Indian restaurants in Chicago

82 people recommend, 19 warn against itvia r/chicagofood

Indienne is a modern Indian tasting-menu restaurant in River North, and most commenters who mention it recommend it. Several call it excellent or fantastic, one was won over by a white chocolate dhokla despite usually avoiding dhokla, and scallop dishes get praise. Several others call it a standout or say it suits a celebration. Not everyone agrees: one felt the meal was not worth it, one felt a return visit was lower in quality, and some found it forgettable or underwhelming.

45 people recommend, 23 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, X

Ghareeb Nawaz has several locations, and commenters who name a branch mostly mean the one on Devon Avenue. Opinion is split: more commenters recommend it than warn against it, mainly as a filling, no-frills Indian and Pakistani option, but many say the food is not good. A few praise the chicken biryani, one calls the thali great value, and quality is said to vary by day. Two say it has slipped from what it used to be, and another calls it very polarizing.

Devon Avenue

32 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Most people who mention The Spice Room recommend it, and it comes up often as a place for spicy food. Two diners point to its vindaloo, with one saying the Armitage version is extremely hot; one calls its saag paneer a really good version and another praises the crispy Gobi Manchurian. One commenter calls it phenomenal, though unsure how traditional it is. Caveats: one says it has declined since the pandemic, two say recent orders have missed the mark, and one who has only had takeout calls it among their worst in Chicago.

Logan Square

32 people recommend, 10 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, X

Nadu draws more recommendations than warnings, but it is divisive. One diner likes the wide range of regional dishes on one menu, a few describe tasting-menu meals they enjoyed, and one singles out the mushroom galawat. A few say the drinks stood out. Several found the food underwhelming, bland or flat, and several were unimpressed by the dosa.

Lincoln Park

29 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood

Most commenters recommend Basant, a modern Indian restaurant near Lincoln and Byron, and several mention its patio or outdoor tables. A few describe it as upscale, classy or refined, one calls the lamb chops dreamy, and another found the chole bhature fairly good. Two say eating alone there is no problem, with one praising the bar for solo diners. Some call it a favorite or a top pick, and one says it has stayed reliably tasty over the years. Caveats: one found it slightly underspiced, and another used to like it but is less impressed lately.

Lincoln and Byron

25 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Mild 2 Spicy is recommended by most commenters who mention it, but opinion is mixed. Several single out the dosas, some point to it for heat, one praises the lamb dishes, and several mention ordering takeout or delivery. Comments place it in more than one area, including Lakeview and Devon, so the Lakeview restaurant is the one shown. A few say quality has slipped or varies, and three found it underwhelming or poor.

Lakeview

24 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Most commenters recommend Thattu, an Avondale restaurant that several describe as serving Kerala-style South Indian food. One enjoyed the fish and chicken dishes and a very soft appam, and another found the flavors bold and loved the pork chop. One says it is in demand and suggests booking ahead. Two commenters say it is not strictly traditional Keralan, one adding that this is no knock on it, and one of them also has reservations about the appam.

Avondale

24 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Cumin is widely recommended. It has more than one location, and several commenters who name one say Wicker Park. One recommends the lamb vindaloo and garlic naan for sharing, two praise goat dishes, and two note its Nepali side. Several call it a favorite or a regular order. Caveats: one finds the flavor off, with a sweetness they disliked, and another likes it a lot but says some friends disagree.

Wicker Park

24 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Bundoo Khan is a Pakistani kebab restaurant, and most commenters who mention it recommend it. It has more than one location, and commenters who name one mean the Devon spot. Several praise the karahi and several the barbecue and grilled meats; the Bihari kebab and the Bihari roll are both singled out. A couple describe the food as Pakistani rather than Indian, with one calling it almost legendary on Devon. One diner who has tried both locations several times found it short of its reputation.

Devon

23 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Most commenters recommend Vajra, a Wicker Park restaurant on North Avenue. One calls the lamb dum biryani excellent, one says nearly everything they tried was good, and one says the portions are big. Two point to takeout or delivery, and one notes it is pickup-only. One commenter who went in person found it just okay, with too little heat; another likes it but notes it has gone through many concept changes.

