How long has it been since you had a good masala chicken or some spicy naan with your favorite curry? If the answer is “it’s been too long” and you’re wondering which Indian restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina, to visit, good news: you have many options. If you’re in the mood for Indian food, the Raleigh area has you covered. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the area’s most popular and affordable Indian restaurants based on user reviews and price comparisons. Learn more about Indian restaurants in Raleigh, NC by reading on.
Top 12 Indian Restaurants
Kebab and Curry $$
On Google Reviews and Yelp, this eatery consistently receives a four-star rating and is one of the best Indian restaurants Raleigh. There is an all-you-can-eat buffet as well as traditional Indian and Nepalese dishes. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming thanks to the traditional Indian decor. Delivery and takeout are also available, and they can be ordered via DoorDash or UberEats. Starters such as potato and pea turnovers and samosas cost around $5, while chicken and lamb entrées, among many others, cost between $16 and $17. The Tikka masala, a popular selection of marinated and baked chicken breast or lamb in a creamy tomato sauce, is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Basmati rice is served with a wide variety of curries made with chicken, lamb, or shrimp. Kebab and Curry is at 2412 Hillsborough St., and it is open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Royal India $$
One of Raleigh’s oldest restaurants, Royal India specializes in North Indian cuisine and serves lunch and dinner specials. Indoor and takeout dining are available, as well as delivery and delivery options for those who prefer not to dine in. Appetizers start at $8 and main courses cost between $18 and $22, making it a more expensive option, though the reviews insist that the cuisine is quite worth it. Dishes like Butter Chicken and Methi Chicken, both served with rice and fresh fenugreek leaves and herbs, are noteworthy examples of Indian cuisine found at Royal India. The Bombay fish and shrimp masala is one example of the many seafood options available. Catering options include kebabs, tikka, and vegetables on the Royal Sizzling Grill platters for parties. The Royalties for Two combo costs $70 and includes a wide variety of dishes, such as chicken, shrimp, lamb, rice, bread, dessert, and Chai tea, among other things. It is located at 3901 Capital Boulevard, # 103 and is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.UberEats, GrubHub, and Seamless are all options for delivery.
Lime and Lemon Indian Grill $$
Lime and Lemon earned the distinction as the number one Indian restaurants in Raleigh, NC and specializes in immersive dining experiences focusing on the many regions of India. During certain Indian festivals, the restaurant offers specialty items and aims towards providing an authentic Indian experience. This restaurant has a more contemporary look, with both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as delivery and takeout options. Delivery services like DoorDash, UberEats, Seamless, and GrubHub all provide easy access. Starters such as vegetable samosas start at $6 and go up to $16 for goat chukka, among other things. Butter chicken, kebabs, paneer tikka, and Chanda masala are some of the most popular dishes, but there are also several vegan options available. Typical entrees cost between $16 and $20. It is located at 105 Friendly Dr., Suite 101. Its hours of operation are between 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM for the lunch hour, and 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM for the dinner hour.
Dharani Express $$
This more intimate restaurant serves Indian and Indo-Chinese food, as well as a lunch buffet. Trip 101 named it one of Raleigh’s top 10 Indian restaurants in 2019. Indoor dining, takeout and delivery options, and services like GrubHub and UberEats are available. For $19, you can get a combination platter of chicken masala and garlic naan, or you can order a variety of catering trays for an office party. Around $50 gets you several “for two” platter options, with a variety of meat and vegetarian combinations. In addition, meals cost between $13 and $15 for lunch and $19 to $23 for dinner. It is located at 3281 Avent Ferry Road, Suite 117, and its hours are 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM for the lunch hour, and 5:00 to 10:00 PM for the dinner hour, seven days a week.
