10 Best Indian Restaurants in New York (NYC)
The ten best Indian restaurants in New York City are Semma, Dhamaka, Adda, Bungalow, Junoon, Indian Accent, Masalawala and Sons, Kanyakumari, Spice Symphony, and Hyderabadi Zaiqa. The Big Apple’s Indian food culture is a global benchmark, defined by a remarkable collection of restaurants that range from world-class fine dining to deeply authentic regional kitchens. An inventive tasting menu is the focus at Indian Accent, while specialists like Semma provide a genuine taste of rural South Indian cooking. NYC also has acclaimed casual spots like the Queens canteen known as Adda.
Popular Indian restaurants are located across Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn, from the fine-dining corridors of Midtown to neighborhood streets in Park Slope. The Indian restaurants in NYC consist of Michelin-starred South Indian rooms, rustic provincial canteens, and contemporary lounges. The atmospheres range from the luxurious, art-filled dining rooms at Junoon to the high-energy, market setting of Dhamaka. This scope, from globally recognized destinations to neighborhood-specific gems, is a key feature of dining in the five boroughs.
New York's Indian kitchens are celebrated for both groundbreaking and traditional cooking. Semma stands out as one of the best Indian restaurants NYC for an overall experience, noted for its unique regional Tamil menu, authentic spice levels, and Michelin-starred quality. Hyderabadi Zaiqa is a top choice for a casual and affordable meal, known for its authentic Hyderabadi biryani. The distinction for a premier fine-dining experience goes to Indian Accent, which provides an inventive tasting menu that has earned global acclaim. Many of the top Indian restaurants NYC, including Semma and Indian Accent, provide menu options for vegan and gluten-free diets.
10 Best Indian Restaurants in New York (NYC) are listed below.
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1
BungalowChicken Salads Steakhouses SoupBungalow is an upscale restaurant in the East Village that serves a menu celebrating the social clubs and home parties of mid-century India. The cuisine is a modern take on classic Indian dishes.- Item Prices 60
- Average Item Price $30.13
Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:Modern Indian
Signature Dishes:Shrimp Balchao ConesSpice Roasted PineappleYogurt Kabab
Location:24 First Ave, New York, NY 10009
Special Feature:The restaurant's ambiance is designed to evoke the retro glamour of 1960s and 70s India, with a lively bar and stylish decor.
What Makes It Special:Bungalow is known for its sophisticated and celebratory atmosphere, combined with a refined menu and creative cocktail program.
What Sets It Apart:Its specific theme of recreating the Indian social club experience, from the decor to the music and menu, creates a distinct and immersive dining environment.
Operating Hours:Sunday – Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 10:30 PMThursday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PMMonday: Closed
Price:$50 to $100 per person
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2
JunoonJunoon is a contemporary Indian restaurant that offers a refined dining experience with a menu that reinterprets traditional Indian recipes. The name means "passion" in Hindi.- Item Prices 102
- Average Item Price $12.80
Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:Contemporary Indian
Signature Dishes:Ghost Chili Murgh TikkaSmoked Masala RibsGhost Chicken Tikka
Location:19 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010
Special Feature:The restaurant holds a Michelin star and features an open kitchen, a Patiala Room lounge, and an extensive wine list.
What Makes It Special:Junoon is known for its elegant and artistic presentation, its use of high-quality ingredients, and its consistent execution of complex dishes.
What Sets It Apart:Its long-standing reputation as a Michelin-starred destination for sophisticated Indian dining, combined with its luxurious setting, makes it a premier choice for special occasions.
Operating Hours:Monday – Thursday: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PMFriday – Saturday: 11:45 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 10:30 PMSunday: 11:45 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Price:$100 to $160 per person
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3
Spice SymphonySpice Symphony is a restaurant with two locations in Midtown that serves a menu of Indian and Indo-Chinese cuisine. The restaurant is known for its extensive menu and classic preparations.- Item Prices 647
- Average Item Price $14.04
Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:Indian, Indo-Chinese
Signature Dishes:Chicken Tikka BiryaniChicken Tikka MasalaSpinach Chaat
Location:150 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022
Special Feature:The menu features a large, dedicated section for Indo-Chinese dishes, such as Hakka noodles and Manchurian preparations.
