Chicago food writer Sara Lugardo once wrote a guide to Himalayan Restaurant for people who’d never tried Indian or Nepali food — and her advice holds up perfectly today. The gist: “open your mind and taste buds to a brand new experience.”
She described Himalayan as a family-friendly casual dining spot that works equally well for the newcomer and the Indian-cuisine connoisseur, with a menu spanning North Indian dishes and traditional Nepali cuisine (which carries influences from Chinese and Tibetan cooking). She also highlighted our made-to-order spice meter — every dish can be dialed to your comfort level.
Her advice for first-timers: start with the lunch buffet — reasonably priced, kid-friendly, and always filled with an energetic crowd — so you can get acquainted with the main dishes before committing to entrees.
Her starter list for newcomers
- Chicken Momo — Nepali-style dumplings, similar to a Chinese pot sticker
- Chicken Makhani (Butter Chicken) — shredded chicken in a creamy tomato sauce
- Vegetable Biryani — fragrant rice dish, medium heat, a meal in itself
- Vegetable Samosas — crispy pastry stuffed with potatoes and green peas
- Vegetable Pakora — deep-fried vegetable fritters, comparable to a hush puppy
- Vegetable Spring Rolls — flaky rolls stuffed with cabbage masala
- Naan — fresh from the clay tandoor
- Pineapple Lassi — coconut and pineapple juice with a yogurt base
- To drink: Kingfisher, Taj Mahal, or Haywards 5000 beer, Indian merlot or cabernet, or a classic lassi
As she put it: don’t let this be another restaurant you read about without checking it out for yourself.
Everything on her list is still on our menu. Start your own first visit: Chicago South Loop menu · Niles menu — and the Weekend Lunch Buffet in Niles is still the perfect introduction.
Chicago: 312.877.5999 · Niles: 847.324.4150