Kyle Green
Did you know that Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States? That means that you can find almost any type of cuisine in the world. This large city has plenty of museums, local music and art to see, and of course, fantastic restaurants to keep you full during your stay.
One of my favorite cuisines to go out to eat for is easily Indian food. Thankfully, Houston has no shortage of incredible Indian restaurants, so I thought I’d go around and rank all of them together on a helpful list for all my fellow foodies out there in the area.
Right down below, you’ll find a guide ranking Houston’s best Indian restaurants for your convenience.
Govinda’s Vegetarian Cuisine
1320 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018
Phone: 832-831-9951
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Inside of the ISKCON Temple and Cultural Center is Govinda’s Vegetarian Cuisine. The restaurant is massive and beautiful, with white and gold accents throughout the restaurant. You’ll find art murals throughout the restaurant that pay tribute to Indian culture.
When you walk inside Govinda’s, you’ll place your order at the counter before finding a seat in the spacious restaurant. All their dishes are vegetarian, and you’ll find all your favorite Indian dishes here. You can choose how little or much you want so it’s a great place to try new things. My favorites are the tofu curry and veggie samosas.
Pondicheri
2800 Kirby Dr b132, Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-522-2022
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Nestled between River Oaks and Hyde Park is the modern Indian restaurant of Pondicheri. It’s upstairs in a modern building with a balcony overlooking the street below. Inside, the walls are lined with Indian art and vibrant colors. The yellow chairs and modern tables are a great touch.
India’s a huge country, so the cuisine varies from place to place. Pondicheri serves authentic Indian cuisine inspired by the flavors of Mumbai street food. They serve breakfast, sandwiches, lunch, dinner, and desserts. I stopped for dinner and chose their stuffed mushroom curry and the ghee mashed potatoes. Their food didn’t disappoint.
India’s Restaurant
5704 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-266-0131
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Nine miles west of downtown Houston on Richmond Avenue is India’s Restaurant. It’s a warm and welcoming restaurant that’s relatively casual. The friendly staff greets you as you arrive and ensure you’re well taken care of during your meal. The restaurant has yellow linen tablecloths and several plants throughout, providing a homey feel.
India’s Restaurant serves a variety of dishes from around India. This way, you can experience all the flavors India has to offer. The menu is extensive, so you’ll have plenty of options. I’m a sucker for classic chicken tikka masala and garlic naan, but if you want to try something you might not have before, the mushroom Mattar is fabulous.
Surya India
700 Durham Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Phone: 713-864-6667
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You’ll find Surya India less than two miles from the picturesque Buffalo Bayou Park. Surya India is an upscale restaurant perfect for date night or when you want a nicer lunch. The lighting is dim, there are white linen tablecloths, and the staff is knowledgeable and passionate about the cuisine.
Surya India serves northern Indian cuisine as well as beer, wine, and cocktails. One of my favorite parts about this restaurant is that the owner is almost always there. He will recommend dishes for you based on their preferences and what you’re looking for. I dined with friends, so we shared the prawn vindaloo, mint chicken, saag paneers, and plenty of fresh naans.
Verandah
3300 Kirby Dr. Suite 7-A, Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 281-501-0258
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A little less than five miles from the Houston Zoo is Verandah, a modern Indian restaurant that is by far one of the best in the city. When you walk inside, you’ll see bright white walls and tablecloths paired with colorful paintings and accents. You’ll eat classic dishes with an elevated take in a chic environment.
I recommend ordering a sampling of several dishes here. They combine traditional and modern Indian cuisine, so it’s the perfect spot to try something new. The chicken ghee roast appetizer is delicious, and for your entree, the Mirchi Mahi tikka and butter chicken. Both are two of my favorite choices!
Biryani Pot
6509 Westheimer Rd suite B, Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-278-8085
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Biryani Pot is in Mid-West Houston on Westheimer Road. The restaurant is in a shopping plaza, but don’t let that deter you. The interior has wood walls, warm red leather booths, and plenty of space to enjoy your meal. The atmosphere is modern as well as friendly and welcoming.
This Indian food chain serves Hyderabadi-Indian food. Most of the recipes draw inspiration from the southern city of Hyderabad, India. One of the best dishes here is their house-made goat soup. Whether you eat it as a starter or for your meal, you can’t go wrong. They also have curries, seafood, vegetarian and vegan dishes. I loved their ginger chicken.
Aga’s Restaurant & Catering
11842 Wilcrest Dr, Houston, TX 77031
Phone: 832-786-8000
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Eight minutes from Houston Community College’s Stafford Campus is Aga’s Restaurant and Catering. The restaurant is in a strip mall, but you’re greeted by beautiful gold, white, and red decor when you walk in. It’s exquisite, and it almost feels like you’re attending an Indian wedding with how gorgeous the space is.