Wicker Park

23 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, r/IndianFood

Sabri Nihari on Devon Avenue is recommended by most commenters who mention it, and several single out its nihari. A few call it their regular or go-to spot, a few name it for biryani, and a few note it is Pakistani cooking. One says its popularity has dropped amid newer competitors, and one calls it laughable to say it is close to fine dining.

Devon Avenue

23 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, r/chicago

India House, a River North restaurant on Grand Avenue, is recommended by most who mention it, and many praise its buffet. A few single out the tandoori chicken and a few the fresh naan; one praises its Indo-Chinese dishes and one mentions the chicken tikka masala on the weekday buffet. One likes the sizzling tandoor chicken brought to each table, while another says the rogan josh meat was tough and the samosas only okay. One ranks the buffet well below a Gaylord in Schaumburg.

River North

21 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Rangoli is recommended by most commenters who mention it, across more than one outlet: several name the Belmont location (Rangoli Kabob), which is the one shown, and others point to its North Avenue and Western spot. One diner says the chana masala is good and the whole menu is strong, and one finds the biryani excellent but the other dishes mediocre at best.

Belmont

19 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Kama is recommended by most commenters who mention it, and several describe it as modern Indian or fusion cooking. One raves about the lamb shank vindaloo, one recommends the sea bass, and one mentions a Carolina reaper vindaloo. Several name the Wicker Park location, and one mentions a newer West Loop one they have not tried. Two point to the ambience or special-dinner feel, and two disagree on the cocktails, one calling them the highlight and the other mediocre. One diner found the wine list poor.

Wicker Park

19 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Most commenters recommend Superkhana, and several describe it as fusion or not strictly traditional. Three praise the butter chicken calzone, and one found it lacking in flavor though they like the Manchurian potatoes. Two mention the indoor patio. One calls it a fun celebration spot, while one says another restaurant suits a birthday dinner better. Three are less enthusiastic: one calls it overrated, one did not think the food great on a past visit, and one feels quality has slipped.

18 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Maharaj Indian Grill is recommended by most commenters who mention it, and several name the downtown or Loop location, which is the one shown; one says it has three locations. Individual diners single out the dal makhani, paneer makhani, tikka masala, chicken curry and chicken biryani. Caveats: one finds quality inconsistent, sometimes excellent and sometimes bad, and another finds the downtown location too rich unless asking for less.

Downtown

18 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Mintza is a Kerala restaurant on Devon, and most commenters recommend it. Some single out the beef curry or beef dishes, a few describe the cooking as authentic Kerala or Mapilla food, and one praises the mutton biryani. Two praise the dosas, while one says great dosas should be the minimum and found these short; one found a bread skippable. One says the menu is more varied than most on the strip.

Devon

17 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Apna Indian Grill is recommended by nearly everyone who weighs in. Commenters mention more than one location, including Irving Park, Albany Park and Mayfair, and the Irving Park restaurant is the one shown. Two single out the malai kofta, one the mango lassi, and two the broad menu. Some call it a regular stop or a current favorite. One says the older location was calm and suited a quiet dinner, and another says the small booths suit solo diners.

Irving Park

17 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Chicago Curry House in the South Loop serves Indian and Nepalese dishes, and most commenters recommend it. Many mention its lunch buffet, and a few call it their favorite or top pick. One says the naan is the best they have tasted and another praises the vegetable soup. Two call the food decent or average at best, and two found it bland or not worth returning to.

South Loop

16 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, r/IndianFood

Annapurna Simply Vegetarian on Devon is recommended by most who mention it. Several mention its dosas and several its chaat, and one's favorite is idli with sambar. One says its dosas range from among the worst to among the best depending on the cook, though the tea is consistently good, and one is unsure the chaat still matches what they had years ago. One says it has outdoor tables.

Devon

16 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/IndianFood

Uru Swati is a Devon restaurant recommended by nearly everyone who mentions it. Several call it their regular or go-to spot, and one calls the food reliably good. Individual diners single out the samosa chaat, the pani puri, the dosa, and shrikhand puri with undhiyu; one lists it among favorite Gujarati spots.

Devon

14 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Udupi Palace is a South Indian restaurant on Devon, and most who mention it recommend it. Many single out its dosas and two its uttapam; one says the dosas are large, one that it works well for kids, and one found it very good. One suggests the lunchtime channa masala with rice.