What Makes It Special:Spice Symphony is recognized for its consistent quality and its ability to successfully execute two distinct but related cuisines under one roof.
What Sets It Apart:The specific and extensive offering of both traditional Indian and popular Indo-Chinese food makes it a versatile and reliable choice in Midtown.
Operating Hours:Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 2:45 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:45 PMFriday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 2:45 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price:$30 to $50 per person
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4
SemmaSemma is a restaurant in Greenwich Village that serves South Indian cuisine, with a focus on heritage recipes from the Tamil Nadu region. The menu highlights rural and homestyle cooking.Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:South Indian, Tamil
Signature Dishes:Goanese OxtailGunpowder DosaNathai Pirattal
Location:60 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011
Special Feature:The restaurant holds one Michelin star, recognizing its high-quality cooking and unique regional focus.
What Makes It Special:Semma is known for its unapologetically authentic and spicy South Indian food, presenting dishes that are rarely found in restaurants outside of India.
What Sets It Apart:Its specific dedication to the rustic, lesser-known cuisine of Tamil Nadu, combined with its Michelin-starred status, makes it a distinct and highly sought-after dining destination.
Operating Hours:Monday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMSunday: Closed
Price:$50 to $100 per person
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5
DhamakaDhamaka is a restaurant located in Essex Market that serves regional Indian cuisine from what the chefs call the "unapologetic" and lesser-seen parts of the country. The menu features bold, rustic dishes.Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:Regional Indian
Signature Dishes:Paneer TikkaGurda KapooraNalli Biryani
Location:119 Delancey Street, Essex Market, Store #34, New York, NY 10002
Special Feature:The menu highlights provincial and forgotten recipes from across India, with a focus on intense and complex flavors.
What Makes It Special:Dhamaka is known for its high-energy atmosphere and a menu that challenges diners with authentic, assertive, and often spicy regional preparations.
What Sets It Apart:Its specific mission to showcase the "other side of India" with dishes that are not toned down for Western palates makes it a unique and impactful restaurant.
Operating Hours:Dinner (Daily): 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMBrunch (Saturday & Sunday): 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Price:$50 to $100 per person
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6
Adda Indian CanteenAdda Indian Canteen is a casual restaurant in Long Island City, Queens, that serves homestyle Indian food. The name "Adda" translates to a place where people gather for conversation.Type of Food:Homestyle Indian
Signature Dishes:Baby Goat BiryaniLamb ChopPeppercorn Bone Marrow
Location:107 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003
Special Feature:The restaurant aims to replicate the feeling and flavors of a neighborhood canteen in India, serving straightforward and robustly flavored dishes.
What Makes It Special:Adda is recognized for its authentic, high-quality cooking in a relaxed, unpretentious setting, earning critical acclaim including a Michelin star.
What Sets It Apart:Its combination of a casual canteen concept with Michelin-starred execution makes it a destination for high-caliber Indian food without the formality of fine dining.
Operating Hours:Tuesday – Sunday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMMonday: Closed
Price:$50 to $100 per person
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7
Indian AccentIndian Accent is a fine-dining restaurant that serves inventive Indian cuisine with a global perspective. The menu combines authentic Indian flavors with contemporary international techniques and ingredients.Type of Restaurant:Fine Dining
Type of Food:Inventive Indian
Signature Dishes:Yogurt KebabChicken Malai TikkaGhee Roast Lamb
Location:123 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019
Special Feature:The restaurant offers a multi-course tasting menu format, providing a curated culinary journey through its most innovative dishes.
What Makes It Special:Indian Accent is globally recognized for its groundbreaking and playful approach to Indian food, creating unexpected flavor combinations and textures.
What Sets It Apart:Its specific focus on pushing the boundaries of progressive Indian cuisine has established it as an international dining destination with outposts in New Delhi and Mumbai.
Operating Hours:Monday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMTuesday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMFriday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:15 PMSaturday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:15 PMSunday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price:$100 to $250 per person
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8
Masalawala and SonsMasalawala and Sons is a restaurant in Park Slope, Brooklyn, that serves Bengali and other regional Indian cuisines. The menu is inspired by the family recipes of the owners.Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:Bengali, Regional Indian
Signature Dishes:Saag PaneerAloo ChaatDum Biryani
Location:365 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Special Feature:The restaurant includes a small retail section at the front, selling Indian spices, snacks, and pantry goods.
