Ordering guide
What to order at a Indian restaurant
Indian food is dozens of regional cuisines wearing one name. Here's how to order beyond chicken tikka masala and find what each kitchen does best.
Must-try Indian dishes
- Butter chicken
- Biryani (hyderabadi)
- Dosa with sambar
- Rogan josh
- Palak paneer
- Garlic naan
Frequently asked questions
What should I order at an Indian restaurant?
If it's North Indian / Punjabi: butter chicken, rogan josh, dal makhani and garlic naan. If it's South Indian: dosa, idli, sambar and a thali. Biryani is the universal test — a great biryani signals a great kitchen.
What is the most popular Indian dish?
Butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, biryani, samosas and naan dominate global ordering. In India, the most popular dishes vary wildly by region — dosa in the south, biryani in Hyderabad, vada pav in Mumbai.
What's a good Indian dish for someone who doesn't like spicy food?
Butter chicken, korma, malai kofta, dal makhani, palak paneer and most tandoori dishes are mild and creamy. Avoid vindaloo, phaal, jalfrezi and most South Indian curries unless you want heat.
What's the best Indian dish for vegetarians?
India has the deepest vegetarian menu in the world. Try paneer tikka, palak paneer, chana masala, dal makhani, baingan bharta, masala dosa, or a full vegetarian thali. Most Indian restaurants are 50% vegetarian by default.
What's the difference between biryani and pulao?
Biryani is layered — partially cooked rice and marinated meat are assembled in a pot then slow-cooked together (dum). Pulao is a one-pot dish where rice is cooked in seasoned broth. Biryani is richer, more aromatic, and harder to make well.
Top Indian restaurants right now
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