Where to Get the Best Indian Food in NYC in 2024
Finding the best Indian food NYC has to offer is easy when you know where the finest restaurants reside. The city has so many options, it’s possible to try a different eatery every day and still not sample the full array of the best Indian food in NYC!
So where do you begin your search for your version of the best Indian food in NYC? Do you choose by location, by price point or by menu? We’ve assembled our takes on the best Indian food in New York City, bar none. No matter where you’re located, what your budget is or what dishes you prefer, our selections for the best Indian food in NYC can get you on your way.
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Find the Best Indian Food in NYC
The search for the best Indian food in NYC is easier when you set out on expert-led food tours in NYC. You’ll save a ton of time pounding the pavement and head directly to a curated selection of some of the finest eateries in the city. Your guides will share highlights and historical facts as you sample dishes at every stop.
The Best Indian Restaurants in NYC
1. Indian Accent
Indian Accent adds daring gourmet spirit to beloved regional dishes for an elevated take on the best Indian food in NYC. This celebration of old and new results in a culinary experience that feels fresh and familiar simultaneously.
The Vibe
Modern sensibilities applied to time-honored tradition create a thoroughly contemporary atmosphere.
What to Order
Dig into an order of kadai paneer, featuring peppers stuffed with sweet potato and hearts of palm for a hearty bite; or try the butter scallops served with cauliflower and sea beans in a warm saffron curry.
Indian Accent | 123 W 56th St., New York, NY 10019 | $$$$
2. Vatan
With its thatched awnings, colorful murals and cozy booth seating, Vatan brings village charm to the heart of the city. It's a perfect setting for some of the best Indian food in NYC, served with fabulous flavor and undeniable charm.
The Vibe
Imaginative décor recreates a vibrant Indian marketplace for authentic surroundings.
What to Order
Menus for Jain, nut-free and vegan eaters among others make it easy for everyone to find something to love. Order up chana masala, a traditional dish with garbanzo beans and savory seasonings and pair it with spicy lentils.
Vatan | 409 3rd Ave., New York, NY 10016 | $$
3. Spice Symphony
Restaurant visionaries imagined Spice Symphony as a tribute to "grandmother cooking" of old India. Dishes with Chinese and coastal influences share the menu with the best Indian food in NYC for a sophisticated spread that honors its heritage.
The Vibe
Clean and upscale, with lots of natural light and airy space.
What to Order
Vegetarian diners can savor selections from their own menu, including baghare baingan, with eggplant in creamy peanut sauce. Broiled tandoori chicken with a side of vegetable palau makes a hearty dinner for lovers of the best Indian food in NYC.
Spice Symphony | 150 E 50th St., New York, NY 10022 | $$
4. Bengal Tiger
Taking the best Indian food in NYC to new heights, Bengal Tiger offers cosmopolitan menus with thoughtful versions of all the dishes you know and love. Diners can choose from lunch, dinner and fixed menus filled with well-prepared comfort food from the finest traditions of Indian cuisine.
The Vibe
Warm colors and linear spaces make for a cozy nook to settle in.
What to Order
Enjoy a prix fixe menu filled with the best Indian food in NYC. An affordable $25 three-course mini-feast includes a tempting appetizer, your choice of vegan, chicken or lamb entrée, and something decadent from the dessert tray.
Bengal Tiger | 58 W 56th St,, New York, NY 10019 | $$
5. GupShup
Taking its name from Indian slang for "conversations," GupShup adds cheeky spirit to authentic recipes for a fun spin on the best Indian food in NYC. The nostalgic spirit celebrates India of old, while the space and servings point in a savory 21st Century direction.
The Vibe
Elegant yet funky in a proprietary blend that extends from the décor to the food.
What to Order
A mind-blowing array of beverages at the bar puts the drink menu side by side with the food menus! For dinner, try The Sizzler 65, a meat lover's feast made for sharing that brings lamb, mutton, prawns and two types of tikka to the table.
GupShup | 115 E 18th St., New York, NY 10003 | $$$
6. Bhatti Indian Grill
North Indian dining gets its due at Bhatti Indian Grill. With a celebrity presence and a list of top-tier, all-natural wines, this tony dining room makes a perfect date night in NYC to enjoy the best Indian food in NYC in style.
