Best Cheap Eats Indian Restaurants in Los Angeles
26 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Biryani Kabob House
Authentic Pakistani cooking with generous portions and owner's personal touch
Notable Picks
8.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Tucked into a Little Bangladesh strip mall, this no-frills Pakistani spot delivers deeply aromatic Hyderabadi lamb biryani with football-sized lamb shanks and house-baked naan. Owner Kareem runs the dining room with warm hospitality, often suggesting dishes and occasionally surprising guests with complimentary rice pudding.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hyderabadi Lamb Biryani, Chicken Tikka Masala, Mixed Grill
What Makes it Special: Authentic Pakistani cooking with generous portions and owner's personal touch
8.4
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
India's Tandoori is a longtime Wilshire Boulevard staple known for a broad North Indian menu, halal options, and generous portions that keep locals returning. With thousands of reviews across platforms and a steady 4.0+ rating, it’s a reliable choice for classic curries, tandoori platters, and weeknight buffets in a casual setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Biryani, Garlic Naan
What Makes it Special: High-volume halal North Indian spot delivering reliable classics for decades.
#3
Urban Masala
8.3
Urban Masala is a long-running counter-service Indian spot on Hollywood Blvd where you build plates, bowls, and naan wraps from home-style curries, grilled meats, and plenty of vegetarian options. It’s designed for speed and value, serving office workers, tourists, and late-afternoon walkers looking for a filling meal under the stars on the sidewalk patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Chicken Biryani
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual Indian with big portions, customizable plates, and a decade-plus of steady Hollywood foot traffic.
#4
Curry Boys
8.2
A fast-casual Downtown curry counter that leans into bold, comfort-forward North Indian staples with a simple pick-your-curry flow. The sauces hit warm spice balance and travel well for takeout, making it a steady lunch-and-dinner regular for the Historic Core crowd. Expect more “reliable weeknight curry fix” than white-tablecloth production, but execution stays clean.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken tikka masala, Chana masala, Garlic naan
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual Indian curries with bold flavor and dependable execution.
8.2
A sattvic vegetarian buffet attached to the LA Krishna temple, cooking without onion or garlic since 1980 — the $8 all-you-can-eat format rewards exploration across dal, samosas, and rotating Indian dishes. The temple courtyard patio and soft spiritual music set it apart from typical counter-service spots, and the 46-year run speaks to a loyal base that treats this as a weekly ritual rather than a one-time curiosity.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salad Bar, Samosas, Dal and Rice
What Makes it Special: Sattvic vegetarian cafe attached to the LA Krishna temple, serving an $8 all-you-can-eat buffet with no onion or garlic since 1980.
#6
Mr. Masala
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family-run since 2017, Mr. Masala is the workhorse Indian spot by Crypto.com Arena, known for a sprawling North Indian menu, big portions, and heavy delivery traffic. Dine in for simple curries, naan, and tandoori plates before events, or rely on it as a reliable go-to for takeout.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan, Chicken Biryani
What Makes it Special: High-volume, family-run Indian kitchen feeding Downtown workers and arena crowds daily.
8.1
Pure vegetarian South Indian specialist recognized by Gayot as a Top 10 LA Indian restaurant, operating since the early 2000s with Chennai-style specialties. Each lunch buffet patron receives a complimentary dosa delivered tableside, while the kitchen rotates daily specials that showcase regional breadth. The space includes Bollywood videos on screens and a modern casual atmosphere that draws fifteen-year regulars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Masala Dosa, Vegetable Biryani, Chole Bhature
What Makes it Special: Chennai-style vegetarian cooking with complimentary dosa included in lunch buffet, recognized by Gayot food critics
8.1
Curry Kingdom is a compact West Hollywood counter-service spot where a London-trained chef turns out richly spiced curries and biryanis at friendly prices. Opened in 2021, it’s especially popular with takeout and delivery regulars who prize its bold sauces, consistent heat levels, and generous portions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Curry Kingdom Special Biryani
What Makes it Special: Tight, curry-focused menu with London-style flavors and strong value.
