Indian

Note: Restaurants are listed in alphabetical order and not in order of preference.

  • Adda – Adda, meaning “a place where people hang out,” offers a menu of updated Indian cuisine is served in a funky, relaxed setting with newspapers on the walls
    • Location: Long Island City
    • Atmosphere: Casual, unassuming, a locals spot, hole in the wall
    • Suggestions: Aloo chana chaat, pao bhaji, dilliwala butter chicken, lucknow dum biryani
    • Reservations: Not required, but suggested and not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: A causal dinner, a spicy meal
    • Note: The food here is very spicy. Adda is located between a busy stretch of Queens Boulevard and a big overpass in a somewhat bleak location. Nonetheless, the food is excellent and very affordable
    • Sister Restaurants: Dhamaka, Semma, Masawala & Sons 

  • Dhamaka – Innovative, energetic eatery offering provincial Indian cuisine in a colorful dining room. Dhamaka serves dishes from all over the sub-continent including lesser-known regions highlighting local flavors
    • Location: Lower East Side
    • Atmosphere: Colorful, electric, energetic, casual
    • Suggestions: Baingan bharta, methi na gota, nalli briyani
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are released on Resy one month in advance at midnight. Walk-ins are accepted based on availability/cancellations, and, according to the restaurant, the best time to show up is at 5pm
    • A Good Place For: Small group dinner (2-4 people), a fun meal, a spicy meal
    • Sister Restaurants: Semma, Adda, Masalawala & Sons 
  • Masalawala & Sons – The team behind Semma, Dhamaka and Adda dives deep into homespun village cooking
    • Location: Park Slope
    • Atmosphere: Colorful, small, casual, lively
    • Suggestions: Biryani, beguni, chili gobi
    • Reservations: Required; reservations are released on Resy 30 days in advance at midnight
    • A Good Place For: Small group dinner (2-4 people), a spicy meal
    • Sister Restaurants: Semma, Adda, Dhamaka
  • Indian Accent – High-end Indian restaurant featuring a menu of creative meals, plus a robust wine list
    • Location: Midtown
    • Atmosphere: Sophisticated, high-end, elegant, timeless
    • Suggestions: Beef tenderloin, sweet potato shakarkandi, makhan malai
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: A special occasion

  • Semma – Stylish, relaxed restaurant serving regional specialties from southern India, plus cocktails and wine
    • Location: West Village
    • Atmosphere: Stylish, casual, upbeat
    • Suggestions: Gunpowder dosa, mirchi ka salan (very spicy!), parotta, mangalore huukosu, kozhi allepey
    • Reservations: Required; reservations go live on Resy 30 days in advance at midnight. There are 12 seats at the bar for walk-ins on a first-come, first-serve basis. Semma suggests you get there right as they open to get a walk-in seat (5pm)
    • A Good Place For: A small group dinner (2-4 people), a dinner date
    • Note: Semma received their first Michelin Star in 2023. The gunpowder dosa is a must order
    • Sister Restaurants: Dhamaka, Adda, Masalawala & Sons 

  • SONA – Priyanka Chopra’s trendy restaurant spotlighting reimagined Indian dishes and desserts, plus cocktails, wine, and brunch
    • Location: Flatiron
    • Atmosphere: Well decorated, nicely lit, welcoming
    • Suggestions: Burrata butter chicken
    • Reservations: Suggested but not difficult to get
    • A Good Place For: A nice dinner, a date, when the parents are in town
    • Note: SONA received Michelin recognition in 2023