The Most Scrumptious Indian in Washington

Bollywood Bistro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (846) • $$

"So many great dishes to choose from, and the choice of drinks was equally great. The staff were super kind and patient, as we were dining with a seven year old child. Every dish we chose was perfection, and the lamb shank was probably my favorite. Every curry had a strong depth of flavor. The meats were tender and succulent, and no dish disappointed. Beautiful decor and art, and I am so glad that we were able to experience the restaurant."

Mama Tigre

★★★★☆ 4.3 (785) • $$

"Are you looking for Mexican...or Indian cuisine? Well guess what if you can't choose then come here! They offer a mix of both! The style inside is more catered to Mexican style but is very colorful. They have amazing drinks, food and i have been here a few times and have always had wonderful customer service! Great place to bring your family or your date! All in all a great place to stop by and check out especially if everyone wants different options."

IndAroma

★★★★☆ 4.2 (811) • $$

"What a gem. Second time here only because we forgot about it. Why? Because it's in a nondescript location on Little River Turnpike, between Annandale & Alexandria. It's across the street from the Home Depot in a tiny strip mall that has mostly food shops & several unoccupied spaces.We got there shortly after 9 PM on a Friday and it was packed; all the outside seating was full and inside was pretty full except for a few two-tops. There was also a line to order. You know a restaurant must be good if it's patronized by peoplefrom where the cuisine originated.You place your order at the counter, pay and they bring your food to your table; they give you a table marker that has a number & a city from India on it.The gentleman at the counter was polite but not overly outgoing. He quoted us 30 minutes for our entrees, which was fine because we ordered a couple beers and a Veg Samosa to start but before we had even finished paying, our samosa was ready so we sat down to start with that, which was delicious. The Taj Mahal Indian beer was great and large enough for two so next time I will just share.The decor is hip and relaxing with warm red walls and neat little nuances of India mixed with a modern feel. There is a cool water station with pre-filled bottles and you help yourself to that,glasses, plates and serving utensils. They also have cool music playing in the background that's perfect.You choose your spice level and we ordered ours spicy; both the Lamb Rogan Josh & Chana Marsala were delicious & so flavorful, and the rice was fragrant & complimented the food perfectly. It was also served with a beautiful fresh salad of diced tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions with a house-made dressing on the side. The gentleman that brought us our food & tended our table was nothing but super polite, friendly, attentive and helpful.Everything was simply fantastic so we will definitely be back again and again and again and again. Oh, and they cater so check them out for your events."

Jaipur Royal Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.1 (780) • $$

"Lunch buffet today, yay! Food was delicious Service was top notch and very pleasant interactions with the staff."

Jewel of India

★★★★☆ 4.2 (728) • $$

"This was the BEST Indian food I've ever had. Hands down. It's a lovely little spot (albeit in a strip mall) that is tastefully decorated and smells amazing even from the parking lot. It was impeccable service and the FOOD. Oh my goodness. There were four of us and we shared 4 different entrees. The Mixed Grill was perfect because it gave you a few of the proteins in different spices. The black and yellow lentils were amazing. The NAAN was warm and crispy on the edges and soft and fluffy in the middle. We had a bottle of Indian Chenin Blanc that went great with our meal. Everything was absolutely delicious and we left not one bite uneaten. I can't wait to go back and try more things on the menu. If you like Indian food- The Jewel of India in White Oak is where its at!"

The Bombay Club

★★★★☆ 3.7 (835) • $$$

"From the outside, one would think Bombay Club would be a typical modestly adorned DC lunch spot - a place for serviceable Indian food to go. But step inside and you're introduced to a more luxurious experience, complete matching white glove service (and an unusual age restriction that prevents young children attending). I recently dined with two colleagues, one an Indian food aficionado who hails from Delhi. You will notice a multicultural clientele. Get over the "eat only where the locals eat" mentality and dig into some seriously genuine cuisine. First timers, or simply those looking for great variety, should consider a Thali - a classic assortment of different Indian foods. I got the Classic Thali on a recent visit, which features chicken and lamb. It did not disappoint. This might be my bloated American dietary bias, but I felt that portions were on the modest side. Otherwise, this was a great meal."

OM Fine Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.3 (606) • $$

"A favorite for my mom and I. We used to live right down the street and would come often. The food is delicious and comes out quickly. The owner is very nice and will take his time to talk through the menu and give suggestions. I highly recommend checking them out, they are a little tucked away in the plaza behind Ihop but very convenient parking and right off Rockville Pike."

