The 10 Best Indian Restaurants In New York City

New York City foodies have long been tempted by the rich flavors and textures of Indian cooking, and numerous informal curry houses, as well as high-end establishments, can be found throughout the city. We profile 1o of the most outstanding Indian restaurants in NYC.

1. Amma

Restaurant, Indian

Amma, which translates to ‘mother’, was created in an effort to share traditional Indian home-style cooking, with the bustling metropolis of New York City. The lamb vindaloo, chicken tikka masala, and spicy laal maas lamb are popular dishes that illustrate Amma’s ability to create deliciously traditional Indian dishes.

2. Benares

Restaurant, Indian

Named for a city in northern India, Benares celebrates the rich flavour profile and diversity of Indian cuisine. The spacious dining room, with brown wooden tables and mustard-toned upholstered chairs, creates an elegantly relaxed ambiance that pairs with the perfectly executed Indian dishes. While it represents the entire continent, Benares specializes in cuisine from the western state of Utter Pradesh, where the city of Benares is located.

3. Chola

Restaurant, Indian

Chola offers a range of different regional culinary traditions in India, with a focus on the southern states. Elaborate chandeliers hang from the ceiling, infusing the elegantly designed space with a modern ambiance. The menu offers a range of vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and vegan options.

4. Dhaba Indian Cuisine

Restaurant, Indian

A Curry Hill standby, Dhaba Indian Cuisine offers Punjabi food with a variety of kabobs, chaats, tandoor, vegetarian, and vegan options. Rolls of exquisitely colored fabric line one wall, recalling open-air Indian markets, while jars full of spices and rice make Dhaba feel like a hidden spice palace.

5. Haldi

Restaurant, Indian

Tucked away on Curry Hill between a proliferation of Indian supermarkets is Haldi, a recent addition to the city’s culinary scene. Haldi expertly creates typical Indian dishes that remind diners of India’s complex, rich flavor profile. With vegan and vegetarian options as well as meat dishes, Haldi offers something for everyone.

6. Junoon

Restaurant, Indian

Situated in the popular Flatiron district, Junoon is recognized for its signature spice room, where elaborate and flavorful combinations are mixed to create an innovative take on traditional Indian cuisine. Chefs pick blends of fresh spices and hand-grinds them daily to ensure robust flavor profiles. The menu spans classic cooking methods like tandoor and handi dishes.

7. Tamarind Tribeca

Restaurant, Indian, Asian

Light filters into Tamarind Tribeca’s two floors through ceiling-high windows, which create a radiant and welcoming atmosphere. The floors are covered in marble and teak wood, while tall limestone columns flank secluded booths and elegantly upholstered main hall tables. This Michelin star restaurant is considered one of the city’s premier Indian restaurants.

8. Tulsi

Restaurant, Indian

Tulsi is considered one of the top destinations for excellent dining in New York City, even earning two Michelin stars in 2013. The cream décor and dark wooden furnishings infuse the establishment with an elegant, yet welcoming, vibe. Tulsi offers an inviting chef’s tasting menu that will take diners on an Indian culinary expedition.

9. Vatan

Restaurant, Indian

A bejeweled elephant signals the entrance to well-known Vatan, transporting visitors into the unique atmosphere of a warm Indian courtyard, with banyan trees and intimate booths. Specializing in the traditional cooking style of Gujarat, Vatan serves only vegetarian food, and is known for its all-you-can-eat prix-fixe menu.

10. Yuva Indian Grill

Restaurant, Indian

Yuva Indian Grill is an authentic Indian restaurant that specializes in northwest frontier Indian cuisine. Modern sleek décor invites visitors to relax in cubby-hole booths, or open tables accented with dim hanging lights that imbue the space with a cosmopolitan ambiance. An exciting menu and attentive staff further ensure a positive experience.

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