Flavors of India

About Flavors of India:

Established in 1991, Flavors of India is one of North Market’s original merchants — a family-run cornerstone that has been serving authentic Northern Indian cuisine for over three decades. Owned and operated by Raj and Billan Brar, this beloved spot is known for its rich curries, aromatic spices, and homemade village-style cooking that brings a true taste of India to Columbus.

Flavors of India specializes in dishes featuring fragrant ingredients like turmeric, coriander, ginger, and garlic. Their menu includes hearty curries, combo plates, and an extensive selection of vegetarian and vegan options — with vegan naan available upon request and gluten-free options, too. Every dish is prepared with fresh ingredients sourced daily from local and Indian markets, ensuring each meal is vibrant, flavorful, and made with care.

At its heart, Flavors of India is about more than just food — it’s about family, community, and connection. Raj and Billan believe that feeding people is one of the purest ways to show love, and that spirit shines through in every meal they serve.

How Did The Idea Come About?

Before Flavors of India began, Raj and Billan lived in New York. When Raj’s brother, an engineer, moved to Columbus, the couple started planning a move of their own — one that would allow them to build something meaningful while staying close to family. The opportunity came when Raj’s sister-in-law opened Flavors of India at North Market but very soon after decided to step away. Raj and Billan took over, continuing the restaurant’s legacy and shaping it into the warm, family-driven business it is today.

For Raj, a former farmer from India whose family still owns farmland there, food has always been a way of life. That same passion for fresh, simple, and honest cooking inspired the Flavors of India to carry forward their family traditions — bringing authentic, homemade Northern Indian flavors to their new Columbus home.

What’s Your Favorite Thing About Being a Part of The North Market?

For Raj and Billan, North Market isn’t just a workplace — it’s home. They’ve been part of the market family since the early days, watching both the market and their own family grow together over the years. Their daughter, Karenpreet, remembers running through the aisles as a child, surrounded by other merchants who felt more like extended family than neighbors.

They take pride in being one of North Market’s original merchants and in helping shape the strong community spirit that defines the space today. Raj often says that while they sleep at their home, they live their lives at the market — surrounded by friends, customers, and the North Market family that has supported them for over three decades.

What they love most? The people — the generations of customers who return year after year, and the countless friendships built through a shared love of food. They’ve watched children grow up, graduate, get married, and bring their own kids to experience the same dishes their parents loved.

What are Must Have items on the menu?

1. Chicken Makhani
2. Chana Masala
3. Chickpeas
4. Ginger Lemonade
5. Mango Lassi

Story of Flavors of India and Raj & Billan:

Raj and Billan’s story is one of love—for food, for people, and for tradition. Before coming to the United States, Raj came from generations of farmers in India. That same respect for fresh ingredients and honest cooking carried over into Flavors of India, where every curry, every spice blend, and every serving is crafted with care and intention.

As one of the oldest and most respected merchants in the North Market, Flavors of India has been part of countless stories over the years. Customers who first dined there in the ’90s now return with their children—and even grandchildren—to share the same comforting flavors. Raj and Billan feel extremely grateful that they’ve been able to watch entire families grow up alongside their business.

They’ve seen employees go on to open their own restaurants, guests who first visited as expectant parents return with their children, and those children come back as adults to introduce the next generation. These moments are the heart of what they do.

Feeding people, they say, is how they show love—and it’s why they’ve spent more than 30 years sharing the authentic Flavors of India with the North Market community. As the Market expands into its next chapter, Raj and Billan are as excited as ever to continue welcoming everyone—no matter their diet, background, or story—to experience their family’s cooking and hospitality.

Phone:

614-228-1955

Merchant's operating hours:

Sunday & Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.