Top 10 Best Indian Restaurants in New York City 2024
Are you craving some spicy, flavorful Indian food in the Big Apple? You’re in luck!
New York City is home to some of the most amazing Indian restaurants, serving up everything from classic curries to modern fusion dishes.
Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy family-style meal or a fancy night out, there’s an Indian restaurant perfect for you.
In this guide, we’ll take you on a tasty journey through the top 10 best Indian restaurants in New York City for 2024.
We’ve searched high and low, from busy Manhattan streets to quiet corners in Queens, to bring you the cream of the crop.
These restaurants aren’t just about good food – they’re about experiences that will make your taste buds dance and your heart sing.
Get ready to discover hidden gems and popular hotspots that serve up the best Indian cuisine in the city.
From traditional North Indian flavors to South Indian specialties, and even some creative modern twists, these restaurants offer something for everyone.
Whether you’re a curry connoisseur or new to Indian food, you’re sure to find your new favorite spot on this list.
Top 10 Best Indian Restaurants in New York City 2024
So, grab a friend (or your whole family) and get ready to explore the best Indian food NYC has to offer in 2024.
Trust us, your stomach will thank you!
10 Best Indian Restaurants In NYC
Let’s dive into our list of the top 10 Indian restaurants in New York City for 2024:
1. Baazi
Location: 2588 Broadway, New York, NY 10025 Contact: (646) 861-3859 Cost for Two: Around $60-$80 Must-Try Food: Chicken cafreal, paneer ke sholey Website: Visit Baazi
Baazi is a bright blue, two-story restaurant that’s hard to miss. It’s known for serving up hard-to-find dishes from both North and South India. The menu is a food lover’s dream, with unique items you won’t find at your average Indian restaurant.
One dish you absolutely must try is the chicken cafreal. It’s a Cornish hen flavored with mint and cilantro, giving it a fresh, zingy taste.
If you’re a cheese lover, don’t miss the paneer ke sholey. It’s fresh cheese stuffed with raisins and served on fire – talk about a show-stopper!
What makes Baazi special is its focus on regional recipes. You’ll find flavors from Goa and Kolkata that you might not have tried before. It’s like taking a culinary tour of India without leaving New York!
2. Jaz Indian Cuisine
Location: 813 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019 Contact: (917) 675-7440 Cost for Two: Around $50-$70 Must-Try Food: Chicken shahi korma, mango shrimp Website: Visit Jaz Indian Cuisine
Jaz Indian Cuisine, founded by Jaz Rupall, is a gem in Hell’s Kitchen. This restaurant stands out for its focus on Northern Indian cooking with a Balti spin – a style that’s super popular in the UK.
When you visit Jaz, you’ve got to try the chicken shahi korma. It’s chicken cooked in a rich, creamy sauce made with cashews and almonds.
If you’re a seafood fan, the mango shrimp is a must. It’s grilled in a tandoor (a special clay oven) and has a sweet, tangy flavor that’s out of this world.
What’s cool about Jaz is that it’s fancier than your typical Hell’s Kitchen restaurant. So if you’re looking for a slightly upscale Indian dining experience, this is your spot!
3. Javitri
Location: 132 East 65th Street, New York, New York 10065 Contact: 212-206-7575 Cost for Two: Around $70-$90 Must-Try Food: Flame-grilled kebabs, jackfruit biryani Website: Visit Javitri
Javitri is shaking things up on the East Side with its fresh take on Northern Indian cuisine. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Indian restaurant – it’s taking the food in new and exciting directions.
A meal at Javitri often starts with a variety of dips and snacks, perfect for sharing. But the real stars of the show are the main courses. The flame-grilled kebabs are a must-try – they’re juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection.
If you’re into trying new things, go for the jackfruit biryani. Biryani is a popular Indian rice dish, and Javitri offers five different kinds. The jackfruit version is a tasty vegetarian option that even meat-eaters will love.
What sets Javitri apart is its blend of traditional flavors with modern presentation. It’s a great spot for a special night out or when you want to impress out-of-town guests with some top-notch Indian cuisine.
