• Is Indian food popular in Philadelphia?
    • Good Indian food has long been a part of the Philadelphia food scene, and these restaurants are spread around the city, so you can find quality Indian food in almost every part of town.
  • What types of Indian cuisine are available in Philadelphia?
    • While the majority are of the Northern Indian variety, some restaurants offer the flavors of Southern India as well as Punjabi cuisine.
  • Do Indian restaurants in Philadelphia offer delivery?
    • Many of these restaurants also offer delivery service, so if you are in a time crunch, have your biryani, dosa, or chaat brought right to your home or office.
  • Are there different styles of Indian restaurants in Philadelphia?
    • Whether you are looking for an affordable casual joint or a classier place to take a date or a client, there are restaurants on this list for every style.

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1. Desi Chaat House, West Philly


Snack on spicy street food and enjoy a cheap, flavorful stop with friends.

Desi Chaat House, West Philly

© Desi Chaat House, West Philly

Desi Chaat House, West Philly is a casual and colorful joint offering a wide range of chaats and fabulous varieties of lassis. The restaurant serves both sweet and savory chaats. Start your meal with an appetizer such as veggie or chicken samosa, vada paav or aloo tikki, then move on to your fill of chaats. The menu includes a section for regular chaats, such as pani puri, bhel puri, and fruit chaat. They also have several special chaats such as the crunchy Mumbai Chaat, the spicy Shahi Chaat, or the sweet and savory Bengali Chaat. They also have several options of wraps and rice dishes. Finish your experience off with some ice cream or a homemade dessert.

501 42nd Street, Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Phone: 251-386-1999

2. Ekta, Fishtown


Savor bold curries and enjoy an affordable dinner packed with flavor.

Ekta, Fishtown

© Ekta, Fishtown

Ekta, Fishtown is a storefront Indian joint offering a comprehensive menu of classic Indian favorites. The restaurant has both dine-in and takeaway options. The menu is one of the largest at any Indian restaurant in Philly, so if you are looking for variety, Ekta can deliver. They have both vegetarian and meat dishes, including chicken, lamb, and seafood and you can order samosas, kabobs, biryani, tandoor, and a wide variety of naan and roti. Several flavors of lassi make the perfect accompaniment to your meal, and rice pudding or gulab jamun are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

1142 Crease St, Philadelphia, PA 19125, Phone: 215-426-2277

3. Indian Restaurant, Downtown


Try classic dishes and explore exciting spices on a quick lunch trip.

Indian Restaurant, Downtown

© Courtesy of stocksolutions - Fotolia.com

Don’t be fooled by this restaurant’s less-than-creative name. Indian Restaurant, Downtown is a popular option for a slow, romantic Indian meal or a quicker lunch special. The restaurant strives to use only the freshest ingredients in each of their dishes. The menu includes appetizers, soups, biryani, chicken, lamb, and tandoori specials. They have a BYOB policy, where you can bring your own bottle and they don’t charge a corkage fee. If you can’t make it out to the restaurant in person, they offer delivery to your office or home, which you can even order in advance.

1634 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, Phone: 215-964-9451

Plan Your Trip


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