Indian food has a huge variety. Every region has its own specialties and cuisine. For instance, the cuisine of the eastern states, such as Bengal and Odisha, is dominated by panch fodon, whereas Konkan cuisine combines spicy and coconut-flavored ingredients. However, there are only a few well-known dishes that are more popular among others all over the world.
But the Indian cuisine scene is definitely worth checking out in Seattle! The best Indian restaurants in town have something for everyone, from traditional biryanis to local specialties.
People can expect chef specialties, unique menu options, and comfortable settings that will take them to India without ever leaving Emerald City. These eateries have a wide variety of Indian food to tempt the palate, whether they are in the mood for vegetarian meals, tandoor-grilled meats, or some of Seattle's most delicious curries. These are the top 7 picks for Indian eateries in and around Seattle!
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1. Cafe Bollywood
A distinctive Indian restaurant, Café Bollywood Bellevue features a quirky cartoon mural, late-night hours, halal meat options, and even a quaint patio. They provide delivery, takeaway, and dining options so customers can savour their variety of Indian flavours in the most convenient way.
From starters from across India to entrees like sarson maach, murgh chettinad, and malai kofta, there's something for everyone. Guests just can't get enough of the creamy texture of the lamb korma and palak paneer as well as the pungent flavour of the channa pindi and dal. And don't forget to sample the delicious, freshly baked, lightly buttered naan! All the locations have halal meats and carefully segregated vegetarian dishes. In addition, guests can also notice amusing cartoons painted on the walls by well-known Indian cartoonist Mario Miranda.
Address: 102 Bellevue Way NE Suite B, Bellevue, WA 98004, United States
Time: 12 pm to 3 pm, 4:30 pm to 12 am
Saturday and Sunday: 12 pm to 12 am
Price: $2.25 to $18 approx. for 1
Must-Try: Sarson maach, murgh chettinad, malai kofta, lamb korma, and palak paneer.
Image Credit: Pixabay
2. Kathakali
One of the best authentic Indian restaurants in the Seattle area is Kathakali. They serve cuisine from Kerala, a region of South India famous for its use of coconut and spices in mostly vegetarian and seafood dishes. With a whole section devoted to seafood, the menu features a filling section of coconut curry.
The dishes offered by Chef Ajay remind more of the seafood and vegetable-filled cuisines of the region. The eatery does not follow the conventional method of including general Indian dishes to balance the menu. Guests can enjoy a whole fish wrapped in a banana leaf with spices, or string hoppers, idiyappam, which are rice noodles. Pay close attention to the entire "Dosas and Kerala Specials" section as well as the menu items that are indicated with stars. One of these memorable dinners will conclude with a dish of homemade jackfruit ice cream.
Address: 11451 98th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98033, United States
Time: 11 am to 2 pm, 5 am to 9 pm
Price: $12 to $25 approx. for 1
Must-Try: Parippu vadai, idiyappam, Kerala meen curry, spicy lamb chops, Malabar parotta, bullet naan, and paal parotta.
3. Kricket Club
For Indians, food brings in nostalgia, especially when they are staying away from their homeland. Indian chef Preeti Agarwal, who was born and raised in Uttar Pradesh, India, is still working to change people's perceptions of Indian cuisine in Seattle! Kricket Club offers a classy Indian dining experience in a gorgeous setting with creative cuisine. Owner Preeti Agarwal went through her grandmother's cookbooks extensively for inspiration for the pan-Indian menu. Her goal with Kricket Club is to wow the guests with an elegant yet casual menu that offers an enjoyable setting for savouring the food.
Guests can enjoy dishes like jackfruit-based kofta curry, Bengali lamb curry, and house dal that are served at the table in tiffin lunchboxes. The striking colour scheme was inspired by the previous jersey of the Indian national cricket team. They also offer a wide collection of wine and cocktails.
Address: 2404 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115, United States
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm
Friday, Saturday: 5 pm to 10 pm
Price: $12 to $30 approx. for 1
Must-Try: Makai bhel tart, kasundi jhiga, gilafi kebabs, tiffin box desi chicken, herbed kulcha, and gulkand mousse.