4. Hyderabadi Zaiqa
Location: 366 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019 Contact: (646) 952-0066 Cost for Two: Around $40-$60 Must-Try Food: Avakai chicken biryani, Chettinad chicken Website: Visit Hyderabadi Zaiqa
Hyderabadi Zaiqa is a casual spot that’s all about the flavors of Hyderabad, a city in South India. This place is a biryani lover’s paradise – they have so many different kinds, that you might have trouble choosing!
One biryani you absolutely must try is the avakai chicken biryani. It’s flavored with mango, giving it a unique sweet and spicy taste. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for the goat-fry biryani.
But Hyderabadi Zaiqa isn’t just about biryani. They have other South Indian specialties too. The Chettinad chicken is a standout – it’s spicy, flavorful, and will leave you wanting more.
And if you like coconut, try the Malabar shrimp curry. It’s creamy, delicious, and perfect with some naan bread.
What’s great about Hyderabadi Zaiqa is that it offers authentic South Indian flavors at reasonable prices. It’s a perfect spot for a casual dinner with friends or family.
5. Temple Canteen
Location: 09 Holly Ave No 143, Queens, NY 11355 Contact: (718) 460-8493 Cost for Two: Around $30-$50 Must-Try Food: Dosa varieties, uttapam Website: Visit Temple Canteen
Temple Canteen is a unique spot – it’s in the basement of a Hindu temple in Flushing! This place has been serving up delicious South Indian vegetarian food since 1993.
The star of the show here is the dosa. A dosa is a thin, crispy pancake made from rice and lentils, and Temple Canteen offers tons of different kinds. The paper dosa is a must-try – it’s huge and super crispy!
Another dish you should try is the uttapam. It’s like a thicker pancake topped with veggies. You get to choose what goes on top, which is fun.
What makes Temple Canteen special is its authentic, no-frills approach to South Indian food. The prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is casual and family-friendly.
Plus, if you’re interested, you can visit the Hindu temple upstairs after your meal (just remember to take off your shoes).
6. Veerays
Location: 213 East 45th Street, New York, New York 10017 Contact: (646) 429-8398 Cost for Two: Around $80-$100 Must-Try Food: Pheasant curry, camel dish Website: Visit Veerays
Veerays is one of the most unique Indian restaurants in NYC. It’s not just about the food here – it’s about the whole experience.
The restaurant is designed like a speakeasy, with a hidden entrance marked only by a “V”. Inside, it’s all about the Prohibition era vibe, with references to The Great Gatsby.
But let’s talk about the food. Veerays serves up some unusual dishes you won’t find anywhere else. How about some pheasant curry? Or if you’re feeling adventurous, they even have a camel on the menu!
What makes Veerays stand out is how it blends traditional Indian flavors with creative new ideas. Plus, they make some killer cocktails to go with your meal. It’s definitely on the pricier side, but it’s worth it for a special night out.
7. Angel Indian
Location: 7414 37th Rd, Queens, NY 11372 Contact: (347) 848-0097 Cost for Two: Around $40-$60 Must-Try Food: Dum biryani, paneer dishes Website: Visit Angel Indian
Angel Indian is a real treat, especially if you’re in Jackson Heights. They offer a great mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, mostly from Northern India.
One thing you absolutely must try here is the dum biryani. It’s a special kind of biryani that’s cooked with a pastry top to seal in all the flavors. You can get it with goat or veggies – both are amazing!
If you’re a cheese fan, anything with paneer (Indian cottage cheese) is a good bet here. They make their paneer in-house, and you can taste the difference.
What’s great about Angel Indian is that it’s right near all the Jackson Heights trains, so it’s easy to get to. The food is top-notch, but the prices are still reasonable. It’s a perfect spot for a casual dinner that feels a bit special.
8. Cardamom
Location: 43-45 43rd street, Queens Blvd, Queens, NY 11104 Contact: (718) 706-9718 Cost for Two: Around $50-$70 Must-Try Food: Goan dishes, goat xacutti Website: Visit Cardamom
Cardamom is a hidden gem in Sunnyside that’s all about the flavors of Goa. If you’re not familiar, Goa is a state in India known for its unique cuisine that sometimes includes ingredients like red wine and pork – not common in other parts of India.
