Migration
Ganesha sure to please lovers of Indian food near Weiden, Germany
Stars and Stripes
September 25, 2014
Ganesha Tandoori Restaurant in Weiden hits all the notes one might expect from an Indian restaurant in Germany, including the "poppadoms," with a nice variety of side sauces. (Michael S. Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
Ganesha Tandoori Restaurant in Weiden hits all the notes one might expect from an Indian restaurant in Germany, including the "poppadoms," with a nice variety of side sauces. (Michael S. Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
This chicken "tikka" dish is among the best meals at Ganesha, found in the center of Weiden, Germany. (Michael S. Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
Each meal at Ganesha comes with "naan" and cardamom-infused rice that helps cut the richness of dishes like the mango prawns, seen in the background. (Michael S. Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
The desserts at Ganesha are above average, with this honey-sweetened "gulab jamun" being one of the restaurant's best offerings. (Michael S. Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
As with most Indian restaurants, vegetarians visiting Ganesha will find a plethora of options, from this mushroom "pakora" to a wide range of rice dishes that are just as good as anything else on the menu. (Michael S. Darnell/Stars and Stripes)
I’ve been resisting the urge to write about Ganesha. This is my local “spot,” the place I go when I want a great meal with minimal fuss. Some part of me has wanted to keep this place to myself, but after my most recent visit, I changed my mind.
Simply put, Ganesha is too good to keep to myself.
This moderately-sized Indian restaurant right in the middle of Weiden, Germany, opened a little more than a year ago, so it’s not as well-known as other eateries in the area.
The charm of Ganesha, to be completely frank, isn’t immediately apparent. From the outside, it looks like any other restaurant in the area. Inside, the decor is typical and the lighting is a bit dim. On some visits, the service leaves much to be desired, while on others it’s well above average. The menu has the usual pakoras, naans and biryani dishes one might expect from an Indian restaurant in southern Germany.
I say this, because while some restaurants woo diners with their atmosphere, Ganesha’s strength lies with the quality of its kitchen staff, which has, to date, yet to disappoint. In fact, it’s fair to say the food there ranks among the best — if not the best — Indian cuisine I’ve ever eaten.
I’ve had a good sampling of the menu on my many visits there, with the lamb palak — a flavorful and hearty lamb, curry and onion dish — and a sweetened mango and prawn jheenga being among the highlights. My personal favorite, and a dish I can’t recommend enough, is the garlic chicken tikka. Like all Ganesha’s tandoori creations, this spicy fowl is roasted over coals in a clay oven, and the texture is absolutely wonderful because of that preparation.
It’s not just the main courses that mark Ganesha as a quality restaurant. For example, some Indian restaurants treat their naans — baked flatbreads ubiquitous in Anglicized Indian cuisine — as an afterthought. Not so here. The garlic naan is of particular note, and served with a side of curry, could be a meal in itself.
The same quality can be found in the couple of desserts I’ve tried. The gulab jamun — a honey-baked cake — is sweet without being cloying. It’s been the favorite dessert among people I’ve eaten with, though more adventurous types may want to give the homemade rice-and-milk pudding a chance, as that was a pleasant experience.
No matter what I’ve tried, I have always managed to leave Ganesha happy with the quality of the food and fair prices.
I wish I could say the same for the service. The owner is often working the floor and is extremely friendly and attentive. But the wait staff on my most recent visit had to be flagged down for nearly everything. On other times, the staff is very attentive. The hit-or-miss service is the only negative I can levy against the restaurant, but I felt it worth mentioning.
I can recommend Ganesha more strongly than nearly every other restaurant in the Weiden area, simply because I have never had anything less than a stellar meal there.
Bottom line: If you’re in the mood for Indian food and you happen to be in Weiden, Ganesha should be at the top of your list.
GaneshaAddress: Weisenstrasse 1, Weiden.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m and 5-10 p.m. daily
Dress: Casual.
Prices: Main course are between 12 euros and 16 euros; starters between 4 euros and 10 euros.
Clientele: German and the occasional American.
Menu: In English and German.
More information: Phone: (+49) (0) 961-206-331-55; website: