Indian restaurants on Lexington Avenue

[lollypop]

Hi CH - I'm looking for a good Indian spot for lunch or an early dinner. I'll be dining alone. Mostly looking for yummy food. I have no dietary limitations. Have not eaten around there in years so I am at a loss. thanks for suggestions.

[lochan]

I like Tiffin Wallah

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Tiffin Wallah
127 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016

[Nick F.]

Got take out last night from super-yummy, super-cheap Curry Express. It's total downscale (hot-plates) and all, but dinner including 6 different kinds of curry, rice and poori bread was $16.84 (!) for me and my girlfriend! We were both wowed, stuffed and satisfied... and that was just the food! :p Heartily recommend them over more expensive Curry in a Hurry.

However, if you are looking for a Lunch Buffet (all-you-can-eat), in my book you can't beat Dhaba over on Lex bet. 27th and 28th. They bring fresh appetizers to your table and I have eaten more good food there in one lunch sitting than I usually do over the course of a few days.

Lemme know where you check out!

-n

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Curry in a Hurry
119 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

Curry Express
130 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016

[sugartoof]

I second both suggestions. Curry Express is funny. The rice is kind of bland, and naan doesn't come free with the combo platters, but they refresh their food often, with varied selection, and it's dirt cheap at lunch. I've had a couple off days, but when it's good it's as good as any in the neighborhood with fresh tasting ingredients.

Dhaba is currently the best all around buffet deal in the area.

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Curry Express
130 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016

[JungMann]

If you're fine with Curry Express, you ought to try Haandi's lunch buffet. It doesn't attract the same crowd as Dhaba but there are some choice offerings like their biryani.

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Curry Express
130 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016

[MVNYC]

Haandi also does a strong late night business. Eight bucks for two meats, vegetable, rice, salad and freshly baked naan. Really not a bad deal. They usually have a good selection including a few chicken and lamb dishes and some interesting cuts such as cow foot. The crowd is all South Asian every time I go. A good Pakistani joint to have in the repertoire late at night. Nothing Earth shattering though.

[sugartoof]

Is the lunch buffet any better than their combination platters at night? I think Curry Express is far superior for budget Indian, but I know the set up, and room is different at lunch. They're also the only ones to include samosas in their buffet, from the looks of it, so that would be a great way to get stuffed.

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Curry Express
130 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016

[JungMann]

The only stuff I get late at night other than kababs are Pakistani specialty items, so I can't really compare the rest of the steam table. The buffet does have some middling items, much like the steam table, but I think there are a few items that are really stand out compared to the stuff I've had for take away and the variety alone is worth it. How many other buffets offer qorma (not that I've tried it yet)?

[sugartoof]

What have you had that was stand out?

[JungMann]

Karahi chicken, chicken biryani. Their Pakistani fish curry is also a great change of pace from the South Indian coconut-based fish curries that one typically sees.

[LeahBaila]

Check out Dhaba; it's my favorite Indian spot in the city.

www.thelunchbelle.com

[LloydG]

I like the lunch specials at Curry Leaf, particularly the tandoori vegetables which I have never seen anywhere else. For $10 you get two different entrees plus nan, rice and salad. For me, that always leaves a full entree for dinner later in the week.

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Curry Leaf
99 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

[sugartoof]

Yikes. It's filthy in there, and the food reflects that. A recent lunch special tasted as if the food had been sitting for a couple weeks before it got to me. Eat at your own risk.

[nativeNYer]

Basically, it's fine to dine alone at any of these. I agree Dhaba is very good, and also crowded so expect to wait. Copper Chimney is ok . I'd strongly recommend walking north a half mile on Lex and trying Nirvana where there is less wait, amazing food and a calmer atmosphere:

http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/...

If you want to be adventurous, try Chinese Mirch (Indian-Chinese fusion) on Lex and 28th. I'm addicted, although I think there's a new chef who replaced a previous, amazing chef.

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Copper Chimney
126 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016

Chinese Mirch
1830 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128

[LeahBaila]

Thanks for the post; I've been really curious about Nirvana. Any dishes you'd recommend?

www.thelunchbelle.com

[joelguilbert]

I like Chennai Garden and Tiffin Walla in that area.

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Chennai Garden
129 E 27th St, New York, NY 10016

[phoenikia]

What dishes do you like the most at Chennai Garden & Tiffin Wallah?
Which place makes better dosas?

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Tiffin Wallah
127 E 28th St, New York, NY 10016

Chennai Garden
129 E 27th St, New York, NY 10016