Food
Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World
Indian dining introAll over the world, people are addicted to the tantalising flavours of Indian food in all its thrillingly diverse regional varieties. We’ve followed the spice trail from Berkeley to Bengaluru and from Bangkok to Birmingham, Brisbane and beyond to showcase a selection of the globe’s best and most beloved Indian restaurants. Included are upscale and basic, veggie and non-veggie, traditional and new wave restaurants for a global snapshot of the most exciting Indian cuisine today.
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Food
Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
MayurAmsterdam, Mayur Indian Restaurant: Just a stone’s throw from the bustle and tourist traps on Amsterdam’s Leidseplein, Mayur offers an intimate, stylish bolthole with quality comfort food. Over the past 36 years, the restaurant has excelled in traditional North Indian dishes. Start with an array of long-marinated meats from the charcoal tandoor, followed by curries that can be adjusted to your personal taste. The menu invites you to step out of your comfort zone and open yourself up to a whole new flavour experience. IdV
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
GagganBangkok, Gaggan: In the hands of culinary rock star Gaggan Anand, Indian dishes get a totally fresh, idiosyncratic interpretation. The multi-course ‘Gaggan Experience’ is a fun ride of molecular bites and inventive dishes, featuring Yoghurt Explosion (spherified yoghurt), Indian Foie Gras (goat’s brain mousse) or Charcoal (Amritsari fish tikka). Gaggan cemented its stellar reputation with first place in the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. IdV
eatatgaggan.com [Photo: Kent Wang/Flickr]2/26
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
MTRBengaluru, Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR): For South Indian vegetarian meals, visit the iconic, 93 year-old, Maiya family-run, MTR on Lalbagh Road. The quality is consistent, the recipes are traditional and the meals are elaborate though the queues can be somewhat long, testifying to this marvellous tiffin room’s popularity among locals and tourists. Try the steaming idlis/dosais/vadais/bhaths served with chutney/sambar/palya and a dollop of ghee and round off with a vattil of freshly-brewed filter kaapi. PS
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
Vik'sBerkeley, Vik’s Chaat: Starting with a humble chaat (savoury street food snack) stand in 1989 to attract people to the grocery business, the Chopra family now serve 2,000 dishes daily at weekends to students, families, chefs off the clock and just about anyone who is happy to line up for the excellent dosa (some say the best in the Bay Area), flaky samosas, or huge puffy bhature served with chole (chickpea stew). All these years, the food has remained freshly made, extremely affordable and highly sought after: the noise and bustle of the crowd in the warehouse-restaurant can get overwhelming. IdV
vikschaat.com [Photo: Jennifer Yin/Flickr]4/26
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
Mirchh Masala Chaat CourtBrisbane, Mirchh Masala Chaat Court: A hidden gem in the true sense of the word: this restaurant can be reached only through a staircase inside an Indian grocery shop. However, fans of chaat seem to know exactly the place to be to satisfy their craving. All the snacks such as Bhaji Pav or Masala Cheese Dosa are 100% vegetarian. Don’t expect a refined fine dining experience: it’s plastic trays, bright lights and blaring Bollywood tunes – and none the worse for that. IdV
mirchhmasala.com [Photo: Dheerajk88/Wikimedia Commons]5/26
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
Thali CafeBristol, The Thali Café: The Indian street food that was once dished out from a food truck at Glastonbury became a hit, and years later, resulted in a mini-chain of restaurants. The thalis (referring to a multitude of dishes, as well as the stainless plates they’re served on) are unfussy and bursting with flavour. They can be enjoyed in an equally invigorating décor, or you can take them home in a tiffin (an Indian lunchbox). The restaurants put a strong emphasis on vegetarian and dairy-free food, and were the first Indian chain in the UK to receive a sustainability award. IdV
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
ThaliCape Town, Thali: A newcomer to the Cape Town culinary scene, Thali already garnered rave reviews. The detail-rich décor (exposed brick walls, wooden cooking utensils on one wall, colourfully tiled tables) is just as instagrammable as the gorgeous looking dishes served on copper trays. However, you don’t eat just with your eyes, and the changing menu doesn’t disappoint diners either. Here’s it’s Indian ‘tapas’, shareable small plates such as kebabs with a tomato chili jam and pomegranate raita, or cauliflower from the tandoor, sprinkled with coconut and cashew. Finish off your meal with a selection of Indian-spiced bonbons. IdV
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
Kulcha KingDubai, Kulcha King: While the City of Gold has no shortage of excellent Indian dining options for those with deep pockets, we want to give a shout-out to the many cheap eats that Dubai boasts. One example is the Kulcha King chain, specialising in Amritsari (Punjabi) cuisine, and in particular the marvels that are kulchas: a leavened wheat flour bread baked in the tandoor, and stuffed with potato, onion, paneer or mutton. They are served with chickpea or chicken gravy and tamarind chutney. The menu is extensive, but stick to the kulchas and house specialties, such as the Gilafi Seekh Kebab with chicken and cheese. IdV
