There are Indian restaurants in New York City, and then there’s Adda NYC—the kind of restaurant that looks at the phrase “keep it simple” and orders another round of spices.
Located at 107 1st Avenue in the East Village, Adda is the latest chapter from Unapologetic Foods, the restaurant group behind NYC favorites including Dhamaka and Semma. After making its name in Long Island City, Adda returned in a new East Village home with the same fearless approach to Indian cooking—and considerably more reasons to loosen your belt.
The restaurant’s name is particularly appropriate. “Adda” refers to a gathering place—a spot where people hang out, talk, eat and, apparently, completely lose track of time. In other words, it’s basically the Indian restaurant equivalent of saying, “You don’t have plans tonight, right?”
And then there’s the food.
Adda’s menu goes far beyond the usual butter chicken-and-naan routine. Expect dishes such as lamb parcha, Malawani fish curry, peppercorn bone marrow, goat biryani and bheja masala, with bold regional flavors throughout.
But the headline attraction may be the restaurant’s Butter Chicken Experience, priced at $38 per person. It turns a familiar Indian favorite into a full tableside production featuring heritage chicken, dal, paratha and basmati rice. Because apparently butter chicken needed its own Broadway show.
Adda has also earned serious critical attention. Time Out named it New York’s No. 1 restaurant for 2026, while the Michelin Guide highlights its intense seasoning, polished presentation and dishes including roasted bone marrow and seabass fish curry.
So if you’re searching for the best Indian restaurants in NYC, Adda deserves a spot on the list.
Come hungry. Leave eventually.