Aga’s serves a combination of traditional Indian and Pakistani food. They break their menu down into curries divided by proteins, barbeque plates, biryanis and rice, and of course, naan. My server highly recommended their mixed veggie basmati rice, karahi gosht, a goat curry, and the bullet naan with jalapenos and cilantro.
Maharaja Bhog
8338 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074
Phone: 713-771-2464
Three minutes down the road from Houston Baptist University is the upscale Indian restaurant, Maharaja Bhog. The interior has warm tones, beautiful marble tables, and comfortable seating. Even though the restaurant boasts upscale and elegant decor, the atmosphere is still welcoming and casual.
Maharaja Bhog serves classic Indian cuisine with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to choose from. Even if you’re not a vegetarian, their vegetarian dishes are the star of the show at this restaurant. Thali is perfect because you get two appetizers, the day’s dish, veggies, lentil soup, rice, bread, and a dessert.
Musaafer
5115 Westheimer Rd Suite C-3500, Houston, TX 77056
Phone: 713-242-8087
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Musaafer is one of the most elegant Indian restaurants in Houston. It’s right outside the main shopping center in the city, The Galleria. It’s near all the other restaurants at the mall and is the perfect spot to treat yourself to a chic night out. The floors are white and black stone, the bar is fabulous, and the mood lighting is perfect.
I sat at the bar because it was too beautiful not to. I ordered a simple cocktail before trying their coconut lentil soup, which was delicious. My server suggested the palak paneer, so that’s what I went with. Both the paneer and side of tandoori rice made an excellent meal.
London Sizzler
6690 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074
Phone: 713-783-2754
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You’ll find London Sizzler about eleven miles west from the Houston Zoo. London Sizzler is a unique Indian restaurant because it has British decor instead of what you may assume the decor would be. It’s a casual restaurant, making it the perfect spot for a quick bite to eat.
The cuisine at London Sizzler is Indian food heavily influenced by British colonization and strong spices. They offer a full-service bar and are open for lunch and dinner. I ordered a nice cold beer and started my meal with the chili paneer. I ended up ordering the jeera wings that have garlic and green chilis.
Udipi Cafe
5959 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77036
Phone: 713-334-5555
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Less than ten minutes from Houston Baptist University is Udipi Cafe. This Indian restaurant is on Hillcroft Street, surrounded by other delicious restaurants. The restaurant has vibrant yellow walls and comfortable leather seats. This low-key restaurant is perfect for dinner but even better for lunch since they have a buffet.
Udipi Cafe has one of the city’s best Indian cuisine lunch buffets. You get to try a little bit of everything, and it’s all delicious. You have to try their uthappam, southern Indian pancakes. I loved the cheese and mushroom, but the staff raved about all of them. They have all your favorite dosas, rice dishes, and curries. The coconut rice was my favorite.
Shri Balaji Bhavan
5655 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77036
Phone: 713-783-1126
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Shri Balaji Bhavan is right down the street from Udipi Cafe. It’s another casual restaurant in Houston that is comfortable and has a little bakery inside the restaurant. You’ll place your order at the counter before finding a seat to enjoy your meal. It’s a popular spot for lunch since you can have tasty food reasonably quickly.
They have everything from samosas, rice dishes, and even sandwiches. Some of their most popular dishes include cheese uttapam, lemon rice as a side, veggie spring rolls, and Chinese Bhel. You won’t want to forget to let them know how spicy or not you want your dishes prepared.
Himalaya Restaurant
6652 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074
Phone: 713-532-2837
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Himalaya Restaurant is on Southwest Freeway, near Udipi Cafe and other Indian restaurants. The owners opened this spot back in 2004, and it’s quickly become one of the locals’ favorite places to eat. The staff welcomes you with open arms, and you can even bring your own alcohol if you want a drink with your meal.
The menu at Himalaya Restaurant is similar to other Indian restaurants in that it’s extensive. They serve traditional Pakistani and Indian cuisine. They have plenty of vegetarian, seafood, and chicken recipes. I decided to try their butter chicken. I couldn’t order an entree without naan, so I chose the butter naan.
Khyber
2510 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-942-9424
Ten minutes from the Houston Children’s Museum is Khyber. The restaurant is in a shopping plaza, but you’ll know you’ve arrived when you see beautiful stonework outlining the front door. The interior boasts gorgeous stonework, wooden tables, and black accents throughout. The kitchen is an open concept which adds to the ambiance.
Khyber focuses on traditional Northeastern Indian cuisine. Many of their dishes come off the grill, which is why their grilled chicken dishes are some of their most popular. Their grilled chicken tenders on fresh veggies are delicious, as is their char-grilled cheese in their homemade cumin seasoning blend.
