Rocco Smith
Indian food is one of the world’s most diverse, flavorful, and popular cuisines.
From its beginnings in South Asia, Indian food has spread to every corner of the globe — and Baltimore, Maryland, is no exception.
There are many Indian restaurants in Baltimore that offer various traditional and modern dishes.
I’ll share my top picks, their standout qualities, and some of the best dishes on their menus.
So if you live in Baltimore or are visiting the city soon and are a fan of Indian food, check out the best Indian restaurants in Baltimore below.
Best Indian Restaurants in Baltimore
- Kumari Restaurant & Bar
- Indigma – a Modern Indian Bistro
- Tandav Indian Cuisine
- Ambassador Dining Room
- Darbar Indian Restaurant (Halal Food)
Kumari Restaurant & Bar
911 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-547-1600
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Kumara Restaurant & Bar is an Indian spot in Mount Vernon, near the Eager Street bus stop.
This is one of the best Indian restaurants in Baltimore for locals because of its diverse cuisine.
They don’t only focus on Indian fare but also on Tibetan and Nepalese items as well, making the lunch buffet even more appealing!
It’s not a particularly fancy place, but that’s what I like about it.
They care about the taste and quality of the food more than anything else.
I love everything at the lunch buffet, but some particular menu items that stand out include eggplant curry, chicken korma, and chicken tikka masala.
Kumari also has excellent samosas and momos, perfect for starting your meal.
Indigma – a Modern Indian Bistro
900 Cathedral St, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 443-449-6483
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Indigma is a contemporary, trendy restaurant with intentional lighting and comfortable seating.
Located in the Bromo Arts District near Baltimore School for the Arts, this posh spot fits right into the eclectic, artsy feel of the area.
I like dining here with friends and drinking at the bar before dinner.
I especially appreciate coming on Saturdays, when they have live sitar music, which adds to the exceptional ambiance.
However, they also have a lunch buffet, which is equally hard to resist!
And, of course, I always order the garlic naan, as it makes all the saucy dishes taste that much better.
Tandav Indian Cuisine
1725 E Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21231
Phone: 443-570-9142
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Tandav is a simply-designed, traditional Indian restaurant near The Betty Hyatt Community Park in Dunbar.
While Indigma is the perfect place for friends to gather, Tandav is the perfect place for families to gather, as it has a very cozy and homey feel.
All the people there, including the staff and the chef, are friendly and welcoming.
But beyond the exceptional service, the food is incredible.
They have some of the best goat curries I’ve ever tried and also have tasty chicken korma, saag paneer, and biryani, a basmati rice dish full of spices.
Ambassador Dining Room
3811 Canterbury Rd, Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone: 410-366-1484
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If you’re hoping to dine at a more refined and upscale Indian restaurant, Ambassador Dining Room is the perfect place.
Just north of Johns Hopkins University’s main campus, this elegant restaurant is decked with a garden, table-clothed tables, wood beams, and even cozy fireplaces.
I love going there before sunset and eating in the garden area. In terms of food, it’s hard to go wrong here.
I’ve tried several dishes, from the chana masala to the chicken biryani to the fish curry, and they were all exceptional.
I also appreciate their small but mighty selection of seafood dishes, including garlic shrimp and Backfin crab.
Darbar Indian Restaurant (Halal Food)
1911 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21231
Phone: 410-563-8008
Darbar is one of the best Indian restaurants in Baltimore if you’re looking for halal food.
Halal is a term used to describe meat that is permissible for Muslims to eat according to Islamic law.
So if you’re looking for guaranteed halal preparation, look no further than Darbar, located in Fells Point near Thames Street Park.
The waiters here are always so kind, patient, and attentive. Additionally, all of their food is spot on.
I would recommend their rasmalai to end the meal, which is a classic Indian dessert that includes the lovely flavors of saffron.
Final Thoughts
The best Indian restaurants in Baltimore have cozy atmospheres, attentive staff, and, of course, tasty Indian eats!
Whether you want a trendy bar vibe, an upscale setting, or family-style dining, there’s an Indian restaurant in Baltimore that’ll match your preferences.
When the Baltimore weather is nice, be sure to pay these restaurants a visit for a meal outdoors!
Did we leave your favorite Indian restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
