It was a great experience. The food was really good. The service was pretty fast. The portions were generous. We will definitely be going back.
What a delightful evening. I had the grouper and it was fantastic. The food was absolutely amazing and the service was lovely. I will definitely be back!
Saffron Cafe is a hidden gem in Indy that's worth visiting. It specializes in Moroccan cuisine, which is hard to find in the city. The prices are higher than your typical restaurant, but you're paying for the quality of the food (some of the dishes require intense preparation) and the old world North African ambiance that makes the restaurant unique. The servers are extremely knowledgeable about the food and very personable, making each visit very pleasant for me. When you're there, you must have the atay (the Moroccan mint tea) and the lamb lamberel. The lamb lamberel is phenomenal. The lamb tajine is cooked in a delectable sauce with lots of eggplant. The only average menu items are the dessert in my opinion (I've had baklava). For a nice treat, Saffron Cafe is well worth the price!
Amazing and Romantic. This place is beautiful, delicious, romantic, and worth every cent! I found the Saffron Cafe on Urbanspoon and went for a nice date night. Of course, I looked at the website and knew in advance how pricey it could get; so go in understanding this, and you will be free to to enjoy the splendor which awaits you. We both enjoyed a Tajine (mine of cumin chicken, his of honey lamb), we had sweet mint tea and raspberry pomegranate iced tea, and we finished the evening with Moroccan baklava (full of nuts and raisins) and a soft lemon marscapone layer cake. There isn't a single piece of the night I would change, even with an $80.00 bill.
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Consistently Great!. We visited the Saffron Cafe last night and although we didn't have a reservation, we were seated immediately. We started with the Saffron Mussels and Mozzarella Plate - both fantastic. My husband had the Tajine Lamberel (lamb slow cooked with eggplant) and he loved it. As in, give-me-that-bread-I'm-soaking-this-up loved it. I had the Tilapia Tajine - even though I've been here several times, I've never had a tajine dish - and it was so tender. All around a great dinner. And our service was excellent. I didn't ask the young lady for her name but she was awesome. Saffron Cafe offers Groupons about twice a year - I highly recommend you get one. It can be a bit pricey without some sort of deal, but the Groupon usually covers 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 2 servings of baklava and 2 glasses of wine. And they will definitely work with you to get what you want (i.e. instead of 2 glasses of wine, they took $20 off a bottle.) Newcomers - park on the SOUTH side of the building (marked for the Antelope Club.)
In the mood for an interesting and unique dinner.. Saffron Cafe is very unique for Indy and is well worth the trip. I suggest going with a group that likes to share so that you can try as many dishes as possible. From the wine, interesting appetizers, different entrees, and great desserts you will a great dinner.
Romantic!. I took my boyfriend here with the purchase of a groupon (place is a bit pricey).
Oh my, it was soo cozy and such a romantic experience, we often say that we haven't had such a connecting date since that one! We laughed and talked over some delicious white wine and shwarma, while finishing off our great night with some fresh baklava! I'm in Looooovve w the Saffron Cafe!
Scott g. Excellent food excellent service thank you for making it worth it.
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Fabulous. On a lark we decided to try Moroccan food and found this place on the net. We had some trouble finding the place as I expected we would so I did not make a reservation out of fear we would not find it or would be late. Lucky for us because we were early we did not need a reservation. Parking was tricky but wow was it worth the effort. We got the seafood appetizer which consisted of a few very large scallops and some large prawns. They were served in a tasty thin sauce. Honestly I have never had such a perfectly cooked scallop in my life. It was served with some lovely, crusty hot bread for dipping in the sauce. We dug in with gusto. It was a very appropriate wait for our main meal to arrive. I got the paella and husband got lamb in pears. It was all very wonderfully prepared, the carrots in my dish were perfectly cooked, just the right snap to them. I hate mushy vegetables. I expect a lot of the rubes in these parts would consider them raw. Too bad for them. The servings were generous as well as delicious. The chef came out and spoke with us. The service was wonderful, the prices were quite reasonable and the atmosphere was lovely. Everyone was kind and friendly and we will definitely return.
