5TH ELEMENT INDIA KITCHEN

Great reviews, failing grade. 5TH ELEMENT INDIA KITCHEN carries a 4.5-star reputation on 1,172 reviews, but its kitchen last graded out at 59/100 — an F on our A–F scale.

That F comes from 3 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 14 basic violations cited on April 8, 2026. It currently ranks safer than 4% of Volusia County restaurants we grade — close to the bottom of the county. If you want the flavor with fewer question marks, the safer-options list below maps higher-graded kitchens within a short drive.

Loved (4.5★) but failing (F, 59/100) · safer than 4% of Volusia County

Get directions Call (386) 265-0726

Safer options nearby

Higher-graded restaurants close to 5TH ELEMENT INDIA KITCHEN, by Florida DBPR grade:

Restaurant details

Health grade
F (59/100)
Violations
18 total — 3 high-priority, 1 intermediate, 14 basic
Address
1448 W INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY BLVD, Daytona Beach, FL
Cuisine
Indian
Categories
Indian restaurant
Price
$10–30
Rating
4.5 stars (1172 reviews)
Neighborhood
Daytona Highlands Golf Course
Seats
155
Phone
(386) 265-0726
Website
Official website
Photo of 5TH ELEMENT INDIA KITCHEN
Photo: 5th Element Indian Kitchen

Community Rating

Reviews via Google
4.5 Community-sourced rating 1,172 reviews
Read all reviews on Google →

What diners say — our read

Popularity and sanitation part ways on this listing. Where how guests are treated comes up, the rating that follows averages 4.7, so it reads as a strength.

Conspicuously absent: portion size, which no reviewer brings up. The split is 21 positive to 3 negative across 24 rated reviews. 5 stars is the modal score, given by 21 of the 24 reviewers who rated.

The inspection record is the harder read. DBPR graded this kitchen an F (59/100) on 3 high-priority, 1 intermediate, and 14 basic violations — a verdict the review average does not reflect. That inspection was on April 8, 2026. On health score it sits safer than 4% of the Volusia County restaurants we grade. Among the items recorded were food from approved source and cross-contamination.

What to do with that is a judgement call — the reviews describe the experience, the grade describes the conditions behind it. The individual reviews are below, newest first, if you want the raw material.

Our own analysis of 24 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →

  • June 30, 2026

    Best Indian buffet in town.

  • June 30, 2026

    Great service, delicious food! Nothing more to say!

  • June 24, 2026

    We went for lunch. I had the Mango Chicken and my brother had the Lamb Curry. Both were fantastic. Their chef is obviously focused on quality and it shines through. It took a little longer than expected, but the food was absolutely worth it.

  • June 18, 2026

    Best dosa I’ve had.Savis was very helpful Highly recommend

  • June 15, 2026

    Asbi is very nice and helpful, my orders have always been consistent with no problems. Their food is delicious! The chicken is always nice and tender with amazing flavors. Completely recommend!

  • June 14, 2026

    Absolute gem in Daytona

  • June 9, 2026

    everything was so great and Sabi was fantastic!!

  • June 9, 2026

    I was looking for my favorite meal,Korma and found it We’ll be here again, many times. And are Server was sabi she was awesome

  • June 8, 2026

    I’ve heard great things about this restaurant and it definitely lived up to expectations. Everyone was welcoming and the food was delicious. I will be coming back!

  • June 6, 2026

    Great food good service fast clean kind

  • May 30, 2026

    We used the catering service from Saajan ji from this restaurant and once again we got so many amazing compliments for the food and his outstanding service. He is as always very warm and his staff makes sure everything is spot on and perfect and that makes it so much easier for the host. We totally recommend them as there is always a lot of variety of food, they are very professional and dependable and treat the occasion as their own event.

  • May 27, 2026

    Love this place. Food is great, atmosphere is nice, prices are good. Our server Sabi is always a pleasure and very attentive.

