Ishq

Indian restaurant · East Village

Ishq

Indian restaurant · East Village

4

202 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009

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Highlights

Ishq in the East Village serves modern Indian small plates and cocktails in a chic space with a striking pink quartz bar and Bollywood vibes.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured on Michelin
Featured in Eater

202 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009 Get directions

ishq.nyc
@ishqnyc

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

Information

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202 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009 Get directions

+1 646 559 4747
ishq.nyc
@ishqnyc

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

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@michelinguide

2024 New York MICHELIN Bib Gourmands

"Located along Avenue A, Ishq offers modern Indian cuisine with dishes like 'Jalebi Chaat' and lamb shank biryani, all designed to be shared in a welcoming environment." - MICHELIN Guide

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/michelin-guide-ceremony/new-york-bib-gourmands-michelin-guide-restaurants
View Postcard for Ishq
@eater

Michelin Announces the Latest NYC Restaurants Up for Stars - Eater NY

"Alphabet City’s Ishq under, chef Vamshi Adi, gets a shoutout for a menu "teeming with ideas, and dishes arrive with all the right levels of spice, heat, depth, and nuance." - Melissa McCart

https://ny.eater.com/2024/11/13/24295080/michelin-2024-nyc-restaurants-up-for-awards
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@infatuation

Ishq - Review - East Village - New York - The Infatuation

"A massive slab of pink quartz, which serves as both the bar and a large banquet table at Ishq, is the most striking thing at this East Village restaurant, from the chef behind Gazab. If money and space were no object, that bar—approximately the length of three to four parking spots—would be the prominent feature in the apartment of our dreams. Some of the starters command nearly as much attention. We like the bangla kodi—crunchy potato-wrapped chicken bites, as well as the kasundi jheenga, which are grilled shrimp in a sweet and punchy mustard cream sauce. You should also know about the the sharabi chicken tikka, which is set on fire tableside. Does that add anything to the flavor? Not really. Is the dish still worth ordering along with some puffy, crunchy sesame naan? Absolutely. photo credit: Ishq photo credit: Ishq photo credit: Ishq The rest of the food at Ishq doesn’t quite justify overloading the tables here. Those tables are nicely spaced out though, so stop by with a group for some cocktails and starters in the likely event that you don’t want anyone listening in on your conversation. Food Rundown photo credit: Will Hartman Bangla Kodi Crunchy bits of chicken breast wrapped in crispy potato, dunked in a creamy, spicy yogurt sauce. This is great drinking food. Order one and a Pehle App–a citrus and ginger-forward whiskey cocktail that comes with a smoke bubble—while you decide what else you want to get. photo credit: Will Hartman Kasundi Jheenga Five perfectly grilled shrimp swimming in a creamy, slightly sinus-y mustard sauce. Order this. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Lahsooni Oyster Hot oysters are a fickle thing, and they’re not easy to get right. Unfortunately, Ishq’s fall into the miss category. The Amul cheese totally masks the flavor of the oysters themselves. You can skip this. photo credit: Will Hartman Sharabi Chicken Tikka If you’re looking for something to post on Instagram, it should be these chicken thighs. Skewered and served hanging vertically, the tikkas are drenched with Old Monk rum and lit on fire tableside, which does nothing for their flavor. But it’s fun, and the pickled onions it’s served with should be sold on the side for general having-in-your-fridge purposes. photo credit: Will Hartman Ishq Dal-E-Khaas A prime candidate for ordering an extra naan. Get this creamy, homey lentil stew, which gets a tableside drizzle of clarified butter out of a beautiful silver pitcher. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Paneer Laung Latta Layered like a lasagna, this paneer dish does not need to be on your table. The tomato sauce is flat, and the dish doesn’t really come together. photo credit: Alex Staniloff Dum Ka Gosht Though we were looking for more heat here, there's solid flavor in this slow-braised, bone-in goat dish. Just be careful of the small bone bits strewn throughout. Get a naan or a rumali roti to dunk into the gravy." - Will Hartman

