While Chicago is plotted in the middle of cornfields, it has an array of cuisines that people travel all over the country to try. It comes as no surprise, especially to Chicagoans, that whatever we’re craving, we’ll get the best of the best—including South Asian food—the city sprawling with delectable Indian restaurants in Chicago—causal and Michelin star—boasting from clubby restaurants to small family-owned establishments. So, we’ve curated a list of the best Indian restaurants in Chicago whenever you’re craving something flavorful and delicious.
Our team has carefully selected each Indian restaurant on this list. Our editors and the Secret Chicago team depend on personal experiences, recommendations, editorial reviews, customer feedback, and thorough research to bring you the most delicious Indian spots in Chicago. This list is regularly updated as we discover new openings and revisit established favorites.
Indienne
First on our list may be the most unique Indian restaurant in Chicago. Situated River North, Indienne resides in a 19th-century printing warehouse. The converted timber loft was conceptualized by Chef Sujan Sakar and his determination to redefine traditional Indian cuisine.
This convivial yet upscale setting offers a seasonal tasting menu experience and a seasonal a la carte menu filled with Yogurt Chat and Chicken Malai Tikka. However, should you be swayed to the tasting menu, they cater to every customer as they have non-vegetarian, vegetarian, and vegan menus.
📍Address: 217 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654
Vajra
Continuing with Vajra, this celebrated Wicker Park restaurant is the quintessential place if you’re searching for high-quality to-go Indian food. This pick-up-only spot highlights Indian food using the simplicity of spices while elegantly using a modern approach. You can never go wrong with a chef’s plate of Butter Chicken or Makhamali Aalu.
However, one of the must-have items on this list is the butter or garlic naan. If you’re not in the mood to dress up and splash on makeup but are still trying to impress your date or visiting family, this is the place to order from.
📍Address: 2039 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
ROOH
We’re sure you’ve heard of ROOH before—this stylish, luxurious West Loop spot owned by Manish and Rina Mallick has some of the best Indian food in Chicago. Right by Fulton Market, ROOH takes a progressive take on Indian cuisine with a contemporary menu filled with shareable dishes, from small plates like Sweet Potato Chaat and Kerala Chicken to large plates like Bengali Lamb Shank and Paneer Pasanda.
Everything is elegantly plated, appetizing, and flavorful; pair it with one of their Southern Asian cocktails—you’ll be coming back repeatedly.
However, if you’re looking to try a little of everything, the brand-new 8-course tasting menu, ROOP may be for you. The new menu, meaning ‘beauty,’ is $95 per person and showcases India’s rich, delicious flavors with both a vegetarian and non-vegetarian option. We tried the latter and fell in love with each dish, with standouts like the Scallop and the Rogan Josh with smoked yogurt, papaya, and rice. –Melissa Maynard
📍Address: 736 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661
Adda Indian cuisine
Enter Adda Indian Cuisine—fresh and seasonal Indian cuisine—raved as one of the most affordable Indian restaurants in Chicago. Whether you’re in the mood for Curry, Paapi Pet, Party Ka Jugaad, or Dum Pukht Biryani, they have a menu filled with classic Indian dishes to delight your taste buds. This is a lovely restaurant to gather for a casual night out.
📍Address: 1400 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607
Indian Paradise
Paradise is an idyllic utopia where you can get everything you’ve ever wanted—and Indian Paradise is no exception. This spot has a spicy and imaginative flavorful take on classic Indian dishes, emphasizing the freshness and crispness of Indian cuisine. The intimate atmosphere has an array of selections, including Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka, Lamb Masala, and other vegetarian cuisine delicacies and Halal Indian food options.
📍Address: 2257 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Tandoor Char House
Whether you want to dine in or take out, Tandoor Char House has various locations, making it one of the more versatile Indian restaurants in Chicago. Founded by brothers Fahim Faraz, Tandoor Char House was influenced by their rich cultural heritage and passion for culinary arts.
From their mother’s simmering sumptuous stews to their father’s deletable charred Halal meats, their roots inspired the Indian Pakistani menu.
📍 Address: 2652 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
📍 Address: 110 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654 (To Go)
📍 Address: 1022 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (To Go)
Bar Goa
Was there ever a time when the lights were dimming, and you were frolicking to bass dropping, but you were craving Indian food? Well, let us introduce you to Bar Goa. Located on the Hubbard, this Indian restaurant in Chicago cosplays as a Chicago nightclub while transporting you to India’s southwest coast through electronic music and delicious food.
Their all-day menu features an array of palatable Indian dishes like a Samosa Bomb Railway Lamb Curry, Chicken Malai Tikki, and more.
📍 Address: 116 W Hubbard St, Suite 1, Chicago, IL 60654
MOMO Factory
This casual dining restaurant is a Nepalese street food staple off Broadway’s vibrant street. The menu includes specialty dumplings paired with their inferno or mellow Nepali sauce—it’s truly divine—the perfect place for a fast meal that will keep you satisfied as the night turns to dawn. This is one of the best Indian restaurants in Chicago if you’re in the mood for dumplings.
📍Address: 3202 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
Thattu
Located in Avondale, Thattu was born from Chef Margaret Pak’s love for the southwest Indian coastal cuisine of Kerala. It is considered one of the best new restaurants in Chicago because the menu is a story of Kerala, bringing playful interpretations filled with aromatic spice and blending the love between land and sea.
📍Address: 2601 W Fletcher St, Chicago, IL 60618
🍽️ Reservation: Make a reservation at Thattu here
Whether you’re craving creamy Butter Chicken or a Vegetable Samosa, you can’t go wrong with Indian food. The dishes intertwined with spices transport you somewhere else, and that’s why you need to dine at one of these Indian restaurants in Chicago.