2025: Manhattan Voted Mughlai Best Indian Restaurant!
Mughlai
6 Clinton Street
(212) 533-2828 – mughlaigrillny.com
A true celebration of flavor and tradition awaits at Mughlai, the 2025 winner in the Indian Restaurant category. Known for its rich, aromatic dishes and authentic preparation, this dining destination captures the essence of India’s royal culinary heritage. Guests are welcomed with warmth and treated to a feast of bold spices, tender meats, and freshly baked breads that transport the senses. From buttery curries to fragrant biryanis, every dish reflects a perfect balance of depth and delicacy. Mughlai’s chefs take pride in using time-honored recipes and premium ingredients to create meals that honor both culture and craftsmanship. It’s more than just a restaurant—it’s an experience of hospitality, comfort, and unforgettable taste that continues to define excellence in Indian cuisine.
2024: Manhattan Voted Pippali Best Indian Restaurant!
Pippali
129 E 27th St
(212) 689-1999 – pippalinyc.com
It’s here at Pippali’s where you’ll find authentic Indian cuisine. The upscale restaurant is also one of the leading Indian catering services in the New York and New Jersey region. Serving lunch and dinner, the extensive menu has something for everyone. From corporate parties, weddings and small gatherings, Pippali aims to bring their customers, whether dining at the restaurant or elsewhere, with the best experience. The food is prepared in small batches as if they are making individual meals as they do not engage in industrial-sized food preparation.
2023: Manhattan Voted Semma Best Indian Restaurant!
Semma
60 Greenwich Ave
(212) 373-8900 – semma.nyc
Semma restaurant in Greenwich Village proudly claims its place as the premier destination for the finest Indian cuisine in Manhattan. This culinary gem, under the expert guidance of Chef Vijay Kumar, embarks on a journey to the soul of Southern India, unraveling a tapestry of flavors and heritage rarely witnessed beyond local homes and neighborhoods. Semma is a celebration of regional ingredients and the vibrant traditions of Southern Indian cuisine. Dining is a sensory delight, featuring an array of exceptional dishes like paniyaram (rice and lentil dumplings, attu kari sukka (lamb with black cardamom, peppers and mace), Goanese oxtail, and meen pollichathu (banana leaf-wrapped sea bass). Each plate tells a story of culture and heritage, transporting diners to the heart of Southern India. For those seeking an authentic and unforgettable Indian dining experience, Semma restaurant in Greenwich Village is the ultimate choice.
2022: Manhattan Voted Bengal Tiger Best Indian Restaurant!
Bengal Tiger
58 W 56th St
(212) 265-2703 – bengaltigerindianfood.com
For authentic Indian Cuisine, Bengal Tiger is the perfect place for anything from a casual dinner to a family outing, friendly business meeting, or alternative to the been-there-done-that date. Everything from the decor to the food concoctions beckons to those who want to be inspired and immersed in a sensational culinary experience without the fuss of formal dining. Bengal Tiger offers a large menu of authentic Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner, and is conveniently located just blocks below Central Park. The decoré is amazing, and the staff is both friendly and helpful — so if you’re an expert in Indian food looking for the best, or just a novice looking to try it out, Bengal Tiger is the place for you!
2021: Manhattan Voted Tamarind Best Indian Restaurant!
Tamarind
99 Hudson St
(212) 775-9000- https://tamarindtribeca.com/
If you think Indian food begins and ends with curry, rice and naan, think again. At the upscale Tamarind in Tribeca, the full dinner menu includes such unique fare as lamb chops marinated in nutmeg, cinnamon, and Indian herbs, as well as Chilean sea bass with green chili, mint and coriander in a tomato kokum sauce. The executive lunch includes a choice of appetizer, a generous choice of two entrees and dessert. The extensive dessert menu presents such offerings as cardamom-flavored crème brulee and a flourless, warm chocolate cake infused with jasmine tea, passionfruit mousse and raspberry coulis. For a unique dining experience or special event, give Tamarind a ring.
2020: Manhattan Voted The Masalawala Best Indian Restaurant!
The Masalawala
179 Essex St
(212) 358-9300 – www.themasalawala.com
For authentic Indian Cuisine, The Masalawala is the perfect place for anything from a casual dinner to a family outing, friendly business meeting, or alternative to the been-there-done-that date. Everything from the decor to the street food concoctions beckons to those who want to be inspired and immersed in a sensational culinary experience without the fuss of formal dining. Established in 2011, Masalawala means “the merchant of spice” and the restaurant’s menu gives traditional Indian food a new twist. Their motto is “taste above all,” and they use fresh, healthy, authentic ingredients, every day and in every dish cooked with love.
