Best Indian Restaurants in Chicago
50 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Indienne
Michelin-recognized tasting menus that modernize Indian flavors in a polished room.
Essential Picks
#1
Indienne
9.1
Indienne is Chef Sujan Sarkar’s progressive Indian fine-dining room in River North, running multicourse tasting menus that reframe regional flavors with modern technique. Michelin recognition, highly rated multi-platform feedback, and a 2022 opening keep it in the conversation as one of Chicago’s destination restaurants for contemporary Indian cuisine.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seared scallops in coastal-style curry, Signature lamb course, Butter-poached lobster supplement
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized tasting menus that modernize Indian flavors in a polished room.
Notable Picks
8.6
A momo-forward Nepali-Indian kitchen where the best orders start with dumplings and then move into a focused curry lane. It’s most consistent when you pick 1–2 mains and treat the meal like a paced share rather than an everything-on-the-table spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jhol (Soup) Momo, Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Biryani
What Makes it Special: Momo variety (including jhol/soup momo) anchors the whole menu.
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Business Lunch Power Players
India House is a downtown stalwart with a huge menu and daily buffet, drawing thousands of reviews and a 4.46/5 aggregate rating from over 7,000 multi-platform opinions that emphasize variety and ambiance. Guests lean on it for classic North Indian dishes, tandoori platters, and an all-you-can-eat spread that works as well for work lunches as family dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegetable samosas, Lamb biryani, Paneer pakora
What Makes it Special: High-volume downtown Indian standby with a sprawling menu and buffet.
#4
ROOP Chicago
8.6
A modern Indian dining room built for a curated, course-like order: bright chaat, a standout paneer lane, and a tight set of mains that land best when you don’t overreach. The cocktail program is a real co-headliner, making this a strong West Loop move for date-night pacing or a bar-first happy hour that still eats like dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paneer Pasanda, Sweet Potato Chaat, Chili Cheese Kulcha
What Makes it Special: Progressive Indian cooking paired with a cocktail program built as a co-main.
#5
Coach House
8.5
Chicago's only South and Southeast Asian tasting menu, hidden in a historic pre-Fire coach house behind Lilac Tiger in Wicker Park. Two-time James Beard-nominated Chef Zubair Mohajir (Gaggan alum) delivers a 7-course journey through Chennai-rooted flavors with impeccable seasoning—the crab momo in black garlic kulambu broth and duck Numidian with dates and pine nuts showcase his brilliance. The intimate 22-seat room and BYOB policy create an approachable fine-dining experience that feels personal rather than pretentious.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crab Momo in Black Garlic Kulambu Broth, Duck Numidian with Dates & Pine Nuts, Kulcha with Truffles
What Makes it Special: Chicago's only South/Southeast Asian tasting menu, helmed by a James Beard-nominated Gaggan alum in a historic coach house
8.5
Cumin’s Lakeview outpost brings the Bib Gourmand–recognized Wicker Park menu of Nepali and Indian cooking to Belmont, with momos, chaats, and rich curries in a polished dining room. Locals use it for fuller sit-down dinners, from butter chicken and lamb curry to shared tandoor orders and vegetarian plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Momo, Butter Chicken (Chicken Makhani), Chicken Tikka Masala
What Makes it Special: A Bib-recognized Nepali-Indian menu in a more polished Lakeview dining room.
8.5
Kababish BBQ & Grill turns a small Old Town shack into a destination for Pakistani-style grilled meats, frontier beef, and chapli kebabs. Locals lean on it for takeout plates loaded with smoky kebabs, fresh naan, and cooling raita at prices that stay weeknight-friendly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Frontier Beef, Chapli Kabab, Fried Chicken with Raita
What Makes it Special: Tiny grill shack turning out big-flavor Pakistani barbecue and kebabs.
