Indians are the second-largest immigrant population in the United States. Besides bringing culture and diversity with them, American Indians have given the country something very valuable: food.
Indian food is incredibly popular around the world. Its richness in flavor, its fragrant spices and its wide variety make it — in our book — one of the best cuisines that exist. Luckily, in the U.S., you're very likely to have access to delicious Indian cuisine no matter where you are.
Here are the 55 best Indian restaurants in the U.S.
55. Himalayan Bistro

Himalayan Bistro / Facebook
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Rating: 50 (Out of 100)
Visit: Himalayan Bistro
* The restaurant ratings come from trusted reviewers on Tripadvisor.
Bottom Line: Himalayan Bistro

Himalayan Bistro / Facebook
Himalayan Bistro serves delicious Indian and Nepali food at very reasonable prices. A neighborhood favorite, the restaurant's lunch special draws in a faithful crowd seeking to be filled and satisfied without having to empty their pockets.
We recommend ordering momos, one of the most delicious Nepali appetizers, while the Goa shrimp curry is a particularly good entree.
54. Baar Baar

Baar Baar / Facebook
Location: New York, New York
Rating: 50.6
Visit: Baar Baar
Bottom Line: Baar Baar

baarbaarnyc / Instagram
We can imagine people over a certain age complaining about Baar Baar, a place that really does the most to impress with a cool vibe (maybe a little too much). The industrial setting matches its vibe, which is only enhanced by a large mural of an Indian woman right on the wall.
On weekends, the restaurant hosts a "Bollywood brunch," complete with a live DJ and MC who will definitely encourage you to dance at some point. Try the paneer chili or Brussels sprouts foogath.
53. Pure Indian Cuisine

Pure Indian Cuisine / Facebook
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Rating: 51.7
Visit: Pure Indian Cuisine
Bottom Line: Pure Indian Cuisine

Pure Indian Cuisine / Facebook
The whole point of Vegas is to try things you've never tried before. But between the excitement and excess, sometimes all you want is the taste of the familiar and reliable. For that, you can turn to Pure Indian Cuisine.
As its name suggests, this is pure, simple, delicious Indian cuisine, exactly how you like it and with all the staple dishes you can expect from an Indian restaurant. It's a new kind of comfort food.
51. Taj Indian Restaurant (Tie)

Taj Indian Restaurant / Facebook
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Rating: 52
Visit: Taj Indian Restaurant
Bottom Line: Taj Indian Restaurant

Taj Indian Restaurant / Facebook
Come to Nashville for the music, stay for the food. It's not easy to stand out in the Nashville food scene, which combines the best of southern cuisine with an array of global flavors.
Yet Taj Indian Restaurant, located in the middle of all the action, has managed to win the hearts of tourists and locals alike. Somewhat surprisingly, the restaurant is known for its seafood dishes, which include a heavenly fish vindaloo.
51. Indigo (Tie)

Indigo DC / Facebook
Location: Washington, D.C.
Rating: 52
Visit: Indigo
Bottom Line: Indigo

Indigo DC / Facebook
Unpretentious and unassuming, Indigo knows it doesn't need to do much to impress. After all, people don't come here for the fancy presentation but, instead, for the absolutely amazing food.
The yellow house where the restaurant is located is welcoming. Along with the home-made quality of the food, it makes you feel as if you were eating at your friend's house — if that friend served you in disposable plates and made the best paneer paratha in the city.
50. Saffron Indian Cuisine

thecharlottevegetarian / Instagram
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Rating: 52.9
Visit: Saffron Indian Cuisine
Bottom Line: Saffron Indian Cuisine

thecharlottevegetarian / Instagram
Saffron calls itself "innovative Indian dining" because of its willingness to play around while maintaining a commitment to tradition. Sunil Handa, co-owner and head chef, worked as a chef at a fine dining establishment in New Dehli.
You'll find several regions of India represented in the extensive menu. Or you can take advantage of the restaurant's generous buffets.
48. The Bombay Club (Tie)

