Tikka N Talk Review: Is This Forest Hills’ Best Affordable Halal Indian Food?

BySaif

Quick Summary

If you're looking for affordable Indian food in Forest Hills, Tikka N Talk is a good place to keep in mind. I came here for dinner and ordered some of the classic Indian dishes I usually enjoy, including Chicken Tikka Masala, Vegetable Samosas, Garlic Naan, Basmati Rice, and a Mango Lassi. The Chicken Tikka Masala was easily my favorite—it was creamy, well-balanced, and paired perfectly with both the rice and Garlic Naan. The restaurant is also fully halal, the service was fast and friendly, and I spent only $35.93 before tip. Here's my full breakdown of the experience.

  • Overall Rating: 9.3/10 ★★★★★★★★★★
  • Food: 9.4/10 | Service: 9.5/10 | Atmosphere: 9.1/10 | Value: 9.6/10
  • Price & Halal: Affordable ($) | 100% Halal
  • My Favorite Dish: Chicken Tikka Masala
  • Best For: Friends, casual date nights, solo dining, and anyone looking for halal Indian food in Forest Hills.

Good to Know

  • 📍 Address: 70-11 Austin St, Forest Hills, NY 11375
  • 🍽️ Cuisine: Indian (Halal)
  • 💲 Total Spent: $35.93 before tip
  • 🚇 Nearest Subway: E, F, M, or R train to Forest Hills–71 Avenue (5 to 10-minute walk).
  • 🚶 Vibe: Casual, modern, and comfortable.
Jump to:

Watch My Experience

Check out my quick video recap showing the dishes, presentation, and dining setup at Tikka N Talk:

Why I Tried Tikka N Talk

Forest Hills has plenty of restaurants lined up along Austin Street, so whenever I'm exploring the neighborhood, I'm always looking for solid new spots to try. This time around, I was craving Indian food and decided to stop by Tikka N Talk, a cozy halal Indian spot located right in the heart of the Austin Street dining corridor.

The exterior storefront and entrance sign of Tikka N Talk Indian Cuisine on Austin Street in Forest Hills, Queens.
Tikka N Talk, located right along the active Austin Street strip in Forest Hills.

What immediately stood out was the price point. Indian food across New York City can quickly become pricey depending on where you sit down, but Tikka N Talk felt very reasonably priced. Getting a full spread for $35.93 before tip made it a great value right from the start.

A Cozy and Modern Dining Space

The interior is cozy, clean, and modern. Rather than a traditional, heavily decorated dining room, the setup feels simple and comfortable, fitting right into the Forest Hills neighborhood aesthetic.

The cozy, modern interior dining room at Tikka N Talk featuring wooden wall paneling and hanging string lights.
A relaxed, modern dining space with warm lighting away from the street noise.

It wasn't overly crowded during my visit, which made for a relaxing dinner without long waits or high noise levels. It works equally well whether you're catching up with friends, out on a casual date, or stopping in for a solo meal.

Fast and Friendly Service

The service was attentive and efficient. Our server greeted us warmly, checked in periodically, and ensured our food arrived quickly after ordering. For an affordable neighborhood spot, the level of hospitality was smooth and hassle-free.

How to Get to Tikka N Talk

Tikka N Talk is located at: 70-11 Austin St, Forest Hills, NY 11375

If you're taking public transit, take the E, F, M, or R train to Forest Hills–71 Avenue Station. From there, it's an easy 5 to 10-minute walk down Austin Street. It sits in the same general area as Kuku Korean Cuisine, making this stretch of Forest Hills a convenient hub for trying diverse foods.

Complimentary Chips and Sauces

To start off the meal, they brought out a basket of complimentary crispy fryum chips alongside three distinct dipping sauces. It's a nice gesture while waiting for the main courses, offering a mix of mild and tangy flavor options to suit different spice preferences.

A black bowl filled with colorful, crispy fryum chips served alongside three dipping sauces.
Complimentary crunchy chips paired with three distinct dipping sauces to start the meal.

The Full Dinner Breakdown

Mango Lassi

For my drink, I ordered a Mango Lassi. This traditional Indian yogurt drink blends mango fruit with sweet, chilled yogurt, making it a great cooling pairing alongside spiced dishes. It was smooth, creamy, and pleasantly sweet throughout dinner.

A tall glass of bright orange Mango Lassi served with a straw on a dark tablecloth.

Vegetable Samosas

The Vegetable Samosas arrived hot with a crisp outer pastry and a warm, seasoned vegetable filling inside. Paired with chutney, they served as a great classic starter. If you appreciate crisp, well-fried starters, they carry a similarly satisfying exterior texture to the samosas served at Moonlite Grill in Jackson Heights.

Two golden-brown crispy Vegetable Samosas served with a side salad and dipping chutneys.

Chicken Tikka Masala (My Favorite Dish)

The standout dish of the night was undeniably the Chicken Tikka Masala. The chicken was tender and served in a rich, creamy tomato gravy that kept the spice level balanced rather than overpowering. It allowed all the underlying garlic and warm aromatic spices to shine through smoothly.

A bowl of rich Chicken Tikka Masala curry topped with cream drizzle and freshly chopped cilantro.
The absolute standout of the night: Smooth, creamy, and flavorful Chicken Tikka Masala.

It was great for dipping and spoonfuls alike, standing up strong against benchmark spots in Queens like Jackson Diner Indian Cuisine. For anyone visiting Tikka N Talk for the first time, this dish is a reliable must-order.

Garlic Naan & Basmati Rice

To go with the curry, I ordered Garlic Naan and Basmati Rice. The naan was served warm, soft, and nicely brushed with garlic butter. Tearing off pieces of garlic naan to scoop up the creamy tikka masala sauce was easily the best part of the meal.

Slices of warm, buttery Garlic Naan garnished with chopped herbs in a paper-lined basket.
Soft and buttery Garlic Naan, ideal for scooping up the rich tikka masala sauce.

The Basmati Rice was light, fluffy, and garnished with fresh cilantro, absorbing the curry sauce well and rounding out the meal nicely.

A full plate of fluffy white Basmati rice sprinkled with fresh green cilantro.
Fluffy Basmati rice served as a classic side for the curry.
A spoon holding a bite-sized piece of Chicken Tikka Masala coated in creamy sauce over fluffy Basmati rice.
A bite of tender chicken and creamy tikka masala sauce over Basmati rice.

Is Tikka N Talk Worth the Price?

At $35.93 before tip for an appetizer, main curry, side bread, rice, and a specialty drink, Tikka N Talk delivers impressive value. You leave full and satisfied without overspending, making it a great option if you want quality halal Indian food right in Forest Hills without needing to travel into Jackson Heights.

Would I Come Back?

Yes, absolutely. Everything was well-prepared, from the soft garlic naan to the creamy tikka masala. On a future return trip, I’d like to branch out and try their Lamb Biryani as well as explore some of their vegetarian curry offerings.

Final Verdict

Tikka N Talk offers a great balance of affordability, comfort, and flavorful halal Indian cuisine in Forest Hills. The Chicken Tikka Masala paired with Garlic Naan stole the show, supported by friendly service and a cozy setting. If you're exploring Austin Street and craving solid Indian food at a reasonable price, it's definitely worth checking out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tikka N Talk halal?
Yes. Tikka N Talk serves 100% halal food, providing a reliable dining option in Forest Hills.

Is Tikka N Talk expensive?
No, it is very affordable. The total for this meal came out to $35.93 before tip for multiple dishes and a drink.

What is the best dish to order?
The Chicken Tikka Masala paired with Garlic Naan is the standout choice.

Comments

No Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *