With little more than a handful of Indian restaurants in São Paulo, curry cravings can be hard to satisfy unless you go the home-cooked route. One of the better known places is Tandoor, and the good news is, it’s the real deal.

As the daughter of an Indian restauranteur, I can be a tough critic when it comes to Indian food; but I was pleasantly surprised not only by the fresh flavours of the food, but also by the impressive range of dishes on offer.

To try a good mix, go for the meat-based thali – a mixed platter that includes rice, samosas, lentils, raita, lamb curry and tandoori chicken – clearly cooked in a genuine clay Tandoori oven. The highlight was the perfectly spiced chicken karahi – a genuine taste of India. It didn’t come as a surprise, then, to learn that the husband-and-wife owners, Lakhi and Mansha Dashwani, hail from Mumbai.

My only criticisms were the over-cooked naan bread, slow service and a less-than-lively atmosphere. Not to mention the expense, with main courses costing R$32-$50, not including rice and side dishes. Though given the lack of competition, this is probably your best bet for a curry fix in São Paulo.