Darbar Grill: A Fine Dining Indian Experience in Midtown East

Darbar Grill Introduce

In the competitive and ever-evolving landscape of New York's dining scene, Darbar Grill has solidified its reputation as a true gem, particularly for those seeking an authentic and elevated Indian culinary experience. Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, this is not your typical Indian restaurant. It is a fine dining establishment that combines the rich, traditional flavors of India with a sophisticated and inviting "Manhattan-esque" ambiance. For years, it has been a go-to for locals and a delightful discovery for tourists, consistently praised for its warm hospitality and a menu that delights both the palate and the soul.

Darbar Grill's name itself, "Darbar," means "a royal court" or "a palace," and the restaurant lives up to this name by providing an experience that feels both grand and personal. The menu is a comprehensive journey through Indian cuisine, with a wide variety of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The chefs are dedicated to using fresh, quality ingredients, ensuring that each dish, from the pillowy naan to the savory palak paneer, is a testament to authentic flavors. The restaurant’s atmosphere, with its glass ceiling and cozy feel, sets the stage for a memorable dinner, as one loyal customer noted, "it really gets you in the mood for a good dinner."

Location and Accessibility

Darbar Grill is conveniently situated at 157 E 55th St, Manhattan, NY 10022, placing it in a prime and accessible spot in Midtown East. The location is ideal for corporate lunches, romantic dinners, and group gatherings, given its proximity to major offices, hotels, and residential areas. The restaurant is easily reachable via multiple forms of public transportation. For those who drive, a variety of paid parking options are available nearby, including street parking, parking garages, and parking lots.

The restaurant is also committed to providing an accessible experience for all its guests. It features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom, ensuring that individuals with mobility needs can dine comfortably. Darbar Grill has also been noted for its accommodating nature when it comes to reserving space for groups with specific accessibility needs, making it a reliable choice for diverse parties.

Services Offered

Darbar Grill provides a variety of services to accommodate different dining preferences and occasions.

Dine-in and Table Service: Enjoy a full fine-dining experience with attentive table service in the elegant and cozy dining room, which features a bar onsite.
Delivery and Takeout: For the ultimate convenience, the restaurant offers both delivery and takeout, including no-contact options, so you can enjoy their delicious food from the comfort of your home or office.
Catering and Private Dining: Darbar Grill is an excellent choice for events. They offer catering services for off-premise parties and also have a dedicated second floor that can be reserved for private dining events, accommodating large groups comfortably.
Reservations: The restaurant accepts reservations and recommends them for dinner, ensuring a seamless and planned dining experience, especially for groups.

Features and Highlights

Darbar Grill is celebrated for several key features that make it a standout Indian restaurant in New York City.

Authentic Fine Dining: The restaurant is known for its upscale dining experience, offering a menu of high-quality, authentic Indian fare. The food is praised for its rich, traditional flavor profiles and its beautiful presentation.
Extensive Menu: The menu is incredibly diverse, with a wide range of appetizers, tandoori specialties, entrees, and a long list of vegetarian and vegan options, ensuring there's something to please every palate. The kitchen is also Halal-certified.
Warm Hospitality and Family-Friendly: The staff is consistently described as "super attentive & helpful." One reviewer noted the "warm hospitality" and how incredibly kind the staff was to their toddler, even providing a balloon, which makes it an ideal spot for families.
Great Drinks: The bar offers a wide selection of beverages, including great cocktails, beer, hard liquor, and wine, to complement your meal.
Ambiance: The atmosphere is a key feature, described as a "cozy & Manhattan-esque ambiance" with a beautiful glass ceiling that adds to the overall dining experience.

Contact Information

For reservations, catering inquiries, or to place an order, you can contact Darbar Grill at the following:

Address: 157 E 55th St, Manhattan, NY 10022, USA

Phone: (212) 751-4600

What is Worth Choosing?

Choosing Darbar Grill is a decision to invest in a truly exceptional Indian dining experience. The most compelling reason to visit is the combination of its authentic, high-quality cuisine and its outstanding hospitality. It's a place where the food is not only delicious but also served with a level of care and attention that makes every guest feel special, as evidenced by a customer's story about being given a free dessert and treated with great kindness on their anniversary. The food is consistently praised for being some of the "best I've ever had," with specific shout-outs to the pillowy naan and the savory palak paneer.

The restaurant also shines in its versatility. It is a fantastic option for both a solo dining experience and a large group event, with a private dining room and catering services available. The menu offers a wealth of options for different dietary needs, with a robust selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes, including popular choices like Gobi Manchurian and Okra Crunch. The fact that the restaurant is Halal-certified also expands its appeal to a broader audience. Darbar Grill's commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere for families, its convenient location, and its consistently high-quality food and service make it a top choice for anyone in New York looking for a memorable and satisfying Indian meal.

