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Culture July 19, 2019
All the cravings...
ENTITY shares the best Indian restaurants in Los Angeles that you should try!Californian Indian food has quickly developed into its own distinct cuisine, highly popular, especially for people who are equal parts Californian and Indian like myself. But my search for the best Indian restaurants in Los Angeles required some hard work. It’s pretty easy to stumble upon under-spiced, over-greased, all-you-can-eat buffet style Indian places that leave you feeling unsettled in more than one way. And in LA, you’re almost as likely to find faddy and health-crazy places that lack the traditions (and the ghee!) of good Indian food.
But it’s possible to find restaurants that do it right, places where fresh Californian ingredients mix with Indian spice and tradition, creating a hybrid flavor distinct to the greater Los Angeles area. Here are the best Indian restaurants in Los Angeles, that exist right in that sweet spot of traditional and fun.
The Spice Affair website boasts itself as the “Best Indian Food in Los Angeles,” and they’re not off base. Classic and upscale, Spice Affair is a great place to bring parents, dates, or anyone you might want to impress. Not only does the food taste like a royal feast, but the service – from the welcoming hostess to the waiters who top of your glass at the blink of an eye – will transport you to a Rajasthani palace.
I highly recommend their palak chat, perfectly crunchy and uniquely topped with pomegranates:
As indicated on Spice Affair’s Yelp page, the butter chicken and the flash grilled sea bass are the biggest attractions for a hearty and classic main course. You must also try their avocado Behl, a true embodiment of Cali-Indian cuisine, with an artful presentation and a combination of avocado and tandoori spices that might make my fellow Californian born Indians melt inside:
The name translates from Hindi as “naughty”, which is appropriate, as this place’s food could only be described as sinful. Or, as a friend dubbed it after his first bite of their spiced lamb burger – “stupidly good.”
A casual atmosphere with a fun yet classic menu, Badmaash in DTLA is one of my favorite late-night, post-concert treats. It’s there for you when you need spice, but also something fried, and something hearty.
Another popular menu item is the Chicken Tikka Poutine, made up of fries, chicken, tandoori spices, and a whole lot of ghee. I also sincerely believe that their spicy mango chutney would taste good on just about anything.
As I went vegetarian a few months ago and the mouth-watering “Badass Chicken Tikka” is now off the table for me, I highly recommend their chili cheese naan and chickpea chips for any other vegetarians who crave comfort food. I promise it’s worth the hype.
I’ll admit I was hesitant when I spotted “Taco Chaat” on India Jones’s menu. It felt like taking the fun TOO far, or something my family might roll their eyes at. But if there’s anything the chef, Sumant Pardal knows, it’s how to make good Indian street food.
The specialty is the “Frankie”, what my friends lovingly call an Indian-burrito. But it’s actually street food original to Mumbai, dating back to the 1930s (when it was “Bombay”). An egg-battered freshly made roti, wrapped around a nicely spiced protein of your choice (paneer for the vegetarians!) mixed with a tamarind chutney that you can’t miss.
Don’t judge this charming food truck by one thing on the menu, like I did, because India Jones knows the right balance of tradition and tacos.
If you’re craving adventure, TŪMBI’s “craft Indian kitchen” offers you that lovable Los Angeles flavor of Indian: experimental, fun, but true to tradition.
I recommend dining here for a fun night out, as the menu’s “Pani Puri Shots” will be the highlight and the main event.
“Do we eat this with our hands?” your friends might ask. The answer is absolutely.
The “Sweet Potato Dosa” sounds like a dream come true. A sweet potato, seasoned just right, stuffed inside my favorite South Indian staple is something, again, that only LA could offer.
And to top off your night out, they have chocolate filled samosa or a Nutella dosa for dessert. What more could you need?
Who would have thought that the heart of Kerala beats in Culver City, LA? Given the nod of approval from both Jonathan Gold and Wolfgang Puck, Mayura is devoted to tradition. Their owner, Padmini, actually flies to India every three months to collect fresh spices, as she tells India Currents.
You won’t find flavor like this anywhere else in this city. In their traditional Keralan dishes, you’ll taste cumin, coriander, cardamon, and chutneys more sour than spicy. Also on their menu are plenty of rich curries, biryanis, and even uthappam – something I never dreamed of finding in Culver City. Plus, Mindy Kaling spent her Easter dinner here.
Mayura is there for you when you crave the real deal and a specific regional taste. It feels true and tastes like home.
Hopefully, these Indian restaurants will satisfy any craving far and wide. Whether you’re searching for a late-night snack, fresh organic ingredients, yummy comfort food, or just a classic Indian meal, Los Angeles is pervaded with a variety of Indian places for any occasion.
