8 North Carolina Indian Restaurants Just Made A New National Top 100 List

Eight North Carolina restaurants landing on the same national Top 100 list immediately made me wonder what I had been missing.

Then I saw that one of them cracked the top 20, and my imaginary dinner plans became much more serious.

What interests me most is how little these kitchens seem interested in playing it safe.

The cooking moves across different regions and traditions, spice levels can become a personal challenge, and familiar favorites are only the beginning of what shows up on the table.

I kept finding restaurants with their own personality rather than eight versions of the same experience.

That makes the ranking much more fun to explore.

From the mountains to Charlotte and the Triangle, North Carolina has several nationally recognized reasons to arrive hungry.

Now I just need to decide which one gets the first road trip.

8. Curry and Noodle

Any menu with a dish called Drunk Man Chilli Noodles deserves your attention. Curry and Noodle earned the number 100 spot on the national list, and it clearly has a sense of fun.

You’ll find this Winston-Salem spot inside the Robinhood Village Shopping Center. It blends Indian, Thai, and Nepalese cooking under one roof.

That mix makes ordering a happy problem. You could start with Vegetable Samosa, then jump to Pad Thai or Thai Curry for your main course.

Indian classics hold their ground here too. Butter Chicken Masala, Tikka Masala, and Biryani give you familiar comfort if you’re new to this kind of food.

Craving something with a little crunch and heat? Chilli Chicken and Hakka Noodles bring Indo-Chinese flavors that many fans of Indian food adore.

The tandoor section offers its own treats. Tandoori Lamb Chops and Chicken Tikka Kabab come from that clay oven style of cooking.

Snack lovers should look at the chat options. Alu Tikki Chat and Samosa Chat are street-food style dishes loaded with layers of flavor.

Vegetarians aren’t left out either. Palak Paneer, a spinach dish with soft cheese cubes, is a smart pick for a meatless meal.

The chef brings more than 20 years of experience to the kitchen. That kind of background helps explain how one menu can juggle three cuisines.

Plan your visit around the hours. The restaurant closes between lunch and dinner, with a break from 3 to 5 p.m. daily.

Lunch runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. Dinner goes until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, so weekend nights give you extra time.

Here’s a fun plan for a group. Order one Indian dish, one Thai dish, and one noodle dish, then share everything at the table.

Address: 5232 Robinhood Village Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, United States

7. Mehfil

Rosemary Naan sounds like something a mountain town would invent. Mehfil, ranked number 76 nationally, puts it right on the menu in downtown Asheville.

The restaurant sits on Biltmore Avenue, close to the heart of the city. After a day of exploring downtown, it’s an easy place to land for dinner.

Bread fans have plenty to love. Along with Rosemary Naan, you can grab Garlic Naan or Cheese Kulcha, a stuffed bread that feels like a treat.

Meat lovers get some bold choices. Mysore Lamb Chops, Lamb Roganjosh, and Punjabi Style Goat Curry stand out from the usual lineup.

Chicken comes in many forms too. You can pick Chicken Badam Korma, Chicken Makhani, Chicken Tikka Masala, or the house-named Chicken Mehfil.

Where Mehfil really shines is its vegetarian section. The list is long enough to make choosing tricky, in the best way.

Aloo Gobi mixes potatoes and cauliflower. Baingan Bharta is a smoky eggplant dish, and Bhindi Masala features okra cooked with spices.

Other picks include Channa Masala, Dal Makhani, Kadai Paneer, and Malai Kofta. Navratan Korma and Tofu Masala round things out nicely.

Vegan diners have options too. Tofu can replace paneer in some dishes, so ask your server which ones work best.

Need a starter? Bikaneri Pakora and Chicken Tikka make a good kickoff, especially if you’re sharing with friends.

Asheville already attracts food lovers from across North Carolina and beyond. Mehfil gives them a strong reason to add Indian food to the trip.

My tip for first-timers is simple. Order one veggie dish you’ve never heard of, plus the Rosemary Naan to scoop it up.

Address: 5 Biltmore Ave #101, Asheville, NC 28801, United States

6. Mustang House

Momos are the quiet stars of downtown Raleigh. Mustang House, number 72 on the national list, gives these Nepali dumplings their own menu section.

You’ll find it on Fayetteville Street, right in the middle of the city’s busy downtown. That makes it handy for a lunch break or a night out.

The Mustang Nepali Dishes section is where curious eaters should start. Vegetable MOMO and Chicken MOMO are classic steamed dumplings.

Jhol Chicken MOMO comes with a soupy sauce, which is a nice twist. Chicken C MOMO is another version worth trying if you’re on a dumpling mission.

