Sona The Indian Kitchen Review – Authentic Indian Flavours and Generous Portions – Average EV Score: 6.4/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Sona The Indian Kitchen Restaurant Overview
1183 Hunt Club Rd Unit 104, Ottawa, ON K1V 8S4
Sona The Indian Kitchen is tucked away in a plaza on Hunt Club Road — the kind of place you wouldn’t stumble upon unless someone told you about it. Despite being a little hard to find, it’s clearly well known in the community because the restaurant was very busy when we visited. The space itself is quite large, with a big, family-friendly vibe and a steady buzz of patrons.
The portions here are extremely generous, much larger than what you typically find at Indian restaurants in Ottawa, which makes Sona stand out for value. It’s definitely a place where you’ll leave full, and still likely have leftovers. The food took about an hour to arrive, which was on the longer side, but the staff were friendly throughout, even if the service wasn’t the quickest. If you’re planning a visit, I’d recommend making a reservation — it’s a popular spot, and tables fill up quickly.
The décor is pleasant without being overly flashy, leaning more toward comfortable than modern. The atmosphere makes it a natural fit for family gatherings or big group outings, though it still works well for casual dinners. With their reputation for hearty Indian cuisine and a wide variety of dishes, Sona delivers an experience that feels worth the trip, especially if you’re after generous portions and reliable classics at a reasonable price.
Garlic Naan
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
💰 Price Paid: $5
🎯 Benchmark Price: $5
📊 EV Score: 7/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes.
The garlic naan was very good. It had that classic soft bread taste that I expected in naan. Though, I didn’t taste much of the garlic, so would be curious compare this with their regular naan. Overall, very nice garlic naan to pair with all of our dishes to be able to soak up all of the delicious sauces.
Butter Chicken
Description from menu: An iconic dish – chicken breast chunks in a creamy tomato-based gravy.
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
💰 Price Paid: $24
🎯 Benchmark Price: $24
📊 EV Score: 7/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes.
The butter chicken was excellent and exactly what you’d hope for in this classic dish. The sauce was rich, creamy, and full of flavour, while the chicken itself was tender and juicy. It paired beautifully with rice and garlic naan, creating the kind of comfort food combination that never disappoints. A dependable favourite, and Sona does it well.
Saag – Lamb
Description from menu: A north Indian style curry featuring tender pieces of your preferred meat cooked in a spiced spinach sauce.
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $24
🎯 Benchmark Price: $24
📊 EV Score: 5.5/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
This dish wasn’t for me. I was expecting something creamier, so I’ll admit my expectations didn’t line up with what saag is meant to be. The flavour of the spinach-based sauce just didn’t appeal to my tastes. That said, the lamb itself was very good — tender, juicy, and without any dry pieces. If you enjoy saag, you may appreciate this version, but it’s not a dish I’d order again.
Paneer Makhani
Description from menu: Vegetarian experience of butter chicken. Cubes of Indian cheese simmered in a rich tomato butter-flavoured gravy accented with dry fenugreek.
😋 Enjoyment: 6.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $22
🎯 Benchmark Price: $22
📊 EV Score: 6.5/10
🔁 Order Again?: Yes.
This was quite good — essentially butter chicken with paneer instead of chicken. The sauce had the same creamy, tomato-rich flavour that works so well with rice and naan, while the paneer cubes offered a different texture that still paired nicely with the dish. A solid vegetarian option and something I’d happily order again.
Baingan Bhartha
Description from menu: Smoky mashed eggplant enriched with garlic, onion, tomato, and selected spices.
😋 Enjoyment: 6/10
💰 Price Paid: $21
🎯 Benchmark Price: $21
📊 EV Score: 6/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
This dish was decent, though I didn’t find the eggplant flavour as prominent as I expected. The spices and seasoning were fine, but it didn’t stand out compared to the other dishes we tried. Not a bad choice, but not one I’d personally revisit.
Would Return?
Yes — for the portion sizes, value, and dependable classics like butter chicken and paneer makhani, Sona The Indian Kitchen is worth a visit. It’s the type of restaurant that works well for a night out with family or friends, especially if you like sharing multiple dishes around the table. The service can be slow when the place is packed, but the combination of flavour, portion size, and affordability makes up for it. I’d go back, particularly when I’m in the mood for generous portions and comforting Indian food.