The 5 Best Indian Restaurants in Paris : A Experienced Journey

Greetings, my fellow Paris travelers! Imagine this, you are embarking on a journey that promises to fill your belly with an array of mouth-watering dishes from across the globe. It’s all about experiencing the art and culture of a nation through its food. 

During my visit to Paris, I came across some of the best Indian dishes I had ever tasted! So without any further ado, grab your luggage and let’s head out together on this foodie adventure, Am I right?!

This post is solely for food lovers like me who know that the holiday’s essence is not limited to desserts Barcelona, France, or the ancient ruins in Greece. A trip is incomplete without sampling the regional cuisine, which is why the French trip got me hooked — the buttery croissants and the bistros were great, yes, but more importantly, I learned about the top 5 Indian restaurants in Paris. 

It was a pleasing last few days spent staying drunk at noon with authentic desi flavors. So, turn on your imagination and prepare for this juicy expedition.

The Best 5 Indian Restaurants in Paris

Enlighten Paris, A vacation lovely of love that is filled with croissants and art. The Indian Cuisine that took my heart during my vacation in Paris had everything to do with The Naan, The Biryani, The Chicken Tikka Masala, to name a few! Here are a few places where you can enjoy some of the rich Indian Cuisines:

1. Krishna Bhavan
2. Le Maharaja
3. Shalimar
4. Taj Mahal
5. Gandhi Ji

A Deep Dive into the Best Indian Restaurants in Paris

1. Krishna Bhavan

A small vegetarian restaurant that specializes in Indian Cuisine. Located on the Northern side of the famed Taj Mahal, Krishna Bhavan is famous for its delicious pastries and rice dishes, as well as its welcoming atmosphere. Which one’s gonna be your favorite?

Krishna Bhavan restaurant follows the same principle of not departing from South Indian cuisine. Every Krishna Bhavan dumplings and soups are packed full of bubbling flavor as they’re made meticulously with ingredients sourced directly from the region. As soon as you enter any Krishna Bhavan location, the strong smell of spices and welcoming kindness prepares you for an enjoyable culinary adventure.

Popular Dishes

Visiting the Krishna Bhavan Restaurant, patrons are sure to experience an instinctive spurt of hunger given the unique cuisine which includes a broad variety of appetizing desserts and hot soup. Some of the most recommended foods are as follows;

• Roti: Any skip through South Indian food will be incomplete without a glimpse of their thin roti which is a widely popular snack made of butter and prepared after mixing dal and rice batter with water. For better taste, Roti can also be spiced up with potatoes.
• Idlis: These are steamed rice cakes which are as soft as a cloud. A lot of individuals love to dip these rice cakes in sambar (a lentil based stew) and coconut chutney.
• Vadas: These are fried lentil donuts, vadas, have a crispy surface and soft interior and they can be devoured at any point in time.
• Thalis: A perfect dish for a big foodie as it includes quite a bit of everything thalis consist of various curries, rice, and accompaniments all placed together in one warm dish.

Pricings

Here’s a breakdown of the pricing for some of the most popular items on the Krishna Bhavan menu, along with their approximate conversions into euros:

Dosas: €1.10 to €2.20

Idlis: about €0.55 to €1.10.

Vadas: €0.33 to €0.88

Thalis: €2.20 to €4.40

My Experience: There were so many things to enjoy, but I am pretty sure that the highlight was the Dosa (a thin pancake made out of rice) with a side of coconut chutney.

They praise it to the high heavens and I certainly can understand why! And, the rates are incredibly low as well, surely a dish every person should be able to taste when visiting the Indian vegetarian outlets in Paris.

2. Le Maharaja

Overview: The royal legacy of India, Le Maharaja which resides near the crowded Champs-Elysees provides a reasonably rich dining experience in Paris.

Among several things, Le Maharaja does boast about serving pure Indian food, with some creative alterations. Although set in the bustling streets of Paris, the décor is found to be very Indian, with warm color tones, a robust design, and a very comfy welcoming vibe. Quite an experience to sit in such an environment be it to a person who has had Indian food several times or to a person who is having it for the very first time.

