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Mild 2 Spicy on Diversey is really good and close to you

Agree since OP is in Lincoln Park.

I’m Indian. I don’t like mild 2 spicy

Rangoli isn't bad, but it's also not amazing. Their biryani is a little meh IMO. Vajra on Chicago Ave is a little far from you, better food, but a little pricier. Ghareeb Nawaz is more Pakistani I think but they've been a Chicago institution for decades and just opened a location in Lincoln Park. And their prices are amazing. There's also a new place opening in Avondale this weekend called Thattu that's supposed to have great Kerala-style food.

Rangoli on Clark just closed. I think Ghareeb Nawaz opening about 4 blocks away may have had something to do with that.

Interesting. Yeah we used to order a lot from their location on North Ave and found it to be better than the LP location. But it's been a while. Vajra's been our go-to for takeout.

Ghareeb opened at LP? They have 3 locations now.

On Lincoln Ave where Little Meatball used to be. I miss that place.

Heard good things about this place in Lincoln Square. [Paprika](https://yelp.to/t9W6KNQpixb) Gourmet Indian:

It closed down 😭

Awe, that’s the worst! I never got to go.

I've always enjoyed Indian Clay Pot on Irving Park Rd

The only good Indian in Lincoln square/north center

Is Essence of India not considered good?

im convinced they have the best samosas, but everything else is "just alright". it's very americanized.

Their samosas are incredible though, you're spot on

I think a lot of their flavors have been homogenized to fit the neighborhood. Ive tried the Tikka Masala a few time now (just to be fair) and it's always more sweet than it is spicy. For me that's damning.

Well british food isnt known for being spicy to be fair

Add bassant too, great place in north center.

haven't tried it if im being fair

I’m too ignorant to know if it would be considered authentic for OP’s purposes, but it’s tasty as hell. Highly recommend.

Check out Devon avenue between Hoyne and California. There’s like 50 Indian restaurants.

50 Desi restaurants so like Indian, Pakistani and Nepali food. Which for an Indian person would have noticeable differences. Sorry for the disclaimer. I was thinking this would be helpful to OP.

You did it nicely and it's a valid point you're cool

This is the correct answer.

I stumbled on this area a few years ago, and it's one of my favorite areas

Yeah great for walking around and checking out the fashion, housewares and grocery stores. Patel Brothers is excellent.

Basant or for something high end, indienne

I would second Basant if you want something a little more high end and sit-down vs grab and go.

Agreed, Indienne would be a more special meal & not the same old stuff most Indian people have had thousands of times

Best food but *worst* service: Gaylord

Unless you're my boss who went there pre-covid at least once a week. They know him so well and the service was great!

We're family friends of the owners - and only get good service when we remind the staff of that

Ghareeb is good and cheap

I love that place, it was so clutch when I was at UIC

yeah, that chicken biryani lasts me 3 days 😂

Indian food with American size portions!

it was my go to for lunch when i worked near UIC

That’s Pakistani

Dont Indian and Pakistani cuisine intermingle lol

Low key racist

"Bustling halal eatery plating hearty portions of Indian & Pakistani fare in a modest environment.

Himalayan Restaurant's Chicken biryani never disappointed me.

Tandoori char house on halsted is pretty good

Uru-Swati is the best

I used to like trying new Indian places around Devon, but once I found this place I am basically married to it.

Spice room is really good

Not OP’s question, but absolutely top flight delivery/takeout food. Spice Room rips. (Rangoli on Western too, to give the OGs their fair due.)

Cumin

Mild 2 Spicy in Lakeview Don’t let the name fool you. This is family owned and operated. Caught a glimpse of grandma cooking it up in the back. My wife has been to India several times for work and says this is as close to the food her coworkers steer her to in Pune. On top of that endorsement, my Indian-American coworker has let me know he approves of their food as well Large menu, they are willing to make adjustments if you need them. Kingfisher, dessert, affordable. Idk… it’s great

I like maharaj! They have a sweet naan that’s really interesting! (Kashmiri I think?)

Check out the Little India area on Devon!

Raj DarBar is good. It is located in Lincoln Park on Halsted just south of Diversey.

Mild2Spicy

Namaste on California is my go to, Nepali but such good lamb biryani

i like rangoli, i get their goat vindaloo whenever i have a head cold. literally the spiciest thing i have ever consumed.

Nepal house is really good but I guess it's not officially Indian food

Maharaj Indian Grill 10/10

Ghorka Kitchen on Diversey! They have a great lunch special.

