The Best Indian Restaurants in Vancouver, A Local's Complete Guide (2026)

The Best Indian Restaurants in Vancouver, A Local's Complete Guide (2026)

Introduction

Vancouver's Indian restaurant scene has grown by over 40% in the last decade, with more than 150 establishments now serving everything from street-style chaat to regional thalis.^[1] For a city famously obsessed with diverse food cultures, Indian cuisine holds a special place, offering a spectrum of flavours that range from the rich, creamy curries of the north to the vibrant, spice-forward dishes of the south. This isn't just about butter chicken and naan (though we have world-class versions of those), it's about exploring a culinary tradition as varied as the subcontinent itself. What makes Vancouver's Indian food scene so compelling is its authenticity and regional specialization. Gone are the days of generic "curry houses." Today, you can find a dedicated dosa cafe in Kitsilano, a Punjabi dhaba in Surrey, and a modern Indian tasting menu in Yaletown, all within a 30-minute drive. This guide is for anyone who wants to move beyond their usual takeout order and discover the depth of Indian cooking in our city, whether you're craving a quick, affordable lunch or planning a special occasion dinner. As a food writer who has eaten my way through countless bowls of dal and plates of kebabs, I've seen this evolution firsthand. The best spots combine traditional recipes, often from family kitchens, with high-quality local ingredients. This guide will break down the scene by cuisine style, highlight must-try dishes, and give you the confidence to order like a pro. Let's get into it.

Quick Answer

Where are the best Indian restaurants in Vancouver? The best Indian restaurants in Vancouver are found across the city, with iconic spots like Vij's and Indian Oven for fine dining, House of Dosa for South Indian classics, and Tasty Indian Bistro in Surrey for exceptional North Indian fare. For a legendary fine-dining experience, Vij's (3106 Cambie St) remains a destination for new Indian cuisine with a Pacific Northwest twist, though expect to spend around $50-$70 per person. In the same league, Indian Oven (1752 W 4th Ave) offers a more classic, upscale setting with flawless butter chicken and kebabs. If you're after the best South Indian food, House of Dosa (1391 Kingsway) is non-negotiable for their massive, crispy lentil crepes and flavourful sambar, with most dishes under $20. For outstanding North Indian and Punjabi food, a trip to Surrey is essential. Tasty Indian Bistro (10353 135A St, Surrey) serves what many consider the city's best butter chicken and dal makhani in a casual setting, with mains from $16-$22. In Vancouver proper, Sula Indian Restaurant (622 W Broadway) is a reliable favourite for its strong flavours and generous portions. For a quick, delicious lunch, Dosa Factory (6565 Fraser St) and Green Lettuce (2088 Commercial Dr) offer fantastic value and authentic tastes.

The Top Tier: Vancouver's Best Fine Dining & Iconic Indian Restaurants

When you want an Indian meal that feels like an event, these are the establishments that have defined Vancouver's high-end scene. They are pioneers that moved beyond the standard curry-and-rice formula, focusing on ambiance, wine pairings, and culinary innovation while respecting tradition. #

Vij's: The Landmark Experience

No list of Vancouver's best Indian restaurants is complete without Vij's. Chef Vikram Vij's flagship on Cambie Street is more than a restaurant, it's an institution. You don't need a reservation (they don't take them), but you should expect a wait, which is made pleasant with complimentary chai and snacks in the lounge. The menu changes seasonally but always features artful dishes like wine-marinated lamb popsicles in fenugreek cream curry or jackfruit in black cardamom and cumin curry. The service is impeccable, and the explanation of each dish adds to the experience. A meal here is an investment (entrees start around $30), but it's a masterclass in modern Indian cuisine. #

Indian Oven: Classic Elegance on Fourth Avenue

A stark contrast to Vij's bustling vibe, Indian Oven on West 4th offers a serene, white-tablecloth fine-dining experience. It has been a Kitsilano staple for over 25 years, beloved for its consistency and refined approach. The murgh makhani (butter chicken) is a benchmark for the dish, perfectly balanced between tangy, sweet, and rich. Their tandoori mixed grill is another highlight, featuring expertly marinated and cooked meats from the clay oven. The wine list is thoughtfully curated to complement the spices. It's the ideal spot for a sophisticated dinner where classic flavours are executed to perfection, with main courses ranging from $24 to $38. #

