Meet the Owner of Coriander Flavors of India: Harman Baidwan on Bringing India to Denver
Meet the Owner · Denver
Meet the Owner of Coriander Flavors of India: Harman Baidwan on Bringing India to Denver
From an immigrant's dream in 1990 to a reader's-choice favorite — the owner on chicken tikka masala, Colorado ingredients, and the warmth of Indian hospitality.
Long before Coriander Flavors of India opened its doors in 2018, its story began with a move across the world. Harman Baidwan immigrated from India to Denver in 1990, and over the decades that followed the city became home — even as the food, culture, and hospitality of India stayed close. Coriander was the way to bring those two halves of a life together: a Denver restaurant serving the Indian food Baidwan grew up with, made with fresh ingredients, traditional recipes, and a genuine welcome. Today, with two locations across the metro area, it has become a reader's-choice favorite built almost entirely on word of mouth. We sat down with the owner to talk about the dish to order first, the Colorado ingredients behind the menu, and what he wants every guest to feel walking out the door.
"For me, Coriander is more than just a restaurant. It's a way to bring together two important parts of my life — my roots in India and the community I've called home in Denver since 1990."
A Dream Years in the Making
Baidwan's path to opening Coriander was measured in decades, not months. He arrived in Denver in 1990 and spent years building a life in the city, all the while staying connected to the flavors and hospitality he had grown up with. The restaurant was the idea that eventually pulled those threads together — a place, as he puts it, where he could share that connection with the community. He wanted people to experience Indian food the way he knew it: fresh ingredients, authentic flavors, traditional recipes, and the warmth of Indian hospitality.
In 2018, the dream became real. Opening was a big step and came with its share of challenges, but it was also, in his telling, deeply rewarding. The goal from the beginning was simple and has not changed: serve great Indian food while creating a welcoming place where families, friends, and first-timers discovering the cuisine could all feel at home.
Built on Word of Mouth
Ask Baidwan what he is proudest of, and the answer is not a single award — though there have been several, most of them for Best Indian Restaurant, and most of them reader's-choice honors, which he says makes them extra special. What means the most is quieter than a trophy. Even without a large social media presence, he notes, the restaurant keeps seeing repeat customers alongside new faces every day.
"That just tells us we're doing something right — we're seeing progress based on word of mouth."
What to Order First
For a first visit, Baidwan points to the chicken tikka masala. He calls it a great introduction to Indian cuisine — tender chicken in a rich, flavorful tomato-based sauce with aromatic Indian spices — and recommends pairing it with garlic naan. It is a combination, he says, that captures the comforting, flavorful, aromatic style of food Coriander loves to serve.
There is a way to eat it, too. Before the dish arrives, he says, know that tikka masala is all about layers of flavor, and the spice level can be adjusted to your preference. When it reaches the table, take a moment to enjoy the aroma — it is part of the experience — then tear off a piece of warm garlic naan and use it to scoop up the chicken and sauce. "That's the best way to enjoy it," he says. And don't be surprised if one order becomes a new favorite; many of the restaurant's regulars started with exactly this dish. Above all, he encourages first-timers to be adventurous — the menu spans so many flavors and styles that the staff is always happy to help a guest find the right one.
India, by Way of Colorado
The menu's character comes from a balance Baidwan is deliberate about. Its foundation is unmistakably Indian — the spices, herbs, and traditional cooking techniques that give each dish its distinctive character. But wherever possible, he says, the kitchen leans on quality ingredients available locally, and Colorado's fresh produce plays an important role. Bringing the flavors of India to Colorado, and making the most of what is available here, is what really defines the menu: food that stays authentic to its roots while feeling at home in Denver.
It is a philosophy that extends to how he sees the wider moment for the cuisine. The trend he is most genuinely excited about is the growing appetite for authentic global flavors — and, especially, a broader appreciation for Indian food. Indian cuisine has always been enormously diverse across regions, spices, and techniques, he notes, with far more to discover than the handful of dishes many people already know. He would rather see diners grow curious about authentic food and the stories behind it than simply chase the latest trend.
