Over the years, we’ve found some of the most memorable meals tucked into unassuming strip malls or tucked down quiet suburban streets, and so whenever we’re looking for new places to eat in Raleigh, we reach out to our Facebook community to discover unique finds.
When we wanted to find the best Indian restaurants in Raleigh, we asked our community and they did not let us down. With India being a vast and diverse country, and having a cuisine that reflects that, we were not just looking for who makes the best curry, but who serves up the most authentic flavors and quintessentially Indian experience.
It turns out, the Raleigh area has quite the range. Some spots specialize in elaborate weekend buffets, others focus on regional dishes, but they have all impressed our local community and contributed to putting the Triangle area near the top of the list of best dining destinations in North Carolina. We were blown away by the number of responses we had for recommendations, and the following spots had several recommendations by locals, listed in alphabetical order.
Amrut: Taste of India (Raleigh)
- Address: 120 E Martin St, Raleigh
- Website: amrutnc.com
Amrut is a polished North Indian restaurant in downtown Raleigh known for its classic Indian and Mughal dishes. The menu features familiar staples such as creamy butter chicken, smoky tandoori meats, and saag paneer, but it’s better known for its broad selection of vegetarian curries. Some dishes that locals have raved about are the Malai Masala, Mango Kulti, Banana Leaf Fish, and Lamb Shank.
It has a contemporary decor, with wooden accents, a full bar, and stylish lighting displays. It’s also ideally located near Moore Square, making it the perfect spot for a meal before a show at Red Hat Amphitheater. With efficient service, Happy Hour deals, and take-out and delivery options, it’s one of the most dependable spots for Indian cuisine in downtown.
Anjappar (Cary)
- Address: 101 Ledgestone Way, Cary
- Website: anjapparindian.com
If you prefer South Indian cuisine, specifically from the bold, peppery lands of Tamil Nadu’s Chettinad region, then it’s well worth getting in the car and driving to Cary for a meal at Anjappar. They have several locations, with spots in both Cary and Durham, and soon to be Raleigh (Pleasant Valley), but currently, the Cary location is the one locals have been recommending we try out.
The menu has been crafted by chefs with more than 50 years of experience, and features both vegetarian and meat dishes, as well as lunch box specials and a great buffet on the weekend. Locals recommend the Seeragasamba rice, Goat Biryani, mango fish curry (tilapia), and the Tandoori chicken. If you don’t like your food too spicy, we recommend getting a medium spice as the heat level tends to be on the hotter side here.
Azitra (Raleigh)
- Address: 8411 Brier Creek Pkwy, Raleigh
- Website: azitra.com
A long-standing restaurant in Brier Creek, Azitra is a white-tablecloth, fine dining restaurant serving Indian cuisine with Southern hospitality. This multi-award-winning restaurant was noted as Raleigh’s Best Indian Restaurant by the News & Observer and Midtown magazine for three consecutive years and also won the 2024 OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award.
The menu blends familiar staples with more inventive dishes, and it also has a 3 Course Prix Fixe Brunch menu. Some notable dishes that locals are raving about are the gobi manchurian, crab masala, and vegetable biryani. The garlic naan is also on point. It also has quite a large wine selection to pair it all with. We like the outdoor seating area, refined presentation, and attentive service.
Barsa (Durham)
- Address: 105 W Morgan St, Durham
- Website: barsanc.com
Many people recommended Barsa in Durham as their favorite restaurant for New Indian cuisine. It was once voted Best Indian Restaurant in the Triangle by the News & Observer. Barsa has a small menu, serving classic staples such as chicken tikka masala, duck vindaloo, shahi kofta, and Moong Dal Makhani, as well as a decent selection of cocktails to pair it with.
The restaurant is spacious, with artistic touches such as colorful umbrellas hanging from the ceiling and bold wall decor. The floor-to-ceiling windows bring in lots of natural light, and if you prefer to dine al fresco, there is a small outdoor seating area, too. Diners rave about the cauliflower appetizers, saag paneer, and Lobster Moilee.
Bazil (Raleigh)
Bazil is a lovely family-run restaurant that serves authentic Indian cuisine, as well as Indo-Chinese specialties. It has a modern and refined decor, with booth seating and white tablecloths, making it an ideal spot for a date night or special occasion.
The menu features richly spiced curries, and you can choose your spice level on a scale of 1-5. Some dishes that get standout mentions are the Gobi Manchurian, Lobster Crab Malai Tadka, and Paneer Makhani. It also has a special lunch menu for those looking for something quick and, on the go, as well as a choose-your-own Attentive service and a large selection of specialty desserts. For a refined yet approachable Indian dining experience, this is a good option.
Bombay Curry (Raleigh)
- Address: 13220 Strickland Rd, Raleigh
- Website: bombaycurrync.com
Another reliable option that many locals recommended to us, Bombay Curry in North Raleigh, is well known for generous portion sizes and boldly spiced North Indian staples. Bombay Curry has more than 10 years of experience and prides itself on serving dishes made with the freshest local ingredients. The menu ranges from tandoori classics to aromatic Biryanis. It has a wide range of vegetarian options, though not a lot of gluten-free options.
You can also adjust the spice level of your entree if you are not big on hot food. However, the bold and strong flavors have made it a neighborhood favorite for casual Indian dining. The kormas, momos, and paneers have been mentioned a lot by regular patrons.