What Makes It Special:Masalawala and Sons is known for its authentic, homestyle Bengali cooking and its warm, neighborhood-focused atmosphere.
What Sets It Apart:Its specific dedication to the cuisine of Kolkata and Bengal, a style not widely represented in NYC, makes it a unique and culturally specific dining spot.
Operating Hours:Tuesday – Friday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMSaturday – Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMMonday: Closed
Price:$50 to $100 per person
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9
KanyakumariKanyakumari is a restaurant in the East Village that focuses on the coastal cuisine of Southern India. The menu highlights seafood and dishes from regions like Kerala and Tamil Nadu.Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:South Indian Coastal
Signature Dishes:Malvani ChickenBlack Gold BeefBaby Goat Donne Biryani
Location:20 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003
Special Feature:The restaurant has a lively bar program with cocktails that incorporate South Indian ingredients like curry leaves and tamarind.
What Makes It Special:Kanyakumari is known for its vibrant, seafood-centric menu that offers a modern and accessible take on South Indian coastal flavors.
What Sets It Apart:Its specific focus on the coastal cuisines of the Kanyakumari region, combined with a trendy East Village setting, creates a distinct and energetic dining experience.
Operating Hours:Monday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PMFriday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PMSaturday: Brunch 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM, Dinner 5:00 PM – 11:00 PMSunday: Brunch 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM, Dinner 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price:$50 to $100 per person
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10
Hyderabadi ZaiqaHyderabadi Zaiqa is a casual restaurant in Kips Bay that serves the cuisine of Hyderabad, India. The menu focuses on traditional dishes, particularly its famous biryanis.Type of Restaurant:Casual Dining
Type of Food:Hyderabadi
Signature Dishes:Hyderabadi Chicken Dum BiryaniChicken 65 BiryaniPaneer Tikka Masala
Location:366 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
Special Feature:The restaurant is known for its authentic Hyderabadi dum biryani, a slow-cooked, layered rice and meat dish that is a hallmark of the region.
What Makes It Special:Hyderabadi Zaiqa is known for its no-frills setting and its singular focus on producing authentic and flavorful Hyderabadi food.
What Sets It Apart:Its specific dedication to the royal and complex cuisine of Hyderabad, especially its mastery of biryani, distinguishes it from more generalized Indian restaurants.
Operating Hours:Daily: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Price:$20 to $30 per person
What Makes Indian Restaurants in New York Famous?
Indian restaurants in New York are famous for their remarkable range and diversity, from Michelin-starred fine-dining destinations in Manhattan to hyper-regional specialists in the outer boroughs. The best Indian restaurants NYC are globally recognized for pushing the boundaries of the cuisine, with places like Indian Accent offering inventive tasting menus. At the same time, the city supports deeply traditional eateries that focus on the food of a single state or city, such as Hyderabadi Zaiqa. This spectrum is supported by a large and knowledgeable South Asian diaspora and a general dining public that seeks both innovation and authenticity. The Indian food NYC experience is defined by this co-existence of world-class fine dining and deeply rooted regional cooking across the five boroughs.
What Types of Indian Restaurants are Commonly Found in New York?
New York's Indian restaurants include several types, such as Regional South Indian specialists, Progressive and Fine Dining destinations, and Homestyle canteens. The different categories are described here:
- Regional South Indian: These restaurants focus on the food of Southern India, often with a specific state as inspiration. Semma is a key example, serving rural Tamil cuisine, while Kanyakumari highlights coastal seafood preparations.
- Regional North Indian: This category includes eateries that serve the food of a particular northern state. Hyderabadi Zaiqa is a specialist in the cuisine of Hyderabad, known for its biryanis, while Masalawala and Sons focuses on Bengali food from Kolkata.
- Progressive and Fine Dining: These are upscale restaurants that present Indian food with modern techniques and artistic plating. Indian Accent is a world-renowned example of inventive Indian cuisine, while Junoon offers a contemporary fine-dining experience.