Food was great-opened 15 min early for us-waiter was best ever
Top 10. The chef owner makes everyone feel as if they are a guest in his home.The shwarma is one of best items on any menu in town. Busy place. Quirky. Try it,
Got off to a rough start because the restaurant had no record of my reservation that I made weeks earlier; however, they were able to get our party of two seated right away. We started off with the mozzarella plate for an appetizer and a bottle of house pinot noir. The app was good, but nothing spectacular. I ordered the Lamb Honey and my companion had the Ahi with a pesto cilantro sauce. We both loved our entrees. The Lamb Honey was a sweet and savory stew with plenty of big hunks of meat accompanied by pears, apricots, potatoes, and prunes. It was a huge portion, but I still ate every bit of it because it was so tender and delicious. We shared a piece of tiramisu for dessert. The portion was ample and it probably is the best I've ever had. We used a Groupon for the whole meal, which made it a great deal. If we hadn't, it would have been overly expensive. I would definitely return, but probably only if I could score another Groupon or maybe for lunch.
Awesome meal..made even more awesome by Groupon. So I purchased a Groupon deal for this place and have wanted to try it for awhile...I'm glad I did because it was a bit expensive. I went on a Thursday evening...A COLD FREEZING ICY Thursday evening. THE PLACE WAS SUPER BUSY!!
We started off with the mussels in garlic white wine cream sauce....AWESOME...we were sopping up the sauce with the bread (so my for no carbs)
The hubby opted for the Paella...which was so good. Flavorful and fragrant with a good selection of mussels, shrimp and chicken. I opted for the Lamb shank that was sweet and savory sauce with pears...I realized I'm not the sweet and savory person I guess...but that didn't take away from the delicate blend of flavors the dish provided.
I would definately go back..it was an awesome experience.
A unique night out. This is a great place to go if you're looking for something other than a burger/pasta place. Our paella and Tajine were excellent. Looking forward to going back.
Dal Primo Bullmastiffs
+4.5
Absolutely one of the best .... Absolutely one of the best
Restaurants in Indianapolis. Chef sentissi is an incredible chef and entrepreneur
Lovely Evening. Had a wonderful night before Thanksgiving thoroughly enjoying a Moroccan meal. Wonderful service. Wonderful food. We all had something different. I tasted all and they were all very good. Lamb, chicken, fish were all cooked perfectly. Served in tajines (though obviously not the ones cooked in unless you wanted to wait 2-3 hrs.) We had the antipasto plate (great!) and added couscous & saffron rice side dishes to the tajines. Lamb was amazing. So was the Talapia w/cilantro pesto sauce. Granddaughter had the "gyro" & salad and was satisfied. I had Ginger Chicken Tajine (not the best pieces of the stewed chicken but that was luck of the draw...), wife had Cumin Chicken w/potatoes. Both the chicken & potatoes were wonderful.
Nice intimate meal with 3 generations who all enjoyed it.
Thanks.
Go there, now. Amazing service, personal and very knowledgable, ask for Annie! Food was delicious, the lamb was the best I've had.
What a wonderful experience!. My husband and I visited Saffron Cafe because of the reviews we read on urbanspoon.com. The restaurant is beautifully decorated but most of all the food was fantastic and the service was fabulous! We were visiting Indianapolis but will definitely return to the restaurant on our next visit.
Wonderful atmosphere good service good nightly specials. Good for date night.
Good food, attentive staff. I've dined at Saffron Cafe twice and enjoyed my meals both times. Our server was attentive and helpful, especially when we needed to eat and get to the symphony on time. I appreciate the cozy atmosphere of an independently owned restaurant. Although not outstanding, the food was good and highly seasoned, just what I like. The portions were reasonable, too. I highly recommend this restaurant.
I thought I reviewed this already, but.... I had never had Moroccan food before, and my lady friend is a Groupon Diva..so we used one.
The first thing I'll tell you is this...their TEA is phenomenal! It's sweet as all getouttatown, but it's great.
So in the quest to try something different, we tried Tajines. Just so you know.. a Tajine is basically a stew...a slow cooked delicacy with veggies and a specific sauce.
I didn't like it. Well I didn't like the Tilapia Tajine..it lacked a little on the seasoning side, which, considering it's stewed - seems about right. Maybe a fish Tajine won't vibe with me..next time I'll try poultry or beef.
My girl had the Cumin Chicken Tajine and she was like "meh"...didn't hate it, didn't love it..but definitely down to try something else out in the future.
But the service was great and the people were very nice, and so... I'll go back and try something else on the menu and you should too!
