Best Affordable Indian Restaurants in Lower East Side | Affordable Indian Food

18 restaurants in Best Affordable Indian Restaurants in Lower East Side | Affordable Indian Food

• 7 Elephants — Thai · rated 4.8/5: Nestled in the Lower East Side, 7 Elephants offers a cozy escape with its home-style Thai comfort food. With a focus on simple, full-flavored dishes, the menu caters to all, boasting vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Pad Thai, green curry, and Thai iced tea come highly recommended. Praised for its friendly owners and reasonable prices, customers find this spot perfect for both dine-in and takeout.
• Cafe Himalaya — Indian · rated 4.7/5: Nestled in the vibrant East Village, Café Himalaya offers a cozy, casual atmosphere perfect for savoring authentic Tibetan and Himalayan cuisine. Specializing in comfort food with vegetarian and vegan options, popular dishes include momos, thukpa, and pan-fried dumplings. The quick service and kind staff enhance the experience, making it an ideal spot for a delicious, affordable meal.
• Guyanese Treats — Indian · rated 4.7/5: Guyanese Treats in Elizabethport offers a cozy, casual setting perfect for lunch or dinner. Specializing in Caribbean comfort food, the menu features jerk chicken, curry chicken, roti, and fried sweet plantains. With options for takeout and curbside pickup, it's convenient for solo dining or family meals. Open Monday through Saturday, this small gem invites you to savor flavorful dishes in a relaxed atmosphere without breaking the bank.
• Punjabi Deli — Indian · rated 4.7/5: Punjabi Deli is a charming counter-service spot at 114 E 1st St, New York, offering an array of authentic Punjabi street foods. With a 4.7 rating from over 1030 reviews, this eatery is popular for its vegetarian and vegan options, including samosas and pakoras. Though seating is limited, the friendly staff and affordable prices make it a delightful place for a quick, tasty bite. Cash only.
• Tiptara : Thai Food — Thai · rated 4.7/5: Nestled in the Lower East Side, Tiptara serves up authentic Thai comfort food in a cozy, informal setting. Whether you're dining in or opting for takeout, you'll enjoy fast service and a menu boasting popular dishes like pad Thai, red curry, and mango sticky rice. Particularly loved for its accessible price range and friendly staff, this spot is a gem for anyone looking to savor true Thai flavors.
• Divya’s Kitchen — Indian · rated 4.6/5: Step into a serene sanctuary where the air is perfumed with the gentle warmth of toasted spices and the calming essence of an Ayurvedic kitchen. Each dish is a vibrant tapestry of healing ingredients, from golden kitchari to herb-flecked vegetable bowls, meticulously crafted to nourish both the body and the spirit. This sun-drenched space invites a mindful approach to Indian cuisine, where ancient wisdom meets modern elegance in every balanced, flavorful bite.
• Mughlai Grill Indian Cuisine — Indian · rated 4.6/5: Discover a vibrant culinary experience at Mughlai Grill Indian Cuisine in the Lower East Side. With a diverse menu featuring comfort food and small plates, including vegetarian and vegan options, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Delight in popular dishes like Tandoori Chicken, Garlic Naan, and Samosas, all while enjoying an incredible ambiance and fast, attentive service. Perfect for families, this relaxed eatery offers takeout, delivery, and outdoor seating. Come and savor the flavors of India in a comfortable setting.
• Dhamaka — Indian · rated 4.5/5: Dhamaka pulses with the raw, electric energy of a bustling Indian bazaar, where the air is thick with the scent of toasted cumin and the roar of high-heat cooking. This vibrant destination celebrates the bold, rustic soul of regional cuisine, delivering an explosion of unapologetic flavors and fire-kissed textures that transport diners to the heart of the subcontinent’s most spirited kitchens.
• Gazab — Indian · rated 4.5/5: Discover Gazab, a modern Indian restaurant in the heart of New York City at 179 Essex St. Specializing in contemporary Indian cuisine, Gazab offers a relaxed atmosphere perfect for enjoying an array of mouthwatering dishes, including vegetarian options. With an impressive 4.5-star rating from over 900 reviews, it's a delightful spot for friends and family to relish inventive food paired with wine and beer. Reservations recommended.