Off the Clock
At home, the Baidwan family's cooking is, in his words, all over the place — they dine out about as often as they eat in. When they do cook, it is mostly comfort food, the kind everyone in a house with kids will actually eat. And at the end of a long day, his pour of choice runs local: a Colorado beer, or a nice tequila reposado.
The Feeling That Matters Most
For all the talk of spices and awards, Baidwan measures the restaurant by how a guest feels leaving it. His best advice for experiencing Coriander is to come hungry and come with people you enjoy — Indian food is meant to be shared, and ordering several dishes for the table is one of the best ways to do it. More than anything, he wants guests to walk out happy, satisfied, and welcomed, feeling they had more than just a good meal.
"I want them to feel that they were treated like guests in our home, not simply customers in a restaurant."
Beyond the Restaurant
A visit to Coriander, Baidwan suggests, deserves a full day of Colorado around it — and his recommendations lead outdoors, which he considers part of what makes the state special. A trip to Red Rocks is a must, he says, even without a concert; the scenery and the views are incredible. If there is time, he points visitors toward Rocky Mountain National Park, where the mountains, wildlife, and natural beauty are something you really have to experience in person.
As for the restaurant itself, he makes the case in terms of both heritage and welcome. Coriander offers more than a meal, he says — it is a chance to experience the flavors, traditions, and hospitality of India in the heart of Denver. Opening it in 2018 was his way of sharing a part of his heritage with the community that became his home, and every dish is prepared with care and every guest made to feel genuinely welcome. Whether you already love Indian cuisine or have never tried it, the invitation is the same: come with an open mind, come hungry, and leave, he hopes, already looking forward to the next visit.
Coriander Flavors of India — At a Glance
- Owner
- Harman Baidwan
- Cuisine
- Authentic Indian — traditional recipes, clay-oven cooking
- Established
- 2018 (owner in Denver since 1990)
- Locations
- Two — Denver & Golden, Colorado
- Denver address
- 4968 Tower Road, Denver, CO 80249
- Signature dish
- Chicken tikka masala with garlic naan
- Known for
- Reader's-choice "Best Indian Restaurant" honors
Plan Your Visit
Coriander Flavors of India serves lunch and dinner at its Denver and Golden locations, with traditional Indian dishes, a full bar, and a warm, family-friendly welcome. Reserve a table or view the menu to plan your visit.
Reserve a TableFrequently Asked Questions
Who owns Coriander Flavors of India in Denver?
Harman Baidwan owns Coriander Flavors of India. He immigrated from India to Denver in 1990 and opened the restaurant in 2018 to share the food, traditions, and hospitality of India with the Denver community.
What should I order on my first visit to Coriander Flavors of India?
Owner Harman Baidwan recommends the chicken tikka masala — tender chicken in a rich, aromatic tomato-based sauce — paired with garlic naan. He suggests tearing off the warm naan to scoop up the chicken and sauce, and notes the spice level can be adjusted to your preference.
What kind of food does Coriander Flavors of India serve?
Coriander serves authentic Indian cuisine built on traditional recipes, Indian spices and herbs, and clay-oven cooking, brought together with fresh, locally sourced Colorado ingredients. The menu spans a wide range of regional flavors and styles.
Where is Coriander Flavors of India located?
Coriander Flavors of India has two Colorado locations — one in Denver at 4968 Tower Road (Denver, CO 80249) and one in Golden. Both serve the same menu of authentic Indian dishes.
Is Coriander Flavors of India good for groups and families?
Yes. Owner Harman Baidwan says Indian food is meant to be shared, and recommends bringing family or friends and ordering several dishes for the table. The restaurant is welcoming to families and to guests trying Indian cuisine for the first time.
How do I make a reservation at Coriander Flavors of India?
You can reserve a table or view the full menu through the Coriander Flavors of India website at corianderdenver.com. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner and offers a full bar, takeout, delivery, and catering.
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