The Bombay Club / Facebook
Location: Washington D.C.
Rating: 53
Visit: The Bombay Club
Bottom Line: The Bombay Club

The Bombay Club / Facebook
This high-end D.C. establishment is a favorite place for business lunches among politicians. The atmosphere is elevated, but what brings people in is the impeccable menu and the quality of the food.
Despite its name, the Bombay Club serves food from various Indian regions, so you can enjoy your favorite dishes or try something new.
48. Tamarind (Tie)

Tamarind Tribeca / Facebook
Location: New York, New York
Rating: 53
Visit: Tamarind
Bottom Line: Tamarind

Tamarind Tribeca / Facebook
Tamarind touts itself as "the finest Indian restaurant in NYC." The Tribeca restaurant is quite fine indeed, with every detail of the food and the interior designed to exude grandeur.
Diners are invited to ooh and ahh while witnessing magic happen in the display kitchen. We particularly love the tandoor oven, which tantalizes you as it cooks bread, meats and vegetables to charred, tender perfection.
47. Bollywood Theater

Bollywood Theater / Facebook
Location: Portland, Oregon
Rating: 54.1
Visit: Bollywood Theater
Bottom Line: Bollywood Theater

haleyhammar / Instagram
Despite a somewhat cheesy name, Bollywood Theater actually delivers on providing really good Indian food. Most of the menu is Mumbai-centric, though there is inspiration from other regions as well.
Don't skip over the street food section of the menu, which includes delectable treats like Kati rolls and vada pav. We also recommend the pork vindaloo and the grilled tikka bowl.
46. Annapurna Cafe & Yeti Bar

Annapurna Cafe / Facebook
Location: Seattle, Washington
Rating: 54.5
Visit: Annapurna Cafe & Yeti Bar
Bottom Line: Annapurna Cafe & Yeti Bar

Annapurna Cafe / Facebook
Serving Indian, Nepalese and Himalayan food, Annapurna Cafe is dark but ambient. Fresh ingredients ensure that the food is fragrant and full of taste.
Try the slow-cooked lamb curry or the chana masala if you're looking for a vegetarian option. Before or after your meal, make sure you pass by the upstairs Yeti Bar, which has unique cocktails and murals of yetis serving drinks.
45. Ghee Indian Kitchen

Ghee Indian Kitchen / Facebook
Location: Miami, Florida
Rating: 54.9
Visit: Ghee Indian Kitchen
Bottom Line: Ghee Indian Kitchen

gheemiami / Instagram
The extensive menu at Ghee Indian Kitchen offers guests traditional Indian dishes like the saag paneer curry as well as fusion flavors found in items like the ninam ranch churrasco.
But no matter what you choose to order, you can rest assured that it'll be made with locally sourced ingredients for a fresh, delicious taste.
44. Tabla

Tabla Atlanta / Facebook
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Rating: 55
Visit: Tabla
Bottom Line: Tabla

Tabla Atlanta / Facebook
This chic Midtown restaurant may have a modern decor, but it stays true to traditional Indian flavors.
People come here for the food, of course, which includes a killer goat curry and a delicious aloo gobi. But the restaurant is also known for its signature cocktails, which puts an Indian twist on classic drinks. Try the Chai Old Fashion, which adds chai spices to bourbon.
43. Choolaah

Choolah / Facebook
Location: Orange Village, Ohio
Rating: 55.3
Visit: Choolaah
Bottom Line: Choolaah

choolaahyum / Instagram
We wouldn't normally include chain restaurants in a "best of" list, but Choolah's commitment to good food is so strong, we just had to feature it. With a handful of locations in Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania, this causal chain specializes in tandoor dishes, using custom-made clay ovens to cook meals to perfection.
Tandoor BBQ is the specialty, but there are plenty of vegetarian options as well.
42. IndeBlue

Indeblue / Facebook
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rating: 55.8
Visit: IndeBlue
Bottom Line: IndeBlue

IndeBlue / Facebook
Chef Ramola got his culinary degree in Mumbai and worked around the world before settling down at Indeblue in Philadelphia. The food is superb, and the ambience is best described as "elevated casual."
The establishment also boasts several killer cocktails and a tasting option in which you can try a bit of many dishes if you're feeling indecisive.
41. Chai Pani

