Philadelphia is a lucky place: Throughout the city’s neighborhoods and its suburbs, hungry diners are never far from an Indian restaurant. While it’s much easier to find northern Indian food, like tikka masala and tandoori chicken, it’s also possible to dig into dishes from other regions of the country, including dosas and kati rolls. Plus, find crunchy, savory chaats and a few all-you-can-eat buffets.
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Where to Eat Indian Food in Philadelphia
12 spots to fill up on chicken tikka, chaats, dosas, and more

1. Saffron Indian Kitchen
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
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.
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2. Desi Chaat House
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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.
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3. Dana Mandi
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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.
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4. New Delhi Restaurant
Philadelphia, PA 19104
The all-day buffet at University City’s New Dehli is perfect for college students looking to fill up for $10 during lunch or $14 during dinnertime. At the steam table, find vegetarian, chicken, and lamb specialties, plus appetizers, sides, rice, and dessert.
5. Spice End
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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.
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6. Veda
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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.
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7. Philadelphia Chutney Company
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Rittenhouse’s quick-serve Philadelphia Chutney Company is always busy at lunchtime with guests enjoying southern Indian specialties at a handful of tables or picking up takeout. Try a dosa here, a fermented, paper-thin, rice and lentil crepe with potato filling.
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8. Tiffin Indian Cuisine (multiple locations)
Philadelphia, PA 19123
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.
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9. Lovash Indian Restaurant & Bar
Philadelphia, PA 19147
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.
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10. Karma Restaurant & Bar
Philadelphia, PA 19106
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.
11. Ekta (multiple locations)
Philadelphia, PA 19125
Philly vegans love Ekta for the clearly labeled meat- and dairy-free dishes — like veggie samosas and lentil-based offerings — on its menu. The Fishtown location is a favorite for ordering delivery, and the West Philly location has an affordable buffet ($10 for lunch and $13 for dinner) with plenty of vegetarian dishes.
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12. Palace of Asia
Maple Shade Township, NJ 08052
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.
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