We Ranked 10 Of The Best Indian Restaurants In New Jersey (See Who Took The Top Spots)

Ranking Indian restaurants in this state is a fantastic way to make ten people agree on absolutely nothing.

One person is defending their biryani spot like it pays their mortgage. Somebody else has very serious dosa opinions.

Then someone brings up a favorite place nowhere near Edison and the whole conversation starts over.

That is exactly the fun of eating around this state.

Yes, New Jersey has famous Indian-food hubs, but some of the strongest meals turn up far beyond the obvious stretches.

One stop might be all smoky tandoori dishes and rich curries. Another goes deep on dosas, chaat, thalis, or regional specialties that completely change the conversation.

So yes, ranking ten favorites required choices.

Will everyone agree? Absolutely not.

Would Indian food in New Jersey be nearly as interesting if they did?

1. Aarzu Modern Indian Bistro

The word Aarzu means desire or wish. Fittingly, this little bistro feels like a wish granted for anyone craving Indian food with a glow-up.

You will find it at 30 E Main St in Freehold, right in the heart of the charming downtown strip.

The kitchen takes classic regional flavors and dresses them up in modern outfits. Bold spices meet fresh ingredients and clever techniques, so every plate looks as good as it tastes.

Expect dishes that feel both familiar and brand new at the same time.

Start with the Palak Chaat, built from crispy spinach chips and potato crisps that crunch like confetti. The duck taco is a showstopper, with confit duck and tamarind hoisin tucked into flaky paratha.

Eggplant chaat with pomegranate and candied ginger brings a sweet and tangy party.

For mains, the New Zealand Lamb Chops are the signature move, and they deserve the spotlight. Smoked Butter Chicken adds a cozy, campfire twist to a beloved classic.

Truffle Malai Jheenga pairs charred shrimp with truffle oil for a fancy finish.

Vegetarian and vegan guests get plenty of thoughtful choices too. Aarzu proves that tradition and creativity make a delicious power couple.

2. Chatpati Delhi

Picture a bustling Delhi market, steam rising from giant pans and chutneys splashing everywhere. Now picture getting all of that in central Jersey.

Chatpati Delhi serves up that vibe at 3201 NJ-27 in Franklin Park, and it skips the watered-down versions entirely.

The name says it all, since chatpati means tangy and spicy. The goal here is real street food, the kind people line up for back in India.

No fuss, no frills, just big flavor and happy faces.

Chole bhature is the headliner, and it earns every bit of applause. Spicy chickpea curry arrives with bhature bread puffed up like a golden balloon.

Tearing into that bread is pure joy, and scooping up the chickpeas is even better.

The chaat lineup is a playground of crunch and tang. Golgappe, bhalle, and tikki all make appearances on the menu.

Raj kachori steals attention as a crispy bowl stuffed with potatoes, chickpeas, yogurt, and colorful chutneys.

Mumbai fans get some love too. Bun samosa tucks a samosa into a soft bun, while vada pav sandwiches a spiced potato fritter.

Come hungry, because one plate here quickly turns into three.

3. Moghul Restaurant

Some restaurants chase trends, and some restaurants become the trend everyone else follows. Moghul has been part of the Indian food scene for over 40 years, which is basically royalty status.

It sits at 1655 Oak Tree Rd in Edison, on a street famous for Indian food and shopping.

Staying strong for four decades takes more than luck. Moghul blends treasured traditional recipes with fresh, modern ideas.

The result feels like a culinary adventure that still tastes like home.

The menu travels across India, pulling flavors from many different regions. One table might hold a creamy northern curry while another enjoys something tangy and bright.

It is a delicious geography lesson with no homework required.

Tikka Masala is a crowd favorite for good reason. Tender pieces swim in a velvety, spiced tomato sauce that begs for a scoop of naan.

The fragrant biryanis are another highlight, layered with rice and aroma that fills the whole room.

Vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and gluten-free diners all find plenty to love here. The comfortable setting makes it easy to linger over one more bite.

When a restaurant lasts this long, the food is doing the talking.

4. Clove Garden Of India

Ever smelled a kitchen so good it pulled you across the street? Clove Garden of India has that superpower.

