Where to Eat This Diwali: 12 of NYC’s Favorite South Asian Restaurants for the Festival of Lights

Whenever someone asks me my favorite thing about living in New York, my answer hasn’t changed in nearly two decades: the food. The city offers what feels like an endless range of culinary adventures, tucked into every corner of every borough. Now with Diwali — the Hindu festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness — just around the corner, New Yorkers have even more reason to seek out the city’s best South Asian restaurants. From festive sweets and fragrant curries to dining rooms alive with celebration, Diwali in NYC is a reminder that the city’s culinary diversity shines brightest during its festivals.

You’re in for a treat. This is a roundup of 12 of the city’s most beloved South Asian restaurants — picked not just by critics, but by everyday New Yorkers, voices from the diaspora, and yes, even the passionate foodies of Reddit. All you’ll need is a MetroCard, a hearty appetite, and maybe some walking shoes. Shubh Diwal!

Bengal Tiger

Nestled just below Central Park South, this Upper Midtown institution draws crowds with Northern Indian cooking generous in both flavor and price. A fixture in the city’s “cheap eats” canon, past diners say Bengal Tiger proves that affordable dining can be every bit as memorable as New York’s finest.

Its all-day prix fixe is reason enough to return: pakoras that shatter with each bite or a warming butternut squash soup, followed by entrées ranging from vegetarian aloo gobi matar to vindaloo’s fiery red blaze. And of course, no meal would be complete without the soft sweetness of rasmalai or decadent syrup-soaked gulab jamun served in a metal chalice.

Best South Asian Restaurants

Hyderabadi Zaiqa

In Hell’s Kitchen, Hyderabadi Zaiqa has built its reputation on authentic Hyderabadi cuisine, with biryani at its core. Regional variations like Gongura chicken biryani, infused with sour hibiscus leaves, and Andhra-style specialties such as chicken vepudu and Apollo fish round out the menu, but it’s their classic dum biryani that truly defines them as a staple of Hyderabadi dining in New York.

Diners echo the restaurant’s reputation, with absolute praise for their balance of flavor and comfort, all delivered at a price point that is surprisingly fair for the location. As one reviewer put it: the experience adds up to an ‘amazing meal that I wish I had tried sooner.’

‍Cardamom

Tucked under a bright orange awning in Sunnyside, Queens, this cozy gem specializes in Goan cuisine — a vibrant blend of Indian and Portuguese traditions. Signature dishes like lamb vindaloo and Goan fish curry sit alongside classics such as methi (fenugreek) curry and tandoori lamb chops, a lineup that has earned the restaurant a coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand.

To match its authentic, home-cooked style dishes, the ambiance is warm and inviting. The staff are praised for their hospitality, while the kitchen takes care to deliver each order fresh and true to flavor. As one guest put it: "If I had to choose my last meal on earth, this would be it" — a sentiment that explains why Cardamom has become a hidden gem locals return to again and again.

‍Semma

A bold expression of South Indian cuisine from Tamil Nadu, Chef Vijay Kumar’s Semma is a vibrant testament to his heritage, earning both a Michelin star and a James Beard Award for Best Chef in New York. Among its fan favorites are the Dindigul biryani, a fragrant goat and rice specialty, and the gunpowder dosa — a thin, crispy crepe layered with a fiery lentil-and-chili chutney powder.

Diners are full of praise as one beautifully wrote: "One bite in and you'll quickly learn that this cooking is all heart." And if you are looking to impress a date without vexing your wallet too much, this may be the place to go as it is also on the Michelin Guide’s list of ‘least expensive Michelin-starred restaurants.’

Indian Accent

Just steps from Central Park, Indian Accent brings a sleek, modern take on traditional Indian cuisine. A sister restaurant to the famed New Delhi original, it’s known for inventive twists on classics such as blue cheese naan, soy keema, and slow-cooked lamb served with roomali roti pancakes. Its ability to mix nostalgia with global techniques has earned it constant praise from diners and critics alike.

With an ambiance that is both refined and approachable, the intimate dining room is paired with polished service, where diners choose from multi-course menus (three- or four-course prix fixe) or indulge in the chef’s tasting menu. You won’t find a full à la carte menu in the main dining room, as the chef places the emphasis on a curated, elevated journey through modern Indian flavors.

Ganesh Temple Canteen

Yes, we’re serious – beneath the Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Temple in Flushing, is a beloved canteen that has been serving South Indian fare since the 90’s. The menu features staples like crisp dosas, idlis, and vadas, all paired with chutneys and sambar that devotees and food lovers alike have returned for decades.