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/reviews/ishq
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@infatuation

NYC’s New Restaurant Openings

"On Avenue A, Ishq is an Indian restaurant that comes from a chef who spent time at Junoon and Baar Baar, where you can eat oysters broiled with garlic chili butter and Amul cheese. There’s a big menu of under-$40 shareable dishes, like slow cooked baby goat with dum ka gravy, or morels cooked in a spicy tomato and onion gravy. Mop it all up with some rumali roti or naan." - will hartman

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/new-nyc-restaurants-openings
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Sapna Gupta

Google
We just celebrated my birthday at Ishq! Had a wonderful experience. Great ambience, good food and service. Our server Nandini and her assistant were great and they answered our questions smilingly regarding their unique menu! Loved the “Hatke” menu and a take on Bollywood and “Ishq” phrases in the menu selection. Would highly recommend their cocktails. I had “Ishq In Mussoorie” which was great! We ordered 3 appetizers between 4 of us. “Andhra Chili Gobhi” and “Sharabi Chicken Tikka” were great. Dudhiya Kabab were little mild for our taste but we compensated the flavor with the chilli Gobhi masala and then it was fine. For main entrees we loved the “Gobhi Ali kofta Curry “ and “Paneer Laung Latta”. Their garlic naans and saffron rice as aside were flavorful as well. Ended the meal by celebrating with the delicious “Kaala Jamun Tart”. Loved the interesting way of presenting the tart by lighting the fire on the cone covering the tart! We would highly recommend this place. Felt good to celebrate and never felt rushed.

S D

Google
It was an amazing dinner with great blend of traditional and fusion dishes. Love their panipuri (beautiful presentation), the lamb chop (good amout of warm spices and chili) and the lobster Malaikari is to die for! The space was beautiful perfect for date and friends gathering! I’d love to come back for a big dinner at the communal table!

Ameya Bhakay

Google
Ishq chaandi hai, ishq sona hai - for my Bollywood loving friends - you'll get the reference! One word - spectacular! Made reservations, and if you have a well behaved child, they will let you in with your little one even if the Resy says no kids under 8. Just be considerate to other diners is their ask, which is more than fair. Chef Vamshi delivers another excellent menu after Gazab, with small plates packed with flavor and entrees with a decent balance. Small Plates: Jalebi Chaat ($19) is a must have, just like Sharabi Chicken Tikka ($23). Kadak Rumali ($15) is passable, but their chili sour cream was tasty! Andhra Chili Gobi ($17) for one might be too much, as the oil eventually gets to you - but an excellent choice if sharing the small plate. For non-paneer eaters, you cannot go wrong with Himachali Gucchi ($23) - the the classic onion & tomato gravy goes surprisingly well with morel mushrooms! The Poussin Musallam ($31) was on the less flavorful side, but the cornish hen looked really well cooked. Laccha Paratha ($8) is a generous size, and one should be enough to be shared by two people, just like their tasty garlic Naan ($7). Shout out to Sujit our friendly server who ensured a flawless and attentive service. Food arrived within 10-15 mins of ordering. With bollywood hits playing in a background, noise levels on the lower end, and fresh, modern interiors, Ishq was an absolute hit and a place that we'll definitely revisit with friends and family.

nehika patel

Google
If you're looking for a place that proves vegetarian food can be bold, flavorful, and satisfying, ISHQ restaurant in NYC must visit. Generous portions ensured I left fully satisfied. The pricing was reasonable for the quality. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, even suggesting Vegetarian option. The ambiance was cozy, with a warm feeling.

Aishanya D

Google
An unforgettable date night at Ishq! ❤️ From the moment we walked in, the ambiance set the mood, especially the beautiful motifs on the walls and crockery. We started with expertly crafted infused cocktails Pehle Aap and Pink city. The Nizami Lamb Chops were so tender and flavorful they brought tears to my eyes. As for the Sharabi murg Tikka, watching the dramatic flambé at the table made it even more special. Even though we had no space left, we had to order the Dum Ka Gosht with garlic naan and tandoori roti, which was another masterpiece. A huge thank you to the incredible team, our wonderful server David, the manager Sourabh, and the extremely talented Chef Vamshi Adi, who personally came to greet us. Just when we thought the night couldn’t get better, they surprised us with their signature dessert, the divine Kala Jamun Tart, on the house. And the perfect finishing touch? A thoughtful postcard arriving with the check. Ishq is not just a restaurant it’s an experience. Already counting down to our next visit!

