Mango Lassi

The drink that sells itself. Mango pulp blended with thick yogurt and a little sugar, served cold — sweet, tangy and thick enough to need a wide straw. It's the most ordered drink on our menu and the one most people picture when they think of an Indian restaurant, and for good reason: it's a dessert, a palate cooler and a drink all at once.

It also does real work alongside a spicy meal. The dairy fat in the yogurt breaks down capsaicin — the compound responsible for chili heat — which is why a mango lassi genuinely cools your mouth where a glass of water doesn't. If you've ordered a curry at the higher end of our 1–10 spice scale, this is what you want in front of you. Order it at the start of the meal rather than after, and it earns its keep the whole way through.

For kids it's the easy call, and for anyone who finds Indian food intimidating it's a low-risk place to begin. It pairs naturally with anything from the tandoor, with biryani, and with the richer curries — butter chicken and mango lassi is a combination that shows up on tables constantly.

Vegetarian and gluten-free. Contains dairy, so it isn't vegan. No caffeine, no alcohol. If you'd like something less sweet, ask about our salted lassi, which is the traditional savory version.

Available at all Curry Gate locations for dine-in, pickup, delivery and catering. Lassi travels well and is a popular add-on for office lunch orders around Charlotte.