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Raleigh, the capital city of the state of North Carolina, is known for its Research Triangle Park, higher educational institutes, cultural and historical attractions, and rich culinary diversity. Among the most noteworthy features in the culinary landscape, the thing that stands out the most is how the region has adapted to several customs and integrated them into the cuisine.
One such vibrant food culture is Indian Cuisine, which is considered the hype of the city. Within the Triangle area, one can discover a range of eateries, including South Indian, North Indian, Indo-Chinese, and restaurants presenting flavours from Pakistan, Nepal, and Tibet.
Among the several restaurants offering different cuisines, these top 10 restaurants stand out the most. Read along to find out why these restaurants are so special and what is so unique about them.
Royal India
Royal India, Located in Terrymore Square, is a reputed Indian restaurant that serves a diverse menu featuring meat, vegetarian, and vegan options. With dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering services, they cater to various dining preferences. Royal India has a wide menu with appetisers, soups, salads, and veggie dishes. They also serve chicken, seafood, lamb, and goat specialities, along with rice, biryanis, desserts, and Indian drinks. Along with this, they have a special menu for vegans and vegetarians so they won't feel left alone.
Location: 3901 Capital Blvd Suite 103, Raleigh, NC 27604, United States
Timings: Mon- Thurs: 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–10 pm; Fri-Sat: 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–10:30 pm; Sun: 12–3 pm, 5–9 pm
Must Try: Paneer Shahi Korma, Rogan Josh, Hyderabadi Lamb Chop Masala
Price For 2: $80 approx.
Dharani Express Indian Restaurant And Take Out
Located in Avent Ferry Shopping, CenterDharani Express believes everyone deserves tasty food. With simple interiors, disposable dinnerware, and a special menu, they provide wholesome, healthy, and affordable meals for students, office-goers, and anyone on a budget. Here, one can experience India's diverse cuisine with aromatic, spicy flavours - from street food to iconic South Indian dishes. The most highlighted options on their menu are Malai Kofta, Malabar Fish Curry, And Chilli Paneer Along with Goat Chettinad and Veg Biryani. They feature a daily special menu for people trying Indian food for the first time.
Location: 3281 Avent Ferry Rd #117, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States
Timings: Tue-Thu:11:30 am–3 pm, 5:30–9:30 pm; Fri-Sat: 11:30 am–3 pm, 5:30–10 pm; Sun: 11:30 am–3 pm, 5:30–9 pm; Mon: Closed
Must Try: Malai Kofta, Malabar Fish Curry, And Chilli Paneer Along with Goat Chettinad and Veg Biryani
Price For 2: $40 approx.
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar offers an immersive journey through India's diverse regions and festivals. Using the finest ingredients, they craft authentic, timeless dishes in a modern setting. With a focus on Indian cuisine's flavours and a top-notch dining experience, they ensure perfection for every guest. Among the most liked dishes on their À La Carte Menu, the Gobi Pepper Fry, Chicken Lollipop, Channa Masala, Saag Paneer and Chicken Tikka Masala are highly recommended.
Location: 105 Friendly Dr #101, Raleigh, NC 27607, United States
Timings: Mon-Sun: 11:30 am–2 pm, 5:30–10 pm
Must Try: Gobi Pepper Fry, Chicken Lollipop, Channa Masala, Saag Paneer and Chicken Tikka Masala
Price For 2: $50 approx.
Image Credit: Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar | Facebook
Bazil Indian Cuisine
Located on lively Glenwood Avenue, Bazil is a contemporary Indian dinner offering a delectable selection of lunch, dinner and weekend brunch meals in a stylish and elegant setting. Their menu features iconic Indian fusion dishes such as lamb do pyaza, chicken lajawab, and diverse biryani choices. For lovers of seafood, Bazil offers a range of unique seafood dishes like lobster and crab malai tadka, shai sea bass in creamy cherry sauce, and seafood malabar. With build-your-own lunch options along with vegetarian options, guests are always presented with something innovative every day.
Location:6602 Glenwood Ave Suite 1, Raleigh, NC 27612
Timings: Mon-Fri: 11 am–2:30 pm, 5–9:30 pm; Sat-Sun: 12–3 pm, 5–10 pm;
Must Try: Lamb Do Pyaza, Chicken Lajawab, And Diverse Biryani Choices
Price For 2: $50 approx.
Chhote's Restaurant
Downtown Raleigh's Transfer Co. Food Hall hosts Chhote’s, an Indian and Nepalese restaurant with Traditional Indian dishes along with Nepalese delicacies. The restaurant is often praised for its humble services, illustrating Indian ethics at its best. Among the most liked options on their menu, Indian street eats such as samosas, bhaji, momos, and Kathi rolls are the highlights. Along with this, they offer staple dishes like chana masala, pork vindaloo, and classic curries with chicken or lamb.