Niket Vasavada

Google
The food was great! Every item we ordered tasted exceptionally well (and very aesthetically pleasing too!) The menu selection was eclectic as well, they offer several dishes that you may not find at your go to Indian restaurant. Great staff! We had three people checking in every few minutes, one to see if we need anything, one to serve/present, and one to clear the table. Loved the attentiveness! Highly recommend! The only improvements I’d like to suggest the hosts are: Lighting: obviously the ambience from the dim light was pretty, but it didn’t do the justice to the colors of the dishes they craft. I was relying on my phone’s ability to brighten the colors of the food. A small lamp on the table would work miracles! Plates: as someone who reuses the same plate at home for multiple courses, I liked how they don’t change your plates and silverware. However, the plates were too small to fit both the entree and the bread. Just a couple inches more to the plate radii would be perfect!

The Cubinar

Google
Nice restaurant in East Village. We ordered lamb chops, chicken 65 sliders, paniyaram, palak paneer, and murgh lababdar. All food was great, but the palak paneer was bland and did not taste good. We also got the junnu dessert, which was another great dish. Our only complaint is that there was a limited menu selection, and there were only 3 vegetarian options. Furthermore, serving sizes were on the smaller side. Would recommend to anyone who wants a new take on Indian food.

Erica Roy

Google
The food is absolutely delicious. The best oysters I have had so far and the other dishes were great too. Loved the kebabs. The lamb shank biryani does not live upto the hype but everything else was amazing!! The appetizers stole the show! Sizable quantities as well so great if you are going in a group. Now to talk about the service. I have been to a lot of Michelin star restaurants/ Restaurants on the Michelin guide and this makes it to the top 10 in the genre. The staff was professional and welcoming. Starting from the host to the servers. Special shout out to Sam and Michael. They were awesome!! We were celebrating our anniversary and the team made it so special. Started from surprising us with some napkin roses to ending our night with the sweetest card from the team. They made it perfect and we were so thankful for that. Great food and great service. Totally going back again!!
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Jaanki P.

Yelp
We made a reservation a few weeks in advance and were seated well before our reservation time! We loved every item we ordered. Highly recommend: the Kadak rumali, jalebi chaat, lamb chops, lahsooni oysters, paneer laung latta and the desserts. Would love to come back and try the other dishes and drinks!
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Meera M.

Yelp
We snagged a reservation at Ishq a week in advance for a Friday night dinner, and I highly recommend booking ahead. Upon arrival, we chose a dinner table, but the bar seating area caught our attention - its unique setup would be ideal for an intimate dinner or date night. The modern and chic decor, paired with a curated Bollywood playlist, created a vibrant atmosphere. Noise levels were moderate, allowing for easy conversation. The staff, from the hostess to our server David, were friendly and attentive. For drinks, we ordered the Ishq In Mussoorie cocktail ($19.00) and the Gul & Gulaab mocktail ($14.00). While the mocktail was overly sweet and lacking in jamun flavor, the cocktail was decent. The Venison Varuval appetizer ($27.00) exceeded expectations, served with mind-blowing Kerala parottas. The Dudhiya Kabab ($19.00) offered a unique flavor profile that we enjoyed. Unfortunately, they had run out of biryani, so we opted for the Dum Ka Ghost ($33.00) with Saffron Rice ($5.00). While the meat was delicious, the cardamom flavor overpowered the dish. To make up for the wait, our server kindly provided complimentary garlic naan. For dessert, the Kaala Jamun Tart ($17.00) impressed with its presentation, and the dessert lover at our table enjoyed it. Overall, our experience was positive, and we're eager to return and try some of the crowd-pleasing dishes we saw at other tables.
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Sanchita O.

