Tava Indian Bistro in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and craving flavorful, approachable Indian cuisine, Tava Indian Bistro is one of the names that often comes up among local options for international food. This guide walks you through what to expect, how it fits into Atlanta’s dining scene, and practical tips for planning a visit.

Where Tava Indian Bistro Fits in Atlanta’s Restaurant Scene

Atlanta has a growing international cuisine landscape, especially around neighborhoods like Decatur, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Midtown, and the Perimeter area. Indian restaurants range from very casual buffets to upscale dining.

Tava Indian Bistro typically falls into the casual sit-down category:

• Focus on classic North Indian dishes and common favorites
• A mix of dine-in, takeout, and often delivery
• Comfortable for families, small groups, and work lunches
• Usually priced in the moderate range for Atlanta (not the cheapest, but not fine dining)

If you’re in Atlanta and want somewhere that feels familiar but still authentically Indian, this is the niche Tava tends to occupy.

What to Expect From the Menu

Most Indian bistros around Atlanta follow a fairly consistent pattern, and Tava Indian Bistro is similar. You can expect:

Core Categories You’ll Likely See

• Appetizers

  • Samosas (fried pastry with spiced potatoes/peas)
  • Pakoras/Bhajis (fritters, often vegetable or onion)
  • Tandoori-style starters like chicken tikka

• Tandoor (Clay Oven) Specials

  • Chicken tikka, tandoori chicken
  • Seekh kebabs (minced meat skewers)
  • Often served sizzling with onions and peppers

• Curries and Main Dishes

  • Chicken tikka masala, butter chicken
  • Saag paneer, chana masala, dal (lentils)
  • Lamb, goat, or seafood-based curries depending on the restaurant

• Breads and Sides

  • Naan (plain, garlic, buttered)
  • Roti, paratha
  • Basmati rice, raita (yogurt side), pickles

• Rice and Biryani

  • Chicken biryani, vegetable biryani
  • Sometimes goat or lamb biryani

• Desserts

  • Gulab jamun (sweet fried dough balls in syrup)
  • Kheer (rice pudding)
  • Occasionally rasmalai or ice creams

Vegetarian and Vegan Considerations

For Atlanta diners who are vegetarian or vegan, Indian bistros like Tava tend to be very accommodating:

• Many core dishes are naturally vegetarian, such as:
  • Chana masala (chickpeas)
  • Aloo gobi (potato and cauliflower)
  • Dal tadka or dal makhani (lentils)
• Vegan options are often available if you:
  • Request no ghee (clarified butter) or cream
  • Ask whether dishes can be made with oil instead of butter

When you’re ordering in Atlanta, staff are generally familiar with dietary requests and can point you toward dairy-free or gluten-conscious choices, though cross-contact is still possible in most kitchens.

Typical Price Range and Value

Indian bistros around metro Atlanta, including places like Tava, usually fall into a moderate price point:

• Appetizers: often in the $5–$9 range
• Curries and mains: commonly $13–$20 depending on protein
• Breads: usually $3–$6 per order
• Non-alcoholic drinks: chai, lassi, soft drinks in the $3–$6 range

This makes Tava Indian Bistro a workable option for:

• Weeknight dinners
• Takeout for families
• Small group meet-ups where you share several dishes and breads

If there’s a lunch special or weekday deal, that can be one of the better values for trying several items at once.

Ambiance and Dining Experience

While the exact décor and layout will vary by location and renovations, Indian bistros in Atlanta – including Tava – often share some traits:

• Casual but comfortable seating
• Suitable for:
  • Couples looking for a relaxed dinner
  • Families with children
  • Work lunches or casual business meetings
• Background music is usually low to moderate, often Indian or light contemporary
• Dress code is generally casual – jeans and a nice shirt are perfectly normal

If you’re used to the more bustling energy of Buford Highway restaurants or Midtown spots, expect Tava to feel a bit quieter and more laid-back, depending on the time of day.

Spice Levels and Customization

One of the most important practical questions for Atlanta diners unfamiliar with Indian food is spice level.

At Tava Indian Bistro and similar Atlanta restaurants:

• Servers will usually ask for your preferred heat level:
  • Mild – generally gentle, suitable for most palates
  • Medium – a bit of a kick, but manageable for people who like some spice
  • Hot/Spicy – can be quite strong, especially in dishes like vindaloo or certain curries

If you are sensitive to spice:

• Ask for mild, and mention that you are particularly spice-sensitive
• Start with creamier dishes like butter chicken or korma, which tend to be softer on heat
• Use raita (yogurt) and bread like naan to balance flavors

If you enjoy heat:

• Ask whether they can make dishes “Indian spicy” or “extra hot”, keeping in mind that kitchens sometimes adjust based on what local diners usually tolerate.

