In the mood for bold spices and rich flavors? These top Indian restaurants in the United States bring authentic dishes and modern twists to tables from coast to coast.

Highlights:

  • Savor upscale classics at Junoon in New York City.
  • Feast on South Indian flavors at Dosa in San Francisco.
  • Indulge in modern Indian cuisine at Rooh in Chicago.
  • Enjoy comforting curries at Rasika in Washington, D.C.
  • Try tandoori specialties at Badmaash in Los Angeles.

Unique Indian Restaurants:

1. Break the Rules (Deliciously) at Badmaash, Los Angeles

Break the Rules (Deliciously) at Badmaash, Los Angeles

© Badmaash, Los Angeles

Badmaash in downtown Los Angeles, California is a somewhat kitschy gastropub serving Indian food crafted by Chef Pawan Mahendro, who has more than forty year of culinary experience. With badmaash being the Hindi word for “naughty,” the chef adds a touch of mischief with both the food offerings and the restaurant decor. Walls are adorned with Pop art-style art of Gandhi wearing colorful sunglasses, while the food includes twists on the typical Indian dishes, such as chicken tikka poutine, which is a nod to Mahendro’s Canadian background. There is also a variety of dishes inspired by Mumbai’s street food on the menu.

108 W. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Phone: 213-221-7466

2. Feast Street-Food Style with Portland Flair at Bollywood Theater

Feast Street-Food Style with Portland Flair at Bollywood Theater

© Bollywood Theater

The Bollywood Theater is consistently rated as one of the best Indian restaurants in Portland, Oregon and provide an opportunity for both local residents and tourists alike to be transported to exotic India without having to buy a plane ticket. After a trip to India, Chef Troy MacLarty fell in love with the country’s cuisine and now serves an extensive menu of delicious Indian food at two locations in the city of Portland, with most dishes featuring inspiration from Mumbai’s food culture. The Bollywood Theater is open from 11:00am until 10:00pm seven days a week.

2039 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211, Phone: 971-200-4711

3. Snack Bold with No-Frills Flavor at Vik’s Chaat Corner, Berkeley

Snack Bold with No-Frills Flavor at Vik’s Chaat Corner, Berkeley

© Vik's Chaat Corner

Vik's Chaat Corner is a favorite Indian restaurant among locals in Berkeley, California for flavorful, crunchy, and crispy Indian food. For more than twenty-five years, Vik’s Chaat has been serving dishes for different regions of India. While the word “chaat” means “to lick,” it also has a meaning of street food dishes and this is what the restaurant’s menu mainly consists of. Guests at Vik’s Chaat Corner can order daal, roti, and a variety of South Indian cuisine classics, such as uttapam and dosa. A little bit of everything can be found on the menu, from pani puri to aloo tikki.

2390 Fourth St, Berkeley, CA 94710, Phone: 510-644-4412

4. Taste Tradition with Tibetan Twists at Annapurna Cafe, Seattle

Taste Tradition with Tibetan Twists at Annapurna Cafe, Seattle

© Annapurna Cafe

The Annapurna Cafe is a unique basement-level restaurant in Seattle, Washington. What the restaurant’s dining room lacks in terms of natural light it seems to make up for in some of the city’s most delicious Indian food and friendly service. Highlights of the menu at the Annapurna Cafe include the slow-cooked lamb curry and the tikka masala, with the menu featuring several other traditional dishes from Tibet, Nepal, and India. Upstairs, guests will find the Yeti Bar, serving Himalayan and Nepalese snacks and interesting cocktails. The Annapurna Cafe is open every day of the week except for Monday.

1833 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122, Phone: 206-320-7770

Date Ideas:

5. Indulge in Elegant Awadhi Cuisine at Awadh India Restaurant, NYC

Indulge in Elegant Awadhi Cuisine at Awadh India Restaurant, NYC

© Awadh India Restaurant

The Awadh India Restaurant in Columbus, Ohio is a blend of the innovative and the traditional. The delicious food here combines the authentic flavors and the ancient traditions of the subcontinent of India with an ethnic, unique edge. The subtly aromatic and authentic cuisine is prepared by a culinary chef who trained in India and is served to guests within a sophisticated, yet casual atmosphere, through service rooted in eastern traditions. The Awadh India Restaurant is open seven days a week, from 11:30am until 3:00pm for lunch and from 5:00pm until 10:00pm for dinner.

2584 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220, Phone: 614-914-8884

6. Experience Miami Spice with Indian Soul at Bombay Darbar

Experience Miami Spice with Indian Soul at Bombay Darbar

© beats_/stock.adobe.com

Bombay Darbar is one of the top rated restaurants in Miami, Florida, located in the Coconut Grove area of the city. This 34-seat restaurant certainly packs a punch in the Miami food scene, featuring an array of authentic Indian dishes such as lamb rogan josh (boneless lamb in a tomato curry), chicken biryani, and mango chicken curry. Bombay Darbar’s colorful bar serves a good selection of cocktails, wines, and beers, some of which are imported from India. Guest can relax in the seating area and maybe watch a view Bollywood music videos playing on the bar’s televisions.

2901 Florida Ave, Miami, FL 33133, Phone: 305-444-7272

7. Savor Chic and Spicy Plates in the Windy City at Cumin, Chicago

Savor Chic and Spicy Plates in the Windy City at Cumin, Chicago

© Cumin, Chicago

Cumin, Chicago is a great place for anyone wanting to venture a bit outside their comfort zone and try crispy vegetable samosas, chicken tikka masala, and many other tasty Indian dishes. Serving both Nepalese and Indian favorites, highlights of the menu at Cumin include Nepalese dumpling, garlic naan, lamb biryani, and Namche Bazar Ko Sekuwa, which is boneless goat cooked inside of a tandoor oven and served like fajitas. Situated within the city’s Wicker Park neighborhood, Cumin is run by Nepalese brothers Sanjeev and Rajesh Karmacharya, who strive to bring the best of Nepalese cuisine and Indian dishes to Chicago.

1414 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Il 60622, Phone: 773-342-1414

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • How have Indian restaurants in the United States evolved?
    • Indian restaurants in the United States have come a long way over the past several decades, expanding beyond the stereotypical expectations of what their cuisine should consist of and what the restaurant itself should look like.
  • What are the common dishes people associate with Indian cuisine?
    • While many people immediately think of samosas, piles of naan bread, and chicken masala, Indian cuisine offers a much greater variety.
  • What makes the best Indian restaurants in America stand out?
    • These top Indian restaurants in America showcase the rich diversity of the hundreds of different dishes that India and its people have to offer.

Plan Your Trip