Progressive Indian · Upper Kirby
By Monty Khas, Anonymous Critic. Pays every bill.
Not every great Indian restaurant needs a DJ or a designer handbag. Verandah, on Kirby Drive in Upper Kirby, takes the opposite approach: a calm, elegant room, a serious kitchen and a menu that rewards curiosity. It takes its name from the Indian verandah, the porch where families have always welcomed guests, and hospitality is the whole idea.
The chefs
Verandah is run by husband-and-wife team Sunil and Anupama Srivastava. Sunil trained in five-star hotel kitchens in India, and the couple first built a loyal following at Great W'Kana Cafe, a tiny restaurant in a southwest Houston suburb that developed a cult reputation among Indian food lovers. Anupama worked alongside him while attending culinary school. Verandah is their bigger, more polished stage.
The room
The dining room seats around 70 in comfortable, luxurious seating, with classical paintings on the walls and a formal but warm atmosphere. Private dining rooms come with a dedicated butler, and there's a chef's table for special occasions. It's quiet enough to hold a real conversation, which in Houston's current restaurant climate is a luxury in itself.
What to eat
The menu is built around "forgotten" Indian cuisine: age-old recipes from regional and royal kitchens, many of which rarely appear on American menus. The bigger space has also let the kitchen expand into wild game, so ask what's on that night; it's often the most interesting thing on the menu.
Tandoori quail is a highlight, smoky and delicate. Lamb chops in curry sauce show the kitchen's depth with rich, layered gravies. Biryani is fragrant and carefully layered, and vegetable dishes are taken seriously, with vegan and vegetarian options throughout.
Don't overlook the classics. The butter chicken has earned real praise, and the naan, fluffy inside and slightly crisp at the edges, is the right partner for every sauce on the table.
Tasting menu and chef's table
For a special night, the tasting menu is the way to experience the kitchen's full range. Book the chef's table for an even more personal evening.
Before you go
Verandah serves dinner most nights, lunch on select days and a weekend brunch, and it's closed on Mondays. Reservations are recommended, and the dress code is business casual.
Why it matters
Houston's Indian dining scene has become louder and flashier in recent years, which is mostly a good thing. But there's still a place for restaurants like Verandah: calm, gracious and focused on cooking that tells a story. If your idea of a great night out is excellent food, attentive service and the ability to hear your dinner companion, this is the room for you.
The Quick Fix
What to order: Tandoori quail; lamb chops in curry sauce; whatever game dish is on that night; biryani; butter chicken; naan; the tasting menu
Pricing: Upscale, but gentler than Houston's flashiest Indian rooms.
Best for: Quiet anniversary dinners, food-curious diners who want regional dishes, private dinners and anyone tired of loud restaurants
How it compares: Houston's most underrated Indian restaurant; calmer than Amrina and Musaafer; more adventurous with game than Kiran's
See where Verandah 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.