Don’t let the strip mall dissuade you from trying New India Gate. The lunch buffet is particularly expansive with several vegetarian dishes like dal makhani, mattar paneer, and vegetable korma. Meat lovers shouldn’t worry either — chicken tikka, as well as lamb dishes are available. The vibe at the restaurant is casual, with ample space and friendly service. The buffet is available seven days a week for around $10; with that price, it’s easy to make New India Gate a go-to for lunch.

India Oven serves up fresh, hot naan that pairs well with the wide selection of dishes like chicken tikka masala, goat curry, vegetable jalfrezi, and pakoras. The spice level is moderate here and not overwhelming. Patrons are able to taste the cumin, coriander, and garam masala, instead of reaching for water after every bite. Don’t skip the mango lassi, and, after dinner, be sure to grab dessert. The gulab jamun, a syrup-soaked fried treat, is especially satisfying. The buffet has many choices, but there is an option to order off the menu as well. Call to place an order or get delivery from a variety of third-party apps.

The Dhaba features dishes from the Punjab region and is known for mixing its own blend of cumin, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, chili powder, cardamom, and nutmeg. There is no shortage of tandoor naan or halal meats on the menu and there’s also plenty of street foods like pani-puri, bhel puri, and samosa chaat. The restaurant, which has a homey, casual vibe inside, also offers options for online ordering.

A staple for 20 years, Curry Corner is a casual Indian restaurant with sophisticated flavors. Crowd favorites from the menu include the chicken keema and the tandoori wings; Vegetarians also won’t feel left out with equally worthy choices like dals and paneer. The interior has been refreshed with modern furniture and light fixtures, making it even more compelling to dine in. Make sure to order the masala fries. Online ordering and delivery is available.

After relocating to Phoenix, chef Mamoona Hilal and her husband Muhammad Hilal Safi opened Hilal Grill to bring the flavors of home — Pakistani, Afghani, and Indian — to a part of town that didn’t have much of it. For $23.99, the all-day Sunday buffet is one of the best ways to sample this family-run spot’s Pakistani specialties — from rich haleem to tender nihari and fluffy, spice-packed biryani. The menu mixes regional influences: buttery-soft eggplant, smooth palak paneer, and steamed beef mantoo dumplings topped with spiced yogurt and tomato sauce. In cooler months, Friday barbecue nights take over with chapli kebabs, chicken tikka, and other grilled favorites served out on the cozy back patio. It’s a family spot with food that’s anything but watered down — rich, layered, and satisfying.

Tucked inside a halal market between a Lebanese spot and a deli counter, this tiny counter-service gem doesn’t look like much — just a few scattered tables and to-go containers — but the food more than delivers. Specializing in Hyderabadi flavors, Feel in India turns out deeply comforting dishes that punch way above their price point. The Haleem, a slow-cooked dish of meat, lentils, and wheat, is rich, silky, and spiced just right — one of the best versions in the city. The chicken dum biryani is fragrant and deeply flavorful, layered with tender meat and caramelized onions in the traditional Hyderabadi style. Other standouts include the buttery-soft roti, Chicken 65 biryani, and Dum Ka Chicken. There’s even a solid cup of masala chai to round things out. It’s the kind of place that feels pulled from a Hyderabad side street — unassuming, soulful, and absolutely packed with flavor.

This family-run spot has been turning out some of the Valley’s best Afghan and Pakistani food since 2012. The space is no-frills but warm, more like a community dining room than a restaurant, and the food hits with the kind of comfort that only comes from years of home cooking. Afghan staples like qabuli pulao — fragrant rice dotted with sweet carrots, raisins, and fall-apart lamb shank — and mantoo dumplings topped with yogurt and tomato sauce anchor the menu. On the Pakistani side, the goat karahi is a standout: tender bone-in goat simmered in a spicy tomato gravy with plenty of green chilies. The menu features crisp-edged potato bolani, buttery eggplant, and biryani that pulls no punches on the spice. Fair warning: the heat level is real, but so is the flavor.

Start your meal with the mango lassi at Marigold Maison. This beverage is not a canned version of mango dropped in milk, but, instead, offers a fresh fruit blend of sweetness and tang. Don’t overlook the paneer pakora and turmeric lentil soup or the malai kofta paired with hot and fresh naan. The sunny yellow walls inside are just as bright as the mango lassi. Dine-in and takeout currently available with online ordering.

Intimate and cozy, patrons frequent India Palace for its onion kulcha and lamb vindaloo. The garlic naan is one not to miss, nor are the crispy samosas. (Couples or families will not find it difficult to share either, since portions are generous.) The chicken tikka masala hits just right — and spice levels can be adjusted to accommodate a variety of palates. This is one of the more classic spots in the Metro, so if you’re looking for an essential experience, you’ve found it.

Even with the heavy competition on Bell Road, City of Spice stands out for its range, flavor, and consistency. The halal menu spans Indian and Pakistani staples — from buttery paneer tikka masala and smoky baghara baingan (eggplant simmered in spiced peanut-coconut gravy) to rich, slow-cooked daal. There is a strong showing of Indo-Chinese dishes like crispy Gobi Manchurian and spicy Apollo fish, both nods to the genre of Indian street food that fuses South Asian and Chinese flavors. Chole bhature — a North Indian favorite of stewed chickpeas with deep-fried, balloon-like bread — is hard to find in Phoenix, but they do it right here. Add in vegan and gluten-free options and genuinely warm service, and it’s easy to see why this restaurant has a loyal following.

With a menu of over a 160 items and an expansive buffet, Chennai Chettinaad Palace showcases pan-Indian favorites like tandoori chicken, vegetable samosas, korma, and naan. The biryani is a must-order and tastes similar to what one might find on the streets of India. Whether you opt for the buffet or a customized dinner, the menu items won’t disappoint. Dine-in and carry out options are currently available.

Om Indian Bistro Restaurant is a great spot for vegetarian Gujarati and South Indian cuisine. Start the meal with chai — hot with hints of cardamom — to help prepare for appetizers. Choose from Indian street foods like Delhi chaat, pani-puri, samosas, or the like. The entrees don’t disappoint with large dosas and dipping sauces. (Yes, naan and curry are available, too.) The restaurant also serves egg-free desserts. Indoor dining is available, but customers can also place orders online for pickup.

The mantra at Saffron is food made the old-fashioned way. Kebabs are handmade; meats are marinated for hours before diners order them. The menu also boasts Indo-Chinese dishes such as Hakka noodles and gobi Manchurian — it’s a fun place to explore outside of the typical South Asian lens. First-timers shouldn’t leave without trying the saffron biryani, which has subtle hints of fragrance flavoring a choice of protein — lamb, shrimp, or chicken.  – more at eater.com