Unsurprisingly, dining in Garden City feels different now than it ever has before. For starters, there’s a quiet confidence on Franklin Avenue where every spice blend tells a story. But, more importantly, there’s something fundamentally exciting about tearing into buttery naan, discovering complex curries, or savoring tandoori aromas in a suburb you’ve probably driven through countless times. Here are 12 spots in Garden City that define Indian excellence right now.
Spice Hub – Indian Fusion in Syosset, NY
$ | (516) 922-7777 | WEBSITE
This Indian fusion spot in the heart of Syosset is one of our absolute favorite places to enjoy authentic flavors in the area. They recently created a cozy, welcoming atmosphere where you can settle in after being greeted by the friendly owner. Get the chicken biryani and order of the garlic naan (the perfect accompaniment to any meal, which involves fluffy bread brushed with garlic butter). The chicken masala has just the right amount of spices, and the tandoori dishes are cooked to perfection.
Don’t skip the Lychee Lassi or masala tea to complete your meal. With dishes priced around $15-$20 for mains and naan at $4-$6, it’s a genuine Indian dining experience that feels like home.
Chili & Curry
$$ | (516) 932-9180 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for somewhere with a warm, cozy atmosphere, Chili & Curry’s indoor setup is a great option, since the decor adds to its authentic charm. While the Chicken Makhani here is enjoyable (especially for around $16), our favorite dishes at this spot are the Veggie Samosas and the Mango Chicken served with fragrant rice.
The attentive staff provides great service, quickly correcting any minor issues like missing dishes, and the restaurant is popular for catering large parties with fresh food delivered professionally. Overall, Chili & Curry remains a top choice for authentic North Indian cuisine.
Namaste Authentic Indian Cuisine
$$ | (718) 343-2800 | WEBSITE
This Queens gem built its own cozy indoor space complete with warm lighting, vibrant artwork, and comfortable booths so you won’t have to eat your butter chicken or paneer makhni while you feel rushed. Namaste Authentic Indian Cuisine is open for dining until late every night. Also important: it’s right in the heart of Garden City’s dining scene.
Maya Catering Inc.(Indian Restaurant)
$$ | (516) 654-1075 | WEBSITE
Another Indian option for family dining is Maya Catering Inc. on Long Island. The menu here is full of things you can share with someone, like big plates of butter chicken, lamb chops, and combination platters for $12.
Akbar Restaurant
$$ | (516) 357-8300 | WEBSITE
Looking for a vibrant spot for Indian cuisine in Garden City? Akbar Restaurant delivers consistently excellent food with an awesome, accommodating staff that makes every visit memorable. The lively atmosphere, perfect for events and parties, does mean it can get noisy, but the serving staff’s great recommendations and wonderful menu options—including both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes—ensure a generally enjoyable dining experience.
With so many choices and a bustling vibe, it’s a favorite among Indian food enthusiasts seeking a dynamic meal out.
The Cotillion
$$ | (516) 938-3300 | WEBSITE
While the name might suggest a formal ballroom affair, The Cotillion is actually an exceptional Indian restaurant in Garden City. They have a warm, inviting dining room with comfortable booths available for every meal. Skip the standard naan and prioritize the Chilli Fried Lamb, some Malai Kabab, and Cotillion Special Biryani (hearty spiced rice).
Hillside Dosa Hutt
$ | (718) 414-4780 | WEBSITE
Hillside Dosa Hutt is serving their authentic dishes in a clean canteen-style space on their Garden City location. This place serves some of the area’s best masala dosas, which you should order with the spinach masala variation (despite the name of the restaurant). It sounds unconventional, but just trust us on this one.
Atithi Restaurant Pure Veg | Bethpage | United States.
Atithi Restaurant Pure Veg has been serving Bethpage for years, but this is the first time in its history that they’re offering tandoori soya chaap sizzlers, Punjabi-style chole bhature, and generous thalis under bright, cheerful lighting in the dining room. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to admire traditional Indian artwork on the restaurant walls, but the aromatic spices might transport you to Delhi in your own right.
Aanch
$$ | (718) 831-1111 | WEBSITE
We love Aanch for several reasons, the least important of which is that the place has a nice, warm ambiance perfect for birthday dinners. The most important reason is that they serve a menu of things like chicken makhani, chili chicken, and goat curry, all for around $16. Get the Hakka noodles or gobi manchurian, and sit with your pet under their soft lighting in the middle of the bustling dining room.
Village – The Soul of India
$ | (516) 506-3655 | WEBSITE
Village – The Soul of India is serving their authentic South Indian cuisine (including some very crisp ghee roast dosa) in their small and cozy establishment in Hicksville. In case the dining room is full, you could always get your food to go and enjoy it at home.
King of India
$ | (718) 347-4000 | WEBSITE
King of India is one of the best Indian restaurants in the area. It doesn’t get overwhelmingly crowded, and most dishes here cost less than $18 – so it’s a very useful place to know about, especially because the service is consistently excellent with friendly and accommodating staff always ready to assist.
There’s a menu of things like Samosa Chaat, Butter Chicken, Garlic Naan, Chicken Vindaloo, Swine Fish, fish pakora, Punjabi saag, chicken kebabs, chicken tikka masala with tender chicken breast chunks, biryani, and paneer bhurji, as well as some pretty outstanding vegetable and protein food items.
The Chicken Vindaloo and Swine Fish are both praised for their exceptional taste and quality, and during the T20 cricket World Cup, guests enjoyed fish pakora and Punjabi saag, with the saag reminding them of homemade food.
Chennai Dosas
$ | (516) 681-5151 | WEBSITE
This Indian restaurant has about a tour bus’ worth of space blocked off in front of their spot on Huntington, which makes it one of the larger outdoor dining set ups we’ve seen around the area. The menu here is massive, with everything from dosas to regional specialties.