Darbar Grill Menu

Appetizers
Boti Kebab $14.00
House specialty. Lamb cubes cooked in hung yogurt, ginger, chill and chef's spices.
Paneer Tikka $15.00
Homemade cottage cheese marinated with yogurt.
Okra Crunch $14.00
Crispy okra with onion, tomato and lemon dressing.
Vegetable Snack Platter $14.00
Assortment of mixed vegetable fritters.
Amritsari Fish $17.00
Pan fried fish.
Garlic Shrimp Balchao $17.00
Tangy shrimp with garlic, onions and tomatoes.
Chicken Samosas (2 Pieces) $10.00
Seasoned ground chicken wrapped in a light pastry.
Chicken 65 $16.00
Spicy deep fired chicken.
Scallops $16.00
Pan - seared scallops with coconut mint sauce.
Tandoori Vegetables $16.00
Assorted seasoned vegetables marinated in a mild sauce cooked in a clay oven.
Spinach Moong Chaat $12.00
House specialty. Spinach fritters, moong bean sprout, onion, tomato and chutney.
Vegetable Samosas (2 Pieces) $8.00
Spicy seasoned potatoes and peas wrapped in a light pastry.
Samosa Chaat/Kachori Chaat $14.00
Vegetable samosa or lentil stuffed patty with chickpeas, masala and chutneys.
Meat Snack Platter $14.00
Combination of chicken and lamb kebabs.
Gobi Manchurian $14.00
Cauliflower dumplings with tangy tomato and garlic sauce.
Bhajia $9.00
Crispy onion fritters.
Rashmi Kebab $16.00
House specialty. Supreme pieces of chicken breast marinated in spices.
Bhel Puri $10.00
Puffed rice, potatoes, onions with a mixture of tangy tamarind & spicy mint chutney.

From Tandoor (Clay Oven)
Tandoori Salmon Tikka $32.00
Salmon cooked in yogurt, chef's spices and lemon juice.
Haryali Chicken $22.00
Chicken marinated in coriander sauce
Chicken Tikka $22.00
Yogurt marinated cubes of chicken breast with spices.
Tandoori Mixed Grill $38.00
Combination of lamb & chicken kebabs, with tandoori shrimp and salmon.
Tandoori Lamb Chops $35.00
House specialty. Rack of lamb marinated with ginger, spices & yogurt.
Tandoori Chicken $22.00
Chicken cooked with ginger, garlic, hung yogurt and spices.
Tandoori Shrimp $32.00
Tandoor grilled shrimp marinated with cilantro, lemon juice, herbs & spices.
Malai Chicken Kebab $22.00
Chicken breast marinated with yogurt & cream cheese.
Seekh Kebab $24.00
Tandoor grilled lamb sausage, cased in sweet pepper.

Lamb/Goat Entrees
Chef's Special Lamb Chops Masala $35.00
House specialty. Lamb chops with ginger, mint, tomato & onion sauce.
Lamb/Goat Melagu $25.00
Choice of lamb or goat cooked in crushed black pepper with coconut & curry leaves.
Lamb/Goat Vindaloo $25.00
Choice of lamb or goat cooked in a hot Goan sauce with potatoes.
Lamb Keema Aloo Mutter $20.00
Minced lamb cooked with potatoes and green peas.
Lamb/Goat Curry $25.00
House specialty. Choice of lamb or goat cooked in a curry with ginger, garlic, onions & tomatoes.
Lamb/Goat Saag $25.00
Choice of lamb or goat cooked in spinach with garlic, onions & tomatoes.
Lamb Rogan Josh $25.00
Lamb cooked with tomatoes & onions simmered in gravy.
Lamb/Goat Bhuna $25.00
House specialty. Choice of lamb or goat slow cooked in assorted chef spices with ginger, garlic, onions & tomatoes.
Lamb/Goat Korma $25.00
Choice of lamb or goat cooked in a mild creamy sauce.
Lamb Tikka Masala $28.00
House specialty. Lamb cooked with bell peppers and onions in a creamy tomato sauce.

Drinks
Lassi $7.00
Mango/Sweet/Salty
Juice $6.00
Pineapple/Mango/lychee/Cranberry/pomegranate/
Tropical Delight $8.00
A Splendid mix of mango, pineapple and coconut juices with a hint of cream
Virgin Pina Colada $8.00
A sweet cocktail made with cream of coconut and pineapple juice.
SODA $2.00
Coke/Diet Coke/sprite/Ginger Ale

Desserts
Malai Kulfi $10.00
Cassata Ice Cream $8.00
Mango Mousse $10.00
Gulab Jamun $10.00
Mango Ice Cream $10.00
Pineapple Sorbet $9.00
Coconut Sorbet $9.00
Kheer $10.00
Homemade rice pudding.
Flan $6.00
Pistachio Kulfi $10.00
Vanilla Ice Cream $10.00
Rasmalai $10.00
Sweet cottage cheese dumpling flavoured with cardmom and rose water in a creamy milky base.
Gajar Halwa $10.00