Chai Pani Decatour / Facebook
Location: Decatur, Georgia
Rating: 57.1
Visit: Chai Pani
Bottom Line: Chai Pani

Chai Pani Decatour / Facebook
Chai Pani focuses on cuisine from Gujarat, chef Meherwan Irani's home state. Its other specialties are street food and thalis, traditional Indian family meals. The result is as amazing as it sounds, with unforgettable dishes at affordable prices.
Try the misal pav, made with moong bean curry and rassa, a spicy broth made with tomato and coconut.
40. Rasa Contemporary Indian

Rasa - Contemporary Indian / Facebook
Location: Burlingame, California
Rating: 57.2
Visit: Rasa Contemporary Indian
Bottom Line: Rasa Contemporary Indian

rasa_indian / Instagram
Boasting one Michelin star, Rasa stands out from other contemporary Indian restaurants by refusing to cater to sensitive palates.
Its menu skews heavily to South Indian food and incorporates international elements, without watering down the levels of spice and condiments that people from the subcontinent will immediately appreciate as a true taste of home.
39. Punjab Indian Cuisine

Punjab Indian Cuisine / Facebook
Location: Poulsbo, Washington
Rating: 57.4
Visit: Punjab Indian Cuisine
Bottom Line: Punjab Indian Cuisine

Punjab Indian Cuisine / Facebook
Located in a town of just over 10,000 people, Punjab Indian Cuisine brings culinary diversity to the people of Poulsbo.
Specializing in Punjab cuisine, tandooris are what the restaurant does best. To fend off hunger while you wait for your tandoori dish, order an onion bhaji or a pakora.
38. Kohinoor Indian Restaurant and Lounge

Kohinoor Indian Restaurant & Lounge / Facebook
Location: Champaign, Illinois
Rating: 57.8
Visit: Kohinoor Indian Restaurant and Lounge
Bottom Line: Kohinoor Indian Restaurant and Lounge

Kohinoor Indian Restaurant & Lounge / Facebook
For more than 40 years, Kohinoor has been serving North Indian food to hungry Champaign residents. Suffice it to say that it has amassed quite a following of loyal customers who come for the lamb jalfrize, fish mushroom chili and a wide variety of other dishes.
The restaurant is also more than happy to accommodate its guests by making any vegetarian meal vegan upon request.
37. NeeHee’s

NeeHee's / Facebook
Location: Canton, Michigan
Rating: 57.9
Visit: NeeHee’s
Bottom Line: NeeHee’s

neehees / Instagram
Specializing in vegetarian street food, NeeHee's offers over 150 items in its extremely extensive menu. And the numbers don't diminish the quality of the food.
On the other hand, no matter what you choose off the menu, it's guaranteed to taste like the very best of Indian home cooking. The menu also has items that cater to those looking for vegan, gluten-free and orthodox Hindu Brahmin dishes.
36. Punjabi Grocery and Deli

Punjabi Grocery & Deli / Facebook
Location: New York, New York
Rating: 58
Visit: Punjabi Grocery and Deli
Bottom Line: Punjabi Grocery and Deli

Punjabi Grocery & Deli / Facebook
Located in the East Village, this literal hole-in-the-wall restaurant is as no-frills as it gets. You can't even get a seat, as all the food is served to go. And yet, any time you pass by, you'll see people lining up for a taste of this traditional Indian food.
If you want a cheap meal that's filling and delicious, you can't go wrong with Punjabi Grocery and Deli.
35. Ganesh Temple Canteen

mundanemorsel / Instagram
Location: New York, New York
Rating: 58.5
Visit: Ganesh Temple Canteen
Bottom Line: Ganesh Temple Canteen

lorawiley / Instagram
There are a million and one Indian restaurants in New York, but few are run by Hindu temples. This is what sets the canteen at Ganesh Temple, also known as the Hindu Temple Society of North America apart.
Offering a completely vegetarian menu, the canteen attracts both Hindus who come to pray, leave offerings and feast, and respectful non-Hindus who come to see the beautiful temple and taste its delicious food.
34. Baba Indian Restaurant

