Back in the early 1900s, New York City got its first South Asian restaurant — Ceylon India Inn — near Times Square. It became a favorite hangout for Indian dock workers and students. Today, there are over 400 Indian restaurants across NYC, offering flavors from every part of India. Gone are the days when menus only had butter chicken, saag paneer, and naan. Now, you’ll find chefs bringing authentic, regional dishes — and even fun NYC twists like masala pizza and chai ice cream.
Here are 12 amazing Indian restaurants to try in New York City.
Manhattan
1. Semma
Chef Vijaya Kumar brings the flavors of his Tamil Nadu village to the West Village. Think scallops in pineapple sauce, lobster tail moilee, fluffy paniyaram dumplings, and the city’s best gunpowder dosa. Semma is NYC’s only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant and was named the city’s best restaurant by The New York Times.
2. Bungalow
Chef Vikas Khanna’s East Village spot feels like dinner at a friend’s home. Expect shrimp balchao cones, yogurt kebabs, creamy black lentil daal, and seasonal dishes with mango, jamun, or custard apples. Khanna personally serves guests and makes every visit feel special.
3. Hyderabadi Zaiqa
Known for its authentic Hyderabadi dum biryani, this restaurant started as a small spot in Hell’s Kitchen and now has a bigger location in Curry Hill. Must-tries include chicken 65, bhindi masala, and bagara baingan.
4. Chatti
Chef Regi Matthew serves Kerala’s toddy shop (tavern) dishes — beef fry, coconut prawns, jackfruit cutlets, and seafood moilee soup. The menu has over 800 recipes he collected from travels across Kerala.
5. Tamarind Tribeca
A fine-dining Indian classic since 2001. Signature dishes include lobster masala, prawn curry, and Nizami kheema. Elegant and timeless.
6. Vatan
A vegetarian restaurant designed like a Gujarati village. The $45 all-you-can-eat thali includes samosas, daal, chole, and endless desserts like gulab jamun.
7. Dhamaka
Bold, unapologetic Indian food — from goat kidney curry to fiery spice blends. Colorful interiors and loud Bollywood music make this LES restaurant unforgettable.
Brooklyn
8. Lore
Chef Jayesh Kumar blends his South Indian roots with European cooking. Dishes like roti ravioli, kimchi uttapam, and masala butter steak stand out.
9. Indian Table
Goan chef Eric McCarthy brings coastal flavors like chicken cafreal, crab cutlets, pork sorpotel, and fish curries. The back patio is perfect for summer nights.
Queens
10. Angel Indian Restaurant
Famous for its dum biryani served under a bread crust. Also try the butter chicken, lotus root kofta, and soft, fluffy naan.
11. Raja Sweets and Fast Food
A go-to for vegetarian snacks and chaat like sev puri, papri chaat, and aloo bhatura. Pair it with mango lassi or lemon soda.
12. Hindu Temple Canteen
Hidden in the basement of Queens’ Ganesh Temple, this no-frills spot serves dosas, idlis, uttapams, and coconut chutney. The Pondicherry dosa with spicy chutney is a must-try.
Whether you’re craving street snacks, home-style curries, or upscale fine dining, NYC’s Indian food scene has never been better.
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