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Sandalwood Indian Kitchen

4.5 135 reviews 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM 1711 NJ-47, Rio Grande, NJ 08242, United States

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Sandalwood Indian Kitchen is where culinary passion meets authentic Indian flavors. Nestled in Rio Grande, NJ, this Asian-owned restaurant embraces all guests with its warm, casual atmosphere, making it a haven for families, vegans, and food enthusiasts alike. Known for its delightful small plates and comfort food, the menu features standout dishes like tangy barbecue chicken wings and house-made Gulab Jamun. Guests rave about the cozy, LGBTQ+ friendly vibe, complemented by warm hospitality and an inviting ambiance. With options for dine-in, takeaway, and catering, Sandalwood is not just a restaurant; it's a culinary experience that nourishes both body and soul.

Photos

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Amenities & More

Service options

  • No-contact delivery
  • Delivery
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in

Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Dining options

  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service

Amenities

  • Gender-neutral restroom
  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Quiet

Crowd

  • Family-friendly
  • Groups
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Tourists
  • Transgender safespace
Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with Sandalwood Indian Kitchen before visiting.

Reviews for Sandalwood Indian Kitchen

4.5
135 reviews
5
100%
4
9%
3
4%
2
2%
1
13%

Review highlights

Based on 135 reviews

Reviews for Sandalwood Indian Kitchen consistently highlight its fresh, thoughtfully prepared dishes that stand out in the local dining scene. The restaurant is praised for flavorful, authentic Indian cuisine, with particular emphasis on specialties like goat curry and butter chicken. Customers often commend the warm and welcoming staff, as well as the cozy, relaxed ambiance. While the decor is described as simple, the quality and variety of food, including unique menu options and impressive desserts, take precedence. The establishment’s commitment to using fresh ingredients and creating original recipes adds to its appeal, making it a favored spot for both Indian food enthusiasts and newcomers alike in the Rio Grande area.

Theresa Brecker
Apr 08, 2025

Really delicious food and kind staff!! We spoke to the chef and he creates his own recipes and they are amazing! Really fresh ingredients and everything is very thoughtful. Even the desserts are amazing!The ambience is great and this is a great addition to the Wildwood food scene!

ANKUR RUDRA
Mar 03, 2025

Sandalwood Indian Kitchen is a gem! Their goat curry is rich and full of flavour — a real must-try. The butter chicken is creamy, perfectly spiced, and melts in your mouth. Staff is kind, and the vibe is cozy. If you love Indian food, this spot won’t disappoint!

Amitesh Kumar
Feb 14, 2025

Very welcoming owner, who insisted on trying their goat curry. We went with it and it was indeed a classic goat curry. Other food preparations were all to our liking. Even a young kid enjoyed the goat curry so much so that he didn’t eat what he ordered for himself

Rita Natalini
Feb 03, 2025

Simple & easy. Its a BYO. Food is always good and flavorful. Decor is simple but the food is what matters. The shishito pepper are one of my favs. For local Indian cravings in Cape May/Rio Grande area, its the place to go!

Mir
Jan 12, 2025

We had a very relaxed and enjoyable experience with friends who had never eaten Indian food. They loved everything! We eat Indian in every state we visit. Sandalwood offered unique menu items and a variety of flavors that gives you more than that same old same old Indian food experience. When the owner and chef told us that all the ingredients were fresh, not processed, I crossed my fingers and thought, "I'll know if that's true tomorrow". I react quickly to additives with severe inflammation and pain. Today my rings go on and off with ease! But that's not the only reason that Sandalwood will absolutely be a regular in my restaurant rotation.

james spink
Jan 10, 2025

Everything was so good from start to finish. The service was superior and the food was the best! I had the Paneer Butter Masala by recommendation and I loved it!

Sudheer Arakkil
Jan 04, 2025

The food was excellent—I got to try authentic goat biryani, which was delicious. The lassi was great too. Om is a warm and welcoming host, and his international culinary experience truly shows in his cooking.

Jason Moritz
Dec 30, 2024

Great service, awesome food. The mango lassi had a nice bit of spice, maybe cardamom, running through it. The pakora, naan, roti, chicken Tikka masala, basmati rice, and Gulab Jamun were all fantastic. The star of the show was the butter paneer masala, absolutely the best I've ever had. It was so flavorful, really truly phenomenal. I'm in Cape May for 6 more days and I expect we will be back before we go.

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Quick info

Address
1711 NJ-47, Rio Grande, NJ 08242, United States
Price range
$20–30
Category
Indian restaurants

Opening hours

  • Monday (Today) 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Tuesday Closed
  • Wednesday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Thursday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Friday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Saturday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Sunday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Location

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