Lungi South Indian & Sri Lankan Restaurant

Lungi in NYC is one of those spots you leave already planning your next visit. The cocktails are excellent, layered with traditional South Indian and Sri Lankan flavors that feel intentional and well balanced. They complement the food beautifully instead of competing with it. And the food really shines. The beef chukka was bold and deeply spiced. The Malabar parotta came out flaky and perfect for tearing and scooping. The fish cutlet had that crisp shell and soft, flavorful center. The goat biryani was fragrant and rich without feeling heavy. The black short rib kari was slow cooked, tender, and packed with depth. We ended with the mango guava gelato for dessert and it was the perfect finish. Bright, fruity, and refreshing after all those spices. Service was efficient and cordial throughout. Highly recommend Lungi if you’re craving soulful South Indian and Sri Lankan flavors done right.

Ambiance (5/5): The interior decorations feel modern, sleek, and elevated. It is a wonderful place for an upscale meal. Two areas for dining, divided by a wall which both makes the room feel smaller but the whole restaurant feel bigger. Comfortable dining chairs and booth seating. Service (5/5): Staff is dressed very professionally and treated us with respect/courtesy. Whenever asked for help, they were quick to service. Kerala Beef Chukka (4/5): Not as much of a fan as I thought I would be. The small bites were flavorful but dry. Kori Ghassi (5/5): Mangalorean chicken curry was packed with flavor. The chunks of chicken were juicy and went well with the rice. Lamb Biryani (5/5): Comes with a hard boiled egg on top. It was very flavorful Roti (5/5): I loved the accompaniment of the roti (I would have preferred if it had a bit more of a crunch slash more fried) Hopper (3/5): I was not a fan of the dish but mostly because I’ve never had it before and it doesn’t have enough substance to go with the meal (like naan would). Separately, the dips were tasty. Before dining in, I had a good experience with their takeout (cant remember what I ordered but I remember both dishes were uniquely flavorful!)

Lungi is one of the few really good spots in Manhattan for this style of cuisine. The vibe is welcoming, and the spacious seating makes it a great choice for both small groups and larger gatherings. We started with a few appetizers: Cauliflower 65, Kanyakumari Nethali Varuval, and Kerala Beef Chukka. The Cauliflower 65 was fresh, crispy, and packed with flavor. The Nethali Varuval was tasty, though it felt slightly over-marinated for our preference. The Kerala Beef Chukka was the clear standout — an absolute must-try with bold, authentic flavors. For the mains, we had the Ambur Biryani and String Hopper Kothu. The biryani was decent but could have been more flavorful, while the kothu was above average and enjoyable. Overall, Lungi is a solid spot in NYC for authentic South Indian flavors, great ambiance, and a satisfying dining experience.

Food was 6 out of 5! It was so good. Ambur mutton Biriyani was authentic and tasted great! Poricha Kozhi and Kothu were amazing. I usually eat less spicy, spice level matches exactly what you get in India, a little more than what I could handle but the taste was so good that I didn’t mind it and kept digging for more. Staff were very polite and service was good. Overall a great experience. Best authentic South Indian food in NYC!

We were blown away by our meal here! The goat trotter dish was sublime - we’ve decided that any time we come back we MUST order it again… despite every menu item looking so fantastic. Eager to return for more special meals!

This is a food review and I rate the food 3 but it was more a 3.8 so very close 4. The porrota bread and the fish main dish was amazing! The goat dish I ordered had too much cardamon in it - there was a spice that was too strong for me and I felt it was lacking the spicyness. The goat biryani was good …. it was too salty. Overall I did really enjoy the food ! The manager ashwant and our host Akhil were both very kind , friendly and inviting! I enjoyed the place a lot and my guest from Kerala is going back on Saturday!!!

A hidden gem! Tucked in the middle of the block is a gem for Kerala cuisine! Modern urban Indian vibe with friendly service and amazing food. I had Kerala beef, a hopper (a Sri Lankan bread that was new to me), a duck curry, great coffee and a fantastic dessert - Semiya Payasam. The flavors of Kerala shone through and are such a great change from the normal Indian restaurants. Definitely worth a trip to the upper east side for this place!

If you haven’t had Sri Lankan food before, this is definitely the spot. I was unfamiliar with some of the menu items, but the waiter was kind enough to walk me through everything and really took the time to tend to us. The staff overall is very friendly and welcoming. The food itself is slightly different from traditional Indian cuisine, but it’s packed with spices and bold flavors. Highly recommend trying the hoppers, they’re perfect for dipping into curry dishes. I had the Kori Ghassi and it was phenomenal. For appetizers, the mutton roll is a great choice as well. All in all, a flavorful and memorable experience.