San Gabriel knows its way around a great curry. We’ve got bustling family-run spots, elegant fine-dining temples, and more aromatic, flavor-packed kitchens than we know what to do with. And luckily for anyone who shares our passion for complex spice blends, we’ve compiled this guide to destination restaurants where the biryanis taste as authentic as they look. Head to these 14 spots when you want to feast in style, no matter the craving.
Bhanu Indian Cuisine & Market
$ | (626) 291-2101 | WEBSITE
This is a hole-in-the-wall Indian spot in a San Gabriel plaza. Yes, you read that correctly. Bhanu Indian Cuisine & Market looks straight out of a bustling Delhi market, with a small dining area, shelves packed with spices, and a counter where you could picture a home cook rolling out fresh naan. There’s always a good mix of families sharing thali meals and solo diners digging into masala dosa, adding a warm hum to the compact space that never feels too cramped.
The food is fantastic, too, even if some dishes have premium prices. The garlic cheese naan tastes like a rich, buttery cloud, and the tikki masala lamb is a classic curry kicked up with tender meat and deep, aromatic spices.
Cardamom
$$ | (818) 369-7170 | WEBSITE
With its casual vibe and friendly staff dressed in comfortable attire, Cardamom has a welcoming neighborhood feel to it, and the generous portions that could easily feed a small family only add to the appeal. Each dish bursts with fresh flavor, from the spicier beef vindaloo and aloo gobi to the milder butter chicken perfect for those who prefer less heat.
The scene is mostly groups and families sharing plates of saffron rice and garlic naan early in the evening, but the atmosphere stays lively throughout the meal. Don’t miss the rice pudding—it’s the perfect sweet ending.
BADMAASH Downtown LA
$$ | (213) 221-7466 | WEBSITE
Tucked into a spacious downtown LA building that requires some parking navigation, BADMAASH might sound like another elevated Indian fusion spot you’ve grown weary of lately. It’s actually the reverse. Inside you’ll find an airy, elevated setting filled with comfortable seating, a mixed crowd of both casual diners and celebration groups, and tremendously spiced street food. We particularly love the Coconut Curry Mussels, a traditional dish elevated with perfect seasoning and rich coconut broth.
Mahan Indian Restaurant | Best Indian food | Best Indian Curry | Lunch Special
$$ | (626) 932-0125 | WEBSITE
Mahan Indian Restaurant feels like the kind of authentic, welcoming spot that would fit right into any foodie’s rotation: clean white walls, comfortable booths, and soft lighting that keeps the atmosphere relaxed. But it’s the careful attention to flavor that really makes this place a must-visit in San Gabriel.
Some genuine care was obviously put into the reasonably priced lunch buffet—most dishes showcase thoughtful preparation, but still deliver exciting tastes like the aromatic Muglai chicken, or fresh mint in your Mint chicken. You’re in good hands with any of the classics, but in a setting like this, the Queen Non-vegetarian Thali just makes sense.
Annapurna Grill
$ | (626) 584-1111 | WEBSITE
Annapurna Grill is authentic Indian cuisine at its finest, complete with Hyderabad-style biryani and dangerously delicious—and spicy—curries. This local favorite in San Gabriel only seats a modest crowd at a time (many of which are regulars who have been coming here since it opened), so plan to wait patiently on busy evenings. But know that the wait is worth it, because a meal here is about genuine traditions, like the whole table sharing that happens when you order the Paneer Biryani.
Or when one of your friends ends up pleasantly surprised after thinking they have the appetite for a third serving of Andhra spicy masala dosa.
VEGAN EARTH FOOD
$ | (626) 458-6299 | WEBSITE
Vegan Earth Food is nestled in San Gabriel’s dining scene, but it’s more than just another vegan spot—the thoughtfully seasoned dishes here are practically celebrations of plant-based creativity. A kofta curry tastes vibrant with fresh herbs, samosas are spiced with just enough heat to tingle, and a baingan bhuna takes inspiration from traditional Indian comfort food.
If it all sounds a little health-conscious, know that the kitchen understands the bright, modern space demands a flavorful, well-balanced meal. The counter service is streamlined with tech for quick orders, but if you plan to settle in, grab one of the cozy tables near the window.
Curry boys
$ | (916) 777-0555 | WEBSITE
No one would consider Huntington Park a destination for Indian cuisine, but this unassuming neighborhood is home to our favorite curry spot in the San Gabriel Valley. Curry Boys is the kind of place you walk into for a quick takeout meal and end up staying for an hour because the staff is explaining the nuances of their spice blends and whipping together flavorful dishes that make use of anything from aromatic cloves to rich, creamy sauces.
