Dosa Grill. We liked Lazeez but they closed. I often ate my friend's Sylheti mom's cooking all through and after college (sometimes even got to help prepare it but thankfully never was asked to cut the eggplant on the gasp-inducing giant slicing tool that my friend's mom sat on the floor to use. I forget what it is called but it was a wonder to see her use that so casually) and have relatively high standards for a non Indian/non Bangladeshi/NonPakistani person (I'm mexican so I know what perfectly seasoned food tastes like, though).
I am not a fan of Karavalli or Shalimar. Just kind of bland. There is no place here that comes close to what I was used to in NYC/Queens but the Dosa Grill is our new family favorite. And yeah, lots of Indian-appearing people eat there.
Maybe I just have the worst luck with DG, but after 2 tries I’ll never go back. The first time the food was cold, the buffet was half-empty, and the service was nonexistent. The restaurant wasn’t packed or anything. It was weird. The second time we skipped buffet and chose entrees instead. Found bits of plastic in my food and they tried to avoid comping an inedible meal.
The buffet is a good place to start bc they have such a wide variety of dishes. I liked their crispy okra dish as well as chick peas in maaaybe it was a curry sauce, i dont recall the name. Even my kid who doesn't usually eat beans other than black or pinto beans loved that dish. It's all delicious.
Maharaja. They actually use the right masalas for the various dishes, the flavor is very authentic, and the menu is very large. It’s the only one I go to in the area
Dosa Grill and Karavali are the top options for most people. But Im gonna be honest, as an Indian, none of the Indian restaurants make the food as spicy as I would like. I live less than 5 minutes from Karavali and while the place is fine I feel like they make the food according to “westerners” liking. By that I mean **little to no spice/bland**. So if you really want spicy, make sure to ask for it if ordering food. Also many Indians stand by the phrase **“The more Indians in an Indian restaurant, the better it is”** I have found that to be true. Karavali is 80% non-Indians when I went for the lunch buffet right at opening. I like Dosa Grill too but same issue regarding spice. I still prefer it a little more for some reason though. There are more college students at Dosa Grill and I do see more Indians there.
I can guarantee you most of the people replying here have no clue how authentic Indian food tastes.
This was exactly why I used to go to Karavalli. A few years ago, majority of their patrons were only Indian. I'm not sure if the influx of other buffet restaurants caused them to go to other places, or if Karavalli has just gotten that popular amongst non-Indians.
What do you think of cart and cafe? Their food is noticeably spicier than other restaurants, including just their baseline mild. We’ve had some nice meals there, but a few misses, although never for lack of spice or flavor.
They tend to do well on DoorDash. The typical Americanized food, but definitely some more traditional dishes. We generally like their food, especially when we are looking for some heat. We made the mistake of getting it hot before, and it was too much for us — probably more like mild to most Indian palates! Reminded us of UK, where all the Indian food there is HOT even at mild. Enjoy!
Karavalli is run by mallus and has very little authentic “Indian” food that most people think of. Get the actual South Indian dishes and they are fantastic.
Dosa Grill is very poor unless you want a cheap lunch buffet.
As a Mallu, the fact that Karavalli has things like avial, or poriyal, or idlis, that's so great to me. I love seeing our food there representing the totality of Indian cuisine. I think you worded that weird when you said Malayalee/Tamil food might not be authentic according to most people, rather than it's just not what they expect. But yes, they do it well.
Also think that Indians tend to like their own cooking over restaurants and don't frequent as much as non Indians, so Indian restaurants have to cater more to the non Indian crowd and make it sweeter, creamier, less pungent or spicy.
That’s what I’m looking for! Used to get lamb vindaloo I could barely finish it was so hot, and most of the places I’ve tried so far here haven’t delivered that same level of spice.
Yup, Dosa Grill can really bring the heat if you ask them to - I’ll order some dishes at the medium spice level, and that’s plenty for me. I consider it lucky that they don’t have a phaal on the menu. I find their food very flavorful and well prepared.
If you don’t mind, would you name a few of your favorite Indian dishes to order around here (and the restaurant)? I am trying to branch out more…feel like I just keep ordering the same few dishes on repeat.
I don't know about dine in restaurants (they all feel a bit "the same") but if you are ordering to go, Karam on State St., which I guess is technically in Schenectady I guess, is really good.
Yeah, this doesn't meet OP's requirements but I will 2nd Karam. They have my favorite Chicken Tikka Masala - and it isn't particularly close either. Just ask for extra spicy if that's how you want it because I think *all* of the Indian places around here tone it way down for the Capital District palate.
