Vegan Restaurant

Ela Curry & Cocktails

0 (0 reviews) · $$$$ · palmBeachGardens · Strict-vegan verified
Fully vegan
Directions
Editor synopsis · 0 reviews
Diners overwhelmingly call out the signature dish as the must-order. The vibe reads as vegan restaurant — service is consistently described as warm and unhurried. Common gotcha: queues form at peak times — go early or late.

Excerpts

I brought my mom here who was visiting from out of town. I had been here before for happy Hour but never dinner. We had an absolutely incredible experience at ELA Curry and Cocktails. The food was outrageous, the cocktails were amazing, and somehow the service was even better. Our server, Luka was phenomenal, knowledgeable, welcoming, and genuinely excited to help us understand the menu. He took time to walk us through each dish and explained how it was cooked, served and what each dish paired best with. Because of his guidance, we tried dishes we never would have ordered on our own, and every single one was a hit. The butter chicken was rich and comforting, the lamb neck biryani was next-level, and the tuna bhelpuri and pani puri were outrageously delicious. Luka explained the lamb was slow cooked for several hours and we were sold. We never would have tried these dishes without Luka’s detailed explanation. We also had the cocktail called flirting with fire from the HH menus and they were amazing. Not overpowering taste of mango but a little spice. The experience was so great and it makes it that much better when a server like Luka is so engaged and excited about the menu and he was so right about every dish! If you’re new to Indian cuisine or just want an amazing meal, trust Luka and trust this place. We’ll absolutely be back!!! 10/10

I brought my mom here who was visiting from out of town. I had been here before for happy Hour but never dinner. We had an absolutely incredible experience at ELA Curry and Cocktails. The food was outrageous, the cocktails were amazing, and somehow the service was even better. Our server, Luka was phenomenal, knowledgeable, welcoming, and genuinely excited to help us understand the menu. He took time to walk us through each dish and explained how it was cooked, served and what each dish paired best with. Because of his guidance, we tried dishes we never would have ordered on our own, and every single one was a hit. The butter chicken was rich and comforting, the lamb neck biryani was next-level, and the tuna bhelpuri and pani puri were outrageously delicious. Luka explained the lamb was slow cooked for several hours and we were sold. We never would have tried these dishes without Luka’s detailed explanation. We also had the cocktail called flirting with fire from the HH menus and they were amazing. Not overpowering taste of mango but a little spice. The experience was so great and it makes it that much better when a server like Luka is so engaged and excited about the menu and he was so right about every dish! If you’re new to Indian cuisine or just want an amazing meal, trust Luka and trust this place. We’ll absolutely be back!!! 10/10

We always love it here. Every meal and every experience is amazing. Tonight we had Derrick as a server and he was so great. We are honestly so surprised that it's always delicious given how big it is. But it is so fun. I'm so festive, so delicious. We just love it here!

We always love it here. Every meal and every experience is amazing. Tonight we had Derrick as a server and he was so great. We are honestly so surprised that it's always delicious given how big it is. But it is so fun. I'm so festive, so delicious. We just love it here!

Three of us went to Ela Curry & Cocktails, and for two of us this was probably our seventh visit. We originally discovered Ela because we are regulars at their sister restaurant, Stage (with locations in Palm Beach Gardens and Boca Raton), which we already consider outstanding. That initial trust in the restaurant group is what led us to try Ela in the first place, and it has consistently lived up to expectations. Ela has since moved from its original smaller space in the same plaza to a newer, significantly upgraded location. The new space offers much more indoor and outdoor seating, and the patio dining area is particularly nice. There is also a large, U-shaped outdoor bar with a fun, distinctive design, complete with flat screens for sports. It’s an inviting setup that works equally well for dining or just sitting at the bar. Inside, the restaurant has a warm, mid-century feel. It’s stylish, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed without being too dark or overly bright. Our server, Jude, was outstanding. He was welcoming, confident, and deeply knowledgeable about the menu. After speaking with him about the dishes and his personal favorites, we decided to trust his recommendations, and that trust paid off. His knowledge, attention to detail, and genuine hospitality honestly made it feel like he could be one of the owners. He is clearly an asset to this restaurant. Jude steered us toward dishes we likely wouldn’t have ordered on our own, starting with two appetizers: • Pork Belly “Dohkleh” with red onion, Thai chili, and lime. Jude suggested ordering chapatis on the side so we could wrap the pork belly and eat it taco-style. The pork belly was tangy , a bit smoky and flavorful, and while the onions appeared raw, they had a lightly pickled brightness that balanced the dish beautifully. • Ela “Maine Mussels” in a garlic, white wine, makhani-style sauce, served with sourdough for dipping. The sauce was decadent and deeply comforting. For mains, we again followed Jude’s lead: • Fish Pollichathu (local fish with curry leaves, turmeric, coconut, and fenugreek) • Butter Chicken (which we order every visit because it’s consistently excellent) • Aachari Pork (jaggery, onion, tomato, amchur) The Aachari Pork deserves special mention. In more than 40 years of fine dining experience, I have almost never ordered pork as a main dish. This dish completely changed that. The pork was perfectly cooked, decadent, and deeply flavorful. Even writing about it now is making my mouth water. We also ordered garlic naan, their house spicy chili oil with crunchy coconut bits, and raita (a chunky yogurt-based topping). Each added another layer of flavor and complemented the dishes well. Service overall was attentive and professional. Even when Jude wasn’t at the table orchestrating our feast , other smiling welcoming staff regularly refilled water and cleared plates, which reflects well on the entire operation. As someone who takes food seriously, I genuinely don’t understand how this place sits at a 4.4 rating. Based on consistency, food quality, and service, it has always been a five-star experience for us.