At The Essence by JohnNNair, Indian Carryout, culinary magic unfolds with every bite. Located in District Heights, MD, this restaurant has quickly gained a reputation for its vibrant flavors and warm hospitality. Patrons rave about the diverse menu that offers everything from succulent Chettinad Curry to crispy Chicken 65, making it a haven for both vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Reviewers like Jamilah Stith applaud the staff for their accommodating nature and the remarkable quality of dishes. The fluffy naan and delectable samosas emerge as recurring favorites, while the Saag Paneer has earned its place for its delightful taste. Rebecca Moody’s experience, featuring lamb and salmon biryanis plus the unforgettable beef ullarth, showcases the culinary adventure one can embark on. She praises the restaurant’s reasonable prices, indicating that high-quality Indian food doesn’t have to break the bank. The restaurant’s desserts, including Gulab Jamun and rich Chocolate Cake, provide a perfect sweet finish to a flavorful meal. Patrons have noted the generous portions and piping-hot servings, a testament to the care taken in both service and food preparation. With enthusiastic customers returning for more, The Essence stands out as an essential gem in the local dining scene. Whether craving comfort food or a sophisticated meal, each visit promises a delightful experience.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Service options
Offers kerbside pickup
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Atmosphere
Casual
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Photos
Reviews For The Essence by JohnNNair,Indian Carryout
Jamilah Stith
Jun 1,2025
The staff are so knowledgeable and kind. They are very accommodating for vegetarians! The naan is light and fluffy & flavorful. The samosas are a new favorite of mine. I also had a Saag Paneer from here and it was pretty good! My friend loved their butter chicken, so we’ve been back twice in the same week. Mango Lassi’s were the perfect drink to quell the spice. Portions are generous, food is piping hot & everyone had on their PPE. I’ll be back soon!
Rebecca Moody
May 30,2025
Tried this Indian restaurant for the first time and wow — the food was absolutely amazing and bursting with flavor. Truly top-tier, especially considering the location and how reasonably priced everything is. We ordered a smorgasbord: lamb biryani, salmon biryani, dal makhani, Kerala curry, naan, samosas — and every single dish was a hit. But the beef ullarth? Like nothing I’ve ever had at an Indian restaurant — rich, bold, and completely unforgettable. As an honorary foodie, I fully approve. Can’t wait to come back!
Brickhouse Chick Fitness LLC
May 13,2025
Such an awesome family business. !UPDATE! Kind delightful and always get my order right-and it was a pleasure this time for the sweet indian girl to remember me from las time. It brought a smile. I got one of their salmon specials w/veggies- a reasonably priced full meal-that I needed after just getting over being under the weather and feeling really hungry. Of course I got Garlic Naan, and Oohhhh, the Naan is delightful, I savored it with each bite! O, and there was some kind of mango dessert sample in my bag- I tasted it, and it was very nice. Ill hav to ask what it was, maybe Ill order next time See you next time! UPDATE: Ive been back several times, but you cant write several reviews. But nothing has changed they are STILL "THEE" Best in the town-while youre reading Im assuming youre walking to your vehicle to head there lol-I added a pic of my Tasty Garlic Naan just as an update
C T
Apr 28,2025
Came here and when I say flavorful. The food is definitely flavorful. The Mango Sticky Wings are way beyond delicious. The sweets are delicious knock your teeth out sweet but definitely worth trying for sure. The customer service was amazing so no complaints there. Small little hole in the wall and the food as stated is definitely worth it.
Lexi Ami
Apr 18,2025
If you love South Indian(Kerala) style food this is one of the best place in DMV area !! I ordered Egg Puffs and Beef Kizhi Poratta from their Sunday Special menu and they were absolutely delightful! The pastry was perfectly flaky and golden brown, while the filling was rich and flavorful, with just the right amount of seasoning. Each bite was a delicious blend of textures, and they were served warm. Beef Kizhi Poratta ,it was a standout dish. The beef was incredibly tender and packed with flavorful spices that created a delicious depth. Wrapped in a perfectly flaky poratta, the bread had a nice crispiness on the outside while remaining soft inside. enhancing the overall experience. The portion size was generous, making them a great value for the price. I can’t recommend these enough—definitely a must-try for any South Indian food lover! 5 stars! I can't wait to return for another delicious meal.
Zechariah Haile
Mar 25,2025
Carry out only but the Kerala food did not disappoint! I got the beef fry, parrata, and an appetizer. All were phenomenal! Highly recommend getting food from here!
Zahara Oubre
Mar 3,2025
The chicken biriyani here is I have also tried their chicken tikka masala and beef ullarth, all good, with such good flavor! Highly recommend! It’s a carry out place and I ordered via uber eats and so can’t speak for the service or atmosphere but the food is delish!
J A
Mar 1,2025
The Essence restaurant is absolutely amazing! They consistently deliver good quality food and absolutely fantastic service. I let them know I live in the local area but will be moving to Alexandria, Virginia and was such a heartbreaking thing to mention as I will miss not only the food itself, but the quality of individuals that serve it. This establishment is a one of a kind spot you will never find in the same area of Capitol Heights. I wish the best for their business and nothing but enjoyable moments for future guests that decide to visit. Thank you for everything guys, you have been absolutely fantastic
Reviews For The Essence by JohnNNair,Indian Carryout