Searching for Indian Food in Atlanta

As a person of Indian origin, I often get asked what are the best places to taste Indian cuisine in Atlanta. While Indian restaurants are springing up everywhere in town, here is a list of restaurants as of November 2018, that I would go for.

1. Zyka in Decatur. It is North India/North Western Frontier Cuisine. Counter-Serve/Pick up your own plates.
2. Tabla in Midtown. If you want to be lobster tandoori, this is the place. Mix of wonderful ingredients cooked indian style with great wine pairings and cocktails.
3. Chai Pani in Decatur. This is an interesting take on local indian street foods found all over India. Smaller tapas style platters so you end up ordering a bunch of stuff.
4. Bhojanic close to Emory University. This one gives the most amazing “Thali’s” or platters of indian meals with menu options changing everyday. Indian platters are big and involve veg/non-veg dishes with lots of condiments and accompaniments.
5. Cafe Bombay on Briarcliff. Ambience is good with very strong indian character and the best buffet in town, if you are into buffets. They put some special items in the buffet which you won’t get everywhere.
6. Botiwala at Ponce City Market. Grilled Indian Tandoori and Street food in a food hall. The food is authentic but much less spicy even if the environment seems very much like any other grill here.
7. Jai Ho – Indian Kitchen & Bar in Midtown. South Indian non-vegetarian classics in a bistro environment. Love their patio.
8. Naanstop in Buckhead/Atlantic Station. Build-your-own wraps, rice bowls & salads – chipotle for India. Great for casual outings and lunches.
9. Yellow Chilli of Georgia in Alpharetta. This one is by renowned Indian Chef – Sanjeev Kapoor. Serving Mughlai, Punjabi and dishes from India’s Northwestern frontier.
10. Madras Mantra in Lawrenceville. All-vegetarian South Indian spot. The only South Indian Restaurant I would go to in Atlanta. Try the different styles of Dosa’s – rice/flour based crepes.
11. Paradise Biryani Pointe in Alpharetta. Counter-serve Indian chain for Biryani, kebabs, curries & more, including lots of veggie options. Biryani is a rice and meat based dish with Persian, Indian, Islamic heritage with different states in India offering different variations of it. The best version of rice and meat (chicken, lamb) you can get.

The key is to understand Indian cuisine is that it keeps changing from region to region, so North Indian is very different from South Indian or East or West Indian. And it is spicy (not necessarily hot). Most of the restaurants focus on the food, and less on the decor and ambiance – so check them out on google or yelp before you go. Indian buffets are an alternative started in the US to take advantage of the common ingredients and keep prices down – you don’t get as many Indian buffets in India. So you get what you pay for; and most importantly, all curries taste the same because the basic ingredients end up being used to create multiple dishes.

Give your taste buds a try and let me know.