The popularity of Indian Cuisine in New York city goes back a long time, simply because we love the flavor, taste, and variety of Indian food. However, some of us are often on the hunt for the best cheap Indian food in NYC. This guide will help you discover the 5 best restaurants offering cheap Indian food in Manhattan.
Cheap Indian food in Manhattan
We have selected the 5 best restaurants offering cheap Indian food in Manhattan. Ranging from different neighborhoods, dining styles, and specialties. Your dining journey through Indian food does not have to end with affordability. Instead, it is an opportunity to find something new.
Utsav Indian Restaurant
If you have a passion for eating Indian food, what a pleasure to dine at a restaurant whose name translates to festival. With India being a country filled with many festivities and celebrations, dining at Utsav feels like a festive occasion, with delicious and cheap Indian food in Manhattan.
Website: UstavNy.com
Phone Number: (212) 575-2525
Opening Hours: Open 7 days, 12 – 3 pm, 5 – 10.30 pm
Address: 1185 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036
While Utsav Indian Restaurant is a contemporary dining experience, it is one that does not compromise on the authenticity of Indian cuisine. The atmosphere is colorful and elegant, and the food menu is filled with everything from delicious seafood, flavor-packed curries, and the popular – tandoori chicken. Guests found Utsav to be like stumbling onto a gem and loved the sea bass cooked in a delicate coconut sauce, lentil dahl, the naan bread, and the famous Indian curries and desserts. You won’t be disappointed with the atmosphere and the delightful menu.
Cheap food recommendations:
Bhuna Shrimp
For seafood lovers, this dish is made with large shrimp cooked in tomato onion sauce.
Chicken Zaffrani
A royal, rich, and creamy boneless chicken, cooked in a saffron-infused sauce.
Dal Triveni
Lentil lovers! This one is for you. A mix of three lentils, cooked with tomatoes, onions & spices.
Paneer Kulcha
A mini stuffed bread, famous for its crispy layers of dough and delicious fillings.
Darbar Grill
Looking for a go-to midtown Indian restaurant with reasonable prices? Darbar Grill can quickly become your favorite cheap Indian food in Manhattan option. Enjoy the delicious Indian cuisine, exotic drinks, and a great atmosphere.
Website: darbargrill.com
Phone Number: 212-751-4600
Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11.30 am – 10.30 pm
Friday – Saturday 11.30 am – 11 pm
Address: 157 E 55th Street, Penthouse, New York
While Darbar may appear as a luxury eatery, there are plenty of affordable and delicious options on the menu. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch, romantic dinner, or a takeaway, Darbar has something for you. Visitors loved the quality, reasonable prices, and array of dishes. Some of the favorites are the vegetable samosas, chicken tikka masala, and naan. To begin, try the reshmi kebab – pieces of lamb, naan bread specially prepared in a clay oven, or a beetroot malai kofta, a vegetarian delicacy.
Cheap food recommendations:
Chicken Palak Soup
A creamy and comforting soup, made with chicken, spinach, and lightly spiced coconut.
Mixed Vegetable Korma
An aromatic dish, made with potatoes, peas, carrots, beans, onions, tomatoes, and spices.
Mutter Paneer
A vegetarian option, made with cubes of goat cheese cooked with green peas in a tomato sauce.
If your journey through Indian food is to continue further, you can learn more about the difference between paneer vs chicken dishes.
Chicken Curry
A popular option, chicken simmered in an onion and tomato sauce.
Anand Indian Cuisine
Dining at Anand Indian Cuisine is the perfect place for a casual yet sophisticated meal. Food is made from wholesome ingredients, and the chef adds the magic touch to each dish, creating mouth-watering food.
Website: anandindiancuisinenyc.com
Phone Number: 212-650-0333
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sat & Sun 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Address: 304 EAST 78th street, New York, NY 10075
The food at Ananad Indian cuisine is prepared by a chef who holds twenty years of experience. Your taste buds will be delighted with flavor that is out of this world. Guests have added plenty of amazing reviews, describing it as a place with incredible food and great proportions, and loved many favorite dishes, including a must-try combination – aloo paratha matching with mango lassi. This restaurant serves tandoori meats, curries, seafood, vegetarian, and biryanis. No matter what you love most about the best cheap Indian food in Manhattan, you are bound to find it here.
Cheap food recommendations:
Jhinge Bagherela
A unique dish made with shrimp sautéed in garlic, mustard seeds, and curry leaves cooked in a tangy sauce.
Reshmi Kebab
Made from minced chicken, marinated with onions and spices, skewered in a clay oven.