The Vibe
Lush sidewalk terraces filled with seasonal flowers soften the sleek, modern design.
What to Order
Give the chicken chettinad a go. This blend of chicken and fragrant spices is a welcome traditional specialty that represents the best South Indian food in NYC. Homestyle goat curry is also a favorite for bringing the quintessential flavors of India to the biggest city in the U.S.
Bhatti Indian Grill | 100 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10016 | $$
7. Junoon
Junoon is the Hindi word for "passion," an apt description for this inventive kitchen. Artful gastronomic creations that respect the heritage they come from demonstrate the passion Junoon's team shares for bringing the best Indian food in NYC to the table.
The Vibe
Pristine spaces and gourmet presentations are marks of the finest of Indian dining experiences.
What to Order
Expect intriguing things with this high-end dining array. Nadru mattar makhana is a refined culinary blend of lotus root and green peas served in a zesty tomato sauce.
Junoon | 19 W 24th St., New York, NY 10010 | $$$$
8. Benares
Located in trendy Tribeca, Benares brings some of the best contemporary Indian comfort food in NYC to a gleaming yet low-key eatery. With equal artistry applied to the food and the décor, diners in search of an elegant Indian meal will find it here.
The Vibe
Contemporary cuisine in an artful dining room rich with dramatic color.
What to Order
Comfort food from the menu comes in the form of salmon tikka, made bold with garlic, turmeric and ginger in yogurt sauce. For the vegetarian set, malai kofta offers dumplings filled with cheese and vegetables robed in creamy cashew gravy.
Benares | 45 Murray St., New York, NY 10007 | $$
9. Dhaba
Dhaba proudly proclaims its fine dining pedigree as part of the best Indian food in NYC. Flavorful regional specialties and tempting cocktails make for an invigorating blend to delight discerning diners around the city.
The Vibe
Dramatic interiors make the most of a snuggly sliver of a space, perfect for small groups and delicious dishes.
What to Order
Take advantage of Dhaba's pao, authentic butterbuns from the Mumbai tradition, served next to savory meat and vegetable dipping dishes. For curry fans, there’s a full menu devoted to British takes on spiced gravy specialties.
Dhaba | 108 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10016 | $$
10. Tamarind Tribeca
Talented chefs bring quiet sophistication to the menus at Tamarind, Tribeca's contribution to the best Indian food in NYC. With elegant presentation and inventive interpretations of Old World dishes, Tamarind helps bring authentic Indian into the future with an eye on enjoying the present moment.
The Vibe
Chic dining space with soft colors and a glowing modern bar creates a welcoming contemporary spot.
What to Order
A la carte options make it easy to assemble a custom spread. Choose Indian soups and salads and select tandoori entrées like stuffed white mushrooms and prawns in coconut sauce.
Tamarind Tribeca | 99 Hudson St., New York, NY 10013 | $$$
11. Saravanaa Bhavan
Saravanna Bhavan lends an inspired vegetarian stroke to the best Indian food in NYC. By focusing on meat-free dishes from the deepest Indian culinary traditions, this eatery provides a family-friendly space for enthusiastic fans of authentic Indian dining to enjoy together.
The Vibe
Spacious and casual, with open-floor seating and convenient buffet serving available.
What to Order
Serving the vegetarian and vegan fans of Indian cuisine, diners can enjoy dosas, rice and lentil pancakes topped with mixed vegetables.
Saravanaa Bhavan | Multiple Locations | $$
12. Patiala
North and South meet in a marriage made at the dining table at Patiala. Adventurous eaters can try delicious new imaginings of regional standards without having to choose sides.
The Vibe
Trendy, modern atmosphere with traditional Indian touches create an exciting fast casual atmosphere.
What to Order
Sample a variety of popular street cart dishes that includes aloo tiki chaat, tender potato patties flavored with peas. An array of intriguing curries featuring fish, vegetables and lamb is sure to satisfy your cravings for authentic flavor.
Patiala | 371 W 34th St., New York, NY 10001 | $$
13. The Kati Roll Company
At The Kati Roll Company, eaters on the go have a loaded menu with tempting options that are all wrapped up. Kati is a skewered dish that's popular in Kolkata. Every roll features savory fillings and zesty sauces wrapped in a traditional flatbread for a take-along treat.