8.5
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
Mazala Pizza by Moti operates as a fast-casual Indian street-food and fusion pizza spot at 70 W Huron, backed by 3000+ Uber Eats ratings and over 1,700 aggregated reviews at around 4.4/5. Guests come for masala pizzas, bowls, tacos, and momos that remix familiar takeout formats with assertive Indian seasoning, all at counter-service speed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Pizza, Vada Pav, Tikka Masala Momos
What Makes it Special: High-volume Indian-fusion pizza and street-food counter with serious delivery demand.
#9
Mirra
8.5
Chefs Rishi Kumar and Zubair Mohajir weave Indian and Mexican traditions into bold, spice-forward dishes like crispy scallop tacos in fenugreek roti shells and lamb barbacoa biryani sealed under buttery roti. The Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient opened August 2024 and has quickly become Bucktown's most talked-about reservation, earning a spot on Eater's Best New Restaurants in America list.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Scallop Tacos with Green Curry, Lamb Barbacoa Biryani, Mirra Mezze
What Makes it Special: Chicago's only Indian-Mexican fusion restaurant from a James Beard semifinalist chef, backed by a Michelin Bib Gourmand
#10
Biryani Ka Adda
8.4
Biryani Ka Adda focuses squarely on Hyderabadi-style biryanis and a tight set of Indo-Chinese and curry staples, drawing a steady flow of delivery orders across the South Loop and Bronzeville. Generous portions, layered rice, and assertive spice make it a go-to when the craving is specifically for biryani rather than a broad curry lineup.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Biryani, Gongura Chicken Biryani, Chili Gobi
What Makes it Special: A biryani-focused kitchen where most orders center on large-format Hyderabadi rice plates.
8.4
Bombay Eats is a fast-casual Indian spot where wraps, bowls, and rolls translate Mumbai street food into quick lunches and easy takeout in Streeterville. Opened in 2010 by husband-and-wife team Falguni and Ali Dewjee, it leans on streamlined ordering, vegetarian-friendly options, and consistent execution to keep office workers and locals coming back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Wrap, Cheese Paneer Wrap, Samosa Wrap
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual Indian wraps and bowls that stay remarkably consistent for quick downtown meals.
#12
Cafe Nova
8.4
A Rogers Park counter-service spot that crosses Sri Lankan cooking with familiar South Indian and North Indian comfort—fragrant curries, biryani, and bread-forward plates that hit best when you order with focus. The room is spacious and casual, making it a high-utility neighborhood option for groups with mixed cravings and spice tolerances.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kothu Roti, Chicken Mustard Curry, Fish Curry
What Makes it Special: Sri Lankan-leaning curries and kothu roti that feel distinct from standard Indian takeout.
#13
Nepal House
8.4
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Date Night Magic
Family Friendly Favorites
A South Loop dining-room option that mixes Nepali specialties with North Indian standards, working well for both dine-in and structured takeout orders. It’s strongest when you build around momos plus one saucy curry and fresh naan, keeping the spread tight rather than chasing the full menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken momo, Chicken tikka masala, Chicken choila
What Makes it Special: A polished South Loop Nepalese-Indian menu where momos and curries travel well.
8.3
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Hidden Gems Heaven
A full-service, family-run North Indian kitchen where the best orders lean into rich gravies, tandoor heat, and bread made for scooping. The menu reads broad, but the most satisfying meal is one tandoori starter plus a bold curry and fresh-baked kulcha, keeping spice, smoke, and creaminess in balance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tandoori chicken, Lamb vindaloo, Gajar ka halwa (carrot halwa)
What Makes it Special: Family-run North Indian with strong curries and tandoor staples.
8.3
A North Center dining room that reworks familiar Indian favorites with a modern, chef-driven touch and a strong cocktail-forward night-out rhythm. Order best by anchoring the table with one chaat-style starter, one tandoor/bread moment, and two mains that contrast creamy and smoky.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mushroom kulcha, Sweet potato chaat, Eggplant bharta
What Makes it Special: Modern Indian cooking that hits classic flavors with tighter technique and polish.
