Due to NYC's diverse mix of cultures, people, and, of course, food it is no surprise that people there can experience some of the excellent cuisines from all over the world. People can find everything here, from Michelin-starred restaurants to modest family-owned businesses. To make things easier, here is a list of the finest Indian eateries in NYC for a fantastic curry or a tasty tikka masala.
Video Credit: YouTube/Get Curried
1. Dhamaka
Dhamaka is a lively Indian restaurant on the Lower East Side that focuses on cuisine from the less well-known regions of India. The innovative dishes, created by chef Chintan Pandya and restauranteur Roni Mazumdar, help visitors to taste traditional Indian cooking from a new perspective. Their branch menu mostly consists of street food like Papdi Chaat, Keema Methi and Paani Puri. But for dinner menu they have various regional items like Champaran Meat from Bihar, Nalli Biryani from Uttar Pradesh, Kashmiri Gosht Champ from Kashmir. Try their delicious Nagaland pork from the grill section, prepared with smoked pork tail, Naga chilli, and axone. Their Chicken Pulao is also popular among the locals, cooked with garam masala, ghee, and basmati rice.
Address: 119 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002, United States
Time: Tuesday to Friday- 5 pm to 10 pm
Saturday and Sunday- 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm (Closed on Monday)
Must-try: Papdi chaat, keema methi, paani puri, Champaran meat, nalli biryani, Kashmiri gosht champ, Nagaland pork, rara gosht, Rajasthani khargosh, and paneer methi.
Price: $12 to $40 approx. for 1
2. Adda Indian Canteen
For people who want to try some fresh home-cooked Indian food, Adda in Queens is worth the trip. Due to their amazing commitment to the tradition, each meal is cooked with immense care. Their menu is influenced by Mumbai and other Indian locations. The Lucknow Dum Biryani is worth trying, prepared with slow-cooked goat in basmati rice and saffron. Also try the Junglee Maas, a goat curry made with adda chilli blend and red onion. Pair it with butter naan or garlic butter naan. They also have tandoori macchi that can be paired with a nice glass of chilled beer, to wash off the spice nicely.
Address: 31-31 Thomson Ave, Queens, NY 11101, United States
Time: Tuesday to Friday- 5 pm to 9 pm
Saturday and Sunday- 12 pm to 3 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm (Closed on Monday)
Must-try: Lucknow dum biryani, junglee mass, tandoori macchi, dahi batata puri, chilli paneer tikka, jhinga kalimirch, lotus root kofta, butter naan, and garlic naan.
Price: $10 to $35 approx. for 1
3. Indian Accent
On this list of top Indian restaurants in New York City, there is no other eatery like the Indian Accent. Indian Accent is one of the world's best restaurants. Innovative dishes like soy keema, wild mushroom kulcha, and even a beet & peanut butter tikki can be found on the menu. Try their sweet potato shirkhandi from the appetiser section, it is extremely delicious. They also have other unique items like pav ricotta vada. Don’t forget to try their desserts, they have a wide selection of mouthwatering sweets like makhan malai, doda barfi treacle tart, pear petha, and banana sticky cake.
Address: 123 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019, United States
Time: Monday to Friday- 5 pm to 9 pm
Saturday and Sunday- 11:30 am to 2 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
Must-try: Soy keema, wild mushroom kulcha, beet & peanut butter tikki, pav ricotta vada, makhan malai, doda barfi treacle tart, pear petha, and banana sticky cake.
Image Credit: Junoon
4. Junoon
Junoon was founded by NYC restaurateur Rajesh Bhardwaj to combine the flavours of traditional Indian food with modern gastronomic delights. The eatery is well-known for its wide wine selection as well as its unique dishes such as lobster moile. They also have items tuna puchka, prepared with tuna, caviar, cilantro, black salt, and jal jeera. One must try the mirchi pakora, made with mushroom-stuffed shishito peppers, strawberry chutney, jaggery butternut squash. The restaurant also have many unique main courses like mushroom & truffle khichdi, Konkani lobster, burra kebab, which are a must-try.
Address: 19 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010, United States
Time: Tuesday and Wednesday- 5:30 pm to 10 pm
Thursday and Friday- 11:45 am to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm
Saturday and Sunday- 11:45 am to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm (Closed on Monday)
Must-try: Lobster mobile, tuna puchka, mirchi pakora, mushroom & truffle khichdi, Konkani lobster, and burra kebab.
5. Masala Times Greenwich Village
With a mission to serve a delectable range of spicy Indian cooking, their menu is full of fun. Taste their aanda bhurji pav, spiced scrambled eggs served with buttered rolls. This item is simple but full of flavors. Guests can also try the spicy paneer bhurji or the tandoori mushroom rolls (also known as frankies). They also have an assortment of kebabs like paneer tikka and tandoori chicken kebabs. Their signature boxes, are takeaway-friendly meals that have lots of carbs with dal along with egg, vegetable, or protein.
Address: 194 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012, United States
Time: Tuesday to Sunday- 11 am to 4 am (Closed on Monday
Must-try: Aanda bhurji pav, spicy paneer bhurji, tandoori mushroom rolls, paneer tikka, and tandoori chicken kebabs,
Price: $14.99 to $24 approx. for 1
6. Tandoori Place
Tandoori Place in The Bronx is a relaxed Indian restaurant with several meat options. Their Asian-fusion dishes are crafted with fresh ingredients and are quite filling! The most popular items on their menu are the special lamb Bihari and tandoori chicken. The tandoori shrimp is also equally delicious. If a lover of spicy food try their original tandoori wings, tandoori buffalo wings, and chilli wings. Guests can also sample their beef biryani, made with boneless tender pieces of meat in fragrant pulao and spices.
Address: 2146 Starling Ave, Bronx, NY 10462, United States
Time: Monday to Sunday- 10 am to 10 pm
Must-try: Special lamb Bihari, tandoori chicken, original chicken wings, tandoori shrimp, tandoori buffalo wings, chilli wings, and beef biryani.
Price: $2.50 to $20
7. Bengal Tiger
Bengal Tiger is a Midtown casual Indian restaurant with an amazing menu of classic Indian cuisine, including vegetarian and vegan options. They serve a three-course prix fixe menu or à la carte selections. One of the most popular items on the menu is their vegetarian samosa, prepared with peas and potatoes. Bengal Tiger is the ideal casual lunch or dinner venue for people looking for authentic Indian meals at a reasonable price. People can also try their their chicken saag, prepared with chicken sauteed in spinach, ginger, and garlic. The lamb biryani is also popular among people. Vegetarians and vegans can try their chaana masala and aloo gobi matar, which is a mix of potato, cauliflower, and peas. Finish the meal with some rasmalai.
Address: 58 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019, United States
Time: Monday to Friday- 11:30 am to 2:45 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm
Saturday and Sunday- 12 pm to 10 pm
Must-try: Vegetarian samosa, chicken saag, lamb biryani, chaana masala, aloo gobi matar, lamb korma, and rasmalai.
Indian cuisine is a remarkable phenomenon in itself. People enjoy the dishes because Indian cuisine varies widely, with nearly unrecognisable differences from region to region. Indian cuisine can range from inexpensive takeaway to fine dining. Check out these eateries when in NYC to get some of the best experiences of Indian cuisine.