12 Must-Try Indian Restaurants in Philly

Northern India’s curries, tandoori dishes and bread abound in Philadelphia, but South Indian cuisine is harder to find — and just as delish. Enter Amma’s, a heartfelt tribute to South Indian home cooking from chefs and co-owners Sathish Varadhan and Balakrishnan “Bala” Duraisamy. Taking inspiration from the chefs’ family recipes, the menus at Amma’s (which means mom in Tamil) include traditional South Indian entrees like idli, dosas and dum biryanis and read like books. Your best bet: Bring some friends and chowing down family-style. Otherwise, you’ll have to come back again and again — which, on second thought, doesn’t sound half bad.

Everyone needs “their spot:” a laid-back go-to for comfort food when it’s needed the most. With over 10 years on the scene and four locations, Ekta fits the bill. The BYOBs’ casual and bright dining rooms invite you to leave your worries at the door. The menu — available for dine-in or takeout — features homemade mango lassis; 12 varieties of naan; and a variety of traditional entrees. For vegan or veggie options, try the tandoori roti or Chettinad vegetable. When it comes to seafood and meat entrees, the goan shrimp curry or makhani lamb can ease even the worst days.

This halal-friendly West Philly spot is a top destination for authentic Indian barbecue. With a whopping 20 items on just the grill menu, Indian Char House dishes out everything from traditional Indian staples like paneer or chicken tikka BBQ to riffs on global fare like French lamb chops. Omnivore entrees (whole baby chicken and quail) are just as at home on the menu as mouth-watering seafood and vegan picks (like lobster and paneer). The charming dining room, adorned with live plants and a fireplace, only seats about a dozen diners at a time, making it a perfect place for intimate dinners and catch-ups.

Grocery stores are treasure troves of all sorts of culinary delights. Hidden among the South Asian staple ingredients, produce and snacks that dot the shelves at West Philly’s International Foods & Spices, visitors can also find a small but mighty assortment of hot and super affordable takeout entrees. Hot tip: The neighborhood grocer is known for having some of the tastiest samosas in the city, and you can take home a savory potato, spinach, tofu or eggplant stuffed pastry for less than a couple of dollars.

Once an old-school West Philly diner, Kabobeesh now serves cuisine hailing from India’s next-door neighbor Pakistan and the Kashmir region of South Asia, making it a rare find. On the menu, hungry guests find a variety of halal kabobs — chicken, beef, lamb and fish marinated to flavorful perfection using the restaurant’s signature blend of spices and cooked on a natural charcoal grill — as well as a variety of specialty curries and stews, including haleem, nehari and paya.

A mainstay in Philly’s historic Old City for over 20 years, this casual restaurant brings traditional Indian cuisine to the neighborhood’s unofficial restaurant row. Karma boasts an extensive menu (it has 13 tandoori-baked breads alone!) that draws on cooking traditions found throughout the country’s many regions and features an impressive number of vegetarian, seafood and meat options. Indecisive? The restaurant’s popular lunch buffet is served between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily.

What does a pizza joint named after an Italian island have to do with Indian food? Well, friend, we are SO glad you asked. Located in a parking lot behind a Wawa in Pennsport, Little Sicily II dishes up your standard 16-inch pies in all the normal variations. But it’s also a secret laboratory of Italian-Indian-Philadelphian fusion, serving in-the-know diners (welcome, new initiate) Indian-style pizza and cheesesteaks on its “Spicy Food Menu.” Differing from your Pat’s and Geno’s, this takeout spot’s cheesesteaks (beef or chicken) and pizzas (chicken or paneer) have a distinct Indian flavor profile and a kick (ranging from mild to extra spicy) thanks to an Indian spice blend (similar to the one used for tikka masala) and herbs.

What do you get when you take afast-casual restaurant concept and inject it with a whole lot of Indian flavor? The answer: the hit takeout restaurant Masala Kitchen from owner Vaishal Soni and executive chef Arjun Thakur. Hungry Center City workers, weekend revelers and visitors alike turn to the duo’s restaurants for quality and affordable Indian street food: kati rolls filled with a choice of proteins like chicken masala, lamb kebab and beef tikka and wrapped in homemade tawa roti; hot and spicy platters of marinated chicken, lamb, paneer, or veggies; and homemade lassis.

Named after one of the oldest cities in the world, New Delhi Restaurant is among the city’s oldest and favorite Indian buffets. Founder Hardev Singh opened the doors in 1988 and has since passed the jewel on to his sons, who keep the West Philadelphia tradition alive. An institution among University City students for its relaxed vibe, convivial atmosphere and affordable prices, this all-you-can-eat spot offers mouthwatering Indian staples like butter chicken and lamb vindaloo; vegan bhoija and mutter paneer; and gluten-free tandoori tikka and kebabs.

This Chestnut Hill BYOB — which has sister restaurants in Lafayette Hill, Bryn Mawr and Queen Village — fits right in alongside Germantown Avenue’s cute boutiques and cafes. With a simple dining room and outdoor patio, the upscale-yet-approachable spot offers guests dine-in service as well as takeout. Owner Nabin Chhantyal takes inspiration from both Indian cuisine and his own Nepalese heritage’s approach to holistic living, crafting a delicious and health-conscious menu highlighting Indian favorites like gobhi manchurian and butter chicken.

This longtime Philly-area favorite has cultivated a loyal following of foodie fans — and rightfully so. With four locations across the region, Saffron’s casual dining rooms are warm and inviting, and the sprawling menu of familiar dishes like butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, and samosa chaat focuses on capturing the flavors and essence of South Indian cuisine, specifically the bold combinations of spices that are typical of the region. The result? Dishes that are just as vibrant as the restaurant’s brightly colored walls.

Perched on a Center City corner not far from Logan Square and The Franklin Institute, this down-to-earth Indian tavern cuts the gimmicks and “takes you straight to the heart” of South Indian culture. Serving authentic Indian cuisine with an eye toward modernity, the menu is full of classic fare: a variety of vegetarian and meat curries, clay pot entrees, tandoori selections and 10 different breads. Cocktails like the Fennel Collins and Madras Mule take their inspiration from the restaurant’s Indian roots.