In search of a new favorite Indian spot?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Indian restaurants around Minneapolis, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fill the bill.
1. Gorkha Palace
Topping the list is Gorkha Palace in Northeast Minneapolis. Located at 23 Fourth St. N.E., it is the highest rated Indian restaurant in the city, boasting 4.5 stars out of 339 reviews on Yelp.
This restaurant serves up Tibetan, Nepalese and Indian fare made from locally sourced ingredients. Expect to find dishes like grass-fed lamb marinated in yogurt and freshly ground spices, and Chicken Thenthu, a Tibetan noodle soup cooked with chicken, daikon, tomatoes, spinach, edamame and soy sauce.
2. Himalayan Restaurant
Next up is Longfellow's Himalayan Restaurant, situated at 2910 E. Lake St. With 4.5 stars out of 161 reviews on Yelp, it has proven to be a local favorite.
Nepalese cuisine takes center stage at this spot, which offers a lunch buffet and dinner service Tuesday through Sunday. The menu includes a variety of appetizers, soup, biryani, tandoori and Indian fare like tikka masala.
3. Darbar India Grill
Uptown's Darbar India Grill, located at 1221 W. Lake St., Suite 106., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Indian spot four stars out of 224 reviews.
The menu includes classic dishes like pakora (fresh vegetables seasoned with special spices and fried in chickpea batter), chicken tikka and shrimp vindaloo. There are also a variety of vegetarian options.
4. Emperor of India
Emperor of India is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 51 Yelp reviews. Head to 610 W. Lake St. in Uptown to try the Beef Vuna made with lean beef, sliced tomatoes, onions, green pepper and ginger in a mild curry sauce. A lunch buffet featuring vegan items is also available.
Yelper Nikki E. praised the restaurant in a March review: "The vegetarian samosas were dynamite — the dough was clearly homemade, and the inside was bursting with corn, carrots, peas and potatoes. I had the mushroom masala, and wow! We would definitely go back."
5. Malabari Kitchen
Finally, there's Malabari Kitchen, a Cedar-Riverside favorite with four stars out of 116 reviews.
The menu features cuisine from Malabar, a region located in southwest India, according to its website. Expect to find crab curry, beef masala and Idi Apam (rice noodle patties served with potato stew or tomato curry). Stop by 414 1/2 Cedar Ave. South to hit up the Indian spot next time the urge strikes.