Devon

14 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Trilokah is recommended by most commenters who mention it, and several describe its Keralan or South Indian cooking. Several name the Lincoln Park location, where it moved. One praises the dosas and Indo-Chinese dishes, another calls the South Indian-style beef amazing, and a few call it a favorite or top pick. One calls it decent in its regional style but unlike ordinary Indian food, one says the suburbs have better South Indian food, and one ranks Mintza above it.

Lincoln Park

14 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood, r/chicago

Indian Garden, near Ontario Street in Streeterville, is recommended by most commenters, and two name it the pick among buffets. One calls the lamb vindaloo really good and very hot, one recommends the Murg Sagwala, and one says the badami chicken kept drawing them back. One praises the decor and one calls it a go-to. One ranks its buffet below India House and another well below a Gaylord in Schaumburg.

Streeterville

14 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Nepal House on Devon is recommended by most commenters, and two call it solid. One praises the lamb samosas, one the spicy goat curry with a mild korma and garlic naan, and one says they cannot get enough of the butter chicken. One has never been disappointed. One says their last visit was disappointing without giving a reason.

14 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood

Tandoor Char House is recommended by most commenters who mention it. It has more than one location; commenters name Halsted, Hubbard, Western and Cortez, and a Ukrainian Village takeout spot, and the Halsted restaurant is the one shown. Two point to its tandoori dishes, with one calling the tandoori chicken the best they have had and the tikka masala great. Two mention takeout, and two describe fusion twists. One diner says the lamb became very chewy over time.

13 people recommendvia r/AskChicago, r/chicagofood

Tawakkul is recommended by most commenters who mention it, and many single out its biryani: one calls it the best, another the closest to good biryani they have had in Chicago, and others suggest it for Hyderabadi-style biryani. One recommends the beef fry and one ranks its haleem top on the strip. Several commenters place it on Devon.

Devon

12 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Bar Goa is a River North bar-restaurant that most commenters recommend. Two describe a loud, club-like atmosphere, two praise its street-food-style dishes, and one singles out the shrimp koliwada. Another would not call it fine dining but found it a great spot. Caveats: two say it is not really Goan or not traditional, and one calls it decent but overrated.

River North

12 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Khan BBQ on Devon Avenue is recommended by most commenters, and several point to its barbecue and grilled meats. The chicken boti and the fried chicken get praise; one says the tikka masala, butter chicken and chana masala are good. One calls it hit-or-miss, adding that a recent tandoori catfish was wonderfully smoky, and one counts it among the few exceptions on a mostly middling avenue.

Devon Avenue

12 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Indian Clay Pot, near Irving Park Road, is recommended by many commenters, and two mention that it is BYOB. One calls the food delicious and says they always order takeout, one praises the chicken vindaloo, and one says it comes closest to a British-style curry. Caveats: one found it bland despite praise, one says portion size varies a lot, and one calls it inconsistent.

Irving Park

11 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, X

Roop is a West Loop Indian restaurant, formerly called Rooh, that most commenters recommend; a few place it in the West Loop. One urges the tasting menu and calls the Indian food top-tier and well presented, one says it is the only listed place that comes close to Indienne, and one remembers the patio as good. One who visited found the shrimp in the non-veg platter excellent but most other dishes average or disappointing.

West Loop

11 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Eggholic is an Indian street-food spot with more than one location; the West Loop one is named by a commenter. Most commenters recommend it, and a few mention the sandwiches, with one naming the samosa chaat. A few say it is a good bet for spicy food, one says the curries are excellent, one calls it their most authentic Indian pick, and one calls it casual rather than a date-night spot.

10 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Himalayan Restaurant on Wabash in the South Loop is recommended by most commenters. Two praise its momo, including the chili momo, and one names it for Indian food delivery. One calls it dependable at lunch and dinner. One likes the biryani but found the chicken dishes underwhelming.

606 S Wabash

10 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Usmania on Devon is recommended by most commenters. Several mention its weekend buffet, and one praises the mango drink served on it. One likes the mutton biryani, one recommends the barbecue, and one says its palak paneer was the freshest they have had in Chicago. One ranks another restaurant first but calls Usmania pretty good.