Azitra $$
“Indian culinary nirvana” is the tagline for this restaurant, which specializes in contemporary and modern dishes with a dash of tradition. There are a number of Indian wines and spirits on offer at this restaurant, as well as traditional Indian dishes. With soft earth tones and soft lighting, the decor has a North Indian appearance, though it isn’t necessarily traditional or even modern. Appetizer prices range from $7 to $19, with entrée prices ranging from $19 to $26 on the full menu. Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will find familiar dishes like coconut seared scallops and a variety of masalas on the menu. Customers can order delivery or takeout from the restaurant directly, despite the fact that the eatery does not currently participate in any food delivery apps. At 8411 Brier Creek Pkwy, # 101, you’ll find this eatery, which is open from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM and from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM Monday through Friday. On Saturdays and Sundays, they are open from 12:00 to 3:00 and from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. on those days.
Nazara $$
This quaint little Indian restaurant focuses on originality rather than tradition, but still adheres to authentic Indian home cooking that is familiar to most families. The atmosphere is more like a nightclub than a traditional Indian restaurant because of the interior design, which is more modern. If you’re looking for a variety of Indian cuisine, you’ll be able to find it here. Between $12 and $15, you can get appetizers like chili shrimp and pineapple paneer tikka. Entrees cost between $19 and $27. There are both meat and vegetarian options available. The salmon tikka, the mixed grill, and the surf and turf curry are some of the best dishes on the menu. Kebabs made from beef, pork, chicken, and shrimp are just some of the kebab options on the menu as well. Guests can dine indoors or pick up their food at the restaurant’s curbside counter. It is located at 1945 High House Rd., and its hours of operation are between 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM and then 4:30 to 10:00 PM on weeknights. On Saturday and Sunday, they are open between 12:00 and 3:00 PM and between 4:30 and 10:00 PM for dinner.
Swagat Indian Cuisine $$
Not only is the food at this five-star Yelp-rated Indian restaurant in Raleigh, NC outstanding, but the setting itself is a work of art in itself. Chef Durga Prasad’s expertise in North Indian cuisine is brought to Raleigh with authenticity in the restaurant’s decor and menu. The restaurant’s menu is full of dishes that combine a variety of flavors, and the staff is known for their excellent service. The restaurant offers dine-in and takeout options, as well as delivery through UberEats. Outside dining is available as well, as is a cocktail bar and lounge with counter seating for diners to enjoy their drinks. Special events can be held in one of the private rooms. Honey chili cauliflower and onion pakoda are two of the restaurant’s low-cost appetizers; they start at $4.50 and go up to $10. Notable entrees include non-vegetarian and vegetarian options, as well as seafood, chicken, lamb, and goat. Among the most popular dishes are the $16 lamb curry, the $12 tandoori chicken, and the $12 dai tadka for vegetarians. On weekdays, the lunch buffet is $12; on weekends, it’s $15. They can be found at 9549 Chapel Hill Rd. and are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. They also take orders for takeout.
Kadhai the Indian Wok $$
This is the place to go if you want authentic Indian food in Raleigh, NC. This restaurant serves both vegetarian and meat dishes in a formal and upscale atmosphere. From 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM every weekday, they serve a lunch buffet, which is rated five stars on Yelp. All dishes are prepared in a traditional Indian wok, and most are cooked in a tomato-based sauce with a variety of spices, onions, and garlic, making this restaurant unique among Indian restaurants in the area. Weddings, anniversaries, and other special occasions are all catered for by Kadhai, which provides full service catering. Both UberEats and GrubHub list this restaurant as a delivery option for customers in the surrounding area. Lamb and goat curry, shrimp fried rice, lamb tikka, and paneer makhani are among the restaurant’s most popular dishes. Indian bread costs $2.50, and appetizers cost $4.50. The average price of an entree ranges from $16 to $22. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 11:30 to 2:30, and 2:48 PM on Saturday and Sunday for lunch. Dinner hours are Monday through Saturday, 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM, and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Sunday. They are located at 6260 Glenwood Ave.
