NIRMAL'S

"Nirmal’s is an upscale Indian restaurant that works for many situations—dinner with the parents, Happy Hour, a date, an awkward networking meetup with your cousin's coworker’s dog-walker, etc. We like the tandoori grilled paneer and spicy chicken pakoras, not to mention the delicious cocktails ranging from curry margaritas to coffee martinis. And if you were wondering where to find all the exposed brick we were talking about earlier, some of it is in here." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley

"Pioneer Square’s Indian food destination restaurant serves soups, biryani, and curries from a variety of regions, and happily caters to pescatarians and vegetarians with items like paneer-stuffed bell pepper with spicy tomato sauce, and Dungeness crab cooked in a rich, tamarind coconut curry. Owners Oliver and Gita Bangera have always made sure the takeout service is as robust as the dine-in experience — although seeing the gregarious Oliver in person usually adds a spark to the meal." - Alicia Erickson, Eater Staff

"Located inside one of those brick Pioneer Square buildings that survived the Great Seattle Fire, Nirmal’s is a Seattle institution. With ambient lighting that casts a pleasant glow and sleek wood tables, it’s one of just a few great Indian restaurants in Seattle proper that makes you feel like changing out of Crocs, and it has a menu that rotates frequently. The owner usually walks around making sure that your extra-sweet paneer makhan masala and chunky yellow dal are cooked just right (and they are). Order the tandoori chicken—it’s served with such a thick layer of yogurt and spices, you won’t need any chutney. This place is perfect for a date night, a corporate card-funded lunch, or a big group dinner involving lots of buttery roti.  " - kayla sager riley, aimee rizzo, gabe guarente

"Located inside one of those brick Pioneer Square buildings that survived the Great Seattle Fire, Nirmal’s is a Seattle institution. With ambient lighting that casts a pleasant glow and sleek wood tables, it’s one of just a few great Indian restaurants in Seattle proper that makes you feel like changing out of Crocs, and it has a menu that rotates frequently. The owner usually walks around making sure that your extra-sweet paneer makhan masala and chunky yellow dal are cooked just right (and they are). Order the tandoori chicken—it’s served with such a thick layer of yogurt and spices, you won’t need any chutney. This place is perfect for a date night, a corporate card-funded lunch, or a big group dinner involving lots of buttery roti." - Kayla Sager-Riley

"Nirmal’s demonstrated that Seattle had an appetite for upscale Indian food; the Pioneer Square destination serves soups, biryani, and curries from a variety of regions and happily caters to pescatarians and vegetarians with items like paneer-stuffed bell pepper with spicy tomato sauce. Owners Oliver and Gita Bangera have always made sure the takeout service is as robust as the dine-in experience, although seeing the gregarious Oliver in person adds a spark to the meal." - Eater Staff