A small, highly praised Indian restaurant with flavorful cooking and strong vegetarian coverage, but cramped seating, uneven hospitality, and recurring billing or reservation complaints require caution.
Patiala Indian Grill delivers solid food quality anchored by consistently praised biryani, butter chicken, and tandoor dishes, but visit-to-visit inconsistency and multiple food safety concerns prevent a stronger grade. Service remains friendly and knowledgeable, though the cramped 10-20 seat setting and uneven attentiveness across visits limit the overall experience.
Patiala Indian Grill is a compact Midtown Indian restaurant where the room is part of the story: candlelit, cozy, and often packed tightly enough that the tables feel like they are sharing the same conversation. Diners repeatedly describe warm welcomes, quick food, and memorable plates, with one recurring impression aptly summarized as “small room, surprisingly big flavors.” Its location near Hudson Yards and The Edge makes it an easy stop, though the limited seating can turn busy periods into a squeeze. The cooking is broad and regionally minded rather than narrowly focused: chaat, tandoori meats, paneer, biryani, goat, seafood, and both North and South Indian curries all appear on the current menu. Reviewers most often rave about garlic naan, butter chicken, paneer dishes, biryani, and chaat, while the menu offers unusually strong vegan and vegetarian coverage. The catch is unevenness: a minority of diners report bland or overly sweet food, freshness concerns, or rushed execution. Service is similarly split between thoughtful recommendations and reports of pressure, rushing, or difficult billing interactions. Families can find plenty to eat, including naan, rice, samosas, mild creamy curries, paneer, and desserts, and one family reported a particularly welcoming celebration. Still, the tiny dining room is better for small groups than a family gathering with luggage or lots of gear, and the menu’s spice and textural range may require guidance for very selective children. Confirm charges and reservation terms before settling in.
Area vibe: Busy, transit-oriented Midtown with heavy footfall and commercial activity.
Safety: Generally safe and well-lit with constant foot traffic, though crowded and noisy at night.
What's nearby: Near Penn Station, Hudson Yards, Madison Square Garden, Koreatown and dense restaurant and hotel corridors.
The safest bets combine standout chaat, biryani, butter chicken, and garlic naan, with a caveat about portion size and consistency.
The intimate room is appealing, but cramped seating, uneven service, and policies around reservations or extra charges deserve checking first.
Vegetarian and vegan diners can choose across chaat, curries, and biryani, while gluten-free options require more careful confirmation.