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Indus by Saffron
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Indus by Saffron
8.0
A modern Indian counter in TASTE that keeps things punchy: fragrant rice bowls, tandoori-leaning proteins, and rich curries built for fast pacing. The flavors skew bold and crowd-pleasing, making it one of the stronger quick options in the hall.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tandoori chicken bowl, Butter chicken curry, Paneer tikka bowl
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Indian bowls that stay flavorful and filling at a fair price.
Who should go: Curry lovers wanting quick fuel.
When to visit: Lunch or early evening.
What to order: Tandoori bowl, butter chicken, paneer tikka.
Insider tip: Ask for extra green chutney for a fresh kick.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Use FIGat7th’s garage (entrances on 7th or Figueroa); first hour often validated, reliable even during peak office hours.
Dress code: Casual and office-friendly; anything from work attire to relaxed weekend wear fits.
Noise level: Moderate – typical food-hall energy but still fine for conversation at your table.
Weekend wait: 5–10 minutes depending on event traffic at The Bloc and nearby venues.
Weekday lunch: Slight line during the 12–1pm rush but moves quickly; usually under 5 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options including paneer and several veggie-forward bowls.
Vegan options: Limited but doable with customizations; chickpea and vegetable-focused builds available.
Gluten-free options: Most bowls can be made gluten-friendly by avoiding naan and certain sauces; ask for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a formal date since it’s in a food hall, but great for a casual meet-up where you want something fast, flavorful, and low-pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—seating is open and first-come within TASTE. At peak lunch hours you may need to hover briefly for a table.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—food hall layout is accessible for families; flavors can be mild if requested and portions are shareable.
Best For
Better for: More vibrant, spice-forward bowls than typical food-hall options, with richer sauces and customizable protein choices.
Skip if: You want a sit-down Indian dining experience or prefer quieter, less busy environments.
Indus by Saffron
7.7
A quick-service Indian counter in the FIGat7th food hall that’s dependable for clean, flavorful lunch runs. Bowls, curries, and naan hit with real spice and decent portioning, and the line moves fast—ideal when your calendar is tight. A practical, repeatable option that still feels like real cooking rather than generic food-court filler.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken tikka masala bowl, Saag paneer, Garlic naan
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Fast Indian bowls with real-deal spice in a food-hall setup.
Who should go: Busy downtown workers.
When to visit: Weekdays, anytime before 2pm.
What to order: Tikka masala, saag paneer, naan.
Insider tip: Add extra chutneys for a brighter bowl.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: FIGat7th offers a structured garage with validation; expect $3–$6 for short lunch runs. Street parking is limited during weekdays.
Dress code: Completely casual—workplace attire, athleisure, or jeans all fit within the food-hall environment.
Noise level: Moderate food-hall buzz; still easy enough to talk over a quick lunch.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—this is a lunch-focused food-hall counter with steady but manageable lines.
Weekday lunch: Typically a short 3–8 minute line during peak 12–1pm rush; almost no wait outside peak.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong—multiple curries, paneer dishes, and veg-forward bowl builds.
Vegan options: Moderate—several vegetable curries and rice/bowl combinations can be made vegan.
Gluten-free options: Decent—many curry-and-rice combinations avoid gluten, but naan and some sides contain gluten; no dedicated GF prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it's a fast-casual food-hall counter designed for efficiency rather than ambiance or lingering conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—seating in the FIGat7th food hall is open and first-come, first-served. At peak lunch hours it can be busy, but turnover is fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably—open seating, quick service, and mild curry options make it workable for families, though strollers may require maneuvering during peak lunch rush.
Best For
Better for: Fast, flavorful Indian bowls with real spice, predictable pacing, and efficient service—ideal for tight schedules.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal, upscale ambiance, or a quiet setting for longer conversations.
Indus by Saffron
7.7
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Healthy Haven
Inside the FIGat7th dining level, Indus by Saffron delivers streamlined Indian bowls, curries, and naan for downtown workers on the move. The menu focuses on lighter, health-leaning versions of tikka masala, saag, and lentil dishes at accessible lunch prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala Bowl, Saag Paneer, Garlic Naan
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Food-court Indian counter known for relatively light, customizable curry plates.
Who should go: Downtown workers needing fast, satisfying Indian under fifteen.
When to visit: Weekday lunch rush or early dinner before events nearby.
What to order: Chicken tikka masala bowl, saag paneer, garlic naan.
Insider tip: Go early in the lunch window for the freshest trays and shortest lines.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: FIGat7th offers a large on-site parking structure with validation from most food hall vendors; typically $3–$5 for the first few hours. Street parking is limited and competitive during business hours.
Dress code: Completely casual—office attire, gym clothes, and everyday wear are all common in the food-court setting.
Noise level: Moderate to lively during peak lunch hours; conversations are possible but expect typical food-hall ambient noise.
Weekend wait: Low to moderate; the food hall sees some traffic before events, but lines rarely exceed 5–10 minutes.
Weekday lunch: Moderate during the peak 12–1pm rush—expect 5–15 minutes depending on the day.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options—paneer dishes, lentils, saag, and veggie curries are available.
Vegan options: Moderate—chickpea masala, lentils, and some vegetable curries can be prepared vegan; ask about ghee usage.
Gluten-free options: Good selection—many curries and rice bowls are naturally gluten-free; naan is not GF, so opt for bowl formats.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date since it’s a counter-service food hall setting, but fine for a casual meetup if convenience and speed matter.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Seating is communal within FIGat7th, and availability varies but generally turns over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—open seating and straightforward bowls make it easy for families, though peak lunch hours can be crowded and loud for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Faster, lighter Indian bowls at lower prices than most sit-down Indian spots in DTLA; ideal for office workers seeking efficiency.
Skip if: You want a full-service dining experience, richer regional specialties, or a quiet sit-down environment.