Indian food in the United States is undergoing a transformation—from humble takeout spots to elevated culinary destinations. Influential restaurants such as Bungalow, Semma, and Tamarind are leading the charge, delivering regional and refined Indian flavors in beautifully designed settings.
Chef Vikas Khanna, a pioneer of this shift, initially opened Junoon, one of the first Michelin-starred Indian restaurants in the U.S. He was encouraged to embrace authentic flavors rather than suit Western tastes. That philosophy inspired his next venture, Bungalow, which boasts long waitlists and nightly seatings of hundreds, quickly rising in New York’s top dining scene.
Data reflects the trend: there are now 154 upscale Indian restaurants in the U.S., up from 101 just a few years ago. Young diners, especially Millennials and Gen Z, are driving demand as they chase bold, global flavor experiences. Fine dining overall is also seeing a rebound, with a 5% overall increase in visits despite economic pressures.
Investor interest is growing too. Dishoom, a renowned London-based Indian dining group, received private equity support to expand into the U.S. Soon, familiar names like Gymkhana and Musaafer will bring their Michelin-starred menus to major U.S. cities, further cementing Indian cuisine’s presence at the gourmet table.
