I’ve spent years looking for real-deal food. The kind of food that reminds you of a specific place or feeling. For me, that’s often Indian food. The mix of spices and slow-cooked sauces just tells a story. Finding a place that does it right in Ontario isn’t always easy. That’s why finding Balti Indian Restaurant, with spots in both Whitby and Niagara Falls, felt like a big win. This isn’t just another curry place. They respect the history behind their Indian Curry Recipes.
If you’ve ever stood at a counter staring at a long menu, this guide is for you. I’ve eaten a lot of their food, and I want to help you choose. Think of this as a simple guide to some of the best curries you can find around here. We’ll look at everything from creamy and mild to hot and bold. Let’s get started.
What Are the Best Mild Vegetarian Curries?
I often bring friends who are new to Indian food, and they always ask, “What’s good that isn’t too spicy?” It’s a fair question. Not all Indian curries are meant to be super hot. Balti has a great lineup of vegetarian dishes that focus on creamy textures and fragrant spices instead of heat. These are my top picks for a gentle start.
Shahi Paneer: A Royal Treat
The name says it all. “Shahi” means royal, and this dish feels special. The paneer, a firm Indian cheese that doesn’t melt, is cut into cubes and served in a thick, creamy sauce. What makes it so good is the base of cashews, onions, and spices like cardamom. It has a light sweetness and a really smooth feel. I find it’s perfect with hot garlic naan, which you can use to get every last bit of the sauce. It’s a comforting dish that feels both special and familiar.
Palak Paneer: The Green Classic
If you want something a bit more down-to-earth, Palak Paneer is a great choice. This is a common dish in North Indian homes for a reason. Balti’s version has a smooth spinach sauce spiced with ginger, garlic, and a hint of garam masala. The soft paneer cubes soak up the spinach flavour. It’s not heavy at all. It just feels fresh and good. I like how you can really taste the spinach, which shows they use fresh ingredients.
Malai Kofta: A Creamy Dish
This one is a standout. Malai Kofta isn’t a typical curry. It’s made of fried potato and paneer balls (kofta) served in a smooth, rich, and mildly sweet sauce. The koftas themselves are very soft. The sauce is a gentle mix of tomato, onion, and cashews. In my experience, this is the dish that wins over people who are unsure about Indian food. Its taste and feel are just so different. It feels like a dish for a special occasion, but any day is a good day for it.
Dal Makhani: The King of Lentils
Never look past a good dal. And Dal Makhani is the best of them all. This isn’t a simple lentil soup. It’s a slow-cooked dish. Made with black lentils and kidney beans, it’s cooked for hours with butter and cream until it becomes very creamy and full of flavour. It has a smoky taste that adds another layer. At Balti, they get the texture just right. It’s thick enough to scoop with bread but not heavy. It’s just simple, good food.
Bolder Vegetarian Curries to Try Next
Once you’re good with the milder options, there are more tastes to find. These vegetarian dishes bring a bit more punch with tangy notes, smoky smells, or stronger spices. They show the wide range of vegetarian Indian Curry Recipes.
Paneer Tikka Masala: Smoky and Tangy
Everyone knows Chicken Tikka Masala, but I think the paneer version is just as good. The key to a good Paneer Tikka Masala is the first step: marinating the paneer. The cheese is coated in yogurt and spices and then grilled, which gives it a smoky char. This paneer is then added to a bright, tangy tomato-based sauce. It’s creamy, but the smokiness of the paneer and the sharp taste of the tomatoes make this dish so good.
Karahi Paneer: A Stir-Fried Dish
A “Karahi” is a thick cooking pot, like a wok. Food cooked in it has its own unique taste. Karahi Paneer is a semi-dry curry where paneer is stir-fried with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. The spices are heavy on coriander and ginger, giving it a fresh taste. Unlike the creamier curries, this one has more texture and you can taste the vegetables more. I like how the crunch of the peppers plays against the soft paneer.
Chana Masala: A Crowd Favorite
Chana Masala is full of flavour. This chickpea curry is a common dish and a beloved street food. The chickpeas are cooked in a tangy, spicy sauce made from tomatoes, onions, and a spice blend that includes dried mango powder for a sour kick. It’s hearty, filling, and packed with protein. I often order this as a side, but it’s good enough to be the main dish, especially with a fluffy bread like bhatura.
Baingan Bharta: Fire-Roasted Eggplant
If you like smoky tastes, you have to try Baingan Bharta. How it’s made is what makes it special. An eggplant is roasted over a fire until the skin is black and the inside is soft. That smoky pulp is then mashed and cooked with onions, tomatoes, and spices. The result is a dish with a deep smoky taste you can’t get any other way. It’s a simple, savoury dish and a personal favorite.