Cilantro Indian Cafe (Cary)
- Address: 107 Edinburgh S Dr, Cary
- Website: www.cilantroindia.com
Another long‑favored Indian restaurant in Cary worth adding to your list, this time serving homestyle North Indian and Bihari‑inspired dishes, is Cilantro. And we love them because all their curries are gluten and nut-free! It has a casual, welcoming vibe, with lots of natural light and plenty of seating. Regular customers love it for the consistency, with standout favorites including saag paneer, karahi chicken, and the chicken korma. It’s also known to serve a delicious cardamom tea, which pairs perfectly with the house made desserts.
Desi’s Tavern (Garner)
- Address: 74 Son-Lan Pkwy, Garner
- Website: desitavernnc.com
Over in Garner, Desi’s Tavern is a lively Indian‑inspired gastropub that blends traditional South and North Indian flavors with exotic Indo-Chinese creations. It has a casual, eclectic flair with an atmosphere that blends a family-friendly sit-down restaurant with lively sports bar vibes.
The extensive menu includes classic curries and biryanis alongside Indo‑Chinese and fusion‑style plates, with standouts including the rich butter chicken, tandoori chicken, and chicken tikka masala. Appetizers such as samosas and pani puri also get a lot of praise. Customers note that Desi’s has authentic and flavorful Indian food, large portion sizes, and bold spice profiles.
Everest Kitchen (Wendell)
- Address: 25 N Main St, Wendell
- Website: everestkitchennc.com
Everest Kitchen is not just an Indian restaurant, but also serves Thai and Chinese food, so it would be a great choice for those who want a diverse mix of Asian cuisine. This cozy restaurant in downtown Wendell is known for offering strong, flavorful Indian‑accented curries. Classics like chicken tikka masala, drunk man noodles, chicken korma, and vindaloo dishes get raved about in the reviews. The stuffed garlic naan has been noted as the perfect side pairing. Portions are generous, and the casual, welcoming space suits those looking for a relaxed spot for either lunch or dinner.
Jalwa (Raleigh)
- Address: 6112 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh
- Website: jalwaindianbistro.com
Jalwa Indian Bistro is a modern, upscale Indian restaurant in North Raleigh that serves up traditional recipes with a modern-day, Southern twist. We love the decor and vibe of this restaurant, with dark tablecloths and plush cushioned chairs; it feels refined but without being pretentious.
Some of the standout dishes are the lamb shank, kofta delight, and saag burrata. For dessert, try the palak paneer baklava, mango lassi tiramisu, or tres leches cake. For inventive dishes and well‑crafted cocktails, Jalwa would be our top choice in the Triangle for a special occasion Indian meal.
Kabab & Curry (Raleigh)
- Address: 2412 Hillsborough St, Raleigh
- Website: kababandcurrync.com
Another restaurant that had several mentions when we asked for recommendations, Kabab and Curry is a cozy and casual, family‑friendly Indian restaurant on Hillsborough Street known for solid, spice‑forward North Indian and Nepalese favorites. It frequently gets talked about for its medium-sized buffet bar during lunch hours, which has both vegetarian and meat options. The buffet is all-you-can-eat and runs from 11:30am – 3:00pm seven days a week.
If you prefer a dinner option, many diners praise the chicken tikka masala, palak paneer, aloo gobi, chicken tandoori, and chicken momos, which are served in generous portion sizes and balanced sauces. Members of our community tell us that the food is consistently excellent, and the samosa chat is the best appetizer on the menu.
Kadhai the Indian Wok (Raleigh)
- Address: 6260-112 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
- Website: www.theindianexpresskadhai.com
Kadhai the Indian Wok is a well‑established and upscale Indian restaurant offering a broad menu of Indian classics. It’s well known for its lunch-time buffet, which runs from 11:30am – 2:30pm Monday to Friday, and 12:00pm – 3:00pm on weekends. On the à la carte menu, popular options include the vindaloo, saag paneer, and paneer makhani, which are known for their balanced spices and hearty sauces, and the garlic naan gets a mention for having a great texture and flavor. With dependable vegetarian choices and a welcoming, family‑friendly atmosphere, it’s a reliable choice for Indian dining in the Triangle.
Lazeez (Wake Forest)
- Address: 1318 S Main St, Wake Forest
- Website: www.lazeeznc.com
A popular Indian restaurant in Wake Forest known for its aromatic biryanis, tandoor grills, and North Indian dishes is Lazeez. It frequently gets raved about for its chicken methi malai, mango chicken, and Mongolian beef dishes, as well as drunken noodles and chicken tikka naan. For inventive dishes, unique flavors, and generous portions, Lazeez is well worth the trip. It also has a modern setting and attentive service.
Lime and Lemon (Raleigh)
- Address: 105 Friendly Dr, Raleigh
- Website: www.lnlrestaurant.com
Lime & Lemon Indian Restaurant is a personal favorite Indian restaurant on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. It has a polished vibe and serves up reliably flavorful North Indian classics and well‑seasoned tandoori dishes. Expect bold flavors, modern vibes, and unique Indian-inspired cocktails. Our daughter loves the mango lassi. Some popular dishes include the Lime Curry, Chilli Garlic Mushrooms, Gobi Pepper Fry, and Karaikudi Chicken Korma.
Masala House (Raleigh)
- Address: 126 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh
- Website: masalahousenc.com
Masala House is celebrated for its bold, well‑balanced North Indian flavors. They grind their own spices to amplify the flavor, and use produce sourced from local suppliers – so it’s as fresh as it is tasty. The space is warm, modern, and inviting, with warm wood tones and lots of natural light coming in from the wall of windows. It would make a lovely setting for a meal out with friends, a date night, or just for a lunch break between shopping trips…