Essence Indian Cuisine Menu

Introducing Essence Indian Cuisine, located at 780 Merchant St, Vacaville, CA, is a vibrant destination for lovers of Indian food, offering an impressive array of vegan and gluten-free options. The menu delivers a delightful experience, featuring both non-vegetarian and vegetarian dishes that reflect authentic Indian flavors.

Highlights include the tantalizing Chicken Tikka Masala and the aromatic Butter Chicken, which showcase expert use of spices and creamy textures. For those seeking plant-based options, the restaurant does not disappoint, presenting a range of vegetarian specialities.

Essence Indian Cuisine offers a welcoming atmosphere, ideal for casual meals and romantic dinners alike, all while being wheelchair accessible. With convenient utilities such as reservations, delivery, and outdoor seating, this culinary gem promises an unforgettable dining experience for everyone.

  • Location: 780 Merchant St, Vacaville
  • Contact: (707) 449-8888
  • Vegan and gluten-free options available

Vegetarian Appetizers

Veg Samosa (2 Pieces)

Delicious fried pastries stuffed with potatoes, peas, coriander and other spices. Served with mint and tamarind chutneys.

$7.25

Mix Veg Pakoda

Cauliflower, onions, spinach and potatoes battered in gram flour and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.

$8.25

Paneer Pakoda

Stuffed cottage cheese fritters, battered in gram flour and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.

$12.00

Veg Cutlet

Mashed vegetable patty dipped in batter and drenched in breadcrumbs and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.

$11.00

Cheese Balls

Crispy balls made with mozzarella cheese, potatoes, vegetables and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.

$12.00

Spring Rolls

Crispy and crunchy rolls filled with savory mix of vegetables.

$11.50

Pani Puri

Gol gappe. Bite sized crispy shells stuffed with potatoes and chickpeas and served with tamarind and mint flavored water.

$10.00

Potato Wedges

Fried potatoes with seasoning and served with ketchup.

$7.50

Dahi Sev Puri

Crispy shells stuffed with potatoes, chickpeas, yogurt, mint and tamarind chutneys and topped with sev.

$10.50

Bhel Puri

Puffed rice tossed with potatoes, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, lemon juice, mint and tamarind chutneys.

$10.00

Samosa Chaat

Samosas that are served with chickpeas, yogurt, onions, cilantro, mint and tamarind chutneys.

$11.00

Aloo Tikki Chaat

Potato patties served with chickpeas, yogurt, onions, cilantro, mint and tamarind chutneys.

$11.00

Papdi Chaat

Crispy dough wafers served with chickpeas, potatoes, yogurt, onions, cilantro, sev, mint and tamarind chutneys.

$10.00

Dahi Bhalla Chaat

Soft lentil fritters that are deep fried and drenched in creamy yogurt and topped with potatoes, chickpeas, onions, cilantro, mint and tamarind chutneys.

$11.00

Chilli Paneer

Cottage cheese stir fried with bell peppers, onions, spring onions and tossed with chilli garlic sauce and sesame seeds.

$17.00

Gobi Manchurian

Battered cauliflower stir fried with bell peppers, onions, spring onions and tossed with chilli garlic sauce and sesame seeds.

$17.00

Veg Manchurian

Crispy vegetable balls served in tangy soy sauce.

$17.00

Vegetarian Family Platter

Combination of samosas, bread pakoda, veg cutlet, mix pakoda and onion rings.

$19.00

Chicken Pakoda

Boneless chicken fritters, battered in mixture of gram flour and spices and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.

$13.00

Fish Pakoda

Fish fritters, battered with gram flour and spices and served with mint and tamarind chutneys.

$13.00

Chicken Wings

Classic fried wings served with ranch.

$12.00

Breaded Shrimp

Butterflied sweet and succulent shrimp, coated in a delicious and crunchy panko breadcrumb coating.

$16.00

Chili Chicken

Boneless chicken stir fried with bell peppers, onions, spring onions and tossed with chilli garlic sauce and sesame seeds.

$17.50

Madras Fried Shrimp

Shrimps stir fried with bell peppers, onions, spring onions and tossed with chilli garlic sauce and sesame seeds.

$18.00

Non-Veg Family Platter

Combination of chicken pakodas, fish pakodas, breaded shrimp and chicken wings.

$22.50

Non-Vegetarian Appetizers

Soup & Salads

Dal (Lentil) Soup

Lentil soup flavored with mild herbs and spices.

$6.50

Garden Salad

Fresh tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and carrots served with ranch or Italiandressing.

