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Address and Contact Information
Address: 269 Main St, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
Phone: (908) 684-7064
Website: http://www.indianessencenj.com/
Menu Photos
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Indian Essence Hackettstown (@indianessencehackettstown)
At our new Indian restaurant Indian Essence in Hackettstown, NJ, we offer a fine dining atmosphere paired with authentic flavors that will delight your palate.
Indian Essence Hackettstown – Facebook
️ Come and enjoy a delicious Indian dining experience like no other! At our new Indian restaurant Indian Essence in Hackettstown, NJ, we offer a fine dining …
Indian essence temporarily closed. New place? – Hackettstown NJ
Boy they had good chaat, everybit as good as Moghul. The tikka masala and the makhani both solid. The Malabar curry was down right exceptional.
Reviews
Richard Stanics
1/12/25. Yesterday, we stopped in to try this new addition to Hackettstown’s list of restaurants. As fans of Indian cuisine, we were very happy to see that Indian Essence measures up to delicious, quality examples of really good food. Fresh, full of flavor, and ample portions. The staff were super friendly and attentive. The spices were perfect. Everything was just right. We are so happy to have a satisfying Indian restaurant back in town! Definitely going back for more.
… moreDeepa Balusamy
We ordered lamb chops, chicken tikka masala, Goat Madras and Goat pepper fry, Garlic Naan. Every dish was very delicious and very authentic. Service was fantastic. Highly recommend this restaurant.
… moreJuice
From the moment we walked into Indian Essence, we felt an instant warmth. The staff was so friendly, kind, and incredibly helpful—it honestly felt like we had known them forever. The atmosphere was calm, peaceful, and beautifully decorated for Valentine’s Day, adding to the charm of our dining experience.
Now, let’s talk about the food—absolutely incredible. We started with the Vegetable Samosa, which was perfectly crispy on the outside and packed with a flavorful potato and pea filling. The Chicken 65 had the perfect level of crunch and spice, making it an addicting appetizer. The Chicken Tikka Masala (Mild) was rich, creamy, and comforting, while the Goat Madras had deep, bold flavors with melt-in-your-mouth tender goat.
One of the unexpected highlights was the papadum—light, crispy, and full of flavor, especially when dipped in the mango chutney, mint chutney, and tamarind chutney. The sweet mango chutney, refreshing mint, and tangy tamarind made every bite even better.
Of course, we had to get some naan! The Garlic Naan was soft, fluffy, and loaded with garlic, perfect for scooping up all the delicious sauces. For takeout, we also got the Peshwari Naan and Chili Chicken—both fantastic choices.
To cool things down, we sipped on the Mango Lassi, which was smooth, creamy, and had just the right amount of sweetness. It was the perfect refreshing touch to round out the meal.
Between the amazing food, the welcoming atmosphere, and the kind-hearted staff, Indian Essence is a true gem in Hackettstown. Whether you’re dining in or taking food to go, this place is an absolute must-visit. We’ll definitely be back soon!
Please note if you’re planning on visiting after 5:00PM EST, a reservation is needed due to how busy they get in the evening.
1. Cleanliness: 10/10
2. Comfort: 10/10
3. Amenities: 10/10
4. View: N/A
5. Bathroom: 10/10
6. Design and Decor: 10/10
7. Soundproofing: 10/10
8. Space: 10/10
9. Lighting: 10/10
10. Overall Experience: 10/10
Bonus: ♿️ Accessibility is no issue here as it’s located on the ground floor, making it easy for everyone to enter and exit the store. There’s a ramp in the back of the store by the parking lot for wheelchair access I believe. Please call and ask the restaurant if this ramp can be used to access the store.
Parking : Street parking is available, but it’s metered. Finding a spot can be a headache, especially on weekends. But, there’s a parking lot in the back of the restaurant. There’s about 15 parking spots and 2 handicap spots.
… moreNow, let’s talk about the food—absolutely incredible. We started with the Vegetable Samosa, which was perfectly crispy on the outside and packed with a flavorful potato and pea filling. The Chicken 65 had the perfect level of crunch and spice, making it an addicting appetizer. The Chicken Tikka Masala (Mild) was rich, creamy, and comforting, while the Goat Madras had deep, bold flavors with melt-in-your-mouth tender goat.
One of the unexpected highlights was the papadum—light, crispy, and full of flavor, especially when dipped in the mango chutney, mint chutney, and tamarind chutney. The sweet mango chutney, refreshing mint, and tangy tamarind made every bite even better.
Of course, we had to get some naan! The Garlic Naan was soft, fluffy, and loaded with garlic, perfect for scooping up all the delicious sauces. For takeout, we also got the Peshwari Naan and Chili Chicken—both fantastic choices.
To cool things down, we sipped on the Mango Lassi, which was smooth, creamy, and had just the right amount of sweetness. It was the perfect refreshing touch to round out the meal.