Absolute perfection. It is very rare for me to call a restaurant perfect. However, the experience I had in Saffron Cafe cannot be described in any other way. Everything about it, from the gorgeous exterior to the wonderful decor to the absolutely exquisite food, came together to create one of if not the best dining experiences I have ever had. Ever.
Saffron Cafe is a place that simply makes you happy. This is a phenomenon I have noticed in other restaurants, but very, very few. Nothing I ate, from the coffee brewed with cinimon to the approcot/pear/lamb Tajini to the baklava, wasn't the best I have ever had. Not just good, the best I have ever had.
Fantastic!. I have been looking forward to visiting Saffron Cafe since it opened and finally got there in September. It was worth the wait! There was a slight snafu over the reservation but that was quickly dealt with by the friendly hostess. We dined at 8.30 on a Saturday and it was packed which is always a good sign. The food was excellent, very tasty appetisers - falafel, bakoula and zaalouk and excellent entrees. I had lamb kababbs which were tender and delicious and others in our party had various tajines which they reported were excellent. Staff were knowledgable and friendly. The bill was just under $200 for 4 inc 2 bottles of decent wine which we thought was good value. It's small so if you're going on a Fri or sat probably best to book.
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Simply Fantastic.. Having never eaten Moroccan food before, I was a tad apprehensive when I entered this little gem for lunch the other day. Saffron Cafe, however, definitely deserves all the positive hype it's received so far...
Food was amazing. Authentic-tasting (though I'm not exactly an expert, per se), delivered fairly quickly, and even before you're served, all the delicious smells waft about from the kitchen to the dining room, preparing you for the amazing food coming your way. We had the Bakoula (a spinach spread with pita bread) as an appetizer and the Ginger Chicken Tajine as a main dish. Both were delicious and unlike any version of spinach "dip" or chicken I've ever eaten before.
Service was good. Attentive, fairly friendly, and reasonably quick.
Atmosphere was great. Outdoor seating is available, however, the interior is air conditioned (obviously) and gorgeous. Colorful tiles line the walls and I found it to be both spacious and intimate at the same time.
Overall, a GREAT restaurant, with fantastic Moroccan food. I'll definitely be back!
The honey lamb is sublime.......... Goes very well with wine. Ask your server.
Exellent food and service.... Excellent food and service. We always come back for more. Love the seafood kebab, Tilapia and fresh vegetables. Small family-run atmosphere with funky Moroccan decor.
Party of 6, all food was great. Meats were tender. The tea and the cheesecake cake blew me away!
Absolutely LOVE this restaurant! The atmosphere is almost as good as the food. You'll definitely have to try the "Atay" (hot tea). The staff is unbelievablely good and pleasant.
Its a keeper.. We recently made our second visit to saffron cafe. Both experiences have been great. The atmosphere is low key, elegant. Staff is very friendly and engaged. Servers are intimately aware of the menu, specials and wines. The prices are a little high, but they are the only morroccan restaurant downtown, and the quality of the food seems to be worth it to us. Dinner for two with a bottle of wine came in around 140.00. We have had fresh fish specials, kebabs, side dishes. Orange/shrimp/avocado salad is a big hit with us. This restaurant is slipping into our list of frequents. Highly recommend.
Incredible! Took all the servers recommendations from appetizer to dessert. Go there! Will be returning
Amazing food and service!. I went to Saffron last night and every single item was so amazing! We split both the mussels and the antipasto plate to start. The mussels were fresh with this scrumptious cream sauce that we guzzled up with bread. The spinach dip on the antipasto plate was especially amazing. For a main we had the delicious paella, which we ate about one-tenth of as there was so much food! For drink, we had an unusual bottle of Moroccan red, which was tasty and new for us. And the service was almost the best part! Our waitress was so friendly, and told us stories about the wine and the mint tea we had as a digestive. I highly recommend!!!
Great meal and atmosphere!. We had a new waiter so we will give the service the benefit of a doubt. However, the food was excellent. I had a special and my husband had the lamb kebabs. He also had the house wine which was very nice and we had the bastilla as an appetizer. Everything was cooked to perfection! As other reviewers have said, the chef is very passionate and even came out to greet everyone and see how their meal was going. I was very impressed and will definitely be back!