Kiran’s
2925 Richmond Ave Suite 160, Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-960-8472
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Kiran’s is right in front of Levy Park, on Richmond Avenue. It may be one of the most elegant Indian restaurants in Houston. Krian’s looks and tastes like a 5-star restaurant with immaculate service. The atmosphere is warm, and they serve their food on white plates and some on wooden plates that look like they came right off the tree.
The cuisine is traditional Indian at Kiran’s, but the chef adds a modern take. They use modern techniques to recreate classic dishes while putting an elevated spin on them. You can order from their menu a la carte or book a tasting. The sadya tasting is supreme with rasam, chili paneer, gobi carpaccio, a chocolate samosa, and more.
Mogul Indian Restaurant
1055 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058
Phone: 281-480-3097
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Mogul Indian Restaurant is only six minutes down the road from the Houston Space Center. This large Indian joint has patterned carpets, orange and yellow walls, and a large wooden bar that’s perfect for grabbing a drink before your meal. While the atmosphere feels relatively upscale, you can come as you are to this restaurant.
The owners of Mogul call their food “food for the soul,” and I can’t say that they’re wrong. Since 194, they’ve been sharing their dishes with the people of Houston and visitors. They offer daily specials and serve all your favorite Indian dishes. I went with their Shaan e murgh which is chicken stuffed with cheese and herbs.
Shiv Sagar
6662 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77074
Phone: 713-977-0150
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Shiv Sagar is within walking distance of Udipi Cafe on Southwest Freeway. The restaurant is within a strip mall, but you’ll forget it’s not a stand-alone joint when you walk in. The interior has dim lighting, black and dark wood features, and has a modern take.
People love Shiv Sagar because it’s an exclusively vegetarian menu. Even if you love chicken or other meat proteins, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with their options. I asked the staff what they loved to eat here, and they suggested aloo paratha, vegetable biryani, and their butter pav bhaji.
Bombay Sweets
5827 Hillcroft Ave, Houston, TX 77036
Phone: 713-780-4453
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Next to the Roop Sari Palace on Hillcroft Avenue is Bombay Sweets. You’ll order your meal or pastries at the counter when you walk in. The walls are lined with more fresh pastries that you can purchase. There’s minimal seating, but you can always take your food to go if you can’t find a seat.
This unique Indian spot is primarily a bakery, but they offer a lunch buffet and made-to-order food. Their dishes are typical from the southern region of India, and you cannot overlook their pastries and sweets. I ordered their onion and tomato chili. As for the sweets, the coconut ladoo and chocolate burfi are to die for.
Narin’s Bombay Brasserie
3115 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
Phone: 713-622-2005
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Narin’s Bombay Brasserie is a family-owned Indian restaurant on West Loop, less than a mile from William’s Tower. This elegant restaurant has wood floors, wooden accents, and plenty of vibrant colors thrown in to represent the culture of India. The family who owns and runs the space are passionate about their recipes, and it shows.
Each dish is perfectly created with care to ensure every patron has the best experience possible. They have starters, salads, bread, tandoori specials, and more. The lamb sheek kabab was my favorite. You can’t forget to order their stuffed bread regardless of your choice.
Tarka Indian Kitchen
Multiple Locations
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There are two locations of Tarka Indian Kitchen in Houston. One is on South Shepherd Drive, and the other is on West 19th Street in Shady Acres. Both locations are modern counter service restaurants with bright orange colors and a lively atmosphere.
Tarka Indian Kitchen offers traditional curries, kabobs, and healthier options too. Their menu is relatively simple. If you want a curry, you choose your protein, the type of curry you want, your spice level, and they’ll make it especially for you. I went with their paneer vindaloo curry and only had a mild spice level. It was perfect.
Sangam Chettinad Indian Cuisine
11398 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077
Phone: 281-741-2726
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Across the street from the Houston Community College, Alief Hayes Campus is Sangam Chettinad Indian Cuisine. This contemporary space features light wood floors and red and black decor throughout. It’s a casual restaurant and a popular place for locals and visitors alike.
Sangam Chettinad Indian Cuisine serves curries, biryani, fried rice, dosas, and more. I was intrigued by their southern Indian rice varieties. I gave the curd rice a try, and I’m happy I did. I then had their butter masala, which was heavenly.
MELLOW MANNA INDIAN CUISINE
2122 Holly Hall St, Houston, TX 77054
Phone: 713-790-7888
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Mellow Manna is less than two miles from the NRG Stadium on Holly Hall Street. This easy-going restaurant is excellent before or after football games or when you can’t get the thought of Indian food out of your head. While the atmosphere is casual, the food is anything but simple.
You can order your food a la carte or pay for their buffet. Both have pros and cons, but I opted for ordering a la carte. They offer daily specials which can help you make your decision. I went with their chilly chicken. It’s fried chicken slathered in a hot chili sauce and served on rice. I had to order some naan to go with it.