Popular Dishes

At Le Maharaja, the menu is rather comprehensive and diverse in order to meet the needs of different customers. There are some signature dishes that are a must try and are listed below:

• Butter Chicken: This quintessential North Indian butter chicken consists of small pieces of chicken that are cooked with a buttery tomato sauce. Customers always ask for this dish and devoured it with rice or naan bread.
• Paneer Tikka Achar: For vegetarians, the marinated and grilled paneer (Indian cottage cheese) is a delightful option, bursting with flavors from the spices and herbs used.
• Biryani: Le Maharaja has several forms of biryani, a rice with aroma, meat, or vegetables that has been ideally prepped and seasoned in an appropriate amount, and various layers of spices. The spicy arabian dish is commonly accompanied by raita (sauce made with yogurt) which helps to ease the difficulty caused by strong spices.
• Samosas: These are crunchy pastry shells filled with spiced mashed potatoes and peas and are excellent finger foods for starters. They are served with mint chutney on the side.

Pricings

Le Maharaja is said to serve its Indian delicacies at reasonable rates. The following should help you make an informed decision regarding pricing:

• Appetizers: If one wants to have starters, like Samosas and Pakoras, then one has to pay around €6 to €12.
• Main Courses: We price our main meat or vegetarian dishes from €15 to €25, depending on the plate.
• Biryani: A delicious rice meal which starts from €18 and can go up to €18 to €25.
• Desserts: The traditional Indian desserts such as Gulab Jamun or Kheer cost from €5 to €10.
• Beverages: The beverage list includes a variety of Indian beers, wines and soft drinks, which range from €4 to €10.

My Experience: I tried the Butter Chicken, and I can tell you that it was perfect in its creaminess and spices combined, and the atmosphere was splendid that every single bite was worth loads. 

The attention provided to detail was above average and the staff was friendly and seemed to care about my experience. This is the reason as to why this particular restaurant is noted among the top Indian restaurants in Paris.

3. Shalimar

Overview: But this time I got a good seat near the front, and even though I was sweating like a pig, not as embarrassing as the first raid. With the smokeshow bonus effect still in the air, a bold first impression was absorbed: all praise came the way of Shalimar as it is popularly known amongst local Indians.

Shalimar is recommended to anyone who wishes and dreams to experience real Indian cuisine with an original touch. It is located in what one might consider the more upbeat streets of the city. Shalimar has become the talk of France thanks to its mouth-watering beverages and dishes, genuine customer service and above all, good Indian food. In this blog, we will see what exactly makes this restaurant so special and worth visiting time and time again along with its menu prices and other aspects of the restaurant.

Popular Dishes

Every aspect of the Shalimar menu is an extensive and carefully selected assortment of numerous traditional Indian cuisines. Here are some notable items that are not recommended to be missed:

• Chicken Tikka Masala: This well-known dish consists of marinated chicken that has been cooked in a broth of tomatoes, cream and a myriad of spices. It’s a big hit with patrons and is great with naan or rice.
• Palak Paneer: For vegetarians, it is paneer cheese covered in a spinach sauce with some spices added. It is wholesome and appetizing at the same time.
• Lamb Biryani: This dish is a rice based one and contains layers of soft and moist lamb along with assorted spices and herbs. It is then topped with raita to add a cooling taste to the spice. The biryani at Shalimar is definitely a go-to if you love rice dishes.
• Vegetable Samosas: These starters are a perfect pick to start your meal and are made of mashed potatoes and peas and are crisp. They are served with sweet and sour tamarind chutney for a lip smacking combination.