Warm and tasty, very inviting on a rainy day :)
Loved every bite!. I can't recommend this place enough! Moroccan is one of my favorite cuisines. And here, the staff was welcoming. The atmosphere was warm and beautiful. We had the antipasto, which was a delicious accompaniment to warm pita bread. We had the traditional bastilla, which was also great. My husband had a shrimp kabob special that came with a cilantro pesto that was deeply flavorful and wildly spicy. He loved it. I had the honey lamb with pears and it was lovely. Be sure to have the ataya mint tea. It completes the meal. It is a great experience, full of wonderful flavors. You won't regret it!
Hidden Treasure. First things first: If you want to eat at Saffron, I recommend a reservation. It's a very small restaurant, and every table was filled when I was there.
With that out of the way, my lunch visit to Saffron Cafe was delightful. I have not eaten Moroccan food before, so I cannot attest to authenticity, but it was very delicious. I had the Kafta Tajine which had a mellow, savory flavor and was served with a very nice bread. My lunch partner had the Couscous Royale which she also quite enjoyed.
The service was adequate. It wasn't necessarily the best or fastest, but it also wasn't bad. The waiter met our needs and was very pleasant throughout.
Overall, I recommend the restaurant for both the good food and the nice ambiance. It's within walking distance from work for me, so I look forward to going again someday.
Top Notch Service. Our waitress was wonderful!!!! The boyfriend & I shared a Cummin Chicken dish and the Stuffed Trout special. Both were pretty tasty. The tiramisu was WONDERFUL!!! The special was a little pricey but we will be back!
Saffron lived up to my great expectations. The food was wonderful with interesting flavor combinations. The restaurant was small but beautifully decorated which contributed to the relaxed dining experience.
We had an excellent dinner. The chef didn't yell at anyone, so perhaps the earlier reviews were ona bad night. We experienced pleasant staff,a charming chef and, most importantly excellent food. Go for the mussels by the way!
C Rating. Wonderful enviroment, great food, excellent service. we enjoyed the paella and lamb tajine. It was a little uncomfortable to hear Chef yell on top of his lungs at the servers and the kitchen staff in an abusive nature that made us leave sooner then expected. Recomended
Splendid. Excellent experience. I had the rack of lamb in port sauce which was really done well and also split the mozzarella plate as an appetizer. The food was great and even the Moroccan Iced Tea was good. When leaving the chef even came by to ask us about our meals.
Cheesecake. The cheesecake is to die for!
Excellent food and customer service. We were running late and only had 30 min for dinner. We informed our server and she provided suggestions. Food was delicious and chef came out to check on us. It was a great experience and I would defintely go back and enjoy a more leisurely dinner.
Wonderful paella!. Turns out I know this chef from Casablanca Cafe in Bloomington, IN. He's a fabulous chef and knows his way around the kitchen.
Even though it's a 90 minute drive, I will be going back again soon.
Awesome! Get the honey lamb!
First Time. My husband and I, found Saffron while on a random drive in Indianapolis. Our server was Quinn. Our dining experience with him was exceptional from start to finish. We are visiting from NYC, and we plan on dining at Saffron for the next three days that we are in town. We very strongly encourage everyone to reserve yourselves a table very soon!!!
Abundant Enjoyment. From the warm decor and ambience to the extensive and deliciously prepared menu it is a wonderful experience. The owners are charming and welcoming - making each visit truly memorable.
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Jewel of a restaurant. This is probably the best kept secret of the city! Small with nice ambience, impeccable waitstaff and an amazing menu.
My husband and I started with the Chicken Bastilla and were delighted! The blend of the chicken and cinnamon almonds was wonderful. My husband had the Honey Lamb and I had the Ginger Chicken Tajine. Of course, we shared! Both were delicious but of the two, we'll go back for the lamb! It was so tender and the mixture of spices and textures of the dish was perfect! We rounded off dinner with the best Baklava, coffee and, of course, no Moroccan experience would be complete without the mint Atay! (of course there are dishes that appeal to the less adventurous American palates, but seriously?? If you want to truly experience the flavors of Morocco...this is it, the real deal!!)
We just loved this place. Chef Sentissi is so personable, visiting each table and stopping to chat! He and I had a wonderful chat in French as well! He and his staff truly go out of their way to make you feel welcome and to ensure a memorable dining experience.
