. The 16th century paneer is a spectacle and delicious. Goat curry was amazing as well as the jalapeno cheese naan. Didn't get much jalapeno taste but that's likely due to the fun spices in the curry knocking it out. Will be raving about this place for a while!
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We came to Barsa to celebrate a special occasion, and we had such a great experience! Our waiter, Sagar, was incredibly attentive and made some great recommendations from the menu. The food was absolutely delicious, and our desserts were total showstoppers. Such a great spot for celebrating a special occasion—or just enjoying some really delicious Indian food in downtown Durham. We’ll definitely be back!
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The best dining experience I've had in Durham and the best Chicken Tikka Masala I've EVER had. I was greeted with a smile and promptly seated. Sagar was my waiter and he was phenomenal! Very attentive and friendly without hovering. The food and drink were amazing - the chicken tikka masala - star of the night. The chicken was perfectly grilled and cooked. I ordered mine with medium spice heat and it was perfect. The garlic naan was also perfectly prepared. I had an AMAZING peach mocktail with coconut water and lemon juice. Barsa is my new favorite restaurant for sure!! I will definitely be back often.
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