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
Kwality Ice CreamEdison, New Jersey, Kwality Ice Cream: In Edison and surrounding towns in New Jersey, you stumble over Southeast Asian restaurants and stores. After a meal, grab dessert at Kwality Ice Cream. At this small chain of natural ice cream parlours, the flavours are distinctly Indian: alphonso king mango, sitafal (custard apple), raj bhog (a Bengali saffron rasgulla sweet), gaajar halwa (a carrot halva), and loads more. They also serve kulfi (a frozen cream treat denser than regular ice cream) and falooda (a float of kulfi topped with vermicelli and rosewater). IdV
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Food
Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
TajHyderabad, Adaa, Taj Falaknuma Palace: Calling all fine-dining enthusiasts and lovers of Hyderabadi cuisine! At the Taj Falaknuma Palace’s Adaa restaurant, enjoy carefully-curated, slow-cooked and aromatic Hyderabadi Kacchi biryani, Akhtari Murgh Tikka and Shikampuri kebabs – the customary cuisine of the Nizams. Not just that, the chefs will willingly tweak the spice levels to suit your palate. A delectable meal with impeccable service and a royal ambience, price notwithstanding – that’s a definite win-win. PS
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Food
Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
BangalaKaraikudi, The Bangala: Discard any thoughts of yet another South Indian lunch location serving imitative and mediocre fare in the name of Chettinad cuisine. Rather, this is as original and flavourful as it gets, coming directly from a Nattukottai Chettiar kitchen, inside a mid-twentieth century, Chettinad heritage guesthouse in the Tamil Nadu heartland. From uppu karis to pachadis served on banana leaves, relish fresh and complexly-spiced saapad. You can even register for a culinary masterclass while you’re there. PS
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Food
Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
6 Ballygunge PlaceKolkata, 6 Ballygunge Place: Apart from its address at a 100-year old bungalow of a former Rai Bahadur and period décor, this much-talked about eatery in South Kolkata rolls the best of Bengali fare into a brilliantly appetising menu developed from rummaging old and trusted cookbooks. A feast of the Bhuna Chingri, Bhapa Ilish, Nolen Gurer ice cream and Paan Masala will have you coming back for more – just like the restaurant’s Bollywood patrons. PS
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
Tentacoes de GoaLisbon, Tentações de Goa: “Goan Temptations” focuses on an Indian cuisine that was fusion avant la lettre: Goan food, which incorporates Hindu, Muslim and Portuguese influences. The Portuguese introduced the fiery chilli pepper, as well as beef and pork, and the best dish this brought forward is pork vindaloo, with that nice vinegary kick. Sample it at this unassuming, brightly coloured restaurant, as well as fresh coconut-inspired seafood curries with bebinca (traditional layered cake) for dessert. IdV
facebook.com [Photo: Amanda Fernandes/Flickr]13/26
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
GunpowderLondon, Gunpowder: If your standard chicken tikka is what you’re looking for, look elsewhere. The 28-seat Gunpowder is one of London’s more contemporary Indian restaurants, serving creative, boldly-flavoured dishes, inspired by family recipes. The plates like okra fries, a spicy venison doughnut or paturi maach (a Bengali mustard fish steamed in banana leaf) can be shared and washed down with one of their creative cocktails. IdV
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
GymkhanaLondon, Gymkhana: A critics’ darling, Gymkhana was hailed as Haute Anglo-Indian without the dullness that characterises many upscale venues. In a swanky setting inspired by the sports and social clubs of colonial India (think lots of dark wood and leather), diners enjoy comfort food done with zing and precision: a dosa with slow-cooked Chettinad duck, a fluffy venison biryani served with a pomegranate and mint raita or a date and fig kheer for dessert. You will need to book well in advance. IdV
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
BadmaashLos Angeles, Badmaash: When a restaurant’s website boldly states: “You haven’t had it like this”, you know you’re up for something else. In this Indian gastropub in downtown LA, father and brothers Mahendro like to mash things up – and, appropriately enough, in quite a badass way: Chicken Tikka Poutine or Spiced Mango Pork Belly, anyone? The traditional dishes as Butter Chicken or Goan Pork Curry are pretty comforting, too. IdV
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Food
Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
TonkaMelbourne, Tonka: Another restaurant riding the modern Indian food wave with upmarket interpretations of classic dishes. And when it works so well, why not? Melburnians certainly seem to adore the clever dishes of chef Adam D’Sylva, such as burrata cheese with a fresh coriander relish and charred roti, the oyster bhaji on a betel leaf, with tempered papaya, tomato tadka and crispy curry leaves, or a lamb curry with roasted coconut, white poppy seeds and black cardamom. The restaurant, somewhat hidden in a graffiti-clad alleyway, has a matching contemporary design with a gorgeous mesh sculpture ceiling. IdV