This has to be the best, and most unique of the restaurants in Indianapolis! We'll be back for sure!
We have been here twice in the past 30days ! Food is fantastic and our 10month old daughter was more than welcome in this cozy restaurant.
I have a new favorite!. I love this restaurant! The menu has lots of choices and the food is amazing. I also like the quiet, romantic ambience of the place, plus we found parking to be pretty easy on the weekend since there are mostly office buildings nearby. This is definitely on my short list of favorite Indy restaurants.
I've been wanting to try Saffron for dinner for a while now. Went on a week night and was pleasantly surprised. Of everything we ordered the Fish Kababbs were my favorite with Charmoula on the side and the Bakoula! Anass highly recommends the Paella and why wouldn't he, it's his! He's so sweet. Plenty of other people were raving about it too but we wanted to try a Tajine and the Ginger chicken was good...but not great. Fun would be to go with a group and try lots of different appetizers and a few dishes. They're working on finding Moroccan beer too, so will check back.
I love this place!. Everything is top-notch. The waitstaff is always very friendly. Always a great start. The appetizers are delicious -- I like the antipasto plate, and I LOVE the Bastilla! It's like a Baklava with chicken! I usually get the lamb Kebabs. My whole family (8 people) went for dinner, and each dish was incredible. With such a large order and a busy night, there was a mistake made with a dish. It was the wrong fish dish, but the waitress made it up to us by not charging us for that meal. The dessert was good as well. We had the Tiramisu. I think this should be at the top of the list for overall dining experiences in Indy. It is a very cozy and comfortable dining area, and you feel right at home.
Awesome!!! I've riden my bike past Saffron Cafe almost every day for the past 3 months and I've always wanted to check it out. Finally had a chance to try it out when I had family in town. Loved it. Food was fantastic and service was friendly and helpful. Great atmosphere, can't wait to go back. Would be a great place to go on a date.
Great food, cool atmosphere. I had the chicken parmesan. I wish the prices were a bit lower, but the portion was big enough to take 1/2 home! The baklava was good, but it did not live up to the hype. The rest of the food did, though.
Very cool that the owner dropped by our table to chat and tell us the history of the restaurant.
Saffron Cafe. I did like it and I do recommend this unique and very authentic dining. Go Go Go...
Amazing. The food was both authentic and delicious! I miss falafel, kebaabs and tagine from home in NYC, so I am thrilled that I found such a fantastic restaurant here in Indy!
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It was so great!. My boyfriend and i went on a date there and it was so great. Make reservations because it's a really small restaurant and they probably only have like 15 tables total. But even if you dont, its well worth the wait. The food is incredible and the atmosphere is wonderfully elegant. It's a great place if you want a romantic setting or if you just go with your family.
(And in response to the person who's complaining about them losing your reservation):
That happens all the time with electronic submissions, which is why it's better to call. And I'm a host at a restaurant, and i think they did the right thing. Just because their system died doesn't mean its their fault, and that doesn't mean they should give you someone else's reserved table. you didn't lose any money by them losing your reservation, just time, but they shouldn't have to compensate you for it. So yeah, that is the way to treat a first-time-guest when there's nothing else reasonable they could have done....
In conclusion, it's delicious, and it's a wonderful atmosphere.
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The Definition of Savory. My fiance and I had a wonderful experience at Saffron Cafe. We were enchanted by the decor and the small, intimate dining room. You should call ahead to dine here because 5 minutes can be the difference between 3 tables or no tables. Our server was very sweet and really seemed to be invested in our dining experience. She was also very helpful as we were navigating the menu.
For an appetizer, we ordered the filafel, and to their credit they warned us that it would be about 20 minutes until it was ready. We didn't get it until 5 minutes into our meal. It was delicious, but we were pretty full by then.
Based off of reviews, we both got Tajines - and they were well worth it. I had the Cornish Hen, and while trying to decide if the apricot, prune and baked pear that it was cooked in was the mood I was in, our waitress suggested that they could put in extra broth for less sweetness. It was incredibly delicious, and still sweet, but very savory. The meat was very tender, and the presentation of both Tajines added to the experience. I'd definitely recommend it, especially to anyone who is less timid about picking around bones.
My fiance had the Tajine Lamberel. I was slightly jealous because his was equally savory and tender, but a little saltier and more stew-like. The lamb almost blended in with the other ingredients it was so tender.