#9
Vegan Curry
8.1
A counter-service operation in Chinatown that crosses Mediterranean and Indian lines freely—curry fries next to falafel wraps, kabobs beside pita platters—at prices that rarely clear ten dollars. The draw is the sheer ratio of flavor to cost, which keeps a loyal lunch crowd cycling through a no-frills ordering counter without complaint.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kabob, Curry Fries, Falafel
What Makes it Special: Budget-friendly counter-service spot in Chinatown mixing Mediterranean staples like kabobs and falafel with Indian-inspired curry fries
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
Since 2003, this low-key local chain near Universal Studios delivers reliable North Indian Mughlai cuisine with quick service and wallet-friendly pricing. The chicken pakora arrives golden-crisp with authentic spicing, while the lunch specials provide exceptional value for the neighborhood. Staff remember regulars' orders and accommodate customization requests with ease.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Pakora, Chicken Tikka Masala, Mix Tandoori Platter
What Makes it Special: Minutes from Universal Studios with exceptional lunch special value
#11
Flamin Curry
8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Business Lunch Power Players
Since 2018, this counter-service spot in Bluff Park has built a following for straightforward North Indian dishes served cafeteria-style with fresh-daily preparation. The streamlined approach focuses on curry plates with rice and naan, delivering solid garlic naan and well-spiced chicken tikka masala at prices that appeal to students and weeknight diners seeking quick, flavorful takeout.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan, Butter Chicken
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual format with authentic flavors at budget-friendly prices
#12
Indus by Saffron
8
A modern Indian counter in TASTE that keeps things punchy: fragrant rice bowls, tandoori-leaning proteins, and rich curries built for fast pacing. The flavors skew bold and crowd-pleasing, making it one of the stronger quick options in the hall.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tandoori chicken bowl, Butter chicken curry, Paneer tikka bowl
What Makes it Special: Indian bowls that stay flavorful and filling at a fair price.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Tucked inside the Stillwell Hotel off 8th and Grand, Gill's Cuisine of India serves classic curries, tandoori platters, and a value-focused lunch buffet. Office workers and longtime regulars use it as a dependable, no-frills stop for hearty plates and warm naan.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Makhni, Vegetable Samosas, Tandoori Platter
What Makes it Special: Old-school downtown Indian spot hidden behind a hotel lobby with strong value.
7.9
Indian-Mexican fusion run out of a Cahuenga car wash, built around a short menu that wraps tikka masala and spiced lamb into burritos and tacos with chutney. The format is pure counter service—order, grab, go—and the price point lands well below what the flavor complexity suggests. It works as a high-frequency lunch stop for the Hollywood stretch, where the fusion concept is executed with enough conviction to hold up across 471 reviews at a 77% five-star clip.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala Burrito, Lamb Taco, Mango Lassi
What Makes it Special: Indian-Mexican fusion counter tucked inside a Hollywood car wash, where tikka masala gets wrapped in burritos and tacos come topped with chutney.
#15
New India's Oven
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
New India's Oven inside the Marina Marketplace pairs a broad menu of familiar North Indian dishes with a daily lunch buffet and easy parking. Guests lean on it for convenient, sit-down meals with generous portions and a relaxed, family-friendly dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lunch buffet spread, Tandoori Chicken, Vegetable Korma
What Makes it Special: Spacious strip-mall Indian spot with buffet and big portions.
#16
Noya Kitchen
7.9
A Bangladeshi-American halal kitchen in Koreatown that pairs crispy fried chicken with Dhaka street snacks like fuchka and falooda — a combination that's hard to find elsewhere in LA. The price-to-portion math works well for group orders, and the 75% five-star rate across 382 reviews suggests the kitchen holds its line. Expect a no-frills, order-and-eat setup where the food does the talking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Chicken, Fuchka, Falooda
What Makes it Special: Bangladeshi-American halal kitchen where crispy fried chicken and Dhaka street snacks like fuchka share the same menu
#17
Tandoori Eats
7.9
A Palms neighborhood Indian counter-service spot built around generous, no-frills plates of tikka masala and tandoori chicken at prices that make it an easy weeknight default. The format is order-and-wait rather than sit-down service, which keeps the line moving and the check low. It draws a loyal repeat crowd that treats it like a reliable rotation staple rather than a destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan, Butter Chicken
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood standby for Indian comfort food with generous portions at budget-friendly prices
#18
Abhiruchi Grill
7.8
Andhra-style South Indian cooking built around a lunch and dinner buffet that keeps the Venice Blvd regulars rotating through — Vijayawada Biryani and Chicken 65 anchor a menu tuned to regional spice levels rather than toned-down crossover appeal. The buffet format and price point make it a practical repeat spot for anyone who wants full South Indian meals without negotiating a la carte math.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken 65, Vijayawada Biryani, Paneer Biryani
What Makes it Special: Andhra-style South Indian cooking with a lunch and dinner buffet that draws consistent crowds on Venice Blvd
7.8
Family-run since 1993, Rita personally oversees every dish at this authentic neighborhood gem. While the ambiance is modest, the personalized cooking and genuine hospitality create an experience that locals have cherished for decades.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Rogan Josh, Lemon Chicken Curry, Chef's Special Shrimp
What Makes it Special: Rita's personal touch and home-style cooking from family recipes.
