As you step into the courtyard of Indya restaurant in Clairemont, a cobalt-blue elephant atop a water fountain greets you. A symbol of abundance in India, the elephant hints at what awaits you for your meal ahead.
Indya, one of Clairemont’s newest restaurants, opened in late September to much positive fanfare throughout the neighborhood. Located in the former space of Boomerang’s burger joint, Indya has undergone a complete transformation. The only shared similarity between the two restaurants is a burger on the menu.
Outside, miniature, colorful upside-down umbrellas float above the dining space. Mughal-inspired jali stencils cover the masonry walls, transporting you straight to India.
The Food
While its roots are Indian, Indya’s menu is a fusion of different cultures, including American, making it approachable for any palate. Owner Gubi Khinda says this was quite intentional.
“Indya was inspired by the way people actually eat today. They want classics, but they also want something unexpected. So we kept the soul of Indian flavor, and built a menu that’s playful, modern, and easy to love even if you’re new to Indian food.”
On the menu, you’ll find traditional Indian fare such as chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, and lamb vindaloo. You’ll also find Indian dishes with a twist, like naan tacos and a sloppy butter chicken burger.
The menu also offers other Asian options, such as Japanese-inspired yaki soba noodle dishes. For the less adventurous, Indya serves up classic American-style cheeseburgers, along with waffles and breakfast burritos for brunch.
Owners and Local Residents
Gubi and his wife, Trina, are Clairemont residents who take pride in the community and want to make Indya a welcoming space for guests who stop by for happy-hour appetizers and cocktails, a family dinner, or a late weekend brunch.
“Clairemont is home to us, so Indya isn’t just a restaurant. It’s our way of creating a true community space,” said Gubi. “Trina and I built it for the moments people actually remember, like birthdays and anniversary celebrations. Seeing the community come together here genuinely means something special to us.”
They are also not newcomers to the restaurant business. They owned Greenhaus Eatery on Morena Boulevard prior to opening Indya, and Gubi is also a partner at the Spice Lounge in Pacific Beach.
The Space
In addition to the outdoor space, Indya has an indoor dining room, an upstairs bar, and an event space. As the restaurant is still in its infancy, some of the space feels a bit sparse, a fact Gubi recognizes.
The main dining area’s bare white walls contrast with the thoughtful decor of the outdoor space. The bar area and event space feel unfinished.
Like many small businesses at launch, there is a fine line between amassing significant debt to immediately offer all the bells and whistles, or starting with a solid foundation, then building a loyal customer base, and slowly adding upgrades over time.
Gubi has decided on the latter. The upstairs bar and event space are a work in progress. In recent weeks, Gubi has introduced live music nights and karaoke, which use the upstairs space. As those grow in popularity, he’ll add to the decor.
When the vision of the outdoor area makes its way indoors, the entire space will feel complete.
What We Ate
I visited Indya for both dinner and brunch and, being a vegetarian, was pleased to see plenty of options. Conversely, my carnivorous family and friends were just as delighted with their options.
Dinner
First, I’m obsessed with naan and think it’s a tragic miscarriage of justice that those with gluten intolerance cannot partake in this heavenly bread. It’s always the first thing I order, usually followed by saag (or palak) paneer—a creamy spinach or greens dish with cubes of Indian cheese. Indya’s naan did not disappoint. Light and fluffy, with a signature hint of char, it hit the spot.
I veered from my traditional saag paneer order when I saw the naan tacos. You get two garlic naan tacos with a spiced curry filling, topped with cabbage and pickled onions. You can pick your protein. I opted for the two vegetarian offerings: paneer (cheese) and chana masala (an aromatic tomato-based chickpea blend). Wrapping my two favorite things—bread and cheese—into one soft taco made me a happy girl.
My brother had the tandoori sizzle, which blended grilled chicken with sautéed onions and bell peppers, and my sister-in-law had the chicken tikka. Tandoori dishes are typically marinated in a yogurt-spice blend, then grilled in a tandoor, a type of clay oven.
The entrees all come with rice and an assortment of chutneys to add as you please.
My brother and my sister-in-law said both of their dishes were quite flavorful and well-balanced. My brother, who can eat a ghost pepper without flinching, requested extra spicy, and his only disappointment was that it wasn’t spicy enough.
Brunch
I came for brunch on a second visit with a good friend of mine. I opted for the paneer breakfast burrito, and he sampled the avocado naan and butter chicken quesadilla.
Besides the paneer, my breakfast burrito was also stuffed with homestyle potatoes, onions, and bell peppers. Like standard comfort foods, it was quite filling. The masala sauce and cilantro dip served on the side let me dress the burrito in Indian flavor.
I watched my friend take his first bite of the cheesy quesadilla and could immediately tell it knocked it out of the park for him. His reaction was nearly identical when he bit into the breakfast naan that was topped with eggs, bacon, and avocado.
Indya doesn’t have a liquor license, but it does have a beer-and-wine license. I decided to try the Chai martini, made with soju instead of vodka. I was slightly underwhelmed, and it reminded me why I prefer vodka to soju.
I also had the mango lassi, which is a popular Punjabi yogurt-based drink. Indya’s is made with oat milk and was heaven in a glass. Creamy and not-too-sweet, I could have sucked the whole thing down in about three seconds, but I savored it instead.
For the Neighborhood and Beyond
Gubi aims to make Indya a locals’ favorite, while also catering to anyone outside the neighborhood looking to try something different or host an event.
“We’re built for events,” said Gubi. “People don’t realize how experienced we are at hosting both small and large celebrations. We can tailor menus with global inspiration depending on the event. Whether it’s a birthday, baby shower, or a work party, we love doing it all.”
Indya is open for dinner from 4 pm to 9 pm daily. Brunch hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm.
Special Offers: $7 drinks and appetizers for happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 pm-6 pm; $20 bottles of wine on Wednesdays; $5 mimosas and chai during weekend brunch.
Location: 4577 Clairemont Drive
www.eatindya.com | Instagram: @eatindya