Fish & Seafood Entrees
Shrimp Vindaloo $27.00
Shrimp cooked in hot Goan sauce with potato.
Fish Moilee $27.00
Tilapia with chopped onions, mustard seeds, ginger & coconut milk.
Shrimp Cochin Curry $27.00
House specialty. Shrimp with bell peppers, coconut & mustard seeds.
Shrimp Saagwala $27.00
Shrimp cooked in a puree of spinach.
Shrimp Tikka Masala $32.00
Lobster cooked in a creamer tomato sauce.
Garlic Shrimp Bhuna $27.00
House specialty. Shrimp cooked with garlic onion and tomato, dry curry.
Goan Fish Curry $27.00
Tilapia fish prepared with mustard seeds, coconut milk, onion and tomato sauce.
Salmon Tikka Masala $27.00
House specialty. Salmon cooked with mustard seeds, onions, tomato and gravy.

Soups & Salads
Mulligatawny Soup $8.00
Traditional lentil soup flavored with herbs and mild spices.
Garden Fresh Salad $8.00
Garden greens with house dressing.
Chicken Palak Sorba $9.00
Chicken and spinach in a lightly spiced coconut flavored soup.

Vegetables Entrees
Mutter Paneer $17.00
Green peas with cottage cheese
Bhindi Masala $17.00
Okra cooked with onions, tomatoes in a dry sauce.
Eggplant Bhartha $17.00
House specialty. Baked eggplant sautéed with onions and tomatoes.
Beetroot Malai Kofta $18.00
House specialty. Beetroot dumplings with onions in an aromatic sauce.
Aloo Gobi Masala $17.00
Stir fried potato and cauliflower with ginger, garlic, coriander and cumin.
Tadka Dal $17.00
Slow simmered yellow lentils sautéed with tomatoes, ginger, cumin and onions.
Mixed Vegetables Korma $17.00
Assorted vegetable cooked in a creamy cashew nut & yogurt sauce.
Saag Paneer $17.00
spinach puree with Homemade cottage cheese
Chana Saag $17.00
Spinach puree with chick peas
Paneer Makhani $17.00
Cottage cheese in a creamy sauce.
Dal Makhani $17.00
Whole black lentils (urad) simmered in tomatoes and onions.
Chili Paneer $17.00
Homemade cottage cheese cooked with mustard seed, dry chili & coconut with bell peppers.
Chole (Chana Masala) $17.00
Chickpeas with onion, tomatoes & curry sauce.

Tandoori Breads
Garlic Naan $7.00
Seasoned ground chicken wrapped in a light pastry.
Cheese & Garlic Naan $9.00
Naan stuffed with cheese, topped up with crushed garlic.
Poori $9.00
Whole wheat puffed bread.
Pudina (Mint) Or Tandoori Paratha $7.00
Whole wheat layered bread with the choice of mint or plain.
Gobi/Aloo Paratha $7.00
Whole wheat bread stuffed with cauliflower or potatoes.
Cheese & Spinach Naan $9.00
Naan stuffed with cheese and spinach.
Keema Naan $10.00
Naan bread stuffed with minced lamb.
Peshawari Naan $7.00
Naan stuffed with nuts & dried fruits.
Onion Or Rosemary Naan $7.00
Naan stuffed with choice of onions or rosemary seeds.
Tandoori Roti Or Chapati $5.00
Whole wheat flat bread cooked in a clay oven or on a flat pan.
Naan $5.00
White flour soft bread cooked in a clay oven.

Rice Specialities
Mushroom Peas Pulao $13.00
Basmati rice with mushrooms, green peas and onions.
Shrimp Biriyani $32.00
Shrimp cooked with basmati rice, brown onions and mint.
Basmati Rice $6.00
Chicken/Goat/Lamb Biriyani $25.00
Choice of chicken or lamb or goat cooked in basmati rice with yogurt, garlic, brown onions & tomatoes.
Vegetable Biriyani $18.00
Basmati rice with mixed vegetables, brown onions and mint.
Jeera Rice $13.00
Flavored basmati rice cooked with cumin seeds.
Darbar Special Biryani $35.00
Lamb, chicken, shrimp cooked with basmati rice.
Lemon Rice $13.00
Lemon flavored basmati rice.