Baba Indian Restaurant / Facebook
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Rating: 58.7
Visit: Baba Indian Restaurant
Bottom Line: Baba Indian Restaurant

allison.mc / Instagram
Contemporary Indian is good and all, but sometimes, you want a truly traditional place. If you're in Cincinnati, there's simply no better place for authentic Indian than Baba.
The restaurant does not pretend to reinvent any culinary wheels. Rather, it relies on the tried-and-true recipes of the gigantic country. Expect delicious vindaloos, biryanis, curries, tandoori dishes and more.
33. Kochi Indian Cuisine

Kochi Indian Cuisine / Facebook
Location: East Windsor, New Jersey
Rating: 59.1
Visit: Kochi Indian Cuisine
Bottom Line: Kochi Indian Cuisine

Kochi Indian Cuisine / Facebook
Kochi Indian Cuisine specializes in food from the state of Kerala, also known as the Spice Coast. Expect strong flavors, spicy dishes and absolute deliciousness.
Try the Kerala chicken curry with coconut milk, which takes creaminess to absolute perfection.
32. Rooh

Rooh Palo Alto / Instagram
Location: San Francisco, California
Rating: 59.8
Visit: Rooh
Bottom Line: Rooh

ROOH Palo Alto / Facebook
Calling itself "progressive Indian," Rooh is considered one of the best upscale Indian restaurants in San Francisco. The decor and food are a blend of tradition and modernity that actually works.
It might be difficult picking only one thing from the mouth-watering menu, but you can order several sharing plates or small plates.
31. Curry Leaves Indian Cuisine

foodaholic.minis / Instagram
Location: Tampa, Florida
Rating: 59.9
Visit: Curry Leaves Indian Cuisine
Bottom Line: Curry Leaves Indian Cuisine

foodaholic.minis / Instagram
When you first pull up to this restaurant, you might think you're in the wrong place due to its location near a gas station. But remember what your grandmother taught you: Don't judge a book by its cover.
Once you're inside the restaurant, you'll be greeted by a friendly atmosphere and the fragrant smells of an Indian buffet. The restaurant prides itself on traditional Indian cuisine that's affordable and delicious.
30. Asiana Indian Cuisine

atxfoodandbrew / Instagram
Location: Austin, Texas
Rating: 61
Visit: Asiana Indian Cuisine
Bottom Line: Asiana Indian Cuisine

miss_bosco / Instagram
Yes, this restaurant is located in a strip mall, which would make us initially weary, too, but the reviews speak for themselves. Considered one of the best Indian food joints in Austin, you'll get a mix of regional Indian cuisine as well as Indo-Chinese dishes.
This guarantees that the menu can satisfy practically anyone with its array of samosas, dosas, pakoras and perfectly puffy naan.
28. Lehja (Tie)

Lehja / Facebook
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Rating: 61.7
Visit: Lehja
Bottom Line: Lehja

lehjarva / Instagram
If you're interested in contemporary Indian that's not too stiff and uptight, you've found your answer in Lehja.
Everything in this popular Richmond restaurant is a solid choice, but we recommend the deconstructed butter chicken for an unexpected dish or the duck salli boti, which is made with duck confit, ginger and potato crisps made with duck fat.
28. Taj of India (Tie)

Taj of India / Facebook
Location: Harrisonburg, Virginia
Rating: 61.7
Visit: Taj of India
Bottom Line: Taj of India

Taj of India / Facebook
Bringing great Indian and Nepalese food to the Shenandoah Valley, Taj of India has all the tikkas and curries you could want.
By all accounts, their samosas are mind-blowingly good, as is the saag aloo and the chana masala. If the day is nice, ask to be seated on the patio to enjoy the food even more.
27. Indian Accent

