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10 Best Indian Restaurants in St Louis

10 Best Indian Restaurants in St Louis

The best Indian restaurants in St Louis are House of India, Saffron Indian Cuisine, Rasoi, Turmeric, Haveli Indian Restaurant, Taste of India, Basil India, Bawarchi Biryanis, Himalayan Yeti, and Nawabi Hyderabad House. Indian food in St. Louis in the state of Missouri is characterized by its enduring neighborhood restaurants that specialize in classic North Indian cooking. A traditional meal is available at House of India, a fixture for over two decades, while newer specialists like Bawarchi Biryanis provide a focused taste of Hyderabadi food. St. Louis also has modern concepts like Turmeric, which serves inventive Indian street food.

Restaurants specializing in Indian cuisine operate in the city’s neighborhoods like the Delmar Loop and Central West End, and in suburbs such as Chesterfield and Creve Coeur. The local Indian restaurants include traditional dining rooms, contemporary fast-casual spots, and specific regional kitchens. The atmospheres vary from the established, family-friendly setting at House of India to the bright, modern interior of Turmeric. This mix of long-standing favorites and newer, specialized eateries is a key part of the local food makeup. The price for a meal at an Indian restaurant in St. Louis ranges from $15 to $50 per person.

St. Louis' Indian kitchens are recognized for their consistent and traditional cooking. House of India is one of the top Indian restaurants in St Louis for an overall experience, due to its long history, reliable execution of classic dishes, and welcoming atmosphere. For a unique regional meal, Himalayan Yeti is a primary choice, known for its authentic Nepalese food like momos. The designation for the best Indian food St Louis has in a modern format goes to Turmeric, with its creative street food menu. Restaurants like Saffron Indian Cuisine and Turmeric have many choices for vegan and gluten-free diners.

10 Best Indian Restaurants in St Louis are listed below.

1 House of India
2 Saffron indian cuisine
3 Rasoi Indian restaurant
4 Turmeric
5 Haveli Indian Restaurant
6 Taste of India
7 Basil India
8 Bawarchi Biryanis
9 Himalayan Yeti
10 Nawabi Hyderabad House

What Makes Indian Restaurants in St Louis Famous?

Indian restaurants in St Louis are famous for their long-standing neighborhood establishments that have served classic North Indian food for decades. Places like House of India have become local institutions, known for their consistent preparation of dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala and Lamb Vindaloo. The city's Indian food is defined by these reliable, family-run restaurants that offer a traditional dining experience. The presence of a dependable Indian restaurant in St Louis is a key part of many neighborhoods' local food offerings.

What Types of Indian Restaurants Are Commonly Found in St Louis?

Indian restaurants in St. Louis are classified into several groups, from North Indian to South Indian and Nepalese, which shows the food's established presence. The main groups are outlined here:

North Indian: This type of restaurant serves the customary tandoori dishes, rich curries, and breads of Northern India. House of India, Rasoi, and Taste of India are in this category.
South Indian: These restaurants focus on the food of Southern India, with an emphasis on the cuisines of Hyderabad. Menus feature spicy biryanis and regional specialties. Bawarchi Biryanis and Nawabi Hyderabad House are examples.
Modern Indian: These are restaurants that present Indian food with contemporary methods and artistic plating, with a focus on street food. Turmeric is a leading example.
Nepalese and Himalayan: These restaurants serve the food of Nepal and the Himalayan region alongside Indian dishes. Menus feature momos, thalis, and sekuwa. Himalayan Yeti is the primary example.
Indo-Chinese: This is a fusion style that combines Indian spices with Chinese cooking techniques. Dishes include Gobi Manchurian and Chili Chicken. Basil India offers this kind of food.

Are There Authentic Indian Restaurants in St Louis?

Yes, St. Louis has Indian restaurants that prepare food using customary methods, including Bawarchi Biryanis, Nawabi Hyderabad House, and Himalayan Yeti. Bawarchi Biryanis and Nawabi Hyderabad House are dedicated to the specific regional cuisine of Hyderabad, preparing biryani with the slow-cooking "dum pukht" technique. Himalayan Yeti serves traditional Nepalese food, including handmade momos and thalis, offering a direct taste of that region's cooking.

What Are the Signature Dishes at the Best Indian Restaurants in St Louis?

Chicken Tikka Masala, Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani, and Chicken Momo are the signature dishes at the best Indian restaurants in St Louis, showcasing the city's range from classic North Indian curries to specific regional specialties. A list of important signature dishes is provided here.

Chicken Tikka Masala: A creamy and flavorful tomato-based curry with roasted chicken. This North Indian dish is a main offering at House of India.
Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani: An aromatic rice dish made with marinated chicken, slow-cooked in a sealed pot. This is a specialty at Bawarchi Biryanis and Nawabi Hyderabad House.
Chicken Momo: Nepalese-style steamed dumplings filled with seasoned ground chicken. This is a staple at Himalayan Yeti.
Gunpowder Dosa: A savory South Indian crêpe made from fermented rice and lentil batter, dusted with a spicy "gunpowder" spice mix. This is a feature at Turmeric.

Is Indian Food Popular in St Louis?

Yes, Indian food is popular in St. Louis. The food's popularity is shown by the number of long-running Indian restaurants that have become fixtures in their respective neighborhoods over many years. The presence of these establishments in areas from University City and the Central West End to West County indicates a consistent, city-wide demand for both traditional North Indian food and more recent additions of regional South Indian and Nepalese specialties.

What Is the Average Price of a Meal at Indian Restaurants in St Louis?

A meal at an Indian restaurant in St. Louis has a price between $15 and $50 per person. A lunch buffet or a meal at a casual restaurant like Haveli or Himalayan Yeti will be in the $15 to $30 range. A sit-down dinner at a more upscale restaurant like Rasoi or Turmeric, which represents the higher end for Indian food in the city, generally costs between $30 and $50.

Do Indian Restaurants in St Louis Offer Vegan Options?

Yes, Indian restaurants in St Louis provide vegan options, and restaurants with a vegetarian focus, like Turmeric and Saffron Indian Cuisine, have menus with numerous plant-based selections. The tradition of vegetarianism in Indian culture means that most restaurants have a large selection of vegetable and lentil-based dishes. South Indian cooking, in particular, features many naturally vegan items made with rice and lentils that are available at several local restaurants.

Do Indian Restaurants in St Louis Offer Gluten-Free Options?

Yes, Indian restaurants in St Louis have gluten-free options at restaurants such as Rasoi, Turmeric, and House of India, as the foundation of many Indian dishes is gluten-free. The majority of tandoori-grilled meats, nearly all curries, and lentil dishes are made without gluten. Rice-based preparations like biryani, along with South Indian foods like dosas made from a fermented rice and lentil batter, are also common gluten-free choices.