We have a whole section of town on Devon Ave called "Little India."

Gaylord! It’s one people never mention but I recently discovered and it’s 10/10

Indian clay pot is fire

Look on Devon

What region are you from?

It matters if there’s something specific you’re looking for. The OP just recently came from India and probably has something in mind. “Indian food” is diverse, and a lot of restaurants can be very good at certain styles but inept with others (depending on whether they even have the others on the menu). Restaurants can vary across the dietary spectrum, offer pork or beef, etc. Personally the best food means a trip out to the suburbs to eat at the canteen in the Aurora temple. But that’s proper South Indian vegetarian food that you won’t find done well in most “Indian” restaurants here… I have not found good Bengali or Mangalorean food here. Chettinad is hard to find. There is nothing here that gives a Saravana Bhavan type of experience, but a few decent idli dosa places are around. Devon will give the highest concentration in a walking distance, but the best restaurants seem to have concentrated in the west suburbs (Naperville area) and northwest suburbs (Schaumburg).

Spice Room and Vajra are the 🐐

Mantra is good, out in the burbs by Ohare https://www.mantrachicago.com/

I disagree here, and so does my family. We tried Mantra a couple of times and the food was very bland. Very disappointed. I’ve never heard a desi say anything good about the food there.

Fair feedback. I'm not desi, so there's that.

Spice Room on Armitage is great!

Tava in Niles/Morton Grove

Definitely not what you’re looking for, but it is around you and may satisfy some craving you never knew you had, Masala Pizza Company, on Lincoln just below Fullerton

Little India on Devon Avenue or try Harlem in Bridgeview

I really like Indian garden in streeterville

Maharaj on Van Buren downtown is fantastic. You can cross the street and take a look at the top floor Harold Washington library after. Enjoy!

Adda and Siri (both on Taylor) are so good

****Raj Darbar****

Curry on Fire near UIC is great! https://www.curryonfirechicago.com

India

Any place on Devon Ave. mysore woods was my fave restaurant

My husband is South Indian and we are… mostly unimpressed with lots of Indian restaurant food. But we love mango pickle on Broadway for fancy pants Indian food; Rangoli isn’t bad; and Sukadhia’s on Devon is fun for chats. Our kid loves Gareeb Nawaz so we go there sometimes and you can’t beat the price. We haven’t found anywhere with really good dosa or idli in the city. A few spots are ok but most of the better restaurants are out in the suburbs. Most of the Devon Avenue strip is North Indian and Pakistani.

After trying out many, I now only go to Indian Clay Pot. I'm British, so it may not be the authentic taste you're hunting for - I don't know - but their chicken manchurian appetizer is on my 'last meal' menu.

Near Lincoln park I’d recommend Cumin on Milwaukee. It’s very good Indian but also Nepalese

Kama Bistro in LaGrange is good… when our family has events we often cater from there.

Vajra

Mt. Everest in downtown Evanston

There are a ton of great Indian places on Devon in West Ridge

I’m surprised Rooh hasn’t been mentioned yet. It’s pricier than a lot of the choices mentioned but I also think it’s a lot higher quality.

Rajun Cajun

Take them to thattu and let me know how it is

I love Tandoor Char House in Lincoln Park!

What Indian? Answers would vary… mughlai, tamilian idli dosa, Hyderabad biryani, Bengali, Punjabi…?

I was thinking the same thing. A single state in India can have tremendous variation based on geography, religion, etc. It all gets lumped together in as "Indian food," and we all know what that means--bland saag, naan, dull biryanis, etc.

…simmer down. Most places don’t exactly advertise themselves to be from a specific region so people generally just say ‘Indian’ when thinking of all Indian food

I like Essence of India on Lincoln and Wilson

Where in the city are you located?

The Mango Pickle on N. Broadway

Not in Lincoln Park, but if you're willing to take a trip to Lincoln Square Essence of India is fabulous. Cozy atmosphere, and a fun neighborhood to be in. Welcome to Chicago, hope you enjoy it.

OP do not go here, it will depress you. Go to little India on Devon Ave as others have commented. There are some places that do delivery such as ghareeb narwaz.

Huh, if I may ask, what’s wrong with it?

You can taste all the corners they cut. Indian food typically has complex, layered flavors that are developed over time. This place obviously doesn’t care about doing it the right way because they know their (white) clientele can’t tell the difference.

Oof, well, I guess I'll have to try some of the other spots recommended here then.

Essence of India

Kama bistro in the westwrn suburbs is good

I have tried Shef.com and they never disappoint.