Vegan in the Hamptons: Saaz Indian Cuisine
Address | 1746 County Rd 39, Southampton, NY 11968
Birthdays in the Hamptons take on their own kind of magic when mine takes place in November. There’s the crisp coastal air, the familiar calm of Sag Harbor evenings, and that irresistible feeling that a celebration should be both comforting and indulgent. This year, when deciding how to honor my birthday, I knew exactly what I wanted: a flavor-rich vegan dinner full of warmth, spice, and soulful depth. Instead of dining out, we wanted a cozy evening at home—no fuss, no reservations, just incredible food shared with the people I love most. And for that, there was only one place that came to mind: Saaz Indian Cuisine.
Saaz has long been one of the Hamptons’ most reliable gems for thoughtfully prepared, beautifully spiced Indian food, and it is especially impressive when it comes to vegan options. Indian cooking naturally lends itself to plant-forward cuisine, but Saaz brings an elevated, consistent quality that makes every dish shine. For my birthday dinner, we placed a takeout order featuring some of their standout vegan offerings: Vegetarian Samosas, Zeera Alu, Vegetable Curry, and warm, fresh Roti. Each dish brought its own personality to the table, and together they created the celebratory, flavor-packed meal I had been craving.
Starting with Comfort: Vegan Vegetarian Samosas
We opened our dinner with the Vegetarian Samosas, and honestly, these alone are worth making Saaz a regular part of any vegan rotation. Crisp on the outside and generously filled with spiced potatoes and peas, they strike that perfect balance between aromatic warmth and satisfying crunch. The pastry is golden and flaky without feeling heavy, and the seasoning—earthy cumin, hints of coriander, and the subtle sweetness of peas—makes each bite feel like a small celebration in itself.
Samosas are such a staple of Indian cuisine, but a truly excellent one still feels special. These were exactly that: comforting, boldly seasoned, and deeply satisfying. For a birthday meal, they were the ideal beginning—like an opening note that sets the tone for everything to come.
The Beauty of Simplicity: Zeera Alu
The Zeera Alu arrived warm and fragrant, and this dish reminded me why Indian home-style cooking has such universal appeal. At first glance, it seems simple—potatoes lightly sautéed with whole cumin seeds and freshly ground spices—but the depth of flavor is unmistakable. The cumin blooms in oil, releasing its nutty earthiness, while the spices intermingle to create something bold but not overwhelming.
What I appreciated most is that Zeera Alu celebrates the potato rather than dressing it up too much. The texture is perfect: tender without being mushy, lightly crisped at the edges, and evenly seasoned. And like many of Saaz’s offerings, it’s vegan and naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for almost any kind of eater. I found myself wanting to scoop up every last bit—and with warm roti on the side, I did exactly that.
A Heartwarming Centerpiece: Vegetable Curry
No Indian takeout spread feels complete without a fragrant, soulful curry, and Saaz’s Vegetable Curry is everything I look for in a vegan entrée. Built on a base of caramelized onions, ginger-garlic paste, tomatoes, and a thoughtfully balanced blend of spices, this curry feels like a hug in a bowl. It’s hearty without being heavy and richly seasoned without leaning on heat for intensity.
The slow-cooked onions bring sweetness, the tomatoes provide brightness, and the ginger-garlic paste adds body and aroma. The vegetables—tender without losing texture—absorb the depth of the sauce beautifully. Every bite is layered, warm, and grounding. For a birthday dinner at home, it was the ideal main dish: celebratory but comforting, familiar yet full of personality.
One thing I really appreciate about Saaz is their respect for spice. They season boldly but with control, allowing the natural flavors of vegetables and aromatics to shine. There’s a sense of care and restraint that you feel immediately, and it makes the Vegetable Curry especially delightful.
The Necessity of Warm Bread: Vegan Roti
To enjoy an Indian meal properly, you need bread—it’s the utensil, the vehicle, and the comforting finishing touch to every dish. Saaz’s Roti, cooked in the tandoor and made from whole wheat, is vegan and consistently excellent. Soft yet structured, warm with subtle smokiness, and lightly charred at the edges, it pairs effortlessly with everything we ordered.
Tearing into roti feels like ceremony. It turns every dish into a scoopable, shareable moment. Whether dipped into curry or wrapped around a bite of Zeera Alu, it completes the meal in that essential way only fresh bread can.
A Birthday Dinner to Remember
What made this birthday dinner feel so special was that it captured exactly what I wanted: something celebratory, flavorful, nourishing, and entirely vegan. Eating at home meant we could relax, open a bottle of wine, enjoy slow conversation, and savor each dish without the bustle of a restaurant setting. And choosing Saaz meant the food still felt elevated—beautifully seasoned, thoughtfully prepared, and rich with the kind of flavors that linger.
In the Hamptons, where vegan dining can sometimes feel limited or overly dependent on seasonal availability, Saaz stands out as a reliable, year-round option. Their vegan dishes aren’t afterthoughts; they’re carefully composed plates that honor tradition and spotlight the natural flavors of vegetables, spices, and aromatics. Whether you’re plant-based, vegan, or simply someone who appreciates deeply seasoned, comforting food, Saaz delivers every time.
As we finished the last bites of curry and folded up the final piece of roti, I felt a genuine sense of gratitude—not only for the meal itself but for the accessible, delicious vegan options we have right here in the Hamptons. For my birthday, that combination of flavor, warmth, and ease was exactly what I wanted. And Saaz, as always, was the perfect choice.