Yelp
The food is a little bit of a hit and miss depending on what you order. The good: sharabi chicken tikka, oysters, gupchup, butter chicken, ishq dal-e-khaas The average : dum ka gosht, malai chaap, dudhiya kebab, paneer laung patta Their menu specifies rumali roti but I've been here twice and they never have it. I've tried both of their desserts and although innovative, didn't quite hit the mark for me. I do love their plates and cutlery, they've put in a lot of effort there. Overall, it's not a bad Indian restaurant but it's not doing enough to be the best either!
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Kim X.

Yelp
Easy to make reservation for a weekday for a large group of six. The interior was very spacious. It kept the layout from its prior establishment with a shared large communal table right as you walk in with separate dining tables towards the end. We liked the apps more than the entrees. For the apps, we got chaat, the adhra golbi, lamb chops and the kodi. The entrees were ok. We got the butter chicken, the mushroom curry and the biryani. Overall good option for Indian food but didnt quite blow us away to make us want to come back any time soon. Wanted more entree options.
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Manasa A.

Yelp
Had an amazing dinner at Ishq this weekend.We had a reservation and were seated right away.We ordered a couple of drinks and loved Gul and Gulaab mocktail. For the small plates,we had jalebi chaat,chicken tikka and lamb chops.Everything tasted exceptional.Chicken tikka is probably one of the best i have had.Coming from someone who used to live in New Delhi. Lamb chops were exceptional. For the mains,we had murgh mussalum and nalli ghost biryani.Both of them were delicious. And we had the junnu pavlova for the dessert.It was pretty tasty as well. Worth visiting this place for the exceptional food and service.Loved the decor of the bar area.
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Nonya B.

Yelp
The tequila drink was very good and had a salty chaat rim. Mumtaz meri jaan wasn't an interesting drink. Appetizers were very good. Definitely get the jalebi chaat (it doesn't actually have jalebi). Ambiance/vibes are 10/10. Great Bollywood songs playing in the background and make the experience much more fun. Main course was tasty. Mild to moderately spicy. Good portions too - we had about half a plate of leftovers. Dessert was a fail. Only two options. I got the pavlova and it was just bad. There are so many great Indian desserts, so I was disappointed in the lack of selection. Not even any ice cream to pick. Service was decent, but there was one woman serving all the tables. Also they did not provide printed or emailed receipts.
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Pratima M.

Yelp
A modern Indian spot -- ambiance was nice, would totally bring parents here! They're surprisingly large inside and it's so nice to have an upscale spot like this in the East Village! They have really fun cocktails, liked everything we got. I liked pretty much everything we got but standouts include Mushroom Curry, Lobster Malai and Ishq Daal. The lobster in particular was super unique, never had anything like it. Small plates and apps were also delish -- Baked Oysters were fun! I'd totally come back for a special occasion.
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Sucheta C.

Yelp
Recently visited newly opened Ishq in New York City, which marks Chef Adi Vamshi's second venture in the culinary world after Gazab. ISHQ which means "love" in Hindi, is a new Indian restaurant at 202 Avenue A in NYC's East Village. ISHQ is led by Executive Chef-Owner Vamshi Adi, who brings a modern flair to regional Indian cuisine. We tried Drinks Ishq in Mussoorie Gul Gulab Small plates KADAK RUMALI JALEBI CHAAT SOYA MALAI CHAAP VENISON VARUVAL NIZAMI LAMB CHOPS Entrée PANEER LAUNG LATTA NALLI GHOST BIRYANI Dessert KALA JAMUN TART Look for small plates like Jalebi chaat, Venison Varuval, a Southern Indian dish traditionally made with deer meat, reimagined with tender pulled venison, topped with pickled shallots and dried coconut and vegetarian offerings like Soya Malai Chaap, a Northern Indian-inspired alternative to chicken, prepared in a creamy curry with nutmeg, house-made Amul cheese, and crispy fenugreek tulie. Entrée such as Paneer Laung Latta, a nut-stuffed paneer lasagna served with a rich Lababdar gravy. The interior features a 30-seat pink quartz bar, illuminated by soft off-white floral lighting while the dining room offers floral wallpaper and soothing peach tones, accented by pops of vibrant red and natural rattan elements. At Ishq, tradition meets innovation on every plate. The dishes are steeped in authenticity, drawing from the rich culinary heritage of India's diverse regions. Each recipe has been meticulously crafted to preserve its original flavors, yet plated with an artistic flair that speaks to modern sensibilities. With the unique flavours of Ishq's drinks and dishes, it was an unforgettable experience. Whether you're reconnecting with old friends or meeting new ones join them in East Village for a night of fantastic vibes! Thank you team Ishq and Chef Adi Vamshi for such unique and unforgettable experience Definitely coming back again and highly recommended
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Sajal B.

