Lena RiveraFinding the best Indian food in San Antonio is about more than just filling your stomach. It’s about diving into a vibrant mix of toasted cumin, fiery chilies, and creamy gravies.
Even though Texas is famous for brisket, our local scene hides some serious gems. And let’s be real, sometimes you just crave the rich punch of a perfect curry.
I’ve explored many hidden kitchens and busy buffet lines across the city. Get ready to ditch the bland takeout, because we’re hunting down the most fragrant and delicious plates around.
How much does Indian food cost in San Antonio?
A standard lunch buffet usually runs between $15 and $18 per person, while an à la carte dinner for two easily exceeds $30 to $50.
| Meal Type | Estimated Cost |
| Lunch Buffet | $15 – $18 per person |
| Dinner Entrees (à la carte) | $15 – $25+ per item |
| Dinner for Two | $30 – $50+ total |
1. Hyderabadi Spicy Matka – Indian Cuisine – San Antonio
Website: http://hsm-sanantonio.com/
Address: 7080 Bandera Rd
Contact: (210) 600-3338 | [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
The magic at Hyderabadi Spicy Matka happens inside traditional clay pots. This unique cooking method locks in moisture, resulting in incredibly tender, earthy curries. By skipping the standard metal pans, they achieve a pure, unadulterated flavor.
I recently tried their signature Matka Biryani, and the way the fragrant rice absorbed all those slow-cooked spices absolutely blew my mind.
Beyond the classics, they dive deep into authentic regional dishes like Nalla Karam Chicken.
However, you should definitely brace yourself for the heat. Since they stick so strictly to authentic recipes, the spice levels can be a real shock if you usually prefer mild food.
You also need to keep an eye on your budget. Some of the specialty appetizers and premium biryanis are a bit expensive for casual takeout.
Even so, the massive portion sizes mean you usually get plenty of delicious leftovers for the next day. This makes the meal feel like a great value.
Customer Reviews:
I found my new favorite spot!
I have been looking for good authentic Indian food and I found my new favorite spot! Chicken tiki masala was amazing and those signature momos were so good. Will be making the drive to come back for sure.
- Jordan Johnson | Google Review
Great authentic Indian/Andhra food in San Antonio
Great authentic Indian/Andhra food in San Antonio. Everything we tried was fantastic – the Curry Leaf Gobi, the Nalli Ghost (Lamb) Biryani, Gutti Vankaya, Chiken Biryani, and the Mango Lassi and Tender Coconut dessert were super too.
- Jubin Edachery | Google Review
2. Spice Fine Indian Cuisine Biryani Place
Website: https://spiceindiantx.com/?utm_source=google
Address: 9425 Fredericksburg Rd
Contact: (210) 253-9658 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Grabbing a fast, authentic curry is finally easy thanks to this spot. Spice Fine Indian Cuisine Biryani Place launched the city’s first Indian drive-thru. You also get amazing flexibility, since their kitchen stays open from 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM every single day.
This means you can enjoy a traditional breakfast or satisfy a late-night craving whenever you like. They use old family recipes to keep the heritage alive in every single dish they serve.
Plus, you can join their daily lunch buffet to load up on unlimited naan and rice. The laid-back sports bar vibe works perfectly for those late hours, too.
Keep in mind that this is their only location, so driving out to Fredericksburg Road might take a bit of time. Also, the energetic atmosphere lacks the quiet intimacy you might want for a fancy date night.
Customer Reviews:
Absolutely loved this spot!
“Absolutely loved this spot! The Indian food was delicious and full of flavor, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the owner was incredibly kind and welcoming. Everything felt fresh, authentic, and truly worth it. A 10/10 experience—I’ll definitely be coming back and highly recommend!”
- babyg rissa | Google Review
The food was incredible
The food was incredible, very tasty and the service was amazing. I was seated very quickly and the waiter was attentive and has great recommendations from the menu. The portion sizes are more than reasonable and you’ll have enough for 2 meals!
- Akshar Maharaj | Google Review
3. Bay Biryanis – San Antonio
Website: https://linktr.ee/baybiryanis_satx
Address: 10555 Culebra Rd, #105
Contact: (210) 236-7657
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
You can forget the standard menus at Bay Biryanis because this kitchen pumps out an insane variety of over forty distinct biryanis and pulaos.
They cater to all kinds of diets by serving exclusively 100% Halal meat alongside a wide range of creative vegetarian options. This actually makes them a great catering choice if you’re booking a local wedding venue soon.
