Is there parking at Tandoori Hut in Hillcrest?

Tandoori Hut is located on Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest, which has street parking available, though it can be tight during peak lunch and dinner hours. Arrive early or plan for a quick walk from nearby lots if you're coming during busy times.

Do I need a reservation or can I just walk in?

They take reservations and handle walk-ins both, so you have flexibility. For groups or weekend dinners, calling ahead is smart to avoid a wait, but the casual vibe means you can drop by for a quick lunch or takeout without planning ahead.

What should I order on my first visit?

The butter chicken and cheese naan are consistently reliable go-tos that show up in repeat customer reviews. If you want lunch on a budget, their lunch specials are designed to hit the spot without breaking the bank—quality food at inexpensive prices.

Are there vegetarian options?

Yes, they have solid vegetarian offerings including veg korma and paneer dishes. Fair warning: some reviewers found the paranthas and paneer dishes inconsistent in execution, so you might want to stick with classics like the korma or ask staff for their most reliable vegetarian pick.

Is this place good for kids?

Absolutely—it's tagged as kid-friendly and has a casual neighborhood vibe perfect for families. The inexpensive pricing, generous portions, and familiar flavors like butter chicken make it an easy win for group dinners with kids.

Can I get food delivered or do takeout?

They offer delivery, takeout, and dine-in, so all three options are on the table. For delivery orders, butter chicken and cheese naan are strong choices that travel well, though some reviewers have noted inconsistency with cooking times—worth checking your order before leaving.

What's the best time to visit?

Lunch hours work well if you want that relaxing sit-down meal without a big crowd or bill. They serve beer and wine, and the outdoor seating is a plus when weather cooperates—great for a casual weeknight or business lunch in Hillcrest.

Tandoori Hut - Indian Restaurant and Catering Service — Ind…

“Tandoori Hut serves University Avenue's cheap Indian lunch buffet and late-night delivery orders—not the neighborhood's most polished operation, but often the only one open.”

Where Bahn Thai and White Elephant polish their service and nail consistency, Tandoori Hut operates on a different principle: volume and availability. This is the spot feeding the post-brunch crowd who needs something besides avocado toast, the NYU grad students ordering butter chicken at midnight, and the office workers who hit the lunch buffet because it's $12 and you can go back for seconds. It's not trying to be your date-night destination—it's trying to be open when you need it.

The buffet is the real draw during lunch hours: steam trays of saag paneer, chicken tikka masala, dal, and naan that comes out warm enough to matter. Quality varies—some days the korma's creamy and well-spiced, other days it tastes like it's been sitting since 11 a.m. The kitchen does better with the classics ordered fresh: butter chicken that's reliably rich, cheese naan that shows up hot and stretchy, samosas that aren't revolutionary but get the job done.

Service runs the gamut from genuinely helpful to distracted-bordering-on-curt, especially at the register during rushes. The dining room itself is functional—a few tables, minimal decor, the kind of space that prioritizes turnover over ambiance. There's outdoor seating that catches whatever breeze comes down Fifth Avenue, which matters more in August than January.

This isn't where you go to impress anyone. It's where you go because you're craving aloo gobi on a Tuesday, or because the group can't agree on anything except "not pizza again," or because it's 10 p.m. and most of Hillcrest's kitchens are already closed. For inexpensive Indian food that shows up when you order it, Tandoori Hut does exactly enough.