Reliable Somerville staple Dosa N Curry boasts an entirely vegetarian menu that includes crispy banana pepper fritters, an array of dosas, and yogurt masala-marinated mushrooms roasted in a tandoor oven. If you want to sample a bunch of different dishes, go for the $14 lunch thali with an appetizer, a handful of curries, rice, salad, dessert, and a choice of naan or dosa. (Next-door sibling Veggie Crust also serves some fun Indo-Chinese and Indian dishes, including paneer tikka masala pizza.)

Himalayan Kitchen isn’t an entirely Indian restaurant: This Union Square shop specializes in Indian American fusion (see: chicken tikka pizza) and Himalayan dishes. The goat biryani is compulsory, as are the Nepali momo, served in a variety of tasty styles.

Longstanding Punjabi Dhaba is an Inman Square favorite. Everything here is good, but the tandoori chicken and vegetable korma are must-orders. Often bustling, they’re open for lunch and dinner, for casual sit down or takeout.

Passage to India has been feeding hungry hordes of folks in Cambridge for nearly three decades. Formerly a Porter Square institution, the restaurant moved to Cambridge Crossing, adding such niceties as a full bar and patio but maintaining an extensive list of lamb, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian standouts, as well as nearly a dozen different types of naan. (The family behind Passage also runs a food truck, Tandoor & Curry on Wheels, and recently moved Brookline’s Curry House to Passage’s old address as Jo’s Indian Kitchen.)

With eight types of bread, 18 vegetarian entrees, and five preparations for momos (including steamed, served with a spicy broth, or tandoori) Kantipur Cafe in East Cambridge has something for everyone.

North Indian restaurant India Pavilion has been operating in Central Square for more than four decades. The keema chile masala, which is served with minced lamb, green peas, bell peppers, tomatoes, and a sauce made with onions and tomatoes, is especially worth an order. There’s also a full bar and a daily lunch buffet that runs until 3 p.m.

Customizable dosas are the draw at Madras Dosa Co., a shiny, relatively new Seaport spot focused on the wildly popular South Indian specialty made from a vegan, gluten-free batter of fermented rice and lentils. If there’s a line, plant yourself, because it’s worth the wait to fill a thin, golden-brown crepe with a wide variety of sweet and savory stuffings, from onion, ghee, and Lay’s chips to fruits, chocolate chips, and Nutella. (The same team is also behind downtown’s Vaanga, serving unexpected dishes like samosa burgers and “not the boring” idly with coconut chutney.)

Go to Kenmore Square’s North Indian haunt India Quality for biryani (especially the lamb) and aloo chole, a vegan dish with a base of potatoes and chickpeas. If you order your food spicy, India Quality won’t hold back. This has the same ownership as Punjab Palace, the essential spot for North Indian cuisine in Allston, where the order is lamb paneer masala (lamb and soft cheese cooked with creamy tomato sauce) or fish jalfrezi (pieces of fish cooked with mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes and broccoli in a spicy sauce).

Located in Brighton, this family-operated restaurant offers a range of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options. They serve up many favorites, including samosas, pakoras (fritters), biryanis, curries, and more.

Mini-chain Shanti, which has been open since 1999, specializes in curries and tandoori preparations, with tasty locations in Dorchester and Roslindale. For those who can’t choose, try the shanti mixed grill, which comes with a combination of tandoori chicken, chicken tikka, lamb tikka, shish kabab, and tandoori shrimp.

Head to Jamaica Plain’s Tikki Masala for pan-fried shrimp tossed with mango chutney and South Indian dosas, or try one of the convenient “dinner for two” combos if you don’t want to make any decisions.

Located on the Southern Artery and adjacent to Town River Bay, this Indian restaurant has been feeding the people of Quincy and the greater South Shore since the beginning of the millennium. Try the lamb rogan josh, a curried meat dish originally from Kashmir, as well as the gobhi naan which is stuffed with seasoned cauliflower.