  • May 26, 2026

    Food taste and temperature was awesome 👌🏾!

  • May 24, 2026

    WORST RESTAURANT EVER ...Had the worst food experience ever. Ordered Chilli Chicken Biryani, Egg Biryani, and Saag Paneer — and honestly, I don’t even know how they can call this “biryani.” It tasted absolutely awful and seemed spoiled. Never in my life have I such a bad biryani. "DISGUSTING" is the appropriate word to describe it. The raita/yogurt that came with it was stale and smelled really bad too. We literally could not eat the food because it tasted and felt spoiled. Total waste of money and a horrible experience overall. I dont even want to give one star. Please avoid ordering from here — the food was completely inedible.

  • May 23, 2026

    Sabi was absolutely amazing! The food was delicious and the service was great!

  • May 22, 2026

    Food was just awful but the service provided by Sabi was amazing

  • May 21, 2026

    Excellent Chicken Biryani! Must try! I’ve been to multiple US states and tried countless Indian restaurants and this biryani probably takes the cake in all of the US!

  • May 19, 2026

    Sabi is good. We enjoyed our lunch.

  • May 18, 2026

    Food was amazing and definitely the real thing. Asabi was so good and took care of our kiddos exceptionally well! Will definitely be returning!

  • May 17, 2026

    Sabi is very polite, smile and good person. Her service was excellent

  • May 13, 2026

    Every time I’m in Daytona, Fifth Element is on the list as a must. Some of the best Indian food I’ve had state side. Everything is delicious. Service is outstanding. If you like Indian food and haven’t been, you must go try this. You won’t be disappointed!! Also, Francisco is amazing!!

  • May 13, 2026

    Everything I have tried here has been phenomenal. I believe our waiters name was Francisco, he always provides exceptional service. Get the mango lassi or mango ice cream for desert, especially when eating spicy food to cool down. The only negative thing I could say is that the goat always has lots of bones, but that adds flavor! Just be careful.

  • May 11, 2026

    Good service good food love coming here!!! Sarbjit served me and was excellent service. Was checking if we needed anything consistently!!!

  • May 10, 2026

    Food not good at all.

Overall Score

39 / 100

  • Health inspection grade 0/40
    Grade F
  • Dietary transparency 17/20
    5 options listed
  • Community rating 18/20
    4.5★ average
  • Hidden-gem status 0/10
    Not flagged
  • Track record 4/10
    Stable, 0% clean

Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.

Opening hours

Monday
11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 10 PM
Tuesday
11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 10 PM
Wednesday
11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 10 PM
Thursday
11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 10 PM
Friday
11 AM to 2:30 PM, 5 to 10 PM
Saturday
11 AM to 3 PM, 5 to 10 PM
Sunday
11 AM to 3 PM, 5 to 9:30 PM

Inspection history

The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.

  1. April 8, 2026 · Routine - Food

    Inspection Completed - No Further Action

    3 high-priority · 1 intermediate · 14 basic

    • 01 — Food from approved source; safe, unadulterated, sound condition
    • 03 — Temperature control of foods (cold/hot holding, cooking, cooling, reheating)
    • 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored (×3)
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained (×3)
    • 16 — Dishwashing facilities; sanitizer test kits; gauges
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×3)
    • 40 — Employee personal belongings
    • 51 — Other conditions of sanitary & safe operation
  2. September 30, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Call Back - Complied

    0 high-priority · 0 intermediate · 2 basic

    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
  3. September 22, 2025 · Routine - Food

    Warning Issued

    2 high-priority · 3 intermediate · 12 basic

    • 10 — In-use food dispensing utensils properly stored (×2)
    • 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices (×2)
    • 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
    • 22 — Food-contact surfaces clean and sanitized
    • 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
    • 27 — Water source safe; hot and cold water under pressure
    • 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
    • 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
    • 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation (×5)
    • 50 — Current license, properly displayed
    • 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training

This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →

Data last updated: April 8, 2026