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The Clay Pit
Indian Restaurant and Buffet$$$$
Downtown Austin, Austin
"Great lunch buffet, both in terms of food and value."(13 Tips)
"Chicken tikka masala and tamarind coconut shrimp are awesome."(15 Tips)
"Best indian restaurant in Austin .. Chicken masala is a must have .."(8 Tips)
"Curied mussels are amazing, get extra naan to mop up the sauce."(26 Tips)
114 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- Indian food
- healthy food
- samosas
- good for dates
- good for groups
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Austin ChronicleJune 17, 2013The Singh boys have built a loyal following with their contemporized Indian fare. The space is old, stone, and gorgeous, the crowd is watchworthy, and the food delish. Like a kick? Ask for desi-hot.
Alex GronbachSeptember 7, 2016Great service, and excellent food! Ordered the goat biryani and chicken tikka masala, both were delicious with medium being the right amount of heat. Also had the naan which was cooked very well.
Michelle TranSeptember 12, 2013Hate to be like the others but the chicken tikka masala and mirch masala are delicious. Try the Jalapeño and garlic naans. Took my mango lassi to-go bc I was super full but still wanted every drop!
Puneet ChowdhriNovember 10, 2017Everything is amazing -real authentic Indian food. Tikka masala and acahri Paneer/chicken are must have. People familiar with authentic chaana masala will love that too. Do book a reservation
Russell HirschornMarch 4, 2016The food was very good, stick to the traditionals, tikka masala, malai kofta, rogan josh, yellow daal. Mussels app happened to be excellent
Social News NetworkNovember 28, 2013Might be the best indian food in Austin. Order the Chicken Tikka Masala and the vegetable samosas. And sit down in the basement if you can- really nice atmosphere down there.
Josh ADecember 18, 2015The best Indian food in Austin. Maybe not the most authentic, but the tastiest. Also nice atmosphere and upscale feel. Go there and eat family style.
Sarwat DootiApril 18, 2012Appetizers: curried mussels and samosas Entrees: shrimp with coconut curry and khuroosh-e-tursh, both with garlic onion naans Desserts: rasmalai and mango ice cream Drink: salt lassi
Dan PyatetskyNovember 9, 2023Def my favorite Indian food ive had near downtown. I’d skip the broccoli. Saag paneer was great, achari lamb was okay. Will add it to my delivery rotation.
DebsMarch 11, 2022Tikka masala, kothmir salmon with yellow sauce, veggie biryani, samosa chaat, aloo ghobi. All so tasty and not overly heavy or greasy.
Aria RoyMay 28, 2018Seafood grill, lamb kebabs, and everything out of the tandoor are great!! I would skip the naans (too doughy) and skip the tikka masal (just ok).
Cassidy PattersonJanuary 22, 2012I love the Clay Pit, one of the best places I have eaten at in Austin, the curried muscles appetizer it delicious - order it with a bunch of garlic naaan to dip in the sauce!!
Rachel LasseterMarch 26, 2015Love this place! The chicken Tikka Masala and beef Vindaloo are delicious. The naan is also tasty. Cucumber salad is just so-so.- Kamran QaziDecember 10, 2011Try the coconut curry chicken with a medium to hot spice level. The sweetness of the coconut perfectly balances out the spiciness of the curry. Naan or rice works well with this dish.
- Mazanin FJuly 24, 2015Lunch Buffets for 7 dollars if you are a student! The best Indian place in Austin. Pick any item from the menu and you will enjoy it.
- Sarwat DootiApril 18, 2012Appetizers: curried mussels and samosas Entrees: shrimp with coconut curry and khuroosh-e-tursh, both with garlic onion naans Desserts: rasmalai and mango ice cream
You HAVE to have a glass of the ginger-infused vodka on the rocks. It is incredibly luscious. Maybe the bartender who invented it will be there. He's awesome, too.
Kunal TundiaNovember 18, 2017Pretty good portions of appetizers...tried chicken coconut curry for entree and it was fab...service is top notch!
