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Find great options at these Indian, Nepalese, Pakistani restaurants
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The chefs and cooks representing Chicago’s South Asian community have expanded their culinary vision in recent years. Restaurants are diving into regional fare, and there are now two options for Indian tasting menus.
While the suburbs continue to see growth, and with that comes more food options, Chicago has more Indian restaurants than ever, and they’re located all across the city. Urban dwellers can find Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi food. A few Devon Street entries even have outdoor seating, a new development as the city’s South Asian hub continues to evolve.
Below, find Eater Chicago’s favorite South Asian restaurants.
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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.
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Oh, so you don’t know about Indo Chinese food? The subcontinent isn’t all about buffets, and Indo-Chinese food is growing more popular by fusing their savory flavors. Imagine Southeast Asian stir-fries complemented by South Asian spices and starches. It’s worth the trip to Hoffman Estates. A second location in Naperville is open.
A former Michelin Bib Gourmand winner (until 2020), Sabri has been around for nearly 25 years. They have secured a rare patio space on Devon. This Pakistani restaurant’s signature namesake beef dish is memorable, as is the chicken boti, beef samosas, and lamb chops. Order to-go online.
No, you won’t find meats slathered in sauce at this Pakistani spot. But it’s a rare opportunity to find beef (Frontier beef) spiced the South Asian way. Don’t sleep on the biryani, and mind the house rules, which are posted on the open/closed sign. Also, if you’ve ever wanted to try goat, this is the best place on Devon to sample the meat with several selections.
Annapurna is a quintessential Indian snack shop, and it’s vegetarian. Try the iconic Indian street food dish bhel puri (puffy rice mixed with potatoes, and onions) that’s served with chutney. The textures and mix of sweet and savory make it work. The restaurant recently moved and it now offers patio seating.
Try the Thali at Udupi, the combo platter for veggie delights. And don’t forget to sample the deep-fried puffy goodness that is the poori. Make sure there are some spiced potatoes at your disposal, too.
“Pork belly achari” isn’t a dish Chicagoans will find often, but customers can find this and other modern Indian takes at Basant in North Center. The Fish Basant, a salmon cooked in coconut milk and tomato sauce, is another star at the restaurant. They also have a tandoor Cornish hen and gulab jamun cheesecake.
In Lakeview, this modest fast-casual Nepalese restaurant is a momo paradise with the cherished item available in numerous configurations. Food is fresh and flavorful. If dumplings don’t interest, don’t sleep on the rajma.
Everyone needs an ace in the hole Indian spot that can do a little bit of everything. Mild2Spicy in Lakeview is that spot. Customers will find a little bit of everything from crisp dosa, egg curries, to tandoori chicken. The quality and consistency are hallmarks that bring customers back.
What started out as a pop-up series in bars has blossomed into a hip restaurant that blends Indian flavors with American applications. Superkhana International isn’t a regional restaurant, but one that specializes in riffs like a butter chicken calzone and a pizza made of Indian flatbread. The dhokla is a can’t-miss dish, showing a traditional side. Try the weekend brunch for a really unique meal with appam, bacon, and more.
There’s probably not a better place for chai in Chicago. Chiya Chai, which opened has been open for years in Logan Square, features a mind-blowing assortment of teas brewed perfectly. There really is something for everyone inside this cute space. And there’s the Nepalese food, featuring momos, this starchy and sticky dumpling filled with lamb and other goodies, including curry chicken wings. There are locations on the Chicago Riverwalk and the Loop.
Tandoor Char House has been a Lincoln Park and Lakeview classic for years, but more recently, the restaurant has challenged the traditional menu with burgers, tamarind chicken wings, and more. Folks can still find naan and sizzling platters, but it’s the fusion dishes that stick out. They’re open for to-go and have locations in River North and Ukrainian Village.
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Another Nepalese spot that serves great Indian food. This is where to try a momo, a Nepalese-style dumpling that’s comparable to Chinese pot stickers.
Wazwan Supper Club has found a permanent home for halal Asian-inspired street food in Wicker Park. The momos are also the best in the city, as the kitchen uses fine dining techniques. There’s also a spicy fried chicken sandwich and even Filipino elements. The Coach House in the back is reservation only and offers Chicago a thoughtful seasonal tasting menu with inventive dishes.
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After a brief closure earlier in 2022, Vajra, one of the city’s best Nepalese and Indian restaurants is back in the same location. Still only carryout, Vajra offers dazzling momos, curries, and thoughtful flatbreads that are cooked in a tandoor. The only downfall is the restaurant still isn’t at full strength, many of the more ambitious items, like goat, haven’t made it back to the menu. Still, Vajra is a great call for some of the best South Asian food in Chicago.
