Namaste brings authentic Indian cuisine to Blaine

Namaste The Royal Taste of India has been open for business since just December 2023, but it has already established itself as a go-to destination for flavors this side of the border.

Owner Chirag Prajapati said he had the idea of opening an Indian restaurant since 2017, but was unable to find a suitable location while searching the Seattle and Lake Sammamish area.

It wasn’t until Prajapati happened to stop by Peace Arch State Park one afternoon that he saw the vacant building at 234 D Street. It was that moment, Prajapati said, he knew he’d be starting his first restaurant in Blaine.

Like any restaurant owner knows, it wasn’t smooth sailing from the start.

“Even the day we opened, we didn’t have a menu,” Prajapati said. “But people came, God bless. It was a tough time, but it was a good tough time.”

Prajapati grew up in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in western India. He got his first job in food service managing a Subway sandwich shop, and is now celebrating his first summer owning and operating his own restaurant.

Prajapati said the high demand for Indian food in Blaine was an adjustment for what started as a crew of just five and has now grown to nine employees, but it was a problem he was happy to have.

“There really is no hard part of the job besides taking care of the customer,” Prajapati said. “We have to keep training, training, training and we’ll survive.”

Namaste has a dish for everyone, no matter how unfamiliar they are with the palate of traditional Indian cuisine.

For those who are just starting their culinary journey, start with the butter chicken, a mild, tomato-based sauce over tender bites of chicken. For those looking to try something more adventurous, Prajapati recommends the vegetable or chicken Chettinad, a spicy and aromatic masala dish.

Ultimately, Prajapati and the whole crew at Namaste hope the Blaine community can continue to support their restaurant as it navigates its first year. So far, Prajapati said he has felt extremely welcomed, and hopes to return the favor to whomever stops by for a meal.

“Blaine is such a peaceful area,” Prajapati said. “There’s people coming in every day that we know. It feels like a town, not a city, so we can remember every customer.”

Namaste is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the summer, and deliver through Uber Eats, DoorDash and Viking Food. For more information, visit namasteblaine.com.