Pricings

Shalimar is widely appreciated for its competitive pricing which makes it easy for a number of people wishing to savoree good Indian dishes. Here’s a rough guideline of the pricing that you can expect:

• Starters: Starters which includes items such as samosas and pakoras are generally priced between €6 to €10.
• Main Dishes: Most of the main dishes fall between €15 to €25 based on the selection of meat or vegetarian preference.
• Biryani: A mouthwatering chunky meal, biryani generally features within the price range of €18 to €25.
• Sweets: Items such as Indonesian sweet gulab jamun or sweet kheer are offered at a price between €5 to €8.
• Drinks: The beverage menu features only some Indian beer, wine and soft drinks, sold between €4 to €8.

Experience: The Tandoori Chicken must be the most chicken available. Juiced and grilled with marinade which reminded me of one of my mama’s recipes.

The atmosphere was lively, even when I was cold, and waiting for the bill alongside other young Indian diners who were in love with Indian food in Paris.

4. Taj Mahal

Overview: Taj Mahal definitely didn’t instantly ruin it in my stomach, located in the center of Montparnasse filled with mouthwatering Indian aromas. The void was only broken by the delicious peshwari naan, a tub of lies said the waiter as he shoved the plate over.

In an effort to recreate the Indian feel, the Taj Mahal restaurants combine traditional elements with modern touches. The striking hues of red adorned with golden detailing, rich intricate designs, and yellow lighting add to the charm of the food. Taj has something to offer to all whether Indian food is a part of your culture or heritage or whether you are eating digestive items for the first time.

Popular Dishes

The Taj Mahal restaurant has one of the most extensive menus, portraying rich Indian cuisines that one can possibly think of. To name a few they are the following:

• Chicken Tikka: The boneless chicken is marinated in spices and yogurt before being grilled to perfection in tikka. This dish is usually served with hot mint chutney. Chicken tikka is lauded as the first course of the meal.
• Rogan Josh: Prepared with a flaming spice mix, Rogan josh is among the iconic lamb centerpieces of the Kashmiri cuisine. Tender lamb pieces served with gravy, it’s one dish for spice lovers.
• Paneer Butter Masala: On the other hand, for vegetarians it is a fabulous dish made out of Indian cottage cheese bathed in a spicy and creamy tomato sauce, making it royal. They go along well with naan or rice very exquisite.
• Biryani: Taj Mahal Restaurant offers a range of biryanis like chicken, lamb and vegetable. Its tantalizing fragrance and taste arise from marinating meat or vegetables in spices and layering them with rice and cooking gradually.

Pricings

Taj Mahal has earned a positive reputation due to its low rates, which caters perfectly to anyone looking to enjoy Indian cuisine on a budget. Below is an insight into the pricing one should expect:

• Appetizers: Appetizers such as samosas and chicken tikka have a price range of €6 to €12.
• Main Courses: Almost every main dish will cost you no more than €15 to €25, based on the type of meat/ vegetarian selection.
• Biryani: Bearing in mind the low rate, this delightful dish can be purchased for approximately €18 to €25 — a decent amount for any main course.
• Desserts: Classic Indian desserts such as Gulab Jamun or Kheer are offered for a small amount of roughly €5 to €8.
• Beverages: The drinks section contains a span of Indian beers, wines and even soft drinks, with an approximate cost of €4 to €8.

My Experience: After a portion of the Peshwari naan and grilled chicken marinated in spices was consumed, I tried the paneer tikka masala Thinking why not, the fourth meal of the day after a serving of rice. 

The lavish dressings made me never want the meal to end, let alone heartlessly chew down the delicious pan-fried grilled meal. With such neck breaking quality I had no reason to wonder why this entire restaurant focused on the best Indian food in Paris was recommended to me.

5. Gandhi Ji

Overview: Another Indian eatery in Paris is Gandhi Ji, located just a stone’s throw away from Gare du Nord making it a decent spot to quickly get a meal.

Gandhi Ji restaurant invites diners into a warm and welcoming environment that reflects the rich cultural heritage of India. The decor is thoughtfully designed, featuring traditional Indian art, soft lighting, and comfortable seating that creates the perfect backdrop for a delightful meal. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to enjoy a comforting meal, Gandhi Ji provides a memorable setting.