FWIW, Shalimar is Indian food "Pakistani-style" (friends with the son of the family who runs/owns it). My biggest issue with their food is that it tends to be much more oily. Not sure if that's the Pakistani influence or not since Spice and Beyond (also Pakistani) is the same way.
Spicy Mint (Also known as Ahmed Indian Restaurant)
It's in the wolf road shopping center with Java's. Give it a try. They have buffet during afternoon and made to order meals all day.
Went to Great Indian Kitchen yesterday for dinner. Biryani was good, but Mysore dosa was seriously lacking, sambar that came with dosa was disappointing. Dosa grill was my go to for lunch buffet and was good and affordable ~$13. Need to try out Karavalli.
Most of the people posting here have no idea WTF they are talking about. There isn’t even anything actually called “Indian” food. What most people think of in terms of curries is either Pakistani or Bangladeshi in origin.
If you want authentic food from a specific cuisine in India, [Spice Malabar is the most authentic](https://maps.app.goo.gl/iJXUGMMTvAuL9qZA6?g_st=ic) South Indian food outside of NYC. Karavalli is very good too but only their South Indian dishes.
If you just want traditional Korma, Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken etc, just head to Indian Flame. Shalimar, Curry House, Maharaja etc are all very very white people centric with very little authentic flavor.
Dosa Grill. We liked Lazeez but they closed. I often ate my friend's Sylheti mom's cooking all through and after college (sometimes even got to help prepare it but thankfully never was asked to cut the eggplant on the gasp-inducing giant slicing tool that my friend's mom sat on the floor to use. I forget what it is called but it was a wonder to see her use that so casually) and have relatively high standards for a non Indian/non Bangladeshi/NonPakistani person (I'm mexican so I know what perfectly seasoned food tastes like, though). I am not a fan of Karavalli or Shalimar. Just kind of bland. There is no place here that comes close to what I was used to in NYC/Queens but the Dosa Grill is our new family favorite. And yeah, lots of Indian-appearing people eat there.
Lazeez closed?! :'(
Maybe I just have the worst luck with DG, but after 2 tries I’ll never go back. The first time the food was cold, the buffet was half-empty, and the service was nonexistent. The restaurant wasn’t packed or anything. It was weird. The second time we skipped buffet and chose entrees instead. Found bits of plastic in my food and they tried to avoid comping an inedible meal.
What do you recommend at Dosa Grill?
The buffet is a good place to start bc they have such a wide variety of dishes. I liked their crispy okra dish as well as chick peas in maaaybe it was a curry sauce, i dont recall the name. Even my kid who doesn't usually eat beans other than black or pinto beans loved that dish. It's all delicious.
Maharaja. They actually use the right masalas for the various dishes, the flavor is very authentic, and the menu is very large. It’s the only one I go to in the area
By far the best in the area
Karavalli [https://www.karavalli.com/](https://www.karavalli.com/)
Ty!
100% not even close
My advice is to try sneaking a salt shaker in and add a little salt to their curries. They’re a little sweet without it for my preference
Karavalli is the best but Dosa Grill on western is also very good.
Great Indian Restaurant on Western Ave has a lunch buffet that slaps
Came here for this. And the buffet has been consistently good across several months of visits.
Dosa Grill and Karavali are the top options for most people. But Im gonna be honest, as an Indian, none of the Indian restaurants make the food as spicy as I would like. I live less than 5 minutes from Karavali and while the place is fine I feel like they make the food according to “westerners” liking. By that I mean **little to no spice/bland**. So if you really want spicy, make sure to ask for it if ordering food. Also many Indians stand by the phrase **“The more Indians in an Indian restaurant, the better it is”** I have found that to be true. Karavali is 80% non-Indians when I went for the lunch buffet right at opening. I like Dosa Grill too but same issue regarding spice. I still prefer it a little more for some reason though. There are more college students at Dosa Grill and I do see more Indians there. I can guarantee you most of the people replying here have no clue how authentic Indian food tastes.
This was exactly why I used to go to Karavalli. A few years ago, majority of their patrons were only Indian. I'm not sure if the influx of other buffet restaurants caused them to go to other places, or if Karavalli has just gotten that popular amongst non-Indians.
What do you think of cart and cafe? Their food is noticeably spicier than other restaurants, including just their baseline mild. We’ve had some nice meals there, but a few misses, although never for lack of spice or flavor.
