Indian Cuisine in Houston (2025)
A lavish, region-hopping celebration of India with storytelling service and intricate plating. Awarded a Michelin star and praised by local critics, it’s where 72‑hour dal meets artful cocktails in a dramatic Galleria setting.
Chef Kiran Verma blends classic technique with Gulf ingredients in a refined room, from tandoor-fired paneer to elegant biryani. Lauded by the Houston Chronicle and beloved for afternoon tea starring her signature chai.
Anita Jaisinghani’s all‑day hub for vibrant, ingredient‑driven Indian cooking and a beloved upstairs Bake Lab. Featured by Condé Nast Traveler and celebrated by local critics for creative thalis, frankies, and thoughtful drinks.
Whether you grab a seat at this counter-service spot or get your meal to go, take comfort in knowing that you’re eating the best South Indian food in Houston. Shri Balaji Bhavan specializes in chaats, and every single one we’ve ordered is somehow better than the last. Like the samosa chaat, a large fried dumpling smothered in so many different spicy and tangy sauces you can barely see it. Try the pav bhaji, a simple tray of spicy vegetable mash with buttered, pillowy soft buns to dredge until the tray looks wiped clean. photo credit: Liz Silva photo credit: Liz Silva photo credit: Liz Silva photo credit: Liz Silva photo credit: Liz Silva Pause Unmute Food Rundown Bhel Puri Consisting of crispy puffed rice, tangy-sweet tamarind chutney, chopped tomatoes and chilis, and salty snacks laced on top, the bhel puri is a satisfying crunchy and light snack. We like to grab bites of this between dishes. photo credit: Liz Silva Samosa Chaat While most South Indian spots serve samosa chaat, the spicy, masala-rich version at Shri Balaji Bhavan remains one of the best in town. Suspended in a pool of sauce, every bit of the samosa lurking beneath gets perfumed with cumin and tangy chutney. photo credit: Liz Silva Pav Bhaji Rich and comforting, pav bhaji will line your stomach with butter-rich thick vegetable curry and fresh buns. Spiked with a little citrus, pav bhaji also has a refreshing tang that keeps the hearty dish tasting light. photo credit: Liz Silva Masala Dosa There’s something special and primal about pulling apart a hot dosa filled with curried potatoes and letting a cloud of masala spice whack you in the face. While there’s enough dosa here to share, why would you? photo credit: Liz Silva
Temple‑adjacent buffet tied to Houston’s ISKCON community, serving a rotating vegetarian spread with all‑vegan days. Noted by Eater and cherished by neighbors for calm energy, value, and wholesome Gujarati‑leaning flavors.
A Heights canteen weaving Indian and Portuguese traditions—think vada pav on house‑baked pao and Goan tamarind prawns. Recommended by the Houston Chronicle; lively bar, sunny patio, and plenty for vegetarians.
A longtime, independently owned standard for Northern Indian classics—tandoori prawns, silky baingan bharta, and sampler dinners. Included in the Houston Chronicle’s best Indian roundups; steady service and a neighborhood feel.
The South Indian counter-order restaurant Bombay Sweet specializes in two things: treats and chaats. Grab a bunch of little snacks here, no matter how many people you dine with and load the table with light and crispy bhel poori, a maple-fragrant methi paratha, crispy puffed pani poori, and a sauce-drenched samosa chaat. More is more at Bombay Sweets. And while you eat, make sure to size up the massive dessert counter before ordering a couple of boxes of sweets to go. photo credit: Liz Silva photo credit: Liz Silva photo credit: Liz Silva photo credit: Liz Silva photo credit: Liz Silva Pause Unmute Food Rundown Methi Paratha One of the simple but most satisfying dishes here is a layered, rich, and fenugreek-spiced paratha with a bowl of warm, rich lentil dhal. If you only get one dish at Bombay Sweets, get this one—but don’t limit yourself. photo credit: Liz Silva Samosa Chaat This dish sort of feels like a quest for hidden treasure, even if we know for a fact the vegetable-stuffed samosa exists somewhere under the blanket of chickpeas, sweet chutney, and yogurt. Discovering it is part of the fun. photo credit: Liz Silva Papri Chaat If you love textures, you are sure to love papri chaat. Mostly a street food, papri chaat combines multiple textures, like crunchy puffed rice, soft chickpeas doused in masala, and layers of yogurts and chutneys. It’s a snack and a party. photo credit: Liz Silva Dal Makhani Served with crisp papadums and rice, dal makhani is a deep well of rich and buttery flavors surrounded by slightly smoky black lentils. photo credit: Liz Silva
A British‑style curry house with Indo‑Chinese and East African touches—tandoori platters, pili‑pili sizzlers, and mogo. Recognized by national editors for its eclectic menu and spirited bar.
A veteran South Indian vegetarian spot for thalis, idli, and dosas served with peppery sambar. Community fixture with decades of history and steady crowds for lunch and dinner.
Indo‑Pak landmark where hunter’s beef, hara masala, and famed fried chicken share space with fragrant biryani. Celebrated by Houston critics and national TV; chef Kaiser and Azra Lashkari’s hospitality anchors the experience.