$8.50

Chickpea Salad

Tomatoes, onions, cucumber, spinach, olive oil tossed with chickpeas and kidney beans.

$12.00

Tandoori Paneer Tikka

Bite size chunks of cottage cheese marinated in yogurt and spices and roasted in tandoor with bell peppers and onions.

$17.00

Tandoori Specialties Vegetarian

Tandoori Specialties Non-Vegetarian

Tandoori Chicken

Bone-in chicken marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, herbs and spices.

$17.00

Tandoori Chicken Wings

Chicken wings marinated with special in-house sauce, spices and lemon juice.

$16.50

Chicken Tikka Kebab

Boneless chicken breast marinated with yogurt, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, herbs and spices.

$17.50

Pepper Chicken

Boneless chicken marinated in yogurt, cream, ginger, garlic, white pepper, cashews, herbs and spices.

$17.50

Lamb Seekh Kebab

Minced lamb blended with herbs and spices and cooked in tandoor.

$18.00

Tandoori Shrimp

Jumbo shrimp marinated with ginger, garlic, lemon juice, herbs and spices.

$19.75

Tandoori Salmon

Salmon marinated in oil, black pepper, ginger, garlic, lemon juice herbs and spices.

$19.75

Tandoori Mix Platter

The ultimate combo: Tandoori Chicken, Lamb Seekh Kebab, Tandoori Salmon and Shrimp.

$29.75

Pav Bhaji

Mashed bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, peas, potatoes cooked with special pav bhaji masala and served with pav buns.

$14.50

Chole Bhature

Puffy fried bread served with delicious chickpea savory, raita and pickle.

$16.50

Aloo Gobi

Cauliflower and potatoes cooked with onions, ginger, garlic, tomatoes and seasonings.

$16.00

Baingan Bharta

Egg plant roasted in tandoor, then mashed and cooked with tomatoes, onions, green peas and other spices.

$16.00

Bhindi Masala

Okra cooked with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and spices, turning it into decadent savory.

$16.00

Chana Masala

A delicious combination of chickpeas, onions and tomatoes in a richly flavored sauce.

$16.00

Paneer Tikka Masala

Cottage cheese cooked with fenugreek, herbs in special creamy tomato sauce and spices.

$16.50

Kadai Paneer

Cottage cheese with stir fried bell peppers, onions and then cooked in thick gravy.

$16.50

Shahi Paneer

Cottage cheese cooked in creamy sauce made with cashews.

$16.50

Matar Paneer

Cottage cheese and peas mixed in spices and gravy.

$16.50

Paneer Bhurji

Shredded cottage cheese cooked with tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic, herbs and spices.

$16.50

Methi Malai Paneer

Cottage cheese cooked in creamy sauce made with fenugreek and other spices.

$16.50

Malai Kofta

Cottage cheese, potatoes and vegetable balls simmered in creamy cashew sauce.

$16.50

Navratan Korma

Mixed vegetables cooked in creamy cashew sauce and garnished with raisins and cashews.

$16.50

Chana Saag

Chickpeas cooked with mustard, spinach, onions, ginger, garlic and other spices.

$16.00

Saag Paneer

Mustard, spinach and cottage cheese cooked with ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and spices.

$16.50

Sarson Ka Saag

Punjab's favorite dish. Mustard, spinach cooked with ginger, garlic, onions, tomatoes and spices.

$16.00

Dal Makhani

Black urad lentils simmered with kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic and butter.

$16.00

Yellow Dal Tadka

Five different yellow lentils stewed with tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic and other spices.

$16.00

Mix Vegetables

Various vegetables and cottage cheese cooked with herbs and spices.

$15.50

Mushroom Bhaji

Mushroom cooked in delicious thick gravy with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and spices.

$15.50

Matar Mushroom

Mushrooms and peas stir fried with tomatoes, onions, herbs and spices.

$15.50

Aloo Matar

Potatoes and peas mixed in spices and gravy.

$15.00

Punjabi Kadhi Pakoda

Fritters served in yogurt based curry made with gram flour and spices.

$16.50

Vegetarian Dishes

South Indian Vegetarian Specialties

Plain Dosa

Rice and lentil crepe served with sambar.

$13.50

Masala Dosa

Rice and lentil crepe stuffed with potatoes, onions, mustard seeds and served with sambar.

$16.00

Paneer Dosa

Rice and lentil crepe stuffed cottage cheese and served with sambar.

$16.00

Uttapam

Rice and lentil pancake garnished with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions and served with sambar.

$15.00

Idli Sambar

Light and fluffy steamed rice cake served with sambar.