Indian Accent NYC / Facebook
Location: New York, New York
Rating: 62.4
Visit: Indian Accent
Bottom Line: Indian Accent

indianaccent / Instagram
Indian accent has locations in New York; London, England; and New Delhi, India. The restaurant claims that it "explores progressive ideas in Indian cuisine while maintaining traditional integrity."
Choose between three- or four-course tasting menus that infuse Indian cuisine with global flavors.
26. Indian Clay Pot

leah_valenti / Instagram
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Rating: 62.5
Visit: Indian Clay Pot
Bottom Line: Indian Clay Pot

indianclaypot / Instagram
As the name suggests, the house specialty of this restaurant are the many foods made in traditional Indian clay pots. This method of cooking gives a deep, earthy flavor and makes meats and vegetables tender.
The menu is so extensive, you'll definitely have a hard time deciding what to order. We suggest starting with the crispy onion pakora as an appetizer, then moving on to the coconut-infused clay pot chicken.
25. Veda Modern Indian Bistro

Veda / Facebook
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rating: 62.7
Visit: Veda Modern Indian Bistro
Bottom Line: Veda Modern Indian Bistro

Veda / Facebook
Veda restaurant claims to bring diners "recipes straight from the kitchens of India" while also catering to American sensitivities. This means that you can expect modern decor, a long selection of wine and cocktails, and more desserts than are usually found on Indian restaurant menus.
Unless you're looking to feel like you're in India, all of these additions work in the restaurant's favor. They complement the excellent food, which includes everything from crab cakes to paneers.
23. India Oven (Tie)

Indian Oven / Facebook
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Rating: 63
Visit: India Oven
Bottom Line: India Oven

India Oven / Facebook
Specializing in Northern Indian cuisine, India Oven gives you options — lots of them.
For starters, you can choose to enjoy a generous buffet or to have an a la carte experience. If you choose the latter, the tandoori menu stands out (hence, the oven part of the restaurant's name). If you're not feeling like tandoori meats, you have a wide array of other menu items to choose from, though we'd still suggest pairing them with fluffy tandoori breads.
23. Kalachandji’s Restaurant & Palace (Tie)

Kalachandji’s Restaurant & Palace / Facebook
Location: Dallas, Texas
Rating: 63
Visit: Kalachandji’s
Bottom Line: Kalachandji’s Restaurant & Palace

Kalachandji's Restaurant & Palace / Facebook
Proudly boasting its title as the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Dallas, Kalachandji’s has managed to survive for over 35 years in meat-centric Texas. Its success is due, of course, to the quality of its Indian food. But part of its appeal comes from the restaurant's commitment to Ayurvedic cooking practices. This ancient tradition is a holistic medicine practice, which places a large emphasis on food.
Even if you're an omnivore, we recommend coming here. Trust us, you won't even miss meat while dining at this restaurant.
22. Taj Campton Place

Taj Campton Place / Facebook
Location: San Francisco, California
Rating: 63.7
Visit: Taj Campton Place
Bottom Line: Taj Campton Place

tajcampton / Instagram
This two-Michelin-star restaurant is located inside a luxurious eponymous hotel.
Helmed by Chef Srijith Gopinathan, the high-end restaurant describes itself as "Cal-Indian" and provides diners with the choice between a four-course tasting menu or — for those who can handle the heat — a Spice Route menu that consists of six courses.
21. Zaika Indian Cuisine

ZAIKA Indian Cuisine / Facebook
Location: Miami, Florida
Rating: 63.8
Visit: Zaika Indian Cuisine
Bottom Line: Zaika Indian Cuisine

ZAIKA Indian Restaurant / Facebook
The executive chefs at this modern Indian restaurant bring with them prior experience at fine dining establishments in India. Bringing traditional flavors to Miami, they've made sure to appeal to the city's international and cosmopolitan sensibilities by letting global ingredients and recipes inform their cooking process.
Go for the malai kabab, the mushroom makhani or the shrimp vindaloo.
20. Adda

Adda / Facebook
Location: New York City, New York
Rating: 64.5
Visit: Adda
Bottom Line: Adda