Kevin BluerApril 6, 2019Food was solid and service was great, although the “Desi Hot” Vindaloo was super mild...if you like spice, ask to get it extra cranked :)
Curried mussels are a MUST! Great for dinner and one of the few places that can actually spice it up upon request for those of us who want to sweat when we have curry!!! Mmmmmm
Nada AlshamiAugust 15, 2017The lamb korma was delicious... Everything was actually great! One word to describe this place is literally "orgasmic"
Jason TennenbaumJanuary 22, 2013If you're hankering for a lot of food, swing by during lunch time and enjoy the buffet. Not like a normal buffet that sits for hours, but with freshly prepared food that is always hot.
Melissa NikenAugust 26, 2023Korma (with the rice) was really delicious, especially if you are into slightly sweet food.
Great food, mostly good service, and there's salsa lessons upstairs a couple times a week!- Rafael RodriguezDecember 31, 2017Reservations are recommended, if not be prepared to wait at the bar for a while. Customer service is good. The decor isn't ugly but it's meh, bland. Food is above average, no hot curries here though.
ColinApril 27, 2013The weekday lunch buffet is only $8 and you're guaranteed to leave with your belly full of naan and tandoori chicken.
Amelia RegaladoAugust 19, 2014Great food no matter what you get! Be sure to order some naan as well! YUM!
Best indian in Austin! I love the tikka masala chiken and the samosas!! By the way, on Mondays wine bottles at half price! ;-)
Daisy CramerJuly 26, 2013The private room on main floor is perfect for 12-15 people. The jalapeño-cream cheese naan is Delilah!
Kim AirsFebruary 22, 2015Their Sunday brunch was delish! Chicken was tender and the cream of mushroom soup Devine.
KalpanaFebruary 9, 2013Had an amazing Bollywood DJ night!.. ;-) They have a huge dance floor upstairs n have drink specials on some event nights
Re RoFebruary 1, 2014Average Lunch buffet ... tamarind chutney is excellent with veggie Pakoras.. Cumin potatoes r good... Chicken tandoori is good. Romantic ambience
Just JulieMay 2, 2013Great prices an best naan ever! Light and crispy yet soft and chewy at the same time.
Chet ThakerMarch 12, 2013Awesome food and ambience. Knowledgeable waiters in a relaxed atmosphere. Thoroughly recommend it.
Kimberly BarreroSeptember 16, 2013Downtown austin. Call ahead for Reservation. and just try the mussles. Just do it.
Meera PankhaniaMarch 16, 2013Excellent Indian Restaurant! Lots of options with vegetarian food and friendly staff.
Ailie ChangOctober 19, 2010They have a daily lunch buffet! Ask for lots of naan bread to dip in sauces :) Also, try their mango drink. I'm not too sure what it's called, but it's like a smoothie.
Sarah StuchberyFebruary 15, 2011Tried the mixed grill for dinner the other night, it was delicious! Highly recommend.
VEGETARIANS: try the Vegetable Ayam. My wife & my favorite Indian dish of all time. Medium or mild.
Leigh DAugust 26, 2013Best eaten wearing earplugs for that gives me the nice, quiet meal I'm looking for.
246 Photos
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A Contemporary Indian Restaurant in historic Bertram's Building in Downtown Austin. Serving contemporary and traditional Indian cuisine.
Closed until 5:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 11:00 AM–2:30 PM
- 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Fri
- 11:00 AM–2:30 PM
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Sat
- Noon–3:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Sun
- Noon–3:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
(512) 322-5131
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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- 8.3
"Paneer biryani is awesome. Super delicious!"
Vishal Khanapure - 7.6
"One of my favorite Indian restaurants in Austin. The food is authentic and spicy. Their lunch buffet has a good selection with plenty of veg and non-veg options."
Eric Laczi - 7.6
"Vindaloo is fantastic, also try the sampler."
Katy Thompson
Places people like to go after The Clay Pit
- 9.2
"The rotunda is stunning. I basically was able to just walk in after going through really quick security. The whole place was welcoming and beautiful!"
Jackie Mann - 7.9
"Great atmosphere, good tunes and prices. Owner Jim is a nice guy."
J Groves - 9.0
"Quite possibly my favorite place to eat in Austin. Nothing prepares you for the hot food bar and all of that deliciousness. Carrot ginger soup is to die for. Wish they would tweet daily soup offerings"
Brittany Blackmon
Appears on 229 lists
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