If you have ever longed for a dining experience, where food is a journey back into a culture filled with richness and flavour, then allow us to introduce you to a wonderful restaurant in town.
With a menu rooted in traditions and a bold approach to flavours, The Madras Diaries in Amsterdam and Utrecht is the must-visit destination for soul-satisfying Indian vegetarian cuisine.
We are not exaggerating, here’s why this restaurant genuinely earns the praise!
The Madras Diaries: India’s Flavours, Dutch Favourite
- Fresh Ingredients
Vegetarian food, especially Indian food, lives and dies by the quality of its produce and spices. And, The Madras Diaries does not cut corners.
They use fresh, locally-sourced ingredients where possible. The spices smell fresh because they are. The vegetables have crunch, colour and life. The curry carries a vibrancy that only comes from cooking fresh and serving fast.
You would not find that generic ‘curry powder’ taste here. Each dish has depth and intention. They are also transparent about their methods. They stay away from additives, frozen pre-cooked bases or overly oily tricks to boost taste.
The recipes used here are family treasures. They are passed down, tested, loved and now shared. That alone sets them apart in a market where authenticity often takes a backseat to convenience.
Everything is prepared with utmost love and care. You taste it. You feel it. It is the kind of food you feel good eating. Not because it is labelled as healthy, but because it is healthy in the way food should be.
- Authentic & Innovative Tastes
There are meals you eat and forget. And, then some meals stay with you. You walk into The Madras Diaries and you instantly know, it is not just another Indian joint.
The aromas tempt you and the sizzle from the kitchen tells you something is being freshly prepared just for you.
They invite you in to experience how vegetarian food tastes in Indian households, from Tandoori Roti to Palak Paneer and from Pachakari Kuruma to Malabar Parotta.
Every dish is built on layers of home-style cooking. It is clean, honest food that speaks of the country. The plate tells tales of ingredients that are built slowly, with the right mix of freshly ground spices, patience and skill.
But what makes The Madras Diaries shine is how they combine tradition with surprise. Alongside comforting classics, you will find contemporary hors d’oeuvres with a creative twist, familiar flavours prepared into unexpected forms.
The beautiful balance between the known and the new is sure to keep your taste buds hooked, bite after bite!
- The Art Of Vegetarian Food
One of the biggest misconceptions about vegetarian food is that it is either bland or too ‘healthy’ to be indulgent. At The Madras Diaries, those two ideas are gracefully thrown out the window.
The food here is wholesome and satisfying. It is a celebration of vegetarianism. They serve a whole extra, mouthwatering menu devoted to vegetarian treats.
Yes, you will get your dose of lentils, vegetables, rice and spices, but the textures and flavours are layered in a way that keeps your palate engaged right from the beginning.
They remind you that Idlis and Sambar can be just as exciting as a five-course gourmet meal when done right. That comfort does not have to be boring. That vegetarian does not have to mean missing out.
The Madras Diaries also goes the extra mile for inclusivity. Many of their dishes are vegan by default or can be made vegan upon request. They understand that dietary choices are personal and important and they accommodate them.
- Signature Dishes
The ‘signature dishes’ at this place have bites that steal your attention, light up your taste buds, make you zone out of the conversation and into your plate, simply to enjoy that flavoursome moment.
The restaurant’s passion for bold, vegetarian flavours comes through loud and clear in every spoonful. And while the menu is full of delectable foods, it is the signature dishes that steal the spotlight.
These are the ones that regular diners swear by and often end up ordering a second round just to take home and share them with their loved ones.
- Mysore Masala Dosa
The ‘King Of Dosa’, this crepe is crispy on the outside, soft within and packed with flavour. The delicious potato filling is everything you need to satisfy both your hunger and heart.
- Bendakaya Fry
Okra like you have never had before. The Bendakaya Fry is crisp, slightly charred at the edges and perfectly spiced. This seemingly simple dish is layered with flavour and texture.
- Podi Bonda
Deep-fried, golden and dusted with gunpowder that is spicy, nutty and wildly addictive, Podi Bonda has the perfect crunch on the outside and a soft, fluffy inside.
- Beetroot Kola Urundai
A dish that turns heads. Vibrant, earthy beetroot shaped into perfectly round balls, this Kola Urundai is proof that vegetarian food can be just as indulgent as anything else.
- Tulsi Paneer Tikka
Grilled perfectly, the paneer (cottage cheese) in this Tikka is marinated in a tulsi-based (fresh basil leaves) blend, giving it an herbaceous lift that is unexpected and utterly delicious.
- Manathakkali Vathal
Prepared with dried manathakkali (black nightshade berries) and slow-cooked in a deeply spiced tamarind gravy, this dish is simply mouthwatering. Do not miss this lip-smacking curry!
- Malai Kofta
Malai Kofta is a dish that features soft, creamy balls made from potatoes and paneer. They are soaked in a velvety, mildly sweet tomato-cashew gravy. This dish feels like a warm hug on a plate.
- Asoka Halwa
End your meal on a high note with this toothsome dessert from Tamil Nadu. Asoka Halwa is prepared from moong dal and whole wheat. It has just the right amount of richness to leave you smiling.
- The Virunthombal
In Tamil culture, Virunthombal is more than just hospitality. It is a sacred duty, a deep-rooted tradition of treating every guest like family. It is the unspoken rule that says when someone comes to your home, you feed them with your whole heart.
And, you get to experience that at this amazing restaurant. From the way they welcome you with a warm smile to how they check on your meal, not out of obligation but genuine care, you can tell that Virunthombal is the way of service here.
It is in the little things like how your water is refilled without you asking, how they notice if you are unsure about what to order and gently offer suggestions.
The staff actually know the menu and guide you through it like a friend would. They will ask if you want something mild or spicy. They will share what is special that day. They will remember your preferences when you return (and trust us, you will return).
And, if you tell them it is your first time trying Indian food? They will beam and joyfully suggest what to pair it with. And in a world that is always rushing, this old-school, heartfelt hospitality is rare.
Here, you are hosted. You are looked after. You walk out not just full, but a little warmer, a lot happier inside. And, whether it is your first visit or your fifteenth, the warmth remains the same.
- Cherished By The Community
The restaurant has quickly gathered a big following that spans across generations, cultures and tastes. Indian expats find a taste of home here, something that is not always easy to come by in Europe.
It is a place to cure homesickness with a spoonful of Dal Tadka. It is where parents bring their children to pass on food memories. It is a warm corner of nostalgia in a foreign land.
Locals and tourists, on the other hand, are charmed by the novelty, quality and heart that this place puts into everything they do. The restaurant gives a peek into how varied and rich Indian vegetarian food can be.
Many walk in expecting the usual Samosas and Paneer Butter Masala. What they get is a deep dive into regional flavours and unique dishes.
The restaurant also has two thoughtfully chosen locations, in Utrecht and Amsterdam. And each of them carries the same menu, same love and same comfort.
So, is it the best Indian vegetarian restaurant in the Netherlands? Without a doubt. But it is more than that. The Madras Diaries is a slice of India, where you remember that food is love!