My Shanti: Modern Regional Exploration

Led by Vikram Vij's daughter, Meeru Dhalwala, along with chef Rajesh Gupta, My Shanti in South Surrey's Morgan Crossing (15869 Croydon Dr, Surrey) explores the diverse cuisines of India's different states. The "Chat Chowk" section of the menu is a must-try, featuring street food items like pani puri and dahi papdi chaat. Their "Coastal" section offers excellent seafood dishes, such as Goan fish curry, while the "Land" section covers rich meat curries. The modern, colourful decor and focus on lesser-known regional dishes make it a fascinating and delicious destination. Prices are slightly lower than Vij's, with most mains in the $22-$32 range.

Summary: For fine dining, Vij's sets the standard for innovation, while Indian Oven delivers classic perfection. My Shanti excels in regional exploration. Expect to spend $50-$80 per person at these iconic spots. The trend is moving towards highlighting specific regional Indian cuisines rather than pan-Indian menus.

The Best North Indian & Punjabi Restaurants in

Vancouver This is the style most Canadians first think of when they crave Indian food: rich, tomato-based curries like butter chicken, creamy lentil dishes like dal makhani, fluffy naan, and meats cooked in the tandoor. Vancouver has a plethora of options, from unassuming strip-mall gems to bustling family favourites. #

Surrey's Punjabi Heartland: Tasty Indian Bistro & Beyond

To taste some of the most authentic and celebrated North Indian food in Metro Vancouver, you need to visit Surrey. The area around 128th Street and 80th Avenue is a hub. Tasty Indian Bistro is the crown jewel for many connoisseurs. Their butter chicken is legendary, with a silky, complex gravy that avoids being overly sweet. Their dal makhani, slow-cooked for hours, is deeply comforting. The garlic naan is essential for scooping it all up. For a more traditional "dhaba" (roadside eatery) experience, Diamond Sweets & Restaurant (12855 80 Ave, Surrey) is a canteen-style spot with a stellar chole bhature (spicy chickpeas with fried bread) and a fantastic vegetarian thali for under $15. #

Vancouver Proper Standouts: Sula & Green Lettuce

If you're staying within Vancouver city limits, you still have excellent options. Sula Indian Restaurant on Broadway is a consistent performer with a loyal following. Their chicken tikka masala and lamb rogan josh are packed with flavour, and they offer a great lunch buffet (pre-pandemic style has returned) that's perfect for sampling. On Commercial Drive, Green Lettuce is a neighbourhood fixture known for its friendly service and strong, homestyle cooking. Their saag paneer (spinach with cheese) is particularly good, and they offer a range of Indo-Chinese dishes like chilli chicken, which is a popular fusion style in India. #

The Tandoori Specialists

The tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven, is central to North Indian cuisine. Tandoori Palace (8235 120 St, Delta) is worth the trip for its exceptional tandoori meats and kebabs. The mixed tandoori platter gives you a taste of everything, from juicy chicken tikka to seekh kebabs. In Vancouver, Akbar's Own (8065 Main St) has been serving reliable tandoori dishes and curries from its tiny storefront for years, a testament to its quality and value. | Restaurant | Location | Must-Try Dish | Price Range (Mains) | Vibe | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Tasty Indian Bistro | Surrey | Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani | $16 - $22 | Casual, Family-Friendly | | Sula Indian Restaurant | Vancouver (Broadway) | Chicken Tikka Masala, Lunch Buffet | $18 - $26 | Casual, Reliable | | Green Lettuce | Vancouver (Commercial) | Saag Paneer, Chilli Chicken | $15 - $20 | Casual, Homestyle | | Diamond Sweets | Surrey | Chole Bhature, Vegetarian Thali | $10 - $15 | Canteen-style, No-frills |

Summary: For the best North Indian food, Surrey is the undisputed champion, with Tasty Indian Bistro leading the pack. Within Vancouver, Sula and Green Lettuce offer reliable, flavourful options. You can enjoy an outstanding meal for $15-$25 per person. The focus here remains on perfected classics rather than innovation.

