EAT

Flavours of India 

by Kristy Aleksich

Sam Bir, owner of Indian Spice, showcases fresh and colourful vegan dishes. 

As we roll into fall and winter here in the Sea to Sky, cravings for our favourite comfort foods (you know, the ones that give you that warm, fuzzy feeling) seem to be nurtured with each rainy day. With Squamish’s substantial population of Indian descent, we are fortunate to be on the receiving end of a plethora of authentic Indian offerings, made with fragrant herbs and spices to give it plenty of mouth-bursting flavours.

Indian Spice, Squamish’s newest offering, is just about ready to crack its doors. Located in the old Corsa location on Cleveland Avenue, this addition to Squamish’s bustling Indian cuisine scene hopes to differentiate from the others. Expect all your favourite Indian dishes as well as a full bar with lounge area where you can catch your favourite sports on the big screen. Not everyone at your table in the mood for Indian spice and everything nice? They’ve got pizza and wings for those pickier eaters.

Bisla Sweets Restaurant has long been a staple in Squamish. This relaxed, family-friendly café has a lengthy menu offering all the classic dishes. Open for take away and catering, take advantage of their daily special or their tempting display of sweets. Pro tip: Grab a bag of Samosa Skins… they will be your new favourite snack. These bad boys should come with a warning label.

Boasting Squamish’s only tandoor oven, Essence of India in Garibaldi Highlands is all about the mastery of Indian cuisine. For a west coast take on the genre, try Chef Don’s Tandoori Wild Salmon Masala or his Tandoori Ribs, marinated in yogurt and spices and cooked in the tandoor oven. You’ll also find a wide selection of customary Indian dishes.

Indian Masala Express recently opened its doors, you can look for them in the Squamish Business Park. It’s easy to settle into their sleek dining room but not so easy to decide between top Northern Indian recipes, highlights from the Southern Indian style of cooking, and the latest from the exciting fusion style of modern Mumbai.

The Parkside Café in Downtown Squamish is a great place for a quick bite and has some fun twists on the staple dishes you might expect. You can order the butter chicken and chicken tikka rolled in delicious wraps, butter chicken is also stuffed into samosas, and you can grab a cool, smooth mango lassi to go.

Delicious chickpea recipes at the Parkside Cafe

Whichever spot you decide to grab your Indian flavour fix, you’ll surely be impressed by any of these local spots. Squamish embraces a community proudly serving the true taste of India’s finest dishes. Whether you’re a meat-eater, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or halal, authentic Indian cuisine will warm your taste buds and spice up your life. Keep korma and curry on, my friends!