12 restaurants · updated November 2026
The Best Indian Restaurants in Washington, DC
Washington has one of the most ambitious Indian dining scenes in the country, led by Penn Quarter's big-name rooms and a newer wave of small-plates places on H Street and in Union Market. The suburbs in Maryland and Northern Virginia add strong neighbourhood kitchens and late-night takeout.
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Destination dining 3Small plates and street food 4Neighbourhood favourites 3Suburbs 2
Destination dining
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The restaurant that put modern Indian cooking on the map in DC. The crispy spinach palak chaat is still the dish everyone orders.
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A romantic room with a seasonal prix fixe and some of the most refined Indian cooking in the city.
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Upscale takes on familiar dishes, good for a celebration.
Kulcha
Vindaloo
Garlic NaanSmall plates and street food
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Small plates at a long communal table, made for sharing with friends.
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The DC branch of the Asheville street-food favourite, lively and full of chaat.
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A casual sibling of Rasika, good for lunch and takeout.
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A small, popular bar with Indian-inspired drinks and plates.
Pani Puri
Seekh Kebab
MomosNeighbourhood favourites
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A friendly neighbourhood spot near Barracks Row.
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A cosy dining room that does very good takeout.
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Nepali and Indian food for an easy weekday lunch.
Lamb Rogan Josh
Chicken TikkaSuburbs
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A strip-mall favourite with strong tandoori and takeout.
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White tablecloths and date-night service across the river in Alexandria.
Dal Makhani
KormaHow we chose
Picked from The Infatuation Washington DC and cross-checked with our own DMV directory listings. Dishes are the ones the guide singles out. 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 Spotted something out of date?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 the DMV and search their menus by dish