This Buffet in Oregon Is a Foodie Paradise You Can’t Miss in 2026

Portland’s food scene keeps leveling up, and every so often a place comes along that locals won’t stop talking about.

Dwaraka Indian Cuisine on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard has quietly built a reputation as one of Oregon’s best all-you-can-eat destinations, especially for anyone who takes Indian food seriously.

The daily lunch buffet pulls people in from all over the city, and for good reason. The lineup rotates constantly, featuring thoughtfully prepared North and South Indian dishes that never feel rushed or mass-produced.

One visit might highlight rich, comforting curries and fluffy naan, while the next brings bold lentils, crisp dosas, and sauces that carry real depth of flavor. With a 4.3-star rating from more than 800 reviews, Dwaraka proves that a buffet can still prioritize quality.

Whether you’re easing into Indian cuisine or chasing serious heat with a fiery vindaloo, this spot sets a standard that’s hard to beat.

Dwaraka Indian Cuisine, Portland, Oregon

Stepping into this Hawthorne Boulevard gem feels different from your average buffet experience. The dining space features an elegant light blue arbor structure that creates visual interest without crowding the room, while thoughtful decor sets a welcoming atmosphere.

Open daily from 11 AM to 2:30 PM, the lunch buffet costs just $18 and delivers exceptional value. Fresh rotis arrive soft and warm, while metal containers hold a rainbow of curries ranging from mild butter chicken to tongue-tingling vindaloo.

The kitchen rotates dishes regularly, ensuring repeat visitors discover something new each time. Vegetarians find plenty of options, though some wish for biryani on the meat-free side.

The eggplant curry earns particular praise for its bold, spicy kick.

Service remains attentive and friendly, with staff happy to explain unfamiliar dishes. The owner often greets guests personally, adding a warm touch to the dining experience that keeps locals coming back week after week.

Desserts include traditional Indian sweets like gulab jamun and kheer, providing a satisfying finish without being overly heavy. Chutneys and pickles sit alongside the main dishes, offering bursts of flavor that complement each curry.

The overall pace of service feels relaxed, allowing diners to savor each bite while enjoying the cozy, inviting ambiance that defines this neighborhood favorite.

Authentic Tandoori and Biryani Selection

The tandoori station showcases the restaurant’s commitment to traditional cooking methods. Chicken emerges from the clay oven with proper char and deep flavor penetration, though spice levels lean toward moderate to accommodate Western palates.

Biryani lovers find their match here, with the chicken version earning consistent praise from regulars. Fragrant basmati rice mingles with tender meat and aromatic spices, creating layers of flavor in every bite.

The portions prove generous enough for leftovers.

Some diners note the preparation style adapts slightly for American tastes, which works perfectly for those new to Indian cuisine. The spice blends remain authentic enough to satisfy visitors who’ve traveled to India, while staying approachable for adventurous beginners.

The buffet rotates these signature dishes regularly, ensuring they stay fresh throughout service hours. Both items appear frequently enough that you won’t miss them, making Dwaraka reliable for satisfying specific cravings without disappointment.

Lamb and seafood tandoori options occasionally appear, offering smoky, richly spiced alternatives to chicken. Vegetarians also benefit from tandoor-roasted vegetables and paneer, which develop a subtle char and deep flavor without meat.

The combination of rotating proteins and consistent preparation keeps the station dynamic, ensuring every visit delivers excitement while maintaining the high-quality, authentic taste that draws diners back repeatedly.

Dosa and South Indian Specialties

South Indian food fans celebrate Dwaraka’s dosa offerings as some of Portland’s finest. These thin, crispy crepes arrive with perfectly balanced sambhar, though portions of the lentil soup could be more generous according to regular customers.

The masala dosa features a flavorful potato filling wrapped in a delicate, golden-brown crepe that stays crispy. Four distinctive chutneys accompany each order, providing a range of flavors from tangy tamarind to cooling coconut.

Preparation requires skill and timing, which the kitchen demonstrates consistently. The fermentation process gets careful attention, ensuring proper sourness without going overboard.

Occasional mishaps occur with delivery orders, but dining in guarantees the best texture and temperature.

Beyond dosas, the restaurant offers other South Indian favorites that rotate through the buffet. The variety keeps the menu interesting while maintaining quality across all regional specialties, making this a reliable choice for exploring different Indian culinary traditions.

Idli and vada rounds complete the South Indian experience, offering soft, steamed cakes and crispy lentil fritters that pair beautifully with sambhar and chutneys. For those seeking lighter fare, upma and pongal provide savory, comforting rice-based dishes.

Even occasional newcomers to South Indian cuisine find the flavors approachable, with each item carefully seasoned to highlight traditional spices without overwhelming the palate. Regular diners appreciate the consistency and attention to authenticity.

