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New restaurant to serve authentic Indian cuisine in Merced. Here’s when and where

Downtown Merced is about to get a flavorful new addition to its food scene.

A new Indian restaurant is moving into the former home of Taste of Little India on Main Street.

A beloved local staple, Taste of Little India served the Merced community for more 20 years before closing its doors in April after losing its lease.

Taste of Little India located at 1052 W. Main Street in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Restaurant owner Parm Samra said he was informed that the building has changed ownership and his lease has been terminated. The restaurant will close on April 11.
Taste of Little India located at 1052 W. Main Street in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Restaurant owner Parm Samra said he was informed that the building has changed ownership and his lease has been terminated. The restaurant will close on April 11. Andrew Kuhn akuhn@mercedsun-star.com

Here’s what to know:

New restaurant serving Indian food coming to Merced

Tandoor Table promises to serve up “a new take on authentic Indian cuisine with a luxurious twist.”

The restaurant will celebrate its grand opening on Sunday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the business said in a post on its Instagram page.

The owners of Tandoor Table say their dishes will be “rooted in tradition and rich flavor.”

Where will new Indian restaurant open?

Tandoor Table will open its doors at 1052 West Main St. in Merced.

Taste of Little India located at 1052 W. Main Street in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Restaurant owner Parm Samra said he was informed that the building has changed ownership and his lease has been terminated. The restaurant will close on April 11.
Taste of Little India located at 1052 W. Main Street in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Restaurant owner Parm Samra said he was informed that the building has changed ownership and his lease has been terminated. The restaurant will close on April 11. Andrew Kuhn akuhn@mercedsun-star.com

What’s on the menu at new Indian restaurant?

Tandoor Table will serve up a variety of Indian dishes, including flavorful vegetarian options, with a menu rooted in tradition and authentic Indian cuisine.

Offerings include tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala and various curry plates.

The new eatery joins a wave of diverse businesses opening in Merced, further expanding the city’s food and retail scene.

Other additions coming soon include Raising Cane’s, Chick-fil-A, Poki Bowl and national retailers ranging from Burlington and Five Below to Ulta and Boot Barn.

Shrimp cook in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven, at Jasdeep Singh Purewal’s Hop Junction on June 27, 2020. The restaurant offers a unique combination of craft beers and Indian food on Greenhaven Drive in Sacramento’s Pocket neighborhood.
Shrimp cook in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven, at Jasdeep Singh Purewal’s Hop Junction on June 27, 2020. The restaurant offers a unique combination of craft beers and Indian food on Greenhaven Drive in Sacramento’s Pocket neighborhood. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Jaswinder Samra, mother of Taste of Little India owner Parm Samra, prepares food for the buffet at the restaurant’s 1052 W. Main Street location in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Parm Samra said he was informed that the building has changed ownership and his lease has been terminated. The restaurant will close on April 11.
Jaswinder Samra, mother of Taste of Little India owner Parm Samra, prepares food for the buffet at the restaurant’s 1052 W. Main Street location in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Parm Samra said he was informed that the building has changed ownership and his lease has been terminated. The restaurant will close on April 11. Andrew Kuhn akuhn@mercedsun-star.com

This story was originally published June 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

Angela Rodriguez
The Modesto Bee
Angela Rodriguez is a service journalism reporter for The Bee. She is a graduate of Sacramento State with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. During her time there, she worked on the State Hornet covering arts and entertainment.
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