Between the amazing food, the welcoming atmosphere, and the kind-hearted staff, Indian Essence is a true gem in Hackettstown. Whether you’re dining in or taking food to go, this place is an absolute must-visit. We’ll definitely be back soon!
Please note if you’re planning on visiting after 5:00PM EST, a reservation is needed due to how busy they get in the evening.
1. Cleanliness: 10/10
2. Comfort: 10/10
3. Amenities: 10/10
4. View: N/A
5. Bathroom: 10/10
6. Design and Decor: 10/10
7. Soundproofing: 10/10
8. Space: 10/10
9. Lighting: 10/10
10. Overall Experience: 10/10
Bonus: ♿️ Accessibility is no issue here as it’s located on the ground floor, making it easy for everyone to enter and exit the store. There’s a ramp in the back of the store by the parking lot for wheelchair access I believe. Please call and ask the restaurant if this ramp can be used to access the store.
Parking : Street parking is available, but it’s metered. Finding a spot can be a headache, especially on weekends. But, there’s a parking lot in the back of the restaurant. There’s about 15 parking spots and 2 handicap spots.
86DuckFat
Had dinner @Indianessence on Valentine’s weekend. We lived in NYC for many years and know good Indian food. And trust me when I tell you this is good Indian food and easy on the wallet. If you like big flavors and spice mixes this is for you! Amazing flavors, well spiced and seasoned, very flavorful and balanced. We had the kabob sampler, tandoori chicken, different Nan breads with dips (chat), aloo matar, samosas, chicken biryani and mango mousse for dessert. All delicious. It’s simple yet complex flavors, good service and clean. Will be back to try their various seafood dishes! Good job Indian Essence, we needed you in our town!
… morechristine g
My husband and I have been waiting years for an indian restaraunt to come to Hackettstown. We have tried all the local places and we always try somewhere new when we go out of state. The take out was phenomenal! One of our favorites so far. Veggie samosas, papad, garlic naan, chicken tikka, and chicken korma. We thought the korma was unique and delicious. The chicken was cooked well and we were happy with the portions. We will absolutely be back.
… moreragini kininge
Disappointing Experience
I recently visited, hoping for an authentic and enjoyable Indian dining experience, but unfortunately, it fell short of expectations.
The service was quite slow, with long waits even for water and basic items. The staff seemed overwhelmed, and it was difficult to get their attention.
The food quality was another letdown. The flavors were not well-balanced, and some dishes lacked the rich spices typically associated with Indian cuisine. The naan was undercooked and chewy.
I ordered the Chettinad curry, and it was so bland that I couldn’t even eat it. As an Indian, I can honestly say I make a much better version at home. We also ordered aloo paratha, but it was disappointing—the filling was missing, and the paratha itself wasn’t cooked properly. I’ve attached photos for reference. In aloo paratha there’s no aloo are you even serious????
… moreI recently visited, hoping for an authentic and enjoyable Indian dining experience, but unfortunately, it fell short of expectations.
The service was quite slow, with long waits even for water and basic items. The staff seemed overwhelmed, and it was difficult to get their attention.
The food quality was another letdown. The flavors were not well-balanced, and some dishes lacked the rich spices typically associated with Indian cuisine. The naan was undercooked and chewy.
I ordered the Chettinad curry, and it was so bland that I couldn’t even eat it. As an Indian, I can honestly say I make a much better version at home. We also ordered aloo paratha, but it was disappointing—the filling was missing, and the paratha itself wasn’t cooked properly. I’ve attached photos for reference. In aloo paratha there’s no aloo are you even serious????
Linda Deloreto
Yippee great Indian food in Hackettstown! So nice to have a great place so close to home. It was so good I forgot to get pictures but here’s a few
… moreOzge Duzel Sagir
We were very excited to try a new Restaurant in town! We liked what we tried! Cauliflower was really good! Would love to go there again! I’m
… morenazam
Tasty Indian food in Hackettstown NJ. It’s the only one in the area. Place is spacious and comfortable with parking at rear of bldg. Food sometimes takes longer than usual to arrive but it’s all freshly cooked and served. Staff is always attentive and friendly.
… moreCitizenKane359
What an amazing place! I had dinner there for the first time last night and it was easily the best Indian food I’d ever tasted. What made it so good (I have to say this upfront) was the subtlety of the flavors. Nothing was overdone, nothing was too this or too that (too hot, too spicy, or even too mild), and the tastes blended so well that every bite yielded an explosion of deliciousness. Service was exemplary, too, and the place is beautiful. My meal began with a complementary basket of flatbread and three dipping sauces, all of which were marvelously flavorful. Then I had the mulligatawny soup, the chicken korma, and the aloo paratha. I finished everything except the rice, which was exceptional (no easy thing to do), and the portions were enormous. I will definitely be back for more and will spread the good word.
… more