Bollywood Theater

"Helmed by veteran chef Troy MacLarty (formerly of Berkeley’s Chez Panisse and Portland’s Ned Ludd), Bollywood Theater is a go-to for fragrantly spiced street-style food MacLarty discovered during his explorations in India—dishes like savory lamb samosas and rich, creamy curries. The original restaurant on Alberta in Northeast Portland, spacious and decked out with Indian imagery (including a projector for screening Bollywood films), has a fast-casual vibe: order at the counter, get a number, choose your seat. The location on Southeast Division, an even larger space with an open-concept kitchen, also features a retail market stocked with dry goods, fresh spices, rice, ghee, and more. "

"The longstanding location for Indian street food in Portland unsurprisingly serves a great glass of chai. Bollywood’s masala chai mix is imported from Kannur, Kerala, India and sent to the restaurant whole. The blend was is custom-made for Bollywood Theater, so the restaurant’s chai is truly available nowhere else. The masala chai can be served hot or cold, and the gingery flavor complements the full range of Bollywood Theater’s menu." - Nick Townsend

"Bollywood Theater in Alberta is an excellent Indian restaurant that serves a mix of classic curries, along with regional street food dishes and thali meals. The entire menu is great, but we like to start with some of the street food dishes, like the kati roll and dahi papri chaat, before splitting some small plates and one of the thali sets. Combined with the Indian-influenced cocktails and laid-back feel, this is a great spot for a casual dinner or to start a night out exploring the Alberta Arts District. photo credit: Alan Weiner" - Penelope Bass