Yellow lentils cooked down until silky, then finished with a tadka — hot oil bloomed with cumin, garlic, tomato and dried chilli poured over the top at the last moment. It is the dish to order when the temperature drops in the Rockies.
Tadka dal (also written dal tadka) is the everyday dal of North Indian home cooking. The lentils are simmered gently with turmeric until they break down into a smooth, savoury base, and the tempering is made separately so the spices keep their aroma. Poured over the dal at the table end of the process, it perfumes the whole bowl.
At Indian Curry House-Banff we keep the dal light rather than heavy, which makes it a good partner for richer curries and for our South Indian dishes. It is naturally plant-based, high in protein and gentle on the spice scale — a safe, satisfying choice for families and for anyone easing into Indian food for the first time.
Banff days are long: hiking, skiing, gondolas, hot springs. Tadka dal with rice or roti is the kind of meal that puts the warmth back in you without weighing you down. Because it is cooked fresh rather than held in a pot all day, it arrives hot, fragrant and exactly as spicy as you asked for.
We are on the upper level at 225 Banff Avenue in downtown Banff, open daily until midnight. Guests from Downtown Banff, Tunnel Mountain, Middle Springs, the Upper Hot Springs and the Banff Springs Hotel area order dal for pickup on cold evenings, and it is one of the dishes that travels best if you are taking dinner back to your room or campsite.
“Best Indian food in Banff”
“The best Indian food in Banff. The flavours are authentic and really satisfying, and I would strongly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting town.”
Verified Tripadvisor review
“A vegetarian’s recommendation”
“If you are craving Indian food and taste, I recommend this place. The dishes — especially the dosas — are excellent. I can’t recommend it enough for vegetarian diners.”
Verified Tripadvisor review
“Excellent South Indian food in Banff”
“Very good South Indian dishes. Taste is excellent. Those who love South Indian Tamilnadu food, good place to enjoy. Service was too good. Hands down, the best dosas I’ve had outside of India!”
Tripadvisor review, 2025
We are on the upper level at 225 Banff Avenue in downtown Banff, open late every night — handy when you want something warm after a cold day in the mountains.
Monday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 12:00 AM
Dine-in · Takeout · Phone orders · Online ordering · Catering