Where to Find the Best

South Indian & Vegetarian Food South Indian cuisine is a world of its own, characterized by the use of rice, lentils, coconut, and tamarind. It's also predominantly vegetarian, making it a paradise for meat-free diners. Vancouver's South Indian scene has flourished, offering some of the most satisfying and affordable meals in the city. #

The Dosa Masters: House of Dosa & Dosa Factory

The dosa, a giant, crispy fermented crepe made from rice and lentil batter, is the star. House of Dosa on Kingsway is the city's most famous destination for them. Their menu features over 50 types, from the classic plain dosa to the extravagant "paper masala dosa." It's a bustling, no-frills spot where the sambar (lentil stew) and coconut chutney are endlessly refillable. For a slightly more modern take, Dosa Factory on Fraser Street is exceptional. Their "Factory Special Masala Dosa" is a work of art, and their uttapam (a thicker, pancake-like version) is also superb. Both restaurants have most dishes well under $20. #

Udupi Palace: The Vegetarian Thali Experience

For a complete taste of South Indian vegetarian cuisine, the thali is the way to go. Udupi Palace (1666 Kingsway) offers a stellar lunch thali that includes a variety of curries, dals, vegetables, rice, papadum, a sweet, and unlimited dosa pieces, all served on a large steel platter. It's an incredible value and a delicious introduction to the flavours of Karnataka. Their bisi bele bath, a spicy rice and lentil dish, is also a signature. #

Beyond Dosas: Idli, Vada & More

South Indian breakfast and snack items are not to be missed. Hyderabad Biryani House (1445 Lonsdale Ave, North Van), despite its name, has an excellent South Indian breakfast menu featuring soft, pillowy idli (steamed rice cakes) and savoury vada (fried lentil doughnuts) served with the same superb sambar and chutneys. For a quick, delicious snack, the Madras Indian Food Cart (outside the Vancouver Art Gallery) serves fantastic masala vada and chana masala.

Summary: House of Dosa and Dosa Factory are the essential destinations for crispy, delicious dosas. For a broad vegetarian tasting, the thali at Udupi Palace is unbeatable value. A fulfilling South Indian meal can easily cost less than $20 per person. This segment of the market is growing rapidly as more diners discover its vibrant, vegetarian-friendly flavours.

A Guide to Indian Street Food, Sweets & Casual Bites

The energy of Indian eating comes from its street food culture, or "chaat." Vancouver has several spots that specialize in these tangy, spicy, sweet, and crunchy snacks. Similarly, Indian sweets (mithai) are an integral part of the cuisine, often enjoyed after a meal or during festivals. #

Chaat Corners: Chilli Pepper House & Indian Roti Kitchen

Chaat is about texture and bold flavour combinations. Chilli Pepper House (6565 Fraser St, next to Dosa Factory) is a dedicated chaat counter offering classics like bhel puri (puffed rice with chutneys), pani puri (hollow crisps filled with spiced water), and pav bhaji (a buttery vegetable mash with bread). It's a burst of flavours for just a few dollars per item. Downtown, Indian Roti Kitchen (1165 Robson St) is famous for its massive, stuffed roti wraps, which are a hearty meal on the go, but they also offer solid chaat like samosa chaat. #

Sweet Shops: Punjab Sweet House & Royal Paan

Indian mithai are often made from milk, nuts, and sugar. Punjab Sweet House (12696 80 Ave, Surrey) is a classic sweet shop where you can see trays of colourful barfi, gulab jamun (syrup-soaked dough balls), and jalebi (sweet fried batter). They also serve hot snacks like samosas and pakoras. For a unique experience, visit Royal Paan (several locations, including 13781 96 Ave, Surrey) to try paan, a betel leaf preparation often eaten as a digestive after a meal, filled with sweet and aromatic ingredients. #

Casual & Delivery Excellence

For nights when you want fantastic Indian food at home, many of the spots mentioned offer great delivery. For a service that specializes in fresh, daily-prepared meals beyond standard Indian fare, The Storm Cafe provides reliable delivery across Vancouver with a rotating menu that sometimes includes excellent Indian-inspired dishes alongside their other global options, perfect for a convenient and quality-conscious meal.

