Rachel SmithNothing quite hits the spot like a steaming bowl of rich, aromatic curry paired with a buttery garlic naan fresh from the tandoor (traditional clay oven).
Living in Indianapolis, I’m lucky that the local culinary scene has vibrant plates to satisfy any craving. The city’s best Indian restaurants satisfy everyone, from casual diners to dedicated food enthusiasts chasing authentic regional spices.
I’ve explored the city’s food landscape to help you decide your next Indian food binge. Prepare your taste buds for a flavorful journey through sizzling platters and vibrant street snacks that will leave you wanting more. Let’s dig into these delicious options!
How much does dining in Indian restaurants cost in Indianapolis?
Dining at an Indian restaurant in Indianapolis typically ranges from $15 to $25 per person, depending on your choice of entrees and appetizers.
| Item Category | Average Price Range |
| Lunch Buffets | ~$15 |
| Appetizers (Samosas, Pakora) | $5–$10 |
| Vegetarian Entrées (Paneer, Dal) | $13–$17 |
| Chicken Entrées (Tikka Masala, Curry) | $16–$19 |
| Biryani | $15–$21 |
| Naan Bread | $3–$5 |
1. Curry Leaf Indian Fusion Kitchen
Website: https://curryleafindianfusion.com/
Address: 8505 Keystone Crossing
Contact: (317) 956-5484 | [email protected]m
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:00AM-10:00PM | Friday to Saturday 12:00PM-10:30PM | Sunday 12:00PM-9:00PM
Craving a creative twist on your favorite comfort foods? Curry Leaf brilliantly combines traditional Indian spices with modern culinary techniques.
They stand out for serving an unforgettable fusion menu alongside robust Indo-Chinese favorites like street-style fried rice.
I actually stopped by recently to enjoy their inviting outdoor seating area, and tearing into their signature Manchurian dish under the open sky was an absolute delight.
Their structured daily specials make grabbing a weekday lunch highly affordable, though you are strictly locked into whatever discounted dish falls on that specific day.
If you’re planning an early morning gathering, keep in mind that they do not open until at least 11:00 AM.
Despite the lack of early service and slightly sparse online catering details, however, the bold cross-cultural flavors make this spot a must-visit for adventurous eaters.
The food was delicious. Spice was perfect and the food was not too oily(Indian Chinese food is usually very oily and it can cause stomach upsets). The pricing is on point. Indian restaurants are charging a lot nowadays and this restaurant has priced the items reasonably. The ambience is beautiful as well. Service was super fast. I have no complaints at all and would recommend everyone to give this place a shot. I’ll be back to try more items.
- Tafseer Khan | Google Reviews
This Indian restaurant is the best in Indy! It has consistently been good. We’ve dined in twice and ordered takeout once and all of the times the food was fresh and exactly what we asked for! You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu but if we had to pick they have the best butter chicken, perfectly crispy naan, and Schezwan fried rice!
- Shalin Rachel | Google Reviews
2. Bawarchi Biryanis Indian Cuisine
Website: https://www.bawarchibiryanis.us/locations/indianapolis
Address: 4825 E 96th St Suite 1700
Contact: (317) 669-2331
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:30AM–2:30PM & 5:00PM–10:00PM | Friday and Saturday 11:00AM–11:00PM | Sunday 11:00AM–9:30PM
Diving into a mountain of perfectly spiced rice is an unmatched sensory experience for any serious food lover.
Bawarchi Biryanis specializes heavily in a massive variety of regional dum biryanis and distinct South Indian specialties. Here, you can expect a fiery, authentic taste of states like Guntur.
If it’s too spicy for you, you can easily balance those heavy entrees by visiting their dedicated chaat (Indian street food) corner for a quick, tangy snack.
However, trying to grab a late afternoon meal here during the workweek is impossible since they completely shut down operations between 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM.
They also enforce strict dine-in-only rules for their massive signature items like the 70 MM Dosa (large fermented crepe).
Amazing food. I’ve gone a couple times and made a point to get something different every time and everything I’ve tried so far has been delicious!! The menu is so vast there’s no doubt you’ll find something you enjoy. Portion sizes are very generous, I’d say 3 people can eat off of on entree and be full. Very swanky atmosphere as well.
- Amiyah Robinson | Google Reviews
This buffet was incredible. The food was delicious, has wide variety, and great spice level. What made this place special was the staff, the people. They were kind and caring. I will always come back!
- Michal Sasson | Google Reviews
3. Eggholic – Indian Street Food
Website: https://eggholic.com/
Address: 1224 W 86th Street
Contact: (317) 343-2995 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday and Sunday 11:00AM–9:00PM | Saturday 11:00AM–9:30PM
Finding truly unique protein alternatives can sometimes feel like a wild goose chase in a city filled with standard curry houses.
