Beyond the well-known favorites, best indian restaurants in chicago boasts several under-the-radar spots serving exceptional Indian flavors. These lesser-known restaurants offer regional specialties and unique dining experiences that true food lovers shouldn’t miss.
. Thattu (Avondale)
Chicago’s first Keralite street food cafe brings the vibrant flavors of South India to life. Their “Aappam & Stew” breakfast combo and banana leaf thalis showcase Kerala’s distinctive coconut-based curries and fermented breads.
2. Mysore Woodlands (West Rogers Park)
This pure vegetarian spot specializes in Udupi cuisine from Karnataka. Their paper-thin masala dosas (stretching nearly 3 feet long) and filter coffee served in traditional steel tumblers offer an authentic South Indian experience.
3. Bundoo Khan (Devon Avenue)
While technically Pakistani, this grill house serves some of the most flavorful tandoori meats in the city. Their seekh kebabs and charred naans cooked in a massive open-fire tandoor are worth the wait.
4. Bhoomi (West Loop)
A newcomer focusing on organic, farm-to-table Indian cuisine. Their seasonal tasting menus highlight forgotten regional recipes like Goan pork sorpotel and Kashmiri rogan josh made with locally-sourced ingredients.
5. Annapurna (Devon Avenue)
This no-frills canteen serves Gujarati thalis that change daily based on what’s fresh. Their unlimited meals come with over a dozen small dishes, including rare specialties like undhiyu (winter vegetable stew).
6. Kurry Korner (Lakeview)
A tiny storefront offering Mumbai-style street food. Their vada pav (spicy potato fritter sandwiches) and frankie rolls (spiced meat wraps) taste straight from Bombay’s bustling food stalls.
7. Tiffin (South Loop)
Specializing in Indian-Chinese fusion, their chilli chicken and hakka noodles perfectly blend Indian spices with Chinese wok techniques – a unique cuisine born in Kolkata’s Chinatown.
8. Rajun Cajun (Hyde Park)
An unexpected but brilliant mashup of Indian and Louisiana flavors. Their butter chicken po’boys and masala-spiced crawfish boil showcase the surprising harmony between these two spice-loving cuisines.
9. Mirchi (Lincoln Park)
Focusing on Andhra Pradesh’s fiery cuisine, their gongura mutton (sour leaf curry) and ultra-spicy biryanis come with authentic warning labels for heat levels.
10. Kama Indian Bistro (Streeterville)
Their Sunday “Grandma’s Recipes” brunch features rarely-seen home-style dishes like Bengali luchi (puffy fried bread) with aloor dum (spiced potatoes).
These hidden spots prove best indian food in chicago scene goes far beyond butter chicken and naan. Each offers a unique window into India’s diverse regional cuisines, prepared with authenticity and passion. Venture beyond the usual suspects to discover these culinary treasures.