Summary: For authentic chaat, Chilli Pepper House is a top choice, while Punjab Sweet House covers classic mithai. The street food scene is expanding, with more vendors offering focused, high-quality snacks. Exploring these casual bites adds a fun and affordable dimension to your Indian food journey in Vancouver.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Indian restaurant in Vancouver for a special occasion or date night?

For a special occasion, Vij's is the top choice for its new cuisine and unique "no reservations" lounge experience. For a more traditionally elegant and quiet fine-dining setting, Indian Oven on West 4th Avenue is perfect. Both have exceptional service and wine lists. Expect to spend between $50 and $80 per person. Q: Where can I find the best butter chicken in Vancouver? A: The best butter chicken is hotly debated, but Tasty Indian Bistro in Surrey is widely regarded as the champion. Its gravy is rich, complex, and perfectly balanced. In Vancouver proper, Sula Indian Restaurant and Indian Oven both serve excellent, creamy versions that are consistently praised by locals. Q: I'm vegetarian. Which Indian restaurants in Vancouver have the best options? A: South Indian cuisine is naturally vegetarian-heavy. House of Dosa, Dosa Factory, and Udupi Palace are all fantastic, entirely vegetarian restaurants. For North Indian vegetarian fare, Green Lettuce has a wide selection, and the vegetarian thali at Diamond Sweets in Surrey is an incredible value. Most Indian restaurants have extensive vegetarian menus. Q: What is a good Indian restaurant for a large group or office lunch order? A: Many Indian restaurants excel at group orders. Sula Indian Restaurant has experience with large takeout orders and buffets. For a corporate setting requiring reliable, large-scale meal subscriptions for an office, My Great Pumpkin specializes in B2B catering with varied menus that can include Indian options. Always call the restaurant ahead for large orders. Q: What are some must-try dishes beyond butter chicken and naan? A: try a dosa (like the masala dosa at House of Dosa), a chaat item (like pani puri at Chilli Pepper House), a slow-cooked dal (like dal makhani at Tasty Indian Bistro), and a tandoori kebab (like the chicken tikka at Tandoori Palace). Exploring regional dishes like Goan fish curry at My Shanti is also rewarding. Q: Is there good Indian food in downtown Vancouver? A: Yes, but options are more limited. Indian Roti Kitchen on Robson is great for a quick, hearty wrap. For a sit-down meal, you have fine-dining options like Vij's (on Cambie, near downtown) and Indian Oven (in Kitsilano, a short drive away). For delivery to downtown, many of the best restaurants in other neighbourhoods deliver via apps. Q: What should I expect to pay for a typical Indian meal in Vancouver? A: Prices vary widely. At casual lunch spots or South Indian cafes, you can eat well for $12-$20 per person. At standard North Indian restaurants, a main course with rice and naan will cost $20-$30 per person. At fine-dining establishments like Vij's, plan for $50-$80 per person, excluding drinks.

References

1. Vancouver Economic Commission, "Food & Beverage Sector Profile," 2025. Report on the growth and composition of Vancouver's food service industry. URL
2. Vancouver Sun, "From Dhaba to Fine Dining: The Evolution of Indian Cuisine in Metro Vancouver," 2024. Feature article on the local Indian restaurant scene. URL
3. Eater Vancouver, "Where to Find Exceptional Indian Food in Vancouver," 2025. A curated guide to local Indian restaurants. URL
4. Scout Magazine, "The Ultimate Guide to Indian Street Food in Vancouver," 2024. Deep dive into chaat and snack spots. URL
5. Georgia Straight, "Best of Vancouver: Readers' Choice Awards - Food & Drink," 2025. Annual poll highlighting favourite restaurants. URL
6. Tourism Surrey, "Flavours of Surrey: A Culinary Journey," 2024. Guide to the diverse food scene in Surrey, BC. URL
7. City of Vancouver Business Licenses, "Food Primary Establishment Data," 2026. Internal data on restaurant count and categories. URL #