Your Guide to Chicken Curries
For many people, Indian food means chicken curry. And that makes sense. Chicken is great for soaking up the bold tastes of Indian spices. The Whitby menu and the Niagara Falls menu at Balti have plenty of great chicken options. Here are the ones you shouldn’t miss.
Butter Chicken: A Classic Favourite
There’s Butter Chicken, and then there’s Balti’s Butter Chicken. This is the dish I use to judge Indian restaurants, and they get it right. The chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices, cooked in a tandoor oven, and is very tender. But the sauce is the real star. It’s a smooth, rich tomato sauce finished with cream and butter. It has a perfect mix of tangy and sweet, with the scent of fenugreek leaves. It’s comfort in a bowl.
Chicken Tikka Masala: A Well-Loved Dish
The history of Chicken Tikka Masala is up for debate, but everyone seems to love it. It’s similar to Butter Chicken but with a stronger tomato taste. The base is an onion and tomato sauce that has stronger spices. You get tender, tandoor-cooked chicken in a bright orange sauce that is both creamy and zesty. It’s popular for a reason.
Chicken Korma: Mild and Creamy
For those who like milder curry, Chicken Korma is the way to go. This is a rich dish with aromatic spices. The sauce is made from yogurt, cream, and a nut paste, which gives it a pale color and a thick, smooth feel. It’s seasoned with gentle spices like cardamom. The chicken becomes very tender simmering in this sauce. It’s a refined and mild dish.
Balti Chicken: The House Specialty
You can’t go to a restaurant named Balti and not try the Balti Chicken. This curry is cooked and served in the same dish the balti bowl. It’s cooked fast over high heat, which gives it a fresh, strong flavour. It has onions, peppers, and a special blend of Balti spices. The result is a curry that is fragrant, a little tangy, and full-flavoured without being too hot. You have to try it to see what makes it special.
Richer Tastes: Lamb and Beef Curries
When you’re ready for something with a deeper, stronger flavour, the lamb and beef curries are next. These meats have a richer taste that works well with powerful spices.
Lamb Rogan Josh: A Kashmiri Classic
Lamb Rogan Josh is a famous dish from Kashmir. Its well-known deep red colour comes from dried Kashmiri red chilies, which give it a bright colour and a mild heat. The lamb is slow-cooked in a sauce with spices like fennel and cardamom. The meat becomes so tender it falls apart and soaks up all the different tastes from the sauce. It’s a warm, fragrant curry.
Beef Vindaloo: For Spice Lovers
Let’s be direct. Beef Vindaloo has a reputation for being very hot, but a good Vindaloo is about more than just heat. The “vin” in its name comes from vinegar. The meat is marinated in a paste of vinegar, garlic, and spices, which gives the dish its special tangy taste. Yes, it’s spicy, but at Balti, the heat is balanced by the sourness and the deep flavour of the beef. It’s a dish with many layers of taste for those who like it hot.
Saagwala (Lamb or Beef): A Spinach-Based Curry
Just like Palak Paneer, a Saagwala curry is based on spinach. Mixing that earthy green sauce with the rich flavour of Lamb Saagwala or Beef Saagwala is a great idea. The rich meat is a perfect partner for the spinach, ginger, and garlic. It’s a hearty curry that feels like a treat but is also good for you. The meat becomes very tender as it cooks in the spinach sauce.
Balti Lamb/Beef: Something Different
Like the chicken version, the Balti Lamb and Balti Beef are must-tries. The high-heat cooking process sears the meat and mixes the flavours of the spices, onions, and peppers in a way that is just great. It’s a fresher taste compared to a slow-cooked Rogan Josh. If you’re a fan of the Balti style, trying it with these richer meats is a good next step.
Don’t Forget the Seafood Curries
Many people stick to meat or vegetarian dishes, but the coastal parts of India have a great history of seafood curries. Balti offers a look into these dishes with their fish and shrimp options.
Fish Curry & Shrimp Curry: A Coastal Taste
The Fish Curry and Shrimp Curry at Balti are lighter but just as full of flavour. The sauces often have a coconut or tamarind base, giving them a tangy taste that works well with the seafood. These curries are not as heavy as the meat ones, making them a great choice for a warmer day or when you want something different. They are a reminder of the wide range of Indian cooking.
Why Choose Balti Indian Restaurant?
So, why do I keep going back to Balti? It’s simple. They do a great job. From the moment you walk in, you can tell they care. The ingredients are always fresh, and the spices are balanced. Each dish tastes different. The Shahi Paneer does not taste like the Butter Chicken. Each has its own thing going on.
Whether you’re planning a dinner in Whitby or looking for a good meal in Niagara Falls, you can count on a good meal every time. If you need to plan your visit or order, you can find their info here: Contact Whitby and Contact Niagara Falls.
This isn’t just about food; it’s about real, friendly service. In 2025, when we’re all looking for real connections, a meal at Balti feels right. It’s a place that brings people together over great food.