Clay Pit To Saffron: 7 Best Indian Restaurants In Austin, Texas

The southern American state of Texas is home to plenty of people from around the world, leading to a boom in the restaurant industry here. This changing cultural landscape is demonstrated by the existence of Indian eateries in the Texan capital of Austin. The Indian immigrants came to America looking for opportunities and soon enough, their impact on the local food scene led to the rise of many Indian restaurants.   

Indian eateries started to spring up all around Austin throughout time, progressively introducing the people of the city to the tastes and aromas of Indian cuisine. Today, the city has a bustling Indian restaurant scene which includes many Indian eateries serving a variety of regional cuisines. Indian art and design are frequently reflected in the decor and atmosphere of these restaurants, taking customers on a sensory experience that extends beyond food.   

Video Credit: YouTube/Ranveer Brar

1. Jaipur Palace

Jaipur Palace is named after the place from where its owner, Sunil Kumar Yadav, belongs. The eatery specialises in traditional Indian food from the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. Since its opening in 2019, this hospitable and cosy space has been a much-needed addition to South Austin. Some of the popular items in the menu are chicken curry, chicken Chettinad, butter chicken, bhindi gosht, lamb vindaloo, and salmon saagwala. Vegetarians can also enjoy a meal here because they have many dishes like paneer tikka, vegetable samosa, baingan bharta, kadai paneer along with some chilli naan and tandoori roti. Finish the meal with ras malai or gajar halwa.

Address: 9900 I-35 Suite P900, Austin, TX 78748, United States

Time: Mon to Sun- 11 am to 12:15 pm, 3:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Must-try: Chicken curry, chicken Chettinad, butter chicken, bhindi gosht, lamb vindaloo, salmon saagwala, paneer tikka, vegetable samosa, baingan bharta, kadai paneer, chili naan, tandoori roti, ras malai, and gajar halwa. 

Price: $5.10 to $20 approx. for 1

2. Clay Pit

Don't pass up the chance to eat at Clay Pit to get a taste of contemporary Indian food! With their mouthwatering specialties that definitely wow their customers. They provide a wide variety of interesting and tasty dishes. The dishes that are popular among the regular customers are tandoori tukde, mughlai chicken, lamb rogan josh, and batata cham. Vegetarian dishes like bhindi masala, vegetable jalfrezi, vegetable samosa, portobello mattar paneer, and daal makhanni are also loved by the guests. When visiting  the restaurant don’t forget to try some of their delicious desserts such as gluten-free mango cheesecake, rasmalai, carrot halwa, and chai spiced creme brulee.

Address: 1601 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78701, United States

Time: Mon to Sat- 11 am to 10 pm

Sun- 3 pm to 9 pm

Must-try: Tandoori tukde, mughlai chicken, lamb roganjosh, batata cham, bhindi masala, vegetable jalfrezi, vegetable samosa, portobello mattar paneer, daal makhanni, gluten-free mango cheesecake, rasmalai, carrot halwa, and chai spiced creme brulee.

Price: $8 to $25 approx. for 1

3. Whip In

The Whip In is a unique location with a nice and simple vibe. Live music performances, quiz nights, and other activities are the primary attractions. Despite its easy-to-miss position, this hidden gem has been providing delicious Indian food since 1986. People love their lamb samosas and gobi manchurian. They also have excellent tandoori items like chicken tikka kebab, lamb seekh kebab, and the whipin platter, which is an absolute hit among regulars. For a complete meal try the saag paneer or tikka masala with jalapeno naan or butter naan. Finish up with a bowl of rasmalai.

Address: 1950 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78704, United States

Time: Mon to Sun- 11 am to 11 pm

Must-try: Lamb samosa, gobi manchurian, chicken tikka kebab, lamb seekh kebab, whipin platter, saag paneer, tikka masala, jalapeno naan, and rasmalai.