This River North cafe began cranking out Indian-inspired pizzas during the pandemic. They’re almost California-style and cut into squares and triangles with topping options like chicken tikka and smashed samosa. But there are traditional options including veggie momos topped with a Manchurian-style sauce and diced green peppers. There’s also a Lincoln Park location.
Indienne brings a successful Indian chef who trained in London to River North where he adapts French techniques to Indian food. Using the same culinary philosophy as Floyd Cardoz, the legendary chef who was the first in America to blend these traditions, Indienne is an elegant restaurant with tasting menu and a la carte offerings. The restaurant is an effort to push the profile of Indian food to mainstream America through an improved presentation. The restaurant opened in the summer 2022.
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The owners of Rooh Chicago have opened a bar along Hubbard Street and the food is balanced with Indian-style snacks inspired by the city of Goa, located on India’s West Coast. Shredded pork and chicken make these “poi-wiches” addictive. Check out a fun prawn and chorizo fried rice, plus all-star chicken wings in a hip setting. There’s also location at Time Out Market food hall in Fulton Market.
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Vermillion is a well-known quantity outside of Chicago, as Rohini Dey opened a New York location. But the original continues to thrive with sidewalk patio on Hubbard Street in River North. The name of the game is Indo Latin fusion, with dishes like skirt steak with mole and an eclectic cocktail selection. It’s far from traditional, but still worth a visit.
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A spinoff of a San Francisco restaurant, ROOH represents the biggest splash an Indian restaurant has made in Chicago in decades, occupying a prominent location along Randolph Street. Butter chicken and other elevated classics are the focus.
Bhoomi is an ambitious project inside Urbanspace, the downtown food hall. The focus is on Indian grilled meats, all organic with playful renditions of kebobs, lamb burgers, and even a spicy prawn roll that merges Maine with Mumbai. This is one of the most unique Indian spots around and from the son of famed food writer Jiggs Kalra.
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Inside Revival Food Hall, a Chicago street festival favorite has found a home. This all-vegan restaurant focuses on the South Indian staple. Dosas are available traditionally and also in wrap form with vegan meat alternatives. The chutneys are fresh and pack heat, and ownership has managed to figure out the best carryout containers to ensure dosa gets delivered hot and fresh.
Dhuaan BBQ Company is a product of fusing Texas-style smoked meats with Indian spices. This is a pop-up that specializes in fare like Philly masala cheesesteaks, tandoori pork sliders, and mac and cheese featuring an Indian processed cheese called Amul. Check out Instagram for their next pop-up.
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Oh, so you don’t know about Indo Chinese food? The subcontinent isn’t all about buffets, and Indo-Chinese food is growing more popular by fusing their savory flavors. Imagine Southeast Asian stir-fries complemented by South Asian spices and starches. It’s worth the trip to Hoffman Estates. A second location in Naperville is open.
A former Michelin Bib Gourmand winner (until 2020), Sabri has been around for nearly 25 years. They have secured a rare patio space on Devon. This Pakistani restaurant’s signature namesake beef dish is memorable, as is the chicken boti, beef samosas, and lamb chops. Order to-go online.
No, you won’t find meats slathered in sauce at this Pakistani spot. But it’s a rare opportunity to find beef (Frontier beef) spiced the South Asian way. Don’t sleep on the biryani, and mind the house rules, which are posted on the open/closed sign. Also, if you’ve ever wanted to try goat, this is the best place on Devon to sample the meat with several selections.
Annapurna is a quintessential Indian snack shop, and it’s vegetarian. Try the iconic Indian street food dish bhel puri (puffy rice mixed with potatoes, and onions) that’s served with chutney. The textures and mix of sweet and savory make it work. The restaurant recently moved and it now offers patio seating.
Try the Thali at Udupi, the combo platter for veggie delights. And don’t forget to sample the deep-fried puffy goodness that is the poori. Make sure there are some spiced potatoes at your disposal, too.
“Pork belly achari” isn’t a dish Chicagoans will find often, but customers can find this and other modern Indian takes at Basant in North Center. The Fish Basant, a salmon cooked in coconut milk and tomato sauce, is another star at the restaurant. They also have a tandoor Cornish hen and gulab jamun cheesecake.
In Lakeview, this modest fast-casual Nepalese restaurant is a momo paradise with the cherished item available in numerous configurations. Food is fresh and flavorful. If dumplings don’t interest, don’t sleep on the rajma.
