10 Best Indian Restaurants in Salt Lake City

When you want food that is comforting but doesn’t sacrifice flavor or excitement, Indian food is the way to go. And, lucky for us, the Salt Lake Valley has some amazing options that we can’t wait for you to check out. Whether you are looking for North Indian, South Indian, or Nepali food, we have amazing recommendations for the best Indian restaurants in Salt Lake City for wherever your cravings are calling you.

If you are new to Indian food, have dietary restrictions, or are looking to try something you haven’t had before, our trusty guide has something for everyone. But be warned, this food is so good it’s hard to stop eating, and you might have to unbutton your jeans on the drive home. We hope you enjoy our favorite Indian restaurants in Salt Lake City!

SEE ALSO: 15 Best Restaurants in Salt Lake City

10. The Kathmandu

What makes The Kathmandu a standout among Indian restaurants in Salt Lake City is not only do they carry a wide variety of Indian dishes but Nepali food as well. The cozy atmosphere is welcoming and invites you to relax and enjoy a comforting meal. In the mood to try something new? Try the sweet and spicy Everest curry with a side of their various momos, which are wonderful Nepali dumplings. These Nepali specialties are exciting and unique. Want to have a classic at its best? Kathmandu’s butter chicken is luxurious and creamy. Can’t decide what to get? Try a Thali, an Indian meal consisting of a sampling of menu items on a platter. You’ll be dreaming of these curries until you step in the door again.

9. Sri Balaji Cafe

For authentic South Indian food that locals love, you’ll want to pay Sri Balaji Café a visit. Sri Balaji specializes in dosas, popular street food in India similar to a savory crepe. If you haven’t tried a dosa before, Sri Balaji is the perfect place to get your toes wet. Our favorite is the masala dosa, which is stuffed with a delicious potato filling. Dosas are accompanied by a cilantro chutney for dipping and sambar, a vegetable stew. This unassuming restaurant is squarely no-frills but definitely one of the best Indian restaurants in Salt Lake City. Give Sri Balaji Café a try and thank us later.

8. Great India

There are many reasons to love Great India, but one is their menu has a wide variety of solid vegan and gluten-free options so there is something for everyone. Great India does justice to so many traditional curries and tandoori specialties, but if you’ve tried all the classics and are looking for something new, we recommend the mango chicken curry. Tender pieces of chicken and mango are served in a rich tomato curry. The medium spice level gives you the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and your stomach will be singing praises. For our veggie-loving friends, we can’t tell you to run fast enough to try the malai kofta – balls of paneer (Indian cheese) and potato are deep fried and served in a tomato curry. The word on the street is Great India serves the best malai kofta in the valley, which is one of the many reasons it’s one of the best Indian restaurants in Salt Lake City.

READ NEXT: 12 BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANTS IN SALT LAKE CITY

7. Makam’s

Just when we thought we’d seen it all, Makam’s, the only build-your-own curry restaurant in the valley, opened in Millcreek. Imagine getting to choose from various types of rice, slow-cooked meats and sauces, complete with fun and intriguing toppings. What a dream, right? We love getting a bowl with basmati rice, lamb, coconut korma sauce, and topping it all off with cilantro, fried onions, and fresh cream. The lamb is tender, the sauce is warm and comforting, and the toppings add just the right punch. Makam’s is a great idea when you are looking for a quick yet satisfying meal. Don’t forget to add one of their fun street foods as a side – the samosas are delicious.

6. Bawarchi

It’s lunchtime and you’re hungry but can’t decide what you want to eat. Enter Bewarchi, which has one of the best lunch specials in the Salt Lake valley. Choose from one of their curries or signature biryani rice dishes, and Bawarchi will also include naan bread, basmati rice, daal (a creamy lentil curry), an appetizer, and a dessert all as part of their lunch special. Not only is it a great value, but each element is bursting with spices and flavor. A top Indian restaurant in Salt Lake City for sure.

CRAVING FOR SWEETS? READ: 10 BEST DESSERTS IN SLC

5. Flavors of India

Tucked into West Jordan is Flavors of India, a hidden gem that won’t be hidden for long when word gets around how good their food is. We love Flavors of India for the unique variety of naans and curries featured on their menu. The lamb coconut korma is a phenomenal dish – it’s sweet, spicy, and chock-full of tender lamb meat. Of course you’ll need a side of naan, and, though it might be a little spicy with a topping of cilantro and green chilis, the bullet naan is delightful and definitely the way to go. Flavors of India offers generous portions and is a great high-value option. It’s one of the best Indian restaurants in Salt Lake City, and we can’t wait to go back soon.

4. Himalayan Kitchen

Walking around downtown Salt Lake City, you can’t help but notice the smells wafting outside of Himalayan Kitchen drawing you in. Himalayan Kitchen was one of the first Nepali restaurants in Salt Lake City, and they feature curries and specialties from both India and Nepal. If you’re new to Nepali cuisine, order the traditional Nepali Dal Bhat, a large plate featuring various curries, rice, and fluffy naan bread, for an opportunity to sample many of their wonderful dishes. We can’t stop thinking about the vegetarian dal baht with a malai kofta curry, but every curry is creamy and seasoned to perfection, making it quite impossible to choose a favorite.

DON’T MISS: 10 BEST VEGAN RESTAURANTS IN SLC

3. Tandoori Taqueria

We aren’t being dramatic when we say that Tandoori Taqueria is some of the most exciting food to come to Salt Lake City in years. This Indian/Mexican fusion restaurant is unlike any other restaurant around, which is why we have to include it in our guide to the best Indian restaurants in Salt Lake City. Featuring tacos with slow-cooked meats and vegetables on the softest naan tortilla, this is a memorable meal you’ll be recommending to friends time and time again. We have to be honest, there’s not a bad taco on the menu, but our favorites are definitely the beef and chorizo taco and the channa a la veracruzana. All tacos at Tandoori Taqueria are topped with savory tomatillo chutney and tangy slaw, each adding a unique explosion of flavor. Finish your meal with one of their seasonal flans and try not to skip out the door from happiness. 

2. Saffron Valley

Saffron Valley, located in a beautiful, newly-remodeled space in the heart of the avenues, has some of the best Indian food in Salt Lake City. Everyone else seems to agree: Saffron Valley now has five locations throughout the valley. If you are looking for a classic favorite, their tikka masala, a creamy tomato curry with chicken, is spot-on. Try any of their dosas for something new. Don’t forget a side of garlic cheese naan to sop up every last drop of delicious curry on your plate. We don’t know how they do it, but their naan is soft and chewy on top and crispy on the bottom. You will leave happy and satisfied you stopped by Saffron Valley, we promise.

1. Mumbai House

Chances are, if you’ve lived in Salt Lake City or Provo for even a little bit of time, you’ve heard of Mumbai House. This Utah institution has been around for almost 30 years, and there’s a good reason why. Offering great take-out or dine-in options, their food has been consistently impressive throughout the years. Their curries and naan are everything you want Indian food to be, and our must-tries are the chicken tikka masala, shrimp coconut kurma, and chicken makhani (AKA butter chicken). A side of garlic naan is essential. Without hesitation, we have to give Mumbai House the top spot on our guide to the best Indian food in Salt Lake City.