Popular Dishes

The Taj Mahal restaurant has one of the most extensive menus, portraying rich Indian cuisines that one can possibly think of. To name a few they are the following:

• Chicken Tikka: The boneless chicken is marinated in spices and yogurt before being grilled to perfection in tikka. This dish is usually served with hot mint chutney. Chicken tikka is lauded as the first course of the meal.
• Rogan Josh: Prepared with a flaming spice mix, Rogan josh is among the iconic lamb centerpieces of the Kashmiri cuisine. Tender lamb pieces served with gravy, it’s one dish for spice lovers.
• Paneer Butter Masala: On the other hand, for vegetarians it is a fabulous dish made out of Indian cottage cheese bathed in a spicy and creamy tomato sauce, making it royal. They go along well with naan or rice very exquisite.
• Biryani: Taj Mahal Restaurant offers a range of biryanis like chicken, lamb and vegetable. Its tantalizing fragrance and taste arise from marinating meat or vegetables in spices and layering them with rice and cooking gradually.

Pricings

Taj Mahal has earned a positive reputation due to its low rates, which caters perfectly to anyone looking to enjoy Indian cuisine on a budget. Below is an insight into the pricing one should expect:

• Appetizers: Appetizers such as samosas and chicken tikka have a price range of €6 to €12.
• Main Courses: Almost every main dish will cost you no more than €15 to €25, based on the type of meat/ vegetarian selection.
• Biryani: Bearing in mind the low rate, this delightful dish can be purchased for approximately €18 to €25 — a decent amount for any main course.
• Desserts: Classic Indian desserts such as Gulab Jamun or Kheer are offered for a small amount of roughly €5 to €8.
• Beverages: The drinks section contains a span of Indian beers, wines and even soft drinks, with an approximate cost of €4 to €8.

My Experience: An interesting method to eat is the Indian buffet. In all honesty the food is great and you would want to eat a bit of everything. Great to see how both tourists and natives share the same love for food, the vibe was pleasant.

My Experiences: A Taste of India in Paris

These Indian Restaurants are undoubtedly a piece of India in the heart of Paris. All the cafes had something different to offer but the hospitality of the employees as well as their passion for the Indian dishes was consistent across the board. 

There were moments when I interacted with the people in Paris and they opened my eyes to the various ways in which their culture has embraced Indian food.

It was in the hotel restaurant Le Maharaja that I met a couple from India. Our conversation commenced over our love for Chicken Tikka as we recollected where our nearest Indian take out was back home. Trips are filled with such moments, maybe so that’s the beauty of it, no?

My Personal Recommended Places to Stay

Restaurant Name	Location	Type	Pricing (€)	Standout Dishes
Krishna Bhavan	La Chapelle	Vegetarian	8-15	Dosa, Idli, Sambar
Le Maharaja	Near Champs-Élysées	Fine Dining	20-30	Butter Chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh
Shalimar	Near Eiffel Tower	Indian Cuisine	15-25	Tandoori Chicken, Biryani
Taj Mahal	Montparnasse	Casual Dining	10-20	Paneer Tikka Masala, Naan
Gandhi Ji	Near Gare du Nord	Casual/Takeout	12	Indian Buffet, Chicken Curry

Why You Must Visit These Restaurants

After looking back at my gastronomic voyage of Paris, I can undoubtedly assert these top 5 Indian restaurants in Paris, that can be found in the vicinity, are not mere sites where one goes to look for food but places that showcase the beautiful diversity and depth of Indian culture right at the heart of France.

Every meal ranges from the colorful vegetarian offerings at Krishna Bhavan to regal meals at Le Maharaja which are different. While planning your next vacation, do not forget to have a go at these culinary delights.

For those who have always been a fan of Indian food or want to try it for the first time, these places are worth a visit as the memories and the taste shall stay with you long after you’ve left the place. So, go on and pamper yourself with the finest Indian cuisine in Paris as your taste buds are going to love it!

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