With fragrant curries that perfume the streets, BYOB gems tucked away on side streets, and tandoori spots even Manhattanites make pilgrimages for, Forest Hills is a constant culinary whirlwind. It’s dizzying choosing between authentic dosas, fiery vindaloo, or a cozy dinner for two. Let us guide you through the spice trail. Here are the 19 best Indian restaurants in Forest Hills, NY, including a few stellar finds just beyond the neighborhood borders.
Veerays
$$$ | (646) 429-8398 | WEBSITE
Veerays is the upscale Indian restaurant in Forest Hills—ever tried it?—and this East Midtown gem, with a focus on traditional flavors with contemporary twists, is likely headed for similar acclaim. Thanks to dim lighting, chic decor, and a cool, modern soundtrack, the buzzy restaurant is an easy choice for date night or dinner with a few friends.
Start with a classic cocktail and the praised garlic naan before moving onto the best butter chicken we’ve had in months (tender in a rich, aromatic tomato cream), camel seekh kebabs with authentic spices, and the Don’s Lamb Chops painted with a savory, high-praise marinade.
Kamala Kitchen
$ | (718) 540-4626 | WEBSITE
At this Forest Hills find, longtime Bengali food lovers mingle with newcomers. Traditional music might be playing softly in the background while the chef prepares dishes in the open kitchen. The kitchen, which requires main course pre-orders, is a welcome discovery for anyone craving more than typical takeout. There’s a steady stream of fresh snacks, warm lighting, reliably good fish fry and excellent mango lassi.
Spend an evening here when you’re craving authentic flavors and want to feel at home.
Ahimsa
$$ | (212) 228-2022 | WEBSITE
We’d eat the kadai paneer masala at Ahimsa in a grocery store parking lot if we had to. But thankfully, this upscale Indian restaurant is located in Forest Hills. In addition to their amazing dosa and idli, Ahimsa serves incredible Hakka noodles with vegetables and authentic Southern Indian curries—all of which are just as beautiful to look at as they are to eat. If you’re looking for something special, try to get a seat in their spacious, aesthetically pleasing dining room.
Bombay Grill House
$$ | (347) 682-5122 | WEBSITE
Forest Hills’ Bombay Grill House serves consistently delicious, reasonably priced Indian cuisine, but it’s also just a cozy spot to settle in for a satisfying meal. The BYOB policy feels like a small dinner party in a friend’s living room since everyone arriving is carrying their favorite six-pack or bottle. Although this is technically an Indian grill house, almost everything else coming out of Bombay’s tandoor works better than their standard mixed grill. Go for the enormous, boat-shaped naan.
Bombay makes several different kinds, and while they’re all incredible, the one brushed with garlic butter and served alongside the Goan Fish Curry is the one we’d take home to meet our parents.
Spice & Grill The Indian Kitchen
$$ | (718) 875-2525 | WEBSITE
With a menu of Nepali and Indian dishes as diverse as the neighborhood itself, and a space that’s been recently remodeled to feel lighter and brighter, Spice & Grill The Indian Kitchen is where we go for flavorful curries and warm dining experiences. Come on a casual evening and start with things like delicate chicken momos with tangy red sauce, then move on to a veg thali or the popular chicken thali with paneer, gulab jamun, and dal.
Bombay Chowk
$$ | (212) 249-4111 | WEBSITE
Going out of your way for a meal can sometimes diminish the experience. But Bombay Chowk’s authentic Indian dishes are so flavorful, it’s absolutely worth the journey to find this hidden gem. The Forest Hills restaurant is tucked away in a vibrant neighborhood, only seats about 40, and prepares each of its signature curries with meticulous care. For newcomers, authentic Indian means spices are layered thoughtfully into each dish, then balanced with creamy sauces.
We’re partial to the chicken tikka masala, but you can’t go wrong here. The chicken tandoori is tender and juicy, a no-compromise situation—it stands up even under the rich tomato gravy, aromatic sag paneer, and buttery goat cheese naan—and each portion is generously filled with bursts of color and warmth throughout the meal.
Mint Heights
$$ | (718) 237-4008 | WEBSITE
There are few things that get us out of bed when we’d rather be sleeping: a fire alarm because our neighbors can’t make toast, avoiding a long line at the carwash, and an order of chicken tikka masala from Mint Heights. Bathed in a rich, creamy tomato sauce, each tender piece of chicken comes infused with aromatic spices, fresh ginger, garlic, and a hint of cream.
Besides that, the Forest Hills spot’s menu includes staples like chicken curry, flaky paratha, and an unforgettable tikka masala praised for its authenticity.
Kebab aur Sharab
$$$ | (212) 540-5247 | WEBSITE
Kebab aur Sharab is an Indian spot that works for a solo dinner, groups of friends, or anyone whose love language is buttery chicken tikka. Must-orders are the Dahi ke Kebab—creamy, spiced yogurt patties with a crisp exterior—and the smoky Aslam Butter Chicken Tikka. Kebab aur Sharab also makes a mean cocktail, so if you’re in the neighborhood and don’t have a reservation, wait for your Malabar Bone Marrow Pulao with an Indian-inspired gin fizz.
Punjabi Deli
$ | (212) 533-3356 | WEBSITE
Punjabi Deli is a cozy, standing-room-only spot offering some of the most authentic and flavorful Indian food in Forest Hills. Tucked away in the heart of the East Village, the menu is all-Punjabi, all-traditional. It features a variety of vegetarian dishes, from the warm, flaky roti and hearty daal to the spiced sabji and crispy samosas and pakoras. There are still some classic touches, but it feels more like a modern takeout counter.