• Bungalow — Indian · rated 4.4/5: Situated at 24 1st Ave., New York, Bungalow offers a delightful experience of Indian cuisine with an innovative twist. Known for its small plates inspired by traditional clubs of India, this elegant eatery also features a diverse cocktail menu. With a stellar 4.4 rating from 388 reviews, excellent service, and a posh yet inviting ambiance, Bungalow is perfect for a memorable night out. Enjoy the unique flavors, outstanding cocktails, and beautiful ambiance. Reservations recommended!
• Divya's Kitchen — Indian: This serene sanctuary invites diners to rediscover the healing power of food through a vibrant menu rooted in the ancient principles of Ayurveda. Sun-drenched interiors provide a tranquil backdrop for savoring nourishing, plant-based creations where fragrant spices, house-made ghee, and seasonal produce harmonize to create a dining experience that feels as restorative as it is delicious.
• 7 Elephants — Thai: Stepping into 7 Elephants feels like entering a vibrant sanctuary where the air is thick with the fragrant perfume of lemongrass, galangal, and toasted chilies. The kitchen balances the bold, intricate flavors of Southeast Asia, serving up steaming bowls of curry and wok-fired specialties that dance between sweet, sour, and fiery heat. With its warm, golden lighting and spirited atmosphere, the space offers a transportive dining experience that celebrates a rich culinary heritage in every carefully crafted bite.
• Davelle NYC — Japanese: This intimate Lower East Side gem reimagines the classic Japanese kissaten, wrapping guests in a warm, wood-paneled sanctuary where the gentle hum of the city fades into a serene, nostalgic retreat. Artistry takes center stage on thick, pillowy slices of shokupan toast adorned with vibrant, geometric patterns of seasonal fruit and matcha, while the comforting aroma of slow-simmered curry and rich pour-over coffee fills the air. Every plate is a visual masterpiece, inviting diners to linger over delicate flavors and meticulously crafted lattes in a space that feels like a hidden, poetic escape from the bustling streets outside.
• Ivan Ramen — Japanese: The air hums with the energy of a bustling urban eatery, inviting guests into a vibrant space where the savory scent of schmaltz-fried gyoza and soy-garlic chicken sets the stage for a bold culinary adventure. Crispy karaage and pillowy pork buns offer a playful dance of textures, while inventive plates like curry-dusted cauliflower and miso-infused salads showcase a fearless approach to flavor that balances deep tradition with contemporary flair.
• One More Thai — Thai: Stepping into this vibrant space, guests are immediately greeted by the intoxicating fragrance of fresh lemongrass and sizzling chilies dancing in hot woks. The kitchen masterfully balances the complex harmonies of sweet, sour, and spicy, transforming traditional street-food inspirations into artfully plated dishes that burst with authentic Thai soul. Whether tucked into a cozy corner for a fragrant curry or sharing a spread of zesty salads, every meal feels like a spirited celebration of Southeast Asian hospitality.
• Mughlai Indian Cuisine — Indian: This inviting destination captures the regal essence of North Indian heritage, where the air hums with the fragrance of toasted cumin and the sizzle of skewers emerging from the tandoor. Guests journey from the playful, tangy crunch of vibrant street-side chaats to the sophisticated, melt-in-your-mouth richness of stone-cooked meats and spice-kissed seafood.
• Cafe Himalaya — Indian: Stepping into this intimate sanctuary feels like finding a warm refuge, where the air is thick with the comforting scent of toasted spices and hand-pleated dumplings. Vibrant flavors of the mountains come alive in steaming bowls of fragrant noodle soup and savory momos, each bite offering a soulful journey through traditional Himalayan heritage. The modest, welcoming space invites guests to linger over aromatic teas and hearty plates, creating a dining experience that feels both transportive and deeply personal.
• Dhamaka — Indian: This vibrant culinary destination captures the raw, unapologetic spirit of regional Indian cooking, where the sizzle of the grill and the heady aroma of toasted spices create an atmosphere of festive intensity. The kitchen masterfully balances bold textures and deep flavors, serving up everything from smoke-kissed lamb chops and fiery beef pepper fry to the delicate, garlic-infused silkiness of slow-cooked greens. Every plate is a vivid celebration of the subcontinent’s diverse heritage, inviting guests to rediscover the soulful, high-octane heat of authentic street-side and royal traditions alike.