Lunch Specials
Chicken Mirch Bhuna, Garlic Naan & Mango Lassi $27.75
Save 25% with this combo deal: Get a chicken mirch bhuna, garlic naan and mango lassi.
Beetroot Malai Kofta, Tandoori Roti & Tropical Delight $22.50
Save 25% with this combo deal: Get a beetroot malai kofta, tandoori roti and tropical delight.
Lunch Box # 3 Goat Curry $14.95
Boxed Lunch 2 (Tandoori Chicken) $14.95
Tandoor Chicken , Basmati rice with Lentils and Naan
Boxed Lunch 3 (Chicken Tikka Masala) $14.95
Chicken Tikka Masala ,Basmati rice with Lentils and Naan
Boxed Lunch 1 (Veg) $12.95
2 Vegetables, Basmati rice with Lentils and Naan
Saag Paneer, Vegetable Samosa & Naan $22.50
Save 25% with this combo deal: Get a saag paneer, vegetable samosa and naan.
Garlic Shrimp Bhuna, Tandoori Paratha & Soda $27.00
Save 25% with this combo deal: Get a garlic shrimp bhuna, tandoori paratha and soda.
Lamb Seekh Kebab, Tandoori Roti & Mango Lassi $27.00
Save 25% with this combo deal: Get a lamb seekh kebab, tandoori roti and mango lassi.

Chicken Entrees
Chicken Mirch Bhuna $22.00
House specialty. Chicken with onion, tomato and green chili.
Chicken Vindaloo $20.00
Chicken cooked in Goan spicy sauce with potatoes.
Madras Chicken Curry $20.00
House specialty. Chicken with dry chili, mustard, coconut & curry leaves.
Butter Chicken $21.00
Dark meat chicken with creamy tomato sauce.
Chef's Special Chicken Malai $22.00
House specialty. Chicken simmered with aromatic spices in a cream sauce.
Chicken Saagwala $20.00
Chicken with garlic & spinach.
Chicken La Jawab $20.00
Chicken cooked with tomato sauce with a spicy touch of garam masala, ginger and onions.
Chili Chicken $22.00
Chicken cooked with mustard seed, dry chili & coconut with bell peppers.
Chicken Korma $20.00
Chicken with cashew nut yogurt sauce.
Chicken Tikka Masala $21.00
Chicken breast with fenugreek in creamy tomato sauce.
Chicken Curry $20.00
Ginger garlic with chicken and onion, tomato sauce.
Chicken Mango $20.00
Chicken curry with mango.

Accompaniments
Raita $5.00
Mango Chutney $5.00
Mixed Pickles $5.00
Onion Relish $5.00
Papadum $5.00

Darbar Grill Details

Service options
Curbside pickup
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great cocktails
Great tea selection

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Halal food
Hard liquor
Late-night food
Private dining room
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Gender-neutral restroom
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
Family-friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safespace

Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments

Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu

Parking
Paid parking garage
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking

Darbar Grill Photos

Darbar Grill Location

Darbar Grill

New York New York County New York East 55th Street

157 E 55th St, Manhattan, NY 10022, USA

Darbar Grill Reviews

An average rating of ★4.2 from 1481 user reviews.

buffetentreesgarlic naanvindaloorice puddingchicken malaibeetroothappy hourmartinibartender

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Darbar is a gem in Midtown Manhattan. Ive been coming here for years now. Serving up authentic Indian fare Darbar is a one of a kind dining experience. Very cozy & Manhattan-esque ambiance. The food here is some of the best I've ever had.Naan are nice & pillowy, palak paneer was savory with fresh paneer cubes mixed in. Uncle Mike is a sweetheart. I love their glass ceiling & overall ambiance. Really gets you in the mood for a good dinner. The staff is super attentive & helpful. If you're in Manhattan come give Darbar a visit.
April 17 · zo maq
Darbar Grill truly impressed us with its delicious food and warm hospitality. They offer a variety of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, all packed with authentic flavor. We were pleasantly surprised with complimentary kheer at the end of our meal—a sweet and thoughtful touch. They were also incredibly kind to our toddler, even giving them a balloon, which made the visit extra special
June 02 · sanjiv kumar
We are grateful for the delicious food and attentive service, especially by Russel. We ordered the Lamb Biryani and Chicken Madras with garlic naan. Everything was delectable. Make sure you stop here if you are in town. If you're a local, this is your new spot!
July 11 · Charoy Thurston
Had a wonderful experience! Every restaurant was closing and we approached couple minutes before closing! Welcomed to have a seat all 3 of us! Food 10/10, they closed later for us! Wonderful service. I was the only vegan and was accommodated greatly!!!! So many options!!
July 17 · Samantha Flanigan
Great restaurant! Excellent service and authentic Indian Cuisine. Everything was delicious. So unique and full of flavor. So many different options on the menu. The atmosphere was nice and quiet easy to talk to friends and family at the table. Love this place. Deserts were great too especially the Gulab jamun. If your looking for an ethnic Indian food experience go to Darbar Grill! I HIGHLY recommend it.
July 17 · Gio Solco