- Homestyle and Canteen: This type of restaurant serves straightforward, homestyle Indian food in a casual setting. Adda Indian Canteen in Queens is a Michelin-starred example that replicates the feel of a neighborhood gathering spot.
- Indo-Chinese: Some restaurants focus on the popular fusion cuisine that combines Indian spices with Chinese cooking techniques. Spice Symphony in Midtown offers an extensive menu of Indo-Chinese dishes like Chili Chicken and Hakka noodles.
Are There Authentic Indian Restaurants in New York?
Yes, authentic Indian restaurants operate in New York, including Semma, Dhamaka, and Masalawala and Sons. Semma is a Michelin-starred restaurant dedicated to the rural and heritage recipes of Tamil Nadu in Southern India, serving dishes rarely seen outside the region. Dhamaka focuses on the "unapologetic" provincial food from across India, presenting bold and rustic dishes without altering them for Western tastes. Masalawala and Sons is a neighborhood restaurant in Brooklyn that serves traditional Bengali cuisine based on family recipes.
What are the Signature Dishes at the Best Indian Restaurants in New York?
The signature dishes at the best Indian restaurants in New York are Gunpowder Dosa, Champaran Mutton, and Macher Paturi. The leading Indian restaurants in New York are known for the following standout dishes:
- Gunpowder Dosa: A thin, crispy crepe made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils, filled with spiced potatoes and coated with a spicy "gunpowder" spice mix. This is a signature dish at the South Indian restaurant Semma.
- Champaran Mutton: A rustic mutton curry from the Bihar region, slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot with onions, garlic, and whole spices until the meat is exceptionally tender. This is a main attraction at Dhamaka.
- Macher Paturi: A traditional Bengali dish of fish, typically Bhetki, marinated in a mustard paste and spices, wrapped in a banana leaf, and then steamed or pan-fried. This is a specialty at Masalawala and Sons.
- Kashmiri Morel Musallam: A dish from the inventive restaurant Indian Accent, featuring Kashmiri morel mushrooms, soy keema, and a parmesan and black garlic sauce, served with a potato and leek waffle.
- Tandoori Poussin: A whole young chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and cooked in a tandoor oven until tender and charred. This is a popular offering at Adda Indian Canteen.
Is Indian Food Popular in New York?
Yes, Indian food is popular in New York, and the high number of Indian restaurants across all five boroughs, from Michelin-starred destinations in Manhattan to neighborhood canteens in Queens and Brooklyn, shows a high demand for the cuisine. The existence of entire neighborhoods known for South Asian food, such as Jackson Heights in Queens and "Curry Hill" in Manhattan, further demonstrates its popularity. The cuisine is supported by one of the largest South Asian populations in the United States and a general population that embraces global food.
What is the Average Price of a Meal at an Indian Restaurant in New York?
Dining at an Indian restaurant in New York can cost anywhere from under $30 to over $250 per person. For a budget-friendly option, casual places like Hyderabadi Zaiqa offer meals for $20 to $40. A meal at a mid-range eatery such as Adda or Masalawala and Sons will generally have entrees between $40 and $75. In a fine-dining setting like Semma or Junoon, a full dinner experience can cost from $75 to $160, while a tasting menu at a top-tier restaurant like Indian Accent can exceed $250.
Do Indian Restaurants in New York Offer Vegan Options?
Yes, Indian restaurants in New York offer vegan options, and Semma, Masalawala and Sons, and Indian Accent are some that provide plant-based dishes. Many South Indian restaurants like Semma have a large number of naturally vegan dishes made with lentils, vegetables, and coconut milk. Regional specialists like Masalawala and Sons offer traditional Bengali vegetable preparations. Top fine-dining restaurants like Indian Accent provide dedicated vegetarian and vegan tasting menus.
Do Indian Restaurants in New York Offer Gluten-Free Options?
Yes, Indian restaurants in New York offer gluten-free options, including Semma, Dhamaka, and Junoon. Semma serves dosas made from a naturally gluten-free batter of rice and lentils. At restaurants like Dhamaka and Junoon, most tandoori dishes, kebabs, and curries are made without gluten. Rice-based dishes like biryani are also common gluten-free choices available at most Indian restaurants.
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