8.3
A compact South Loop spot that runs like a dependable Nepalese-Indian comfort kitchen—quick service, strong curries, and momo plates that make sense for both solo meals and small groups. The move is to anchor with momos and one creamy curry, then add naan for maximum sauce coverage.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jhol momo, Chicken tikka masala, Garlic naan
What Makes it Special: A high-repeatability momo-and-curry stop in the South Loop.
8.3
A Nepali-leaning Indian kitchen that’s strongest when you order into the Himalayan comfort lane—momos, thukpa, and deeper, bone-in curries—rather than treating it like a generic tikka-masala stop. The room is relaxed and the menu is wide, but the best meals stay focused: one dumpling starter, one warming bowl, and one slow-cooked main for the table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jhol momos, Thenthuk or thukpa, Goat curry (bone-in)
What Makes it Special: Himalayan-style dumplings and soups that outshine the standard curry lane.
8.3
KAMA West Loop brings Vikram and Agnes Singh’s contemporary Indian cooking to Randolph Street with a menu that fuses paneer-stuffed ravioli, tandoori seafood, and regional curries. Diners come for polished plates, cocktails, and a lively dining room that works for both date nights and small groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paneer-Stuffed Ravioli in Tikka Sauce, Tandoori Chilean Sea Bass, Tamarind Baby Back Ribs
What Makes it Special: Modern Indian plates and cocktails in a polished Randolph Street dining room.
8.3
A compact Loop Indian spot that wins when you order with confidence: stick to the strongest tandoor and curry staples and keep the sides minimal. It’s a reliable ‘real meal’ option downtown when you want flavor-forward comfort without turning lunch into an event.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Samosa
What Makes it Special: A downtown Indian kitchen where the tandoor-and-curry staples stay dependable.
#20
Mainland India
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Comfort Food Classics
A full-service Indian restaurant built for groups, buffets, and broad menu coverage without losing its strongest South-leaning and Indo-Chinese-leaning hits. The menu rewards ordering with intent: one starter, one signature-style main, and a tight set of breads/rice rather than stacking similar curries.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken 65, Paneer Tikka Masala, Kerala Masala Wings
What Makes it Special: Large, party-friendly Indian menu with a real buffet-and-banquet lane.
8.3
Tandoor Char House is a family-run Indian-Pakistani spot in Lincoln Park known for its smoky tandoori platters, rich curries, and a broad menu that works for both groups and date night. With more than two thousand cross-platform reviews and over a decade of service, it is the neighborhood s highest-validated destination for North Indian and Pakistani flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tandoor Mixed Grill, Butter Chicken, Lamb Biryani
What Makes it Special: High-volume Indian-Pakistani cooking with standout tandoori platters and long-running local trust.
8.2
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Adda Indian Cuisine is a University Village staple where a long, North Indian–leaning menu covers biryani, Indo-Chinese dishes, and tandoori platters. Regulars rely on it for hearty sit-down dinners, consistent takeout, and friendly service from a team that knows its repeat guests.
Must-Try Dishes:
Boneless Chicken Biryani, Butter Chicken, Gobi Manchurian
What Makes it Special: A broad, reliably executed Indian menu that covers both classics and Indo-Chinese favorites.
Bar Goa is a River North Indian gastropub and cocktail bar where Goan-inspired plates meet a strong drink program, with roughly 4.2–4.3 ratings across platforms and around 800–1,500 combined reviews. The room leans buzzy and late-night, using dishes like butter chicken, lamb keema, and prawn-and-chorizo fried rice to anchor group outings around cocktails and DJ or comedy nights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter chicken, Prawn and chorizo fried rice, Gunpowder dosa
What Makes it Special: Cocktail-driven Goan-inspired gastropub with shareable plates and nightlife energy.
8.2
A modern Indian grill counter inside Washington Hall that leans into street-style grilled meats, roti wraps, and build-your-own bowls. It’s strongest when you treat it like a fast-casual kebab spot: one wrap or bowl plus a sauce combo, eaten hot before the grill char fades.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roti wrap (steak, lamb, prawns, or paneer), Lamb burger, Quinoa bowl with grilled protein
What Makes it Special: Indian street-grill flavors built around roti wraps and kebab-style proteins.
