The traditional food of India is so rich because its history
is rich. Over the course of thousands of years, dishes like curry, tandoori,
and masala were created and perfected. Spices like turmeric, cardamom, and
black pepper were used in this area by 3000 BCE. There are usually plenty of vegetarian
options at Indian restaurants today because Hindus do not generally consume
beef.
We are lucky in New Orleans to have several Indian restaurants serving very traditional and contemporary Indian food. These are considered to
be the very best Indian restaurants in New Orleans to expand your culinary horizons.
Where to Get Indian Food in New Orleans
1. Mantra Indian Cuisine
3116 S. I-10 Service Rd., (504) 766-8004, mantracuisine.net
Mantra sits on the southeast corner of the intersection of Causeway Boulevard and I-10. This gem of a restaurant can be a little difficult to find at first, but it contains some of the best Indian you can find. The menu is so big that it can be intimidating, but you can start off by choosing the meat (or not) that you prefer, choosing your spice level, then going from there.
The Garlic Mushroom or Tofu Masala are great for someone who prefers vegetarian food. The Mango Chicken is an adventurous dish with mango sauce-cooked boneless chicken. The Saag Shrimp is cooked in spinach and special sauce.
2. Saffron NOLA
4128 Magazine St., (504) 323-2626, saffronnola.com
Saffron started off as a catering company
then started doing pop-up restaurants around the city before finally opening a
full-fledged restaurant on Magazine Street. They quickly received a nomination
for Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Awards in 2016. It's easy to see why
Saffron NOLA is one of the top restaurants for Indian food in town when you
take a look at the dinner menu.
Start off with small plates like the Bombay
Shrimp (herb and spice-crusted Gulf shrimp in remoulade) or Crab Pudha (lentil
pancakes topped with lump crabmeat, date-tamarind chutney, and mint chutney). Your
main dish can be something flavorful and traditional like the Goat Masala, Chicken
Biriyani, or Pork Vindaloo.
3. Nirvana Indian Cuisine
4308 Magazine St., (504) 894-9797, nirvananola.com
Nirvana has been serving New Orleanians
excellent, authentic Indian food since 1999. This is the sister restaurant to
the Keswani Family's first restaurant Taj Mahal on Metairie Road (which is on
this list as well). Diners absolutely love the lunch buffet, which is available
from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday though Sunday.
When you come back for dinner, the large menu definitely has something (or several things) for everyone in your family. The Chicken Tikka Masala is a classic. The Flag of India is a big plate with butter chicken, malai kebab and creamy sauce, and saag paneer. The colors of the food represent the colors of India's flag!
4. Aroma Indian Cuisine
401 S. Claiborne Ave., (504) 766-6916, aromanolaindiancuisine.com
Aroma is a great spot to eat if you're
in the CBD/Warehouse District or even the French Quarter. You can find the quaint
eatery where Gravier Street meets S. Claiborne Avenue, very close to the interstate.
The interior has richly dark walls lined with colorful art and is lit by crystal chandeliers.
As soon as you get the menu in your hand, you'll see a lot of traditional
Indian dishes and a few fusion favorites.
The Chili Chicken appetizer of spicy fried
chicken and bell peppers will whet your appetite. The Lamb Boti Kabab is
marinated in yogurt, ginger, and garlic paste. The Chili Mushroom vegetarian entrée
is stir-fired mushrooms with cabsicum and chili sauce.
5. Plume Algiers
1113 Teche St., Algiers, (504) 381-4893, plumealgiers.com
Plume specializes in innovative dishes
rooted in Indian traditions, and it feels like you're dining right in Tyler
Stuart and Merritt Coscia's house. That's because you are! Tyler and Merritt
live in the back part of the building that houses their restaurant. The fare is
truly one-of-a-kind, and the offerings can change based on what ingredients are
available.
The Afghani-Style Half Chicken is tandoori
chicken, cashews, and chaat with masala seasonings. The Shukto is a thick
roasted vegetable soup with poppy seeds, sweet potato, bitter gourd, eggplant,
and plantain. The Chili Baby Corn is great for sharing.
6. LUFU NOLA
301 St. Charles Ave., (504) 354-1104, lufunola.com
Explore elevated regional Indian food at LUFU NOLA on St. Charles Avenue. This cozy restaurant has a separate Lunch menu with options like Naanwiches and Chaats, as well as a Dinner menu with amazingly cooked Tandoori dishes.
Enjoy non-typical Indian entrees like Nadru Lababdar, Paneer Bhurji, Angara Chicken, and much more. LUFU also has a great cocktail menu with interesting creations like the Maharani Mango Lassi, the Darjeeling Old Fashioned, and the Kadi Patta Mojito.
7. Turmeric Indian Cuisine
1025 Westbank Expy., Gretna, (504) 354-1422, turmericnola.com
This Indian kitchen serves up flavorful and
colorful fare that is inspired by food from all parts of India. Turmeric is
very proud of their biryani, curry, and tandoor specialties that carnivores and
herbivores can all enjoy. Chicken Tikki Masala is always requested, and the
Goan Fish Curry is great for people who love their seafood.
Vegetarians will appreciate the large amount
of healthy meatless options. The Bhindi Masala features okra that is sauteed with
onions and tomatoes. The spicy Chili Paneer is spring onions, bell peppers, and
other spices in a paneer Thai chili sauce.
8. Silk Road Restaurant & Wine Bar
2483 Royal St., (504) 494-8307, silkroadnola.com
Silk Road proclaims itself to be a "Wine and Cheese Bazaar." You're not going to find a menu strictly of Indian delights here; there's a wonderful mixture of Indian, Asian, and even Creole flavors. The options also range from meat-forward to vegetarian to fully vegan and the dishes are identified as such. The Eggplant Tapenade is a great eggplant dip for vegans and the Louisiana Crab Cake is perfect for pescatarians.
Beyond the hot curries and cool cheese plates,
the Silk Road Specials are not to be missed. Try the Smoked Burger:
house-smoked 6 oz. patty on brioche dressed with gouda and served with masala
fries.
9. Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine
923 Metairie Rd., Metairie, (504) 836-6859, tajmahalnola.com
Taj Mahal is an Old Metairie institution operating
since 1982. You could probably eat here once a week for a year and never have
the same thing twice; that's how big the menu is. Start off with the Veggie
Platter for Two with aloo tikki, samosas, papdum, and onion pakoras. Then try
out one of the many large plates.
Taj Mahal is particularly proud of the
South Indian Specialties. Sambar Vada is lightly-spiced lentil donuts sipped in
Sambar (lentil soup). The Mysore Masala Dosai is a dish with thin rice crepes
with a layer of hot chutney filled with potato and onion.
10. Namaste NOLA
201 Baronne St., (504) 581-8227, namastenola439.com
Namaste NOLA is a new player in New Orleans
Indian food having opened in 2022. The food is designated as vegetarian or not
so you know exactly what you're getting. The Chilli Gobi is a veggie version of
the Chilli Chicken using battered and fried cauliflower instead of chicken.
The Most Authentic Indian Restaurants in NOLA
You can enjoy thousands of years of culinary exploration and history in
every bite at these local Indian restaurants. Just be sure to choose your spice
level carefully if the server asks you what level you want. Indian spices can
be through the roof when it comes to tongue-tingling heat.
What do you think is the best Indian food in
town? Let us know where to find it!