Their Meghana Chicken Biryani really steals the show with rich, Bangalore-style flavors that set it apart from typical recipes.
Budget-conscious students also flock here for the nine-dollar special, while families absolutely love the massive, unlimited South Indian breakfast buffet on weekends.
Just be prepared to wait if you visit during those peak weekend rushes. The kitchen gets slammed during the breakfast buffet, often causing frustrating delays in seating and food delivery.
Customer Reviews:
We absolutely loved the food
This was our first time ever trying Indian food and I can honestly say this was such a great experience. We absolutely loved the food, service and hospitality. We were attended frequently, provided with great recommendations and the food was just absolutely insanely good. We will be definitely coming back and with a lot more people!
- E M | Google Review
I was so happy to try this place today!
I was so happy to try this place today! I have never had lamb biryani until today. It was amazing! Along with the potato and pea samosas and the garlic naan! Very nice dining area. Very helpful staff. I can’t say enough good things about this new restaurant. If you love Indian food this is a perfect place to come! Enjoy the tasty photos! 😁
- Melissa t11 | Google Review
4. India Oven
Website: http://www.indiaovensa.com/
Address: 1031 Patricia Drive Ste 106
Contact: (210) 544-5968
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
When you step inside India Oven, you’ll find nationally acclaimed North Indian dishes cooked in traditional charcoal-fired Tandoors. The smoky char they get on their meats is truly authentic, and it’s honestly impossible to replicate in a normal home kitchen.
To maintain high quality, they even import saffron-flavored rice directly from India. On the other hand, you should know that they strictly stick to Northern staples like Punjabi curries. This means you will miss out if you are craving Southern street food.
This restaurant has an expanded dining room that offers plenty of space to relax during energetic lunch buffets or intimate candlelight dinners.
I spoke with a local chef who praised them for being so transparent about sharing their original recipes online.
Customer Reviews:
This place is a gem
If you ever travel to San Antonio I recommend you all to go to this restaurant. They have buffet specials that has vegetarian and non vegetarian options and the food is delicious. We only ate starters and we were so full. The restaurant brings the feeling of being in India. The decor is just so beautiful to describe. Every single items are unique in its own way. I love the atmosphere and all the staffs were very welcoming and attentive. This place is a gem and everyone visiting San Antonio must go.
- P F | Google Review
Everything tasted fresh and authentic
We had Indian food at India Oven, and the goat biryani was absolutely delicious—rich in flavor and perfectly cooked. Everything tasted fresh and authentic. The service was excellent as well; our server was attentive, friendly, and made the dining experience even better. Highly recommend this place for anyone craving great Indian food 🎉❤️
- Prajwal Navnath Hinge | Google Review
5. The Lion Indian Cuisine Lunch & Dinner Buffet
Website: https://www.lionindiancuisinesa.com/
Address: 8202 N Loop 1604 W
Contact: (210) 257-6770
Hours:
- Tuesday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM | 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Friday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
If you have a hungry group, you should definitely tackle the massive dinner platters at The Lion Indian Cuisine Lunch & Dinner Buffet. These chef-curated feasts pile multiple curries and Tandoori meats together, which makes them perfect for sharing.
The kitchen does a great job of balancing both North and South Indian home-style recipes. This broad approach ensures that everyone at your table finds something delicious to eat.
In addition to the great food, they offer a smart promotion that lets you order without paying any extra service fees.
This rewards you for ordering directly through their app instead of using expensive third-party platforms. Basically, you get faster delivery and keep more cash in your pocket.
Just keep in mind that grabbing a meal on a Monday is impossible because they’re closed all day. Their weekday afternoon closure also complicates things if your lunch hour is unexpectedly pushed back.
Customer Reviews:
Hearty and satisfying
I ordered takeout and the food held up really well. The creamy chicken curry was smooth, well-balanced and full of flavor. The chicken pilaf was hearty and satisfying. This combination is really good.
Looking forward to dining in next time!
- steffy ortiz | Google review
Food was hot/fresh, very flavorful and well made
i pick up alot of ubereats/doordash orders here and the restaurant always smells very good so i decided to give it a try and let me tell you i was not disappointed. I ordered the The tikka masala and bullet naan and it was soo good. Food was hot/fresh, very flavorful and well made. Will definitely be trying other menu items soon .
- Kae | Google Review