M & N's Pizza

★★★★★ 4.6 (504) • $$

"I've just had to come and make another review for M&N! I tried this pizza place thanks to a yelp event and have ordered it twice in the past two weeks! The Spicy Chicken Curry Pizza really is IT! It's the best Indian/ American Fusion type of dish! My friends asked me about it and I've also recommended it to them and it's there go to now! It's a small shop in the Bethesda area a little hidden gem! Please try this place out. I cannot rave about it enough."

Bombay Street Food

★★★★☆ 4.2 (597) • $$

"I recently stopped by after some shopping nearby for dinner. I initially wanted to order to go, however I was told that this location doesn't let you order their platter for 2 Bombay tali to go. Thus, I decided to dine in. Although, not the fanciest place in the world (and with this location being on the smaller side than their sister restaurant in eastern market) the food is authentic, well seasoned, and delicious."

Dakshin Indique

★★★★☆ 3.9 (672) • $$

"Friendly service and delicious food. I came in for dinner early on a Monday. I was welcomed in and promptly seated by a window in the bar, which is a cute area- colorful pillows and a comfy bench sit against the wall.The food itself was hot and delicious. I got the chicken tikka makhani and garlic naan. I wasn't asked spice level, and it was definitely milder than I'm used to, but great flavor. I'm sure they would have accommodated if you like it really spicy (I personally don't like to set my tongue ablaze, so I was good). The portion was just right for me to finish everything with no leftovers and be perfectly full.Definitely would go back for quality Indian food!"

Kadhai Boutique Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.2 (571) • $$

"I thought the food here was good. The samosas were crispy and tasty. I also liked the butter chicken. The Rogan Josh dish had lamb in it and I liked the flavor of the sauce. The service was good too."

Kohinoor Dhaba

★★★★☆ 3.8 (644) • $$

"I love this place for takeout. They get your food ready in a reasonable time, the staff is friendly, and the food is so good! We love the chicken tikka masala, the lamb korma, and the samosas! I can't sing their praises enough!"

Karma Modern Indian

★★★★☆ 4.4 (479) • $$$

"Great environment and energy all around. Food is nicely plated and with great taste. Service is on point,"

Curry Mantra

★★★★☆ 3.8 (608) • $$

"Excellent Indian food - my fav now after trying them out during FfxCity restaurant week. Cozy but pretty ambiance, service tad slow with one hostess/waitress but very friendly. Chai tea was delish too; complimentary Nan bread - yummy all around."

Raaga Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (570) • $$

"Raaga is consistently delicious, and it's become one of my go-to spots for Indian takeout food. The offerings are pretty standard for what to expect from a restaurant that caters to Indian and non-Indian clientele. I stick to classics like butter chicken, chana masala, and palak paneer. I tried goat, but it wasn't to my taste here. Definitely order some garlic naan. The takeout portions are good sized. I'd suggest ordering family style and planning to have yummy leftovers the next day."

Pappe

★★★★☆ 4 (541) • $$$

"Met up with a friend here for their happy hour. We didn't have reservations, but it was pretty empty when we arrived, so we were sat right away. I was greeted immediately upon entry, which was nice. I love the decor in the restaurant; it's so chic and modern - with the dim lighting, this would also be a cute spot for a date night. Their happy hour menu has a good selection and is actually decently priced. The only thing that was disappointing was they were out of the lamb samosas for the evening, but aside from that, everything else went smoothly. My favorite dish from the evening BY FAR was the mussels - that curry broth was so flavorful, I wanted to drink it straight from the bowl. I also liked the old fashioned that I ordered. Overall, I enjoyed my experience here. This is a solid option for a happy hour if you're in the area."

Haandi Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 3.9 (532) • $$

"Arguably the best Indian in falls church. Consistently delicious and well flavored. You do have to specify your spice level if you want anything more than mild but they will definitely spice it up when asked! Love the Lamb Rogan Josh, all of the paneer dishes we've tried, and the biriyani! Good samosas and great pakora!"

Himalayan Heritage Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (579) • $$

"I'm not a huge fan of Indian food, but I was with a group that likes it so I was up for giving it a try. We ordered a wide range of dishes to share. They were generally pretty good, but in my limited experience with Indian food, I have definitely had better. The ambiance of the restaurant was a little underwhelming, but it was fine. Overall , not a bad experience, but it just isn;t my favorite kind of food."

