Last year was a big one for Indian cuisine in New York City and, heading into 2026, Indian restaurants in the Big Apple continue to make waves. From fine dining to casual eats, make for these seven Indian restaurants the next time you’re looking for a place to dine in New York City.

© Lungi / Alex Staniloff

Lungi

Lungi brings a refined but soulful lens of South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine to New York City, which earned it a Michelin Bib Gourmand for two consecutive years. Dishes are inspired by Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and beyond, while also honoring Sri Lanka. Highlights include Kerala Beef Chukka (boneless beef, coconut, shallots, garlic and spices) and Medhu Vada (crispy lentil donuts with sambar). Drinks like the Dosa Martini made with Jamun gin and Palm Paradise (coconut kallu, curry leaves, lychee cordial and lemon cordial) further position the restaurant as a favorite.

Rara gosht © Dhamaka / Paul McDonough

Dhamaka

Expect a blast of Indian flavors in dishes inspired from parts of India least traveled, like Uttarakhand, Goa and Kerala. Dishes like butter pepper garlic crab and nalli biryani wow consistently. Paneer Methi and Malai Murgh (a ginger, garlic and green chili cooked in a tandoor) are also must-try meals.

© Tamarind

Tamarind Tribeca

As one of Tribeca’s premier destinations and a pioneer of Indian fine dining, this restaurant brings diners on a journey through Punjab, Goa, Hyderabad, Madras, Calcutta and Lucknow. Signature dishes include Nizami Keema (ground lamb with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and lemon zest), Paneer Pasanda (paneer in a cashew-onion sauce) and Achari Hiran Ki Chhampen (venison chops marinated in hung yogurt, pickling spices and roasted chickpea flour).

Lamb Seekh © Kebabwala

Kebabwala

This spot brings the flavors of Indian’s street cart culture to New York City with open-fire cooking, bold ingredients and festive spirit. The grab-and-go menu includes sizzling kebabs of chicken Tikka, lamb Seekh, American wagyu beef ribeye and house-made paneer, all served with mint chutney. Rice bowls and rolls are also available.

© Semma / Paul McDonough

Semma

Located in Greenwich Village, this South Indian restaurant has Chef Vijay Kumar, winner of the 2025 James Beard Award for Best Chef: New York State, at the helm. Guests return often for its Gunpowder Doas, a rice-and-lentil crepe filled with spiced potato masala and house podi, as well as Valiya Chemmeen Moilee, a lobster tail in coconut milk sauce scented with mustard seeds and turmeric.

Lamb chop © Abba

Adda

Under Chef Chintan Pandya, this cult favorite delivers unapologetic authenticity through plates like baby goat biryani and Behja fry. Regional specialties are also available, such as Lamb Parcha and peppercorn bone marrow. There’s even an interactive option like the Butter Chicken Experience, allowing diners to choose the wood they want the chicken cooked over as well as the homemade butter for the sauce. Look out for a chaat trolley roaming the dining room, too.

Chana masala © Masalawala & Sons

Masalawala & Sons

Explore India’s past at this restaurant, which channels Satyen Mazumdar’s food memories and age-old recipes. Standouts include Phuchka, semolina puffs with chickpeas, chaat masala and kasundi; prawn Chiney kebab, with tiger prawns, garlic and gawa chee; and Biyebarir butter fish fry.