10 Best Indian Restaurants in Chicago
The 10 best Indian restaurants in Chicago are Indienne, Thattu, Mirra, Basant Modern Indian Restaurant, Vajra, Adda Indian Cuisine, Indian Garden, The Coach House, Chicago Curry House, and Annapurna. Chicago, a prominent city for food in the Midwest, features Indian restaurants that span from award-winning formal dining to historic local eateries. The Windy City is noted for innovative dining rooms like Indienne, which applies French techniques to Indian flavors.
The city's Indian restaurants encompass a full range of dining styles. The best Indian restaurants in Chicago include formal tasting-menu destinations, casual spots for homestyle curries, and eateries that also serve Nepalese food. The historic Devon Avenue "Little India" district is a cornerstone of the city's offerings, with established places like Annapurna serving traditional vegetarian meals. This mixture of high-end and innovative restaurants and established neighborhood fixtures defines the Indian dining choices in the city.
Chicago's Indian establishments showcase both creativity and heritage. Indienne is a leading location for its multi-course tasting menus that have earned a Michelin star, while Thattu delivers a James Beard Award-winning menu of Keralan coastal dishes. The Coach House is a destination for homestyle Pakistani and North Indian slow-cooked meats. Options for vegan and gluten-free diets are available in many Chicago Indian restaurants including Annapurna and Indienne.
10 Best Indian Restaurants in Chicago are listed below.
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1
VajraVajra is a restaurant in the West Town neighborhood that serves both Indian and Nepalese cuisine. The menu features a collection of classic Indian curries alongside traditional Nepalese dishes like momos and chowmein.- Item Prices 365
- Average Item Price $15.47
Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:Indian, Nepalese
Signature Dishes:Chicken MomosLamb VindalooChicken Tikka Masala
Location:2039 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Special Feature:The menu includes a dedicated section for Himalayan specialties from Nepal, offering diners a chance to experience the unique flavors of that region.
What Makes It Special:Vajra is known for its successful execution of two distinct but related cuisines, providing a high-quality experience for both familiar Indian dishes and traditional Nepalese food.
What Sets It Apart:Its dual focus on both Indian and Nepalese cuisines, particularly its well-regarded momos (dumplings), distinguishes it from the many restaurants that serve only Indian food.
Operating Hours:Friday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMSunday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PMMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: Closed
Price:$20 to $30 per person
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2
Adda Indian CuisineAdda Indian Cuisine is a casual neighborhood restaurant located in the Wrigleyville area. The menu offers a straightforward selection of classic North Indian dishes, including curries, tandoori items, and vegetarian entrees.- Item Prices 101
- Average Item Price $12.38
Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:North Indian
Signature Dishes:Chicken Tikka MasalaSaag PaneerGarlic Naan
Location:1400 W Taylor St Chicago, IL 60607
Special Feature:The restaurant provides a popular and affordable lunch special, which includes a choice of entree, rice, naan, and dal for a fixed price.
What Makes It Special:Adda is known for being a reliable and welcoming neighborhood spot for classic, comforting North Indian food, serving the local community and visitors to the nearby ballpark.
What Sets It Apart:Its location near Wrigley Field and its focus on providing a simple, traditional menu of well-executed Indian standards make it a go-to fixture in the neighborhood.
Operating Hours:Monday, Wednesday – Sunday: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMTuesday: Closed
Price:$20 to $30 per person
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3
Indian GardenVegetarian Indian Asian Group FriendlyIndian Garden is a long-standing restaurant in the Streeterville neighborhood that serves classic North Indian cuisine. The menu features a large selection of traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, from curries to tandoori-grilled items.- Item Prices 425
- Average Item Price $11.69
Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:North Indian
Signature Dishes:Chicken Makhani (Butter Chicken)Lamb Rogan JoshBaingan Bharta
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Location:247 E Ontario St, Fl 2, Chicago, IL 60611
Special Feature:The restaurant offers a daily lunch buffet, which is one of the most extensive in the downtown area, allowing diners to sample dozens of different dishes.
What Makes It Special:Indian Garden is known for its consistent quality and its role as a reliable downtown destination for traditional North Indian food for over two decades.