Eggholic stands out with their unique regional egg-based dishes. They also offer a robust selection of fusion grill sandwiches packed with traditional street flavors.
Strict dietary guidelines are met beautifully here as well, with their halal-certified chicken for their non-vegetarian offerings.
You should note that the protein selection entirely skips red meat, so diners hunting for traditional lamb or goat curries will need to look elsewhere.
Furthermore, be prepared for immediate upcharges if you want to add simple modifications, like extra cheese, to your street snacks.
If you need a break from typical breweries and want authentic, quick bites, this spot delivers major flavor.
Deliciousness!!!!! Was out of my normal comfort zone as I couldn’t order what I always order in an Indian restaurant, my lamb saag. Nothing remotely like what I normally get. Well my friend ordered a few dishes and I ordered a few things…. OMG!! Each item was as good or better than the one before it!! Who would have thaught that eggs were a delicacy. This restaurant gave a whole new dimension!! Think outside of the box. Try something new. You won’t be sorry!!!
- Rhonda Levin | Google Reviews
One of the few Indian restaurants which makes you feel that you are enjoying Indian food. The spices and combination of onions/tomato & other herbs was excellent. I ordered chicken kadhai with chalati and this combination was exceptional. Finally, I had mango lassi which usually does not meet my expectations bu this time it did.
- Raj Kholiya | Google Reviews
4. Hyderabad House
Website: https://hhgreenwood.com/
Address: 5145 Noggle Way #102
Contact: (317) 300-1428 | (317) 300-1316 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:00AM-10:00PM | Friday to Saturday 11:00AM-11:00PM | Sunday 11:00AM-9:30PM
Capturing the essence of a specific regional palate requires a dedicated culinary vision and a deep understanding of spices.
Hyderabad House specializes on the authentic, highly traditional cuisine of Hyderabad (as their name suggests). They feature a massive, specialized biryani selection that will easily make your mouth water.
During my last visit, I was genuinely blown away by the deep, smoky flavors of their tandoori kebabs, which paired perfectly with their cross-cultural Desi fusion momos (dumplings).
Just keep your wallet handy if you love extra sauces, as standard accompaniments like yogurt sauce require an out-of-pocket upcharge for dedicated containers.
Additionally, their strict 11:00 AM opening time prohibits any early morning dining or breakfast meetings. Even so, the sheer variety of goat, lamb, and vegetarian options makes it incredibly worthwhile.
Truly excellent food—one of the best Indian restaurants in the Indianapolis area. Highly recommend! It has excellent service, they are always able to answer questions with detail. We enjoyed the very diverse menu. We have tried over 20 different dishes across the few times we’ve been here and all have been simply delicious. Much more to try, so we will continue to return here.
- Rose Campbell | Google Reviews
This is our second visit. As vegetarians, we love that the menu offers a broader range of dishes than any other Indian restaurant we have tried in Indy. We are absolutely head over heels for the Bhindi Masala, and the samosas and naan are fantastic. We are excited to have such a great option on the south side!
- Ann D | Google Reviews
5. The Monk’s
Website: https://monkscarmel.com/
Address: 13080 Grand Blvd, Suite 150
Contact: (317) 564-8266 | (317) 564-8267
Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:00AM–10:00PM | Friday 11:00AM–10:30PM | Saturday 10:00AM–10:30PM | Sunday 10:00AM–9:30PM
Bridging the gap between two prominent Asian culinary styles results in a menu packed with exciting, aromatic surprises.
The Monk’s places a heavy emphasis on Indo-Chinese fusion cuisine and features a robust, specialized menu of steamed and tandoori momos that you simply have to taste.
They also prioritize authenticity through global ingredient sourcing here. It’s noteworthy that they get essential spices directly from their native regions for an unparalleled flavor profile.
If you’re feeding a crowd, by the way, their large-format family packs offer a highly scalable and delicious solution.
While they generously include complementary rice with tandoori items, you’ll need to shell out a steep amount, from $4.00 to $6.50, just to add a single order of basic naan to your meal.
Additionally, this establishment does not serve early commuters, as they only open at 11:00 AM.
First time trying Indian food. I ordered the Butter Masala and the Garlic Naan. Delicious food and generous portions. Would definitely eat here again! It was difficult to understand our waiter at times, but the service was really good and you could tell the staff took pride in their work.
- Ian DeVries | Google Reviews
This place is SO GOOD! I got the green curry w/ tofu, and my goodness it was delicious. I always make it a point to come here every time I’m in Carmel, and it never dissapoints. I can’t wait until I’m back just so I can eat here again. If you’re looking for the best Indian food in Indiana, you found it.
- John Antvelink | Google Reviews