Find this gem at 353 3rd St in Jersey City, tucked into a lively downtown neighborhood.

North Indian cooking is the main star here, full of vibrant spices and aromatic herbs. The menu also wanders south and even detours into Indo-Chinese territory.

Time-honored methods guide every pot and every pan.

Butter Chicken leads the parade with its silky, gentle richness. Chicken Biryani follows close behind, perfumed and fluffy.

Paneer Tikka brings cubes of Indian cottage cheese grilled in a blazing tandoor until lightly charred.

The tandoor sizzlers deserve their own drumroll. Choose chicken, shrimp, salmon, or lamb, and watch the platter arrive crackling and steaming.

Tandoori chicken is a particularly beloved pick for first-timers.

Lamb Rogan Josh offers a Kashmiri-style curry with deep, warm color. Goan fish curry adds a coastal, coconut-kissed twist.

Freshly baked Garlic Naan is a must for mopping up every last drop.

Save room for something sweet, because kheer and firni close the meal beautifully. Both are creamy rice puddings with a delicate touch.

Clove Garden turns an ordinary weeknight into a mini celebration.

5. Punjabi Rasoi

Rasoi means kitchen, and walking in here feels like stepping into a Punjabi family home at dinnertime. The warmth is real, and the portions are generous.

Punjabi Rasoi welcomes hungry guests at 1483 NJ-27 in Somerset.

Punjab is famous for hearty, soul-hugging food. This restaurant celebrates that heritage while giving it a gentle modern nudge.

Think rich gravies, buttery breads, and flavors that stick with you.

Makki Roti Sarso Saag is a true taste of the countryside. Handmade cornbread pairs with slow-cooked mustard greens in a combo that feels like a warm blanket.

Chole Bhatura is another signature, with crispy bread and spiced chickpeas.

Curious eaters should try Shaam Savera, which translates to evening and morning. Creamy paneer koftas hide inside a bright spinach coating, making each bite look as lovely as it tastes.

The name is pure poetry on a plate.

Rajasthani Lal Maas brings a goat curry known for its striking red gravy. Sizzling tandoori specialties and classic chaats like Aloo Tikki Chaat round out the menu.

Every visit here feels like being adopted by a very well-fed family.

6. Saravanaa Bhavan

Over two dozen kinds of dosa. Let that sink in for a second.

Saravanaa Bhavan, a world-famous South Indian vegetarian chain, serves this crispy wonderland at 149 Wood Ave in Edison, New Jersey.

A dosa is a thin, golden crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter. Some arrive so long they stretch past the plate like a delicious scroll.

Fillings range from spiced potatoes to onions, cheese, and beyond.

Everything here is made fresh from scratch every day. Imported spices give each dish that authentic South Indian kick.

Quality ingredients make even simple plates taste special.

Idlis are soft, steamed rice and lentil cakes that feel like little clouds. Dip them in sambar and coconut chutney for the classic combo.

They make a light, cheerful start to any meal.

Big appetites should order a thali. This traditional meal brings many small dishes together on one platter, like a sampler of happiness.

Every bowl offers a new flavor to explore.

North Indian favorites like Paneer Butter Masala and Aloo Gobi also appear. Indo-Chinese fans can grab Gobi Manchurian, a crispy cauliflower treat.

Vegetarian food has rarely looked this exciting or this golden.

7. Spice Bazaar

Indian nachos. Paneer bao buns.

A paan-flavored dessert pop. If that menu made you sit up straight, you are in good company.

Spice Bazaar brings this creative energy to 39 Elm St in Westfield.

The concept mixes deep-rooted Indian recipes with fun, modern twists. The space feels trendy and inviting, perfect for a lively dinner.

Ordering here is half the adventure.

Appetizers steal the show in the best way. House Loaded Nachos get an Indian makeover, while Bao Buns arrive stuffed with paneer tikka or chicken.

Desi Quesa Roti blends quesadilla charm with roti comfort.

Fresh, colorful starters keep things bright. The Watermelon Green Bowl is cool and refreshing, and Kale Chaat adds a healthy crunch.

