Pongal – Indian
Step into a vibrant sanctuary where the air is thick with the comforting aroma of tempered mustard seeds and earthy curry leaves. Steam rises from bowls of tangy, spice-laden Rasam and velvety Sambar, providing a soulful backdrop to golden, crisp-fried Vadas and pillowy-soft Idlis that melt on the tongue. This inviting space celebrates the heart of South Indian comfort, where every bite of savory Alu Bonda or zesty Katchumber salad feels like a warm, home-cooked embrace.
Pongal, Lexington Avenue, Rose Hill, Manhattan Community Board 5, Manhattan, New York County, New York, NY 10037, United States https://www.pongalnyc.com0Cuisine: Indian
Price range: $$
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, keto, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, low-fodmap, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, sesame-free, soy-free
Diet fit at Pongal
Dairy-Free at Pongal
Pongal in New York has 14 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Alu Bonda, Chappati and Poori. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Pongal
Pongal in New York has 1 gluten-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Mixed Vegetable Soup. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Pongal
Pongal in New York has 24 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Alu Bonda, Chappati and Poori. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at Pongal
Pongal in New York has 1 keto-tagged dish on its current menu, including Mixed Vegetable Soup. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Pongal
Pongal in New York has 1 low-carb-tagged dish on its current menu, including Mixed Vegetable Soup. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at Pongal
Pongal in New York has 1 nut-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Mixed Vegetable Soup. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Pongal
Pongal in New York has 16 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Alu Bonda, Chappati and Poori. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Pongal
Pongal in New York has 26 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Alu Bonda, Chappati and Poori. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Pongal
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed Vegetable Biryani | 131.1 g | 33 g |
| Palak Paneer | 17.7 g | 16.6 g |
| Samosa Chaat | 63.4 g | 13.7 g |
| Pani Poori | 25.1 g | 13.2 g |
| Channa Masala | 30.4 g | 13.1 g |
| Bhel Poori | 90.9 g | 10.7 g |
| Poori | 27.8 g | 9.2 g |
| Mulligatawny Soup | 14.7 g | 8.3 g |
| Masala Vada | 14.8 g | 7.9 g |
| Chappati | 22.5 g | 7 g |
| Mix Pakoda | 11.3 g | 5.2 g |
| Taj Mahal Beer | 3.9 g | 2.8 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Menu
Soups and Salad
- Rasam Soup - $12.95: Traditional south Indian spiced lentil & tomato essence soup Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sambar Soup - $12.95: Traditional lentil bean soup with Indian spices Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mulligatawny Soup - $13.95: Delicious blend of beans with tomato, lemon & herbs Dietary tags: Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mixed Vegetable Soup - $13.95: Mixed harvest vegetable soup with light spices Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tomato Soup - $13.95: Fresh harvest tomato soup with green peas & light spices Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Katchumber Salad - $13.95: Chopped vegetable salad mixed in a mildly spiced vinegar & lemon dressing Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Appetizers
- Idli - $13.95: Steamed lentil and rice mix cakes served with sambar & coconut chutney Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Low-Cholesterol Available at: breakfast, brunch, lunch
- Medu Vada - $13.95: Fried lentil flour donuts served with coconut chutney & sambar Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: breakfast, lunch
- Masala Vada - $15.95: Spiced & crunchy fritters made of bengal gram dal served with sambar & coconut chutney Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Alu Bonda - $14.95: Fried potato fritters served with coconut chutney & sambar Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mix Pakoda - $20.95: Mildly spiced, chick pea flour vegetable fritters served with tangy & spicy chutney Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Assorted Hors d'oeuvres - $27.95: Assortment of alu tikki, spinach pakoda, bhajia, samosa and kachori Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
Chaat Special
- Bhel Poori - $14.95: Bombay style mix of puffed rice, crispy sev, rice flour crisps, peanuts, onions, tomatoes, tangy & spicy chutney Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Samosa Chaat - $14.95: Crisp turnovers filled with spiced potatoes & peas served with chick peas, tangy sauce, yogurt & spices Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pani Poori - $14.95: Crisp puffed pastries filled with potatoes, chick peas, spicy mint water & tangy sweet sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Masala Dosai - $18.95: Rice & lentil crepe served with sambar, coconut chutney and potato masala Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: breakfast, dinner, lunch
- Palak Paneer - $22.95: Fresh homemade cubed cottage cheese & spinach cooked in spices Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Channa Masala - $22.95: Chick peas cooked with onions & spices Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mixed Vegetable Biryani - $21.95: Basmati rice cooked with spiced vegetables & served with raita Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- Chappati - $2.95: Flat bread topped with oil Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Poori - $7.95: Deep fried puffed bread (2pcs) Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Plain Rice - $4.95: Steamed basmati rice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Desserts
- Gulab Jamun - $9.95: Special fried cottage cheese balls in ghee & dunked in sugar syrup Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Ras Malai - $11.95: Cooked cottage cheese soaked in sweetened milk with nuts Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Mango Kulfi - $13.95: Indian ice cream prepared with sweetened milk & mango Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, TLC
Beverages
- Mango Lassi - $6.95: Yogurt shake blended with mangoes
- Madras Coffee - $4.95: Indian traditional filtered coffee boiled with milk Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, TLC
- Taj Mahal Beer - $11.95: 22 oz Bottle Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal
- Tishbi Cabernet - $48: Red Wine by the bottle (750ml) Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
Frequently Asked Questions about Pongal
- Is Pongal dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Pongal has 14 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Alu Bonda, Chappati and Poori.
- What can I eat at Pongal on a dairy-free diet?
- Alu Bonda, Chappati and Poori carry the dairy-free tag, out of 14 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Pongal have vegan options?
- Yes. 16 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Alu Bonda and Chappati.
- Is Pongal gluten-free?
- 1 dish is tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Pongal?
- Mixed Vegetable Biryani, at roughly 33g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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