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)
- Address: 6602 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
- Website: bazil-indian-cuisine.com
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.
For generous portions, allergy‑aware cooking, and a nicely decorated space, Cilantro would be our top choice for a date night or meal out with friends. Read more: Best Gluten-Free Restaurants.
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.
Some dishes that get repeatedly praised are classics such as the tikka masala and chicken vindaloo, as well as the momos, which have been noted for being generously filled and packed with flavor. Masala House also has a lot of vegetarian and vegan options as well.
Mirchi’s (Cary)
- Address: 328 Sembler Ln, Cary
- Website: mirchisnc.com
For somewhere more refined, head to Mirchi’s Indian Kitchen & Bar in Cary, which serves up contemporary South and North Indian dishes. We love the outdoor patio area, which feels ambient under the twinkling lights, and the bright orange and yellow plush seating on the inside.
The decor is not the only thing that’s bold and takes your breath away. The food has been noted for being full of authentic flavors that feel like an explosion in your mouth – and portion sizes are huge, too! Some standout dishes are the saag paneer, gobi manchurian, and tender lamb rogan josh, as well as appetizers such as dosa and garlic cheese naans. It also has a well‑curated drink list and attentive service.
Nazara (Cary)
- Address: 1945 High House Rd, Cary
- Website: www.nazaranc.com
Nazara Indian Bistro is another contemporary and refined restaurant decked out in an Art Deco Indian style in Cary. Its bold colors and playful ascents are a sign of things to come, as the broad, pan‑Indian menu brings people back time and time again for its flavorful and rich flavors.
It has an extensive lunch menu, and you can choose whether your meals come with meat, vegetables, or tofu. Everything is gluten-free as well. The weekend brunch menu is definitely worth waking up for – I have my eyes set on the Thali so I can sample lots of different dishes. Regularly mentioned favorites among the local community are the lamb rogan josh, paneer tikka masala, butter chicken, and appetizers like samosas and garlic naans.
Saffron (Cary)
- Address: 2048 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary
- Website: saffroncary.com
Another great option for those in Cary is Saffron Indian Cuisine, which is known for offering dependable, flavorful North Indian classics prepared by Chef Gamer Rawat, who was trained in the Himalayas by his father, the renowned Chef Rawat of New Delhi’s Imperial Hotel. Saffron is better known for its classic staples, such as Lamb Shahi Korma, Dum Nariyal Prawn, and Rogan Josh. Portion sizes are plentiful, and it also has flexible spice levels so you can tone it down if you can’t tolerate much heat.
Sitar (Durham)
- Address: 3630 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham
- Website: www.sitarindiancuisines.com
For those looking for an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, it’s well worth driving over to Durham to check out Sitar Indian Cuisine, a long‑established local favorite delivering solid, traditional North Indian fare. Using high-quality natural ingredients, prepared using traditional methods, each is bursting with flavor. The buffet is the main reason to visit, which has both vegan and vegetarian options, and sometimes they have live music on the weekends.
It also has an à la carte menu. Some of our local community followers have said they enjoyed the saag paneer, fish malabar, and gulab jamun. Sitar also boasts approachable service, fair prices, and relaxed vibes.
Soul Flavorscape Indian (Raleigh)
- Address: 301 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
- Website: www.soulflavorscapeofindia.com
One of the newer additions to the Raleigh dining scene, Soul Flavorscape in downtown Raleigh, is known for offering authentic North Indian dishes that bridge classic recipes with contemporary twists. Earning a reputation for offering bold, nuanced flavors and generous portions, Soul Flavourscape Indian quickly became well-loved by the local community. Some dishes the community raves about are the paneer pasanda, chole bhature, chicken korma, and balti chicken. The dishes are also well presented, perfect for those foodies looking for social media snapshots!
Swagat (Morrisville)
- Address: 9549 Chapel Hill Rd, Morrisville
- Website: swagatnc.com
Over in Morrisville, Swagat Indian Restaurant is a dependable option for North Indian cuisine. It has a casual, family‑friendly space and is best known for its weekend lunch buffet. The food is rich, creamy, and flavorful, and you can adjust your spice level according to your preferences. The Balti paneer, gobi manchurian, and chole bhatur for the vegetarians often get raved about. If you’re visiting Park Place Shopping Center and need a lunchtime spot to fuel up, this is a great choice.
Tamasha Modern Indian (Raleigh)
- Address: 4200 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh
- Website: tamashanc.com
Over in the North Hills district, Tamasha is one of our favorite Indian restaurants because we love the artistic, ultra-refined decor. In fact, it was voted as one of the 50 most beautiful restaurants in America by Esquire Magazine. This Michelin-starred restaurant lives up to its name – Tamasha in Hindi means “grand performance.” Everything is about stepping up the sensory experience, from the silverware to the service to the food styling.
Highlighted dishes from previous diners include the paneer pasanda, lamb shank, and Kheema Kaleji, which are noted for being rich in flavor but well‑balanced in spice. For a true fine dining experience with stylish plating, attentive service, and a polished atmosphere – pay Tamasha a visit. Parking is tricky in North Hills, but Tamasha has a valet service.
Urban Turban (Durham)
- Address: 1125 NC-54, Durham
- Website: www.urbanturbannc.com
A contemporary restaurant in Durham that locals tell us is worth visiting is Urban Turban Indian Restaurant, which is known for its flavorful, well‑curated menu and modern interpretations of classic dishes. It has a modern and inviting space, and we love the outdoor seating area, which has plenty of tables and umbrellas offering shade.
On the menu, some spotlight items include the gobi manchurian, paneer makhani, and chicken korma. You can also adjust the spice level to suit your taste. With polished presentation, attentive service, and a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere, Urban Turban is a reliable choice for anyone visiting Durham.
Zeera (Fuquay-Varina)
- Address: 1311 E Broad St, Fuquay-Varina
- Website: www.zeeranc.com
Last, but certainly not least, is Zeera Indian Restaurant, a well‑loved Indian restaurant in Fuquay‑Varina offering traditional North Indian fare. It specializes in tandoori grilled meats, traditional curries, and biryani, as well as freshly made naans. If you don’t know what to try, head over for the lunchtime buffet. Popular dishes: saag paneer, chicken tandoori, and chicken tikka masala. There is also a plethora of vegetarian and vegan options.
There you have it. A list of top Indian restaurants in Raleigh and the Triangle region. Let us know in the comments below which one is your favorite, or please suggest other Indian restaurants you feel should be added to this list?
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Hi Craig
We were shocked to see some good restaurants are not even on the list not sure if you have ever tried . We live in Holly springs and have a great Indian place we had voted for it would love to see Chaska on this list .
Thanks for adding a suggestion. What do you love about it? Any favorite dishes?