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Portland Indian Restaurants You Need to Try

Portland is one of the crown jewels of the Pacific Northwest and arguably Oregon’s most famous city.

delicious khima pav at portland indian restaurants

Portland is a great place to visit or live because of its unique culture, fantastic food scene, and laid-back population.

If you love nature, you’ll enjoy exploring the maze of walkways and trails around the city, and beer enthusiasts will adore Portland’s massive craft beer scene.

Once you’re done exploring the scenic city and first-class sites, like the Oregon Zoo and the sprawling Japanese Garden, you might find yourself a little bit on the hungry side.

Fortunately, there are plenty of top-notch Indian restaurants right in Portland itself.

Check out my list of the best Indian restaurants in Portland below!


Bollywood Theater

Multiple locations
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With multiple locations, Bollywood Theater is easily one of the best Indian restaurants in Portland, and you can find one just around every corner of downtown.

There are plenty of reasons to fall head over heels for Bollywood Theater, but their incredible service and menu of authentic Indian cuisine stand out as two of the top ones.

Try their mango lassi for a genuine, cold, delicious treat.

The curries and makhani dishes are good too, and Bollywood Theater has a robust selection of local beers.

Bollywood Theater also has plenty of vegetarian dishes on the menu, so you’re bound to find something for everyone.


Dwaraka Indian Cuisine

3962 SE Hawthorne Blvd suite c, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-230-1120

Down the street from the Hawthorne Theatre, Dwaraka Indian Cuisine is a casual yet chic restaurant where you can expect superb service and very knowledgeable staff.

If you want to try out Indian food but aren’t sure what to order, Dwaraka Indian Cuisine should be high on your list next time you visit Portland.

Some of their essential dishes include masala dosas, chicken korma, and massive plates of homemade naan bread.

Feel free to customize the spice level to your particular preference too.

If you’re unsure about what level to choose, the staff can certainly help you out.


Maruti Indian Restaurant

1925 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-236-0714
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Maruti Indian Restaurant is right around the corner from Ladd’s Addition and a great place to stop after a long day of sightseeing or shopping in Portland.

As with many of our top picks, Maruti Indian Restaurant stands out thanks to impeccable service and excellent traditional food.

You’ll find vegan and vegetarian spins on your favorite Indian dishes, like mushroom tikka masala and plenty of robust salads.

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You certainly won’t miss the meat and get a healthier and more authentic dining experience than at most restaurants.

Plus, the portions are enormous, so prepare to share.


Namaste Indian Cuisine

Multiple locations
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No matter where you find yourself staying in Portland, there’s bound to be a Namaste Indian Cuisine right near you.

Even though Namaste Indian Cuisine is a local chain, everything still tastes fresh and homemade, and it’s difficult to go wrong with anything on the vast menu.

The vegetarian lentil dishes are scrumptious, and the garlic naan is in a league of its own.

Try the vegetable masala if you want something healthier with a decidedly Indian taste.

Since Namaste Indian Cuisine offers a buffet, you can sample a little bit of everything and maybe find a new favorite dish. 


Swagat Indian Cuisine NW

2074 NW Lovejoy St, Portland, OR 97209
Phone: 503-227-4300
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Near the Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, Swagat Indian Cuisine NW serves simple but flawlessly executed Indian food that will transport you straight to the streets of Mumbai.

Everything from their entrees to sauces is exceptional and richly flavored.

One of the critical reasons why Portland residents love Swagat Indian Cuisine NW is the butter chicken.

Luxe and juicy, it’s full of seasoning and spice and goes perfectly well with a bed of fluffy rice.

However, since most of the dishes at Swagat Indian Cuisine NW are spicy, you should ask for a milder version if fiery food isn’t for you.


East India Co. Grill & Bar

821 SW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: 503-227-8815
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East India Co. Grill & Bar is just a few blocks from the Central Library and is one of the most popular and best Indian restaurants in Portland.

Although the menu is approachable and accessible, even for people who don’t know much about Indian food, there’s enough variety to please Indian cuisine experts.

This quality makes East India Co. Grill & Bar a universally appealing place. The food is lovely, especially the tikka dishes and vindaloos.

East India Co. Grill & Bar knows how to prepare meat properly, even trickier meats like lamb.

Nothing ever tastes gamey or overcooked.

If you visit East India Co. Grill & Bar on the weekends, prepare for a long wait since this Portland hot spot tends to get packed.


The Sudra

28 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
Phone: 971-302-6002
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The Sudra is a plant-based restaurant almost directly across the street from the Coca-Cola North America Business Center.

So if you are a vegan or vegetarian or want to get a few more plant-based items into your diet, give it a try next time you find yourself in Portland, Oregon.

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There are plenty of things to love about the menu at The Sudra, but some of my favorite dishes include tamarind curry beets with delicious sweet coconut yogurt, potato samosas with spicy chutney, and soy-based chicken and noodles with delicious mixed vegetables and plenty of garlic.