Chicken Choila is another Nepali pick. It’s a spiced chicken dish that brings something different from typical curry house fare.

Indian favorites fill the rest of the menu. Butter Chicken, Saag Paneer, Goat Curry, and Lamb Biryani are all ready when you are.

From the tandoor, you can order Tandoori Chicken or Lamb Boti Kabab. Both cook in that high-heat clay oven style.

Bread here deserves a moment. Choices include Plain, Garlic, Cheese, Kashmiri, and Chilli Cheese Naan, all freshly baked.

Chilli Cheese Naan might be the move if you like a little kick. Kashmiri Naan usually leans sweeter, so it pairs well with spicy curries.

Mustang House is open Monday through Saturday, generally beginning service at 10:30 AM and closing shortly before 10 PM. Sundays are closed.

Delivery ordering windows may differ from the restaurant’s posted hours.

Here’s my favorite strategy. Get one plate of momos for the table, then let everyone pick their own curry and naan.

Address: 411 Fayetteville St Ste 109, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States

5. Curry Palace

Six kinds of biryani on one menu is a bold flex. Curry Palace in Burlington pulls it off and landed at number 67 nationally.

The kitchen serves both Indian and Himalayan dishes. Its full menu is available throughout business hours, so you’re not stuck with a limited lunch list.

Let’s talk about that biryani lineup. You can choose Vegetable, Chicken, Lamb, Goat, Shrimp, or the House Special Biryani.

Starters are fun here. Homestyle Mo:Mo comes with chicken or vegetables, and it’s a great way to sample the Himalayan side.

Golden Crisp Samosas come in vegetable or lamb. Lamb samosas aren’t on every menu, so they’re worth a look.

Chicken 65 brings spicy, fried bites to the table. Samosa Chaat and assorted Pakoras give you even more snacking choices.

Signature curries cover the big names. Butter Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala are there, plus Chicken Madras for anyone who likes more heat.

Kashmiri Lamb Rogan Josh is another standout. It’s a rich, deeply spiced dish from the northern part of India.

Breads go beyond naan here. Poori is puffy and fried, Roti is simple and wholesome, and several Parathas give you flaky layers.

Save room for dessert, seriously. Rice Pudding, Gulab Jamun, and Rasmalai offer three sweet ways to finish.

Gulab Jamun are soft dough balls soaked in syrup. Rasmalai features soft cheese patties in sweet milk, and it’s lighter than it sounds.

Burlington sits between the Triad and the Triangle. That makes Curry Palace a handy stop when you’re traveling across North Carolina on I-40 or I-85.

Address: 162 Holly Hill Ln, Burlington, NC 27215, United States

4. Masala House

Pistachio Chicken Korma is the kind of dish that makes you read a menu twice. Masala House in Raleigh serves it, and the restaurant ranked number 65 nationally.

You’ll find it on East Millbrook Road in North Raleigh. The menu covers Indian, vegetarian, and Asian-inspired choices.

That korma is a great pick if you like mild, creamy dishes. Lamb Vindaloo sits at the other end, bringing a spicier punch.

The tandoor menu is a real highlight. Options include Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka, Seekh Kabab, Tandoori Lamb Chops, and Tandoori Salmon.

Tandoori Salmon is a smart choice for seafood fans. It’s also a nice change from the usual chicken-heavy order.

Craving dumplings? Chicken Mo:Mo and Vegetable Mo:Mo bring a Himalayan touch to the table.

Kadhai Chicken and Palak Paneer are known for bold, comforting flavors. Both work well when you want something hearty.

The classics are covered, of course. Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Paneer Tikka Masala are all on the lineup.

Bread choices include Plain, Garlic, Cheese, and Peshawari Naan. Peshawari Naan is usually filled with nuts and dried fruit, so it tastes a little sweet.

Biryani fans can pick the House Special, Chicken, or Goat Biryani. Goat Biryani is a fun choice if you want something different.

Hours are friendly for most schedules. The restaurant stays open straight through the afternoon, with no midday break.

It runs until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Sundays start at noon, so it’s ready for a relaxed late lunch.

Address: 126 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609, United States

3. Bombay Curry

A section called the Tandoor Sizzling Corner sounds like a superhero hideout. At Bombay Curry in Raleigh, it’s where some of the best plates come from.

This North Raleigh spot sits on Strickland Road and earned the number 41 slot nationally. That puts it third among North Carolina picks.

The kitchen leans into North Indian flavors, then reaches a bit beyond. You’ll notice that range as you scroll the menu.