Yelp
WOOOWWW , saw this trending Indian restaurant and it lived up to its hype. Definitely check it out if you in the city . Loved the ambiance of this place it was unique and everything was imported from India. We got seated right away , and it was packed for a Tuesday night. Reservation is definitely recommend. Food was amazing as you can tell by the pictures. Must try's are the lamb chops and the hanging chicken tikka. The butter chicken didn't disappoint either. Service - 10/10 Food Came Out Fast Ambiance -10/10 Parking - Metered Reservations- Recommended
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Matt D.

Yelp
Dined alone for dinner on a recent work trip based off of an Indian friend's recommendation. The menu is somewhat small, especially for vegan/vegetarian dishes, but found a couple I was excited about -- the ANDHRA CHILI GOBI and the PANEER LAUNG LATTA. I also ordered a Queen's Necklace cocktail. Everything was good. The spice level was nice, I couldn't stop eating. The vibe of the restaurant is cute too. Felt updated and fresh. Wish I could have tried more dishes, so I'm excited to come back with more people next time.
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Mike M.

Yelp
The Indian food here is unmatched. The Naan was perfectly Naany and the masala sauce was amongst the best I've ever had. Cocktails were great, moved to a nice bottle of wine afterwards and had an incredible time. Everyone here was very helpful and friendly. Very attentive staff. Will definitely return and highly recommend for anyone who enjoys Indian cuisine. The restaurant is beautiful inside and has an incredible decor.
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Shivani S.

Yelp
We visited Ishq in October and it was relatively new. We got there before our reservations and waited another 20 minutes past our reservation due to our table not being ready. The staff was great and very accommodating by offering a complimentary appetizer. They gave us a paneer appetizer which was good. However, we loved the appetizers we ordered which were the Jalebi Chaat and Andhra Gobi, highly recommend both. For the entree, was super disappointed in the paneer dish as it looked and tasted more like halloumi than paneer. I also got food poisoning from it after. The rose Mocktail was absolutely delicious. The ambiance is great and would go back just for the appetizers and beverages. Great date spot too!
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Darsha M.

Yelp
I would give my experience a 4/5. Food was great. Between 2 people, we ordered the sharabi chicken tikka and the butter chicken with garlic naan. The presentation of the sharabi chicken was great and it was juicy and spicy. The butter chicken was also good and enough for 2 people to share. I'm knocking one point off for service. Our waitress was a little rude when we first sat down. The servers were a little unorganized too. After one server brought out our app and applied the flambé, two minutes later another server came to us to let us know he is going to flambé it.
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Hiran P.

Yelp
Solid new restaurant in the east village. Getting Resy was easy without any issues. We were welcomed as soon as we walked in and seated without waiting. Ambiance was perfection with a modern take. Food and drinks were fantastic with great portion size. Drinks: -Dona Paula's Kiss: 10/10 -Ishq in Mussoorie: 8/10 -Our Bombay Boy: 8/10 Apps: -Sharabi Chicken Tikka: 10/10 -Andhra Chili Gopi: 9/10 -Gupchup: 8/10 Entree -Delhi Ki Butter Chicken: 10/10 -Ishq Dal-E-Khaas: 10/10 -Garlic Naan: 9/10 -Saffron Rice: 9/10 -Bhurani Raita: 10/10
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Ritesh S.

