New Indian Restaurants in Albany (August 2026)

TL;DR

• 🍛 Albany's Indian restaurant scene spans nine spots across Central Avenue, Columbia Turnpike, and Madison Avenue
• 📍 Lazeez at 35 Central Avenue and Gandhi at 1 Central Avenue anchor the downtown dining corridor
• 🌿 Sankalp - The Taste Of India on Columbia Turnpike specializes in South Indian vegetarian fare
• 🥘 Shalimar Indian Pakistani Mediterranean on North Greenbush Road extends beyond subcontinental cuisine
• 🗺 Most of Albany's Indian dining clusters in two zones: the Central Avenue stretch and the Columbia Turnpike strip

Albany's Indian Dining Landscape

Albany may not top national lists for Indian food density, but the capital region's Desi dining scene punches above its size. Across Central Avenue, Columbia Turnpike, and Madison Avenue, a cluster of Indian restaurants has built consistent reputations among local residents, state government workers, and students from the University at Albany. The following guide covers active Indian restaurants in Albany with confirmed addresses as of August 2026.

The Central Avenue Corridor

Three Indian restaurants operate in or near the Central Avenue stretch of Albany's downtown, making it the most concentrated Desi dining strip in the city.

Gandhi at 1 Central Avenue is one of the longest-running Indian restaurants in Albany. Its position near downtown makes it a frequent lunch destination for office workers and a reliable dinner choice for residents across the city. Phone: +1-518-449-5577.

Aashiana at 31 Central Avenue is a near neighbor to Gandhi, adding more Indian dining density to the same block. The name translates roughly to "sanctuary" in Urdu, and the restaurant has maintained a steady Central Avenue presence for years. Phone: +1-518-463-4161.

Lazeez at 35 Central Avenue rounds out the Central Avenue cluster. The name means "delicious" in Urdu and Arabic. Lazeez operates as a full-service Indian restaurant with an active online presence. Phone: +1-518-465-0333.

Having three Indian restaurants within two blocks of each other gives Albany diners a convenient comparison for the same general price range and cuisine type — a level of concentration unusual in a city this size.

Royal India at 519 Central Avenue extends the corridor further north along the same road. Phone: +1-518-482-4555.

Columbia Turnpike: Two Very Different Approaches

The Columbia Turnpike corridor in neighboring Rensselaer County hosts two distinct Indian concepts with contrasting identities.

Masala House at 574 Columbia Turnpike takes a broad subcontinental approach. Phone: +1-518-851-8285.

Sankalp - The Taste Of India at 593 Columbia Turnpike — nearly across the street from Masala House — focuses on South Indian and chaat-forward fare: dosas, idlis, vadas, and Indo-Chinese items typical of the Sankalp brand. For a South Indian vegetarian experience, Sankalp - The Taste Of India is the clearest choice in the Albany area. Phone: +1-518-472-0077. Email: sankalpalbany@gmail.com.

Shalimar Indian Pakistani Mediterranean at 600 North Greenbush Road takes a broader menu scope than its Albany competitors, incorporating Mediterranean dishes alongside Indian and Pakistani preparations. Email: starworldrestaurant@gmail.com. The North Greenbush Road address sits just over the Troy-Albany line, accessible from multiple directions.

Madison Avenue and Lark Street

Curry House at 1112 Madison Avenue operates on a schedule worth noting before you go. Hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Wednesday, Thursday 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM; Saturday 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM. Phone: +1-518-438-2265. The Madison Avenue location draws a mix of neighborhood regulars and destination diners from across the south end.

Jewel of India on Lark at 187 Lark Street occupies Albany's Lark Street corridor, a stretch known for independent restaurants and bars. Phone: +1-518-512-5600. The location attracts a younger and more mixed demographic than the suburban Indian spots elsewhere in the city.

What the Albany Indian Dining Scene Covers

Between the nine restaurants listed above, Albany's Indian food scene covers a reasonable range of regional styles and dietary preferences. The Central Avenue cluster — Gandhi, Aashiana, Lazeez, Royal India — reflects the North Indian mainstream: curries, biryanis, tandoor preparations. Sankalp - The Taste Of India brings South Indian vegetarian specifically. Shalimar Indian Pakistani Mediterranean adds Pakistani preparations and Mediterranean crossover. Curry House and Jewel of India on Lark fill the Madison Avenue and arts-district niches respectively.

For the Albany diaspora community, this distribution means that whether the priority is a quick Central Avenue lunch, a South Indian dosa craving, or a Lark Street dinner before a show, there is a Desi option within reach.

Insider Tip 🍽

If you are new to Albany and trying to decide where to start, the Columbia Turnpike pairing of Masala House and Sankalp - The Taste Of India makes for a natural first comparison. Both are on the same street within a few hundred feet. Sankalp is the go-to for South Indian vegetarian; Masala House covers the broader North Indian menu. Going to one for lunch and the other for dinner — or comparing notes as a group — gives a fast read on which style best matches your preference.

The Central Avenue cluster is better suited for a more spontaneous visit, since Gandhi, Aashiana, and Lazeez are within walking distance of each other and of downtown Albany's government and office buildings.

FAQ

Q: What Indian restaurants are on Central Avenue in Albany? Gandhi at 1 Central Avenue, Aashiana at 31 Central Avenue, Lazeez at 35 Central Avenue, and Royal India at 519 Central Avenue all operate on the Central Avenue corridor.

Q: Is there a South Indian vegetarian restaurant in Albany? Sankalp - The Taste Of India at 593 Columbia Turnpike focuses on South Indian and chaat fare including dosas and idlis.

Q: What are the hours for Curry House in Albany? Curry House at 1112 Madison Avenue is open Sunday–Tuesday 4:00–10:00 PM, Wednesday–Thursday 11:30 AM–10:00 PM, Friday 11:30 AM–11:00 PM, and Saturday 4:00–11:00 PM.

Q: Is there an Indian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant in Albany? Shalimar Indian Pakistani Mediterranean at 600 North Greenbush Road combines Indian, Pakistani, and Mediterranean dishes.

Q: How do I contact Lazeez in Albany? Lazeez at 35 Central Avenue can be reached at +1-518-465-0333.

Bottom Line

Albany's Indian dining scene is spread across three corridors — Central Avenue downtown, Columbia Turnpike in Rensselaer, and Madison Avenue on the south end — with additional coverage on Lark Street. The nine confirmed restaurants range from the South Indian vegetarian focus of Sankalp - The Taste Of India to the Indo-Mediterranean scope of Shalimar Indian Pakistani Mediterranean. For a first visit, the Columbia Turnpike cluster and the Central Avenue corridor give the broadest sense of the city's Desi restaurant options.