ZipPicks Awards
Best Vegan Restaurants in Upper West Side
Best Indian in Upper West Side
Master Critic Review
Doaba Deli
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A counter-service Punjabi vegetarian staple built around steam-tray comfort and fresh, made-to-order roti. The best move is to treat it like a rotating home-cooking bar: pick two saucy mains, add one veg, and let the roti do the heavy lifting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dal makhani, Palak paneer, Fresh roti or paratha
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Steam-tray Punjabi vegetarian comfort paired with fresh roti made to order.
Who should go: Budget lunch hunters and vegetarian comfort-food regulars
When to visit: Weekday lunch for fastest lines and hottest trays
What to order: Dal makhani, palak paneer, roti/paratha
Insider tip: Ask what’s freshest off the stove, then build around that.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually manageable mid-day but tight in the evening. Plan on walking a block or two.
Dress code: Very casual—jeans, sneakers, workday basics all fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate; counter-service bustle but easy conversation once seated.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak early evening, mostly ordering line rather than table wait.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or under 5 minutes, even during busy hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—entire menu is vegetarian.
Vegan options: Yes—several naturally vegan dishes; ask staff which trays are dairy-free.
Gluten-free options: Limited—most mains are gluten-free, but roti/paratha contain wheat; rice is the safer base.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable Punjabi vegetarian comfort with home-style flavors and made-to-order roti—stronger on value and consistency than most Indian lunch counters.
Skip if: You want table service, meat dishes, or a polished dining-room experience—this is function-over-form.