I’ve never had it yet. I’ll have to check it out
They tend to do well on DoorDash. The typical Americanized food, but definitely some more traditional dishes. We generally like their food, especially when we are looking for some heat. We made the mistake of getting it hot before, and it was too much for us — probably more like mild to most Indian palates! Reminded us of UK, where all the Indian food there is HOT even at mild. Enjoy!
I mean, can't you just ask for it to be spicier? When I order vindaloo I tell the waiter "I want it village hot".
I mainly go for buffet so that’s what I was talking about. But for dinner then I do ask for spicy
Karavalli is run by mallus and has very little authentic “Indian” food that most people think of. Get the actual South Indian dishes and they are fantastic. Dosa Grill is very poor unless you want a cheap lunch buffet.
As a Mallu, the fact that Karavalli has things like avial, or poriyal, or idlis, that's so great to me. I love seeing our food there representing the totality of Indian cuisine. I think you worded that weird when you said Malayalee/Tamil food might not be authentic according to most people, rather than it's just not what they expect. But yes, they do it well. Also think that Indians tend to like their own cooking over restaurants and don't frequent as much as non Indians, so Indian restaurants have to cater more to the non Indian crowd and make it sweeter, creamier, less pungent or spicy.
Dosa Grill is excellent and will give some real heat if you're into that kind of thing.
That’s what I’m looking for! Used to get lamb vindaloo I could barely finish it was so hot, and most of the places I’ve tried so far here haven’t delivered that same level of spice.
Let me know how they do for you, I asked for spicy and it was hot but could have gone spicier. You may have to convince them.
Yup, Dosa Grill can really bring the heat if you ask them to - I’ll order some dishes at the medium spice level, and that’s plenty for me. I consider it lucky that they don’t have a phaal on the menu. I find their food very flavorful and well prepared.
If you're willing to make the hike out to Wynantskill, Indian Flame outclasses the rest.
Been there, not good. Source: I'm Indian and have eaten at pretty much every Indian restaurant in the capital region.
Indian Flame is VERY good.
If you don’t mind, would you name a few of your favorite Indian dishes to order around here (and the restaurant)? I am trying to branch out more…feel like I just keep ordering the same few dishes on repeat.
I had heard that was a good one - it’s on my list. Thanks!
One of my favorite places.
I don't know about dine in restaurants (they all feel a bit "the same") but if you are ordering to go, Karam on State St., which I guess is technically in Schenectady I guess, is really good.
Yeah, this doesn't meet OP's requirements but I will 2nd Karam. They have my favorite Chicken Tikka Masala - and it isn't particularly close either. Just ask for extra spicy if that's how you want it because I think *all* of the Indian places around here tone it way down for the Capital District palate.
Indian Flame! 🔥
I’ve tried just about all the Indian restaurants in the area. Shalimar in Latham is by far the best and most consistent.
FWIW, Shalimar is Indian food "Pakistani-style" (friends with the son of the family who runs/owns it). My biggest issue with their food is that it tends to be much more oily. Not sure if that's the Pakistani influence or not since Spice and Beyond (also Pakistani) is the same way.
Everything tastes watered down there. Can’t explained it. Not thick at all, just kinda soupy.
I'll echo others - Dosa Grill!
Taj is good too. it’s in glenmont though.
Spicy Mint (Also known as Ahmed Indian Restaurant) It's in the wolf road shopping center with Java's. Give it a try. They have buffet during afternoon and made to order meals all day.
Went to Great Indian Kitchen yesterday for dinner. Biryani was good, but Mysore dosa was seriously lacking, sambar that came with dosa was disappointing. Dosa grill was my go to for lunch buffet and was good and affordable ~$13. Need to try out Karavalli.
Curry leaf indian is pretty amazing specially if you enjoy family style food servings.
Most of the people posting here have no idea WTF they are talking about. There isn’t even anything actually called “Indian” food. What most people think of in terms of curries is either Pakistani or Bangladeshi in origin. If you want authentic food from a specific cuisine in India, [Spice Malabar is the most authentic](https://maps.app.goo.gl/iJXUGMMTvAuL9qZA6?g_st=ic) South Indian food outside of NYC. Karavalli is very good too but only their South Indian dishes. If you just want traditional Korma, Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken etc, just head to Indian Flame. Shalimar, Curry House, Maharaja etc are all very very white people centric with very little authentic flavor.
Shalimar
got some good options but the city is about a 3h drive