In this article, I examine some of the best Indian restaurants in NYC. New York City (NYC) is one of the choicest cities in the United States with some of the finest Indian restaurants. These restaurants serve a wide range of Indian dishes and drinks. Whether you are in the mood for a rich curry, a crisp dosa, an aromatic biryani, or a tangy chaat, you can find it in an Indian restaurant in NYC.
These restaurants have it all, from fine dining to street food, from classic favorites to contemporary fusion cuisines. Besides, they showcase the diversity and deliciousness of Indian cuisines. You can savor a Michelin-starred meal at Baar Baar, or a colorful feast at Dhamaka. No matter what your craving, budget, or occasion, there is an Indian restaurant in NYC for you. Read on to find out the best Indian restaurants in NYC, their locations, meals, operating times, and so on.
The Best Indian Restaurants in NYC
Below are 10 of the best Indian restaurants in NYC that you should try on your next visit.
1. Adda Indian Canteen
I begin this collection of the best Indian restaurants in NYC with Adda Indian Canteen. Adda Indian Canteen is a casual and cozy restaurant in Long Island City that serves native and affordable Indian food. The menu features street food, snacks, home-style curries, tandoori dishes, and rice and bread. Some of the highlights include the kaleji masala (chicken liver curry), the goat biryani, the paneer khurchan (stir-fried cheese with peppers and onions), and the garlic naan. You wouldn’t want to miss the desserts, such as the gulab jamun (fried milk balls in syrup) and the kulfi (frozen milk dessert).
- Address: 31-31 Thomson Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101, US
- Website: https://www.addanyc.com/
- Operating hours: Mon-Sat 12:00 – 15:00, 17:00 – 21:00 (Fri-Sat 21:30)
2. Rahi
Rahi is a modern and elegant restaurant in Greenwich Village that showcases the diversity and creativity of Indian cuisine. The chef, Chintan Pandya, uses local and seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are inspired by his travels across India. Some of the dishes you can expect are the artichoke chaat (crispy artichokes with yogurt and tamarind), the jackfruit kofta (jackfruit dumplings in tomato sauce), the lamb ribs with apricot and chili, and the rasmalai tres leches (sponge cake soaked in milk and saffron).
- Address: 60 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY, 10011
- Website: https://www.rahinyc.com/
- Operating hours: Monday to Thursday, 5 pm to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday, 5 pm to 11 pm; Sunday, 5 pm to 9 pm
3. Junoon
Junoon is also one of the best Indian restaurants in NYC. It is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Flatiron that offers a fine dining experience with a contemporary twist. The restaurant has five different dining rooms, each with a different theme and ambiance. The menu features dishes from different regions of India, such as the Awadhi, Hyderabadi, Rajasthani, and Kashmiri. Some of the signature dishes are the lobster tandoori, the duck seekh kebab, the lamb shank nihari, and the black rice kheer (rice pudding with coconut and mango).
- Address: 19 W 24th St, New York, NY, 10010
- Website: https://www.junoonnyc.com/
- Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:45 am to 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm to 10 pm or 10:30 pm (depending on the day)
4. Baar Baar
Baar Baar is a hip and trendy restaurant in the East Village that serves innovative and playful Indian dishes and cocktails. It styles itself as the first Indian Gastro Bar. The menu is designed for sharing and features small plates, large plates, bread, and rice. Some of the dishes you can try are the ghee roast lamb tacos, the chili cheese kulcha (stuffed bread with cheese and chili), the paneer pinwheel (spinach and cheese rolls), and the baar baar thali (a platter of assorted dishes). Don’t forget to try the cocktails, such as the baar baar sour (whiskey, tamarind, and egg white) and the desi daaru (rum, lime, and jaggery).
- Address: 13 E 1st St, New York, NY, 10003
- Website: http://baarbaarnyc.com/
- Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 5 pm to 10:30 pm or 11:30 pm (depending on the day); Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 am to 3 pm (brunch)
5. Indian Accent
Indian Accent is a sophisticated and stylish restaurant in Midtown that has branches in New Delhi and London. The restaurant is known for its inventive and refined Indian cuisine, created by the acclaimed chef Manish Mehrotra. As one of the best Indian restaurants in NYC, Indian Accent has on its menu a la carte and tasting options, with dishes such as the soy keema (minced soy with quail egg), the ghee roast lamb with roomali roti pancakes, the meetha achaar spare ribs, and the makhan malai (saffron milk foam with rose petals and almonds).
- Address: 123 W 56th St, New York, NY, 10019
- Website: https://www.indianaccent.com/newyork/index.php
- Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 12 pm to 2 pm and 5 pm to 10:30 pm (except Sunday, only dinner)
6. Dhamaka
Dhamaka is a vibrant and colorful restaurant in Essex Market that specializes in regional Indian dishes with bold and explosive flavors. The restaurant is the latest venture from the team behind Adda Indian Canteen and Rahi, and it aims to showcase the diversity and richness of Indian cuisine. Some of the dishes you can sample are the anda curry (egg curry with green chilies and curry leaves), the chukka beef (dry beef fried with coconut and curry leaves), the chicken korma (chicken stew with cashew and saffron), and the dal baati churma (lentils with wheat dumplings and sweet crumble).
- Address: 119 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002, USA
- Website: https://www.dhamakanyc/
- Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
7. Utsav
Utsav is a spacious and elegant restaurant in Midtown that serves classic and contemporary Indian dishes. The restaurant has a glass-enclosed atrium that overlooks the Rockefeller Center. The menu features a variety of dishes, such as chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, shrimp malai curry, and vegetable korma. The restaurant also offers a lunch buffet and a pre-theater menu.
- Address: 1185 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036, USA
- Website: https://utsavny.com/
- Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday)
8. Bombay Grill House
Bombay Grill House is a cozy and friendly restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen that serves authentic and delicious Indian food. Bombay Grill House deserves to be enlisted as one of the best Indian restaurants in NYC because of its chilled atmosphere and a large collection of Indian foods. The restaurant has a large menu that includes appetizers, soups, salads, tandoori dishes, curries, biryanis, bread, and desserts. Some of the popular dishes are chicken 65 (spicy fried chicken), lamb vindaloo, fish curry, and garlic naan. The restaurant also offers catering and delivery services.
- Address: 764 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019.
- Website: http://www.bombaygrillhousenyc.com/
- Open hours: Monday to Friday 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
9. Darbar
Darbar is a chic and upscale restaurant in Midtown East that serves a mix of traditional and modern Indian dishes. The restaurant has a sleek and spacious dining room, a private lounge, and a bar. The menu features dishes such as the tandoori lobster, the chicken Chettinad, the lamb shank rogan josh, and the vegetable jalfrezi. The restaurant also has a lunch buffet, a happy hour, and a weekend brunch.
- Address: 157 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022.
- Website: https://darbargrill.com/
- Open hours: Monday to Friday 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM.
10. Baazi
Baazi is a new and exciting restaurant on the Upper West Side that offers a fusion of Indian and American cuisines. The restaurant has a bright and airy dining room, a bar, and a patio. The menu features dishes such as the stuffed and grilled paneer, the chicken tikka burger, the lamb chops with mint chutney, and the saag paneer pizza. The restaurant also has a cocktail menu, a wine list, and a beer selection.
- Address: 2588 Broadway, New York, NY 10025.
- Website: https://baazi.us/.
- Open hours: Daily 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
These are 10 of the best Indian restaurants in NYC that you should check out on your next trip. Whether you are looking for a casual bite, a romantic date, or a family feast, you can find an Indian restaurant that suits your taste and budget. Enjoy the flavors and aromas of India in the city that never sleeps!