The Vibe
Funky modern interiors are perfect for take-and-go or dine-in roll-and-wrap dining.
What to Order
This is the place for everything rolled in the form of momos, Indo-Tibetan flatbreads filled with meats, eggs and vegetables.
The Kati Roll Company | Multiple Locations | $
14. Deep Indian Kitchen
Family recipes fulfill the promise of long-held heritage at Deep Indian Kitchen, bringing the best Indian food in NYC a sense of global culinary kinship. Dining is a family-style experience too, perfect for getting clans in on the rustic goodness.
The Vibe
Fast food café layout makes it easy to order and enjoy unique takes on Indian classics.
What to Order
For a slim $12, diners can fill their plates with a Mongolian BBQ-style Indian dining experience. Guests choose meat or vegetable mains, authentic sauces, their favorite sides and a spice level.
Deep Indian Kitchen | Multiple Locations | $$
15. Angel Angel Indian Restaurant
If a neighborhood hang-out is your scene, Angel is an answer to your culinary prayers. This unadorned kitchen serves generous portions of the best Indian street food NYC has to offer.
The Vibe
The nonsense, unstuffy setting keeps the focus on the fabulous food.
What to Order
Chicken vindaloo, lamb madras and vegetable moilee top the menu as entrées with festive Indian spirit. Chef specials offer combinations of meats and vegetarian dishes to whet appetites all around the table.
Angel | 7414 37th Rd., Queens, NY 11372 | $
16. Dosa Delight
For affordable places to eat in NYC serving up the best Indian food in NYC, Dosa Delight is one of the finest options in the city. Whether you drop in for a fast lunch or linger with friends or family for a slow dinner, you'll have your fill of homestyle Indian food in a cozy space with a friendly neighborhood feel.
The Vibe
Casual and ideal for families who love international cuisine.
What to Order
Diners will find more than a dash of health in some of the best South Indian food in NYC, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes that accommodate a range of eating requirements.
Dosa Delight | 35-66 73rd St., Queens, NY 11372 | $
17. Baar Baar
Baar Baar bills itself as an Indian gastro pub, blending craft cocktails and finely crafted bites for the best Indian food in NYC from a more gourmet angle. Tradition and imagination mingle in dishes made with attention to detail, bringing new energy to a feast of favorites.
The Vibe
Modern gastro pub sensibilities bring artful flair to traditional Indian recipes.
What to Order
Whether you order small plates or large dishes, you'll find fresh takes on meat and vegetable dishes served in high style and fine flavor. Tapas-style servings of butter chicken and tandoori potatoes allow groups to sample a variety of tastes.
Baar Baar | 13 E 1st St., New York, NY 10003 | $$
18. Bombay's
Stripped down and straightforward, Bombay's applies an easygoing deli-style set-up to serve up some of the best Indian food in NYC. Simple familiarity translates to neighborhood warmth in a restaurant that makes enjoying Indian delights second nature.
The Vibe
Super casual, clean surroundings are a welcoming atmosphere for diners with simple tastes.
What to Order
Choose from a selection of straightforward Indian food, including chicken in almond cream sauce and lamb curry with spinach. Combo specials and a la carte entrées make it easy to order the best Indian food in NYC for everyone in your party.
Bombay's | 60 Pearl St., New York, NY 10004 | $$
19. Taco Mahal
With high-concept energy and a wealth of creativity, Taco Mahal combines two of the world's most beloved foods, tacos and Indian cuisine, into a unified culinary sensation. It's a modern take on fast casual that makes it easy to pick up and go with the best Indian food in NYC in tow.
The Vibe
Warm, well-lit and artsy, a contemporary hang-out for fans of casual dining.
What to Order
Clever combinations of Indian fixings made taco-style, with naan and roti bread doubling as soft taco shells for an ingenious festival of fusion flavors. Choose a protein for filling and sides to go with it for a neo-traditional take on the best casual Indian food in NYC.
Taco Mahal | Multiple Locations | $$$
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
The variety of Indian restaurants in the city provides a wealth of the best Indian food in NYC on just about every corner! It’s an adventure of international cuisine you can embark upon anytime the thought of NYC foods stirs your hunger.
For even more fun ways to explore NYC and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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