Modern Indian Fine Dining · The Woodlands
By Monty Khas, Anonymous Critic. Pays every bill.
Some restaurants whisper. Amrina makes an entrance. Opened in June 2022 in The Woodlands' Waterway Square, it's the flagship of Kahani Social Group, a partnership between a pair of brothers and chef Jaspratap "Jassi" Bindra. The name means "princess" in Urdu, and everything about the place leans into that idea: lavish, glamorous and a little over the top, in the best way.
The room
The space is huge, around 10,000 square feet, and dressed in jewel tones and gold. Big chandeliers hang over the dining room, a 30-foot indoor-outdoor bar anchors the lounge, there's a tapas bar with counter seating, a chef's table, and an 80-seat patio for Texas evenings that cooperate. Cocktails arrive in designer handbags, and many dishes come finished with a delicate tuile. It's showy, yes, but it's also fun, and it's built for celebrations.
The chef
Bindra brings real credentials. He was executive chef at Punjab Grill in Washington, D.C., which earned recognition from the Michelin Guide, he was named among the world's best Indian chefs by food writer Vir Sanghvi, and he's a winner on Food Network's Chopped. The team has since expanded inside the Loop with Kitchen Rumors, but Amrina remains the showpiece.
What to eat
Start with the truffle raj kachori, a crisp, hollow puri piled with chaat fixings and given a luxurious earthy twist. The tandoori octopus is smoky and tender, and the Chilean sea bass in a Malabar coconut curry is silky, fragrant and gently spiced. For meat lovers, the beef vindaloo made with short rib is rich, tangy and properly hot.
But the dish people return for is the dal. Cooked for 48 hours, it's deep, creamy and smoky, the kind of dal makhani that makes you rethink how good lentils can be. Order the whiskey naan alongside it. Don't skip the pickle tasting, a flight of house achars that shows off the kitchen's attention to detail, or the green pepper hot sauce if you like heat.
For dessert, the salted caramel paneer cheesecake is a clever, crowd-pleasing finale.
How to order
There are two tasting menus, one at the chef's table and a tapas-style option at the bar, but ordering à la carte gives you more control and lets you build around the dal and seafood. Portions are made for sharing.
Before you go
Book ahead for weekends and ask for the patio when the weather is good. It's a 30-to-40-minute drive from central Houston, so make an evening of it. Dress up; the room expects it.
Why it matters
Amrina proves that ambitious Indian dining in Greater Houston isn't limited to the Inner Loop. It's glamorous enough for a big celebration and serious enough in the kitchen to satisfy anyone who grew up eating this food. Come for the handbag cocktails, stay for the dal.
The Quick Fix
What to order: Truffle raj kachori; tandoori octopus; Chilean sea bass in Malabar coconut curry; short rib beef vindaloo; 48-hour dal; whiskey naan; the pickle tasting; salted caramel paneer cheesecake
Pricing: Splurge. Tasting menus available; à la carte gives you more control.
Best for: Date nights, birthdays, special occasions, corporate dinners and anyone who likes their dinner with a show
How it compares: More theatrical than Kiran's; more playful than Musaafer, though less regionally deep; the best reason to eat Indian in The Woodlands
See where Amrina ranks: The Best Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Restaurants in Houston: Our Top 10 for 2026
The food was always this good. We're just paying attention.