9 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Adda is recommended by most commenters who mention it. Two place it on Taylor Street and one in Little Italy. One calls it the top choice for Indian food and one points to its Goan-style prawn curry. One says it has changed and now tastes more South Indian than Punjabi.

9 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Ali's Nihari & BBQ on Devon is recommended by most commenters who mention it, and two single out its nihari. One says their family ate there twice and loved the frontier chicken, which reminded them of the old Sabri; one found it fairly good, and one rated it above Bundoo Khan yet unremarkable next to Toronto-area options. One fondly recalls a seasoned beef dish.

Devon Avenue

9 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Indian Paradise on North Avenue in Wicker Park is recommended by most commenters who mention it. One ranks it as the top Indian place in the city and one says they have ordered from it repeatedly. Caveats: one tells others not to go, calling it very bad, and another says it works for certain dishes but can be inconsistent.

Wicker Park

9 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Essence of India in Lincoln Square is recommended by most commenters, and a few call it a favorite or regular spot. One regularly orders the fish curry at spicy heat with a mango lassi and calls it awesome, and another says the hot setting is truly spicy. Two mention generous portions. One had a single takeaway order that was sweet and poorly made, and suspects an off day.

Lincoln Square

8 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Dhanteraz, in Roscoe Village, is recommended by most commenters, and one calls it technically Indian fusion. One calls its mutton biryani the best in town and advises ordering medium spicy, and two say you can choose a spice level that delivers real heat. One notes sidewalk seating and one reports no issues dining solo. One says it is not their favorite local pick.

Roscoe Village

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Namaste is recommended by most commenters who mention it, and two name it among their favorites. One regular eats there alone and has never found it awkward, and one says it is outstanding, with a fantastic recent order. Caveats: two say it has declined, one found it passable but well behind Indian Paradise, and one is unsure the curry chicken is the best version but says the samosas had more spice.

7 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Mirra is described by three commenters as Mexican-Indian fusion. Two single out the lamb barbacoa biryani, and one found the drinks excellent. One says most biryani in the city is not quality food but counts Mirra as a fusion exception.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/chicagofood, r/chicago

Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine downtown is recommended by most commenters. One says it is the best they have tried in Chicago, one calls the lunch buffet excellent, and one ranks two of its dishes among their favorite Indian meals in the city. Caveats: one visited the downtown location once and found it very bad, and another found it just okay. Other comments mention a separate Gaylord in Schaumburg.

Downtown

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago, r/chicago

Shan Restaurant and Grocery on North Sheridan in Edgewater is recommended by most commenters who mention it. One ranks it among the best Indian-Pakistani food they have had. Another praises the chhole puri halwa combo and suggests going early, one calls it a recent regular, one says everything is pretty hot, and one calls it unassuming.

5060 N Sheridan

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Pak Sweets on Devon is a sweet shop that people recommend for specific items. Two name its halwa puri, one suggests it for breakfast, one recommends its mithai, one praises its Pakistani snacks and bakery items, and one points to its parathas and meat dishes.

6 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/AskChicago

Cafe Nova on North Sheridan near Loyola in Rogers Park is recommended by most commenters who mention it. Two point to the kothu roti, one says the parota is the best they have had in America, and one says the curry is among the best they have eaten. One notes a fusion menu with Indian and Sri Lankan items, and one says it is the only local spot they like.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Dastarkhwan on Devon is recommended by most commenters who name it. Two single out its mutton biryani, with one saying it beats any other biryani in town, and one recommends the zaffrani goat dum. One says the chicken 65 with parathas is really good but the rest of the menu is mostly forgettable, and one calls it good-tasting.

Devon

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Sukhadia's Sweets and Snacks on Devon is a sweet shop with a snack menu. One recommends its sweets and savory namkeen, one often goes for dosas and chaat, and one has not tried the chai but hears the snacks are well thought of. One passes along second-hand praise for its North Indian food, and one says they like it.

5 people recommendvia r/chicagofood

Kababish BBQ & Grill is recommended by most commenters who name it, and one names the Larrabee Street location. Two point to the goat biryani, one adds the chicken pulao and calls the menu great, and one says the chili chicken rice is very good. One liked a visit but notes it presents its food as Pakistani and Indian cuisine, which they are no expert on.