Another interesting thing about this experience was the emphasis on tea. Normally Andrew and I would get some wine or beer, but we were suggested tea to start (hot or cold) and cold mint tea seemed to be just what we needed. This also helped keep our bill under control.
We loved Saffron Cafe and would definitely go back. This is a perfect date restaurant.
So authentic!. For years I was fortunate to have regular meals prepared by a real Moroccan grandmother - who was so good that she went on to cook for five star hotels in Europe and the Mid East. Saffron Cafe's food ranks with hers; it is absolutely delicious. Expect to find and taste the pickled lemon rinds and special butter. Try the Lamb Tanjine with artichokes, or the chicken Tajine, and be sure to end any meal with the Moroccan Tea. Service was great!
Dear kathleenlattimer. When I made a reservation they called me and confirmed. Maybe you should wait for a confirmation before barging into a restaurant. Just maybe?
But to the point, I visited this restaurant for the first time over the weekend. The food was delicious, the service was great... An all around awesome experience.
Well worth every penny. The chef is probably the most passionate chef in the city and it shows in his food. Lots of TLC in every detail from the saffron rice to the lighting! It's a small intamate setting so get there early or be prepared to wait. You will not be disappointed!
Saffron Cafe. Tried this last night with two friends and couldn't be happier. I ordered the cornish hen tajine, and the hen was juicy and tender, and the sweetness of the cinnamony sauce was balanced nicely by the pears and tangy dried fruits. The syrupy sauce at the bottom of the tajine was amazing when dipped with the warm bread. My boyfriend ordered the cumin chicken tajine, which was not at all sweet like mine, but still excellent. My other friend ordered the chicken kabobs, and though he enjoyed them, I think he was jealous of our tajines. The rice soup was great, as well. It's a tiny restaurant, but it has great decor and atmosphere. The chef even came out and made rounds of the dining room. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
Moroccan is back in Indy! A very cozy but sophisticated atmosphere. The bakalava was not syrupy sweet as you might find in some less authentic spots. The sesame seed added a surprisingly mellow flavor. Try it.
PERFECT!. Indy is in need of more places like this. Small, intimate, great phone, fantastic atmosphere. Simply perfect for a new downtown restaurant in Indianapolis. I plan to return frequently. There are only seats for 40 people so make sure you're ready to wait if you go during a rush hour. So great to have around!!!! Perfect!
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OUT OF THIS WORLD!. I took my girlfriend to the Saffron Cafe on Saturday to celebrate her 51st birthday. I wanted to take her somewhere new and intimate. I was so pleasantly surprised at the wonderful decadence within the Cafe. The space was beautifully decorated with pictures and architecture from Morocco. The wait staff was great, friendly and attentive. Demonstrating some of the best customer service I have ever experienced at a restaurant in the Indianapolis Area. Neither my partner nor I have ever had Moroccan food before and this was a real treat. Here is what I would recommend:
Bastella-Fabulous! Not only did it make a great appetizer but it also was wonderful for breakfast. The portions at this restaurant are generous.
Paella-Extra Fabulous!! This dish is comprised of clams, salmon, shrimp, saffron rice, carrots and another fish. There was so much of it, I am having it for dinner tonight!
Kafta Tajine-This dish is unique it has fluffy eggs within a dish comprised of beef meatballs, peas, potatoes and a wonderful sauce. My girlfriend had this dish and again, the portions are generous so she has enough left over for lunch or dinner. Also WONDERFUL!
Tiraimisu-This was one of two desserts that we part took of and it was also FABULOUS! We were told that the recipe is very old passed down from generation to generation-this not the Tiraimisu you are likely to see at other local restaurants-this is a one layer creamy dish.
Finally, the chef and owner himself brought my girlfriend her dessert---Strawberry cheesecake---THIS IS NOT LIKE ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER HAD BEFORE PEOPLE---this is the real deal. The bottom and top crust was a dense cake and between the top and bottom layer was the cheesecake. The cheesecake was encased in fresh frozen strawberries.
I can not say enough good things about this new and exciting restaurant. PLEASE CHECK THIS PLACE OUT! I have eaten in many different restaurants in this city over the last 18 years and this is MY FAVORITE. I can not wait to go again.
