Every year, social media explodes with incredible photos from Stage 48 of the vibrant, colorful celebrations of Holi Hai, the Indian tradition of welcoming Spring. Whether or not you plan to be doused in colorful chalk, your concierges at LIVunLtd have the perfect shortlist of our favorite Indian food in NYC.
Upper East Side
“We really can’t get enough of this place. The food is authentic, light, and incredibly good. The chicken curry here is one of the best in this city, and we’ve also become addicted to the Bhindi Masala (an okra dish) and Vegetable Biryani. Ultimately, you really can’t go wrong no matter what you order at Om.” – The Infatuation
Tribeca
“An impressive 11,000 square-foot space, a menu differentiated from the original location, lots of booze and a mostly ritzy crowd. The quality of the food is far better than any Indian food I’ve ever had. You will enjoy the creativity, the ambiance and the quality of really good Indian food.” – Eater NY
East Village
“A high energy experience with unique food and presentation! Baar Baar was recommended by a friend and we were so happy to have tried it. Our group had never experienced creativity and flavor in this food category. From the small plates to the mains and the hip atmosphere this will definitely be on our list to recommend and visit again.” – Open Table
Midtown
“You’ll completely change the way you look at Indian dining at this contemporary Parker Meridien offshoot of a New Delhi original, which kicks it up several notches with exceptionally creative prix fixe menus; it’s undeniably expensive, but totally worth it for an elegant culinary adventure.” – Zagat
Flatiron
“You can dine like a prince at this upmarket Flatiron oasis offering innovative Indian food with rich, complex flavors in a gorgeous front lounge and main dining room; tabs are higher than average, but precise service and a sommelier who knows his stuff up the appeal”. – Zagat
Upper West Side
“I was blown away by the juxtaposition of how different Columbus Avenue appeared compared the gorgeous interiors seen throughout Roasted Masala. There is no wrong way to go at Roasted Masala.” – Manhattan Digest
Long Island City
“This was the kind of Indian food the city has been hungry for, or at least the kind that I’d been hungry for: made with care but no pretense; seasoned for people who love the interplay of spices; presented without apology in all its brown, lumpy glory; and complex in ways that demand full attention.” – The New York Times
Union Square
“A celebration of all things spirited and sociable, Babu Ji is the first New York outlet from acclaimed restaurateurs Mr Jessi and Ms Jennifer Singh. The ethos centres around simple Indian fare cooked with love and the highest-quality ingredients and enjoyed in a homely setting. The menu changes with the seasons so we’d recommend bringing a crowd and opting for the chef’s tasting menu (more of a fun feast than fine dining), which will give you a flavour of the unashamedly inauthentic fare.” – Mr. Porter
Greenwich Village
“Greenwich Village’s Rahi is one of a spate of new and ambitious Indian restaurants that rework familiar dishes with new ingredients, via chef Chintan Pandya. Thus kofta, normally a ground meat dish, is reformulated as a vegetarian recipe, shaping various squashes into globular fritters and then immersing them in a rich butternut squash puree, punctuated with little dabs of whipped paneer. The effect is surprising and unforgettable.” – Eater NY
Williamsburg
“Our favorite dishes at this casual one-room Indian spot in Williamsburg, like the lamb vindaloo and the very spicy black pepper chicken, come in pools of sauces that you’ll want to sop up with extra bread. We’re fans of this bright space with floor-to-ceiling windows for lunch, when you get samosas, naan, and an entree for $10. It’s also one of the few BYO spots in the neighborhood. Come here before a night out or a movie at Williamsburg Cinemas a few doors down.” – The Infatuation
