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Best Indian Restaurants in Houston

Houston is one of the best cities in the United States for exploring Indian and South Asian food. The city's large South Asian community has created a restaurant scene that spans North Indian curries, tandoori cooking, biryani, chaat, South Indian dosas, vegetarian thalis, Pakistani specialties, and modern interpretations of Indian cuisine.

1. Aga's Restaurant & Catering

Best for: Groups, families, halal dining, hearty meals

Aga's is a popular destination for Indian and Pakistani food in southwest Houston. The restaurant is especially known for grilled meats, biryani, curries, and its halal Indo-Pakistani menu.

Try: Goat chops, biryani, curries, grilled meats, naan.

2. Himalaya

Best for: Food-focused travelers and visitors exploring Hillcroft

Located in Houston's Mahatma Gandhi District, Himalaya is one of the city's best-known destinations for Indian and Pakistani cooking. It combines North Indian and Pakistani flavors with tandoori meats, curries, and inventive specialties.

Try: Tandoori dishes, Pakistani specialties, signature preparations.

3. Pondicheri

Best for: Brunch, lunch, contemporary Indian food

Pondicheri in Upper Kirby takes a creative approach to Indian cooking with seasonal ingredients and dishes inspired by different regions of India.

Try: Thalis, pani puri, Indian-inspired snacks, seasonal specialties.

4. Kiran's

Best for: Date nights, celebrations, upscale Indian dining

Kiran's offers upscale Indian dining in Upper Kirby, with traditional curries, biryanis, tandoori dishes, and more creative preparations.

Try: Tasting menu, curries, kebabs, samosas, shareable dishes.

5. Musaafer

Best for: Special occasions, visitors staying near the Galleria, luxury dining

Inside the Galleria area, Musaafer offers an upscale Indian dining experience with elaborate décor and a broad menu inspired by different regions of India.

Try: Seafood curries, tandoori dishes, kebabs, regional specialties.

6. Da Gama

Best for: Adventurous diners and Heights visitors

Da Gama in the Heights combines Indian cooking with Portuguese influences and is a strong choice for visitors who want something different from traditional curry-house fare.

Try: Pani puri, tandoor-cooked vegetables, vindaloo, contemporary dishes.

7. India's Restaurant

Best for: Traditional Indian classics and lunch

India's is an established Houston restaurant serving familiar Indian classics and has long been favored by local diners.

Try: Tandoori chicken, saag paneer, onion kulcha, chicken tikka masala.

8. Khyber

Best for: Traditional North Indian cuisine and group meals

Khyber in the Upper Kirby/Montrose area specializes in Northern Indian cuisine and includes tandoori meats, naan, curries, and combination meals designed for groups.

Try: Tandoori prawns, kebabs, naan, eggplant dishes.

9. Maharaja Bhog

Best for: Vegetarian diners, families, sampling many dishes at once

Maharaja Bhog is an excellent choice for vegetarians, specializing in large vegetarian thali meals inspired by Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Try: Curries, dals, breads, chutneys, desserts.

10. Shri Balaji Bhavan

Best for: Vegetarian diners and affordable South Indian food

For South Indian food, Shri Balaji Bhavan is worth adding to your Houston itinerary. The Hillcroft restaurant specializes in vegetarian dishes such as dosas, pani puri, and pav bhaji.

Try: Masala dosa, pani puri, pav bhaji.

Best Indian Food in Houston

  • Best Pakistani food: Himalaya or Aga's
  • Best vegetarian food: Maharaja Bhog or Shri Balaji Bhavan
  • Best upscale dining: Musaafer or Kiran's
  • Best modern Indian cuisine: Pondicheri or Da Gama
  • Best traditional Indian classics: India's or Khyber
  • Best for groups: Aga's

What Indian Food Should You Try in Houston?

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