Lungi South Indian & Sri Lankan Restaurant

South Indian restaurant · Upper East Side

6

@infatuation

"Lungi used to be Imli, an Indian generalist on the Upper East Side. Then it buckled down and started specializing in coastal South Indian and Sri Lankan food. In a neighborhood where good dosas and hoppers aren’t exactly abundant (Manhattan itself has only one other Sri Lankan spot), this sharper focus makes Lungi exciting. The main reason to visit this clove-scented restaurant, where pots and pans clang in the open kitchen, is for its excellent dosas and hoppers. For the textbook-perfect, crisp brown masala dosa alone, Lungi is a welcome addition to the top half of Manhattan. photo credit: Lungi photo credit: Lungi photo credit: Sonal Shah The portions are generous, and the menu covers slightly more culinary ground than it needs to—the flip side of which is that the spicing, particularly in the karis, can be a little heavy-handed. (You'll find more finesse in the South Indian dishes at Kanyakumari, for example, or some of the Sri Lankan lunch plates on Staten Island.) But the regional specialties from Lungi's "short eats" section are great drinking snacks—like chicken 65 encased in a shocking red batter that’ll have you reaching for gulps of beer, and chunks of Kerala-style beef tossed with coconut and curry leaves. Lungi's main U-shaped dining room wraps around a stairwell, which can feel a little disjointed. So try sitting in the covered back patio for a smoother experience (unless they're hosting a large gathering there)—and use the bell on your table if you urgently need another Taj Mahal to go with your fried anchovies. Food Rundown photo credit: Sonal Shah Banana Leaf Special Meal Only available at Sunday brunch, the $45 banana leaf set is a ton of food for one person, with something like 11 sides (think coconutty avial, peppery rasam, mutton curry) to go with a mound each of plain rice and biryani. It’s a good deal and a nice sampler, even though the gravies can get a little same-y. Both the vegetarian and non-veg versions are a massive meal—though sharing is discouraged, we wouldn’t recommend ordering more than one of these per table. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Lamb Lamprais Careful when opening this banana leaf parcel—the meat and rice inside are steaming hot. This is a full meal, complete with vegetables and sambol, and while it’s not the best version of lamprais we’ve ever had, it’s definitely very exciting to have it available on the UES. Kothu Roti Another Sri Lankan staple we’re happy to have in the neighborhood, though the chopped roti and filling could use a lighter hand with the gravy—it’s a little too mushy. photo credit: Sonal Shah Eggplant Moju Eggplant and cinnamon were made to be together—add in a ton of shallot and curry leaves, and this is a very satisfying sweet and tangy four-way. The lamprais also includes a little of this dish. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Hopper While egg hoppers and string hoppers are available, we'd stick to the perfect plain ones: crisp on one curved side and soft on the other. Use them to scoop up a fiery Sri Lankan prawn curry in coconut milk, bits of garlicky pol sambol, and other gravies and condiments." - Sonal Shah

Lungi - Review - Upper East Side - New York - The Infatuation
Alex Staniloff

1136 1st Ave., New York, NY 10065 Get directions

lungirestaurant.com
@imlirestaurant

6 Postcards

Reserve
See full details

More Places For You

Casa Enrique

Mexican restaurant · Long Island City

This lively cantina serves up mouthwatering Mexican classics and inventive cocktails, all in a trendy setting—perfect for a fun night out.

48 Postcards

Shy Shy

Cocktail bar · Chelsea

Shy Shy, a chic new Chelsea cocktail bar from the Jungle Bird team, invites you to unwind with dreamy drinks and delicious bites in a cozy, vibrant setting.

2 Postcards

Puran Dhaka NYC

Bangladeshi restaurant · Jackson Heights

Puran Dhaka brings authentic Bangladeshi street fare to Jackson Heights, now with a cozy sit-down spot where you can savor must-try dishes like biryani and kebabs.

1 Postcard

Crispy Burger

Hamburger restaurant · Flushing

Crispy Burger, a lively spot on St. Marks, piles on the comfort with juicy fried chicken, gourmet burgers, and tempting sides—all at wallet-friendly prices.

1 Postcard

Olmsted

American restaurant · Prospect Heights

Olmsted is a charming Prospect Heights eatery where seasonally inspired dishes shine, all sourced from its lush backyard garden, making it a must-try for inventive brunches and dinners.

73 Postcards

Wah Fung No.1 Fast Food

Chinese restaurant · Chinatown

Wah Fung No. 1 is a cheerful, wallet-friendly Chinese spot in Chinatown where the roast pork reigns supreme, enticing long lines with its hearty, savory offerings over rice.

15 Postcards

Zabb PuTawn Brooklyn

Thai restaurant · Carroll Gardens

Nestled in Cobble Hill, Zabb PuTawn serves up authentic Northern Thai flavors in a cozy space, perfect for casual hangouts and spicy cravings.

1 Postcard

d.b.a.

Bar · East Village

d.b.a. is a laid-back East Village bar with a stellar array of craft beers and whiskeys, featuring a spacious dog-friendly backyard for relaxed gatherings.

11 Postcards

Yeah Shanghai Deluxe

Chinese restaurant · Chinatown

This cash-only gem on a bustling Chinatown corner serves up a sprawling menu of Shanghainese delights, including tasty soup dumplings and weekend dim sum in a spacious setting.

3 Postcards

Good Judy

Gay bar · South Slope

Good Judy is a lively Park Slope gay bar blending chic vibes, inventive cocktails, and non-stop fun with karaoke, drag shows, and a welcoming community.

8 Postcards