Image Credit: Unsplash
4. Spice Waala
Uttam Mukherjee and Aakanksha Sinha launched Spice Waala at the South Lake Union Saturday Market in 2018. They offer real tastes from the streets of New Delhi and Calcutta. The owners wish to introduce the local people to the tastes that characterised their childhood; the smells that transport one back to the streets of India. Indian street food stimulates all of the senses at once with its abundance of flavours and textures.
This is one of the eateries in Seattle offering affordable food is Spice Waala. Due to the fact that it primarily offers portable Indian street food, it is a well-liked Indian lunch destination. The menu features dishes that people won't often find at typical Indian restaurants in the US, like chaat, bhel puri, and kathi rolls. The eatery is owned by Aakanksha Sinha and Uttam Mukherjee.
Address: 340 15th Ave E, Suite 202, Seattle, WA 98144
Time: 11 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
Price: $3.50 to $7.50 approx. for 1
Must-Try: Kathi roll paneer bhurji, kathi roll lamb kebab, bhel puri, chana chaat, mango lassi, and masala chai.
5. Rupee Bar
The owners of Manolin in Fremont, one of the finest restaurants are also the owners of this James Beard-winning eatery. All of this simply means that they are incredibly gifted. Co-owner Rachel Johnson wanted to open a restaurant that honoured the flavours that brought back happy memories of her time spent living in India and Sri Lanka in the 1990s.
They are masters at working with spices like fenugreek, cumin, and curry leaves to produce dishes that are intensely spiced without being overdone for the masses. Mutton rolls and Kerala fried chicken are must-orders. In addition, they have an excellent bar set up with some of Seattle's best cocktails.
Address: 6307 24th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107, United States
Time: 5 pm to 9 pm
Price: $10 to $30 approx. for 1
Must-Try: Deviled prawns, kale salad, mutton rolls, bhel puri, dhal curry, Kerala fried chicken, and naan.
Image Credit: Unsplash
6. Zaika
Zaika is putting fancy and fun spins on Indian cuisine. They have inventive twists on classic dishes, such as a "paneer pinwheel," on their main dinner menu. For purists, they do, however, also offer a traditional menu.
Guests visiting the eatery have no idea what to anticipate from a fusion Indian restaurant, but the amount of flavour and spice in the food will definitely astound me. Classic Indian cuisine offered by them will leave with an enticing slow burn as they don't skimp on the heat. Their chicken tikka masala is a must-try. Compared to the tikkas available in other places this one has more spices and a decent amount of heat to cut through the cream. Also try their prawn ghee roast and salmon moilee. They also have an assortment of vegan dishes among which masala papad, jackfruit kofta, and bhindi masala are a definite try. Sweet lovers definitely try their daulat ki chaat
Address:1100 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, United States
Time: 11 am to 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm to 11 pm
Price: $17 to $26 approx. for 1
Must-Try: Chicken tikka masala, prawn ghee roast, salmon moilee, kaffir lime chicken tikka, chicken Chettinad, chicken biryani, jackfruit kofta, masala papad, and daulat ki chaat.
7. Annapurna
This small restaurant serves delicious Indian, Tibetan, and Nepalese cuisine. Roshita Shrestha, a native of Nepal who relocated to Seattle came up with this eatery with the goal of bringing her love of food to a global audience. In the basement, they have a beautiful dining area with colourful and elegant furnishings. Here, the key is to serve comfort food that is hot and satisfying.
Based in Seattle but missing momos, go to Annapurna. The tensing momos at Annapurna is one of the most popular items among locals! Upstairs is a charming little bar called the Yeti Bar, where they serve unusual concoctions like the saffron-lychee cocktail. Try their Kathmandu chicken soup, with some spinach momos, which are equally good. The eatery is also popular for their Lhasa, a creamy tomato-based curry, and garlic naan.
Address: 1833 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122, United States
Time: 4 pm to 9 pm
Must-Try: Lhasa, spinach momo, Kathmandu chicken soup, tensing momo, and lamb saag.
These best Indian restaurants in Seattle are a must-try; the country's rich culinary legacy has made its way into the city's restaurant scene. These eateries offer a mouthwatering, flavorful experience that will leave people wanting more—whether they are looking for takeout, a romantic dinner, or even the ideal location for a family get-together!