One of the many great things about leaving the country and travelling abroad is all the delicious new cuisines and types of food you get to try. Every day is an adventure for the palette, and exploring new cities through food is an experience in itself. However, no matter how much you might love pizza, sushi, bibimbap or French onion soup, after a few days you will crave the familiar flavours of Indian Food. Well, fear not, because this article is a comprehensive gastronomic guide to the best Indian restaurants you can visit around the world - whether it's to experience some Michelin star fine dining, or simply when you’re far away from home and homesick for comfort Indian food.
Dishoom - London: Created in 2010, Dishoom is a restaurant located in Covent Garden, London that’s inspired by the quaint Iranian cafe’s scattered around South Bombay. Co-founded by Shamil Thakrar and Kavi Thakrar, this restaurant chain has blown up all across the UK and now has 8 different locations. Dhishoom is known for its fabulous fusion Indian food. Some of their most famous dishes include the bacon naan and akuri (Parsi style scrambled eggs). If you’re ever in the UK you must visit Dishoom for a meal with at least a few other people, so that you can order multiple dishes and share! Some of their other must try dishes are the House black daal, the spicy lamb chops and the gunpowder potatoes. They also have an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu, and a delicious array of fusion cocktails to complete your scrumptious meal.
Indian Accent - New York: Indian Accent is another high end Indian fusion restaurant created by Chef Manish Mehrotra that maintains traditional flavours but adds elements and twists to its food that elevates your dining experience. While there is also an Indian Accent Restaurant in Delhi, the one in New York is simply unmissable if you’re ever in the Big Apple. Some of their most famous dishes include crispy jackfruit tacos, tandoori salmon, asparagus poriyal and their paper roast dosa. You can also opt for the ultimate fine dining experience and have their three course set menu along with some excellent wine from all over the world. While this meal is sure to burn a hole in your pocket, it is an amazing gastronomic experience.
Saravana Bhavan: Whenever I’m craving food that tastes like home while travelling abroad, Saravana Bhavan is my first stop. With a total of 33 locations in India and 78 abroad, Saravana Bhavan is the largest South Indian restaurant chain in the world and can be found in every major city! However, no matter which restaurant you visit, the food will taste exactly the same and that’s why this is one of my favourite Indian eateries. From the crisp masala dosa plates accompanied by various types of chutney and a steaming bowl of sambar, to the uthappams and idli, to the standard filter coffee, a meal at Saravana Bhavan transports me to my hometown in Kerala. A nostalgia trip for NRIs and tourists alike, Saravana Bhavan is where to go when you’re longing for a taste of home.
Rasa - San Francisco: A bona fide Michelin star Restaurant, Rasa, in San Francisco promises a dining experience unlike any other. Inspired by the coastal cultures of India such as Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu - Rasa incorporates fresh local produce from the Bay to create a blend of flavours that is rooted in Indian tradition but still eclectic and unique. Their extensive dinner menu includes dishes such as Mangalore fried chicken, wild mushroom uthappam, truffle dosa and a rasa special chicken biryani as well as a host of exotic cocktails with names like “aama sutra” and “Indian air conditioning” that are sure to delight you!
The Golden Peacock - Macau: While Macau might not be at the top of places to visit for your next trip abroad, maybe hearing about this amazing Michelin Star Restaurant, “The Golden Peacock'' will change your mind! Just as luxurious and elegant as its name, The Golden Peacock is one of the best Indian restaurants in the city, located in one of Macau’s most premium resorts, The Venetian. This restaurant makes the most of the variety of spices that cater to the Indian palette, from sinful dishes cooked in Bengal’s mustard oil, or the much loved Goan prawn curry made with a dash of kokum and coconut milk, as well as the searingly spicy tandoors that arrive at your table hot off the grill. So if you’re ever in Macau and craving some out of this world Indian food, you know where to go!
Kati Roll Company - Manhattan/London: Inspired by the street rolls freely available around Kolkata and New Delhi, the Kati Roll Company began as a small shop in New York city. Payal Saha, the founder of this chain of restaurants missed the juicy, succulent kebab rolls in her hometown of Kolkata when she moved to the US and so decided to start a small restaurant that provided quick, delicious and easy street food, or food on the go for her customers. From the plain and simple anda (egg) roll, to the classic achari paneer roll to the mouth watering shami kebab roll, this restaurant does every kind of roll you can imagine and have now also expanded their menu to include momos and lassi. As the Kati Roll Company’s fan base grew, so did the Company and it is now available in 5 locations in Manhattan as well as in London.
From fancy fine dining to on the go street food, this guide covers it all and will help you find a taste of home no matter where in the world you go!
