Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus searched for a route to India because of its valuable spices. These flavours like saffron, turmeric, ginger, and coriander characterise Indian cuisine. And, today, Indian restaurants have been opening up all over Los Angeles.
There are moments when eating Indian food can seem like the most comforting thing. The flavourful taste of dishes like lamb vindaloo and some basmati rice can easily tantalise the taste buds and make people crave more. Get a plate of lamb vindaloo, some basmati rice, and a wedge of naan, and see how the plates get empty within minutes, and people would love to have it once more. Fortunately, there are many Indian restaurants in Los Angeles that offer top-notch food from all over the subcontinent.
It's easy to get hooked on a cuisine that uses a lot of meat and veg items like lentils, chickpeas, and warming spices. Even though it can seem like every Indian eatery has a similar menu, they are typically quite diverse. Keep an eye out for the emerging younger generation of Indian chefs giving innovative twists on classic dishes.
When in the mood for delicious Indian food, visit one of these restaurants. They prepare some of the most colourful and flavoursome tandoori, tikka masala, spicy curries, and many other innovative dishes.
Video Credit; YouTube/Kunal Kapur
1. Mayura Indian Restaurant
For locals, this award-winning restaurant is one of the favourite places for real South Indian food. Located in the centre of Culver City, this simple eatery is consistently packed, no matter what time of day. In Sanskrit, the word "Mayura" means "peacock," which is an equivalent of grace and elegance. It is by no means easy to live up to one's name. At Mayura, food is a way of celebrating life. The food will definitely satisfy the palate and make customers happier.
Taste the Chettinad chicken, dum biryani, and vadas. The dosas are extremely popular among the locals due to their crispy, soft, and fluffy texture. Guests can also try the idiyappam with chicken curry, Kerala special red fish curry, carrot halwa, and Madras payasam.
Address: 10406 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, United States
Price: $5.95 to $20 approx. for 1
Time: Tuesday to Sunday- 11 am to 9 pm (Closed on Monday)
Must-Try: Chettinad chicken, dum biryani, vadas, dosas, idiyappam, Kerala special red fish curry, Kerala special avial, carrot halwa, and Madras payasam.
2. Badmaash
In 2023, Badmaash, established by the Mahendro brothers and led by their father, Chef Pawan Mahendro, celebrated its tenth anniversary. Thanks to its creative Indian-fusion plates and refined interpretations of both classic dishes, the restaurant has established itself as a must-visit place for fans of Indian food.
Guests visiting Badmaash must definitely try their Parle-G ice cream sandwich, Punjabi fish fry, and spiced mango pork belly. Also, try the badass chicken tikka with some chilli cheese naan. Lovers of vegetarian food can try their badmaash broccolini and channa masala poutine.
Address: 108 W. 2nd Street, DTLA
Price: $6 to $28 approx. for 1
Time: Tuesday to Sunday- 11:30 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm (Closed on Monday)
Must-Try: Punjabi fish fry, spiced mango pork belly, Parle-G ice cream sandwich, badass chicken tikka, badmaash broccolini, channa masala poutine, and chili cheese naan.
3. Spice Affair
Spice Affair can be rated as one of the top fine-dining Indian restaurants. This Beverly Hills restaurant, which Sonia Batra and Puneet Chandak founded, has its own followers. Numerous celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, like Madhuri Dixit and Mel Gibson have also been spotted hanging out at the restaurant.
The menu features traditional and trendy Indian dishes with a Californian flair. The modern selections truly stand out, even though the classics are still great. Customers can start their food journey with bhel avocado and coco-li cauliflower and move on to items like habanero chicken tikka. One must also definitely try the flash grilled seas bass, lamb saag, and the moilee, prawn, and scallops curry. Vegetarians will also fall in love with the place as they have an assortment of flavourful vegetable dishes like amchuri chole, vegetable moilee, Nizam subz korma, and more.
Address: 50 N La Cienega Blvd #120, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, United States
Price: $10.95 to $30 approx. for 1
Time: Monday to Sunday- 11 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 10 pm
Must-Try: Bhel avocado, coco-li cauliflower, habanero chicken tikka, flash grilled sea bass, lamb saag, moilee, prawn, and scallops curry, amchuri chole, vegetable moilee, and nizam subz korma.
Image Credit: Baar Baar
4. Baar Baar
The Hindi word BAAR BAAR literally means "again, and again." The eatery's innovative menu celebrates regional Indian flavours. These delicious and mouthwatering flavours are brought to life with fresh local produce.
