Restaurant
Unclaimed profileDestination India Restaurant & Bar Lafayette LA
Lafayette, LA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The bar program at Destination India treats Indian flavors as building blocks rather than garnishes. A cardamom Old Fashioned, a tamarind margarita, and a curry leaf gin & tonic sit alongside classic cocktails. The non-alcoholic side is just as considered, with a yogurt-based mango lassi, a salted or sweet lassi, masala chai simmered with ginger and clove, and South Indian filter coffee poured from a steel tumbler. Prices for those non-alcoholic drinks run from $3.49 to $6.09 depending on the item and where it is ordered.
- What should I order?
- Start with the tamarind margarita or the cardamom Old Fashioned to see how the bar handles Indian flavors in a familiar frame. If you want something without alcohol, the mango lassi is the most detailed option on the list, with yogurt, ripe mango, and a hint of cardamom.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who want a recognizable cocktail with a clear Indian accent will find the most to like here. The non-alcoholic list also makes this a useful stop for anyone who wants a serious drink without alcohol.
- When should I go?
- A good choice for a meal that includes a round of cocktails before or during dinner, or for a non-alcoholic drink alongside a full meal.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Non-alcoholic beverages are listed from $3.49 for masala chai to $4.99 for either lassi, with South Indian filter coffee at $3.99. Mango lassi is listed at $6.09 on a delivery platform. Cocktail prices are not provided.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The bar uses cardamom, tamarind, and curry leaf in drinks that otherwise follow classic templates, so the Indian flavors are part of the structure rather than a side note. The non-alcoholic side is not an afterthought either, with lassi, masala chai, and filter coffee all made in-house.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The bar program incorporates Indian flavors into familiar cocktail formats: cardamom in an Old Fashioned, tamarind in a margarita, and curry leaf in a gin & tonic. Classic cocktails are also available. The venue homepage names 'Great cocktails' as one of three things the restaurant is known for.
Menu strengths
- — Three named Indian-flavored riffs show a deliberate approach rather than a token spiced drink.
- — A full classic cocktail list runs alongside the Indian-flavored drinks.
- — The venue homepage highlights cocktails as a primary strength.
Standout selections
- — Old Fashioned (cardamom): a classic format with cardamom worked in.
- — Margarita (tamarind): tamarind gives the margarita a clear Indian accent.
- — Gin & Tonic (curry leaf): curry leaf distinguishes this from a standard G&T.
Nonalcoholic
The non-alcoholic list covers lassi, chai, and coffee with specific preparations: Salt or Sweet Lassi, Mango Lassi with cardamom, Masala Chai simmered with ginger, cardamom, clove, and milk, and South Indian Filter Coffee poured from a steel tumbler. Prices are listed from $3.49 to $4.99 on the venue menu, with Mango Lassi at $6.09 on a delivery platform.
Menu strengths
- — Four distinct non-alcoholic preparations, each with its own method and ingredients.
- — Mango Lassi is made with yogurt, ripe mango, and a hint of cardamom.
- — Masala Chai is simmered with ginger, cardamom, clove, and milk rather than made from a powder.
Standout selections
- — Mango Lassi: yogurt, ripe mango, and a hint of cardamom, listed at $4.99 on the venue menu and $6.09 on DoorDash.
- — Masala Chai: black tea simmered with ginger, cardamom, clove, and milk, listed at $3.49.
- — South Indian Filter Coffee: strong chicory-blend coffee pulled and poured from a steel tumbler, listed at $3.99.
Pricing: $3.49–$6.09
How it sits with the food
The non-alcoholic list is built around the same flavors as the food, with yogurt-based lassi and spiced chai offering a natural counterpoint to a full Indian meal.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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