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Junoon
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Junoon
8.8
A tasting-menu-driven modern Indian room where the best meals feel like a paced progression—small bites, a tight run of mains, and a composed finish. Big flavors, polished technique, and steady execution make it a destination when you commit to the chef’s arc instead of trying to “sample everything.”
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggplant chaat, Nadru ghost chili korma, Lamb chops
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A chef-directed Indian tasting progression with Michelin-level ambition and pacing.
Who should go: Special-occasion diners and serious Indian food fans
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for calmer, more precise pacing
What to order: Chef’s set menu, eggplant chaat, ghost chili korma
Insider tip: Skip over-ordering early—let the later courses guide add-ons.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Street parking is very limited in Flatiron; nearby paid garages on 19th–20th Street are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy. Jackets, heels, and polished outfits fit the room; jeans are fine if styled intentionally.
Noise level: Moderate. Lively but controlled—easy to hold a conversation without leaning in.
Weekend wait: 60+ minutes without a reservation; bar seating may open sooner for parties of two.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 15 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – strong vegetarian coverage with tasting-menu adaptations and multiple à la carte mains.
Vegan options: Yes – possible with advance notice; the kitchen can adjust tasting menus thoughtfully.
Gluten-free options: Yes – many naturally gluten-free dishes; staff is knowledgeable about modifications.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re aiming for an elevated impression. It’s polished, intimate, and conversation-friendly—best for diners comfortable with longer, chef-driven meals.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights if you arrive early, but reservations are strongly recommended for dinner. The bar can work as a fallback for two.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal. This is a tasting-menu-focused, adult-leaning experience better suited to teens who can sit through a paced meal.
Best For
Better for: Refined, modern Indian tasting menus with Michelin-level structure, polish, and consistency.
Skip if: You want casual Indian comfort food, fast pacing, or budget-friendly à la carte flexibility.
Junoon
8.3
A polished Indian dining room where ribs show up as a spice-driven signature rather than a BBQ-house staple—charcoal smoke, sharp vindaloo-style heat, and tight plating. Treat the smoked masala ribs as the headline starter, then keep the rest of the meal in the tandoor and sauce lanes for maximum coherence.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked Masala Ribs, Lamb Chops, Eggplant Chaat
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Charcoal-smoked pork ribs finished with a vindaloo-style spice rub.
Who should go: Spice-forward diners chasing a rib starter
When to visit: Weeknights for steadier pacing
What to order: Smoked masala ribs, lamb chops, eggplant chaat
Insider tip: Keep heat levels balanced by pairing ribs with a cooling chaat.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Limited street parking; nearby paid garages on W 24th St and 5th Ave are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy. Jackets, heels, and polished looks fit the room; jeans are fine if styled well.
Noise level: Moderate-low. Designed for conversation, though it fills in during peak dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes without a reservation; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a strong vegetarian selection including chaat, vegetables, and tandoor dishes.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — several vegetable dishes can be prepared vegan on request.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many naturally gluten-free Indian dishes; staff is knowledgeable if you ask.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially if you want something upscale and memorable. The room is romantic and polished, and sharing starters like the ribs creates an easy pacing without feeling rushed.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights or at early dinner, but weekends and prime time are tough. Bar seating can be a fallback, but reservations are the safer play.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids. This skews adult and occasion-driven; older teens who enjoy spice and formal dining will do better than small children.
Best For
Better for: High-end Indian cooking with refined plating, controlled spice, and a luxury dining-room feel — especially when you want ribs as a starter rather than a full BBQ experience.
Skip if: You’re looking for casual, messy BBQ ribs or value pricing. This is a fine-dining interpretation, not a smokehouse.
Junoon
8.4
A polished Indian dining room that reads romantic through lighting, plushness, and a calm, controlled service pace. The strongest move is a spice-coherent order—tandoor plus one signature starter—so the meal feels intentional, not scattered.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked masala ribs, Tandoori lamb chops, Dal (signature preparation)
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Refined Indian cooking in a date-night-calibrated room.
Who should go: Couples who like spice and elegance
When to visit: Weeknights for smoother timing and quieter tables
What to order: Smoked ribs, tandoor entrée, one rich dal
Insider tip: Balance heat with a creamy dish for harmony.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Limited street parking; garages nearby on E 19th St and Park Ave South are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy. Jeans are fine if styled well; most diners opt for elevated evening wear.