Adda / Facebook
Considered a must-visit restaurant for anyone who's enthusiastic about Indian food in New York, Adda is worth the trek out to Long Island City.
The location is small and always crowded, but that's simply a testament to how good the food is. Start with a small bite like kale pakoda or aloo chana chaat. Then, make sure you order one of the items prepared in a traditional clay oven, like Chacha's lamb chops or, for vegetarians, the chili paneer tikka.
19. NaaN On Broughton

NaaN On Broughton / Facebook
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Rating: 64.7
Visit: NaaN On Broughton
Bottom Line: NaaN On Broughton

NaaN On Broughton / Facebook
Serving dishes from all over India, NaaN On Broughton prides itself on its variety. Here, you can order tasty street snacks or Indian delicacies, whichever you prefer.
The wide range of choices is what attracts repeat customers — that and the fresh ingredients that are (mostly) faithful to traditional Indian cuisine.
18. Chauhan Ale and Masala House

Chauhan Ale and Masala House / Facebook
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Rating: 65.5
Visit: Chauhan Ale and Masala House
Bottom Line: Chauhan Ale and Masala House

Chauhan Ale and Masala House / Facebook
Chef Maneet Chauhan boasts that her menu fuses Indian food with Southern flavors — a combination we can all agree is good enough to make angels cry of happiness. Try, for instance, the lamb keema papadi nachos or the methi malai mac n' cheese.
The restaurant also has an extensive drink selection that includes artisan ales.
17. The Dhaba

The Dhaba / Facebook
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Rating: 67.4
Visit: The Dhaba
Bottom Line: The Dhaba

The Dhaba / Facebook
Dhabas are highway restaurants you can find all over India and Pakistan that usually cook food in tandoor ovens and have a casual atmosphere.
This Tempe restaurant tries to embody the feeling of dhabas by serving Punjabi regional cuisine. We recommend any tandoori item but also encourage you to try the street treats and soups. The menu is quite extensive, so you'll definitely have the opportunity to find something you'll love.
15. Pub Royale (Tie)

pub_royale / Instagram
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Rating: 67.7
Visit: Pub Royale
Bottom Line: Pub Royale

pub_royale / Instagram
If you're a traditionalist, then Pub Royale is definitely not the place for you. This modern Indian pub is best described as Indian-American, offering delicious butter paneer and samosas as well as a burger spiced with aioli and hot pickles.
The cocktails are also a major draw, offering classics as well as house-originals, like the Royale chai.
15. Rasika (Tie)

rasikadc / Instagram
Location: Washington, D.C.
Rating: 67.7
Visit: Rasika
Bottom Line: Rasika

rasikadc / Instagram
With a laid-back atmosphere and quality food, Rasika is a favored Indian restaurant in the nation's capital.
Chef Vikram Sunderam earned the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic Region in 2013, and he proves he deserved it with creations like the crab pepper masala — made with Chesapeake Bay crab — and the halibut Bengali.
14. Curry Leaf Flavors of India

Curry Leaf Flavors of India / Facebook
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Rating: 68.8
Visit: Curry Leaf Flavors of India
Bottom Line: Curry Leaf Flavors of India

Curry Leaf Flavors of India / Facebook
Did you know that there was such a thing as a family-owned restaurant in Las Vegas? As proof that not everything in this city is owned by a large corporation, Curry Leaf brings an elegant experience nourished with the feeling of home.
The head chef hails from the state of Gujarat. Though he trained as an engineer, his true passion was cooking, which is lucky for anyone in Nevada who wants good Indian food.
13. Mumbai Grill

Mumbai Grill / Facebook
Location: Dallas, Texas
Rating: 69.2
Visit: Mumbai Grill
Bottom Line: Mumbai Grill

restaurantreviewsbyshonali / Instagram
This restaurant specializes in Mumbai cuisine but offers staples of Indian restaurants in the U.S. You'll find, for instance, tikkas, paneers, kormas and vindaloos.
But there are also some dishes that you don't find everywhere, like the comforting mulligatawny soup, made with curried vegetables and lentils, or the gajar ka halwa, a delicious dessert made with shredded carrots.
11. Ettan (Tie)

