New York City is arguably the biggest cultural melting pot in the United States, and it’s home to some great and authentic places to try out world cuisine. If you’re a lover of Indian food, you’ll be happy to know that there are many great Indian restaurants in the area. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Indian restaurant or a place that likes to do things a little bit different, you’ll find it here in the city! Join us as we take a look at the best Indian restaurants in NYC.
Indika House
Let’s start this article off by taking a look at Indika House as one of the best indian restaurants in NYC, which is an Indian eatery located in Bushwick. Indika House stands out from the competition thanks to its expansive menu. Not only will you be able to find traditional classics such as chicken curry, but you’ll also be able to find obscure Indian dishes that you’ve likely never heard of. Trying out these new and unique dishes can be a treat, especially for someone that has been to their share of Indian restaurants.
Delhi Heights
If you’re looking for momos in Jackson Heights, then Delhi Heights is the place to get them! For those that aren’t already familiar with momos, they’re essentially just steamed dumplings. The most popular momos at Delhi Heights come with beef. If you aren’t interested in the momos, Delhi Heights also offers some killer spicy lamb. Any of the dishes at the restaurant make a great pairing with the garlic-infused naan– some of the best you’ll find anywhere.
Semma
Semma is a restaurant in West Village that specializes in South Indian cuisine. There are many restaurants in New York City specializing in South Indian cuisine, but the majority of them offer predominantly vegetarian fare. It’s a different story at Semma, as this eatery is known for its slow-cooked meats. Eaters will get the opportunity to try out meats like venison and oxtail, spiced and slow-cooked to perfection using traditional South Indian methods. Eating this kind of traditional South Indian food wouldn’t feel right without the perfect kind of atmosphere, and Semma thankfully supplies it. The eatery is dark and subdued, and you’ll feel like you’re truly in another part of the world.
GupShup
Located in Gramercy, GupShup is a restaurant with a fun name, and it’s also a fun place to hang out! GupShup is more than just an eatery, as it’s also got a cocktail bar and plenty of room to socialize. Don’t let the fun atmosphere fool you, as GupShup is all business when it comes to it’s cuisine. This modern Indian restaurant offers up some great spins on regional traditions. The most popular dish at GupShup would have to be the Delhi butter chicken.
THELEwala
If you’re walking around Greenwich Village, you’ll want to make a special point to pass by THELEwala. This unassuming joint may seem like a simple street vendor, but those who stop by for a meal will be in for a world of flavors. THELEwala offers great Indian cuisine, and it’s incredibly spicy! If you love street food, then you’ll love THELEwala. An added bonus is the fact that it’s open until 2 AM!
Kailash Parbat
There are many Indian eateries in New York City that focus specifically on either South Indian or North Indian cuisine. However, Kailash Parbat is a restaurant that aims to offer a vast selection of dishes from all over the country of India. Whatever your favorite type of Indian food is, you’ll find it being offered on the menu at Kailash Parbat. This makes Kailash Parbat a particularly great choice for those that are new to Indian food and aren’t sure what they’re interested in, as well as those that are experienced with Indian food and want to try something that they’ve never had before.
Punjabi Grocery & Deli
It would be easy to pass by Punjabi Grocery & Deli and not think anything of the unassuming little food stand. However, to do so would be to remain ignorant of one of the preeminent Indian eateries in all of New York City. Punjabi Grocery & Deli may not look like much, but the vegetarian curries that the food stand offers are second to none. The food is cheap and filling at Punjabi Grocery & Deli, which makes the food stand incredibly popular with the locals. Follow their lead and grab a snack of fried pakora, which comes in a brown, grease-stained paper bag. The fried pakora incredible, but it’s not the best option on a diet.
Spice Symphony
We’ve taken a look at eateries that focus on one specific region of India, as well as an eatery that aims to offer something from every corner of the country. However, Spice Symphony is something else entirely. Spice Symphony plays by its own rules, offering fusion cuisine that takes as much from Chinese cuisine as it does from Indian. Here, you’ll find classic Indian dishes with a Chinese slant, and vice versa. If you’ve never had Indian food before, then Spice Symphony likely isn’t the best place to start. However, for experienced eaters that want to try out something that’s a little bit more creative than the norm, Spice Symphony will hit the spot.
Jackson Diner
Jackson Diner is another atypical Indian eatery. This time, the uniqueness of the restaurant doesn’t come about from its attempts to buck culinary tradition. Instead, the reason that Jackson Diner differs from other Indian restaurants in New York City is that it’s decked out like a classic American diner. If you’re into Americana and Indian food, you’ll feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven once you walk into Jackson Diner. The unique juxtaposition of these two niches creates a one-of-a-kind experience that many will truly adore.
As far as the food goes, Jackson Diner is all about North Indian cuisine. The Americana-filled diner doesn’t rest on the laurels of it’s gimmicky concept. The tandoori meats and curries at Jackson Diner are just as authentic as those found anywhere else, and just as tasty. It’s not too expensive as far as Indian restaurants go, and the portions are huge.
Junoon
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum as the Americana-filled experience offered by the aforementioned Jackson Diner, we have the fine-dining experience offered by Junoon. If you’ve got money to spare and want to impress your date or potential business partner, take them here! The atmosphere is great, and you’ll get to try out Indian whiskey.
Bhatti Indian Grill
Bhatti Indian Grill is all about kebabs. Of course, kebabs are skewers of smoked meat and vegetables. This restaurant gets pretty busy, so you may want to make a reservation. It’s also BYOB, so keep that in mind before showing up!
Tamarind Tribeca
Tamarind Tribeca is a contender for being the most popular Indian restaurant in New York City, and it’s pretty fancy. There are no children under the age of 8 allowed, which provides the perfect atmosphere for adults that want to have a quiet night out. If you’re on a budget, you may want to pass on coming here. However, if you’re looking for an upscale eatery that you can brag about having been to, this is it!
Bengal Tiger
If you’d prefer a hidden gem to a restaurant that you’ll have to make reservations to well in advance, then Bengal Tiger might be the Indian restaurant for you. Bengal Tiger is tucked away underground on 56th Street, meaning you’ll have to go down a flight of stairs to get to it. Finding it can be a chore, but the food is worth it. Everything here is incredibly flavorful, and it’s one great example of a place that doesn’t put an overreliance on heat to stimulate the taste buds.
Raja Sweets & Fast Food
As far as Indian eateries go, Raja Sweets & Fast Food is another one that’s pretty unique. You order from the counter here, and the name of the game is deserts and fried treats. As one might imagine, you’re liable to gain a few pounds when you stop in. However, those that have the stomach for it will be in for a unique and tasty culinary experience.
Seva
Seva is a fancy Indian place in Queens that’s known for its spicy and flavorful lamb vindaloo. There are some popular restaurants that are all hype, but Seva is not one of them.
Ganesh Temple Canteen
Many eateries in New York City provide authentic Indian cuisine, but Ganesh Temple Canteen has them all beat with its location under an actual Hindu temple. As far as the food is concerned, Ganesh Temple Canteen is a cafeteria-style eatery serving vegetarian South Indian food.
The above picks represent what are generally considered to be the very best places in New York City to try out Indian cuisine. Whether you’re a timid eater looking to sample traditional Indian cooking for the first time or a more adventurous diner that’s looking for something more unique, we hope that this article showed you wear to go next!