Noise level: Moderate-low. Calm dining room where conversation is easy without feeling hushed.
Weekend wait: 30–45 min without a reservation; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short 5–10 min delay.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — extensive vegetarian offerings and clearly marked dishes.
Vegan options: Moderate — several vegan-friendly options, though some dishes may require clarification.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many naturally gluten-free Indian dishes; staff is knowledgeable about accommodations.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes. The room feels romantic without pressure, service is polished but not intrusive, and shared dishes create an easy flow of conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights if you arrive early, but weekends and prime dinner hours are tough — booking ahead is the smart move.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids. The atmosphere skews adult and refined; better suited for older teens who enjoy formal dining.
Best For
Better for: A polished, romantic Indian dining experience with controlled pacing and a luxe, date-forward atmosphere.
Skip if: You want casual, fast Indian food or bold, experimental spice levels — this is about refinement over intensity.
Junoon
8.4
A polished Indian dining room where romance comes from lighting, calm pacing, and spice-driven dishes built with fine-dining control. The best order keeps a coherent spice arc—one smoky starter, one tandoor lane, one creamy counterbalance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked Masala Ribs, Mushroom & Truffle Saag, Nadru Ghost Chili Korma
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Refined Indian cooking with a controlled, date-night pace.
Who should go: Couples who like spice with polish
When to visit: Weeknights for quieter tables and smoother timing
What to order: Smoked masala ribs, one tandoor main, one creamy dal
Insider tip: Balance heat with one rich, creamy dish for harmony.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Street parking is limited and competitive; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—nice jeans are fine, but many guests opt for polished date-night attire.
Noise level: Moderate-low—designed for conversation, with background energy but no shouting.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation; reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short 5–10 minute delay.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—strong vegetarian selection with multiple starters, mains, and dals.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—several vegetable-forward dishes can be prepared vegan upon request.
Gluten-free options: Yes—many naturally gluten-free dishes; staff is knowledgeable about modifications.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it's calm, elegant, and intimate without feeling stiff, making conversation easy and the experience feel special but comfortable.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on early weeknights or at lunch, but dinner—especially Thursday through Saturday—works best with a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially—there’s no kids menu and the room skews adult and refined. Best suited for teens who enjoy quieter, longer meals.
Best For
Better for: Refined, date-night Indian dining with controlled pacing and polished service compared to louder, more casual Indian restaurants.
Skip if: You want a high-energy scene, ultra-spicy street-food-style dishes, or a quick, informal meal—there are better options for those moods.
Junoon
8.6
A polished Indian dining room where special-occasion strength comes from calm pacing, plush lighting, and spice that’s controlled rather than chaotic. The best meals follow a coherent arc—smoke, tandoor, then one creamy anchor—so the table feels intentional.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked masala ribs, Tandoor main (chef’s pick), Dal (rich, creamy counterbalance)
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Refined Indian cooking with a romantic, controlled service cadence.
Who should go: Couples who like spice and polish
When to visit: Weeknights for quieter tables
What to order: Smoked ribs, one tandoor main, one rich dal
Insider tip: Balance heat with one creamy dish for harmony.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet. Street parking is limited and competitive after 6pm; nearby paid garages on 24th–26th St are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — dark jeans are fine, but most guests opt for cocktail-ready attire.
Noise level: Low to moderate — conversation-friendly even during dinner service.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation; bar seating can shorten the wait.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a brief 5–10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a strong vegetarian selection with multiple standout mains and dals.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — several vegetable dishes can be prepared vegan on request.
Gluten-free options: Yes — many naturally gluten-free dishes; staff is knowledgeable about modifications.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the calm pacing, plush lighting, and shareable menu make it polished without pressure, especially if you order with a clear plan.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes on weeknights, especially early; weekends are tougher, so reservations are strongly recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for older kids who enjoy composed flavors; not ideal for toddlers or quick meals.
Best For
Better for: Refined, date-ready Indian dining with controlled spice and elegant service — more serene and romantic than most peers.
Skip if: You want a loud, casual curry house or fast-paced family-style dining.