After you've tried a dozen or so masala dosas, they all start to taste pretty similar. Here are seven standout dosa variations you can't afford to miss in New York City—the dosas so fascinating, flavorful, and well-constructed that you just can't stop eating them. More

Of all the ethnic markets in this city, few are as beloved (or well-stocked) as Kalustyan's in Murray Hill. You may think you've seen Indian grocery stores, but until you've seen Kalustyan's, you don't really know the meaning of holy-crap-that's-a-lot-of-spices. We decided it was high time to give a photo tour of everything the store has to offer. Check out the slideshow for an aisle-by-aisle guide to this crazy warehouse of edible joy. More

Raised in Bombay and Goa, Floyd Cardoz has always cooked Indian food, whether fused with Western techniques or in its most traditional form. After a 12-year stint at the now-closed Tabla, where he and Danny Meyer put together an exotic menu of Indian fusion dishes, he's making a comeback with Meyer's new North End Grill. The menu isn't rooted in one cuisine, but Floyd sneaks in elements of the Indian food he knows so well, such as the black pepper shrimp he often grills in his own backyard. We talked with Floyd to learn where he goes for Indian food in New York City. The short answer to finding the best: don't be afraid of traveling to Queens and New Jersey. More

Reasonably moist chunks of chicken are rubbed down with achar paste, then rolled up in a freshly griddled roti wrap. The achar takes center stage: nowhere near as wickedly hot or tangy as Indian pickles can get, it's a bright, slightly fruity accompaniment to the mild chicken. The best kati roll in the city? No, but I haven't seen too many versions with achar around this part of town, and that mix of tangy, earthy, and slightly sweet is plenty tantalizing all on its own. More

Hopefully the arrival of Anjappar heralds a further separation of Indian food into regions. In recent years, Chinese restaurants in New York City have been replaced by Yunnan, Szechuan, and Fujian ones. So too might Indian restaurants diversify beyond North Indian, South Indian, and Kosher Vegetarian. Anjappar is a good step in that direction. With its romantic decor and intense seasonings, it's best for: a hot date. More

The intersection of Lexington Avenue and 28th Street, affectionately dubbed "Curry Hill" for its high concentration of Indian restaurants and grocers, happens to be a cheap eater's paradise. Here's where to go for some of the neighborhood's best snacks, all for under $10. More

These days New York offers plenty of options for the Afghan cuisine, but Bamiyan, in Kips Bay, is among the oldest and best. More

Franchia made us feel like the dumplings they serve. This Asian-inflected, vegan restaurant offers serenity with a side of placidity. More

In this neighborhood, which isn't as sandwich-rich as others in the city, Ali Baba is one of the best options around. More

When we discovered that the family behind beloved cheese-and-sandwich shop Lamazou opened a bistro down the street, we looked forward to frilly curtains, mismatched plates, and other elements of an overstuffed, comforting vibe. After all, Lamazou is the kind of place that rounds down the price of your order, telling you to make up the difference whenever, or that takes the time to patiently explain the subtle differences between obscure cheeses, a queue out the door notwithstanding. But the newly opened Bistro Lamazou wouldn't be out of step in Las Vegas or in a 1970s acid trip. It's pretty off the hook. More

While there are plenty of savory options, like Salmon Wrapped Poached Eggs with green goddess dressing, their Nutella French toast was the sort of sweet, appealing dish that's irresistible on a lazy Saturday morning. More

Perennially packed, Penelope is no secret; residents and workers in the neighborhood turn up time and time again for comfort-food favorites. It doesn't make any attempt to reinvent the wheel, which might be just what makes the slightly countrified spot such a standby. More

Last month, I Trulli—an Italian restaurant focused on the cuisine of the Apulian region—opened Enoteca To Go for breakfast in the space of their wine bar, Enoteca. Pastries are set out along the counter, a menu of frittatas and sandwiches is available for order, and coffee and espresso by La Colombe is ready to take away, but we chose to make our menu selections and take a seat by the window. More

Assuming you're OK with the setting, Vatan makes for a lovely dinner: tables are far apart, a sitar plays softly from hidden speakers, you don't have to worry about what to order or how to pronounce it, and you're shielded from the fratmosphere of Third Avenue. It's best for: a gut-busting, palate-pleasing, serenity-restoring date. More

Blue Smoke's sweet potato fries may be a misnomer—they're incredibly substantial, more like a quartered potato than a strip, essentially like a roasted sweet potato wedge. More