5 modern indian rooms worth the trip across United States, editor-ranked. All cuisines in United States.
Rasika ★ 4.6 · Washington DC
penn-quarter · 633 D St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Rasika in Washington DC is Ashok Bajaj's Penn Quarter modern Indian dining room on D Street, the city's anchor Indian fine-dining room since 2005 and a State.
Tip: The West End Rasika is the larger room; the Penn Quarter original is louder and harder to book but holds the editorial top spot.
Pondicheri ★ 4.5 · Houston
rice-village-upper-kirby · 2800 Kirby Dr, Ste B132, Houston, TX 77098
Pondicheri in Houston is Anita Jaisinghani's modern Indian room at WestAve on Kirby Drive since 2011, with masala omelette breakfasts, thali plates.
Tip: Breakfast (7am to 11am) is the lesser-known peak. The thali changes daily; ask first.
Daru ★ 4.5 · Washington DC
h-street · 1451 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Daru in Washington DC is Suresh Sundas's H Street modern Indian dining room on Maryland Avenue NE, a hand-built kitchen with regional Indian street food.
Tip: The chef's counter is the best seat for the kitchen show; the patio runs to October.
Indibar ★ 4.4 · Phoenix
paradise-valley · 6208 N Scottsdale Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Indibar in Paradise Valley is Nigel Lobo and Ajay Negi's modern Indian craft-cocktail room, opened in 2025 in the former Rancho Pinot space.
Tip: Set in Lincoln Village shopping center; the cocktail bar is a destination on its own, book ahead for dinner.
Pondicheri ★ 4.2 · Houston
rice-village-upper-kirby · 2800 Kirby Dr, Ste B132, Houston, TX 77098
Pondicheri in Houston is Anita Jaisinghani's modern Indian room at WestAve on Kirby Drive since 2011, with masala omelette breakfasts, thali plates.
Tip: Breakfast (7am to 11am) is the lesser-known peak. The thali changes daily; ask what is on it before you order.