Business Details
7 Years
experience
Experience Authentic South Indian Flavors at Khiladi
At Khiladi, we are dedicated to bringing the vibrant flavors of South Indian cuisine to the heart of New York City. Founded by Sruthi Chowdary, our restaurant is a celebration of family traditions and street food culture, blending childhood memories with modern culinary techniques. Our menu features handcrafted dishes inspired by recipes passed down through generations, using fresh ingredients and authentic spices to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. Partnering with the team behind the renowned Godavari restaurant chain, we combine expertise with innovation to create meals that honor South Indian heritage while appealing to contemporary palates. From crispy snacks to hearty curries, every dish is prepared with care to ensure authenticity and quality.Our mission is to make guests feel welcomed and connected through food that tells a story of cultural pride and personal journey. The restaurant's ambiance, featuring South Indian movie projections and hand-painted murals, enhances this immersive experience. With a focus on exceptional service and attention to detail, we strive to be more than just a meal - it's an invitation to explore the rich culinary landscape of South India. Whether you're a longtime fan of Indian cuisine or discovering it for the first time, Khiladi offers a unique opportunity to taste the passion and dedication that define our approach to food and hospitality.
Services
South Indian Cuisine
Homestyle Cooking
Cultural Dining Experience
Vegetarian Options
Wine Pairing
Details
- Year established: 2019
Highlights and features
- We serve family recipes passed down through generations with modern twists
- Our chefs combine traditional techniques with contemporary culinary innovation
- We offer an immersive cultural experience through food and ambiance
- We use fresh, high-quality ingredients in every dish we prepare
- Our team brings expertise from the popular Godavari restaurant chain
What people say
Best restaurant
Excellent food
Fresh produce
Fantastic service
Authentic flavors
Services
South Indian Cuisine
Khiladi specializes in authentic South Indian cuisine featuring traditional dishes like dosas, idlis, and curries. Our menu combines family recipes with modern presentation, using fresh ingredients and regional spices. Guests experience both homestyle comfort food and innovative interpretations of classic flavors.
Cultural Experience
The restaurant offers immersive cultural experiences through decor featuring South Indian murals and movie projections. Our ambiance transports guests to the streets of South India while maintaining contemporary comfort. This unique setting enhances the dining experience beyond just food.
Vegetarian Options
Khiladi provides extensive vegetarian and vegan options including lentil dishes, vegetable curries, and traditional snacks. Many menu items are naturally gluten-free, accommodating various dietary preferences while maintaining authentic flavor profiles.
Wine Pairing
Our beverage program features curated wine selections from global regions that complement Indian spices. The menu includes both Old World and New World wines, carefully chosen to enhance the complex flavors of South Indian cuisine through thoughtful pairings.
Signature Cocktails
Khiladi offers innovative cocktails inspired by Indian ingredients, including masala-spiced drinks and regional beer selections. The bar program balances traditional flavors with modern mixology techniques to create unique beverage experiences.
People
Sruthi Chowdary
Founder & Owner
Sruthi Chowdary founded Khiladi to share her South Indian heritage through food. Her culinary journey began with childhood memories of family recipes, evolving into a restaurant that challenges cultural norms while celebrating tradition.
Questions
What makes Khiladi's South Indian cuisine unique?
Our menu combines family recipes with modern techniques, using fresh ingredients and authentic spices to create dishes that honor tradition while offering contemporary appeal.
Does Khiladi offer vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes, we provide extensive vegetarian and vegan choices including lentil dishes, vegetable curries, and traditional snacks that maintain authentic flavor profiles.
What are Khiladi's signature dishes?
Popular items include our Lamb Ghee Roast, Kerala Chicken Fry, and innovative cocktails featuring Indian spices. The menu balances traditional favorites with modern interpretations.
Is there a private dining option available?
While we don't mention private rooms, our restaurant offers a vibrant communal dining experience with immersive cultural decor and seating arrangements.
What are the restaurant's operating hours?
We're open Monday-Thursday 11:30 AM-10:30 PM, Friday 11:30 AM-11:30 PM, Saturday 11:30 AM-11:30 PM, and Sunday 11:30 AM-11:00 PM.
Does Khiladi offer catering services?
The provided information doesn't mention catering services. We recommend contacting the restaurant directly for specific inquiries about off-site events.
Reviews (4)
Emi B.
Jan 08, 2022
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I don't understand this place. Came with expectation and left confused.
*Idly Nugget - imaging sliced chunk of sponge cake.
*Fried Shishito Pepper - seems pre fried for days and just sat there like those cheap Indian deli? Bread dough is so thick, and both the bread and Shishito wasn't crispy. So confused.
*Dosa - I like dosa in general. Also find this lack of actual vegetable but overwhelmed with potato.
*Kheema Pao - want to be explorative but imaging this like "Indian spiced chili"
*Vindaloo - tasted like tomato ketchup soup and it wasn't spicy.
UGHH ! What&apos
*Idly Nugget - imaging sliced chunk of sponge cake.
*Fried Shishito Pepper - seems pre fried for days and just sat there like those cheap Indian deli? Bread dough is so thick, and both the bread and Shishito wasn't crispy. So confused.
*Dosa - I like dosa in general. Also find this lack of actual vegetable but overwhelmed with potato.
*Kheema Pao - want to be explorative but imaging this like "Indian spiced chili"
*Vindaloo - tasted like tomato ketchup soup and it wasn't spicy.
UGHH ! What&apos
Foodie S.
Dec 11, 2021
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Very authentic and cool at the same time . Great service and food quality. Love the names on the menu
Refreshing twist with items that are not mainstream or traditional
Refreshing twist with items that are not mainstream or traditional
Aliou Diaga
Dec 02, 2021
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Great spot for different Indian food! Staff was great and accommodating for all our group. We had different food restrictions and they were very helpful and courteous in accommodating us.Food itself was very delicious and made us feel like we are eating a home cooked meal! We will be coming back to try the rest of the menu
Lingxiao C.
Nov 29, 2021
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Came here for lunch and was blown away! Hands down the best Indian food I've had in NYC. We started with Khiladi Pakodi which was batter-fried veggies. I thought the broccoli one was the best lol. The Madurai Fish Fry was amazing - must get! The Stuffed Naan was also good but the cheese made it too heavy. We asked for the curries to be made spicy, and boy oh boy, did they made it SPICY for us!
According to my friend, the Pappu was really authentic, as was the Pork Vindaloo. We really appreciated how Khiladi uses a myriad of spices to create a complex, vibrant flavor profile, instead of passing
According to my friend, the Pappu was really authentic, as was the Pork Vindaloo. We really appreciated how Khiladi uses a myriad of spices to create a complex, vibrant flavor profile, instead of passing