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
GajaleeMumbai, Gajalee: Ask any Mumbaikar for authentic Malvani coastal dining options in the city and they’ll point you to the flagship Gajalee in the Vile Parle East suburbs – a definite star on the city’s seafood scene. The catch is fresh and the masalas and marinades are traditional. What’s worth sampling? The tandoori crab, Bombil fry (Bombay duck – it’s a fish!) and butter garlic prawns come highly recommended. PS
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
Mumbai K3 Snacks & SweetsMumbai, K3 Snacks & Sweets: Off the beaten-track and tucked away in the upscale, suburban Hiranandani Gardens neighbourhood in north-east Mumbai, not far from Powai Lake is an unpretentious, all-day chaat corner serving delectable street food fare from ragda pattice to vada pav to a burgeoning number of locals and visitors daily. We’ll vouch that their cheese pav-bhaji is the tastiest you’ll eat anywhere in the city without contracting the notorious ‘Delhi Belly’. PS [Photo: G.N. Shrinivas]
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
GulatiNew Delhi, Gulati: For almost 58 years, prominent dignitaries and commoners have been frequenting this casual foodie hotspot on Pandara Road Market to indulge in Royal Mughlai and North Indian fare. It’s the intensely flavourful dishes, courteous service, warm ambience and wallet-friendly fares that make this one of Delhi’s most-loved restaurants. The classic Murgh Makhani and the succulent Kakori kebabs are always heart-warming hits. PS
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
Indian AccentNew York City, Indian Accent: A number of Indian chefs are striving to get Indian food accepted as truly splurge-worthy, memorable fine dining in the Big Apple. Chef Manish Mehrotra is one of them. His acclaimed Indian Accent in New Delhi now has a NYC outpost, where diners enjoy balanced tasting menus in a sleek setting. The kulcha with pastrami or blue cheese is an example of his dishes that incorporate ‘foreign’ ingredients and techniques without ever seeming far-fetched. IdV
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Food
Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
PaowallaNew York City, Paowalla: Ever since chef Floyd Cardoz’s beloved Tabla closed in 2010, New York foodies were eagerly awaiting his next venture, which opened in Soho last year. The restaurant’s name, a Portuguese-Hindi word referring to a person selling bread, should make clear that doughy delicacies play a starring role. There’s a dedicated bread bar with a wood-burning oven churning out wonders as kulchas (with melted cheddar), naans (with bacon), wada paos, flaky parathas, and more. Do overload on carbs, but don’t forget to try a few of the shareable plates that showcase the diversity of Indian cuisines. IdV
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Food
Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
PremaasSingapore, Premaas: Singapore’s Little India seems to pack the flavours of the entire Indian subcontinent into one rousing district. Gorge on vegetarian Tamil specialties, rich Punjabi curries, or Bengali street food, but try the lesser-known cuisines as well, such as the layered dishes of Malabar (North-Keralan) cuisine at Premaas. Order the Meen Pollichathu – fish with a host of South Indian spices steamed in banana leaf, or the Kappa (tapioca) Biryani with mutton, and make sure to try some appams (a fermented rice and coconut pancake) on the side. IdV
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Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
Indian Street Food CoToronto, Indian Street Food Co.: The future for modern Indian dining seems to be creative interpretations of regional street food rather than over-fussy, opulent curries. Restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani took inspiration from the variety of foods available at Indian railway stations. His interpretations: eggplant fries with mustard-yogurt dip, samosas with a raw mango preserve, or a gulab jamun doughnut. The restaurant has a modern feel to it, but touches such as a reclaimed wood wall, old photographs and bright silk tablecloths make it distinctly Indian. IdV
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Food
Great Indian Dining Experiences Around The World.
Vij'sVancouver, Vij’s: Wine-marinated lamb popsicles in fenugreek cream curry. Mutton kebabs with Bengali style curry. Jackfruit in black cardamom and cumin curry. Although the dishes at Vij’s are inventive, and all prepared with local (and sustainable) ingredients, they shouldn’t be labelled as fusion, chef Vikram Vij insists, for all the techniques and spices are traditionally Indian. By now a national celebrity, Vij is the face of the business (consisting of four restaurants and a frozen food line), while co-owner Meeru Dhalwala leads the all-female kitchen staff. Vij’s no-reservation policy hasn’t changed since 1994, but Vancouverites are happy wait for good food, an interesting wine list and gracious service. IdV
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