$12.00

Chicken Tikka Masala

Roasted boneless chicken breast cooked with fenugreek, herbs in special creamy tomato sauce and spices.

$18.00

Butter Chicken

Marinated boneless chicken thigh cooked in tandoor and then simmered in creamy and buttery tomato sauce.

$18.00

Kadai Chicken

Boneless chicken thigh with stir fried bell peppers and onions and then cooked in thick gravy with additional spices.

$18.00

Essence Signature Chicken

A unique chicken dish, created by our Executive Chef, featuring bell peppers, tomatoes, and cumin in a tangy sauce.

$18.00

Chicken Korma

Boneless chicken thigh cooked in creamy cashew sauce garnished with cashews and raisins.

$18.00

Methi Malai Chicken

Boneless chicken thigh cooked in a special creamy sauce with herbs, spices and fenugreek.

$18.00

Mango Chicken

Chicken thigh cooked in sweet and sour mango sauce.

$18.00

Coconut Chicken

Boneless chicken thigh simmered in creamy coconut sauce.

$18.00

Chicken Saag

Boneless chicken thigh cooked with mustard, spinach, ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and spices.

$18.00

Chicken Do Pyaza

Boneless chicken thigh cooked with ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and yogurt sauce and spices.

$18.00

Chicken Mushroom Masala

Boneless chicken breast cooked with mushrooms, fenugreek, herbs in special creamy tomato sauce and spices.

$18.00

Chicken Curry

Boneless chicken thigh cooked in ginger, garlic, tomatoes, onion sauce and spices.

$18.00

Chicken Vindaloo

Boneless chicken thigh and potatoes cooked in spicy sauce.

$18.00

Chicken Dishes

Lamb & Goat Dishes

Lamb Tikka Masala

Lamb cooked with fenugreek, herbs in special creamy tomato sauce and spices.

$19.50

Kadai Lamb

Lamb with stir fried bell peppers and onions and then cooked in thick gravy with additional spices.

$19.50

Essence Signature Lamb

A unique lamb dish, created by our Executive Chef, featuring bell peppers, tomatoes, and cumin in a tangy sauce.

$19.50

Lamb Rogan Josh

Lamb curry with combination of intense spices in onion and tomato sauce.

$19.50

Lamb Achari

Lamb cooked with bell peppers, onions and spices used for pickles.

$19.50

Methi Malai Lamb

Lamb cooked in a special creamy sauce with herbs, spices and fenugreek.

$19.50

Lamb Do Pyaza

Lamb cooked with ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and yogurt sauce and spices.

$19.50

Coconut Lamb

Lamb simmered in creamy coconut sauce.

$19.50

Lamb Korma

Lamb cooked in creamy cashew sauce garnished with cashews and raisins.

$19.50

Lamb Saag

Lamb cooked with mustard, spinach, ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and spices.

$19.50

Lamb Vindaloo

Lamb and potatoes cooked in spicy sauce.

$19.50

Lamb Curry

Lamb cooked in ginger, garlic, tomatoes, onion sauce and spices.

$19.50

Goat Curry

Bone-in goat cooked in ginger, garlic, tomatoes, onion sauce and spices.

$19.50

Goat Achari

Bone-in goat cooked with bell peppers, onions and spices used for pickles.

$19.50

Shrimp Tikka Masala

Shrimp cooked with fenugreek, herbs in special creamy tomato sauce and spices.

$19.50

Methi Malai Shrimp

Shrimp cooked in a special creamy sauce with herbs, spices and fenugreek.

$19.50

Coconut Shrimp

Shrimp simmered in creamy coconut sauce.

$19.50

Shrimp Saag

Shrimp cooked with mustard, spinach, ginger, garlic, onion, tomatoes and spices.

$19.50

Shrimp Korma

Shrimp cooked in creamy cashew sauce garnished with cashews and raisins.

$19.50

Shrimp Curry

Shrimp cooked in ginger, garlic, tomatoes, onion sauce and spices.

$19.50

Shrimp Bhuna

Shrimp cooked with bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, cumin and spices.

$19.50

Traditional Fish Curry

Fish simmered in golden brown curry sauce.

$19.50

Goan Fish Curry

Aromatic fish curry from Goan region of India cooked with a blend of spices, garlic, ginger and onions along with fresh tomatoes and coconut.

$19.50

Seafood Dishes

Rice & Biryanis

Jeera Rice

Basmati rice cooked with cumin.

$3.25

Lemon Rice

Basmati rice cooked with lemon juice, onions and turmeric.

$5.00

Cashew Rice

Basmati rice made with cashews and raisins.