Curry & Pie

★★★★☆ 3.9 (480) • $$

"We order some Take Out to be deli to our house and it was excellent: Samosas with excellent sauces, shrimp tikka masala (excellent light tomato flavor), palak paneer, garlic naan. The service on the phone was good, great ambiance and reasonable prices."

Jyoti Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 3.8 (497) • $$

"This is a tasty restaurant located on a popular strip with several other restaurants. The staff was friendly the service was a bit slow considering there was only one other couple in the restaurant when we dinned. The food was flavorful and in a large portion. The texture and temperatures were good. I loved the citrus martini. I would like to return to try other options. I hope you enjoy as much as I did."

Masala Story

★★★★☆ 4.4 (360) • $$

"I ordered from them on Doordash, and the food came hot and tasted excellent. I ordered butter chicken and lamb biryani. The servings were generous, too. I have zero complaints, and I hope I can try them dining in-person some time."

Bansari Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.4 (356) • $$

"Upscale Indian. Restaurant is so cute, while you can get carry out it would be a shame to miss the ambiance of the restaurant. Don't miss the chili cheese naan!!"

Namaste Jalsa

★★★★☆ 4.2 (357) • $$

"Solid Indian spot with no frills. They have vegan options but not clearly marked on the menu which would have been ideal. Had an eggplant dish and samosas which were tasty and a good margarita."

Bella Indian & Italian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.3 (338) • $$

"The service here is top notch! The staff are very attentive and friendly. It's a small set up but had ample dining space. It did not feel too cramped. I ordered the tandoori chicken and it comes with white basmati rice. The tandoori chicken comes out sizzling! The chicken was well seasoned and moist and the rice was cooked well - not too hard, not mushy."

Spicelife Indian Fare

★★★★☆ 4.3 (337) • $$

"This has got to be my go to restaurant for when I want Indian food to go! I love that they have the "build your own bowl" option so that I can choose multiple options. The portion sizes are so worth the money you pay for. Staff are super friendly, and their food is so tasty!"

Minerva

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (539) • $$

"Minerva used to be fantastic but has since gone downhill. The restaurant looks worn, dirty and dated. The food quality has also gone down. We used to love the buffet but now, it looks so unappealing. The food has become so spicy it's inedible; (and I do like some spice). Pakak Paneer isn't supposed to be spicy! Many fewer choices now on the lunch buffet. They're mostly serving rice, bean or lentil filler dishes and -few main dishes with chicken/meat. At $19 per person for lunch this is not worth it anymore at all. The Biryani had only specks of meat in it which most people pick out leaving none left for other diners, so several times I needed to ask service staff if they could please add more meat. The rice pudding now looks like water, and gone are the abundant choices. After trying it 4 times in the last 6 months with the same issues, I'm done. Never again"

Saffron Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.1 (364) • $$

"D E L I C I O U S! We have always wanted to try this place for lunch for their buffet and it did not disappoint. The experience from the very catering and friendly service to the ambiance was great! Each dish was hot and freshly prepared and most importantly, was very tasty! Lunch time was busy around 1230 as each table was occupied. Make sure to check in on Yelp for a special treat! Will definitely be back! Enjoy!"

Saravana Palace

★★★★☆ 3.9 (391) • $$

"I'm not usually one for Indian food BUT LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS PLACE!! It was to die for and I would 1000% be back! As someone who has many allergies (nuts, lentils, chickpeas) the owner and waiters were on top of it. They walked me through the menu and ensured I was not allergic to any other ingredients that were added into the food. I ordered the Gobi Manchurian Dry and a surprise entree (unfortunately I never got the name...) the Gobi had the perfect spice and was not too salty or sweet. The entree had cheese blocks within it and was in a curry/tomato sauce."

Bombay Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.9 (382) • $$

"We had some very good food recently at Bombay Bistro. We hosted a group of four of us recently for dinner at Bombay Bistro in the middle of downtown Rockville. The food was very good, though there were a few hiccups in service and surroundings. We were fortunate to get one of the few parking spaces in the tiny lot, and were warmly welcomed. Unfortunately, the booth they seated us at was extremely tight, even though the hostess tried to move the table a little. So we quickly asked for a non-booth table, and were seated nearby. There's not a lot of extra space in the dining room, so one of the staff was insistent about taking my jacket off my chair and hanging it up for me. That behind us, we perused the interesting menu and started by sharing the samosas and the chutney sampler with pappadoms, along with a mango lassi and a Kingfisher beer for me. We were also presented with a little amuse-bouche of a little glass containing a dumpling--it might have been the menu's vegetable bhajia--which was a lovely bite to start off with.We then ordered chicken tikka makhani, chicken dosa, tandoori lamb chops, and chicken Madras curry for me. My curry was very tasty, not too spicy, and my partner's dosa was impressive, a huge filled pancake, rolled over to more or less fit on the plate. I think we all enjoyed the food very much, and there was plenty to take home for the next day. The service was attentive and pleasant. Upon visiting one of the one-person rest rooms, I was disappointed to find it with no soap. In a small restaurant, that's concerning.Overall, we enjoyed our dinner at Bombay Bistro, and would return."