Their prices are famously affordable, making it one of those rare spots where authenticity and accessibility go hand and hand. The setting is modest, with a cafeteria style layout, but each dish reflects the community’s spirit and culinary traditions. For many, a trip to Ganesh temple Canteen is just as much a cultural experience as it is a culinary one.

Patiala Indian Grill

When a spot has over 4,000 Google reviews and maintains a consistent 4.5-star rating, they clearly have to be doing something right. Located near Times Square, Patiala Indian Grill offers a delicious array of North Indian dishes. The menu is filled with Punjabi highlights such as butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, and a variety of decadent tandoori kebabs.

Hearty portions, bold flavors, and quick, reliable service have earned Patiala its reputation as a go-to spot for authentic Indian food in a comfortable setting. And with its central location, locals, tourists, and theatergoers alike share in a loyal patronage of this North Indian kitchen.

Cloves

Cloves Indian Cuisine has earned a devoted following for its elegant approach to North Indian cooking in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood. Consulting Chef Vijay Bhargava, of Raga Midtown fame, brings his refined touch to classics like chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, and tandoori specialties, while introducing more inventive plates that showcase the depth and balance.

Guests often highlight the warm hospitality at Cloves, with the owners personally visiting tables, fresh floral accents brightening the room, and attentive staff creating a welcoming atmosphere. Reviews and Tripadvisor write-ups also praise the restaurant’s fresh naan varieties as a point of pride, with Peshawari naan, aloo paratha, and others baked in the tandoor.

Adda

The cuisine at Adda in Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood, emphasizes regional and homestyle flavors that are described as bold, authentic and deserving of Michelin recognition. They are particularly famous for their flagship offering, the Butter Chicken Experience: a full-table, pre-ordered feast built around a reinvented butter chicken, served with sides like naan, rice, and black daal. 

The menu also includes dishes such as baby goat biryani, lukhmi (dumplings), and even more adventurous options such as bheja (goat brain) masala. Presentation often leans theatrical: many items come in the same vessel they’re cooked in, and there are tableside flourishes (papad trolleys, chaat carts, interactive butter chicken prep) and diners consistently praise Adda for its authenticity, bold flavors, and engaging atmosphere.

Oh! Calcutta

Instead of offering a broad sweep of India’s regional dishes, Oh! Calcutta leans deeply into Kolkata and West Bengal flavors. The kitchen works with mustard oil, freshwater fish, mashed vegetables, and Bengali-style spice profiles, giving the menu a distinct edge over kitchens that focus on the classics.

With red metal chairs, white glazed tiles, and historic Kolkata photos lining the walls, there is a sense of destination conveyed rather than just decoration. Bengali dishes like kosha mangsho, chingri malai curry, and cholar dal highlight the menu, proving that this West Bengal restaurant is a unique and focused regional Indian dining experience in NYC.

Veeray da Dhaba

“Dhaba” in Hindi means roadside stall, and Michelin-starred Chef Hemant Mathur’s menu and décor transport you straight to a Punjabi roadside eatery. The food is hearty and soulful, echoing the robust flavors of Indian highway cuisine while staying anchored in Punjabi culinary tradition.

Northern Indian favorites such as Veeray di Gobhi, Amritsari Macchi, and buttery daal are cornerstones of the menu, while starters like bhel puri and samosa chaat keep things casual. No matter the dish, every bite is "packed with flavor."

Paisley

In Tribeca, Paisley offers a refined pan-Indian dining experience led by Michelin-starred Chef Peter Beck. The menu reaches beyond the usual Manhattan staples, showcasing lesser-seen traditional dishes like Kashmiri yakhni, duck pantra, and crab koli. At the entrance, a mural commissioned by owner Juthika Bedi, titled Together We Rise, reflects resilience and community — a reminder of the restaurant’s origins during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The beverage program is equally inventive, with playful creations such as By the Whey — a mix of banana-infused rum, clarified milk, and black tea. Critics have described Paisley as “pride without pretension,” a restaurant that strikes a balance between authenticity and refinement while highlighting the regional diversity of the Indian subcontinent.

How We Picked

To curate this list, we cross-referenced public ratings and community feedback across trusted platforms including TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, and Reddit. We focused on restaurants with consistently high marks for food quality, atmosphere, service, and authenticity.