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Healthy Haven
Bombay Eats is a long-running fast-casual spot where wraps, sandwich rolls, and rice or salad bowls translate Mumbai street food into an office-lunch format. Downtown workers rely on it for quick, filling tikka and paneer wraps, samosas, and lassi that stay affordable by Loop standards while still feeling fresher than typical fast food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Wrap, Lamb Curry Roll, Chickpea Chana Rice Bowl
What Makes it Special: Chicago’s original fast-casual Indian wrap shop with a decade-plus of loyal Loop regulars.
8.2
Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine is a 1970s-era stalwart just off the Magnificent Mile, serving classic Northern Indian dishes in a white-tablecloth dining room. Guests lean on tandoori platters, rich curries, and a buffet format at select services, using it for everything from business dinners to special-occasion meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Rogan Josh, Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer
What Makes it Special: A long-running Mag Mile–adjacent dining room pairing classic Northern Indian recipes with old-school white-tablecloth service.
#27
Mahi's Kitchen
8.2
A Gujarati-leaning, snackable Indian menu built around street-food classics that reward ordering a few small hits instead of one huge plate. Best for quick cravings—pani puri, vada pav, and pav bhaji—where freshness and timing matter most.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pav Bhaji, Pani Puri, Vada Pav
What Makes it Special: A focused Gujarati street-food lineup executed in a quick, snack-first format.
#28
NADU
8.2
Nadu is a modern Indian restaurant in the DePaul stretch of Lincoln Park focusing on regional South Indian flavors, cocktails, and plated dishes rather than the standard curry-and-naan format. It trades buffet-style abundance for focused, spice-driven plates in a contemporary room that draws both neighborhood regulars and citywide diners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kerala-style Fish Curry, Gunpowder Cauliflower, Lamb or Goat Biryani
What Makes it Special: A contemporary South Indian-leaning kitchen where cocktails and composed plates take the lead.
8.2
Thali Indian Cuisine runs a broad, Kerala-leaning Indian menu out of 2537 S Wabash, covering everything from egg bhurji breakfasts and vegetable samosas to butter chicken, biryanis, and tandoori plates. It’s used by nearby residents and office workers as a reliable, all-day option when you want classic North and South Indian standbys delivered or picked up without much ceremony.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Chicken, Vegetable Samosa, Garlic Chili Naan
What Makes it Special: A comprehensive, Kerala-influenced Indian menu running from breakfast through late night.
#30
Curry Kitchen
8.1
A Forest Glen neighborhood spot that blends Indian and Nepalese comfort with a tandoor-and-curry focus, built for repeat takeout and easy dine-in. The move is to lean into their momo appetizers and tandoori plates, then round out the meal with a curry combo when you want variety without over-ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Goat momos in chili sauce, Tandoori chicken platter, Curry combo platter
What Makes it Special: Indian-and-Nepalese menu depth with momo-forward strengths in 60646.
#31
Essence of India
8.1
A Lincoln Square sit-down staple built around familiar North Indian comfort—rich butter chicken, sturdy biryani, and naan that’s best when it hits the table hot. It shines most when you order like a regular: one signature curry, one rice dish, and a tight set of breads and bright sides to keep the meal balanced.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter chicken, Lamb vindaloo, Garlic naan basket
What Makes it Special: Classic North Indian cooking with a sit-down, neighborhood-regular rhythm.
8.1
Paradise Delights skews South Indian, pairing dosas, idly, and vada with a slate of biryanis and combo plates that travel well for delivery. Regulars lean on it for vegetarian-leaning breakfasts and late-night biryani runs that feel more homestyle than restaurant-formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gongura Chicken Biryani, Mysore Masala Dosa, Idly
What Makes it Special: South Indian staples share space with biryanis and combo meals, making it as useful for breakfast dosa as for dinner curry.
