Tulsi
downtown Kittery, Kittery
Restaurant in Kittery, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Tulsi works when you want an easy Kittery sit-down meal without turning dinner into a major booking project. It is a better fit for a simple dinner or repeat local stop than for a trophy occasion, with Robert's Maine Grill and Blue Mermaid Island Grill making more sense for diners who want a broader Maine-grill or casual Kittery brief.
About Tulsi
Tulsi is a Kittery venue with a casual dress code and a schedule that includes evening hours Tuesday through Sunday, plus midday windows on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Use it when the priority is a straightforward Kittery stop with hours that fit the plan rather than a destination built around awards, a specific format, or a specific menu promise.
A practical Kittery pick for more than one visit
The smart way to use Tulsi is to plan around the hours. Evening hours are listed Tuesday through Sunday, while midday hours are listed on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The trip does not need to hinge on a single trophy dish, chef counter, award-led reason, price point, or special service format. The value is simpler: Tulsi gives visitors another casual Kittery option to consider when planning around town.
For travelers building a Kittery day, pair this with broader local planning rather than treating it as the entire plan: Our full Kittery restaurants guide. That is the better planning frame: make Tulsi part of a Kittery circuit, not a standalone pilgrimage.
Who should choose it compared with alternatives
Choose Tulsi when its Kittery location, casual dress code, listed hours fit the plan. Robert's Maine Grill is another option to compare, Blue Mermaid Island Grill is also worth considering. Tulsi makes sense when the group wants a Kittery stop without needing a special format or accolade as the reason to go.
The main decision is timing. Evening hours are the broader option across the week, running Tuesday through Sunday. Midday hours are more limited, appearing on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Quick reference: use Tulsi when its Kittery hours and casual setting fit the plan, then compare other options if the group wants a different kind of outing.
Planning details
- Location
- 20 Walker St, Kittery, ME 03904
- Website
- tulsiindianrestaurant.com
- Phone
- +12074519511
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Tulsi presents Indian cooking as a deliberate counterpoint to Kittery’s predominantly seafood-focused scene. The restaurant leans into regional specificity—tandoor techniques, dal preparations and spice-forward sauces—rather than the flattened, one-note Americanized standards. Planted on the town’s restaurant row, it feels like a coastal outpost for diners who want subcontinental flavors beyond the usual New England seafood vocabulary. The writing around the venue frames it as thoughtful and serious about provenance and culinary tradition, so the overall impression is purposeful and culinary-driven rather than novelty.
Best For
Tulsi fits evenings when guests are seeking cuisine that prioritizes regional Indian traditions—think date night or a relaxed casual hangout downtown. Its placement on Walker Street makes it an accessible stop for Kittery diners and visitors crossing from New Hampshire who want something besides lobster rolls and chowder. The restaurant is especially good for diners interested in exploring the distinctions between northern, southern, and Hyderabad-style preparations without traveling to a major metro; it serves as a destination for attentive, flavor-forward Indian cooking in a small-town setting.
Ordering Tips
Start by sampling signature plates that showcase the kitchen’s range: the mussels and Shrimp Balchow highlight seafood executed with Indian spices, while Chicken Tikka Masala and Palak Paneer represent more familiar but firmly rooted preparations. Because the restaurant emphasizes regional variety and spice-forward sauces, ask servers about the provenance of dishes and recommended spice level. Order a mix of items so you experience tandoor, slow-cooked and coconut- or tamarind-forward flavors—this makes it easier to appreciate how the menu distinguishes between different Indian culinary traditions.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm and inviting atmosphere with lovely decor, nice lounge area, and no crowded tables.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Mussels
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Shrimp Balchow
- Palak Paneer
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if Tulsi is not the fit
For a broader Kittery group meal, choose Robert's Maine Grill. For a more casual Kittery alternative, choose Blue Mermaid Island Grill.
Restaurant context
How Tulsi compares in Kittery
Tulsi is the easier, lower-drama choice when the goal is a focused Kittery meal rather than a full seafood-and-tourism brief. Robert's Maine Grill is the stronger pick for groups who want the familiar Maine grill lane and a broader, crowd-pleasing setting. Blue Mermaid Island Grill reads more casual, so use it when ambiance matters less than keeping the meal relaxed.
If Kittery is full or the group is willing to look beyond town, Moxy, Jumpin' Jay's Fish Café, and Street widen the choice set. Pick Tulsi for convenience and booking ease in Kittery; cross-shop the out-of-metro options when the meal itself is the main event and travel time is not a problem.
Explore Kittery
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Tulsi guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Tulsi
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsi | Kittery | No published awards |
| Blue Mermaid Island Grill | Kittery | No published awards |
| Moxy | Portsmouth | No published awards |
| Jumpin' Jay's Fish Café | Portsmouth | No published awards |
| Street | Portsmouth | No published awards |
| Robert's Maine Grill | Kittery | No published awards |
How Tulsi Kittery compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tulsi handle dietary restrictions?
If your needs are strict, contact Tulsi directly before visiting and ask what the venue can handle.
What are alternatives to Tulsi?
Compare Tulsi with Blue Mermaid Island Grill or Robert's Maine Grill. For other dining ideas, Jumpin' Jay's Fish Café, Moxy, Street may also be worth comparing depending on where you plan to spend the rest of the day.
Can I eat at the bar at Tulsi?
If bar seating matters, contact Tulsi directly before going.
Is Tulsi good for a special occasion?
It can work if the occasion is built around a casual Kittery visit and the listed hours fit your schedule. Keep the plan simple rather than building it around an award, tasting-menu format, or special-occasion package.
Is lunch or dinner better at Tulsi?
Evening hours are listed Tuesday through Saturday until 9 PM and Sunday until 8 PM. Midday hours are listed on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM, Sunday from 12 PM to 3 PM. Choose based on the time window that fits your plan.
Can Tulsi accommodate groups?
For any larger party, contact Tulsi directly before planning around it.
