BY INDER RAJ AHLUWALIA
( THE WRITER IS AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED , MULTIPLE AWARD – WINNING TRAVEL JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR)
NEW DELHI | 29 NOVEMBER 2025
It’s about the ‘nature’ of things. And that tells the story…!
The first thing that struck me about the establishment is its quiet ambience, comprised in equal parts by its ornate decor and subdued demeanour.
There is music. There is a sense of space and lightness in the air. And there are pretty, platter-laden smiling young hostesses flitting around, light of foot.
Welcome to ‘Indian by Nature’, a vibrant, stylish Michelin Guide restaurant located in the heart of Pattaya.
The coveted brainchild of the Late Av Khanijou, it is in fact many things rolled into one. From doing cookery classes to feeding the masses! That’s what Av went on to do. Travelling extensively around the world with her husband, Jack, and dining at several famed restaurants, she decided to fuse the best of what they experienced. The result was ‘Indian by Nature’, and as the saying goes, a legend was born.
When asked exactly what the restaurant meant to her, Av summed it up in one word-‘passion’. It was this message that she lovingly conveyed for some 20 years. Now, her memory is the message…
Added to all this is another dimension, namely, the ‘Confluence’ factor, brought about by the fact that the Khanijous were Indians living in Thailand.
It takes just one visit to see that this isn’t just a restaurant, but an expression of life style. Adorning the walls are select Indian-themed paintings and artefacts that showcase heritage and history. What guests get is a delightful dose of the special essence of India on a plate.
The food…! Well, it’s certainly worth a shout or two. It doesn’t take long to see that considerable thought, care and research have gone into the menu selection and composition. The authentic Indian food is prepared by skilled, experienced chefs, and the spices-the pillar of Indian cuisine-are imported directly from India. There’s a choice of dishes and the helpings are fair-sized. Succulent kebabs, steaming curries, fresh seafood, varied vegetarian preparations and a host of savouries provide a genuine Indian experience. As is typical in the world of gourmet chefs, most platters are adorned with little, edible figures and designs. Capping all this is a well-stocked, quality wine cellar.
Spoilt for choice…? Let me help you out with a few handy tips. For the starters, it would be a good idea to opt for ‘Mulligatawny Soup’ and ‘Salmon Tikka’. Your main course could be your choice of dishes from a list that includes ‘Goan Fish Curry’, ‘Murg Methi’, and ‘Palak Paneer’, ‘Dal Makhani’, and ‘Kesar Pulao’. My dessert recommendations are ‘Motichoor Cheesecake’ and ‘Gulab Jamun Kulfi’.
The restaurant features 65 covers and is open daily from 5.30 p.m. onwards. Prior bookings are recommended.
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