Ettan / Facebook
Location: Palo Alto, California
Rating: 70
Visit: Ettan
Bottom Line: Ettan

yensfoodmap / Instagram
Ettan can best be described as California Indian, meaning that you'll get Indian flavors with signature California details. The menu, for instance, emphasizes local ingredients whenever possible, as is the case with the delicious local lamb pepper roast.
But besides the food, people come here for the ambience, which is set by the patterned splendor of the restaurant's interior.
11. India Palace (Tie)

India Palace / Facebook
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Rating: 70
Visit: India Palace
Bottom Line: India Palace

India Palace / Facebook
India Palace is the lunch buffet of your dreams. Stop by for a mouth-watering meal that will leave you completely full without setting your finances back.
You'll usually find all the classics you can expect at Indian restaurants in the U.S., though the menu may vary from day to day. The sauces are great, and the meats are flavorful, so unbuckle your belt and dig in.
10. Spice Affair

Spice Affair / Facebook
Location: Beverly Hills, California
Rating: 70.6
Visit: Spice Affair
Bottom Line: Spice Affair

Spice Affair Beverly Hills / Facebook
Sitting proudly on Beverly Hill's Restaurant Row, Spice Affair offers Los Angeles residents Indian food with locally sourced, organic ingredients.
We recommend the sundried tomato paneer tikka and the vegan amchuri choley.
9. Bombay House

Bombay House Utah / Facebook
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Rating: 72.2
Visit: Bombay House Salt Lake
Bottom Line: Bombay House Salt Lake

Bombay House Utah / Facebook
Established in 1993, Bombay House's popularity has allowed it to establish locations in Provo and West Jordan as well as Salt Lake City.
The food focuses on Bombay cuisine but also includes dishes from other parts of India. Enjoy naan freshly roasted in a tandoori oven as you gaze at the beautiful murals that decorate the restaurant's walls.
8. Paper Dosa

Paper Dosa / Facebook
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Rating: 72.5
Visit: Paper Dosa
Bottom Line: Paper Dosa

Paper dosa / Facebook
Specializing in South Indian fare, Paper Dosa delivers on the promise of its name with an impressive and savory variety of dosas.
The restaurant started as a pop-up but proved so successful, it quickly graduated to a sit-down restaurant that has been going strong for over half a decade.
7. Biryani Bowl

Byriani Bowl / Facebook
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rating: 72.7
Visit: Biryani Bowl
Bottom Line: Biryani Bowl

Biryani Bowl / Facebook
With three locations in and around Philly, this Indian restaurant is prepared to conquer the U.S.
What makes it stand out is its commitment to Hyderabadi-style dum biryani. The method makes biryani heavier and spicier, so it's definitely for those who aren't afraid of sweat-inducing heat. There are other items on the menu, of course, but we would suggest sticking to the restaurant's flavorful specialty.
6. Spice Room

Spice Room / Facebook
Location: Denver, Colorado
Rating: 74.1
Visit: Spice Room
Bottom Line: Spice Room

Spice Room / Facebook
Spice Room makes it a point to make homecooked-style meals that are meant to be shared. Order a number of dishes, and share it with everyone to create an even deeper feeling of home. And if you're not too good with spicy food, don't fret! As the restaurant explains, "In Indian food, the word 'spice' does not mean 'hot' but, instead, herbs and spices."
So, take the name of the restaurant to mean that the food is bursting with flavor — though, yes, some of it is spicy in the western meaning of the word.
4. Bombay Indian Cuisine (Tie)

Haegan Jamie Altizer / Facebook
Location: Los Angeles, California
Rating: 75
Visit: Bombay Indian Cuisine
Bottom Line: Bombay Indian Cuisine
Right next to famed Venice Beach is this tiny, almost nondescript Indian restaurant. This is the kind of place you'll probably miss unless you know about it.
Thankfully, word of it still hasn't gone out, but we'll let you in on the secret. The food and the setting are casual, and it can be easily ordered for takeout. It's also incredibly cheap and amazingly good.
4. Cafe Bombay (Tie)

