Best Indian Restaurant in Denver | SPICE ROOM

Welcome to SPICE ROOM, Denver's highest-rated Indian and Himalayan restaurant with a 4.9★ rating from over 3,400 Google reviews. We serve authentic, homestyle Indian cuisine across three convenient locations in Denver and Arvada. Our menu features over 80 dishes including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options — all prepared fresh daily with traditional spices and locally sourced ingredients. Whether you're craving classic North Indian curries, Himalayan momos, or tandoori specialties from our clay oven, SPICE ROOM delivers bold, authentic flavors in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Signature Dishes

Butter Chicken Chicken Tikka Masala Lamb Biryani Palak Paneer Tandoori Chicken Garlic Naan Dal Makhani Momos Rogan Josh Mango Lassi Gulab Jamun Vegetable Biryani

Our menu spans over 80 dishes — from rich, slow-cooked curries and sizzling tandoori platters to fresh Himalayan street food and hand-rolled naan from our clay oven. Every dish is crafted with traditional spice blends, locally sourced produce, and halal-certified meats. Explore our full menu, build your own thali, or ask about our daily chef's specials.

Our 3 Denver & Arvada Locations

🏙️ Highlands — West 38th Ave

3157 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80211

(303) 455-3127

Near Tennyson Street & Highlands Square. Serving LoHi, Sunnyside, Berkeley, Sloan's Lake, and West Highland.

🌆 Bluebird District — East Colfax Ave

3100 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

(303) 285-3700

Next to Bluebird Theater on historic Colfax. Serving Capitol Hill, City Park, Uptown, Congress Park, and Cherry Creek.

🏔️ Old Town Arvada — Ralston Rd

7355 Ralston Rd Unit H, Arvada, CO 80002

(303) 558-0992

In Olde Town Arvada. Serving Wheat Ridge, Applewood, Westminster, Golden, and Lakewood.

Hours & Services

Monday–Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM  |  Friday–Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM  |  Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery · Catering · Happy Hour · Private Events · Full Bar

Why SPICE ROOM?

Established in 2017, SPICE ROOM has grown to three locations across Denver and Arvada, earning a 4.9-star average from over 3,400 Google reviews. We use halal-certified meats, freshly ground spice blends, and locally sourced ingredients. Whether you're planning a corporate lunch for 20 or a wedding reception for 300, our catering team brings the full SPICE ROOM experience to your venue. Join us for happy hour cocktails, weekend brunch specials, or a weeknight dinner with family.

Quick Facts

Founded
2017
Locations
3 (Denver & Arvada)
Rating
4.9★ (3,400+ reviews)
Cuisine
Indian, Himalayan
Price Range
$$ ($12–$28)
Dietary
Halal, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free
Awards
Westword Best of Denver 2021
Hours
Daily 11 AM–9:30 PM

Common Questions

What kind of food does SPICE ROOM serve? Authentic Indian and Himalayan cuisine. 80+ dishes including curries, tandoori, biryani, momos, dosa, and naan.

Is SPICE ROOM halal? Yes, all meat is halal-certified. Extensive vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available.

Does SPICE ROOM have vegan options? Yes — Palak Paneer, Dal Makhani, Chana Masala, Vegetable Biryani, Aloo Gobi, Masala Dosa, and more.

How many locations are there? Three: Highlands (W 38th Ave), Bluebird District (E Colfax Ave), and Old Town Arvada (Ralston Rd).

What are the most popular dishes? Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Biryani, Momos, Garlic Naan, Palak Paneer, Tandoori Chicken, and Dal Makhani.

Does SPICE ROOM offer delivery and catering? Yes — delivery from all 3 locations via order.denverspiceroom.com, plus full-service catering for up to 500 guests.

Back to Recipes
Authentic Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) | SPICE ROOM Denver blog
butter chicken
chicken curry
Indian classics
creamy curry
Denver favorite

Authentic Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Learn to make restaurant-quality butter chicken at home with our authentic recipe featuring tender chicken in a rich, creamy tomato sauce.

Medium
Prep: 30 minsCook: 45 minsServes: 4-6

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cubed
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 tbsp garam masala
  • 1 tbsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp red chili powder
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 inch ginger, grated
  • 2 cups tomato puree
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • to taste salt

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine yogurt, garam masala, turmeric, and chili powder in a bowl. Add chicken pieces and marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

  2. 2

    Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

  3. 3

    In the same pan, add remaining butter. Sauté onions until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.

  4. 4

    Add garlic and ginger, cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.

  5. 5

    Pour in tomato puree and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  6. 6

    Add the cooked chicken back to the pan. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

  7. 7

    Stir in heavy cream, kasuri methi, and sugar. Simmer for another 5 minutes.

  8. 8

    Season with salt to taste. Serve hot with basmati rice or naan bread.

Chef's Notes

Butter chicken, or Murgh Makhani, is one of India's most beloved dishes. This recipe comes straight from our kitchen at Spice Room, where we've perfected the balance of spices and creaminess over the years.

Pro tip: Marinating the chicken overnight makes a huge difference in flavor and tenderness. Don't skip this step if you want authentic results!

SPICE ROOM Kitchen, Culinary Team at SPICE ROOM Denver

SPICE ROOM Kitchen

Culinary Team

The SPICE ROOM culinary team collaborates on recipes inspired by generations of family cooking traditions from across India and Nepal. Every recipe we share is tested and refined in our Denver kitchens to bring you authentic flavors at home.

Indian Cuisine
Himalayan Cuisine
Home Cooking

Skip the cooking

Try Authentic Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) at SPICE ROOM

Love this recipe? Taste the original at any of our 3 Denver locations — made fresh by our chefs daily.

West 38th Ave — 3157 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80211East Colfax Ave — 3100 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206Ralston Rd — 7355 Ralston Rd Unit H, Arvada, CO 80002
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Serving neighborhoods across Denver:

Denver Food GuideDenver's Best RestaurantBest Restaurant DenverHighlandsCapitol HillArvadaLakewoodLittletonCentennialHighlands RanchCherry Creek

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Authentic Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Authentic Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)

Prep: 30 mins · Cook: 45 mins · Serves: 4-6

Key ingredients: 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cubed, 1 cup plain yogurt, 2 tbsp garam masala, 1 tbsp turmeric powder, 1 tbsp red chili powder, 4 tbsp butter…

Get Full Recipe →

Recipe by SPICE ROOM Denver

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<img src="https://denverspiceroom.com/food/butter-chicken-hero.jpg" alt="Authentic Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)" style="width:100%;height:200px;object-fit:cover;" />
<div style="padding:16px;">
<h3 style="margin:0 0 8px;font-size:18px;color:#1A1A2E;">Authentic Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)</h3>
<p style="margin:0 0 8px;font-size:13px;color:#666;">Prep: 30 mins · Cook: 45 mins · Serves: 4-6</p>
<p style="margin:0 0 12px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Key ingredients: 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, cubed, 1 cup plain yogurt, 2 tbsp garam masala, 1 tbsp turmeric powder, 1 tbsp red chili powder, 4 tbsp butter…</p>
<a href="https://denverspiceroom.com/blog/authentic-butter-chicken-recipe?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=recipe_embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:inline-block;padding:8px 16px;background:#D4A853;color:#1A1A2E;text-decoration:none;border-radius:8px;font-size:13px;font-weight:bold;">Get Full Recipe →</a>
<p style="margin:8px 0 0;font-size:10px;color:#aaa;">Recipe by <a href="https://denverspiceroom.com?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=recipe_embed" style="color:#D4A853;">SPICE ROOM Denver</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>