Yelp
Nice decor, good Drinks, great food and big space. We made reservation for Saturday dinner, have to wait for 5-10 mins for our table to get ready. The space has bar seating, large island for community like seating attached to it and tables at the back. Once seated, we ordered drinks and apps. Drinks were well- balanced with a a hint of Indian flavors not over-powering the drink unlike other Indian restaurants. We ordered gobhi, paneer and oysters for apps, Paneer and dal makhani fr entree. Apps were really great and entree were good as well but nothing special. Overall, a nice experience.
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Sujay R.

Yelp
Worth a visit despite the cost, appetizers were great (shoutout to andhra chili gobi), service a little rushed.
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Amanda B.

Yelp
Incredible and authentic! Loved everything we ate from the paneer to the gobi. Great cocktails as well!
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Yuman K.

Yelp
The ambiance was decent, not too loud, with music at a comfortable volume and seating that was well-spaced and cozy. The waitstaff was attentive and professional, which was appreciated. However, the food was underwhelming. While the presentation was impressive, the flavors didn't live up to the hype, and the portion sizes were disappointingly small. To make matters worse, around 80% of the menu isn't peanut allergy-friendly. Many entrees contain peanuts, making it extremely limiting for anyone with allergies. Overall, a disappointing experience given the menu restrictions
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Karishma K.

Yelp
Ishq is one of my favorite new restaurants that I've been twice in the past 6 weeks. Their service is incredible with the owner being so kind and checking in on us and the food in absolutely delicious. I will say, we're all non-veg and my veg friend said the food was good but us non-veg people were obsessed with it. The chicken kebab is one of the best chicken kebabs i've had, the lambchops are incredible specifically their yogurt, their butter chicken is to die for and the biryani is amazing. The dessert is so unique and the ambiance is fantastic. I love this place!
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Emma K.

Yelp
Myself and my partner had seen this on Instagram and we decided to try it last minute on Saturday night - exceeded all expectations! This is some of the best Indian food I've ever had. We ordered the lamb chops, the chicken tikka, the lamb biryani and the butter chicken - everything was 10/10. We had a bunch of leftovers which were just as delicious the next day! Highly recommend!

Elly B.

Yelp
The menu was a bit different than any other Indian restaurant I have been to. We ordered the butter chicken appetizer that was set on fire and the lamb chops. Both were amazing. We also order the morel mushroom and butter chicken entrees. These were also good but not nearly as good as the apps. Nana and rice were perfect. The dessert while really cool was not to our liking.
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Global Elite Reviews N.

Yelp
This place is awesome. Great vibe and great food. Creative presentation yet traditional flavors. Great bar. Clean and crisp. Will be back !!!

Richard P.

Yelp
"Amazing and authentic food with excellent service. The decor was on point, adding to the overall experience. We were fortunate to get a table and appreciated their flexibility, even with a time limit of 60 minutes due to an upcoming reservation. We felt well accommodated and enjoyed our time there."

Apurva M.

Yelp
Great food, we tried the pani puri, papad, butter chicken, paneer and the nalli biryani was a delicacy. The ambience for Diwali was perfect and festive to spend a good time with friends.

katie C.

Yelp
Loving this new Indian restaurant in theEast Village. Inventive menu with dishes that are both and authentic and uncommon with some unique twists. They place an emphasis on service and presentation with a style that will delight any table. Color saturated décor that makes it perfect for date night or dinner with friends. We were pleasantly surprised at how low the bill was!

Cubbie S.

Yelp
Went here last night after watching a video on TikTok. Food was beyond mediocre and wildly overpriced. Service was slow. I'd definitely skip this spot and stick to places like Gupshup and Baar Baar which are well worth the hype.

Ledell E.

Yelp
Beautiful space, beautiful food. Such a great experience, excellent service and wonderful new restaurant