Vegetarian and Vegan Paradise

Plant-based eaters find themselves spoiled for choice at Dwaraka’s buffet spread. The selection goes beyond token vegetarian options, featuring thoughtfully prepared dishes that shine on their own merits rather than serving as afterthoughts.

Navratan korma stands out as a customer favorite, earning recognition as some of Portland’s best. The creamy curry balances vegetables, nuts, and spices with finesse that suggests a quality kitchen operation.

Malai kofta provides another rich option with vegetable dumplings in smooth gravy.

The curried eggplant deserves special mention for its bold flavors and serious heat level. Paneer pakora offers a milder choice, with cheese fritters in delicate, flaky batter served alongside four delightful dipping sauces.

Vegan diners appreciate clearly marked options and staff willing to answer questions about ingredients. The variety ensures multiple visits without repetition, while maintaining the authentic flavors that make Indian cuisine so appealing to vegetarians worldwide.

Seasonal vegetable dishes rotate regularly, showcasing fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Lentil-based dals provide hearty, protein-packed options, while spiced chickpeas and okra dishes add texture and depth.

Even sauces and chutneys cater to plant-based diets, ensuring every bite – from appetizers to curries – is flavorful, satisfying, and entirely inclusive for those avoiding animal products.

Butter Chicken and Classic Curries

Butter chicken reigns as the buffet’s most popular dish, drawing praise from newcomers and Indian food veterans alike. The tomato-based sauce achieves that perfect balance of richness and subtle sweetness that defines this beloved classic.

Chicken tikka masala provides another crowd-pleaser, though some find it sweeter than traditional preparations. The tender chicken pieces swim in creamy sauce that pairs beautifully with fresh naan or fluffy basmati rice.

For heat seekers, chicken jalfrezi and vindaloo deliver proper spice levels without overwhelming other flavors. The kitchen doesn’t hold back on these dishes, finally giving Portland diners the authentic fire they’ve been craving.

Korma offers refuge for those who prefer milder flavors, with its creamy, subtly spiced sauce coating vegetables or meat. The buffet typically features three to four curry options simultaneously, ensuring everyone finds something matching their preferred heat level and flavor profile at every visit.

Lamb and goat dishes rotate in regularly, adding deeper, earthier flavors that round out the buffet selection. The meat stays tender, avoiding the dryness common at buffets.

Vegetarian diners also benefit from rotating dals and paneer dishes, which bring protein and comfort without feeling like afterthoughts beside the meat-based curries.

Fresh Naan and Appetizers

Fresh naan arrives at tables throughout the lunch service, delivered warm from the tandoor oven. The bread works perfectly for scooping up curries, though it firms up relatively quickly once it cools, so eating it fresh proves ideal.

Garlic naan adds aromatic punch with visible herb flecks and a light butter glaze. Plain naan provides a neutral canvas for experiencing curry flavors without competing tastes, while butter naan sometimes disappoints customers expecting more richness.

Samosas appear frequently on the buffet, offering crispy triangles filled with spiced potatoes and peas. The restaurant uses traditional preparation methods rather than shortcuts, resulting in properly flaky pastry that shatters satisfyingly with each bite.

Vegetable pakoras showcase the kitchen’s talent with battering and frying. The coating achieves ideal thickness and crispiness, while staying light enough to let vegetable flavors shine through.

Those four accompanying sauces truly elevate these appetizers into memorable bites worth savoring slowly.

Chutney options typically include tamarind, mint, coconut, and a spicier red sauce, each clearly labeled and refreshed often. Switching between them keeps every bite interesting and balances the richness of fried items.

Even diners who usually skip appetizers find themselves returning for second rounds, especially when everything comes straight from the kitchen and not a warming tray.

Value and Overall Experience

At $18 per person, the lunch buffet delivers outstanding value for Portland’s dining scene. The price point makes regular visits feasible while maintaining quality that justifies the cost through fresh ingredients and careful preparation.

Portion sizes prove generous whether dining in or ordering takeout. Most customers leave with leftovers, extending the value even further.

The lunch special format provides a smart way to sample multiple dishes without committing to full entree prices.

The restaurant maintains cleanliness throughout the dining space, though some mention smudged glassware occasionally. The noise level can climb when busy, as the interior design amplifies sound, but this rarely detracts from the overall positive experience.

Customer service consistently earns praise, with friendly staff accommodating special requests and patiently answering questions. The attention to detail extends to delivery orders, where thoughtful packaging and handwritten notes build lasting relationships.

This combination of quality food, reasonable prices, and genuine hospitality explains why Dwaraka continues earning recognition as Oregon’s premier Indian buffet destination.

Repeat visitors often highlight the rotating menu, which keeps the buffet feeling fresh rather than predictable. Classics like biryani and butter chicken sit alongside seasonal vegetarian options, appealing to diverse tastes.

Whether you’re new to Indian cuisine or a longtime fan, the experience feels approachable, satisfying, and reliably worth recommending.