Beet Bash Tikkis glow with a gorgeous magenta hue.

Classic lovers still have plenty to enjoy. Tandoori dishes, rich Butter Chicken, and Masala Dosa all make the menu.

The Duo Samosa offers a vegetable version alongside a jalapeño one.

Dessert is where things get extra fun. Rasmalai Cake, the paan-infused Mashuke E Khaas, and the Banaras Paan Pop end the meal on a high note.

Spice Bazaar treats tradition like a playground, and everyone wins.

8. Indeblue Modern Indian

Butter chicken poutine sounds like a dare, yet it might become your new obsession. Indeblue loves surprising guests while keeping comfort at the center.

This modern spot lives at 65 Barclay Farms Shopping Center in Cherry Hill.

The kitchen respects tradition but happily takes detours. Classic flavors meet fresh ideas, and monthly specials keep regulars guessing.

It feels cozy and exciting all at once.

Samundri Biryani is the crown jewel. Spicy saffron rice comes loaded with lobster, crab, and shrimp, like a treasure chest from the sea.

One bite and you will understand the hype.

Shrimp moilee is another standout, a fragrant coconut curry from Kerala. Brussels sprouts get a glow-up with pomegranate and toasted coconut.

Even veggie skeptics tend to go back for seconds.

Sweet tooth alert: the Kashmiri naan is stuffed with pistachios, raisins, and coconut. It is part bread, part dessert, and fully delightful.

Chicken Tikka Masala stays on the menu for traditionalists.

Dinner offers a multi-course tasting menu served family-style. Daily brunch brings thali platters packed with variety.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diners are well covered, making Indeblue a table where everyone belongs.

9. Basil Indian & Thai Grill

Can’t decide between curry from Delhi or curry from Bangkok? Good news, you no longer have to pick a side.

Basil Indian & Thai Grill serves both at 117 Watchung Ave in Montclair.

Here is the clever part. This is not a fusion spot that blends everything together.

Each cuisine stays true to its own roots, so your Thai dish tastes Thai and your Indian dish tastes Indian.

The Indian side brings serious muscle. Lamb Butter Masala, Kashmiri Lamb Biryani, and Lamb Rogan Josh make lamb lovers very happy.

Handi Baby Goat Masala adds a rich, slow-cooked option.

Classic favorites hold their ground too. Chicken Tikka Masala, Palak Paneer, and smoky Tandoori Wings are easy crowd-pleasers.

Freshly baked garlic naan ties every bite together.

Thai appetizers, soups, salads, and dumplings fill the other half of the menu. Indo-Chinese and South Indian specialties join the lineup as bonus guests.

Group dinners become a fun sharing feast.

Plant-based eaters get real attention here. Vegan drumsticks, vegan tikka masala, and vegan prawn curry show off creative thinking.

Basil is the friendly hidden gem that lets everyone order exactly what they crave.

10. Aamantran Indian Cuisine

Aamantran means invitation, and this menu reads like a personal welcome to a feast. Grilled treasures, creamy curries, and fragrant rice all wait patiently for you.

The restaurant sits at 1594 Lakewood Rd in Toms River, a short drive from the Jersey Shore.

Quality ingredients guide everything coming out of this kitchen. The goal is an authentic and delightful journey through Indian flavors.

Variety keeps every type of eater smiling.

Tandoor fans, this one is for you. Tandoori Lobster features lobster tails brightened with lemon and ginger.

Tandoori Jhinga brings jumbo shrimp kissed by smoky heat.

Nawabi Chaampan offers lamb chops with a special marinade fit for royalty. Can’t choose?

Order the Tandoori Taal Male, a mixed grill with chicken, kebabs, shrimp tikka, and fish tikka.

Curry lovers have plenty to explore. Murgh Tikka Laziz simmers chicken in a mild tomato cream sauce, while Murgh Methi adds earthy fenugreek.

Masala Makkai, a spiced corn dish, is a fun chef special.

Vegetarians can enjoy Tandoori Mushrooms and a sizzling Paneer platter. Aromatic biryanis complete the spread.