In short: for a first visit, order a starter to share (samosas or pakoras), a mild dish such as butter chicken or korma, a spicier dish to share, basmati rice and a garlic naan. Allow about one main per person, plus one or two sides for the table.
An Indian menu can look daunting: dozens of unfamiliar names, chillies, breads, rice dishes… Don’t worry. Here is the approach we recommend to guests discovering Indian food at Copperleaf.
1. The golden rule: share
In India you don’t eat “one plate each”: several dishes go in the middle of the table and everyone helps themselves. It is the best way to taste a range of flavours. So order one main per person, then share everything.
2. Mild or spicy? How to read the menu
On our menu, spicy dishes carry a chilli and the hottest carry two. Dishes without a chilli are mild.
| Heat | Examples at Copperleaf |
|---|---|
| Mild | Butter chicken, chicken korma, chicken malai tikka, palak paneer, dal tadka |
| Spiced (1 chilli) | Chicken tikka masala, chicken Madras, kadai dishes, biryanis, chana masala |
| Very spicy (2 chillies) | Lamb or beef vindaloo (Goan specialities) |
Tip: raita (cucumber yoghurt) and rice calm the heat. If in doubt, ask our team — they will guide you to dishes that suit you.
3. Must-try dishes for beginners
- Butter chicken (CHF 30) — grilled chicken in a mild, cinnamon-scented sauce. The beginner’s favourite.
- Chicken korma (CHF 30) — chicken thighs with toasted walnuts and almonds, very mild.
- Chicken malai tikka (CHF 24) — chicken supreme marinated in cream and grilled in the tandoor.
- Lamb rogan josh (CHF 33) — lamb simmered with ginger and saffron, a Kashmiri classic.
- Palak paneer (CHF 24) — fresh Indian cheese in spinach sauce, for vegetarians.
Torn between butter chicken, tikka masala and korma? Read our comparison.
4. Naan or rice?
Both! Basmati rice goes with saucy curries; naan, baked in the tandoor, is for scooping up the sauce. For two, one rice and one naan is usually enough. Garlic naan (CHF 7) and cheese naan (CHF 8) are the favourites. Learn more in our guide to Indian breads.
Want a complete dish on one plate? Choose a biryani: rice and meat cooked together.
5. How much to order
| Group size | Our suggestion |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1 shared starter, 2 mains, 1 rice, 1 naan |
| 4 | 2 starters, 4 mains (including a grill), 2 rice, 2 naans, 1 raita |
| 6 or more | 3 starters, one main per person, the Copperleaf Barbecue mixed grill to share, rice and naans for the table |
6. Ready for something different?
Copperleaf also serves two cuisines you rarely find in Geneva: Goan food (chicken xacuti, Goan fish curry, vindaloo) and African food (nyama choma, poulet yassa, peri-peri prawns). Perfect for your second visit!
A sample meal for two (about CHF 50 per person)
- Shared starter: vegetarian samosas (CHF 12)
- Mains: butter chicken (CHF 30) and lamb rogan josh (CHF 33)
- Sides: cumin rice (CHF 7), garlic naan (CHF 7), raita (CHF 7)
Total: CHF 96 for two, excluding drinks and dessert.
Frequently asked questions
What is the mildest Indian dish?
Chicken korma and butter chicken are among the mildest; for vegetarians, palak paneer and dal tadka.
Do you eat Indian food with your hands?
In India, often — using bread. In a restaurant, cutlery and naan are both perfectly fine; do whatever you prefer.
Can I ask for something less spicy?
Tell our team how much heat you like and they will recommend suitable dishes.
Is the food halal?
Yes, Copperleaf’s entire menu is halal-certified.
Ready to order? See the full menu and book your table.