Serendib - Ellsworth

I was pleasantly surprised to discover such delicious Indian cuisine in Ellsworth! If you're not a fan of spicy food, I recommend asking for a mild spice level. I ordered my dish with medium spice and it was definitely on the hot side, but I enjoyed it. The Madras curry with chickpeas and devilled potatoes were both excellent. Just a heads up, be sure to specify if you want a vegan dish because even though my entree was dairy-free, it still came with a small cup of yogurt on the side. Overall, a great dining experience.

Located in Ellsworth, Maine, this trendy little restaurant is a pleasant surprise. Despite its contemporary atmosphere, it is not your typical family-run Sri Lankan eatery. When our reservation fell through and the place was packed, we opted to get our food to go and enjoy it at a picnic table outside the public library. While it is often described as a fusion of Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine, the menu primarily features Sri Lankan-inspired dishes that offer a unique twist compared to traditional North Indian fare commonly found in North America. For example, the beetroot curry had a distinct flavor of toasted sesame oil, a rarity in most Indian restaurants. Other dishes prominently feature coconut and citrus, making for an interesting culinary experience. We opted for the vegan mushroom curry as the main dish, which packed a spicy punch but lacked depth in flavor beyond the umami of the mushrooms. The accompanying dhal was hearty and satisfying, reminiscent of Punjabi dhal tarka. The lentil cakes we ordered as a starter were a creative delight, served with tamarind sauce. The tempered spinach was refreshingly simple, not overloaded with spices like at other Indian restaurants. Although we found ourselves with a shortage of rice for our party of four, likely due to ordering takeout, overall we were pleased with the food. The restaurant offers a decent selection of vegan dishes, including the option to veganize classics like tikka masala.

Serendib is a quaint Indian and Sri Lankan restaurant located in downtown Ellsworth. If you happen to be in the area, it's definitely worth paying a visit for a meal. They offer a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions. During my visit with vegetarian friends, we were pleasantly surprised by the variety of choices available. We ended up ordering more food than we could finish due to the many unique options not typically found in Indian restaurants. It's advisable to make a reservation as the restaurant can get quite busy. On the night we dined there, there was a long wait and many customers without reservations were unable to be seated.

This lively and chic little restaurant was a surprising find in Ellsworth, Maine. It has a contemporary feel and is not your typical mom-and-pop Sri Lankan joint. Unfortunately, our reservation didn't go through and the restaurant was packed, so we decided to eat at a picnic table in front of the public library. The menu offers a fusion of Indian and Sri Lankan flavors, with dishes like naan, samosas, and mulligatawny soup. However, the Sri Lankan-inspired dishes stand out with unique flavors like coconut and citrus. We opted for the vegan option of mushroom curry with rice and curry, which was quite spicy and had a lot of gravy. The dish lacked complexity but was still enjoyable. The lentils that came with it were simple and satisfying. The flaxseed cakes we ordered as a starter were creative and delicious, served with tamarind sauce. The tempered spinach was flavorful and not overcooked, unlike in many other Indian restaurants. We did find that the portion of rice was small for four people, but overall we were pleased with our dining experience. The restaurant offers a good selection of vegan options, including the option to veganize dishes like tikka masala.

My dining experience was fantastic - the staff were friendly and the Indian food was amazing.