The last year has seen an enormous growth the quantity and variety of Indian food restaurants in D.C.; a wonderful development for anyone who lives in the D.C. area. So many new Indian restaurants in DC to try, so little time! From fast casual to fine dining, there are now more Southeast Asian dining options than ever. Your friends at the Dining Traveler have all the details, whether you live here or are just visiting for the weekend and have a craving for Indian fare!
Pappe
For fun, easy-going Indian meal on 14th street Pappe is your spot. Indulge in the aloo chaat, a dish made with shards of pastry topped with potatoes and yogurt and a sweet tamarind sauce. Indulge with delicate cauliflower cooked to a crisp in a tandoor. Sample garlic naan, mushrooms swimming in a chunky tomato sauce, and slow cooked chickpeas. Share an order of samosas, where pastry enrobes a spicy filling of potatoes and peas.
Save room for dessert – there is creamy chai crème brulee and fluffy sweet dumplings called gulab jamun. Overall, the food is delicious and reasonably priced and the venue is great for a group of friends who just wanted to eat, drink and laugh. Pappe is definitely one of the new Indian restaurants in DC that you must try.
Pappe, 1317 14th St NW, Washington, DC; Website
Karma Modern Indian
This fine dining Indian option features a sprawling dining room, elegant décor and some of the most beautifully plated food I have seen. And the best part? The food tastes as good as it looks. Having dined at Karma Modern Indian several times I can tell you all the highlights, and believe me there are many. I always start with a bevy of appetizers, which include savory green pea and edamame tikki served with a red pepper sauce. These little patties, typically made with potatoes but changed here for a more flavorful twist, are warm and crisp with a soft center with a hint of sweetness from the peas and edamame and smokiness from the red peppers sauce.
The idlis are another powerful starter; these lentil and rice cakes are a typical South Indian dish, served with a rich coconut chutney. Next, choose a variety of dishes from the entrée section and share! Indian food is always intended to be eaten family style. From meaty mushroom biryani to creamy black lentils to roasted eggplant your meal will be fit for a king. Don’t forget to get an order of the truffle naan; I still dream of it.
Karma Modern Indian, 611 I St NW, Washington, DC; Website
Bindaas Foggy Bottom
Knightsbridge Restaurant Group’s newest restaurant is sister to the original Bindaas in Cleveland Park, but with a bigger menu and special additions like an afternoon chai menu. It also makes a great addition to the roster of new Indian restaurants in DC. Indian street food is name of the game at Bindaas, and I am a huge fan. I love the roadside sandwich, where a spicy potato and veggie patty is served on a buttery bun, and the eggplant kati roll, battered and fried cauliflower and cilantro naan have my name written all over them.
The daily afternoon chai menu is just as fun; afternoon chai takes place in every household in Indian and with it come both sweet and savory snacks. At Bindaas there is a classic Indian cucumber and chutney sandwich, cheese toast, spicy red chili fries and scones served with a rose and strawberry jam.
Bindaas Foggy Bottom, 2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC; Website
Bombay Street Food
Having just opened this month, this is one of the newest Indian restaurant in DC. Located in Columbia Heights, Bombay Street Food is a casual venue, with a focus on food from Bombay. The bhel puri, with puffed rice, tamarind and cilantro chuntneys, is crunchy, sweet and spicy all at once. Indo-Chinese cauliflower manchurian is super cirspy, and dishes like spinach with cheese, creamy daal makhani and rich malai kofta are addictive. Head over any night of the week to satisfy your Indian food craving.
Bombay Street Food, 1413 Park Rd NW, Washington, DC; Website
RASA
Fast casual has taken over Washington, DC and the choices are becoming not only more diverse, but more elaborate. RASA is another great addition to the growing list of new Indian restaurants in DC. Located at the Navy Yard, it’s an upscale fast casual option without sacrificing the complex flavors of Indian cuisine. You can design your DYI bowl with proteins such as chicken tikka, spiced beef, shrimp, tofu, among others topped with succulent veggies such as charred eggplant or masala beets. A little overwhelmed with Indian cuisine? RASA also offers pre-designed bowls with their main proteins.
What makes this fast casual concept unique is that it also offers cocktails such as a masala gin and tonic. Sip your cocktail at their very instagrammable dining room with wicker hanging chairs and modern décor with vibrant colors such as magenta and teal. Although it can be a bit pricey, the RASA experience is definitely more elevated than your typical fast casual.
RASA, 1247 First St SE, Washington, DC; Website