What Sets It Apart:Its second-floor location near the Magnificent Mile and its long-running, comprehensive lunch buffet distinguish it as a classic and convenient choice for shoppers, tourists, and locals.
Operating Hours:Monday – Thursday, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PMFriday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price:$20 to $30 per person
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4
The Coach HouseThe Coach House is a small, family-owned restaurant located in the Edgewater neighborhood that serves homestyle Indian and Pakistani cuisine. The menu is simple and focuses on classic, slow-cooked curries and grilled meats.- Item Prices 32
- Average Item Price $7.03
Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:North Indian, Pakistani
Signature Dishes:NihariChicken KarahiHaleem
Location:1742 W Division St, Chicago, Illinois 60622
Special Feature:The restaurant is known for its Nihari, a slow-cooked beef stew, which is considered a specialty and a rare find prepared with traditional methods.
What Makes It Special:The Coach House is known for its authentic, no-frills, homestyle cooking, with dishes that taste like they were prepared in a family kitchen.
What Sets It Apart:Its focus on specific, slow-cooked Pakistani and North Indian dishes like Nihari and Haleem, served in a very simple and unpretentious setting, makes it a destination for traditional flavors.
Operating Hours:Wednesday – Thursday: 6:30 PM SeatingFriday – Saturday: 5:45 PM & 8:30 PM SeatingsSunday – Tuesday: Closed
Price:Over $100 per person
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5
Chicago Curry HouseChicago Curry House is an AYCE restaurant in South Plymouth Ct specializing in authentic Indian and Nepalese cuisines. Family-owned and...- Item Prices 579
- Average Item Price $19.72
Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:Indian, Nepalese
Signature Dishes:Chicken MomosLamb SekuwaChicken Tikka Masala
Location:899 S Plymouth Ct, Chicago, IL 60605
Special Feature:The restaurant is known for its momos, Nepalese-style dumplings, which are available steamed or fried with a choice of fillings and a traditional dipping sauce.
What Makes It Special:Chicago Curry House is known for its large and varied menu that successfully covers both Indian and Nepalese food, making it a popular destination for its dumplings and curries.
What Sets It Apart:Its specific combination of a classic Indian curry house menu with a comprehensive selection of authentic Nepalese specialties provides a unique dining option in the South Loop.
Operating Hours:Daily: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Price:$20 to $30 per person
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6
AnnapurnaAnnapurna is a long-standing vegetarian restaurant on Devon Avenue that specializes in the cuisine of Southern India. The menu is entirely vegetarian and features classic dishes like dosas, uthappams, and thalis.- Item Prices 1310
- Average Item Price $7.33
Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:Vegetarian South Indian
Signature Dishes:Masala DosaIdli SambarSouth Indian Thali
Location:2600 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Special Feature:The restaurant is one of the oldest South Indian establishments on Devon Avenue, a street famous for its concentration of South Asian businesses, known as "Little India."
What Makes It Special:Annapurna is known for its simple, authentic, and consistently prepared South Indian vegetarian comfort food, serving as a neighborhood institution for decades.
What Sets It Apart:Its long history and its strict adherence to a purely vegetarian, classic South Indian menu make it a foundational and reliable destination for traditional dining on Devon Avenue.
Operating Hours:Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PMFriday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price:$10 to $20 per person.
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7
IndienneIndienne is a fine-dining restaurant in River North that offers a progressive interpretation of Indian cuisine through multi-course tasting menus. The dishes combine traditional Indian flavors with French culinary techniques and artistic presentation.Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:Progressive Indian
Signature Dishes:Tasting Menu (changes seasonally)Malai Tikka with TruffleJackfruit Korma
Location:217 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654
Special Feature:The restaurant's primary offering is a seasonal tasting menu, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, that provides a curated journey through its inventive dishes.
What Makes It Special:Indienne is known for its elegant and refined approach to Indian food, earning a Michelin star for its creative synthesis of Indian spices with classic French gastronomy.
What Sets It Apart:Its specific focus on a formal, prix-fixe tasting menu format and its achievement of a Michelin star distinguish it as a premier destination for progressive Indian cuisine in Chicago.