While the space is decidedly small, every dish is freshly and carefully prepared, making it the perfect balance for a quick, satisfying lunch or a flavorful dinner on the go.
Gulab Indian restaurant
$$ | (201) 282-4673 | WEBSITE
Blink and you might miss it. Gulab, the cozy and inviting Indian restaurant, sits on a block of Forest Hills adjacent to pizza shops, delis, and exactly zero other cozy and inviting Indian spots. But it’s worth searching for some of the best curries, biryanis, and flavorful bites in the neighborhood. The earth-toned dining room is anchored by warm wooden tables on one side, a kitchen busy with chefs on the other, and pleasant Indian music playing overhead.
If you can’t snag a table, try for one of the comfortable seats at the counter. The shrimp biryani, butter chicken, and perfectly cooked lamb biriani taste just as excellent there.
Maleen Banquet Hall and Restaurant
$$ | (718) 347-8500 | WEBSITE
This stunning Indian banquet hall is one of the premier venues in Forest Hills for special events. For around $85 per person, you’ll get exceptional service from Manav, who handles every detail with professionalism, delicious highlights like chill chicken, and a beautiful rooftop with a clean, nice bar. It’s an outstanding experience, and therefore a perfect choice for weddings and celebrations.
Veeray da Dhaba
$$ | (212) 777-1420 | WEBSITE
Veeray da Dhaba is where you go in Forest Hills when you want to eat comforting, authentic Indian food behind an unassuming yellow awning. The vegetarian-friendly menu highlights bold, spicy flavors, which means you’ll eat a lot of well-prepared dishes like pindi chole, chicken kali mirch, saag paneer, and garlic naan. Come on a busy night when you don’t feel like cooking or whenever you’re craving outstanding butter chicken and flavorful daal.
The friendly staff with kind smiles makes each visit enjoyable, and orders to-go are filled to the brim, ensuring good value. Reservations are recommended due to limited seating in the welcoming atmosphere.
Cloves Indian Cuisine
$$ | (646) 398-9444 | WEBSITE
When you first walk into Cloves Indian Cuisine, you’ll notice the warm, bustling atmosphere that makes every visit feel special. Everything at this Forest Hills spot is that welcoming, especially their reasonably priced menu that keeps customers coming back. It’s all delicious—dishes feature flavors and combinations that stand out from typical Indian restaurants. We’re talking about things like Chicken Malai Kababs with perfect char or Kadhai Paneer with vibrant spices.
While most of the menu focuses on traditional favorites, you can (and should) start with the samosas, which are considered the best around.
Bengal Tiger
$$ | (212) 265-2703 | WEBSITE
Forest Hills’ Bengal Tiger is warm, inviting, and has more cozy lighting than a Himalayan retreat. There’s a dining area that works perfectly for a relaxed evening out (they’ll even accommodate special requests if you ask). From the rich butter chicken served with fluffy garlic naan to the vibrant vegetable samosa, the menu here is exactly what you’d hope for from a classic Indian spot. There’s also a lively atmosphere that makes it a destination worth the trip.
Hindu Temple Canteen
$ | (718) 460-8493 | WEBSITE
You can get all kinds of authentic Indian breakfast at this Forest Hills canteen, from the must-try Pondicherry masala dosa and delicious chole bature to packaged Indian snacks and sweets. They also have some inexplicably fast service. Top your meal with masala ghee roast and masala chai at unbelievable prices for NYC. If you need extra inspo, check out their separate entrance so you need not go through the temple.
Gazab
$$ | (917) 388-2664 | WEBSITE
In a surprise to no one, the team behind Gazab is doing the whole festive-chic-and-flavor-packed thing right once again. This time it’s at their Forest Hills spot, the mural-adorned, NYC-meets-India restaurant mashup. You’ll want to take the garlic naan and paneer thecha to go, but they also make a mean chicken tikka masala and Kasauli Lemon Chicken that you’ll flirt-fight your date over.
Snag one of the limited seats and a couple well-prepared dishes, scoop luxuriously buttery shrimp coconut curry, and pretend you’re hanging in your Indian friend’s apartment.
Pranam Restaurant
$$ | (347) 848-0084 | WEBSITE
Pranam Restaurant serves excellent butter chicken, but they also prepare the tandoori chicken in thali with generous portions of rice and a garlic naan that we dip everything in. With all the fluffy bread in the thali, it has super soft layers each time you tear off a piece. And the veggie momo that comes with each lunch special has wrappers that are flavorful from being steamed alongside the fillings and tender enough to soak up the sauce without losing any of their texture.
Saar
$$ | (646) 609-2142 | WEBSITE
There’s a lot to love about Saar. The food is excellent, the wine selection is thoughtful, and its elegant, quiet atmosphere sets it apart from most other restaurants near Times Square. They serve authentic Indian dishes like samosas, prawn curry, and paneer butter masala with garlic naan, which makes it a perfect spot for a memorable meal. Stop by for a cup of their special masala tea before catching a show at the Belasco theater.
Sathi
$$ | (212) 260-3700 | WEBSITE
At this Indian and Nepali restaurant, the whole menu is worth exploring, but the Lamb Korma and momos are essential. We usually go for the Butter Chicken paired with freshly made naan for dipping in the flavorful curry—all with generous, shareable portions. Come to the warm, inviting space with traditional decor and soothing music for a cozy dinner or bring friends to share some Chicken Tikka Masala, a thali, and some wine you brought along.
