As the final issue of the year arrives and summer settles into Brewster, it feels fitting to conclude the Small Business Spotlight series with a place that reflects warmth, comfort, and community. Tucked away just off Route 22, Jaipore Royal Indian Cuisine has become a staple for many local residents, offering flavorful dishes, welcoming hospitality, and a dining experience that keeps customers coming back. Whether guests are stopping in for a casual dinner, celebrating with family, or enjoying the restaurant’s popular weekend buffet, Jaipore has established itself as one of Brewster’s most beloved restaurants.

Before the building became home to Jaipore, it lived many different lives throughout Brewster’s history. The mansion was first built in 1856 for a local county judge. About thirty years later, the widow of famous abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher moved into the home after her husband’s passing and remained there for several years. In the early 1900s, the building even found its way into the entertainment industry, serving as a filming backdrop for productions associated with Charlie Chaplin Studios. Director David Wark Griffith also featured the mansion in several of his films and housed cast members of his movie “America” during production.

As the decades passed, the property continued to evolve alongside the community around it. During the 1920s, the mansion operated as a speakeasy and by the 1980s, it had been transformed into a bar before eventually taking on its current role in 1993 as the home of Jaipore Royal Indian Cuisine.

Jaipore Royal Indian Cuisine is an Indian restaurant located along the southbound side of Route 22. Even the restaurant’s name reflects its heritage, resembling the name of Jaipur, a well-known district in northern India. Jaipore was originally founded in 1993 by a group of investors before being purchased in 2001 by Shiva Natarajan, a restaurateur who owned 18 restaurants throughout the region. A few years later, the building was leased to Roshan Balan, who became the owner and manager of Jaipore in 2015. Since then, the restaurant has only continued to grow in popularity, becoming a favorite for visitors and Brewster residents.

The restaurant is great at bringing the flavors of India directly to Brewster. From the moment guests walk inside, the atmosphere feels warm and inviting. The dim lighting, decorative carpets, and cozy dining rooms make the restaurant feel more like a home than a traditional restaurant. That sense of comfort pairs perfectly with the food, which is the true centerpiece of the experience.

Jaipore’s menu offers a wide variety of traditional Indian dishes that appeal to both longtime fans and first-time diners. Popular entrees include Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, and Chicken Vindaloo. For vegetarian and vegan diners, the restaurant also serves options such as Jeera Aloo and Aloo Matar, potato-based dishes paired with savory sauces. Though many recipes originate from northern India, the cooking process often incorporates both northern and southern Indian influences, creating meals that are layered with flavor and authenticity. Pairing these dishes with Jaipore’s signature naan elevates the experience even further and has become a favorite part of the meal for many.

With business continuing to thrive, Balan hopes to eventually open a second location in Connecticut. He says one of the most rewarding parts of owning the restaurant has been the connections he has built along the way. More than simply serving food, Balan hopes to continue sharing Indian culture with the surrounding community through the restaurant’s cuisine, atmosphere, and hospitality.

It is clear that Jaipore has a rich history, welcoming environment, and memorable food that makes it much more than just a restaurant. It is a place where culture, community, and comfort come together under one roof. For anyone searching for flavorful comfort food and a cozy dining experience, Jaipore remains one of Brewster’s hidden gems worth visiting again and again.