Best Indian Restaurants in East Village (10009)
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Bungalow
High-polish modern Indian built around chef-driven regional storytelling.
Notable Picks
#1
Bungalow
8.6
A modern Indian flagship that leans ambitious without losing the flavor baseline—thoughtful spice, polished technique, and a menu built for sharing across regions of India. Come hungry, pace it like a tasting, and prioritize the signature kebab-and-seafood moments that show the kitchen’s range.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yogurt kebab, Fish with Malvan marinade, Anarkali chicken
What makes it special: High-polish modern Indian built around chef-driven regional storytelling.
#2
Red Onion
8.3
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
A neighborhood-leaning Indian spot that does the greatest hits with conviction—big portions, warm spicing, and a menu that rewards mixing a crisp starter with one rich meat dish and one vegetable counterbalance. It’s an easy “repeat order” place when you want reliable comfort over trend-chasing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Giant vegetarian samosa, Rara bhuna lamb, Aloo saag
What makes it special: Big-flavor Indian staples with generous portions and strong repeatability.
#3
Ishq
8.2
A modern Indian room with a nightlife-adjacent glow and a menu that’s built for contrast—sweet-and-sour chaat, tandoor smoke, and saucy comfort dishes that land with real spice depth. It shines when you order a chaat, a tandoori bite, and one rich curry, then stop there.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jalebi chaat, Butter chicken, Dudhiya kabob
What makes it special: Modern Indian with chaat-driven creativity and a showy dining-room vibe.
8.0
A Punjabi dhaba-style standby where the point is straightforward, sauce-forward comfort and satisfying portions rather than a glossy dining-room experience. Order like a regular—one creamy signature, one slow-cooked dal, and something off the tandoor—then let the leftovers do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter chicken, Dal makhani, Tandoori chicken
What makes it special: Punjabi dhaba comfort that’s built for saucy classics and hearty portions.
Worthy Picks
#5
Desi Galli
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A casual, street-food-leaning spot that’s best when you treat it as a focused roll-and-snack mission—fast, filling, and built for takeout momentum. Stick to the kathi-roll core and one fun side, and you’ll get the strongest flavor-per-dollar outcome.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken tikka kathi roll, Chana masala roll, Desi poutine
What makes it special: Indian street-food energy anchored by kathi rolls and fast turnaround.