Rebecca DavisIf you’re craving rich, spice-laden comfort food, finding the best Indian restaurants in Philadelphia is a mission worth taking on.
Luckily, dedicated foodies hunting for biryani and vegan diners searching for plant-based curries will find that Philly’s food scene really delivers. We have everything from sizzling tandoori plates to fragrant dosas right in our backyard!
To make the search easier, I rounded up standout spots that bring bold flavors, warm service, and menus worth exploring.
How much does Indian food cost in Philadelphia?
When dining at Indian restaurants in Philadelphia, expect to spend around $25 to $45 per person for a full meal, with prices varying by appetizer and entrée choices.
| Menu Item | Price Range |
| Street food snacks and starters | $8 – $15 |
| Vegetarian mains | $15 – $20 |
| Meat and seafood dishes | $18 – $25 |
| Sides (naan, rice) | $4 – $8 |
1. Thanal Indian Tavern
Website: https://www.thanalphilly.com/
Address: 1939 Arch Street
Contact: (215) 515-2511
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Friday to Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM; Sunday: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Craving something a little different from the usual takeout routine? Thanal stands out by stepping away from standard tourist recipes and serving a lively take on Indian culture right on Arch Street.
They mix things up with barbecue-inspired and fusion styles here, and the smoky twist on the tandoori plates really works. Plus, the menu is massive, with more than 100 items, and the “Healthy Food” tags make lighter options easier to spot.
Catering is also simple to organize through their site, which helps if you’re planning a group meal.
Just keep an eye on the clock because they close for a few hours every afternoon between lunch and dinner. That can be a slight bummer if a late lunch craving hits, but the vibrant, spiced-up dinner flavors make the wait feel worth it.
Must-try
Thanal Indian Tavern is amazing! The food was flavorful, and the desserts were the perfect finish. I loved everything I tried! The staff was super nice, and the vibe was chill with great music. If you’re into Indian food, this spot is a must-try. Can’t wait to go back!
- Waratchaya Nuangjamnong | Google Review
Phenomenal
We were looking for some good Indian food and this place was phenomenal.
The best butter chicken I have ever had! My partner got the daal which was also phenomenal and had great spices in it.
Samosas were also very tasty with intricate spices.
Naan was good. Wish it was a little thicker and puffier.
Will definitely be heading back here.
- Aidan Darragh | Google Review
2. Amma’s South Indian Cuisine
Website: https://ammasrestaurants.com/
Address: 1500 Walnut Street
Contact: (808) 762 6627
Hours: Monday to Thursday, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:45 PM; Friday to Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:15 PM
There’s just something incredibly comforting about home-cooked meals, and this Walnut Street gem leans right into that homemade-style South Indian feel.
Here at Amma’s, they stick closely to centuries-old traditions and use freshly ground spices that fill the dining room with amazing aromas.
If you love fermented rice crepes, the huge variety of dosas and uthappams is the main draw. You can even build your own uthappam with your favorite toppings!
They also serve unique traditional soups, including Banana Stem and Drumstick Leaves, which are fun to try if you want something beyond the usual curry order. I always finish my meal here with their chicory-infused South Indian filter coffee.
The only real downside is that the restaurant closes a bit early on most days, so you’ll need to plan for an earlier dinner.
Everything was so fresh
Having a fine dine Indian restaurant that offers Halal food is great to have. We loved the ambience, service and of all the food was amazing. Enjoyed everything. Falooda is a must have. Everything was so fresh. Clean restrooms, high chairs for kids available. Paid parking decks available close by or paid street parking.
– Farroukh Mohammed | Google Review
My new favorite Indian restaurant
The food here is amazing! The curries are rich, complex, and perfect for a cold winter day. Might be my new favorite Indian restaurant in Center City. Came here on a Friday night around 7:00 PM and getting a table was easy. The service was attentive and knowledgeable. Do yourself a favor and stop by the next time you’re in the area! Bring your own bottle (BYOB).
– David Lee | Google Review
3. Turmeric Indian Kitchen
Website: https://turmericphilly.com/
Address: 1240 Spring Garden St
Contact: (215) 933-0430
Hours: Daily: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tracking down authentic regional dishes can sometimes be a hassle, but this Spring Garden spot shines a spotlight on Kerala specialties and family-friendly recipes.
Turmeric brings vibrant flavors straight to Philly by pairing classic Indian curries with Indo-Chinese stir-fries. Their traditional Kerala seafood dishes stand out to me most because the spices feel bright, layered, and satisfying.