8.1
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Rangoli Kabob’s Belmont location runs a broad North Indian menu with dosas, biryanis, and saucy curry standards, plus a kabob section that leans hearty. Portions are generous, the space is casual, and Lakeview regulars lean on it for butter chicken, naan, and weeknight takeout that still feels like a full meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Masala Dosa
What Makes it Special: A Belmont strip spot mixing classic curries, dosas, and kabobs with big portions.
Bombay Eats’ Lakeview storefront turns chicken tikka, lamb curry, and paneer into wraps, bowls, and burrito-style “BombayRitos” built for fast meals and delivery. It’s the neighborhood move for quick, under-$15 Indian flavors with consistent execution and plenty of vegetarian options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka + Roll, Cheese Paneer + Bowl, Messy Samosa Fries
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual wraps, bowls, and burrito-style Indian plates built for speed.
#35
Eggholic
8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Trendy Table Hotspots
Fast-casual Indian street food that’s strongest in its sandwich-and-chaat lane, where spice, crunch, and tang balance without needing a full sit-down meal. The move is to order one hot handheld plus one cold/chaat item so everything stays punchy instead of heavy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pav Bhaji, Paneer Masala Sandwich, Dahi Puri
What Makes it Special: Indian street-food classics with an egg-and-sandwich focus done fast.
#36
Nepal House
8
The Old Town outpost of Nepal House brings a sit-down menu of Nepali momos, curries, and familiar North Indian staples to Division Street. It works as a reliable option when a proper table, full plates, and a mix of vegetarian and meat dishes are the priority.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Momo, Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan
What Makes it Special: Nepali momos share the menu with classic Indian curries in a full-service setting.
#37
Shan Restaurant
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
A no-frills Uptown Indian/Pakistani staple with an attached grocery feel, built for reliable, filling comfort orders rather than a polished night out. The best move is to lean into the breakfast-and-curry lane—hearty breads, rich gravies, and rice plates that land big on value. Atmosphere is functional, but the food hits when you order the classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Halwa puri breakfast, Chicken biryani, Nihari
What Makes it Special: Indian/Pakistani comfort cooking with breakfast classics and big-value portions.
#38
Trilokah
8
Trilokah brings Kerala and broader South Indian cooking to a compact Clybourn space, with dosas, kothu porotta, and regional curries alongside a shorter list of North Indian standards. The room is simple but comfortable, and recent praise centers on the depth of spice, flaky parottas, and the sense that they are cooking for homesick South Indians as much as neighborhood explorers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thalassery Chicken Dum Biryani, Kottayam Style Fish Curry, Trilokah Kizhi Porotta Chicken
What Makes it Special: A Kerala-focused kitchen where dosas, biryanis, and parottas lean proudly South Indian.
Worthy Picks
#39
Cardamom
7.9
A newer-feeling Indian takeout lane that’s earning buzz for clean execution on core curries and a few standout non-veg plates. It works best when you order one paneer staple and one protein dish, then keep sides minimal so flavors stay distinct.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paneer Tikka Masala, Palak Paneer, Apollo Fish
What Makes it Special: Tight curry-and-fry lane with strong paneer staples.
#40
Eggholic Chicago
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
Indian street-food built around egg-forward “holic” specials—think masala half-fry, bhurji, and spicy wraps that hit fast and hot. Best results come from ordering one signature egg plate plus one chaat-style starter, because spice levels can swing and the menu is large for a quick-service format.
Must-Try Dishes:
Masala Half Fry (Holic Special), Egg Bhurji, Surti Gotalo
What Makes it Special: Egg-driven Indian street-food plates you rarely see outside South Asia.
#41
Gorkha Kitchen
7.9
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Gorkha Kitchen is a compact Indian and Nepalese restaurant on Diversey where curries, momos, and stir-fried noodles share space with familiar North Indian dishes. It operates more like a neighborhood utility player than a destination, but steady praise calls out warmly spiced sauces, generous portions, and friendly service at fair prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Momo Dumplings, Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan
What Makes it Special: A small Indo-Nepalese spot where momos and curries offer reliable weeknight comfort.
