Even though I am not a huge fan of Indian food outside India (it just does not taste authentic), I still have this knack of checking out the Indian restaurants outside the country. Perhaps, it is my faint  hope, which silently keeps nudging me to find out an authentic taste of India abroad. So, when I arrived in Austin (capital city of Texas – USA), it was a natural tendency for me to look for a nice and warm Indian restaurant, just to welcome myself in a new country in some way! Being in a new city with no acquaintances, I tried looking for options over the internet. And the result was so disappointing! Considering that this city is not brimming with Indian immigrants as other popular ones (like California, New Jersey – to name a few), I did not find a single documented article which could give me a clear picture of the range of Indian restaurants in Austin. Now, after a year of my hard work and research, along with very valuable feedback from fellow Indians in Austin, I have decided to pen down a list of must-visit Indian restaurants in Austin. Hopefully, people visiting Austin from India, will find this list handy and not struggle much to satiate their Indian palate. Here’s a list of top Indian restaurants in Austin – Texas, where you can expect good Indian food : BIRYANI – LOVERS Biryani Pot  This has been my go-to place in Austin for Biryani, ever since I have moved to this city. Of all the Indian restaurants serving Biryani in Austin, this is my most favourite. The biryani served in Biryani Pot, comes closest to an authentic super-tasty Hyderabadi Dum Biryani. Yes, it is an authentic Hyderabad Food Chain in USA. Tip – I would recommend Chicken Biryani, over Goat Biryani. Biryani & Co Being the closest to my residence in Austin, this was the first Indian restaurant I had been to. It was  my first week in Austin and I had just shifted to my new residence. The kitchen was not setup yet and I had a sudden craving for our good old Indian food, since I’d been having local food for days by then. So, I looked out for the nearest Indian restaurant and there it was – Biryani & Co, popped up at the top of my recommendations. This specialises in authentic South Indian Cuisine and even hosts a lunch buffet. They even serve decent Biryanis (both veg and non-veg). My favourite here includes – Chettinad Chicken, GrandMa’s Gongura Chicken Curry. Tip – If you do not like to experiment with your Biryani, go for the regular Chicken Dum Biryani, instead of the Vijaywada Spl. Chicken Biryani. Biryani-N-Grill Biryani-N-Grill is another very popular spot in Austin for delicious Biryanis. I have tried a few other dishes there as well, but Chicken Dum Biryani always remains a clear favourite. Moreover, it has got a warm and cosy ambience, perfect for family gatherings, friends’ dine-out etc. Tip – The Biryani served is quite spicy, even for spice-lovers. So, request them to cut down the spice level, while ordering itself. BUFFET – SPECIALS Taj Palace This is one of the oldest chains for authentic Indian food in USA. If you’re planning for a get-together with friends or family, or a big Indian foodie yourself, the buffet served in Taj Palace is a must-try. Though I personally didn’t quite like the mutton curry served in the buffet, the chicken items and vegetarian options were pretty decent. Tip – Lunch buffet is available on all days of the week. Tuesday serves an all-vegetarian buffet. Dinner buffet is served only on Monday and Tuesday. Mirchi Well, I’m going to make a small exception here! Mirchi is an authentic Indo-Pakistani restaurant and not exactly Indian. But, considering that there is not much of a difference between Indian and Pakistani cuisines, I decided to give this a try. This is a family-owned restaurant, operating for years now. I’m sure some divine intervention pulled me to this place that day. I probably had the best mutton curry ever, in the lunch buffet. Generally, goat meat curry in restaurants, does not seem satisfactory to my taste buds. But this is such a delightful exception! The buffet served at Mirchi, is delectable. Never miss this, whenever in Austin, Texas. Tip – Go with an empty stomach, to gorge upon all the awesomeness served in Mirchi’s buffet. Chicha’s Fire and Grill  Chicha’s Fire and Grill offers a great variety of options in its buffet. The Indian food is pretty decent, though they can still improve on the vegetarian options. Overall, this is a pretty good option for Indian food in the Research Boulevard area of Austin. Bombay Bistro This one needs a special mention! Bombay Bistro is that one Indian restaurant where the buffet will never disappoint you. The best part is – both North Indian and South Indian cuisines are equally good here. So, if you have a group, comprising of people from all parts of India, this is your go-to place. None will return dissatisfied and