ZipPicks Awards
Best Indian in Murray Hill & Kips Bay
Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Murray Hill & Kips Bay
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Murray Hill & Kips Bay
Master Critic Review
Ahimsa
8.1
Ahimsa is a vegetarian, largely vegan-friendly Indian restaurant in Murray Hill that leans into homestyle cooking, Jain options, and kosher certification. It’s where neighborhood diners go for chaats, dosas, and curries that feel comforting rather than heavy, with plenty of gluten-free choices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pav Bhaji, Paneer Tikka, Vada Pav
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Plant-forward vegetarian Indian with Jain, vegan, and kosher options.
Who should go: Vegetarians and gluten-free diners craving Indian.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners when the room feels most relaxed.
What to order: Pav bhaji, paneer tikka, vada pav.
Insider tip: Use the extensive chaat section to build a shareable meal.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive in the evenings; nearby paid garages on 3rd Ave are the most reliable option after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — jeans, sneakers, and relaxed attire all fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate — quiet enough for easy conversation without needing to raise your voice.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — the entire menu is vegetarian with a large variety of curries, snacks, and dosas.
Vegan options: Yes — many dishes are naturally vegan or can be made vegan upon request.
Gluten-free options: Yes — several chaat items, dosas, and curries are gluten-free; staff is knowledgeable about accommodations.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially for casual, low-pressure dates — the calm atmosphere and shareable dishes make it easy to relax and talk.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Most of the time, yes — walk-ins are common on weekdays, but weekend evenings can bring short waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — mild curries, dosas, and familiar snacks make it approachable for kids, especially ages 6 and up.
Best For
Better for: Ahimsa excels at clean, lighter vegetarian Indian food with Jain, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free flexibility that most Indian restaurants don’t match.
Skip if: Skip this if you’re specifically craving meat-heavy North Indian dishes or a high-energy, late-night dining scene.