Los Angeles, the city of stars and stellar eats, has a vibrant Indian culinary scene that’s begging to be explored. Get ready to discover gems with this expansive list as we dive into some of the quirkiest and most delicious Indian restaurants LA has to offer. From Downtown to Culver City, we’ve scoured the streets to bring you a mouthwatering guide to the best Indian joints in town. Buckle up. Here’s the best Indian restaurants in the Los Angeles area.
1. Baar Baar
📍 705 W 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Baar Baar has just made its grand entrance into the LA scene in May 2023, hot on the heels of its New York success! Chef Sujan Sarkar is the mastermind behind this Indian culinary extravaganza, and he’s cooking up a storm in Southern California.
Nestled just a hop, skip, and a jump away from L.A. Live, Baar Baar is here to spice up your life with a culinary journey across India. And hold onto your taste buds because they’re serving up Bollywood-inspired drinks that put a fun spin on the classics.
Now, let’s talk highlights! The mushroom pepper fry is stealing the show, featuring sunchokes, smoked almonds, and ramps – a flavor explosion like no other. But wait, there’s more! The chutney set, avocado pachadi, and homemade crisps are standing out and demanding their moment in the spotlight.
2. Badmaash
📍 108 W 2nd St #104, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Second stop on our flavor fiesta is Badmaash, and let me tell you, this place is anything but ordinary. Tucked away in downtown LA, Badmaash has mastered the art of blending traditional Indian dishes with a modern, hipster flair. It’s where your grandma’s recipes meet the cool kid in town. Grab a seat, dive into the Chicken Tikka Poutine, and let the spice party begin!
3. Electric Karma
📍 8222 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Funky, low-lit Indian haunt showing Bollywood movies, with a familiar menu & an open-air courtyard. Shockingly good eats await you at Electric Karma in Beverly Grove. This spot has got the vibe, the spice, and the everything-nice you’d want from an Indian joint. With a menu that dances between the classics and contemporary twists, Electric Karma is like the Bollywood dance number of LA’s Indian food scene. Pro tip: Try the Lamb Vindaloo – it’s a flavor explosion!
4. Mayura Indian Restaurant
📍 10406 Venice Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Craving a bit of Southern comfort? Head over to Mayura Indian Restaurant in Culver City. This place is a South Indian food haven, serving up dosas and biryanis that will make your taste buds do the happy dance. It’s like a culinary vacation to the heart of India’s flavors, minus the jet lag. Get ready to spice up your life, Southern style!
5. Spice Affair
📍 50 N La Cienega Blvd #120, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
If you’re in the mood for a bit of spice with a side of elegance, Spice Affair in Beverly Hills is the place to be. Picture this: a menu that’s a symphony of traditional and contemporary flavors, served up in a chic setting. It’s where Indian cuisine puts on its fancy pants and waltzes into your heart. For a taste of the high life, order the Butter Chicken – it’s Bollywood royalty on a plate!
6. Samosa House
📍 11510 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Calling all veggie lovers! Samosa House, with its locations in Culver City and Santa Monica, is your go-to spot for vegetarian and vegan Indian delights. The menu is a celebration of plant-based goodness, showcasing the diverse and flavorful world of Indian cuisine. Whether you’re a dedicated herbivore or just dabbling in veggie vibes, Samosa House has a treat for you.
7. Pijja Palace
📍 2711 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Picture this: dosa onion rings taking a dip in mango chutney, malai rigatoni throwing a vodka-sauce-like party, and green chutney pijja (that’s Hindi for “pizza”) stealing the show. In a city where dining is an art form, Pijja Palace has mastered the canvas, creating a masterpiece that’s as much about the experience as it is about the food. Pro Tip: Book your reservations 3 months in advance. Yes, this place is that popular.
8. Bhookhe
📍 18633 Pioneer Blvd, Artesia, CA 90701
Dive into the vibrant world of Rajasthani delights at this exciting newcomer in Little India! It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a flavor carnival that’s been creating waves with rare northwestern treasures like bajra ri roti (millet flatbread) . The star of the show? The dizzying maharaja thali – a royal feast featuring a multitude of components. Imagine tiny bati balls begging to be dunked into ghee or dal (lentil stew). It’s a thali experience like no other, fit for a king or queen Game of Thrones style.
