With its bevvy of elite institutions, Cambridge is known worldwide as one of the top university towns. Attracting students and visitors from across the world, it is no surprise that Cambridge and the nearby city of Boston both host a lively cultural and culinary scene. Spread across the city, you will find restaurants that feature cuisines from around the world. Among these, Indian restaurants have been a fixture for many decades. So if you are seeking to indulge your taste buds with the spicy, tangy flavours of India then there’s a large selection of eateries to choose from. We list here some of the best ones in the city, so you can check out the top Indian restaurants in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
1. Punjabi Dhaba
Mimicking the typical ‘dhabas’ (roadside eateries) found in North India, crowd favourite Punjabi Dhaba features a hole-in-the-wall vibe and serves yummy food. The restaurant’s menu focuses on Punjabi cuisine and is known for its large portions of authentic food. Dishes to try here include goat curry, butter chicken, and masale wale chole, as well as their mango lassi. With a functional ambience in keeping with its theme, this eatery is a self-service one that offers minimal seating, so take out is suggested in case you prefer a comfy dining experience.
Punjabi Dhaba
Address: 225 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
Website: Punjabi Dhaba
Opening hours: 12pm - 11:30pm (daily)
2. Passage To India
Passage To India is the oldest Indian restaurant in the North Cambridge region and is a great place to sample Indian cuisine favourites. You will find here an extensive selection of North Indian dishes across vegetarian and non-vegetarian categories (goat, lamb, chicken and seafood), with a few South Indian options like dosas. The restaurant does not offer buffet service, though there are several combo platters (thalis and dinner sets) available that feature popular combinations of entrees with rice or naan. The decor is bright, with warm, pleasant colours and comfortable seating. The chicken tikka masala and chicken vindaloo are popular with guests.
Passage To India
Address: 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
Website: Passage To India
Opening hours: 11:30am - 10:30pm (daily)
3. India Pavilion
Enjoy an upscale dining experience at India Pavilion, which has been a popular spot for Indian food in the area for over three decades. Its elegant decor and cosy ambience, along with flavourful food and friendly service have made it one of the top dining destinations in the city. The restaurant’s menu offers a wide range of dishes, including those not found elsewhere like lobster mushroom masala, omelette wrap and keema chilli masala. There’s a lunch buffet service offered every day, while dinner is from the a la carte menu. The restaurant has a full bar so you can order a range of drinks.
India Pavilion
Address: 17 Central Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
Website: India Pavilion
Opening hours: 11:30am - 11pm (daily)
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4. Tanjore
Posted by Tanjore Indian Restaurant on Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Tanjore offers a mix of North Indian and South Indian dishes across both non-vegetarian and vegetarian types. The menu is not limited to usual favourites, as it also includes several special dishes from different regions of India. Try out some of their house specialities like Punjabi kadhi - a dish typically not available in other restaurants. Other must-try fares here are chicken tikka masala and chicken biryani. The restaurant offers a lunch buffet all throughout the week.
Tanjore
Address: 18 Eliot St, Cambridge, MA
Website: Tanjore
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 12pm - 4pm, 5pm - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm, 5pm - 10:30pm; Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 3pm, 5pm - 10:30pm
5. Suvaai
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Suvaai by Biryani Park on Thursday, June 27, 2019
At Suvaai, you will find a unique blend of Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine, with a major focus on vegetarian and vegan dishes. So in addition to staples from North Indian cuisine such as aloo gobhi, the menu offers a fantastic selection of specialities like ceylon paratha and appam. Be sure to head here when you’re in the mood for yummy and authentic South Indian and Sri Lankan food.
Suvaai
Address: 2378 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA
Website: Suvaai
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5:30pm - 10pm; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 5:30pm - 10pm
6. Nirvana The Taste of India
Nirvana The Taste of India combines an upmarket ambience with an extensive menu offering popular and special dishes from both North India and South India. The meat options here include staples with goat, chicken and lamb options and also unusual dishes like tandoori duck kadhai. There is also a full bar that offers beer, wine and also cocktails. The decor is classy and modern, giving the establishment a wonderful vibe.
Nirvana The Taste of India
Address: 1680 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Website: Nirvana The Taste of India
Opening hours: 11am - 10:30pm (daily)
7. Surya Indian Kitchen N Caterers
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Posted by Surya Indian Kitchen N Catering on Tuesday, 7 June 2016
Surya Indian Kitchen N Caterers is a small restaurant that offers a menu chock-full of North Indian favourites. It includes a good range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes (beef, lamb, chicken, goat and seafood). In addition, you can try out their combo platters, which has four different varieties to choose from. The restaurant does not offer a buffet, and since the seating area is small and limited, this place is ideal for delivery or take-out.
Surya Indian Kitchen N Caterers
Address: 114 Magazine St, Cambridge, MA
Website: Surya Indian Kitchen N Caterers
Opening hours: 11:15am - 10pm (daily)
8. The Maharaja
A meal like this is sure to spread some holiday cheer.
Posted by The Maharaja on Saturday, 15 December 2018
The Maharaja has been counted among the best Indian restaurants in the region for several years now, getting high ratings regularly. Its opulent decor and upscale ambience is the perfect setting for an enjoyable dining experience. Complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, it gives patrons a great view of the bustling Harvard Square. The restaurant’s menu includes an extensive list of options from North Indian cuisine, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes available. Must-tries include chicken tikka masala and tandoori chicken. The lunch buffet on offer every day is a favoured option thanks to its immense variety.
The Maharaja
Address: 57 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA
Website: The Maharaja
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 9:45pm; Fri: 11:30am - 10:45 pm; Sat: 12pm - 10:45pm; Sun: 12pm - 9:45pm
9. Chutney's
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Posted by Chutneys on Thursday, 2 January 2020
Chutney’s offers a fast-food set up with a menu that features a good mix of street food and fast food specialities. You will find several chaat items, wraps and Indo-Chinese snacks. If you are looking for something heavier, then you can pick from the rice bowls that come with vegetarian, lamb, and chicken curry options. A speciality you can try here is ‘naannini’ - a stuffed naan that’s grilled like a panini. The decor of the eatery is functional, but it’s clean and welcoming. This location is one of the three the brand operates in the region.
Chutney's
Address: The Garage, 36 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA
Website: Chutney’s
Opening hours: 11am - 9pm (daily)
10. Shanti Taste of India
Mango lasso
Posted by Sharon Knutson on Tuesday, 9 July 2019
Savour Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine at Shanti, which has an excellent selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Meat lovers will have a great range of fares to choose from, with goat, chicken, lamb, beef and seafood options. This eatery also hosts a lunch buffet daily, as well as an all-day menu you can order from. Inside, you’ll find a tasteful decor with a relaxed vibe.
Shanti Taste of India
Address: 7 Broad Canal Way, Cambridge, MA
Website: Shanti Taste of India
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm (closed on Sun)
Go on a journey of spices and flavours
This list of top Indian restaurants in Cambridge, Massachusetts shows that you have several options in the city. But there are many other Indian restaurants available in nearby locations as well, such as Allston, Somerville, Jamaica Plain and Lowell. Many offer speciality cuisines such as South Indian and Himalayan, so they are perfect if you want to try other flavours.
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