Price: $6 to $20 approx. for 1

4. Bombay Dhaba

This food truck on South First Street, owned by Chef Prabhakar Reddy, the executive chef, is the ideal place to have lunch. Reddy is an expert in chicken 65, chicken tikka kebab, and chicken masala. So, that are some of the most delicious items so sample here. There masala dosa and egg dosa are also good options to have something light and delicious. They also have amazing veg items in the menu like chana masala, saag paneer, paneer tikka masala, and aloo gobi. Sweet lover must have their mango custard, made with milk and mango pulp

Address: 1207 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704, United States

Time: Mon to Sat- 11 am to 2 pm, 5 pm to 9:30 pm 9 (Closed on Sunday)

Must-try: Chicken 65, chicken tikka kebab, chicken masala, masala dosa, egg dosa, chana masala, saag paneer, paneer tikka masala, aloo gobi, and mango custard. 

Image Credit: Nasha

5. Nasha

Nasha offers its guests an Indian fusion menu along with traditional dishes. Indian classics are given a Tex-Mex spin on their menu. It's a laid-back atmosphere with a vibrant exterior that makes for an incredibly enjoyable night out. They serve taco platters with chicken tandoori and lamb masala, which come with quesadillas instead of naan. They provide flavour combinations that are uncommon in several other kitchens. Traditional items like lamb puff samosas, aloo gobi, keema masala, cabbage with chana daal, and chana masala are also extremely popular among the people often visiting the place. From the dessert section try the sheera made with semolina flour, milk, butter, sugar, cashews and raisins. 

Address: 1614 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702, United States

Time: Mon- St- 11 am to 11 pm

Sun- 12 pm to 11 pm

Must-try: Chicken tandoori taco, lamb masala tacos, lamb puff samosa, aloo gobi, keema masala, cabbage with chana daal, chana masala, and sheera.

Price: $4 to $20 approx. for 1

6. Saffron Austin

The cuisine of Saffron is a unique blend of traditional Indian cuisine infused with Himalayan flavours. While thyey acquire the majority of their vegetables locally, the food remains loyal to its origins and heritage. Every meal, sauce, naan, and dessert is created from scratch in-house. Some of the delicious appetisers to sample from here are Bombay brussels, Kathmandu kothey momo, lamb stuffed jalapenos, chicken lollipop, and fish koliwadi. For main course some of their best items are achari aloo lamb, zeera lamb bhuna, and seafood moilee. They also have a Nepali section and people can taste some of the mouthwatering food like chicken momo, chicken and veg chow mein, and chilli chicken. 

Address:  3616 Far W Blvd #113, Austin, TX 78731, United States

Time: Mon to Sun- 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm

Must-try: Kathmandu kothey momo, lamb stuffed jalapenos, chicken lollipop, fish koliwadi, lamb sekuwa, achari aloo lamb, zeera lamb bhuna, seafood moilee, chicken momo, chicken and veg chow mein, and chilli chicken. 

Price: $7 to $25 approx. for 1

7. Asiana Indian Cuisine

Asiana Indian Cuisine is a well-known restaurant in South Austin that does excellent work. There's nothing extravagant about the arrangement as their interior decor is really simple. However, it's obvious that they've put a lot of effort into their homemade Indian cooking. There is a huge menu. To mention a few, they have mouthwatering gobi manchurian, shrimp tikka masala, and kadai chicken. They also have some delicious lamb entrees like lamb tikka masala, lamb korma, and lamb curry. All of these are extremely popular among regulars.  Try their tandoori specials like malai kebab, lamb seekh kebab, tandoori pompano, and paneer tikka. This place is also ideal for sweet lovers because they have many desserts like pistachio ice cream, carrot halwa, rasmalai, and rice kheer. 

Address: 801 E William Cannon Dr #205, Austin, TX 78745, United States

Time: Mon to Sun- 11am to 10 pm

Must-try: Gobi manchurian, shrimp tikka masala, kadai chicken, lamb tikka masala, lamb korma, lamb curry, malai kebab, lamb seekh kebab, tandoori pompano, paneer tikka, pistachio ice cream, carrot halwa, rasmalai, and rice kheer. 

Price: $4.99 to 420 approx. for 1

Indian restaurants in Austin provide a portal to the local culture of India, Every restaurant allows customers to taste the rich flavours of India through its own ambiance and culinary offerings. For those looking to savour real Indian food, these are the best Indian restaurants in Austin, offering everything from elegant dining to welcoming family-run businesses.