13 restaurants · updated November 2026

The Best Indian Restaurants in Boston

Boston's Indian food lives mostly across the river. Cambridge and Somerville have the densest run of good places, from Harvard Square dining rooms to Inman Square's Punjabi counter, while Medford, Dorchester and Jamaica Plain hold some of the best value cooking in the area.

Tap ♡ Save on any restaurant to keep it in your saved places.

Cambridge and Somerville 7 Boston neighbourhoods 5 Pakistani 1

Cambridge and Somerville

♡ Save
Punjabi Dhaba
Best of Boston winner (2006, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
Inman Square, Cambridge, Cambridge
A counter-service room modelled on India's highway dhabas, cheap, fast and much loved. A repeat Best of Boston winner.
Stuffed parathaChaatVindalooPakora
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com, bostonmagazine.com
♡ Save
The Maharaja
Harvard Square, Cambridge, Cambridge
An ornate second-floor room over Harvard Square, best for a special dinner.
Murgh malai kebabNargisi malai koftaTandoori specialties
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com, bostonmagazine.com
♡ Save
Madras Dosa Co.
Seaport and Harvard Square, Boston
An open-kitchen dosa shop with around thirty fillings, sweet ones included.
Podi dosaLamb dosaUpma
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com, bostonmagazine.com
♡ Save
India Pavilion
Central Square, Cambridge, Cambridge
North Indian cooking in Central Square since 1979, with a generous lunch buffet.
Lamb saagChicken kormaPaneer pakora
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com, bostonmagazine.com
♡ Save
Dosa n Curry
Union Square, Somerville, Somerville
An all-vegetarian kitchen with a good-value lunch deal.
Onion masala dosaGobi manchurianMushroom tandoori
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com, bostonmagazine.com
♡ Save
Surya Indian Kitchen
Cambridgeport, Boston
A small kitchen with lighter North Indian cooking and plenty of vegan options.
Hyderabadi biryaniDalRaita
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com, bostonmagazine.com
♡ Save
Rosebud Bar and Kitchen
Davis Square, Somerville, Somerville
Indian American comfort food served in a restored old diner car.
Chicken tikka mac and cheeseKashmiri deviled eggs
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com

Boston neighbourhoods

♡ Save
Mela
South End, Boston
A sleek South End room with prix-fixe dinners and a weekend brunch buffet.
Duck jalfreziGoat curryBaingan bharta
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com, bostonmagazine.com
♡ Save
Shanti
Best of Boston winner (2012)
Dorchester and Roslindale, Boston
Classic curries and tandoori from a small local group, a Best of Boston winner.
BhunaKormaBiryani
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com, bostonmagazine.com
♡ Save
Tikki Masala
Jamaica Plain, Boston
A low-key neighbourhood place with bright, moderately spicy cooking.
Goat kormaMasala dosaShrimp jalfrezi
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com, bostonmagazine.com
♡ Save
Himalayan Bistro
Best of Boston winner (2015)
West Roxbury, Boston
Nepali and Indian food side by side. The momos are the reason to go.
MomoBiryaniPakora
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com, bostonmagazine.com
♡ Save
India Quality
Best of Boston winner (2022, 2023)
Kenmore Square, Boston
A Kenmore Square fixture a few steps below street level, and a recent Best of Boston winner.
Beef bhunaGoat curryKulfi
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: bostonmagazine.com

Pakistani

♡ Save
Zam Zam
Best of Boston winner (2019)
Medford
Halal Pakistani and Indian cooking worth the trip to Medford.
Mutton haleemSpicy fried tilapiaChicken achariGulab jamun
Details, rating and dishes MapSources: timeout.com, bostonmagazine.com

How we chose

Picked from Time Out Boston and Boston Magazine's guide to Indian restaurants, which notes its Best of Boston winners. Places named by both are marked high confidence. Restaurants change, close and lose or gain stars, so check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

See every Indian restaurant in Boston and search their menus by dish

More lists