Oh by the way, if cost is a concern…which I know can be for many including myself…I hear they serve lunch and entrées at lunch which cost between $8-$12 dollars. For our night out…our little 2 person party…I spent $70 and the food, atmosphere and service were well worth it! Of course, the next time we go we will spend a little less but this was her 51st birthday so I had to splurge a little.
"If heaven drops a date, open your mouth..".. I heeded this Berber saying while experiencing Saffron Cafe for the first time. I started off with the Harrira soup which I found to be rich, warm and comforting: the chickpeas, citantro, tomatoes and saffron rice were supported by an array of spices. The marinated Chicken Kabbabs were cooked p-e-r-f-e-c-t-l-y! and came with a large portion of sauteed fresh carrots, squash and broccoli consummately prepared, but the Saffron rice, while abundant and colorful, I found to be a bit over cooked. The fact that it was colored and flavor by the world's most expensive spice and the namesake of the cafe seemed ironic. I enjoyed the Kahwa(Moroccan coffee with cinnamon) and Baklava for dessert. This is the BEST homemade Baklava in Indianapolis! I found the waiters and the hostess to be wonderful and accommodating. This is a wonderful addition to Downtown.
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AMAZING food, OUTSTANDING service, wonderfully charming decor. We had been waiting for a restaurant like this one to open in this space since we moved to Indy, and we got what we hoped for and more!
We ordered the Honey Chicken Tajine and the Couscous Royal and they were both great. Our favorite was definitely the Honey Chicken- it was delightfully sweet with potatoes, figs, and pears, and was really different and original. May we recommend getting a side of Harissa spice mixture with the Couscous Royal- it definately adds a lot of flavor and was a delicious addition.
Fresh warm bread was served with the meal, and we also recommend getting the sweetened Morroccan green tea with mint- that was incredible.
The baklava was probably the best we have ever had- it was very fluffy and had the perfect sweetness, with larger bits of almonds and pistacios than usual. The tiramisu was different but good- a larger proportion of the cream filling than I was used to than in other tiramisus I have had, and also very fluffy and delicious.
The decor was super nice and far surpassed what I expected in Indy. The restaurant is decorated with curtains and light fixtures that the owner told us he brought back directly from Morrocco, and also he has framed photographs of scenes from his native land. The colors are neutral and warm, floors are nice hardwood, and beautiful painted tiles (like ones we have seen in Portugal) line the walls.
The quaint space just off Pennsylvania Ave in downtown got even more cozy with nice lighting when the sun went down. The staff was very professional- what you would expect in a 5 star restaurant, but with a homely touch- the owner came over and checked on how we were enjoying our food, and even took time out to chat with us.
There are many choices on the menu, for those who are both risk-taking, adventurous food lovers, along with those who prefer more traditional fare. The portions were of a good size.
I think our next trip back we will try the paella!
The Saffron Cafe has a radio commercial with the tag line, “If you try it, you will love it.” Yes indeed you will. Quadruple wow.
Corey Michael Dalton
+4.5
Don’t let all that opulence fool you, though, the place is a bargain—especially at lunch.
I was dubious...afterall, I have such yawnful food memories tied into that dump of a building that housed the Canary Café for all those years that I wasn't sure anything culinary could grow out of its ashes. The Saffron Café however seems to be growing li
As they have their menu online, we'd given it a bit of thought before we arrived. We knew that the antipasto plate was right up our alley.
Oh, my!! What a special treat this was!! The atmosphere was so calm and inviting, the service was personable, dignified, and attentive, and the food was extraordinary! Our party of three each ordered different lunch meals, and not one of those us was disappointed. The soup was uniquely delicious, and the antipasto appetizer platter had us craving more! Their pita pieces were so soft and flavorful, and the different meats were a real flavor delight! Definitely a restaurant worth finding!
Hearty portions and delicious food!
FOOD
I ordered the Tanjine Lamberel as my entree and it was delicious. It is a stew and the meat was so incredibly tender that it melted in my mouth. It paired with a bread, likely a sliced baguette.
I also ordered the Moroccan coffee, which came with refills. We also split a Bastilla appetizer which was like a sweet and savory pastry. The portions were generous!
SERVICE
Waitress was attentative, but service was a bit on the slower side. I figure the reason was to allow us to enjoy our time talking.
MOOD
Intimate and dimly lit. Noise was moderate.