9. Apey Kade
📍 19662 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356
Step into the flavorful world of Apey Kade, where the magic of Sri Lankan cuisine unfolds under the sun! This place as your gateway to Sri Lanka’s culinary heart, offering a detailed bird’s eye view of the country’s staple dishes. From the whimsical string hoppers (think rice flour noodle discs that are practically edible art) to the travel-friendly lamprais (a banana leaf packet of joy containing rice, meat, sambal, and curried veggies), Apey Kade has got it all.
10. Bombay Frankie Company
📍 6000 Sepulveda Blvd Suite 1601, Culver City, CA 90230
What started as a gas station legend dishing out Mumbai’s favorite street food, frankies, this spot is all about a variety of frankies— Mumbai-style wraps stuffed with things like chicken tikka and salmon masala. The restaurant also does an assortment of naan tacos and frankie bowls, but nothing hits harder like their trademark frankie.
11. Rajdhani
📍 18525 Pioneer Blvd 2nd floor, Artesia, CA 90701
Rajdhani beckons you to a journey through the vibrant platters of Gujarati cuisine, stealing the spotlight with its veggie-centric delights. Located inside the Little Artesia stretch, this a go-to spot when you’re in the mood for Gujarati goodness. You get a front-row seat to the ever-changing thali extravaganza, loaded with daal, chapati, okra stew, and more. And here’s the fun part – they’ve got options for everyone, whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or rolling with the Jain crew (allium-free, baby!)
12. Al-Noor Restaurant
📍 15112 S Inglewood Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260
Since 1998, this fully halal Pakistani restaurant down in Lawndale has offered the all-around best desi cuisine in the South Bay. This place serves up hard-to-find Pakistani dishes like Nihari, a spicy, indulgent braised beef stew that’s basically a flavor fiesta with ginger and a jalapeño kick. And And then there’s Haleem, the hearty mash-up of chicken, wheat, barley, lentils, herbs, and spices. Worth the drive for the hard-to-find gems you won’t get anywhere in LA.
13. Arth Bar & Kitchen
📍 9531 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Arth, the vibrant newcomer in Culver, is rewriting the rules of South Asian dining in LA! You’ll find classics with a twist like Pav bhaji sliders and chicken tikka kebabs to chicken wings taking a dip in an Old Monk marinade. For cocktails, try the jal-jeera mojito – A popular cumin-based north Indian drink meets chili-infused white rum and a touch of peach liqueur.
14. Tara’s Himalayan Cuisine
📍 10855 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034
Get ready for a taste adventure at Tara Gurung Black’s Westside restaurant! Tara whips up delicious dishes straight from her homeland, Nepal, and you’re in for a treat. Kick things off with the absolute must-try steamed momos, bursting with flavorful fillings like mutton, chicken, or veggies.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! Brace yourself for the ultimate comfort food experience with Tara’s khasi ko masu. Picture this: slow-cooked bone-in goat meat, bathed in a luscious fresh tomato sauce. Oh, and if you’re eager for more, Tara’s got you covered with a second spot in Brentwood. Double the fun, double the yum!
15. Annapurna Cuisine
📍 10200 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Annapurna in Culver City is bringing the Southern Indian flavor fiesta! Get ready for a rollercoaster of deliciousness with dosa, uttapam, idli, and a whole lot more. But guess what? The real MVP here is the mouthwatering pav bhaji – it’s a flavor explosion you won’t want to miss!
And here’s the cool part – if you’re on team “no onion and garlic,” Annapurna’s got your back with plenty of options that still pack a punch. So, whether you’re diving into the dosa dance or savoring the pav bhaji party, this spot’s Southern Indian delights will have you doing the happy foodie dance!
Wrapping up the Best South Asian Restaurants in LA
There you have it, fellow food adventurers – our spicy guide to the best Indian restaurants in Los Angeles. From the hipster vibes at Badmaash to the Southern comfort at Mayura, LA’s Indian culinary scene is a carnival of flavors waiting to be explored. So, the next time you’re hankering for some spice in your life, ditch the ordinary and head to these fantastic eateries. Los Angeles may be the city of angels, but when it comes to Indian food, it’s the city of flavor fireworks! Get out there and let your taste buds dance – your culinary adventure awaits!