BHUNA

704 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Phone: 971-865-2176
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Centrally located two blocks from Couch Park; Bhuna is one of the best Indian restaurants in Portland if you’re looking for eclectic cuisine and aren’t afraid to try new and exciting ingredients.

I like to think outside the box when I visit Bhuna and explore new dishes because I know the quality will always be on point.

The lotus root fries are great, especially when you order them with a few different chutneys.

The kohlrabi and collards are also delicious and make an excellent side dish for your main entree.

Be advised that Bhuna tends to be super popular, so prepare for a bit of a wait if you come during dinner rushes or on the weekends.


DesiPDX

4233 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
Phone: 503-862-3374
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DesiPDX is a food truck and one of the best Indian restaurants in Portland.

You can usually find DesiPDX on North Mississippi Avenue, although it occasionally moves to other parts of the city.

If you’re looking for high-quality, authentic Indian cuisine made fresh and fast, DesiPDX is an excellent bet.

One of the things I love about DesiPDX is that they use seasonal and local ingredients, and everything, even the condiments, taste homemade.

The seasonal dhal is a special treat, full of curry and warm spices.

It pairs perfectly with a heaping dish of rice or homemade pickles.


Dil Se Indian Cuisine

1201 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97201
Phone: 503-804-5619
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A few blocks from the Portland Art Museum, Dil Se Indian Cuisine is a fantastic place to visit for great takeout and classic interpretations of Indian dishes.

The chicken masala is one of my favorite things to order from Dil Se Indian Cuisine.

The sauce is rich, heady, and pairs ideally with juicy chunks of tender chicken.

The vindaloos are spectacular too.

Vegetarians won’t go hungry at Dil Se Indian Cuisine, thanks to the plethora of great healthy and flavorful vegetable dishes.

They’re certainly not an afterthought, and you can tell each dish is made with love.


Siri Indian Cuisine

1323 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
Phone: 503-208-2259
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Right around the corner from Portland’s Studio Blue Pilates, Siri Indian Cuisine offers great classic Indian food that’s simple and scrumptious.

One of my favorite dishes at Siri Indian Cuisine is the naan.

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It’s got tons of flavor and spice, and it works well with virtually any dish or chutney.

You could make an entire meal out of the naan, rice, and chutney if you wanted to, although those with bigger appetites might want to opt for a more substantial meal.

The butter chicken is a favorite at Siri Indian Cuisine, and the veggie samosas are great for sharing.


Apna Chat Bhavan

1815 NW 169th Pl Ste 6020, Beaverton, OR 97006
Phone: 503-718-7841
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Down the street from Five Oaks Middle School, Apna Chat Bhavan serves some of the tastiest dosas in all of Portland and maybe even in the state of Oregon itself.

It’s a great place to order several different appetizers to share with friends and a true local hangout.

In addition to the dosas, it’s a good idea to try all the different condiments, even if you’re not sure you’ll like them.

Apna Chat Bhavan has a dazzling array of different sauces and chutneys, and each one tastes as if it came out of an authentic Indian kitchen.


Chennai Masala

2088 NE Stucki Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97124
Phone: 503-531-9500
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Chennai Masala is conveniently located near Amberglen Tract L and hits all of the high points you would expect from a top-notch restaurant.

The service at Chennai Masala is terrific, with super-knowledgable staff who can easily attend to any dietary needs or requests.

The food is also great, focusing predominately on South Indian fare with fiery chicken kebabs, plenty of stuffed samosas, and some of the best butter chicken you’re likely to have outside India.

The portions are enormous, so it’s a good idea to go with a big group of people and share your entrees and appetizers for the whole experience. 


Gandhi Indian Restaurant

710 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 503-219-9224

Gandhi Indian Restaurant is a cost-effective and traditional restaurant just a few blocks from Portland’s scenic Willamette River.

With a great selection of mouthwatering dishes and a robust wine list, Gandhi Indian Restaurant is one of the most popular places in Portland for locals to get their vindaloo fix.

Although they have a vast selection of meat and vegetarian fare, I love the vegetarian dishes at Gandhi Indian Restaurant.

The vegetarian dishes are well thought out, spiced to order, and go perfectly well with a warm slice of naan bread and a nice Rose.


Balaji Indian Cuisine

432 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 206-539-9191
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A few blocks from the Oregon Historical Society, Balaji Indian Cuisine specializes in authentic fare made with locally-sourced ingredients.

One of the critical things I love about Balaji Indian Cuisine is that the chefs have a unique ability to elevate even humble dishes and make them extraordinary.

The lunch buffet is an excellent, cost-effective option and a good way for you to try everything on the menu.

However, if you’re ordering a la carte, I suggest you try the veggie samosas with dipping sauce, chicken curry and vindaloo dishes, and butter chicken.



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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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