$6.50

Veg Pulao

Basmati rice cooked with vegetables and spices.

$10.00

Veg Biryani

Basmati rice cooked with vegetables, onions, tomatoes and spices and served with side of raita.

$16.00

Chicken Biryani

Basmati rice cooked with chicken, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and spices and served with side of raita.

$17.50

Lamb Biryani

Basmati rice cooked with lamb, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and spices and served with side of raita.

$19.25

Goat Biryani

Basmati rice cooked with bone-in goat, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and spices and served with side of raita.

$19.25

Shrimp Biryani

Basmati rice cooked with shrimps , onions, tomatoes, bell peppers and spices and served with side of raita.

$19.25

Mix Biryani

Basmati rice cooked with vegetables, chicken, lamb, bone-in goat, shrimp and spices served with raita.

$21.00

Plain Naan

Soft buttered flat bread baked in tandoor

$3.50

Garlic Naan

Soft buttered flat bread with garlic and cilantro

$4.00

Chilli Naan

Soft buttered flat bread with green chilli and cilantro.

$4.00

Bullet Naan

Soft buttered flat bread with green chili, garlic and cilantro.

$4.25

Aloo Naan

Flat bread stuffed with potatoes, onions, ginger, cilantro, spices and brushed with butter.

$5.25

Onion Kulcha

Flat bread stuffed with onions, cilantro and spices and brushed with butter.

$5.25

Paneer Naan

Flat bread stuffed with cottage cheese, cilantro, spices and brushed with butter.

$6.25

Cheese Pizza Naan

Flat bread stuffed with mozzarella cheese and spices and brushed with butter.

$6.75

Goat Cheese Naan

Flat bread stuffed with creamy goat cheese and brushed with butter.

$7.25

Peshawari Naan (Sweet)

Sweet flat bread stuffed with cashews, raisins, coconut and cherries and brushed with butter.

$6.75

Assorted Naans

Assorted variety of Plain Naan, Garlic Naan and Onion Kulcha.

$9.95

Tandoori Roti

Unleavened whole wheat flatbread brushed with butter.

$3.50

Lachha Paratha

Multigrain flatbread made with butter.

$6.50

Naans (Breads)

Desserts

Kheer (Rice Pudding)

Rice cooked with milk, cashews, almonds, raisins and cardamom.

$6.25

Gulab Jamun (3 Pieces)

Fried balls of a dough made from milk solids and semolina, soaked with an aromatic syrup spiced with green cardamom and rose water.

$6.50

Gulab Jamun with Rabdi

Gulab jamuns served with delicious creamy sauce made with milk and cardamom.

$8.00

Ras Malai

Soft cottage cheese patties served in creamy sauce topped with pistachios.

$6.75

Khoya Kulfi (1 Piece)

Traditional, sumptuous Indian frozen dessert made with milk, khoya evaporated milk solids and cardamom.

$3.90

Falooda Ice Cream

Delicious rose syrup flavored ice cream mixed with sabja seeds and topped with vermicelli.

$7.00

Kesar (Saffron) Ice Cream

This ice cream is a treat for Saffron lovers. Pistachios and almonds make it even more delectable.

$6.25

Mango Ice Cream

Ice cream with luscious creamy texture and rich flavor of mangoes.

$6.25

Desi Salad

Onions and chilies with slice of lemon.

$3.75

Papad

Thin crisp wafer made of lentil flour, black peppers and other spices.

$3.00

Plain Dahi

Plain yogurt.

$4.75

Cucumber Raita

Popular North Indian side dish made with yogurt, grated cucumbers and carrots and spices.

$6.50

Dahi Bhalla

Deep fried lentil fritters that are drenched in creamy yogurt and topped with spices and tamarind chutney.

$6.50

Pachranga Achar

Indian mixed pickle.

$2.25

Mint Chutney

$2.25

Mango Chutney

$2.25

Tamarind Chutney

$2.25

Assorted Chutneys

Mint, mango and tamarind chutneys.

$4.25

Sambar

Side of sambar only.

$6.00

Tikka Masala Sauce

$9.25

Pav Only

Order of Pav only

$3.50

Bhature Only

Order of 2 Pieces of Bhature.

$5.75

Side Dishes

Beverages

Mango Lassi

$5.00

Sweet Lassi

$5.00

Can of Coke

$3.25

Can of Diet Coke

$3.25

Can of Cherry Coke

$3.25

Can of Sprite

$3.25

Can of Dr. Pepper

$3.25

S. Pellegrino Sparkling Water

16.9 oz

$4.50

Bottled Water

$2.25