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    Ambo

    4.8 (109 reviews)
    ModerateIndian, Fast Food
    Open 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

    Order Ambo Takeout or Delivery

    Ambo Photos

    Business Info

    AMBO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Intimate
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Ambo

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    Reviews With Photos

    Sucheta C.

    Come with me to Ambo ( Everyday Indian food) Craving for some delicious Indian food bowl ? Grab your favorite bowl of Everyday Indian Food right on 8th St (between University & Broadway) at AMBO! Their everyday bowl is made with fresh ingredients, choice of protein bold spices, and a whole lot of love! Choose from a variety of bases, beans, protein, veggies, toppings, and drizzles to make your own bowl, plate, or wrap at an affordable price. Pair it with a refreshing lassi, chaas or tea to go with it .. We tried Biryani chicken , basmati rice Chole, Gobi Manchurian, Baigan Bharta dip,biryani sauce Chicken tikka, saffron turmeric rice black Dal, Bhindi, kucumber, cilantro mint chutney Chicken tikka naan taco Mango lassi True homestyle Indian food like never before in a convient and accessible fast casual format. From regional classics to the favourite of the week, they use fresh ingredients and their bold flavors are like nothing you have experienced before. Do stop by for a bowl.

    Anny L.

    Friendly staff, cute location, cool business model for Indian food, providing yet another great option for tasty healthy bowls. Very glad to have tried this, and so convenient. Happy to try their a la carte in the future.

    Utensils
    Veronica L.

    SO YUM! Think of a Chipotle-Indian spot - great for a quick bite, whether you're dining solo or with a friend. Staff is quick and informative about what each item is and what their recs are. I really enjoyed my bowls on both visits! I got the standard popular items - White rice, Black Dal, Chicken Tikka (with their sauce), Potatoes, Cucumber Raita, Kachumber, Eggplant Dip are all great toppings, and topped my bowls off with Cilantro Mint drizzle (can't go wrong with any of their drizzles). The bowl looks like a small portion, but it's actually very filling! I've also tried their Mango Lassi beverage and it was DELICIOUS! Nice sweet drink to top off the meal. While some critics may say this spot may not be as authentic, AMBO is still a reliably delicious spot that stays open till the evening, which is convenient. Will be returning!

    Bite C.

    Convenient and yummy! Before I start the review I just want to show some appreciation to the beautiful display of plants in this cozy Indian food restaurant. They are stunning and honestly bring the meal together; which is super filling and bright with flavour. I chose the turmeric saffron rice, chicken tikka, pickled onions, sweet mango chutney, and a couple more ingredients to complete my meal. The combo was well balanced, with hints of sweetness, some spice, and overall satisfying texture. I think what really brought it home for me was the Mango Lassi; smooth and sugary.

    Front
    Ronnie P.

    It looks like they were doing a photo shoot for their website or something, but I was allowed to go in and order food, and the food here is amazing. I love it -- definitely a place to come back to. And everybody was super friendly.

    Our bowls.
    Navin K.

    Indian fast food in NoHo, just off Broadway on East 8th. I went with a work colleague who works in The City. We each got a bowl - non-veg over yellow rice for him, veg over mung sprouts for me - samosas and drinks. My food was tasty but looked very sloppy - all the add-ons mixing together till I could not tell where the daal ended and where the paneer masala began! His was slightly better defined, and he polished his food off just like I did! Total bill was a shade under $50. Service was friendly and parking available on the street outside.

    Build Your Own Bowl
    Kaitlyn S.

    sooooo good !!! super vegan-friendly healthy and delicious fast casual Indian bowl place. only 13.99 for this bowl!

    Variety bowls, samosas, garlic naan, drinks and sides
    Foodie E.

    I love that we could customize our own bowl from their extensive selection of fresh ingredients. Choose from an array of tantalizing mains, delectable sides, and scrumptious toppings. Don't forget to pair it with their flavorful samosas, crispy tacos, or warm naan. To top it all off, sip on their refreshing homemade mango lassi that perfectly complements every bite. They also offer excellent catering services for special events, all while being served by their friendly staff.

    Seating
    Eugene C.

    As a meat eater, I do have a downward bias for vegetarian places but the food at Ambo packs enough of a punch in terms of flavor that I kind of forget that I've gotten food from a vegetarian place. I've gotten their rice bowl a couple of times to go and it was very tasty and delicious. Also, kudos for being environmentally friendly with their use of biodegradable utensils. The space itself is pretty small and casual. I wouldn't go on a date here but would go here for a lunch appointment if I worked in the area. The service is friendly and quick. In terms of casual and affordable Indian spots, it's probably one of the better options in the area even in spite of the lack of meat options.

    Vidhi P.

