From low-key neighborhood staples to inventive gastropubs and MICHELIN-Starred hotspots, you’re never far from a great Indian restaurant in New York City. Don’t miss out on everything from viral butter chicken to fragrant curries and hearty kebabs when you book a top Indian restaurant NYC.
Experience traditional fare from Mumbai at a cozy spot in Gramercy Park. Head to the Upper East Side to dig into butter chicken that earned raves from The New York Times. Enjoy nostalgic Indian dishes with a contemporary twist at a stylish spot in Midtown West.
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Read on for a guide to 10 incredible Indian restaurants in NYC.
For a new spin on nostalgic dishes – book a table at Indian Accent (Midtown West)
Indian Accent boasts MICHELIN Plate status and an innovative menu that combines cultural traditions with contemporary flavors and plate presentation. Located just blocks away from Central Park, the stylish restaurant with stainless windows, a skylight, and gold pillars is the ideal setting for a special occasion. Try elegant dishes like chicken malai tikka with green chili cream and truffles or branzino with patrani butter and berry pulao.
For kebab lovers – head to one of the best Indian restaurants in NYC, Bhatti Indian Grill (Murray Hill)
Located in one of New York’s Indian enclaves, Bhatti Indian Grill is where you go for standout Northern Indian cuisine. Acclaimed chef Gaurav Anand brings cooking techniques from the Awadh region to Murray Hill. Get the knockout kebabs, which are best enjoyed with BYOB and friends. With quintessential New York City-exposed brick and vibe, the restaurant’s setting is always lively–just how a neighborhood destination should be.
For a taste of Mumbai in New York – head to GupShup (Gramercy Park)
Head to GupShup for Mumbai-inspired Indian dishes in a modern, multi-level space with various seating areas for different moods. Grab a seat under glittering chandeliers at the bar or settle into the cozy lounge. Either way, prepare for a feast of signature dishes like the tikki burger, jackfruit tacos, and sizzling meat platters paired with standout cocktails.
For butter chicken fans – reserve a table at Moti Mahal Delux (Upper East Side)
Moti Mahal Delux is a destination for its Mughlai cuisine and famous butter chicken, which earned rave reviews from The New York Times. The MICHELIN Plate award-winning restaurant opened in 2012, but dates back to 1970s-South Delhi. Moti Mahal Delux’s bright and colorful aesthetic is as Instagram-worthy as the food. Request a table under the giant wall art and enjoy the best-selling butter or tandoor chicken.
For Indian comfort food in a striking setting – plan a meal at Anjappar Chettinad (Murray Hill)
For a stylish restaurant that serves all the Indian classics, head to Anjappar Chettinad in Murray Hill. The restaurant specializes in dishes from Chennai, where its first location opened in 1964. In a vibrant red space decked with rich textures and fabrics, enjoy signature dishes like crepes, curries, and biryani along with top-notch desserts and masala teas.
For birthdays, celebrations, and catch-ups at a top Indian restaurant NYC – reserve a table at Pippali (Gramercy Park)
Pippali is a neighborhood institution where you’ll want to be a regular. With cozy interiors and warm service, Pippali is a favorite for a fast, sit-down lunch of Indian fare. For a full spread, come for a dinner feast of Punjabi samosas and masala butter chicken bao buns, plus standout vegetarian options.
For sophisticated dishes and top-notch cocktails– book one of the best Indian restaurants in NYC, BAAR BAAR (East Village)
At high-end gastropub BAAR BAAR, chef Sujan Sarkar dazzles with innovative takes on classic Indian dishes that earned the restaurant MICHELIN Plate status. Located in the East Village, the restaurant is where you go for paneer chili, lamb keema, and other favorites, in an industrial space with jewel-toned accents. Bollywood performers and creative cocktails like the Sholay—a tropical drink starring curry leaf-infused rum—add to the celebratory vibe.
For Indian-meets-Chinese dishes a top Indian restaurant NYC, visit Spice Symphony at Murray Hill, Midtown East, and Times Square
At Spice Symphony, you’ll find Indian and Chinese fusion fare lovingly prepared with classic techniques. All three locations—Murray Hill, Midtown East, and Times Square—share similar menus, attentive service, and sleek styles. The Midtown East location has a brighter look and feel, with artisan tiles and overhanging lights. Spice Symphony Times Square is a block from Broadway, making it a tourist favorite. Try popular dishes like lunch boxes, stir frys, and sweet naan.
For an elegant dining experience close to the Hudson River – dine at Paisley Restaurant (Tribeca)
An alum of Tamarind, chef Peter Beck brings a MICHELIN-Starred pedigree to Paisley Restaurant, which specializes in dishes from eastern and southern India. Dine on lobster masala, vegetable curries, and onion-chili naan in a stylish space with large windows, hanging lights, and exposed brick galore. The restaurant is located just two blocks from the Hudson River, perfect for wandering along the water after a date night meal.
For award-winning Indian fare in a glamorous setting– visit Tamarind (TriBeCa)
MICHELIN Plate-recognized Tamarind brings elegant Indian dining to historic TriBeCa. In a glam space with chandeliers and a gleaming open kitchen, expect top-notch Mughlai dishes like tandoor-cooked kebabs and lamb chops along with refined seafood mains like kolambi pola (coconut-and-chili curry prawns). Don’t miss the restaurant’s clever cocktails, like a martini riff made with turmeric-infused vodka.
From classic dishes in cozy settings to modern takes on traditional dishes in cool neighborhoods and playful street food in glamorous interiors, find a top Indian restaurant NYC to book now.