Cafe Bombay / Facebook
Location: Bristol, Pennsylvania
Rating: 75
Visit: Cafe Bombay
Bottom Line: Cafe Bombay

robinsimmersbutrey / Instagram
With one of the largest Indian immigrant populations in the country, Pennsylvania takes its Indian food seriously.
Cafe Bombay's authentic menu includes dishes like lamb saag, crab goa and vegetable makhani.
3. Red Fort Cuisine of India

Red Fort Cuisine of India / Facebook
Location: Saint George, Utah
Rating: 76.6
Visit: Red Fort Cuisine of India
Bottom Line: Red Fort Cuisine of India

Red Fort Cuisine of India / Facebook
You may not expect to find an excellent and authentic Indian food restaurant in the small town of Saint George, but this is what makes Red Fort Cuisine of India such a gem.
After a trip to Zion or a hike in the Red Cliffs, treat yourself to food that will soothe your soul. The goat curry is particularly delicious.
2. Karma Modern Indian

Karma Modern Indian / Facebook
Location: Washington, D.C.
Rating: 76.8
Visit: Karma Modern Indian
Bottom Line: Karma Modern Indian

karmamodernindian / Instagram
We love traditional Indian food, but it never hurts to enjoy a chef's creative — and tasteful — spin on your favorite dishes.
Karma Modern India is, well, modern, but it manages to be playful without straying from the soul of Indian cuisine. Expect impeccable presentation.
1. Angel

Angel Indian Restaurant / Facebook
Location: New York, New York
Rating: 81.8
Visit: Angel
Bottom Line: Angel

angel_indian_restaurant / Instagram
This small Jackson Heights restaurant has at its helm Chef Amrit Pal Singh, who hails from the Indian state of Punjab. The menu is kept simple and to the point, delighting diners with authentic Indian food.
The house's signature dish is the dum biryani, so we definitely recommend going with it.
Best Indian Restaurants in Arizona

marimo_3d / Getty Images
Mesa
Phoenix
Tempe
Best Indian Restaurants in California

ajaykampani / Getty Images
Beverly Hills
Burlingame
Los Angeles
Palo Alto
San Francisco
- Rooh
- Taj Campton Place
Best Indian Restaurants in Colorado

Subodh Agnihotri / Getty Images
Denver
Best Indian Restaurants in Florida

SStajic / Getty Images
Miami
Tampa
Best Indian Restaurants in Georgia

Rocky89 / Getty Images
Atlanta
Decatur
Savannah
Best Indian Restaurants in Illinois

LUNAMARINA / Getty Images
Champaign
Chicago
Best Indian Restaurants in Massachusetts

LauriPatterson / Getty Images
Boston
Best Indian Restaurants in Michigan

Maria_Lapina / Getty Images
Canton
Best Indian Restaurants in Nevada

Mahi Ryan / Getty Images
Las Vegas
Best Indian Restaurants in New Jersey

JoeGough / Getty Images
East Windsor
Best Indian Restaurants in New Mexico

AnnaPustynnikova / Getty Images
Santa Fe
Best Indian Restaurants in New York

coldsnowstorm / Getty Images
New York City
Best Indian Restaurants in North Carolina

mphillips007 / Getty Images
Charlotte
Best Indian Restaurants in Ohio

Instants / Getty Images
Cincinnati
Orange Village
Best Indian Restaurants in Oregon

KarinaUrmantseva / Getty Images
Portland
Best Indian Restaurants in Pennsylvania

viennetta / Getty Images
Bristol
Philadelphia
Best Indian Restaurants in Tennessee

ajaykampani / Getty Images
Nashville
Best Indian Restaurants in Texas

ajaykampani / Getty Images
Austin
Dallas
Best Indian Restaurants in Utah

vm2002 / Getty Images
Saint George
Salt Lake City
Best Indian Restaurants in Virginia

MelanieMaya / Getty Images
Harrisonburg
Richmond
Best Indian Restaurants in Washington

JoeGough / Getty Images
Poulsbo
Seattle
Best Indian Restaurants in Washington D.C.

bhofack2 / Getty Images