    After living in the US for so long, the simple comfort of a home-cooked meal becomes something you value more each day. Ambo brought that nostalgic taste of home back to me in the most delightful way. The concept is easy--choose a base, then add beans, protein, veggies, toppings, and sauces to create your perfect bowl. What truly amazed me was how every item complemented the others, coming together in a symphony of flavors. The bhindi deserves a special shoutout--I'm obsessed with okra, and this one brought me right back to my mom's kitchen. And then there's the biryani sauce--mind blowing. It tastes just like biryani and takes the bowl to a whole new level. Plus, the portion sizes are fantastic and so filling. Beyond the food, the team at Ambo is warm and welcoming, and the space is cozy. Out of all the Indian restaurants I have been to in NY, next time someone says they want to taste food that tastes like home I am bringing them here. Highly recommend!

    Jacky C.

    A Chipotle restaurant concept, but it's Indian food instead. I don't think I can think of any fast casual Indian restaurant, so this spot is really unique in that aspect. The selections as you build your own bowl is rather quite healthy and tasty. Definitely get their mango chutney sauce, which is freakin delicious. Aside from the bowls, they also have house made Mango Lassi, which is something I always get when I'm dining at an Indian restaurant. Delicious as always.

    Tamara A.

    Thoroughly enjoyed my paneer Tikka masala bowl. There are so many flavors with all the things you can add.

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    5 years ago

    The only Indian place in Manhattan that actually tastes homemade. I'm so happy this place exists now.

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    5 years ago

    Great portion, good value. Nice staff. Tasty Indian, chipotle-esque bowls. Will be coming back. Awesome addition to the area!

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    Page 3 of 3

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    Annapurna Bhavan

    Annapurna Bhavan

    4.5
    (37 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    We ordered the southern Indian thali and an onion chili uttapam at the waiter's suggestion. Both…read morewere delicious- distinct flavors, textures and two dishes were plenty for two people to share for dinner. The mango lassi was rich and smooth. Plus it was affordable especially for NYC!

    As someone natively from South India, I was genuinely thrilled to find a South Indian restaurant on…read morethe west side of Manhattan -- these spots are almost exclusively concentrated around Murray Hill and the east side. So Annapurna Bhavan had my curiosity before I even walked in. The ambience was good. They don't take reservations, but we were seated as soon as we walked in. Sadly, the food didn't quite deliver. THE GOOD The dosas were well-made and honestly the highlight of the meal. Crispy, properly thin, no complaints there. THE NOT-SO-GOOD Ordered a Rose Milk. Got a rose lassi. These are two completely different things -- rose milk is a light, chilled milk drink; lassi is a yogurt-based beverage. Not a small mix-up if you know South Indian cuisine. The dahi vada was a letdown. It hadn't been soaked in yogurt nearly long enough -- the vadas were still firm, which defeats the whole purpose of the dish. Authentic dahi vada should be pillowy soft. A lot of the menu leans heavily Americanized. The oothappam topped with cheese and jalapeño is a prime example -- it's more Tex-Mex than Tamil Nadu. Fusion is fine, but don't call it traditional. BOTTOM LINE If you're in the neighborhood and craving something South Indian-adjacent, it's convenient and the dosas will do the job. But if you're someone who grew up eating this food and wants the real thing -- you'll probably leave a little disappointed. The location is great; the authenticity needs work.

    Photos
    Restaurant
    Restaurant
    King Masala Dosa.
    King Masala Dosa.
    Inside restaurants pic

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    Inside restaurants pic
    Dhamaka

    Dhamaka

    4.1
    (839 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    In short, amazing…read more Service was great, friendly, and very cognizant of allergies. - Ghee Whiz - smoked cocktail, really good, flavorful, smooth, unique - Paneer - on the one hand, $20+ for two pieces of paneer seems crazy but on the other hand that paneer was so melt-in-your-mouth texture maybe it's worth getting again, but probably not - Beef pepper fry - amazing, my favorite dish we got. Definitely a bit on the spicier side but incredible flavor, beef all cooked well, great presentation on the skillet, so worth it. - Makai Lamb - the lamb itself was incredible; imagine a giant lamb bone with meat falling off into a thin soup-like sauce. The sauce was delicate in flavor, allowing the lamb to really shine and it was delicious. So filling too, a ton of food. Only weird thing, the two chunks of corn cobs felt out of place. Will definitely return, delicious and best done with more people to try more dishes.

    Dhamaka was my favorite Indian restaurant in NYC for quite a few years. They were bold, innovative,…read moreand just delicious. Unfortunately, I can't say the same anymore. They've passed that torch to their sister restaurant, Adda. Not only has their menu changed, but so has the staff. And it doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing, but in this case, it was. We were recently served by someone who admitted himself that he's only been there for a week. No big deal. Except our first dish took 30 minutes to arrive. Meanwhile the folks to the left and right of us kept getting their food and they ordered after us. When we were done with our first and only dish, I asked our waiter where the rest of the food was, only to find out he didn't fire any of it because he was waiting for us to completely finish. The service was not good. And the food is not nearly as fun and delicious as it used to be. I don't know if I'll be coming back to Dhamaka anymore.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Paneer Methi
    Paneer Methi
    Nalli Biryani

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    Nalli Biryani

    Ambo - indpak - Updated June 2026

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