They also have a speedy online ordering system that promises a 45-minute delivery window for certain neighborhoods, which is perfect for lazy weeknights.
On top of that, there’s a 24/7 accessibility helpline if you run into any trouble navigating their website.
I was a bit disappointed about their limited dessert selection, though. If you have a major sweet tooth after a spicy meal, you may need to grab a treat somewhere else on the way home.
Worth checking out
Excellent choice of both North and South Indian food on the menu. Samosa chat was great, dosa as well. And entrees also great. Didn’t try any of the tandoori or biryani, but the chicken and lamb dishes were great. Decent street parking. Worth checking out.
– Saqib Rehman | Google Review
Pleasant spot to enjoy a meal
I visited this newly opened Indian restaurant when I was very hungry, and it truly hit the spot! The food was absolutely delicious, bursting with authentic flavors. The place has a warm and positive vibe, making it a pleasant spot to enjoy a meal. The staff were cordial and attentive, and I was pleasantly surprised when they offered me some additional sweets. A lovely gesture!
Wishing the team all the very best for their journey ahead. I’ll definitely be coming back.
– Shashikiran G | Google Review
4. Virasat Haveli
Website: https://havelivirasat.com/
Address: 4051 Market St
Contact: (215) 921 – 4553
Hours: Daily: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Finding a place that balances hearty meat dishes with excellent plant-based options is a huge win. Run by owner and chef Jagmeet, who previously worked with veteran chefs in New York, Virasat Haveli brings together Indian and Pakistani cuisine.
They honor traditional vegetarian plates while serving rich non-vegetarian options. In a city packed with great restaurants in Philadelphia, a menu that uses 100% Halal meat is a fantastic perk.
They also feature a special Indo-Chinese section for zesty fusion flavors and offer on-demand catering for big events.
Just note that many specialty dishes, like the goat and beef Nihari, are served bone-in. That means your choices are a little limited if you strongly prefer boneless cuts, but the flavor payoff is huge.
All excellent
Incredible Indian food here and I would easily come back the next time I’m in Philly. I tried a whole bunch of items from the dosa to the fish tikka masala to the malai kofta. All excellent! I don’t even eat cooked salmon, but it was great in the tikka masala. Definitely try the mango lassi too. So refreshing and tasty! This is a spot you don’t want to miss!
Also, they were great about bringing out more waters and, for your information (FYI), they take a student discount.
– Alex Issokson (Boston Foodie) | Google Review
Amazing flavors
Absolutely incredible and authentic Indian food! The Gobi Manchurian was hands down the best I’ve ever had, perfectly crispy, flavorful, and just the right amount of spice. The Butter Chicken was rich and creamy, the Malai Kofta was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and the Orange Kulfi was such a unique and refreshing treat to end the meal. Amazing flavors, great portions, and fantastic service. Will definitely be coming back!
– Tra My Nguyen | Google Review
5. Masala Fusion Indian Restaurant
Website: https://www.masalafusionpa.com/
Address: 14 N 3rd St
Contact: (267) 951-7745
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
If you’re a bit tired of hitting the same taco spots in Philadelphia every week, switching things up with fragrant curries is a brilliant move, and Masala Fusion’s the perfect choice.
This place shines for a diverse mix of traditional and fresh Indian dishes. You can bounce from street food classics right to beautifully spiced biryanis.
I like how their menu is organized by regional styles, with dedicated sections for Mughlai and Makhani dishes. They even clearly separate the veggie plates from the meat entrees, so ordering feels painless.
You can also check out the special chef entree section for signature plates.
Just a heads-up: They close for an hour every day between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM. It’s a minor inconvenience for late-afternoon snackers, but the direct online ordering setup makes grabbing dinner later much easier.
Everything was awesome
Amazing food and amazing service!
One of the best Indian food I had in the United States (US).
We ordered Chili chicken, Strawberry tini and Biryani, everything was awesome!
I never had biryani this good in the US until now.
– Diksha Tayade | Google Review
All the dishes were flavorful
A really great Indian restaurant that seems a bit new. There was no wait which was a nice surprise. Our waiter, Dev, was super helpful and friendly. He offered to guide us through the menu in case we were new to Indian food and made sure we didn’t order way too much. The samosa chat was banging. All the dishes were flavorful and well liked. The food came out quickly too. Mugali was a new dish for us and it was a nice surprise. Bangan bartha was also a new try and a big hit at our table.
– Jordan | Google Review