Back to that sizzling corner. Chicken Tandoori, Chicken Tikka, Seekh Kabab, and Tandoori Salmon all come from this part of the menu.

The House Special Biryani is a crowd-pleaser on paper. It combines lamb, chicken, and shrimp, so you don’t have to pick just one.

Chicken Madras and Kashmiri Lamb Rogan Josh are popular picks too. Madras brings more heat, while Rogan Josh leans rich and aromatic.

Appetizers offer some surprises. Coconut Shrimp sits beside Vegetable Samosa, which feels like a fun mash-up.

Paneer Chilli and Gobi Manchurian add Indo-Chinese flair. Gobi Manchurian features crispy cauliflower in a tangy sauce.

Like dumplings? Himalayan-style Chicken Mo:Mo appear here as well.

Vegetarians have solid choices. Yellow Dal Tadka, Navaratna Korma, and Paneer Tikka Masala make filling meat-free meals.

Bombay Curry opens seven days a week. It runs until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Sunday hours start at noon and end at 9 p.m. That’s perfect timing for a lazy weekend dinner with family.

Here’s a smart order for two people. Split the House Special Biryani, add Gobi Manchurian, and finish with something from the tandoor.

Address: 13220 Strickland Rd, Suite 167, Raleigh, NC 27613

2. Curry Gate 2

Spice level 10 is waiting for you in Charlotte, if you’re brave. Curry Gate lets you pick heat on a scale from 1 to 10.

This South Boulevard location ranked number 32 nationally. Locals and online lists sometimes call it Curry Gate 2 because it’s the brand’s second Charlotte spot.

The first Curry Gate opened in Charlotte in 2020. This location followed around February 2023, so it’s still fairly new.

The kitchen mixes Indian and Nepalese cooking. That means you can order steamed momos with chicken or vegetables alongside your curry.

The menu works a bit like a build-your-own system. You pick a style like Tikka Masala, Butter or Makhani, Korma, Palak, Vindaloo, or Curry.

Biryani choices are wide too. Chicken, Lamb, Goat, Shrimp, and Veg are options, plus the CG Special Biryani.

Naan gets its own fan club here. Garlic, Butter, Chilli, Chilli Garlic, and Kashmiri Naan give you plenty to tear and dip.

Vegan diners can relax. Tofu can replace paneer in some dishes, which opens up more choices.

Not in the mood to go out? Curry Gate offers takeout, delivery, and catering in addition to dine-in service.

Catering could be a fun upgrade for a party. Few guests will complain about a tray of biryani and a stack of naan.

Curry Gate 2 generally serves lunch and dinner starting around noon, with evening hours extending to approximately 9 PM. Monday schedules differ across published listings, so check the current hours before visiting.

My advice on that spice scale is easy. Start around a 5, then climb higher on your next visit if you still feel heroic.

Address: 5516 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217

1. Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar – Chapel Hill

Mango Lime Chicken sounds like summer on a plate. It’s a chef’s special at the top North Carolina pick, which ranked number 18 nationally.

Lime and Lemon Indian Grill sits in Meadowmont Village in Chapel Hill. Its menu is huge, so give yourself a minute to read.

The South Indian Specials make this spot stand apart. You’ll find Plain Dosa, Masala Dosa, Idli Sambar, Uttapam, and Kothu Parota.

Dosas are thin, crispy crepes made from rice and lentil batter. Idli are soft steamed cakes, usually served with sambar, a lentil stew.

Kothu Parota is a fun one. It’s chopped flatbread stir-fried with spices, and it’s a great pick for adventurous eaters.

The chef’s specials keep the surprises coming. Coastal Fish Curry and Shrimp Curry Southern Style bring seafood into the spotlight.

Gutti Vankaya Kura is a vegan eggplant dish. Gobi Manchurian is also vegan, so plant-based diners have tasty choices.

Tandoor Sizzlers fill another section. Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Seekh Kebab, Tandoori Salmon, and Bombay Lamb Chops all appear here.

Comfort classics are covered too. Butter Chicken, Saag Paneer, Dal Tadka, and Paneer Tikka Masala are popular picks.

The bread list is a little playful. Mint and Basil Naan and Cheese and Spinach Naan sit next to Garlic and Kashmiri Naan.

Meadowmont Village makes the trip pleasant, with shops and sidewalks nearby. A short stroll after dinner sounds like a fine plan.

For a first visit, try a mix. Order a Masala Dosa, Mango Lime Chicken, and Mint and Basil Naan, then see why this spot topped the state.

Address: 100 Meadowmont Village Cir #101, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, United States