Plus, if you’re dining in, you can enjoy the warm, inviting atmosphere with elegant decor and soft lighting that makes it feel like a cozy escape from the everyday.
Tray DTLA
$ | (213) 265-7421 | WEBSITE
Every visit to Tray DTLA feels like stepping into a well-oiled machine. This polished cafeteria-style cafe nails the crucial details of a convenient, satisfying meal experience: bright seating areas, clean indoor and outdoor tables, and a straightforward menu that looks like a simple printed sheet.
The thoughtfulness carries over to their food, too, which includes favorites from their breakfast and lunch offerings, plus specials divided into days like Wednesday’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken or the customizable breakfast sandwich. Either way, you can’t go wrong with anything listed on the board. We especially love the spicy fried chicken with collard greens and that “bomb” mac and cheese. Finding a seat is easy throughout the week, so you can just walk in for a smooth, no-fuss meal.
Delhi Belly – Indian Restaurant in Alhambra | Lunch Special | Happy Hour | Party & Events Catering
$$ | (626) 703-4710 | WEBSITE
Contrary to the name, Delhi Belly isn’t just about the belly. In fact, this Alhambra Indian spot is pretty cozy, and if you manage to find a table during happy hour, please grab it. Located in a casual yet chic space (far away from the generic strip-mall vibe), Delhi Belly is low-key and the kind of place where the staff actually talks to you as they serve a butter chicken with saffron rice and garlic naan. Dishes are consistently prepared, so don’t expect the flavors to waver.
Do expect whatever traditional favorites are being offered to be just as delicious.
PUNJAB – Indian Market and Cuisine
$ | (626) 576-0749 | WEBSITE
Punjab – Indian Market and Cuisine is one of the best examples of a true Indian market and eatery. This flavor-driven gathering place inspired by authentic home cooking fills up well before the dinner rush and stays busy until it closes around 10pm. And while we love the vibrant, spice-scented interior, the takeout counter at this San Gabriel spot is undeniably where you want to be (particularly with an empty stomach) when sampling fresh samosas and nibbling on paneer pakoras.
This walk-in-only spot thrives on simplicity and consistency, but that’s exactly why we love it as a reliable pit stop to start or end the week.
Namaste Spiceland
$ | (626) 345-5514 | WEBSITE
Imagine a bright, spacious, and welcoming hybrid space with shelves of spices and both indoor and outdoor seating. Families and solo diners enjoy mango lassis and discuss vegetarian options. No, you aren’t at a traditional sit-down restaurant or a typical grocery store, you’re at Namaste Spiceland in Pasadena. It’s an excellent quick stop for a satisfying meal before running errands, or a great destination for a flavorful dinner with garlic naan and late-afternoon combo plate lingering.
There’s also a convenient market section for shopping after your meal.
Mahan Indian Restaurant | Best Indian Food | Best Indian Curry | Lunch – Dinner Special
$$ | (626) 458-6299 | WEBSITE
Tucked away in San Gabriel, this is the kind of Indian restaurant where the naan arrives soft and warm, almost like a cloud. Is the garlic naan essential? Absolutely, especially when you’re dipping it into the curry madras that can be as spicy as you dare. And don’t let the cozy interior fool you, Mahan isn’t just about comfort food.
There’s a weekend buffet where you can try everything from the tandoori chicken to the fresh aloo chaat, all while sipping on a sweet mango lassi that cools the heat.
Tibet Nepal House Restaurant
$$ | (626) 585-0955 | WEBSITE
Just above the bustling streets of downtown Pasadena, Tibet Nepal House Restaurant resembles a cozy Himalayan lodge filled with really good spices. This South Asian eatery is for people who don’t want to settle for generic takeout, but still want to experience authentic flavors together.
The compact menu has a nice balance of classics and regional specialties, like the moist chicken tikka masala and recommended Baigoon Aloo—the kind of dishes you order when showing someone your ‘I just discovered this’ knowledge of Nepali cuisine. If you’re hungry, grab a table in the clean dining room surrounded by warm lighting—there’s no better place to share a non-veg thali and mango lassi in the neighborhood.
Himalayan Cafe
$ | (626) 564-1560 | WEBSITE
It’s hard to match a spot like Himalayan Cafe. Tucked away in San Gabriel, this cozy restaurant is a hidden gem for Himalayan food lovers and a casual neighborhood favorite rolled into one. The kitchen does a lot of thoughtful preparation, which guarantees every dish is consistent. It also eliminates anyone overcomplicating flavors just for show.
Instead, you’ll find satisfying but deceptively simple dishes, most of which cost between $14 and $18, like the spinach and paneer or the best lamb biriyani. Our move is to order the chicken momo with some garlic naan and relax at the table while enjoying the mild, approachable flavors at a comfortable, welcoming pace.