Operating Hours:Monday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PMFriday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PMSunday: Closed
Price:$100 to $115 per person
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8
ThattuThattu is a restaurant in the Avondale neighborhood that serves the regional cuisine of Kerala, a state in Southwestern India. The menu features homestyle dishes, street food snacks, and meals centered on rice, coconut, and regional spices.Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:South Indian, Keralan
Signature Dishes:Kadala Curry with PuttuAppam with Egg CurryFish Fry
Location:2601 W Fletcher St Chicago IL 60618
Special Feature:The restaurant specializes in dishes that are uncommon in most U.S. Indian restaurants, such as puttu (steamed cylinders of ground rice and coconut) and appam (lacy crepes made from fermented rice batter).
What Makes It Special:Thattu is known for its dedication to the specific, homestyle flavors of Keralan coastal cuisine and has received national recognition, including a James Beard Award.
What Sets It Apart:Its singular focus on the unique culinary traditions of Kerala, moving beyond standard Indian restaurant fare, makes it a distinct and highly acclaimed culinary destination.
Operating Hours:Wednesday – Sunday: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PMMonday – Tuesday: Closed
Price:$30 to $50 per person
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9
MirraMirra is a contemporary Indian restaurant located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The menu presents classic Indian dishes with a modern flair, focusing on refined presentation and updated recipes in a stylish, upscale setting.Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:Modern Indian
Signature Dishes:Pistachio Paneer TikkaGoan SalmonChicken Chettinad
Location:1954 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60622
Special Feature:The restaurant features a full bar with a cocktail program that incorporates Indian spices and flavors, with drinks designed to complement the menu.
What Makes It Special:Mirra is known for its elegant ambiance and its menu that successfully balances traditional Indian flavors with a modern, sophisticated approach to cooking and presentation.
What Sets It Apart:Its combination of a chic, neighborhood restaurant feel with an elevated, contemporary take on a broad range of Indian classics distinguishes it from more traditional establishments.
Operating Hours:Tuesday – Friday: 4:30 PM – 10:00 PMSaturday – Sunday: 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 4:30 PM – 10:00 PMMonday: Closed
Price:$50 to $100 per person
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10
Basant Modern Indian RestaurantBasant Modern Indian Restaurant is an upscale establishment in the River North area that serves contemporary Indian cuisine. The menu reinterprets traditional recipes with a focus on high-quality ingredients and artistic plating.Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:Modern Indian
Signature Dishes:Tandoori OctopusButter ChickenLamb Shank Nihari
Location:1939 W Byron St, Chicago IL. 60613
Special Feature:The restaurant offers a weekend brunch menu that includes both classic Indian breakfast items and creative fusion dishes, like a naan breakfast pizza.
What Makes It Special:Basant is known for its sophisticated atmosphere and its inventive menu that pushes the boundaries of traditional Indian food while remaining grounded in authentic flavors.
What Sets It Apart:Its location in the bustling River North gallery district and its focus on providing a polished, fine-dining experience with a creative, modern menu make it a distinct destination.
Operating Hours:Wednesday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PMFriday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMSunday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PMMonday – Tuesday: Closed
Price:$30 to $50 per person
What Makes Indian Restaurants in Chicago Famous?
Indian restaurants in Chicago are famous for a combination of high-end, progressive establishments and deeply traditional, regional specialists. The city is home to Michelin-starred Indienne, which elevates Indian food with French techniques, drawing national attention. At the same time, Chicago's Devon Avenue is a historic center for South Asian culture in the Midwest, offering a dense concentration of authentic, family-owned eateries like Annapurna. The Indian food Chicago scene is also known for restaurants like Thattu, which focuses on the specific coastal cuisine of Kerala and has earned a James Beard Award. This blend of culinary innovation and long-standing tradition makes the city a key destination for Indian dining.
What Types of Indian Restaurants are Commonly Found in Chicago?
Chicago contains several categories of Indian restaurants, from formal dining rooms to neighborhood specialists. The city's Indian restaurant landscape includes the following types.
- Progressive and Modern Indian: These are fine-dining restaurants like Indienne and Basant that present Indian flavors using contemporary cooking methods, artistic plating, and non-traditional ingredients.