Everyone needs an ace in the hole Indian spot that can do a little bit of everything. Mild2Spicy in Lakeview is that spot. Customers will find a little bit of everything from crisp dosa, egg curries, to tandoori chicken. The quality and consistency are hallmarks that bring customers back.
What started out as a pop-up series in bars has blossomed into a hip restaurant that blends Indian flavors with American applications. Superkhana International isn’t a regional restaurant, but one that specializes in riffs like a butter chicken calzone and a pizza made of Indian flatbread. The dhokla is a can’t-miss dish, showing a traditional side. Try the weekend brunch for a really unique meal with appam, bacon, and more.
There’s probably not a better place for chai in Chicago. Chiya Chai, which opened has been open for years in Logan Square, features a mind-blowing assortment of teas brewed perfectly. There really is something for everyone inside this cute space. And there’s the Nepalese food, featuring momos, this starchy and sticky dumpling filled with lamb and other goodies, including curry chicken wings. There are locations on the Chicago Riverwalk and the Loop.
Tandoor Char House has been a Lincoln Park and Lakeview classic for years, but more recently, the restaurant has challenged the traditional menu with burgers, tamarind chicken wings, and more. Folks can still find naan and sizzling platters, but it’s the fusion dishes that stick out. They’re open for to-go and have locations in River North and Ukrainian Village.
Another Nepalese spot that serves great Indian food. This is where to try a momo, a Nepalese-style dumpling that’s comparable to Chinese pot stickers.
Wazwan Supper Club has found a permanent home for halal Asian-inspired street food in Wicker Park. The momos are also the best in the city, as the kitchen uses fine dining techniques. There’s also a spicy fried chicken sandwich and even Filipino elements. The Coach House in the back is reservation only and offers Chicago a thoughtful seasonal tasting menu with inventive dishes.
After a brief closure earlier in 2022, Vajra, one of the city’s best Nepalese and Indian restaurants is back in the same location. Still only carryout, Vajra offers dazzling momos, curries, and thoughtful flatbreads that are cooked in a tandoor. The only downfall is the restaurant still isn’t at full strength, many of the more ambitious items, like goat, haven’t made it back to the menu. Still, Vajra is a great call for some of the best South Asian food in Chicago.
This River North cafe began cranking out Indian-inspired pizzas during the pandemic. They’re almost California-style and cut into squares and triangles with topping options like chicken tikka and smashed samosa. But there are traditional options including veggie momos topped with a Manchurian-style sauce and diced green peppers. There’s also a Lincoln Park location.
Indienne brings a successful Indian chef who trained in London to River North where he adapts French techniques to Indian food. Using the same culinary philosophy as Floyd Cardoz, the legendary chef who was the first in America to blend these traditions, Indienne is an elegant restaurant with tasting menu and a la carte offerings. The restaurant is an effort to push the profile of Indian food to mainstream America through an improved presentation. The restaurant opened in the summer 2022.
The owners of Rooh Chicago have opened a bar along Hubbard Street and the food is balanced with Indian-style snacks inspired by the city of Goa, located on India’s West Coast. Shredded pork and chicken make these “poi-wiches” addictive. Check out a fun prawn and chorizo fried rice, plus all-star chicken wings in a hip setting. There’s also location at Time Out Market food hall in Fulton Market.
Vermillion is a well-known quantity outside of Chicago, as Rohini Dey opened a New York location. But the original continues to thrive with sidewalk patio on Hubbard Street in River North. The name of the game is Indo Latin fusion, with dishes like skirt steak with mole and an eclectic cocktail selection. It’s far from traditional, but still worth a visit.
A spinoff of a San Francisco restaurant, ROOH represents the biggest splash an Indian restaurant has made in Chicago in decades, occupying a prominent location along Randolph Street. Butter chicken and other elevated classics are the focus.
Bhoomi is an ambitious project inside Urbanspace, the downtown food hall. The focus is on Indian grilled meats, all organic with playful renditions of kebobs, lamb burgers, and even a spicy prawn roll that merges Maine with Mumbai. This is one of the most unique Indian spots around and from the son of famed food writer Jiggs Kalra.
Inside Revival Food Hall, a Chicago street festival favorite has found a home. This all-vegan restaurant focuses on the South Indian staple. Dosas are available traditionally and also in wrap form with vegan meat alternatives. The chutneys are fresh and pack heat, and ownership has managed to figure out the best carryout containers to ensure dosa gets delivered hot and fresh.
Dhuaan BBQ Company is a product of fusing Texas-style smoked meats with Indian spices. This is a pop-up that specializes in fare like Philly masala cheesesteaks, tandoori pork sliders, and mac and cheese featuring an Indian processed cheese called Amul. Check out Instagram for their next pop-up.