Northern Virginia’s Ethiopian and Korean cuisine is rightly praised. But did you know that the Indian community has the largest Asian population in the state? Luckily for diners, that means a delightful selection of Indian restaurants. When you want to celebrate a special occasion, choose from these wonderful establishments whose decorations and presentation are as impressive as their use of spices.
Bombay Velvet
While Washington, D.C. residents are crazy about Tamasha and its small plates, customers have been enjoying New Delhi-born restaurateur Rajiv Chopra’s innovative cuisine at this Reston restaurant for years. Inventive cocktails like the lychee and rose petal martini get star treatment in this luxurious dining room, but the extensive food menu also attracts its own fan base. Whichever curry you choose, serve it with garlic naan sprinkled with black garlic. 12100 Sunset Hills Rd., Reston
Celebration by Rupa Villa
This female-led restaurant has been on our 50 Best Restaurants list since its 2020 debut. Seasonal cuisine, with unusual takes on traditional Indian dishes like pani puri, keeps you feeling fresh every time you visit. The restaurant’s brunch, which serves dishes such as Eggs Her Bollywood, a spiced version of Benedict’s, is a new attraction. We have special menus for vegan, gluten-free and Jain customers. 44260 Ice Rink Plaza, St. 120, Ashburn
india chain
Indo-Chinese cuisine combines the flavors of both traditions. What could be better than a fine-dining Indo-Chinese restaurant in Alexandria? It would be two of them. Both branches of Indo-Chen take takeout food to the next level of delicious experience. Start with lamb dumplings served with spicy tomato chutney, then move on to fried rice or fried noodles, which taste quite different from what most Americans are used to getting in takeout. 4906 Brenman Park Dr., Alexandria; 1615 King Street, Alexandria
jodhpur
The only South Indian Thali restaurant in our area, it looks impressive and the portions are generous. Servers offer guests an endless supply of stews, rice, bread, and even desserts. And every bite is vegetarian. But meat lovers need not hesitate to visit. The spice-filled dishes are extremely satisfying, including hearty snacks such as mahmari kebab, a tender paneer cutlet. 1114 Herndon Pkwy., Herndon
kismet modern indian
Chef Ajay Kumar grinds spices daily for flavorful dishes. Standard dishes like dal makhani and palak paneer taste different thanks to fresh ingredients. But spice isn’t everything that shines in this bright and cozy dining room. The colorful olive naan and goat cheese version of the flatbread pack a punch. 111 N. Pitt St., Alexandria
Mirchi Dhamaka
One of NoVA’s newest Indian restaurants features two dining rooms: a casual dining room and a white tablecloth dining room. On the luxury side, it’s a combination of North and South Indian delicacies, including some not normally found in the region. Try Chicken Majestic, a starter from Hyderabad that features fried chicken tossed in a spicy yogurt sauce. 2443 Centerville Rd., St. G1, Herndon
Featured images from “A Celebration by Rupa Vira” by Alice Levitt
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