Woodlands Indian Vegetarian Cuisine has been a hugely popular restaurant among vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike for years. After briefly closing for a few months in 2017, the city breathed a sigh of relief when it reopened, and it continues to be a go-to spot for its lunch buffet and dinner.

Bombay Palace draws crowds for its lunch buffet, which offers many traditional Indian favorites including several vegetarian options. While there are other good Indian restaurants on the west side of town, Bombay Palace’s patrons continue returning for the restaurant’s consistent quality and accommodating staff.

Sitar Indian Restaurant is located within walking distance of Vanderbilt University in the heart of Midtown, serving Indian and Pakistani cuisine for lunch and dinner in a warm, relaxing space. Don’t miss the scallop patia or chili pakora.

One of three local restaurants from celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan, Chauhan Ale & Masala House marries a traditional approach to Indian dishes with an appreciation for Southern ingredients. Before diving into the desi fare section, make a pit stop at the appetizers for gol guppa shots.

A mix of traditional fare and modern on-the-go takes on Indian specialties, like biriyani bowls, is the name of the game at Saffron the Indian Kitchen, located in the new Assembly Food Hall downtown. It’s from the same folks that were behind the former Mysore Palace in Franklin, which is now home to a new Indian restaurant, Persis Biryani Indian Grill.

Sindoore serves north Indian cuisine in an elegant space tucked away in a Donelson strip mall. Try the chicken kati roll, an Indian street food staple resembling a burrito, and don’t miss the homemade ice cream, which is flavored with betel leaves and rose petals.