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Serving everything from dosas to biryani to tandoori chicken, these are 18 of the best Indian restaurants in and around Boston
Greater Boston is blessed with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to Indian cuisine. While most Boston-area Indian restaurants specialize in northern Indian cuisine — and especially cuisine typical of the northern state of Punjab — southern Indian cuisine is represented at several restaurants, too.
Here are 18 of the best Indian restaurants in and around Boston.
Read MoreThis Porter Square institution has been feeding hungry hordes of Cantabrigians for nearly three decades. Its menu includes an extensive list of lamb, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian options, as well as dosas, which are a popular southern Indian treat.
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It’s not an entirely Indian restaurant: This Union Square shop specializes in Indian-American fusion (chicken tikka pizza features on the menu) and, hence the name, Himalayan dishes. The goat biryani is compulsory, as are the Himalayan momo.
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This newcomer to the Boston-area Indian food scene — only open since early 2019 — has already gained quite a fanbase. Its inexpensive and filling lunch combos are especially popular. The family-run restaurant focuses on cuisine from the state of Punjab and emphasizes options for gluten-free and vegan diets.
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Punjabi Dhaba is one of the best restaurants in Greater Boston. Everything is good here, but the tandoori chicken and vegetable korma are the must-orders. The restaurant is especially bustling at lunch time.
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This swanky dining room overlooks Harvard Square, and it’s best known for its tandoori dishes. Go for the view, stay for the tandoori wings.
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Mehak Halal in East Boston’s Jeffries Point neighborhood is serving — you guessed it — halal cuisine, a mix of Indian and Pakistani dishes. Word to the wise: This hole-in-the-wall is cash only.
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This northern Indian restaurant 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 daily lunch buffet and a full bar.
Surya Indian Kitchen is serving an extensive selection of gluten-free, nut-free, vegan, and/or halal Indian dishes in Cambridgeport. Try the seekh kebab (chicken, lamb, or beef), or something from its menu of Hyderabad-style biryanis.
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This is the essential spot for northern Indian cuisine in Allston. Its extensive menu includes vegetarian options, as well as various entrees made with chicken, seafood, lamb, or goat. The order here is the lamb paneer masala (lamb and soft cheese cooked with creamy tomato sauce) or the fish jalfrezi (pieces of fish cooked with mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes and broccoli in a spicy sauce). Same ownership as Kenmore Square winner India Quality (see below.)
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Go to this Kenmore Square northern Indian haunt for biryani (especially the lamb) and bhindi aloo, which is a vegan dish comprised of okra, potatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, bell peppers, and tomatoes cooked with various herbs and spices. If you order spicy dishes, India Quality won’t hold back.
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The play at Shan-A-Punjab is the mustard lamb — lamb chops marinated with mustard and yogurt and cooked in a tandoor oven.
Order something from this South End restaurant’s “modern Indian creations” menu, especially the lamb shank curry (braised lamb shanks in saffron and onion gravy) or the duck jalfrezi (duck breast sauteed with vegetables and spices).
Vaisakhi — named for a holiday in Hinduism and Sikhism — serves the cuisine of Punjab. Hop on the B Line and head to Vaisakhi for samosas and lamb curry.
This mini-chain has locations in Cambridge, Dorchester, and Roslindale. It specializes in curries and tandoori preparations.
Head to this Jamaica Plain restaurant for mango lassi and South Indian dosas, or try one of the convenient “dinner for two” combos if you don’t want to make any decisions.
This West Roxbury restaurant specializes in a mix of Nepali and Indian cuisine, and you should order a little bit of both. There are some South Indian dishes in particular that are worth trying, like dosas and uttapam.
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Head just south of the city for dosas, tandoori chicken, and goat biryani.
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 begin of the millennium. The goat rogan josh is the order here.
This Porter Square institution has been feeding hungry hordes of Cantabrigians for nearly three decades. Its menu includes an extensive list of lamb, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian options, as well as dosas, which are a popular southern Indian treat.
It’s not an entirely Indian restaurant: This Union Square shop specializes in Indian-American fusion (chicken tikka pizza features on the menu) and, hence the name, Himalayan dishes. The goat biryani is compulsory, as are the Himalayan momo.
This newcomer to the Boston-area Indian food scene — only open since early 2019 — has already gained quite a fanbase. Its inexpensive and filling lunch combos are especially popular. The family-run restaurant focuses on cuisine from the state of Punjab and emphasizes options for gluten-free and vegan diets.
Punjabi Dhaba is one of the best restaurants in Greater Boston. Everything is good here, but the tandoori chicken and vegetable korma are the must-orders. The restaurant is especially bustling at lunch time.
This swanky dining room overlooks Harvard Square, and it’s best known for its tandoori dishes. Go for the view, stay for the tandoori wings.
Mehak Halal in East Boston’s Jeffries Point neighborhood is serving — you guessed it — halal cuisine, a mix of Indian and Pakistani dishes. Word to the wise: This hole-in-the-wall is cash only.
This northern Indian restaurant 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 daily lunch buffet and a full bar.
Surya Indian Kitchen is serving an extensive selection of gluten-free, nut-free, vegan, and/or halal Indian dishes in Cambridgeport. Try the seekh kebab (chicken, lamb, or beef), or something from its menu of Hyderabad-style biryanis.
This is the essential spot for northern Indian cuisine in Allston. Its extensive menu includes vegetarian options, as well as various entrees made with chicken, seafood, lamb, or goat. The order here is the lamb paneer masala (lamb and soft cheese cooked with creamy tomato sauce) or the fish jalfrezi (pieces of fish cooked with mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomatoes and broccoli in a spicy sauce). Same ownership as Kenmore Square winner India Quality (see below.)
Go to this Kenmore Square northern Indian haunt for biryani (especially the lamb) and bhindi aloo, which is a vegan dish comprised of okra, potatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, bell peppers, and tomatoes cooked with various herbs and spices. If you order spicy dishes, India Quality won’t hold back.
The play at Shan-A-Punjab is the mustard lamb — lamb chops marinated with mustard and yogurt and cooked in a tandoor oven.
Order something from this South End restaurant’s “modern Indian creations” menu, especially the lamb shank curry (braised lamb shanks in saffron and onion gravy) or the duck jalfrezi (duck breast sauteed with vegetables and spices).
Vaisakhi — named for a holiday in Hinduism and Sikhism — serves the cuisine of Punjab. Hop on the B Line and head to Vaisakhi for samosas and lamb curry.
This mini-chain has locations in Cambridge, Dorchester, and Roslindale. It specializes in curries and tandoori preparations.
Head to this Jamaica Plain restaurant for mango lassi and South Indian dosas, or try one of the convenient “dinner for two” combos if you don’t want to make any decisions.
This West Roxbury restaurant specializes in a mix of Nepali and Indian cuisine, and you should order a little bit of both. There are some South Indian dishes in particular that are worth trying, like dosas and uttapam.
Head just south of the city for dosas, tandoori chicken, and goat biryani.
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 begin of the millennium. The goat rogan josh is the order here.