Goat Curry
A tender, juicy homestyle curry, made with goat meat, cooked in a delicious sauce and spices.
Dal Tadka
A vegetarian dish made with yellow lentils, cooked on a slow fire with herbs and spices.
Some More Options for Cheap Indian Food in Manhattan
Manhattan Indian Flavor
Whether you want to dine in, takeaway, or eat seasonally and locally, Manhattan Indian Flavor combines all of this in one experience. With a delightful variety of Indian food, this restaurant brings plenty of delicious flavors to its menu.
Website: manhattaninidanflavor.com
Phone Number: 917-472-7667
Opening Hours: Lunch: Mon-Sun 11.00 am to 3.00 pm
Dinner: Mon – Thu 4.30 pm to 10.00 pm
Fri – Sat 4.30 pm – 10.30 pm
Sun – 4.30 pm – 10.00 pm
Address: 311 2nd Ave, New York, NY
Combine comforting meals with reasonable prices and locally sourced food, and you will find this creates the best quality of homestyle cooking. The menu at Manhattan Indian Flavor is huge and includes both North and South Indian food. Guest reviews recommend the chili fish appetizer, white fish marinated in chili paste, makhani chicken, and the malai kofta. Most visitors love this little jewel and have found it to be one of the best cheap Indian foods in NYC. If you want to see more, head over to Follow me, I’m a Foodie – Indian who has tasted amazing food and found this restaurant worth a visit.
Cheap food recommendations:
Chat Papri
A vegetarian appetizer made with a mix of potatoes, chickpeas in yogurt, and cilantro sauce.
Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup
A comforting, traditional soup made with yellow lentils, seasonal vegetables, and herbs.
Shahi Paneer
Homemade cottage cheese, cooked in a sauce with almonds, cashews, and raisings.
Goan Fish Curry
An Indian specialty, boneless Tilapia fish cooked with coconut and exotic spices.
Bengal Tiger Indian Food
Bengal Tiger Indian food serves authentic Indian cuisine with prix fix special menu. Choose a selection of an appetizer, a main, and a dessert, all for one fixed price. This is the perfect choice for those on the lookout for the best cheap Indian food in New York.
Website: bengaltigerindianfood.com
Phone number: 212-265-2703
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 11.30 am – 2.45 pm & 5.00 pm – 10.00 pm
Sat & Sun 12.00 pm – 10.00 pm
Address: 58 W 56th St, New York
This tucked-away spot at Bengal Tiger Indian food will give you exclusive vibes but deliver excellent and affordable food. Some of the top favorite meals for guests are homestyle curries, freshly baked naan bread, vegetable samosas, and the lamb vindaloo. With so many other Indian favorites, this is a great restaurant for those looking for fairly cheap and great-tasting Indian food.
Cheap food recommendations:
3 Course Prix Fix
A restaurant specialty, choose your own appetizer, entre, and dessert. All for one price.
Chana Masala
A popular chickpea curry, made with the right balance of spices, sweetness, and tanginess.
Lamb Korma
A mild curry, made with lamb, and vegetables cooked in a nut-paste-based sauce.
Gulab Jamun
An amazing Indian dessert, fried dumplings scented with cardamom and soaked in syrup.
Why is Indian food so expensive?
There could be several factors. One reason is spices. Spices in Indian food can be costly simply because they are not grown locally but imported. Other reasons are the quality and types of food, which can impact the price of a meal. Some Indian dishes can have up to 20 or more ingredients. Another cost is labor. Indian dishes require a longer time to prepare and cook. While spices, ingredients, and labor are some of the main factors, the cost of Indian food is worth the extra few dollars for those who love Indian cuisine.
If you are looking for other inspiration, our article on the most popular Indian food in the world can guide you through the culinary world of Indian cuisine. And for those homebodies, we have a list of places for Indian home-cooked food delivery in New York so that you can bring the Indian food experience into your home.
Conclusion
- Ustav Indian Restaurant offers a contemporary environment with authentic Indian cuisine packed with popular dishes.
- Darbar Grill, located downtown, serves the best reshmi kebab and house-made bread prepared in a clay oven.
- Anand Indian cuisine is prepared by a chef with twenty years of experience. The restaurant serves everything – from tandoori meats, curries, seafood, vegetarian, and biryanis.
- Manhattan Indian flavor prepares the best home-style Indian dishes in a comforting and welcoming environment.
- Bengal Tiger Indian cuisine serves freshly baked naan bread, vegetable samosas, and lamb vindaloo. This restaurant brings uniqueness to a dining experience.
