Top 10 Indian Restaurants In Washington DC

1. Cafe of India

Cafe of India is an excellent Indian restaurant situated in the heart of Washington DC that features a variety of alluring flavors and great dining options. Upon entering Cafe of India, customers are usually greeted with a warm atmosphere that makes dining here a memorable experience. The staff is also friendly so you will have an easy time browsing the menu and ordering your favorite dish. Some of the provisions that make Cafe of India stand out from most Indian restaurants are the gluten-free and vegan options. In this regard, you should try their special Alu Gobi Adaraki which includes potatoes and cauliflower prepared with ginger and spices.

Cafe of India

Address: 4909 Wisconsin Ave NW 20016 Washington D.C.

Website: Cafe of India

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9:30pm; Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm; Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 9:30pm

2. Indigo

Indigo is derived from the statement ‘Indian food on the go’ which suits the establishment perfectly considering there is no waiting staff to serve you - you have to walk to the counter to make your order. Indigo also has about 22 seats indoors and more than 50 outside for comfortable dining for those who prefer dining onsite to takeaway. The food at Indigo has been crafted from scratch using natural spices and fresh ingredients. Although the owner is a vegetarian, you can still find a variety of meat options including their special chicken tikka masala and Kashmiri chicken which goes very well with roti.

Indigo

Address: 243 K St NE, Washington, DC 20002, United States

Website: Indigo

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 9pm; Sat: 4pm - 10pm (closed on Sun)

3. The Bombay Club

The Bombay Club is a famous restaurant that has served prominent people in the world including former US president George W. Bush, the 66th US Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, and the South African anti-apartheid revolutionist Mr. Nelson Mandela. Such a profile is rare and it is good for the restaurant because it instills customers with confidence in the authenticity of the cuisines at The Bombay Club. For over three decades that The Bombay Club has been in existence in Washington DC, their special tandoori salmon remains a favorite dish among many customers. Their dal makhani is also a must-try; the dish is prepared over low heat for about 24 hours which gives it time to cook properly hence its irresistible flavor.

The Bombay Club

Address: 815 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006, United States

Website: The Bombay Club

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 10:30 pm; Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 11pm; Sat: 5pm - 11pm; Sun: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9:30pm

4. Indique

Indique is an amazing Indian restaurant in Connecticut with an inviting atmosphere that includes a spacious two-story sitting space fully furnished with cozy fabrics, spectacular marble railings, and bold colors that illuminates the restaurant. Indique strives to provide customers with unique Indian delicacies that adds a modern touch to the traditional Indian cuisine. Such innovative dishes allow customers to enjoy American favorites such as salmon and lamb chops with a twist of Indian cuisine. Indique has several special deals where you can enjoy unlimited brunch every Saturday and Sunday for just USD 25 per person. Also with just USD 12, you can quench your thirst with a variety of free-flowing cocktails.

Indique

Address: 3512 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States

Website: Indique

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 12pm - 2:45pm, 5:30pm - 10:30pm; Sat: 11am - 2:45pm. 5:30pm - 10:30pm; Sun: 11am - 2:45pm, 5:30pm - 10pm

5. Jyoti Indian Cuisine

Jyoti Indian Cuisine is an Indian restaurant in the Washington metropolitan area whose primary focus is serving authentic Indian dishes with a variety of options to suit the dining needs of vegetarians, vegans, and non-vegetarians. The owner who is also the master chef at Jyoti is very knowledgeable in Indian cooking and over the years he has mastered the art of fusing different flavors to bring out the best of Indian cuisine. One innovation that you should try is the shrimp biriyani that has been flavored and topped with saffron and raisins. Jyoti can cater to a large group of people which makes an ideal place to host different events including birthday parties, thanksgiving dinner, graduation parties, and various corporate events.

Jyoti Indian Cuisine

Address: 2433 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, United States

Website: Jyoti Indian Cuisine

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 11pm

6. Rasika

Similarly to The Bombay Club, Rasika is also part of the Knightsbridge group of restaurants that are renowned globally for their modern cuisines that add a unique twist to traditional Indian delicacies. To bring out the best flavor in its dishes, this award-winning restaurant uses traditional cooking equipment such as the Indian Sigri and Tawa. The kitchen is open-type which allows guests to watch as the chefs do their magic. The dining experience at Rasika is out of this world. In this regard, you will meet friendly sommeliers who will help you pair your food with the most appropriate wines.

Rasika

Address: 1190 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States

Website: Rasika

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 10:30pm; Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 11pm; Sat: 5pm - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm

7. Pappe

If you like spices, the food at Pappe will definitely satisfy your zeal. The chefs here use fierce curry and spices that have been mixed with vinegar, soaked overnight, and ground to bring out the fiery taste that you are seeking. One recipe that has proven successful at Pappe is its special vindaloo that has been carefully crafted using fresh and natural ingredients from India, the motherland of spices. Besides this delicacy, you can also try Pappe’s butter chicken, chickpea dish, and the perfect taar gosht - of which you can test its authenticity by dipping your fingers and spreading them apart to see if it stretches without breaking.

Pappe

Address: 1317 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, United States

Website: Pappe

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm

8. Karma Modern Indian

As the name depicts, Karma Modern Indian strives in providing customers with genuine flavors that have been specially crafted from traditional Indian cooking fused with modern technologies to make the foods more inviting to Indians and other enthusiasts. Be that as it may, common dishes such as chicken tikka, Palak paneer, and naan still constitute a considerable part of the menu at Karma Modern Indian. Some of the innovative foods that make Karma stand out from other Indian restaurants in Washington DC include their duck, octopus, and quinoa. Karma also features a bar on site that serves classic cocktails inspired by the Indian culture to complement their food.

Karma Modern Indian

Address: 611 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States

Website: Karma Modern Indian

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30 - 10:30pm; Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 11pm; Sat: 5:30pm - 11pm; Sun: 5:30pm - 9:30pm

9. Bindaas

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Street foods are common in every country including India. In fact, street foods in India play an important role in expressing cultural diversity and rich heritage. It is for this reason that Bindaas is at the forefront of restaurants in the US that serve typical Indian street foods to the public. At Bindaas, you can indulge your taste buds to some delicious Indian snacks such as roasted sweet potatoes that are scented with cumin, lamb Kathi roll, and shrimp bezule served in large portions to your satisfaction. Afterward, you can dig into the main meal constituting chicken chooza kebab with an extra makhani sauce and fenugreek.

Bindaas

Address: 3309 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 244-6550

Website: Bindaas

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 5pm - 11pm; Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm

10. Cusbah

Cusbah invites you with its range of amazing foods and drinks. Cusbah is a simple restaurant that features a food section and a minibar that serves great bears and a variety of cocktails to wash down the delicacies. Every day between 5pm and 7pm are happy hours at Cusbah where the prices are slashed considerably thereby allowing customers to enjoy premium liquors, draught beers, and house wines for as low as USD 5 for each item. Lastly, Cusbah is spacious and has the necessary amenities to host birthdays, company parties, and other events that include a large group of people. So make your reservation early to avoid the last-minute rush.

Cusbah

Address: 1128 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002, United States

Website: Cusbah

Opening hours: Sun: 12pm - 9pm; Mon: 9pm - 5pm; Tue - Thu: 5pm - 10:30pm; Fri: 5pm - 1am; Sat: 12pm - 1am

A slice of India in Washington DC

As can be seen, Indian restaurants are the way to go if you are looking for quality flavored and spiced food and Washington DC has it all. So on your next food tour, consider our list of top Indian restaurants in Washington DC for great services and spectacular foods that will satiate your hunger for tasty dishes.