Houstonians love to eat, and in a city that’s home to countless diverse cultural groups, Indian food has become quite popular throughout the city. If you’re looking for good Indian restaurants in Houston, check out these 8 top picks for Indian food in Houston:
Indika: With a prime dining location on Westheimer, Indika was named the Best Indian Restaurant in Houston by Houston Press in 2007. This contemporary Indian restaurant has a warm, attractive dining area and great service. Entrées include items like spice crusted halibut and grilled spiced lamb chops, and Indika has some great starters like crabmeat samosas and a corn and mint chaat salad too. Prices range from $8-$14 for starters and $18-$28 for entrees. Indika is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Friday, for lunch on Saturday, for brunch and Sunday, and is closed on Mondays.
Yatra Brassiere: Nestled in downtown on Main Street, this is one of the best Indian restaurants in Houston for spicy curries and wrap sandwiches. They cook all of their menu items in a tandoori clay oven, with stand outs including their Goan shrimp curry, samosa chaat, and the naan and paratha bread basket. Food prices are very reasonable, with nothing costing more than around $20. The atmosphere and service are both good. Yatra Brassiere is open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner and on Saturday for dinner only.
Madras Pavilion: Part of a growing chain of Indian restaurants, the Kirby location has been named a “Top Indian Restaurant in Houston” by Zagat Survey. Madras Pavilion specializes in Southern Indian food specializing in dosais (rice crepes) like the potato and onion filled masala dosais, puffy breads like batura and poori, and curries like vegetable korma (veggies in coconut cream). Prices are very affordable, with most entrees $10 or less. Madras Pavilion is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Khyber: With a prime location on Richmond, Khyber is a modern Indian bistro with a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Considered one of the best Northern Indian restaurants in Houston, Khyber specialities include grilled lamb, naan bread, and an extensive lunch buffet. Entrée prices and the preset buffet price range from $11-$20. Khyber is open daily for lunch and dinner.
India‘s: Also located in the heart of Houston’s dining district on Richmond, India’s has one of the most attractive dining rooms of all the Indian restaurants in Houston. Their specialties include tandoori dishes like the Sheek Kabab (spiced grilled lamb rolls) and vegetarian items like daal (creamed lentils). India’s is a customer favorite in Houston for their authentic Indian food, friendly service, and good value. Most entrée items are under $20. India’s is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
Pavani: On the Southwest Freeway in an old Steak & Ale, Pavani is renowned as the place to go during the week for Indian food in Houston. Monday thru Friday Pavani offers an all-you-can-eat buffet during lunch and dinner with over 20 Indian specialties. Pavani has a huge selection of traditional Indian food, including chicken masala, saag paneer, potato curry, and tandoori chicken. The atmosphere is similar to a banquet hall, but that is easily forgiven with the fabulous food and the buffet price of just $12.95. Pavani is open on the weekends, but the buffet is only available during the week.
Kiran’s: Named Zagat’s “Best New Restaurant of 2006,” Kiran’s on Westheimer is the place to go for fine Indian food near the Galleria. Kiran’s takes a contemporary approach to Indian food, with menu standouts including seafood items like the tandoori sea bass and their Prawn Bhuna. Also on the menu are naan wraps and sandwiches, gourmet mini burgers, biryani, lamb dishes, and vegetarian specialties. Entrée prices range from $11-$30. The dining area is beautiful, the food is served on fine china, and the waitstaff in attentive. Kiran’s is open for lunch Tuesday thru Friday and dinner Monday thru Sunday.
Mogul: Located down south on Bay Area Blvd., Mogul is the best Indian restaurant in Houston for quick lunches and casual dinners. Mogul offers an extensive lunch buffet and a menu including customer favorites like their curries and vegetables like oil-crisped okra and green beans with mustard seeds and coconut. The dining area is large and bustling during the lunch buffet, but dim and quiet during dinner dining hours. Service is good and with entrée prices under $20, Mogul is a real crowd pleaser. They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
If you’re in the mood for Indian cuisine, try one of these great Indian restaurants in Houston. They all offer unique Indian specialties and classic, traditional Indian dishes, so choose which one sounds the best to you!