We have been to Saffron twice and both times it’s been a nice experience. The cafe showcases its culture in its service, food and the ambiance. The service is always good here. Falafel and tzatziki is delicious. We ordered Couscous royale for the main and was good too. I made the mistake of adding little too much of vegetable broth to my couscous which made it bitter, so don’t make that mistake. Baklava is very delicious, perfect balance of sweetness, flakiness and nuttiness. Saffron is a great place to have a calm and relaxing meal. Perfect for date nights. It also have options for vegetarians, which is what I look for. Highly recommend it.
I liked the decor very much. Our server was excellent and very knowledgeable about the menu. She helped us select some of our dishes. The falafel was a little dry, but tasted good. My Zaalouk was tasty, but I should have asked for a spicier version of it. My wife said her Tajine Lambarel was juicy and soft, though she too mentioned it needed some more spice in it. The highlight was definitely the baklava, which was perfect. We would surely be back to try some different dishes. 5 stars for the service and decor, 4 for the food.
Went there for our anniversary dinner and it was great. The tajines are excellent and huge portions, as well as the chocolate mascarpone cake we had for dessert.
Top Notch preparation!! Very polite staff...
Saffron introduced me to the amazing flavours of Moroccan cuisine. The dish was very well made with an awesome blend of flavoured oil, herbs and spices.....
I felt it was a mix of Arabic and Mediterranean food....
I love trying cuisines of different countries and this place is one of the best experiences I had in the US without actually flying abroad. The owner is super friendly and the place itself is just beautiful inside. Very cozy and homey. You must try one of their Tajines or couscous dishes. And baklava with some tea. Absolutely fantastic food. Finding parking wasn’t a problem and prices were slightly above average but it’s totally worth it. Would come back and recommend to friends.
Good food. Opens at 4pm and that's when we arrived. Great service. Tried specialty drinks, appetizers, kababs and dessert. All good stuff. Alan has the fish kabab which looked delicious though he didn't offer a bite.
Love it!!! Complimentary bread and their dips OMG... this was the first Moroccan restaurant I ever tried and totally fell in love .. tajines , couscous and saffron rice - everything was sooo damn good!! Highly recommend
Ambiance was great and so was the food.
We tried the Antipasto Plate, Chef Salad, both the Chicken and Vegetable soup and Kafta Kebab. All of it was fresh, aromatic and uniquely flavored. I've tried a lot of MENA regional cuisine and the Moroccan spices and chargrilling was different. A nice departure from what I'm used to.
Great date spot.
Great quality. I actually came in when they were technically closed in the period of time between lunch and dinner. The gentleman running the kitchen was happy to still cook me up some of the best Mediterranean I've had.
A must visit place. Nice Moroccan touch to the flavors. Quite oily though. However contrary to their claim the Saffron flavor was missing. You may know that saffron is the king of spices and even a hint of it in the food is noticeable. And there was none. Long wait times though. Took almost 40 mins to get our dish. May be I will go back once again and try another dish. Worth trying.
Very atmospheric environment with a nice touch of the Moroccan culture. The staff was incredibly friendly and most importantly the food was amazing! I'm a big eater and boy does the food come large. Well worth the price. I would definitely recommend new comers to Indy or those who love to try different cuisines to tryout Saffron Cafe.
Indianapolis gives way to a romantic and intimate setting in this restaurant.
The pleasant staff accommodates you and the food is memorable (I still feel satisfied when thinking of my ahi tuna 😍).
Outstanding food! I ordered the ginger chicken tanjine and it was unlike anything else I've had recently. Came in right before close and they accommodated. Paulina was my server and we had a great conversation! Next time I'm in Indy I will surely come back.
Super cute restaurant and such a great experience! I would highly recommend to come here. The flavors of the food are incredible and make such a fun environment to get out of the norm of American food, if you are looking for something like that. It’s a small restaurant so seating is very limited and it’s hard to get in sometimes from what I hear, but if you can get in it’s definitely worth it. It’s on the pricier end of the spectrum for a restaurant as well, but again it’s worth it in my opinion.
Sooooooo good. Clean, fresh, housemade eats! The handmade pitas were the best we ever had. The hand-packed lamb gyro was AMAZING. The tiramisu from a "generations old, family recipe" is the BEST on earth. Go here now. Do as I command! XO
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