Nazara Indian Bistro
California Cabernet Meets Chicken Tikka Masala
Cary · Cary · Indian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
You don't expect to flip open a wine list at an Indian bistro in Cary and find Stag's Leap and Jordan sitting next to the butter chicken, but here we are. Nazara has held a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2017, and it shows — this is clearly a restaurant that takes wine seriously, even if the list reads more California greatest hits than adventurous deep cuts. It's a pleasant surprise in a strip-mall suburb.
Selection Deep Dive
The list runs 80-120 bottles and leans hard into California, which is exactly what Wine Spectator flagged as their strength. You'll find the usual suspects — Rombauer Chardonnay, Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches, Jordan Cab — all competently chosen and broadly crowd-pleasing. What's missing is any meaningful nod to Old World styles or aromatic whites that would actually sing alongside tandoori spice and rich curry sauces; a Gewürztraminer or an off-dry Riesling would do wonders here. The list won't surprise you, but it won't embarrass you either.
By the Glass
Ten to sixteen pours by the glass in the $9-$14 range is a respectable spread for a restaurant that isn't a dedicated wine bar. You're not getting obscure rotating picks, but having Sonoma-Cutrer and Meiomi Pinot Noir available by the glass means you can drink something genuinely decent without committing to a bottle. The program feels set-and-forget — don't expect the list to look different next month.
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay — $45
One of California's most reliable single-vineyard Chardonnays at a price point that doesn't feel punishing. The restrained oak and bright acidity make it one of the few bottles on this list that can actually hold its own against creamy Indian sauces without getting lost.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Most people at Nazara are reaching for something light and safe, which means this bottle gets overlooked. Stag's Leap makes structured, elegant Cabs that have real history behind them — and at a reasonable markup here, it's the kind of wine that makes the whole meal feel like a special occasion.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Meiomi is a fine supermarket wine, but it has no business commanding restaurant pricing. At $35-$45 a bottle here, you're paying a significant premium for something you can grab off a grocery shelf for $14. Spend the difference on the Stag's Leap.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Lamb Rogan Josh
Jordan's Cab is built on elegance over power — soft tannins, earthy red fruit, a hint of herbs. That structure handles the bold, slow-braised spice of the Rogan Josh without the wine steamrolling the dish or vice versa. It's the most obvious great pairing on this list and nobody's ordering it.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Nazara is the rare Indian restaurant where the wine list is worth your actual attention — California-focused and safe, sure, but fairly priced and legitimately curated. We'd send a friend here who wants a proper bottle of wine with their lamb.
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