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Boston Indian Restaurants You Need to Try

Do you live in Boston, or are you taking a vacation in the city in the next few months? The area has quite a great restaurant scene.

spicy chicken tikka masala at boston indian restaurants

Do you love spicy Indian food? If so, you will want to check out the best Indian restaurants in Boston. I found some of my favorite chicken curries right in Boston.

Though, before you start munching on that tasty samosa, you may want to visit Boston’s Fine Arts Museum and the Science Museum or roam around the beautiful Boston Gardens with its gorgeous pond.

If you’re ready to grab dinner at one of the top Indian eateries, check out my list of the 15 best Indian restaurants in Boston below!


Shanti Restaurant

1111 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125
Phone: 617-929-3900
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You can find the Shanti Restaurant right nearby the Girls and Boys Club of Dorchester near the corner of Savin Hill Avenue and Dorchester Avenue.

The restaurant has exquisite food and a trendy yet laidback atmosphere. When I visited the restaurant, I truly enjoyed the samosa chaat with its cool yogurt and spicy vegetables.

The chana masala was also a fantastic dish with savory garbanzo beans. I also recommend the tandoori shrimp due to the tasty marinade and soft yogurt sauce.

Here, you can also enjoy a rice pudding for dessert and delicious mango lassi for your drink. So make sure to visit the eatery on your Boston vacation!


Himalayan Bistro

1735 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA 02132
Phone: 617-325-3500
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The first Nepali restaurant in Boston sits at the corner of Manthorne Road and Centre Street. The Himalayan Bistro is right next to another interesting eatery called Stardust.

The restaurant is known for its Mediterranean and Persian food. Here, you can enjoy coconut soup or chicken soup.

I loved trying the lamb samosa with its tasty mashed potatoes and peas. When I came to the casual restaurant, I ordered chicken curry and loved the garlic and ginger spices throughout the dish.

I also suggest ordering the bread basket for your table and splitting garlic naan, poori, and plain naan between you and your loved ones.


India Pavilion

17 Central Square, Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-547-7463
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The India Pavilion restaurant is close to the small James Cronin Park and a block away from Central Square Church.

You can also take a subway that goes right by the restaurant. The founder Mohan Singh opened the eatery in 1979 and has a true passion for operating an authentic Indian restaurant.

When I came to India Pavilion, I ordered the vegetable samosa with the garlic naan as my starters. They were quite tasty and flavorful.

The chicken tandoori with rice and chutney also tasted savory and delicious. Once again, the mango lassi was the perfect beverage to drink during my tasty meal.


India Quality Restaurant

484 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-267-4499
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The India Quality Restaurant sits across from the House of Blues Boston. You can also check out the Lucky Strikes Fenway bowling alley down the street after spending an afternoon enjoying the fresh air at Charlesgate Park.

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Then grab some dinner at the India Quality Restaurant. When I came here, I truly enjoyed the chicken pakora with its tangy sauce and the spicy lentil soup.

The chicken tikka curry was exquisite due to the amazing ginger, onions, and spices. I also recommend the chicken tikka masala with its creamy and flavorful sauce.

Try these dishes with some mango juice or pink lemonade.


Mela Indian Restaurant

578 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617-859-4805
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Spend the day hanging out at Peters Park, where your kids can run around the playground, and you can play a game of basketball.

Right across from Peters Park, you will find the Mela Indian Restaurant a few blocks away. A butcher shop is close to the small and laidback restaurant.

One of my favorite dishes at this fine eatery is lamb korma, which comes with a tasty and mild creamy sauce.

The raisins and nuts make the dish stand out. If you want to avoid meat, then try the vegetable biryani with its tasty Basmati rice and fresh veggies.


Passage To India

3 Glassworks Ave, Cambridge, MA 02141
Phone: 617-497-6113
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Passage to India sits near the corner of Glassworks Avenue and East Street. You can find the Lechmere Canal Park in the neighborhood, which holds a beautiful water fountain.

After grabbing a meal from Passage to India, you can always go down the street to Tatte Bakery & Cafe for some dessert.

When I checked out the casual eatery, I ordered the lamb samosa appetizer with its spicy potatoes and peas.

You also can’t pass up the savory garlic naan. Another one of my favorite dishes was the lamb rogan josh, which has plenty of spices, garlic, onions, and coconut cream.


Punjabi Dhaba

225 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-547-8272
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The Punjabi Dhaba restaurant is near the Lilypad music venue and sits at the corner of Hampshire Street and Cambridge Street.

The eatery is a rather casual fast food place where you can make an order and get your food brought out immediately.

Despite the casual atmosphere, the food is genuinely delicious and high-quality. The restaurant first opened in 1998.

The most popular dishes here that I would recommend include the tasty chicken tikka masala, the savory vegetable samosa, and the amazing garlic naan.

You won’t regret ordering these awesome dishes!


