Outside of the city, Saffron has restaurants in Bala Cynwyd, Wayne, and Ambler. Each location is bright and pleasant, making it a good date night spot to share dishes like chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, and tandoori lamb chops.

West Philly’s Desi Chaat specializes in the savory, street food-style snacks of northern India. There’s a wide variety of chaats here, with different mixes of thin, crisp bread, chickpeas, potatoes, and proteins, topped with chutneys and yogurt sauce.

Denizens of University City know to go to Dana Mandi for affordable Punjabi cuisine and Bollywood films playing on the restaurant’s televisions. Find the bare bones counter-service spot in the back of a convenience store. Punjabi kadhi — the vivid yellow curry — is a good place to start.

For kati rolls, head to Spice End. The casual eatery sells the Kolkatan specialty, with the flatbread stuffed with spice-marinated vegetables, protein, potatoes, or cottage cheese and served with a variety of dipping sauces.

In Center City, Veda is Philly’s most elegant Indian restaurant. The ceilings are high, the service is friendly, and the see-and-be-seen bar mixes up not-to-miss drinks, like the Drunken Lassi with mango yogurt and aged rum (along with a solid selection of nonalcoholic cocktails). The lassoni gobi — fried cauliflower in a tangy, bright red tomato and ginger glaze — is a must-order appetizer.

With several locations throughout the Philly region, Tiffin is a local standby that’s popular for both dining in and delivery (it actually started as a web-based, delivery-only restaurant). Regulars rave about the butter chicken, saag paneer, and chicken korma. Try the samosa chaat as an appetizer.

Amid the hustle and bustle of South Street, Lovash is a calm retreat with a large menu of classic Indian dishes. Carb-lovers, rejoice: More than a dozen types of tandoor-baked bread, including naan and roti, are available.

In Old City, Karma has been serving up Indian fare since 2003. There’s also a full bar and a lunchtime buffet. Order the assorted bread basket for the table and one of the sizzling tandoori dishes.

A short drive from Philly in Maple Shade, New Jersey, Palace of Asia is a local favorite. The restaurant is serene, with a fountain trickling and soft Indian music playing in the background. Try the paneer dishes, tandoori chicken, chickpea-based chana masala, samosas, and the fried veggie snack called pakoras.