This restaurant, under the direction of chef Sujan Sarkar has created a menu that features both traditional Indian recipes and seasonal California produce. Try the exquisitely plated dahi puri and mango ghewar. Their baar baar butter chicken, mushroom pepper fry, and chicken malai tikka are equally delicious and full of flavours. Also, try the Kashmiri duck taco and tandoori butternut squash when visiting the eatery. They have also given a fun twist on the classic cocktails by naming them after well-known Bollywood films like Anarkali, a mix of gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, Darjeeling tea, and cardamon.
Address: 705 W 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Price: $15 to $25 approx. for 1
Time: Tuesday to Saturday-5 pm to 11 pm
Sunday- 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm (Closed on Monday)
Must-Try: Dahi puri, baar baar butter chicken, mushroom pepper fry, chicken malai tikka, mango ghewar, Kashmiri duck taco, tandoori butternut squash, and coconut payasam casatta.
5. Anarbagh Restaurant
Anarbagh Restaurant in Los Angeles has successfully influenced local palates for the past 20 years. When trying to sample authentic North Indian food in Los Angeles, Anarbagh Restaurant must be the first choice. Mohammed Mikah, the head chef, is like a magician who has the ability to bring the food to life. It might become difficult to try any other restaurants after visiting here.
Try the tandoori chicken wings and the chef’s special, like balti fish and lamb. Spicy food lovers must definitely try the chicken volcano and lamb volcano. Vegetarians must try the karahi tofu, saag mushroom, vegetable coconut curry, and other dishes.
Address: 4656 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States
Price: $4.95 to $20 approx. for 1
Time: Tuesday to Saturday- 3 pm to 10:30 pm
Monday and Sunday- 12 pm to 10:30 pm
Must-Try: Balti fish, balti lamb, chicken volcano, lamb volcano, karahi tofu, saag mushroom, vegetable coconut curry, rice pudding, and mango ice cream.
Image Credit: Arth Bar And Kitchen
6. Arth Bar And Kitchen
Indian-inspired eatery and cocktail bar ARTH, tucked away in the centre of Culver City, California is popular among the locals. They visit this place to eat delicious food, taste the unique cocktails, and mingle. The menu offers dishes made with the freshest ingredients to infuse life with flavours.
Guests must try the lobster moilee, a rich coconut milk curry from the southern state of Kerala traditionally made with shrimp. The chicken wings are also extremely flavourful and marinated in old monk, India's iconic dark rum. Classic dishes like chicken tikka kebab and veggie curry sliders, known as pav bhaji, are reasonably priced and packed with flavours. These dishes go great with Arth's whimsical desi-inspired cocktails like the jal-jeera mojito.
Address: 9531 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, United States
Price: $8 to $ 20 approx. for 1
Time: Monday to Sunday- 11:30 am to 10 pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Must-Try: Old monk drunken wings, lobster moilee, chicken tikka kebab, Bombay pav bhaji, Amritsari fish fry, pistachio lamb chops, and mango ras malai.
7. Pijja Palace
This Silver Lake Indian pizza joint is an extremely sharp distillation of everything that makes dining in Los Angeles so wonderful: enjoyable, reasonably priced, and most importantly, gloriously carefree. Pijja Palace is marketed as a sports bar (don't miss the enormous flatscreen TVs). Still, its fun, delectable menu of pizza, pasta, wings, and cocktails with South Asian influences makes it a destination-worthy attraction.
The dishes are spicy and simple, but not extremely spicy and absolutely elegant. Try the onion rings layered in dosa batter and dipped in mango chutney with chicken wings marinated in cilantro-mint chutney. Customers visiting the eatery must try the rigatoni tossed in a creamy tomato masala with the flavours of vodka tomato sauce. People can also taste their thin and crispy pizzas with the toppings of masala spice. Sweet tooths must definitely not miss the cookies and cardamon softie.
Address: 2711 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, United States
Time: Monday to Sunday- 5 pm to 9:30 pm
Saturday- 11 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 10:30 pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Must-Try: Onion rings with mango chutney, chicken wings, rigatoni, crispy pizzas, and cookies with cardamon softie.
Many people might find it difficult to decide what to eat or try when staying or on a vacation in Los Angeles. There is nothing to worry about because there are some fantastic Indian eateries where one can easily get food similar to what they eat in the country. Visitors can enjoy an unforgettable meal in Los Angeles with the best Indian food, regardless of whether they prefer the flavours and fragrances of North India or South India.