7.8
An all-vegetarian and vegan Indian cafeteria that runs a tight counter-service operation alongside a full grocery store, turning out home-style dishes like samosa chaat and pav bhaji at prices that make it a regular weeknight option. The draw is the breadth of the steam-table lineup and the grocery-store adjacency that lets you grab spices and snacks on your way out. Expect a no-frills cafeteria setting where the food does all the talking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Samosa Chaat, Pav Bhaji, Jackfruit
What Makes it Special: All-vegetarian and vegan Indian cafeteria paired with a full Indian grocery, serving home-style dishes at counter-service prices
#21
Star of India
7.8
A budget-anchored Indian kitchen on Vine Street that treats tikka masala and saag as repeatable staples rather than afterthoughts, with a vegan-friendly lineup deep enough to keep the whole table covered. The quiet dining room and low price point make it a practical default for families and group dinners in a corridor where both are hard to find. Expect well-drilled classics at neighborhood prices — not fireworks, but the kind of place you stop second-guessing and just order from.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag, Rice Pudding
What Makes it Special: Budget-friendly Indian staple on Vine Street known for consistently executed classics and a strong vegan-friendly menu
7.7
Operating since 1985, this hybrid grocery store and cafeteria-style restaurant serves pure vegetarian and vegan home-style cooking at remarkably low prices. The pick-and-point counter service displays prepared dishes in warming trays, allowing visual selection before ordering, while the attached market stocks Indian groceries and spices. Recent addition of an outdoor patio expands the cramped interior dining area.
Must-Try Dishes:
Masala Dosa, Samosas, Jackfruit Curry
What Makes it Special: Family-run since 1985 combining grocery market with cafeteria-style vegetarian restaurant at unbeatable prices
#23
PSL Street Food
7.7
A counter-style operation on Chesapeake Ave that splits its kitchen between Indian chaat staples like pav bhaji and bhel puri and fresh-made chicken tacos, with everything built from scratch daily. The crossover concept works because the scratch cooking holds up on both sides of the menu, and the street-food pricing keeps the whole ticket low. Still very early—eight reviews deep—so expect a no-frills setup tuned for fast pickup rather than lingering.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tacos, Pav Bhaji, Bhel Puri
What Makes it Special: Counter-style Indian street food spot that crosses lanes into fresh-made tacos, with everything cooked from scratch daily
7.6
Bangladeshi grocery store with a deli counter serving authentic home-style Bengali cooking, including hard-to-find specialties like mughlai paratha. The pre-made food setup offers authentic dishes at budget prices, though service and ambiance are minimal—this is food-focused dining at its purest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mughlai Paratha, Goat Biryani, Fish Curry
What Makes it Special: Rare Bengali grocery with authentic home-style prepared foods
7.6
A counter-service Pico spot combining an Indian sweets shop with a compact curry and chaat lineup, best used for quick bites and takeout. Savory items skew homestyle and vegetarian-friendly, while the sweets and snacks are the main draw for neighborhood regulars. Recent ownership/menu changes make it a more mixed bag, but it remains a useful budget stop for chaat and mithai.
Must-Try Dishes:
Samosa chaat, Chole bhature, Jalebi or assorted mithai
What Makes it Special: Indian sweets and chaat in a fast, counter-service format.
#26
Bombay Spiceland
7.4
A grocery and specialty market on Reseda Boulevard stocking Indian and Pakistani pantry staples, with a deep spice wall that draws home cooks from across the Valley. The operation doubles as a threading salon, which gives it a community-hub quality uncommon for a strip-mall shop. Not a sit-down restaurant — come for ingredients, not a meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Samosas, Chole Bhature, Assorted Indian Sweets
What Makes it Special: Indian and Pakistani grocery store with extensive spice selection and eyebrow threading services — not a restaurant