The Maharaja

57 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-547-2757
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The Maharaja eatery sits a few blocks away from Harvard Yard. When roaming through the Harvard campus, make sure to rub the foot of the John Harvard statue to gain some luck and maybe get into the prestigious university.

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You can even enjoy viewing the Harvard Community Garden. Then, when you get hungry, grab some lunch from the Maharaja on the corner of Winthrop Street and John F. Kennedy Street.

One of my favorite dishes at the restaurant is the chicken samosas appetizer. I also loved trying the lamb vindaloo, which comes with chunks of delicious potatoes and lamb.


Tikki Masala

3706 Washington St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Phone: 617-942-2966
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The Tikki Masala restaurant is named after a quality dish from Indian cuisine. Across the street, you can spend the day roaming around Forest Hills Station Mall Park.

You can then enjoy grabbing lunch from the trendy restaurant in the neighborhood. My favorite dishes include lamb bhuna and lamb korma with garlic naan.

As an appetizer, I enjoyed the tandoori chicken wings. Try some green tea and mango chutney on the side.

If you’re interested in a rice dish, order some chicken biryani, which comes with savory Basmati rice and spices.


Dosa n Curry

447 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
Phone: 617-764-3152
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Dosa n Curry stands on the corner of Somerville Avenue and School Street. Also, if you want to make your own Indian cuisine, you can find a corner grocery store selling Indian food nearby.

The Boss Organ music store is also located nearby. Check it out if you’re a musician. Once you’re ready for dinner, I recommend you try the vegetable pakoras if you like deep-fried food.

The vegetable samosa is also a tasty appetizer stuffed with peas and mashed potatoes. The masala dosai is an interesting dish you might want to order, which is a crepe filled with curry spices, onions, and potatoes.


Punjab Palace

109 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134
Phone: 617-254-1500
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The Punjab Palace is a rather trendy restaurant with friendly service. You can find it in the great restaurant scene of Boston with a bakery and a Korean restaurant right nearby.

The classy restaurant provides a tasty lunch and dinner. My favorite dishes from the eatery include the chicken tikka masala, the lamb coconut korma, the lamb curry, and the shrimp masala.

The bread basket is a great option to split among friends and family. I recommend trying the mango ice cream and the chocolate midnight delight for dessert.


Surya Indian Kitchen N Caterers

114 Magazine St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-945-5489
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Surya Indian Kitchen N Caterers sits a couple of blocks away from Dana Square Park and close to the Anna Myer & Dancers studio.

You can find it on the corner of Magazine Street and Allston Street in Cambridge. The eatery is a rather simple and casual restaurant.

Yet, it serves the most delicious and creamy Indian dishes you’ll ever find. I recommend ordering the chicken butter masala and splitting the chicken and vegetable combo platter with your friends.

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The chicken samosas are quite tasty, and you’ll also love the coconut fish curry.


Vaisakhi Indian Kitchen

157 Sutherland Rd, Boston, MA 02135
Phone: 617-487-8941
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The Vaisakhi Indian Kitchen sits right by two different pizzerias and is close to Wilson Park. Once you’ve checked out the neighborhood, grab a meal at the Indian restaurant with its tasty cuisine.

Some of the most popular options here include vegetable samosas and chicken biryani. I suggest trying the coconut shrimp appetizer and the chicken tikka skewers.

The lamb korma with some rice is the perfect dish to make you come back here for years to come. If you love seafood, shrimp masala and fish curry are great options.


Himalayan Kitchen

40 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143
Phone: 617-622-5805
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If you’re looking for casual dining, check out the Himalayan Kitchen for Indian and Asian fusion cuisine. Here, you will find vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Some of the most popular dishes you should try include chana masala, homemade meat dumplings, and chicken biryani.

Do you love wings? You can pick out all types of spicy chicken wings at the Himalayan Kitchen. You will also enjoy drinking down the mango lassi with your meal.


When visiting Boston, don’t forget to check out Boston Commons and the many shopping areas in the city. You can go ice skating in the winter or go on a boat ride in the harbor once the weather warms up.

Once your stomach starts rumbling with hunger, check out one of these incredible Indian restaurants across Boston. Here are some other fantastic vegan and vegetarian options if you’re not in the mood for meat!

Did I leave a restaurant off this list? Make sure you leave a comment, and I will check it out the next time I visit Boston!

Why Trust Us?

When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Bostonmagazine.com and tripadvisor.com. 

We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible. 

Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.

https://www.bostonmagazine.com/restaurants/the-best-indian-restaurants-in-boston/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60745-c24-Boston_Massachusetts.html
https://boston.eater.com/maps/best-indian-restaurants-greater-boston
https://www.timeout.com/boston/restaurants/best-indian-restaurants-in-boston
https://www.studyinternational.com/news/best-indian-restaurants-boston/
https://bostonuncovered.com/indian-restaurants-boston/

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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