Masala Express

★★★★☆ 4 (359) • $

"I needed some appetizers for dinner party at my friends were throwing. The menu on the dinner party with Indian style food. I have never had Indian foods before. And I did not know what to get. I searched on yelp for help of an Indian resultant in my neighborhood. So I decided to order from Masala Express their Vegetable Samosa. Customer service over the phone was suburban, and very friendly and helpful. I order 12 pieces to be ready by a certain time and paid over the phone. The order was placed in a to go silver tray with the lid and it came with the sauces on the side. Let me tell you the vegetable Samosa was delicious warm and the sauce that it came with the green one in particular were so delicious. They were nice big and fluffy. The filling had great flavor and taste. I will definitely recommend this place and return for to try more Indian food."

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro - Clarendon

★★★★★ 4.5 (282) • $$

"HIGHLY recommend this spot - wow! A group of 5 came by on a weekend night as we were walking around Clarendon, drawn by the yummy food smells. The food is delicious - it's upscale Indian food with a twist, but reasonably priced. We sat outside because their outdoor patio area is wonderful, especially with the good weather. Service was great, and I would come here again for sure."

Urban Tandoor

★★★★☆ 4 (356) • $$

"All you can eat lunch is THE BEST! Under $20 on weekdays and weekends. So delicious, you will have to take a nap. I've done the lunch around 10x now and they don't have the same stuff every time, so it is nice that they switch it up. There are typically a few chicken options, a few veggie, rice, appetizers and desserts."

Curry Place

★★★★☆ 4.1 (332) • $

"First time to try this joint. Very casual cozy little restaurant at a strip mall in Germantown. Hubby and I had cravings for Indian cuisine. This is near the New Grandmart International grocery store so it's perfect location for our purposes. The staff were so friendly and professional. It was a refreshing experience. We got the assorted platter that had chicken tandoori, samosa, lamb and veggie patties with a side of tamarind and green chutney (cilantro and mint). Every bite was delicious! The samosa had crunchy pastry on the outside and perfectly cooked. Lamb and chicken were full of flavor, marinated well. I got the butter chicken and he got the curry chicken. I tried both. I prefer the butter chicken but both were delicious. We got a side of naan and mango chutney and pickled veg . They went together well. Overall a wonderful experience and will definitely come back. I got the Gulab Jamin to go so I'll keep you posted on that dessert! Come try this place."

Rajaji Fine Indian Cuisine

★★★★☆ 3.7 (397) • $$

"We just ordered Rajaji via DoorDash. We went for things we hadn't tried before anywhere: Gosht Biryani (lamp and rice), Palak Paneer, Murgh Tikka (chicken grilled), and Garlic Naan (well, we had tried this before). Everything was fantastic: the biryani was flavorful but not too hot, palak paneer smooth and savory, perfect garlic naan, and the murgh tikka delicious. Honestly, we had to force ourselves to NOT eat the whole order (which was probably 25% more food than we needed). Can't wait to order here again."

VEGZ

★★★★★ 4.8 (234) • $$

"My visit to Vegz, just before a show at DCAC, was a blend of hits and misses. The highlight for me was undoubtedly the samosas, which were delicious, and the fries, though standard, did not disappoint. The veggie Biriyani had a good flavor, but we encountered pieces of what seemed to be burned garlic, with an unpleasant texture reminiscent of tree bark, which detracted from the overall experience. The aloo palak, unfortunately, did not meet our tastes, but that's a matter of personal preference. On the plus side, Vegz offers a cozy and authentic atmosphere, which we thoroughly enjoyed. The charm of the restaurant and its authenticity are definite draws. While I have mixed feelings about our meal, the positive aspects make me open to giving Vegz another try, opting for different main dishes in the future.Didn't get pics of the entrees!"