- Regional South Indian: Establishments such as Thattu (Keralan) and Annapurna (general South Indian) focus on the cuisines of Southern India, with menus centered on rice, coconut, and dosas.
- North Indian and Pakistani: Restaurants like The Coach House and Indian Garden serve the rich, tandoor-centric food of Northern India and Pakistan, known for hearty curries, grilled meats, and naan.
- Indian and Nepalese: Places like Vajra and Chicago Curry House offer a combined menu that includes classic Indian dishes alongside Himalayan specialties from Nepal, such as momos (dumplings).
- Casual Neighborhood Indian: Eateries like Adda Indian Cuisine provide a straightforward menu of classic North Indian dishes in a relaxed setting, serving as local go-to spots.
Are There Authentic Indian Restaurants in Chicago?
Yes, there are authentic Indian restaurants in Chicago. The city has a number of establishments that are dedicated to traditional, homestyle cooking. Thattu is a restaurant that prepares the specific regional food of Kerala, with a menu of dishes rarely found outside of the state. The Coach House serves homestyle Pakistani and North Indian food, including slow-cooked specialties like Nihari. On Devon Avenue, Annapurna has been a fixture for decades, serving classic vegetarian South Indian comfort food according to traditional recipes.
What are the Signature Dishes at the Best Indian Restaurants in Chicago?
The best Indian restaurants in Chicago are known for particular dishes, from modern recipes to well-executed classics. Signature dishes from Chicago's top Indian restaurants are detailed below.
- Kadala Curry with Puttu: A black chickpea curry from the state of Kerala, served with puttu, a steamed cylinder of ground rice and coconut. This is a specialty at Thattu.
- Malai Tikka with Truffle: A progressive Indian dish where chicken tikka is prepared with a creamy marinade and finished with truffle. This is a signature item from the tasting menu at Indienne.
- Masala Dosa: A thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter, filled with spiced potatoes. This South Indian staple is a highlight at Annapurna.
- Nihari: A slow-cooked stew, traditionally made with beef shank, that is a specialty in Pakistani and North Indian cuisine. This is a main draw at The Coach House.
- Chicken Momos: Nepalese-style dumplings filled with seasoned ground chicken, served steamed or fried with a dipping sauce. This is a popular item at Vajra and Chicago Curry House.
Is Indian Food Popular in Chicago?
Yes, Indian food is very popular in Chicago. The city has a large and long-established South Asian population, which has created a high demand for Indian cuisine for many decades. This is most visible on Devon Avenue in the West Ridge neighborhood, which is one of the most well-known "Little India" districts in the country. The popularity of the food extends to the highest levels of dining, with the Michelin star awarded to Indienne and the James Beard Award given to Thattu showing that Indian food is a central and celebrated part of the city's food culture.
What is the Average Price of a Meal at Indian Restaurants in Chicago?
The price of a meal at an Indian restaurant in Chicago is between $20 and over $115. A meal at a casual spot like The Coach House or Annapurna costs from $20 to $35. A meal at a mid-range restaurant such as Vajra or Adda Indian Cuisine is between $35 and $60. Fine-dining restaurants like Basant charge over $70 for dinner, and tasting menus at the Michelin-starred Indienne are more than $115.
Do Indian Restaurants in Chicago Offer Vegan Options?
Yes, Indian restaurants in Chicago offer vegan options, with many establishments like Annapurna, Thattu, and Indienne providing numerous plant-based dishes. Annapurna is an all-vegetarian restaurant where many South Indian dishes are naturally vegan or can be easily modified. Thattu's Keralan menu is heavily based on coconut and vegetables, with many vegan items. Even fine-dining restaurants like Indienne offer a dedicated vegetarian tasting menu that can be made fully vegan upon request.
Do Indian Restaurants in Chicago Offer Gluten-Free Options?
Yes, Indian restaurants in Chicago offer gluten-free options, as a significant portion of Indian cuisine is made without gluten. Restaurants like Indienne, Thattu, and Basant have extensive gluten-free offerings. Most grilled meats and seafood from the tandoor, along with the majority of curries, are gluten-free. South Indian restaurants like Thattu and Annapurna serve many dishes made from rice and lentils, such as dosas and curries, which are naturally free of gluten.
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