Indian restaurants in the Northwest
November 22, 2011 7:02 PM   Subscribe

New to the Seattle area (again, it's been awhile) and dying for some good Indian food. Where do I *need* to go? I'm not afraid with venturing out of the city if there's gems to be found.
posted by codswallop to Food & Drink (24 answers total) 22 users marked this as a favorite
 
Masala of India
posted by queens86 at 7:07 PM on November 22, 2011


You will have to venture out of the city, since there is no good Indian in Seattle. Really.

Go to Naan 'n Curry. Yep, in Renton. I don't know how the restaurant ended up in Renton, but it's worth the drive.
posted by saeculorum at 7:19 PM on November 22, 2011


Well, I loved Taste of India when I lived in Seattle. It's on Roosevelt, near the university. Mmmm, bottomless sweet chai.
posted by leahwrenn at 7:32 PM on November 22, 2011


It's not Indian, but it's heavily Indian-influenced: the Trinidadian place on the Ave, Pam's Kitchen, is really delicious. (It's also kind of expensive for what's basically well-made street food, but I keep eating there, so I guess it's worth it.) NW corner of the Ave and 50th, across from the Grand Illusion. It has odd hours, so check first if you decide to go there.
posted by hattifattener at 7:35 PM on November 22, 2011


I'll be watching this thread because I've had a hard time finding good Indian in Seattle too. I do like Garam Masala on the Ave (I think between 45th and 47th) in the U District. It's more of a take-out than a sit-down place, though. Bengal Tiger on Roosevelt near 65th is solid.
posted by lunasol at 7:44 PM on November 22, 2011


For south Indian food, Chili's Deli on University Way, just off 50th.
posted by Good Brain at 7:45 PM on November 22, 2011 [1 favorite]


Bombay Grill, on Roosevelt in the U District. More expensive than these other places and worth. every. penny.
posted by emyd at 7:47 PM on November 22, 2011


Taste of India was pretty good and I would go there again. Masala of India was underwhelming, not spicy enough, pretty generic. Only had lunch buffet at Bombay Grill and was unimpressed. I had Garam Masala takeout once and it was fine.

...

I wouldn't say that you *need* to go to any of these places. As you can see, mileage varies. The only place that I would definitely avoid is Chutneys in Lower Queen Anne-overpriced and lousy service.

I guess I'll figure out some reason to go to Renton?
posted by Kwine at 7:56 PM on November 22, 2011


2nding Masala.

adding Annapurna on Broadway.
posted by batmonkey at 7:59 PM on November 22, 2011


A Taste of India is great, and besides the bottomless chai, they often give free appetizers and desserts.

Travelers Thali House on Beacon Hill opened recently and it is really good, though service can be slow. It's worth it anyway. It's also really inexpensive.

The various branches of Pabla are good, but I really like the one in Renton that is 100% vegetarian. They have a lunch buffet.
posted by litlnemo at 8:05 PM on November 22, 2011


Oh yeah! We totally got free dessert at Taste of India as well and that was awesome.
posted by Kwine at 8:10 PM on November 22, 2011


Chili's Deli and Mart has great South Indian food (such as dosas). It's the only Indian I've had in Seattle that I thought was a must-have.
posted by grouse at 8:38 PM on November 22, 2011


Spice Route (warning: annoying music on their website) in Bellevue is the only place I'd put in the "need to go" category. Go for dinner and order some of the dishes marked "specialty" on their menu. I'm fond of the Hariyala Kofta Curry (vegetarian dumplings in spinach sauce), Guttu Venkaya Kura (eggplants in peanut tamarind sauce), and the Chicken Chettinad.

Mayuri, also in Bellevue, has a less unusual menu, but it does the usual Indian dishes really, really well. I prefer it to any Indian place I've tried in Seattle proper.
posted by creepygirl at 8:42 PM on November 22, 2011


India Bistro in Ballard.
posted by fatllama at 9:17 PM on November 22, 2011


I like Chutneys in Bellevue. The 550 bus goes right past it from downtown Seattle.
posted by HMSSM at 9:30 PM on November 22, 2011


I'll second (fifth?) Taste of India. Delicious food; they almost always give us a free appetizer, dessert, or both; and they put some effort into making sure your bottomless chai is always full.

I'd also second Annapurna for more Nepali/Tibetan food; I love their momos.
posted by JiBB at 9:44 PM on November 22, 2011


Annapurna, Annapurna!

(starts chanting)

ANNA PURNA ANNA PURNA

completely the best one. Service could be better though.
posted by zvs at 9:45 PM on November 22, 2011


I'm Indian (well, I was born there anyway) and have lived in Seattle for 7 years. Sadly, not too impressed with the selection, but i would recommend:

- Mayuri in Bellevue. My favorite nearby.
- Cedars in U District. Love their shahi paneer.
- Taste of India. As a bonus, has rather good hummus and baba ghanoush too.
- Roti in Queen Anne. Nice variety.

Must say I'm not such a fan of Annapurna. Tastes more Indian-Nepali-Tibetan fusion to me.
posted by Talisman at 10:28 PM on November 22, 2011


Indo-American Grocery. It's in Bellevue, right across from the Bellevue Transit Center. Take bus 550 to get there.

It's a grocery store, but every weekday, during lunch, they sell an Indian lunch buffet. They have a couple of tables and they sell their food by the pound. And it's some of the best Indian that I've ever had. They have chicken and vegetarian dishes.
posted by spinifex23 at 10:32 PM on November 22, 2011


Definitely Mayuri for South Indian specialties. (Also, not Indian, but seconding Pam's Kitchen. It used to have a bigger, better menu when they first opened, and the service was way better, but oh well. It's still really good. The breads especially are delicious.)
posted by HotToddy at 10:35 PM on November 22, 2011


My roommates love Saffron Grill, which is near Northgate Mall.

I'm afraid I never developed a taste for it, so that's the best I can do.
posted by mephron at 12:11 AM on November 23, 2011


Anna Purna is good (and different than the usual). I like their basement location--it's like a warm cave that always smells like the most delicious spices.

Bengal Tiger on Roosevelt and Roti in Queen Anne are good too.
posted by purple_bird at 11:17 AM on November 23, 2011


Response by poster: Wow, got my work cut out for me. Thanks for all of the pointers. Looks like I'll start on Roosevelt Ave!
posted by codswallop at 11:28 AM on November 23, 2011


I quite like Roti in Queen Anne.
posted by Foam Pants at 2:59 PM on November 23, 2011


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