The following are my personal favorite South Asian restaurants in Salt Lake City. That means the glorious flavors from India, Nepal, Pakistan and more.
Bhansa Ghar
Opening in early 2024, Bhansa Ghar is my current go-to destination for Indian and Nepali cuisine. The menu is more expansive than their peers, and the execution is fabulous. Case in point, the pictured chicken dopiaza, a dish I haven’t found at any other Indian or Nepali restaurant in Utah. The dish’s sweet flavor profile comes from the bold use of myriad onions. Need some more inspiration? The jhol momo here is also first-rate. Check out this story I wrote about the business and their menu.
250 W 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(385) 420-4051
bhansagharut.com
Habibi Grill
Once upon a time I think this location in WVC was Zabiha Grill. Pictured is the lamb shinwari karahi from the latest occupant, Habibi Grill. With a limited number of Pakistani options in the valley, it’s a dish I’ve not stumbled over before in Utah. You can read all about the dish in this story I wrote here, but suffices to say it’s fabulous stuff; and again, relatively unique in Salt Lake City.
3460 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84119
(801) 419-0289
sites.google.com/view/myhabibigrill/home
Curry Fried Chicken
This fast-casual restaurant offers a unique dish you won’t find anywhere else in Utah – and maybe surrounding states. Curry. Fried. Chicken. Take a moment to let that sink in. While you can find more common Indian dishes on the menu the star here is the lush chicken. This would be award-winning fried chicken in its own right, but coupled with the lip-smacking heat and flavor from Indian spices, this is a taste sensation like no other.
660 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 924-9188
facebook.com/cfcslc/
Star Of India
One of Salt Lake City’s most venerable Indian restaurants, the star has been around in one location or another since 1990. The Star is now located in the Ramada Inn on the West side of town but still serves up classic Indian dishes that have kept it a favorite for nearly three decades. Fun fact: this was the first restaurant I ever ate at in Utah.
1659 W. North Temple, (Inside Ramada Inn), Salt Lake City, UT 84116
(801) 363-7555
starofindiaonline.com
Bhutan House
The Sandy-based Bhutan House makes some of the best momos in town – tightly wrapped Nepalese dumplings stuffed with a delicious range of filings. Be careful with the spice level you choose, the chefs at Bhutan House really go hot if you ask! If you do aim too high – balance things out with plenty of luscious biryani.
1241 E 8600 S, Sandy, UT 84094
(801) 679-0945
bhutanhouserestaurant.com
Gurkhas – Indian And Nepali Cuisine
From some of the team behind Highland Drive’s Kathmandu, which itself was from some of the team behind downtown SLC’s Himalayan Kitchen way back when. Gurkhas offers a strong Indian and Nepalese menu that is always executed reliably.
3025 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
(801) 755-3499
gurkhas.pizzamico.com
Ganesh Indian Cuisine
With locations in Midvale, American Fork, and now Park City, Ganesh is a fine choice for Indian dining. Of particular note are the Southern Indian specialties such as dosa, vada, and idli.
Midvale | 777 E Fort Union Blvd, Midvale, UT 84047 | (801) 569-3800
American Fork | 784 E State Rd, American Fork, UT 84003 | (385) 265-4126
Park City, UT, 1811 Sidewinder Dr. Park City, UT 84060 | (435) 538-4110
ganeshindiancuisine.com
Chettinad House
Chettinad moved into the space left empty by the departure of Lamb’s Grill on downtown SLC’s Main Street. The menu is extensive and eclectic featuring several dishes you won’t find in many other places – not least a range of Indian breakfast dishes. Looking for Indian food in downtown Salt Lake? This is the place to go.
169 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 410-4696
Gura’s Spice House
Located in Herriman Utah, this fantastic Indian and Nepali eatery is worth the drive even if you’re not a local. The naan bread alone is impeccable and perhaps the best in the state. Everything from their tandoori roasted meat to curry is pitch-perfect. Also worthy of note, are their Nepali specialties such as momo and chili dishes.
5530 13400 S, Herriman, UT 84096
(801) 666-8754
gurasspicehouse.com
Kathmandu
With two locations, one close to downtown and the other just outside Sugar House, Kathmandu is one of the best Indian restaurants in town, and like Gura’s Nepalese too. Open seven days a week, and replete with every dish you can imagine, worthy of note is their weekday buffet. Offered from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. the choices are diverse and generous. It’s wallet friendly too, for just a few pennies more than a $10 bill.
Downtown | 212 South 700 East #D, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 | (801) 355-0454
Sugar House | 3142 S Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 | (801) 466-3504
thekathmandu.net
Tandoor Indian Grill
This family-run business located on busy 33rd South in Salt Lake City, is a popular choice for Salt Lakers. Open every day of the week, the menu offers everything you could want: luscious curries, tandoor bread, and meats plus some lesser-known Southern Indian specialties such as the pictured dosa.
733 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(801) 486-4542
tandoorindiangrill.com
Saffron Valley
With four locations across the Salt Lake Valley, there’s a lot to discover at Saffron Valley. Each restaurant offers a slightly different menu, meaning you will have to visit all four to discover all the great dishes. The downtown SLC location offers a really great weekend lunch and brunch buffet too – well worth checking out.
Colonial | 26 E St E, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Bistro | 79 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Canteen | 1098 S Jordan Pkwy, South Jordan, UT 84095
Circle | 4597 W. Patridgehill Lane, Riverton, UT, 84096
saffronvalley.com | order delivery (affiliate)
Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.
I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV. Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.
Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.
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