Favorite Austin Restaurants for Indian Food
Indian food consists of multiple regional cuisines with distinctive flavors and ingredients. So, it’s hard to find an Indian restaurant in Austin that everyone can agree on. One person’s “phenomenal” is another person’s “so-so” and another’s “repulsive”. But we’ll go out on a limb and name some places that we like and seem to be viewed favorably by a majority of people.Austin boasts a number of excellent places, including some that specialize in regional Indian cuisines which you won't find just anywhere. Tikka masala? Check. Vegetarian dishes? Check. Excellent samosa and dosa? Check and check.
Our Favorites
The Clay Pit
1601 Guadalupe St., Austin TX 78701
(512) 322-5131
map
website
Upscale restaurant with superb ambiance and service and terrific, if not the most authentic, Indian food. Located downtown with street parking. Companies hold their holiday parties there. Can get loud and very crowded, especially at lunchtime and on weekends. Reservations are recommended. They have a lunch buffet which is excellent; it has a small selection but quality dishes. Also suggested are the lamb korma and the chicken tikka masala.
Here's a video about The Clay Pit:
Tarka Indian Kitchen
5207 Brodie Lane, Austin TX 78745
(512) 892-2008
map
website
2525 W. Anderson Lane, Austin TX 78757
(512) 323-0955
map
website
Trendy, efficient Indian dining. Order and pay up front, and then a server brings out your food. Paneer korma and chicken korma are suggested, as is the lamb biryani and chicken tikka masala. Vegetarian entrees are available, in different levels of spiciness. Gluten-free dishes are also available.
Masala Wok
1100 Center Ridge Dr. Suite 300, Austin TX 78753
(512) 251-9696
map
website
10515 N. MoPac Expressway Suite A-155, Austin TX 78759
(512) 296-2977
map
website
Chinese-Indian fusion that kind of reminds you of Pei Wei or similar upscale Asian casual dining. The Indian food is better than the Chinese, though the Chinese is ok. Good chicken tikka masala. The butter dishes are delicious, but very buttery. Efficient service. Bright, cheerful decor. Masala Wok has two locations in Austin; the Center Ridge Drive one is better.
Taj Palace
6700 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin Texas-78752
(512) 452-9959
map
website
Go for the food, not the ambiance. The chicken tikka masala and saag paneer are recommended. The naan is brought to your table in a basket, fresh. They also have a nice buffet with meat and vegetarian entrees. Located near the Highland Mall, the restaurant is kind of small and the tables are very close together. Service is ok.
New India Cuisine
2304 S. Congress Ave., Austin TX 78704
(512) 445-9727
map
website
New India specializes in south Indian cooking, so it may be a little different from what people in the U.S. typically think of as Indian food. In fact their slogan is “Austin is a different kind of town and we're a different kind of Indian restaurant." They specialize in Malvani cuisine, which is a regional cuisine from several states in the central-western part of India. Recommended is the stuffed and grilled whole pomfret fish. They also have excellent quesadillas. The vegetarian platter is a useful sampler of their different flavors. The garlic naan is tasty. They have an extensive gluten-free menu. Friendly service. BYOB.
The following restaurants specialize in vegetarian dishes:
Madras Pavilion
9025 Research Blvd. #100, Austin TX 78758
512-719-5575
map
website
Vegetarian restaurant that specializes in southern Indian cuisine. Outstanding lunch buffet, with a good variety of tasty, spicy dishes and good dosa. Decor was recently upgraded and is presentable, though still rather plain. Friendly, helpful waitstaff.
View a video about Madras Pavilion:
Curry In Hurry
2121 W. Parmer Lane #114, Austin TX 78727
512-821-0000
Good place for vegetarian Indian dishes. Large, loyal following. Great tasting Indian food, and large portions for a very reasonable price. Good chaat (Indian savory snacks), especially samosas. Restaurant was recently remodeled and is very appealing inside. While waiting in line you can see all the dishes. Friendly, helpful staff.
Bombay Express
13000 N. I-35 Building #12 Unit #216, Austin TX 78753
map
website
Tasty, authentic Indian food served in a fast food atmosphere with styrofoam trays and plastic utensils. Some consider it the best Indian restaurant in town. Good place for a fast, inexpensive lunch. Samosas and dosas are good. Large servings (samosas are huge).
Swad
9515 N. Lamar Blvd. Ste. 156, Austin TX 78753
(512) 997-7923
map
Some say this place is their favorite Indian restaurant in Austin and has the most authentic Indian food. Furnishings are plain and the location is not the best in town but the portions are huge (they do have to-go boxes), food is delicious, and prices are very reasonable. Recommended are the masala dosa and the samosas.
Need more choices?
View the map below for other Indian restaurant choices around town.
Click here for a list and map of Austin Indian restaurants (opens in a new tab).
Do you have an Indian Restaurant story?
Do you have a favorite Indian restaurant in Austin? Or do you have a story about such a restaurant, maybe one of the restaurants listed on this page? Tell us about your favorite Indian restaurant, or share your story here.
Return From Indian Restaurants To Austin Restaurants