Pandyanad $
If you are looking for a more affordable option for Indian food, as well as an establishment that offers take-out and no-contact delivery, along with dine-in options and catering options, look no further than Pandyanad. The relaxed environment of this restaurant and its somewhat upscale look deceptively hide its affordable prices. Although it comes in at about 3 1/2 or 4 stars out of 5, where this eatery really excels is its affordable pricing. Appetizers start at $3, with the most expensive being $9. Various entrées run anywhere from $11–$15. An average curry platter, such as the paneer makhni, averages around $13. More expensive items such as lamb curry will start to creep up into the $16 range, but simple rice bowls will run about $8 to $9, and chai tea is only $1. The restaurant is available through UberEats. Staff continue to wear masks, do temperature checks, and disinfect surfaces between visits. The hours of operation are between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM daily, and 5:00 to 10:00 PM daily for lunch and dinner. It is located at 9549 Chapel Hill Rd.
Chhote’s Indian Street Food $
Fine dining in India is well known, but so is street food, which is just as delectable. Restaurant guests at Chhote’s can enjoy authentic Indian street food without breaking the bank. This Indian restaurant in Raleigh, which has received a rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars, provides takeout and outdoor seating. It doesn’t aim to be fancy, but rather to provide diners with a more relaxed atmosphere. The starters start at around $5 each, and the main dishes range from $10 to $14. Some dishes, such as vegan chana masala, naan, and lamb curry, are well-known, despite the restaurant’s lack of variety in comparison to other Indian restaurants. There are some Nepalese dishes mixed in with the Mumbai street food served at the restaurant. Simple, quick, and inexpensive are the guiding principles of these menu options. Takeout delivery is an option even though it is not currently available through services like UberEats and GrubHub for delivery. It is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 500 E. Davie St.
Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine $$
Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine has been in operation for several years in the Raleigh area, and has a variety of dine-in and takeout options, as well as an entertaining and ambient environment. There are many options on the menu from both North and South India, with some specialty items such as chicken dopyaza, chicken saag, and vegetable pakora. The restaurant gets four stars out of five on Google Reviews and offers delivery and online ordering. It is also available on UberEats. It is located at 6611 Falls of Nuese Rd, and its hours of operation are between 11:30 AM and 9:30 PM Tuesday through Sunday. They are closed on Monday.
Jaipur Indian Cuisine $$
It is the goal of this Indian-themed restaurant to offer a wide variety of dishes from all over India, including both rural and urban traditional fare, as well as dishes from both the north and south of the country. Authentic Indian cuisine is served in an atmosphere modeled after that found in the villages surrounding Jaipur. There is a wide variety of traditional and seasonal dishes on the menu, including chicken and lamb curry and paneer, along with many vegetarian dishes. The appetizers start at $8, while the entrees cost $15 to $19, depending on the dish. Takeout is available, however, it does not offer delivery through apps such as GrubHub and Uber Eats. It is located at 1520 Blue Ridge Rd., and its hours of operation have been variable since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are subject to change regularly, so those interested in dining here would do well to check the restaurant’s website for updated hours of operation. It is one of the best Indian restaurants in Raleigh.
Roundup
As we can see, there are many wonderful options for Indian dining in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, and these restaurants veviewed here are some of the best Indian restaurants Raleigh, NC. This list is by no means comprehensive, as there are many other Indian establishments within the city limits. However, if you are looking for a unique and authentic Indian dining experience, consider one of the restaurants reviewed here. Each one has several glowing customer reviews from satisfied diners relating their experiences with ranked high marks in TripAdvisory websites and many employ Indian chefs who bring authenticity to the dining fare. If you are in the mood for a good curry or naan, head to one of these restaurants today!
FAQ
The restaurants Kebab and Curry, Royal India, and Dharani regularly rate 4.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp as the top INdian restaurants in Raleigh.
A list of INdian restaurants in Raleigh can be found at Yelp.
Butter chicken, lamb kabobs and tikka masala are some of the most popular dishes found at many of the restaurants reviewed here.
