Dakshin

I asked my daughter where she wanted to go for her 7th birthday dinner the other day. "Dakshin" was her immediate answer. No hesitation.

Vegan items are clearly marked on the menu. Get the Masala Doasi!

This place is fantastic. The menu is organized by region. While most Indian restaurants specialize in Southern Indian food, you can find Southern, Northern, Indo-Chinese, and Chaat at Dak-Shin. Vegan items are clearly labeled.
We order Oothappam every time we go. It's like a pancake made of rice, lentils, and vegetables. It's served with yummy chutneys. The chana masala is the best I've ever had, and they serve it with slivers of raw ginger. The pappadam served at the beginning of the meal is also served with delicious chutneys. Service is good; the servers are friendly. It is a fun atmosphere, with Bollywood music playing on the video screen.

This is now my go to for Indian food- the drive is worth it. The portions are good sized and delicious. Don't let the parking lot fool you, it looks nice inside. They are very authentic, I was offered hot lemon water to wash my fingers afterward! They offer a buffet at lunch time, it's pretty packed around that time.

Everything that is Vegan is LABELED that way and the menu offers to veganize some dishes that aren't. The Menu is organized by regions, and they even offer some Asian dishes.

This place is truly an undiscovered gem in Louisville. Tucked into the Eastland Shopping Center (Bardstown Rd and Watterson Trail), it features over 200 different items on the menu, many of which are labeled "vegan." There's also a separate vegetarian section, and the staff will be happy to answer questions about any of the items as well. The food is delicious, though I've been told that almost every dish is a "little spicy" - so if you have a delicate palate, watch out.

The dosai dishes are truly extraordinary with their large lentil-based crepe filled with vegetables and potatoes. Most dishes come with a small soup, and a varieties of sauces of chutney for dipping and ladling. They also have a varieties of beverages and other wonderful dishes, all of which can be seen on their website under "order online."

The interior of the restaurant is awesome - you can watch the Indian version of MTV or scope out the interesting decor on the cabin-like walls. I've been told there are buffets and other special eating times as well, but have yet to experience this.

If you're looking for authentic Indian cuisine in a great atmosphere, or just another vegan/vegetarian-friendly restaurant, be sure to take the trip out to Dakshin.