Dine-In, Takeout, and Delivery Options

Most Indian bistros in Atlanta operate with several service formats, and Tava Indian Bistro is typically similar:

Dine-In

• Best for:
  • Trying several dishes family-style
  • Experiencing dishes as they come fresh from the tandoor
• Call ahead for:
  • Larger groups (especially weekends or holiday periods)
  • Clarifying wait times

Takeout

• Useful if you live or work near the restaurant or in neighboring areas such as Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Perimeter Center, or North Druid Hills (depending on exact location)
• Indian food usually travels well, especially:
  • Curries
  • Biryanis
  • Naan (though it’s always best fresh)

When ordering takeout:

• Confirm that all rice, breads, and chutneys you expect are included
• If you’re ordering for several people, request labels on containers to avoid confusion

Delivery

In Atlanta, many Indian bistros rely on third-party delivery platforms. When ordering:

• Expect slightly longer travel times during rush hour, especially along I‑285 and GA‑400 corridors
• Consider how spice levels can become more intense as dishes sit; you may want milder than you’d choose in person

Parking, Access, and Nearby Areas

Exact details depend on which part of metro Atlanta Tava Indian Bistro is located in, but you can generally expect one of two common setups:

• Suburban-style shopping center

  • Surface parking lot, usually free
  • Easier for families and groups arriving by car
  • Often found along busy corridors like Roswell Road, Ashford-Dunwoody Road, or near the Perimeter Mall area

• More urban/commercial corridor

  • Mix of street parking and shared lots
  • Short walk from nearby office buildings or apartments
  • May sit near other international restaurants, giving you options if your group wants variety

If you’re coming from central Atlanta neighborhoods like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Inman Park, budget extra travel time during evening rush hour, especially if you’re heading toward the Perimeter or Northside suburbs.

How Tava Compares to Other Indian Options in Atlanta

Atlanta has multiple clusters of Indian restaurants, and knowing this helps if you’re planning an international cuisine night out:

• Decatur/Clarkston area: More casual spots and groceries with South Asian ingredients
• Chamblee/Brookhaven (near Buford Highway): Dense international corridor with a wide variety of cuisines, including some Indian options
• Alpharetta/Johns Creek: Heavier Indian population and more specialized Indian eateries
• Perimeter/Dunwoody/Sandy Springs: Several mid-range Indian bistros, where Tava usually fits

Tava Indian Bistro tends to appeal to:

• Local office workers looking for lunch or after-work dinner
• Nearby residents who want a reliable, familiar menu
• Diners who prefer a simplified, bistro-style menu rather than an extremely long or highly regional list

Useful Tips for First-Time Visitors

Here are some practical pointers if you’re planning your first visit from within Atlanta:

1. Start with shared dishes
Indian food is well-suited to family-style eating. A typical order for two might be:

• 1–2 appetizers (e.g., samosas or pakoras)
• 2 main dishes (one meat, one vegetarian)
• 1 rice to share
• 2 breads (garlic naan and plain naan, for example)

2. Ask about recommendations
Staff at Indian bistros are used to Atlanta diners with varying familiarity levels. If you’re new, mention that and ask for:

• A milder starter dish
• A popular house specialty

3. Clarify dietary needs
If you are:

• Gluten-sensitive: Ask which items are made without wheat; many curries are, but breads often are not.
• Vegan: Ask which dishes are prepared without ghee, cream, or paneer and whether they can substitute oil.

4. Time your visit
Commonly busy times in Atlanta’s Indian bistros:

• Friday and Saturday evenings
• Weekend dinner hours (especially if located near dense apartment or office areas)

Calling ahead or planning slightly earlier (e.g., 6:00 pm instead of 7:30 pm) can reduce waits.

Simple Snapshot: Tava Indian Bistro at a Glance

How to Plan Your Visit in the Atlanta Context

If you’re living in Atlanta:

• Consider Tava Indian Bistro as a regular rotation option for:
  • Weeknight dinners when you don’t want to cook
  • Takeout for family movie night
  • A change of pace from burgers, pizza, or Southern comfort food

If you’re visiting Atlanta:

• Factor in travel time from your hotel; if you’re staying near:
  • Perimeter Mall, Sandy Springs, or Dunwoody, reaching a bistro-style Indian restaurant like Tava is usually straightforward by car or rideshare.
• If you’re mainly in Downtown or Midtown and don’t have a car, check:
  • Rideshare cost and travel time, or
  • Whether there’s a convenient MARTA route plus a short rideshare hop

If you’re exploring international cuisine in the city:

• Combine a visit to Tava Indian Bistro with:
  • A stop at an Indian grocery in nearby areas like Chamblee, Doraville, or Decatur if you want to continue experimenting at home.
  • Other nearby international spots (Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, etc.) if you’re in a diverse corridor like Buford Highway or the Perimeter area.

In Atlanta, Tava Indian Bistro fits comfortably into the city’s broader international dining landscape: approachable, flavorful, and practical for everyday meals. If you’re looking to add Indian cuisine to your regular rotation—or try it for the first time in a low-pressure setting—it’s the kind of spot many local diners use to explore those flavors without leaving the metro area.