Pennsylvania Indian Restaurants To Celebrate Diwali
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, brings families together for feasting and celebration. If you’re in Pennsylvania looking for authentic Indian flavors this holiday season, you’re in luck!
From Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, the Keystone State offers amazing spots where you can enjoy traditional dishes while celebrating this special occasion.
1. Taj Mahal in Philadelphia
The aromas of freshly ground spices welcome you at this family-owned gem in the heart of Philly. Their special Diwali thali comes with an assortment of festive dishes – from fluffy saffron rice to creamy paneer makhani.
During the festival, they decorate the entire restaurant with traditional diyas (oil lamps) and colorful rangoli patterns. Their chef, who trained in Delhi, prepares sweets like gulab jamun and jalebi that perfectly capture the spirit of celebration.
2. Amber Indian Cuisine in State College
Penn State students flock to this restaurant for its authentic flavors and festive Diwali atmosphere. The owners collaborate with the university’s South Asian Student Association to create events combining traditional celebrations with student-friendly prices.
Their Diwali special includes a three-course meal at a fixed price that won’t break a college budget. The menu features regional home-style cooking rather than typical restaurant fare. Many students say eating here helps ease homesickness during the holiday season, especially with their complimentary chai served in traditional clay cups.
3. Masala Kitchen in Allentown
Family recipes shine at this beloved Allentown eatery where three generations work together in the kitchen. During Diwali, they serve special dishes that have been in their family for over a century, including a secret-recipe biryani that customers rave about year after year.
The restaurant offers cooking classes during the Diwali season where you can learn to make traditional festival sweets. What makes their celebration unique is the personal touch – the owners know regular customers by name and often share stories about how they celebrated Diwali growing up in different regions of India.
4. Royal India in Harrisburg
Every year, Royal India hosts a spectacular Diwali celebration that draws families from across central Pennsylvania. The owners light hundreds of small lamps throughout the restaurant, creating a magical atmosphere that captures the essence of the holiday.
Their special Diwali buffet features over 30 items, including regional specialties rarely found elsewhere. Kids especially love watching the chef demonstrate how to make traditional sweets like barfi and ladoo. Reservations become necessary weeks in advance – that’s how popular their celebration has become!
5. Saffron Indian Kitchen in King of Prussia
Stepping into Saffron during Diwali feels like being transported straight to Mumbai. The restaurant partners with local Indian cultural organizations to create an authentic celebration complete with traditional music performances during dinner hours.
Their Diwali special menu focuses on vegetarian delicacies from Gujarat and Maharashtra. The chefs prepare everything from scratch daily, including their legendary thepla and puri breads. For dessert, try their homemade kulfi – available in special Diwali flavors like saffron-pistachio and rose-cardamom.
6. Spice Garden in Pittsburgh
Hidden in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, this cozy spot transforms during Diwali season. The owners hang strings of marigolds across the ceiling and set up a special holiday menu featuring regional specialties from across India.
My favorite is their Diwali feast – a massive spread serving up to four people with tandoori delights, fragrant biryanis, and house-made chutneys. Don’t miss their seasonal dessert platter with handcrafted mithai (sweets) that change yearly based on the chef’s family traditions.
7. Copper Chimney in Erie
Lakeside views complement the festive atmosphere at Erie’s premier Indian restaurant during Diwali. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Lake Erie while inside, the space glows with hundreds of traditional lamps and contemporary light installations.
Their Diwali tasting menu changes annually, showcasing a different region of India each year. For 2023, they’re featuring the royal cuisine of Rajasthan with dishes like laal maas and ker sangri. The owner personally selects wines to pair with each course, creating an elevated celebration that honors tradition while feeling thoroughly modern.
8. Taste of India in Scranton
Community spirit defines the Diwali experience at this Scranton favorite. The restaurant transforms its parking lot into a festival space with rangoli competitions, henna artists, and even small fireworks displays (weather permitting).
Inside, their buffet features both North and South Indian specialties with clear labels for dietary preferences. I love their dosa station where chefs prepare the crispy crepes to order with your choice of fillings. Their weekend Diwali celebrations include cultural performances from local dance schools and universities, making it a true community gathering.
9. Bollywood Bistro in Doylestown
Modern interpretations of classic dishes make this Bucks County hotspot unique. During Diwali, the chef creates fusion dishes that blend traditional Indian flavors with locally sourced Pennsylvania ingredients.
Their signature Diwali offering is a tasting menu that tells the story of the holiday through food – starting with savory street snacks representing preparation for the festival and ending with symbolic sweets that celebrate light overcoming darkness. Between courses, servers explain the significance of each dish to the holiday traditions. The restaurant’s chic decor incorporates subtle Diwali elements without feeling kitschy.
10. Lotus Indian Kitchen in Bethlehem
Historic charm meets Indian tradition at this restaurant housed in a converted steel mill building. During Diwali, the industrial-chic space becomes magical with hundreds of tea lights and paper lanterns illuminating the exposed brick walls.
The owners are known for their hospitality – every guest receives a small gift during Diwali week, usually a bag of house-made spice mix or festive tea blend. Their menu focuses on lesser-known regional dishes from Eastern India. Save room for their Bengali sweets, especially the nolen gurer sandesh made with date palm jaggery that’s imported specially for the holiday.