there will be no tussle as such between North Indian and South Indian dishes as such. Price is also pretty reasonable. Tip – They have a pretty attractive menu too, in case you are interested in a la carte! INDO – AMERICAN FUSION Clay Pit  Clay Pit is a classic restaurant with updated dishes, even boasting of over 100 wine selections to choose from in a brick-walled setting. You should keep a tab of their happy hour as well, to avail the best offers. If you want to give a try to fusion food, this is a must-visit in Austin. They have a wide range of fusion dishes, like Coriander Calamari, Tandoori Broccoli, Chicken Samosas etc. Authentic House Specialities include – Khurush-E-Tursh, Mughlai Chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh, Goan Shrimp Curry, Butter Chicken. Tarka Indian Kitchen  Tarka Indian Kitchen is a local counter-serve chain dishing up Indian curries, kebabs and more in a contemporary setting. This is again a perfect place to try Indian fusion food in Austin. This restaurant not only serves delicious food but has been consistent over the years. This can be considered as a safe-bet for an Indian food chain. You’re always going to get something good and fresh. Tip – If you are fond of spicy food, you should opt for the ‘super-hot’ option on your food while ordering. Inchin’s Bamboo Garden  Though this is not exactly an Indo-American fusion, Inchin’s Bamboo Garden can be easily categorised as an Indian-Chinese fusion restaurant. I go there mostly to have the street-style Indian chowmein! You might not get the authentic Indian street-side flavours, but it comes pretty close to the original. Tip – You can definitely give this a try, if you are fond of the Indianised version of Chinese food. DESI TADKAS Zaika Indian Contemporary Cuisine  Zaika is a branch of a no-frills mini-chain, serving vegetarian & kosher Northern & Southern Indian dishes. The food is touted to be delicious, plant-based and cooked with less oil. This restaurant can be tried on your visit to Austin. I am yet to try this one though. I have put this on my list, as per fellow Indians’ recommendations. Rock N Grill  Rock N Grill (Indian Cuisine & Bar) is an emerging Indian restaurant for the foodies around Round Rock area in Austin, Texas. They provide a very interesting combination of great Indian food, along with a beautiful in-house bar. Food options are immense, and you’ll never get disappointed in this place. SOUTH – INDIAN FAVORITES Sangam Chettinad Indian Cuisine Sangam Chettinad can be clearly described as one of the most authentic South Indian restaurants in Austin. If you are craving for deliciously cooked South Indian meals, this is must-visit. Most importantly, they have such a wide variety of non-vegetarian dishes ranging from chicken, meat, fish, shrimps, crab etc. that you’ll be blinded with options to choose from. Tip – Aattu Elumbu Soup (aromatic flavour of South Indian spices with mutton bone in stock), Meen Varuval, Chettinad Mutton Kola Urundai are the hot favourites here. Nala’s Nala’s proudly proclaims that they represent “Taste of South India”. This is a Madurai-based kitchen, most popular for their Chettinad Mutton Balls and Malabra Fish Fry. Dindigul Thalappakatti Mutton Biryani is a signature dish! Tip – Whenever I am super hungry, I would go to Nala’s and order a Nala Bhogam Non-Veg Thali. The food portion will last you for hours and you’ll get a taste of their kitchen in a single platter. Kumar’s Mess They proudly proclaim that they serve South Indian Village cuisine and how true is that! Kumar’s Mess is a neighbourhood operation in a strip mall offering homestyle, organic South Indian bites in comfortable digs. This place is a non-vegetarian’s delight! Mutton Chops and Mutton Varuval are all-time favourites. They even serve a wide variety of vegetarian options, which makes this a must-visit in Austin. Tip – Please make sure to reserve a table from the official website to ensure that you get a place. The restaurant gets completely booked out on the weekends. PURE VEGETARIAN Suprabhat The ambience and aura at Suprabhat will definitely leave you completely satisfied. They serve traditional Indian dishes and also keep exploring indigenous cuisines that can be brought into their menu. Their specialities include – Simple food that is cooked home style, all masalas and podis are sun dried and ground in-house, pickles are prepared in-house. This is a must-visit for a pure vegetarian experience from India. Bombay Express Bombay Express is an authentic Indian Cafe in Austin, serving equally good North Indian and South Indian vegetarian options. If you are looking for comfort food without any flashy ambience, this is the place to visit. Hope you find this list of Indian restaurants in Austin – Texas, extremely handy. Keep Travelling! Live To Eat! Much Love, Wander Bird Related