Another week, another Indian restaurant... This time a bit more typical, both in terms of menu and atmosphere, and I mean that very much as a compliment. For a belated birthday celebration with a close female friend, I headed to Krishna, tucked just behind the glossy Puerto Portals marina, with it's designer clothes boutiques and shiny superyachts. Dinner expectations here are, inevitably, a little higher.
My friend and I both love Indian food, its comfort, familiarity, and that reassuring feeling of knowing exactly what we’re ordering. Krishna felt warm and unpretentious. The dining room was softly lit, intimate without being cramped, and gently humming with conversation. There’s something reassuringly old-school about it. The staff greeted us with genuine smiles, and throughout the evening there was an easy, familial rhythm to the service: attentive without being too much, friendly without fuss.
Before even opening the menu, we ordered mint tea. Both of us had a bit of a cold, so this felt like a better option than alcohol. Soon after came the obligatory poppadoms, crisp and light, accompanied by the holy trinity of Indian sauces: cooling mint yogurt, tangy mango and a gently spiced onion relish. Add a portion of crispy onion bhaji (golden, crunchy, and just oily enough to be indulgent!) and we were officially off to a very good start.
Krishna’s menu is reassuringly classic, offering the dishes most of us look for when the craving for Indian food hits. No surprises, just well-known recipes done properly. We shared three main dishes, each representing a different corner of the Indian comfort-food spectrum.
First up was Bombay aloo. Earthy, deeply flavoured and gently spiced, it was the kind of dish that makes you forget you’re eating something vegetarian. Comforting and wholesome, it was a reminder of how comforting Indian vegetable dishes can be when given the same care as meat-based curries.
Next came lamb saag (lamb with spinach). It was not on the menu, but I asked for it and they obliged. Tender pieces of lamb swimming in a dark, aromatic sauce, rich but not too heavy. The spinach added depth, to this dish , but did not overpower the lamb. This was slow-cooked comfort at its best, the sort of dish you eat slowly, savouring each mouthful, spooning up every last bit of sauce.
Our third main was a chicken korma, creamy and gently sweet, with just enough spice to keep it interesting. Korma is one of those dishes that can easily slip into bland territory, but Krishna’s version was well balanced and reassuringly indulgent. Paired with fluffy pilau rice, lightly enriched with spices, and plain naan bread, blistered and soft in all the right places, it completed the table perfectly.
The food, across the board, was genuinely delicious. If I had one small caveat, it would be that Krishna is slightly pricier than what many of us might expect from a “typical” Indian restaurant, but then again, this is Puerto Portals. Location matters, and expectations shift accordingly. What you’re paying for here isn’t only the food, but the setting, the calm atmosphere, and the consistency.
One detail I particularly loved was the artwork on the walls, which adds colour and personality to the space. The pieces are by Anastasiya Tigipko, and their vibrant, expressive style brings warmth and individuality to the dining room. It’s a thoughtful touch, reinforcing the sense that this is a place run with care rather than formula.
By the time we finished our meal - pleasantly full, relaxed, and lingering over the last sips of tea - it felt like exactly the right choice for a belated birthday dinner.