Top Indian Restaurants

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Courtesy of Indika

Indika, Houston

Everything is bigger in Texas. And that applies to the Indian community, which has a huge presence in Houston in particular. While larger numbers means increased competition, Indika’s innovative fusion menu has it sitting comfortably atop numerous “best of” lists citywide. In a state that loves its jalapeños, chef Anita Jaisinghani’s authentically fiery red-hot chili pepper shrimp and pork chop vindaloo (sensitive palates: beware) have found an enraptured audience.

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Mysore Woodlands, Chicago

For Chicago’s Indian community, all roads lead to Devon Avenue, with its scores of South Asian groceries and boutiques. Vegetarian Mysore Woodlands holds its own amid numerous meat-centric neighbors like the Pakistani institution Sabri Nihari. Order the Mysore Royal Thali—a seemingly bottomless platter decked with soup, mixed-vegetable cutlets, samosas, three different curries, and much, much more—to discover why.mysorewoodlands.com

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Rasika, Washington, D.C.

Visitors to D.C. soliciting dining recommendations are almost always steered to Rasika: it’s among the best, Indian or otherwise, and owner Ashok Bajaj was fêted in The New York Times as “arguably the most successful restaurateur in Washington.” The Penn Quarter flagship proved so popular that a West End outpost opened in 2012—to the same rave reviews. Expect nouveau Indian dishes like lobster pulao and an apple jalebi beignet with cardamom ice cream, paired with creative cocktails.

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Junoon, New York City

It’s not often that an Indian restaurant can be described as sexy, but that’s the vibe that Junoon gives off. Credit goes to the amber lighting, sumptuously upholstered banquettes, latticed sandalwood screens, and pools with lotus blossoms lazily adrift. In an open kitchen, chefs do their part, presenting elegant, updated versions of traditional dishes like Hyderabadi chicken korma and goat cheese and mango cheesecake. It’s a recipe for a well-deserved Michelin star. junoonnyc.com

 

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Udupi Palace, San Francisco

The expansive rice-and-lentil crêpes served with coconut and tamarind chutney and often heaped with spiced potatoes known asdosas are a staple of South Indian cuisine. At this authentic vegetarian mainstay with locations in San Francisco and Berkeley, patrons dig into a two-foot version that is nothing short of epic. Make room for side dishes like idlis (steamed-rice cakes),sambar, and uttapam (lentil-and-rice pancakes). udupipalace.org

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Ekta, Philadelphia

When chef Raju Bhattarai defected from Philly institution Tiffin to open Ekta, the resulting feud brought some seriously bad blood to the culinary scene in the so-called City of Brotherly Love. To add namak (salt) to the wound, the new kid on the block swiftly went on to surpass the original with its bold flavors, the secret to which may well lie in Bhattarai’s house-made garam masala spice blend. His lamb vindaloo is guaranteed to singe your tongue; find relief in a tall glass of ice-cold mango lassi.ektaindianrestaurant.com'

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Badmaash, Los Angeles

This kitschy new gastropub is a downtown L.A. newcomer, but its chef, Pawan Mahendro, brings 40 years of experience with him to the kitchen. Badmaash means “naughty” in Hindi, and Mahendro adds a dollop of mischief to both the décor and his offerings. Consider the Pop art–style images of Gandhi in colorful sunglasses, or the chicken tikka poutine, a nod to his Canadian background. Wash down the Mumbai street food–inspired fare with a sugary Thums Up, India’s answer to Coke. badmaashla.com

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Origin India, Las Vegas

The tranquil Origin India, with its modern furniture against a backdrop of Moghul-style archways, feels a world away from the Vegas Strip. While the kitchen can’t boast of mega-chefs and Michelin stars, it does lay claim to a delectably tender murgh dahi waladaubed generously in yogurt—at a price that would barely cover a cocktail in much of Sin City. Be sure to dabble in the street-food menu, featuring urban favorites aloo papri chaat and pani puri.

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Cumin, Chicago

When this hip Wicker Park restaurant opened its doors in 2010, it brought to the forefront a little-known cuisine from the Indian Subcontinent: the flavors of India’s neighbor to the northeast, Nepal. Nepalese brothers Rajesh and Sanjeev Karmacharya draw on their heritage at Cumin, where you’ll findghorkhali khasi (goat stew) and palungoko saag (sautéed spinach) alongside more familiar items like onion bhajis (seasoned fritters) and chicken jalfrezi (spicy stir-fry).cumin-chicago.com

 

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G’raj Mahal, Austin

To call G’raj Mahal a food truck would do it a disservice—it veers more in the direction of self-contained food trailer park, complete with a tented seating area, waiters, and even reservations. Fans of the bohemian café’s organic samosas, pakoras, kebabs, and curries won’t have to brave the elements much longer: a brick-and-mortar restaurant is expected to open by the end of 2013.grajmahalaustin.com

 

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Bombay Darbar, Miami

You might assume that Miami’s top-rated restaurants would be Latin—Cuban, perhaps, or maybe Puerto Rican or Argentinean. But glaringly out of place in that roster is Bombay Darbar in Coconut Grove, rated No. 5 on TripAdvisor. After all, Miami is a place that can handle the heat. And the humble, 34-seat Bombay Darbar packs a punch with its chicken biryani and lamb rogan josh.bombaydarbarrestaurant.com

 

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Karaikudi, Edison, NJ

Some say the pungent food from South India’s Chettinad region in Tamil Nadu is the nation’s spiciest, which would be no small feat. This meat-heavy cuisine takes center stage at Karaikudi along Edison’s Oak Tree Road—a hub for New Jersey’s immense Indian population—in the form of fierce dishes like pepper chicken and nandu masala. Chef Floyd Cardoz of New York City’s North End Grill and winner of Top Chef Masters has been known to rave about the fish curry. karaikudiusa.com

 

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Tulsi, Kittery, ME

Kittery is not exactly a bastion of Indian immigrants. But at least one did find his way to this small New England town synonymous with outlet malls: Mumbai-born Rajesh Mandekar, who opened Tulsi not far from the stores. The spicy fare will add a jolt to a mid-shopping-spree refueling stop. The elegant, jewel-toned space serves an impressive array of vegan and gluten-free dishes alongside a tangy, saucy shrimp balchaoand Kashmiri lamb curry.tulsiindianrestaurant.com

 

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Utsav, Vernon, CT

Behind a nondescript façade in a bland Connecticut strip mall you’ll find a menu that’s anything but. The word utsav is derived from the Sanskrit for “festival,” and this colorful restaurant celebrates flavors from across India. That said, the two owners can’t help but favor the dishes of the southwestern state of Kerala, from which they hail, a region known especially for its aromatically spicy cuisine—seafood in particular. Order Amma’s fish curry or calamari Cochin. 575 Talcottville Rd.; (800) 871-8714

 

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Jackson Diner, New York City

The Queens neighborhood of Jackson Heights is synonymous with New York City’s sizable Indian community, which means it’s your go-to source for Bollywood movies, spangled saris, and of course, cheap and tasty eats. Jackson Diner stands proud as a 30-plus-year institution. The lunchtime buffet is a surefire winner: all the chicken makhani, goat curry, and saag paneer you can eat for $9.95. jacksondiner.com