One dish you’ve got to try here is the goat xacutti. It’s a complex curry with a mix of spices that’ll blow your mind. If you’re into seafood, try the shrimp caldin – it’s a coconut-based curry that’s creamy and delicious.
What makes Cardamom special is its focus on regional specialties. The menu covers dishes from all over South India, not just Goa. It’s like taking a culinary tour of South India without leaving Queens!
The restaurant has gotten lots of praise, including nods from the New York Times and the Michelin Guide. But don’t worry – it still has a cozy, neighborhood feel.
9. Oh! Calcutta
Location: 10-57 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, New York 11101 Contact: (718) 532-0017 Cost for Two: Around $50-$70 Must-Try Food: Kosha mangsho, aamer chutney Website: Visit Oh! Calcutta
Oh! Calcutta is all about the food of Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta), a city right on the border of Bangladesh. If you want to try Bengali cuisine, this is the place to go!
One thing that makes Bengali food special is the use of mustard oil, and you’ll find it in lots of dishes here. You’ve got to try the kosha mangsho – it’s a rich, spicy goat curry that’s a classic Bengali dish.
For a tasty starter, go for the aamer chutney. It’s a sweet and tangy mango chutney that’s perfect with papadums (crispy lentil crackers).
What’s cool about Oh! Calcutta is that it introduces you to a whole different side of Indian cuisine. The flavors are unique and might be different from what you’re used to in other Indian restaurants. It’s a great place to expand your Indian food horizons!
10. Vatan
Location: 409 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016 Contact: (212) 689-5666 Cost for Two: Around $60-$80 (fixed price menu) Must-Try Food: Thali (set meal), shrikhand Website: Visit Vatan
Vatan is not just a restaurant – it’s an experience. This Murray Hill spot serves up a multi-course, all-you-can-eat vegetarian meal from the state of Gujarat in Western India.
The coolest thing about Vatan is the decor. The whole place is designed to look like an Indian village. You can sit inside a small building, on a balcony, or under a big fake tree. It’s like eating in a movie set!
The food here comes as a thali – a set meal with lots of little dishes. You get to try a bit of everything, from crispy appetizers to creamy curries to sweet desserts. Speaking of dessert, don’t miss the shrikhand – it’s a sweet yogurt dish flavored with saffron.
What makes Vatan special is the combination of great food and unique atmosphere. It’s also kosher, so it’s a good option for folks with dietary restrictions. Just remember to pace yourself – there’s a lot of food, and you’ll want to try it all!
FAQs:
- What’s the best Indian restaurant for vegetarians in NYC?
Temple Canteen and Vatan are great choices for vegetarians. They offer a wide variety of delicious meat-free options.
- Which Indian restaurant in NYC is best for a special occasion?
Veerays and Javitri are good picks for a fancy night out. They offer unique dishes and a more upscale atmosphere.
- Where can I find authentic South Indian food in NYC?
Try Hyderabadi Zaiqa or Temple Canteen for authentic South Indian flavors.
- What’s the most budget-friendly Indian restaurant on this list?
Temple Canteen and Hyderabadi Zaiqa offer great food at more affordable prices.
- Which restaurant is best for trying unusual Indian dishes?
Veerays offers some unique options like pheasant and camel dishes that you won’t find at most Indian restaurants.
Conclusion:
New York City is a melting pot of cultures, and that’s reflected in its amazing Indian food scene.
From high-end restaurants serving creative fusion dishes to casual spots dishing up authentic regional specialties, there’s something for every taste and budget.
Whether you’re craving a comforting curry, or a crispy dosa, or want to try something completely new, these top 10 Indian restaurants in NYC have got you covered.
Each place on this list offers something special, whether it’s unique dishes, a cool atmosphere, or simply really great food.
Remember, this list is just a starting point. NYC’s Indian food scene is always changing, with new restaurants popping up all the time.
So don’t be afraid to explore beyond this list and find your hidden gems.
Next time you’re in the mood for Indian food, why not try one of these spots? Whether you’re a longtime Indian food lover or trying it for the first time, you’re sure to find something delicious. Happy eating!
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