Best Late Night Indian Restaurants in Chicago
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Cardamom
Tight curry-and-fry lane with strong paneer staples.
Worthy Picks
#1
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.
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.
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.
7.8
Tuk Tuk Indian Street Food channels Indian roadside snacks into bowls, rolls, and chaat at student-friendly prices. UIC regulars stop in for dahi puri, stuffed parathas, and chai late into the night when they want something lighter and more snackable than a full curry spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dahi Puri, Chicken Tikka Roll, Aloo Paneer Paratha
What Makes it Special: Street food–style chaat, rolls, and parathas served late at student-friendly prices.
7.6
Al Halal Zaiqa runs long hours near the North Avenue corridor with a menu of Pakistani and Indian staples built for takeout and delivery. Regulars come for biryanis, naans, and saucy curries that land in the comfort zone more than the fine-dining lane.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Biryani, Nihari, Palak Paneer
What Makes it Special: Halal counter-service spot known for hearty biryanis and long late-night hours.
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Group Dining Gatherings
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
The Lincoln Park location of Ghareeb Nawaz brings the Indo-Pak mini chain s huge menu and famously low prices to a student-heavy stretch of Lincoln Avenue. The room is basic and service is counter-style, but for biryani, curries, and combos under typical sit-down prices, it is one of the strongest pure value plays for Indian and Pakistani food in 60614.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter Chicken Combo, Chicken Biryani, Chana Chicken Combo
What Makes it Special: A bare-bones Indo-Pak counter where huge portions and ultra-low prices dominate the experience.
7.6
A newer late-night halal South Asian kitchen built around biryani, haleem, and fried-spiced chicken plates. It’s best treated as a value-forward takeout and after-hours comfort stop—big flavors, simple room, and a menu that rewards ordering the core rice-and-curry specialties.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mutton biryani, Chicken 65, Mutton haleem
What Makes it Special: Late-night biryani-and-haleem comfort plates with strong value.