#42
Indian Clay Pot
7.9
A Ravenswood/North Center Indian kitchen that’s strongest as a dependable takeout or casual dine-in when you stick to a comfort-food lane. Go for one biryani or one saucy curry plus bread, and it delivers the most consistent payoff without over-ordering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb biryani, Chana masala, Kofta makhani
What Makes it Special: A broad, comfort-first Indian menu that holds up best in curry-and-biryani lanes.
7.9
Masala Magic is a halal spot focused on Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani comfort dishes, from goat biryani to rich curries. It’s especially useful for takeout and catering when you want big trays of South Asian food without downtown pricing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Goat Biryani, Fish Kebab, Gulab Jamun
What Makes it Special: Late-hours halal kitchen serving Bangladeshi-focused biryani and curries with Indian standards.
#44
Momo Factory
7.9
Momo Factory is a compact Lakeview East counter spot focused on Nepalese-style momos alongside Indo-Nepalese curries, biryanis, and noodles. It’s more functional than fancy, but dumpling variety, butter chicken, and big portions make it a go-to for casual group orders and late-ish takeout.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steam Momo Dumplings (10 pcs), Butter Chicken Masala, Samosa Chaat
What Makes it Special: A small, momo-focused Nepalese spot where dumplings and curries dominate.
#45
Naansense
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Naansense runs a Chipotle-style line for Indian bowls, naan wraps, and masala fries in a compact, colorful space just off the Franklin/Wacker office corridor. Regulars mix and match curries, proteins, and chutneys for customized lunch bowls that lean hearty but can skew lighter with greens and veggie-forward builds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tikka Bowl, Masala Fries, Samosa (2)
What Makes it Special: Build-your-own Indian bowls and naan wraps with a broad range of curries, toppings, and chutneys.
7.9
Siri Indian Restaurant focuses on South Indian and Hyderabadi dishes, from dosas and idli to dum biryani and rich vegetarian curries. It’s a go-to for neighborhood diners who want a big menu, late hours, and familiar staff for both dine-in and delivery.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani, Malai Kofta, Andhra Cashew Chicken Fry
What Makes it Special: A South Indian–leaning menu with real depth in biryani, dosas, and curries.
#47
The KTM Kitchen
7.9
A Kathmandu-leaning Indian/Nepali spot in the Loop that mixes momos, chowmein, and curry staples into a lunch-friendly rhythm. Order for contrast—one dumpling plate plus one bowl or curry—so the meal tastes like a spread, not a single-note takeout run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Momos (dumplings), Bhatti ko chowmein, Grilled tandoori chicken with naan
What Makes it Special: Kathmandu-style variety—momos and chowmein alongside Indian curries.
#48
The Momo World
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
The Momo World brings Himalayan street food to Maxwell Street with a tight menu of momos, biryani, and noodle dishes that overlap Indian and Nepali flavors. Students and nearby workers stop in for quick dumpling plates, saucy C-momos, and casual counter-service meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken C-Momo, Butter Masala Momo, Kukhura Biryani
What Makes it Special: Casual Himalayan spot where momos, biryani, and Indo-Himalayan street dishes anchor the menu.
#49
Flavors of India
7.8
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Flavors of India runs a broad, value-leaning menu from the same Wabash hub, highlighting chicken curry, egg roast, and tandoori shrimp alongside dosas, uthappam, and biryanis. It’s best treated as an everyday option for straightforward North–South crossover dishes when you want something filling but inexpensive.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Curry, Egg Roast, Tandoori Shrimp
What Makes it Special: A broad, crossover menu where curry standards, egg dishes, and tandoori plates are priced for regular rotation.
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
A no-frills Indo-Pak counter built for huge portions, fast pickup, and low-stakes repeatability—especially for UIC-area regulars. It’s at its best when you order one rice anchor and one paratha wrap, leaning into bold, saucy comfort over polished dining-room finesse.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter chicken paratha, Chicken biryani (with bone), Boneless chili chicken rice
What Makes it Special: Big-portion Indo-Pak comfort food at unusually low prices, fast.