Location: 500 E Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States
Timings: Tue-Sat: 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 4:30–8:30 pm; Sun: 12–3 pm; Mon: Closed
Mon-Sat: 11 am–9 pm; Sun: 11 am–8 pm
Must Try: Chana Masala, Pork Vindaloo, And Classic Curries With Chicken Or Lamb
Price For 2: $50 approx.
Image Credit: Chhote's Restaurant | Instagram
Kadhai The Indian Wok
Offering a delectable fusion of Indian and Chinese dishes, Kadhai honours the profound impact of China's culinary influences and portrays it well in its dishes. With a menu featuring a classic collection of iconic Indian dishes like vindaloo and chicken korma alongside Indo-Chinese delectables like Chicken Manchurian and chilli paneer. Some of the unique specialities at the restaurant are lamb Patiala, with royal court-inspired masala, and goat dhansak, a lentil-rich curry tracing back to Parsi Zoroastrian origins, showcasing Kadhai’s diverse offerings.
Location: 6260-112 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612
Timings: Tue-Sat: 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 4:30–8:30 pm; Sun: 12–3 pm; Mon: Closed
Must Try: Lamb Patiala, With Royal Court-Inspired Masala, And Goat Dhansak
Price For 2: $50 approx.
CholaNad Restaurant & Bar
Cholanad on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill is a traditional and contemporary Indian restaurant, that offers delectable South Indian dishes. Their menu features Tamil specialities such as Trulia kizhangu podimas, mutton chukka varuval, and fish tawa fry. Along with this, their dosas, curries, and starters like egg porival, tandoori wings, and chicken 65 are among the most liked items on the menu.
Location: 310 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, United States
Timings: Mon-Thu: 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–10 pm; Fri-Sat: 11:30 am–11 pm, Sun: 11:30 am–9:30 pm
Must Try: Egg Porival, Tandoori Wings, And Chicken 65, Trulia Kizhangu Podimas, Mutton Chukka Varuval, And Fish Tawa Fry
Price For 2: $40 approx.
Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe
Located in a charming Chapel Hill/Carrboro plaza, Vimala’s, a local favourite, operates as both a restaurant and a social cause. Vimala, a town icon, champions Indian cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. The eatery offers traditional Indian and Southern dishes made with local farm-fresh ingredients and pasture-raised meats. They've also given free meals at different events to assist refugees. On their vast menu, Kerala-inspired dishes like dosas, coconut-fennel beef curry, and Kerala-style salmon curry are the highlights.
Location: 431 W Franklin St #415, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, United States
Timings: Mon-Wed: 11:30 am–8 pm, Thu-Sat: 11:30 am–9 pm; Sun: Closed
Must Try: Dosas, Coconut-Fennel Beef Curry, And Kerala-Style Salmon Curry
Price For 2: $40 approx.
Cheeni Indian Food Emporium
Cheeni Indian Food Emporium is among the most celebrated restaurants in Raleigh. The restaurant is mostly praised for its unique blend of restaurant, cafe, and learning hub. They also have their branch in Durham. Chef Preeti Waas, a 2022 James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalist, is the mastermind behind the specially curated menu. Their menu features the best Indian street foods like samosas and masala fried, and along with this, they also offer a large lunch and dinner menu. The most recommended dishes on their menu are Street Style Toast, Aloo Chaat, Samosa, Bombay Sandwich and Bengali Roast Chicken.
Location: 1141 Falls River Ave, Raleigh, NC 27614, United States
Timings: Mon-Fri: 10 am–2 pm, 5–9 pm; Sat: 10 am–9 pm, Sun: Closed
Must Try: Street Style Toast, Aloo Chaat, Samosa, Bombay Sandwich and Bengali Roast Chicken.
Price For 2: $40 approx.
Image Credit: Cheeni Raleigh | Facebook
Azitra Indian Culinary Nirvana
Situated in the Brier Creek Commons, Azitra offers a unique Indian dining experience with lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Their menu stands out with traditional items like naans, dals, and biryanis, along with specialities like peppercorn mango lamb, apricot cream sauce shrimp, and North Indian-style salmon tikka. The elegant ambience suits celebratory dinners or romantic evenings. Among the selected dishes, the most recommended variations are Chicken Biryani, Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Garlic Naan, and Salmon Tikka in Masala.
Location: 8411 Brier Creek Pkwy Ste 101, Raleigh, NC 27617, United States
Timings: Mon-Thu: 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–10 pm; Fri: 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–11 pm; Sat: 12–3 pm, 5–11 pm Sun: 12–3 pm, 5–10 pm
Must Try: Chicken Biryani, Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Garlic Naan, and Salmon Tikka in Masala.
Price For 2: $60 approx.
Along with being a hub of knowledge and variant culture, Ralegh is a melting pot of diverse cultures and cuisines. And of the most noteworthy cuisines is Indian cuisine, which is mostly liked for its exceptional taste and fusion of spices. If ever visit the city, check out these finest Indian restaurants in the heart of the Triangle City.
