Sura Indian Bistro

4.5

94 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary Indian

Vegetarian-friendly
Good for special occasions
Good for groups

At SURA Indian Bistro, discover India's multi-cultural culinary dialogue, centuries in the tasting, nestled in the heart of Philly. Be it the Biryani from the southern part of India or the famous Amritsari Fish from Punjab, each dish tells a story of flavors, meticulously crafted to transport your senses across time and tradition. Our exclusive personalized service will surely bring you back to us again and again! Book your reservation today!

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary Indian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Indian
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:30 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Phone number
(215) 478-8777
Website
https://www.surabistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Private party facilities
Restaurant, event space, wedding venue, and catering. Seated: 150 | Standing: 200 Private dining for 10–150 guests, receptions up to 200. Ideal for weddings, parties, meetings, or corporate events. Offering refined cuisine, buffet services, bar, AV capabilities, and more!
Private party contact
Team Sura: (215) 478-8777

Location
1726 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5120
Neighborhood
Center City
Parking details
None
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Popular dishes

MULLIGATAWNY SOUP (V, Gf)$8.00
Creamy vegetable and lentil soup blended with freshly ground spices
NATTU KOZHI SOUP (Chicken Soup ) ( Gf)$10.00
Spiced tomato soup simmered with turmeric marinated chicken.
INDIAN KA CHUMBER SALAD (V, Gf)$8.00
Freshly chopped cucumber, chickpeas, onions, tomatoes and herbs.
PANEER TIKKA SALAD (Gf)$12.00
Lettuce, tomato, and cucumber tossed in a tangy vinaigrette.
CHICKEN TIKKA SALAD (Gf)$15.00
Lettuce, tomato, and cucumber tossed in a tangy vinaigrette.

APPETIZERS

VEGETABLE PAKORA (V, Gf)$12.00
Crispy vegetable fritters made with seasoned chickpea and rice flour.
VEGETABLE SAMOSA (V)$8.00
Fried turnover filled with potatoes and green peas served with chutney on the side.
CHICKEN 65 (Gf)$12.00
Fried, battered chicken thighs seasoned with curry leaves.
TANDOORI CHICKEN WINGS (Gf)$12.00
Marinated chicken wings that are slow cooked in the tandoor.
FISH PAKORA$14.00
Crispy breaded tilapia made with seasoned chickpea and rice flour.

CHAAT

Chaat is a category of Indian street food that is a harmonious combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy. (VEGAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE)

SAMOSA CHAAT$12.00
Deconstructed samosa topped with chole, onions, tomato, and cilantro. Drizzled with yogurt, mint chutney and tamarind chutney.
SPINACH$12.00
Crispy chickpea battered spinach topped with onions, tomato, and cilantro. Drizzled with yogurt, mint chutney, and date chutney.
TIKKI CHAAT$12.00
Smashed potato patty topped with chole, onions, tomato, and cilantro. Drizzled with yogurt, mint chutney and tamarind chutney.

TANDOOR / GRILL (Gf)

A tandoor is a large clay oven that is traditionally used for baking and cooking. Please allow 15 minutes preparation time.

PANEER TIKKA$16.00
House-made paneer marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend.
TANDOORI GOBI$14.00
Roasted cauliflower marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend. (VEGAN OPTION AVAILABLE)
CHICKEN TIKKA$18.00
Smoked chicken breast marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend.
TANDOORI CHICKEN$18.00
Half chicken marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend
PAHAADI JHINGA$23.00
Grilled tiger prawn marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend.
TANDOORI S ALMON $23.00
Grilled salmon marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend.
LAMB CHOPS$25.00
Coriander crusted lamb chops marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend.
LAMB SHEEKH KEB BS$21.00
Minced lamb with herbs rolled and roasted on a skewer
CHARRED OCTOPUS$24.00
Grilled octopus smoked with southern spices. Served on top of a chickpea puree.
MIXED PLATTER$28.00
Chef’s choice of paneer and meats.

VEGETARIAN CURRY

VEGAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

DAAL MAKHNI$16.00
Rich lentils slowly cooked with spices and cream.
DAAL TADKA$15.00
Smoky lentils tempered in a spicy tomato gravy and topped with traditional tadka. (Spice infused oil)
BINDI MA SALA$16.00
Semi-dry dish featuring okra, onion, tomato and fragrant spices.
CHANA MASALA$16.00
Chickpeas simmered in an onion and tomato gravy.
VEGETABLE JALFREZI$16.00
Indo-Chinese vegetable stir-fry seasoned with freshy ground spices.
BAINGAN BHAR TA (V, Gf)$16.00
Smoked eggplant and green peas sauteed in an onion and tomato gravy.
ALOO GOBI (V, Gf)$16.00
Potato and cauliflower combined with aromatics.

CURRY

Choose the style of curry and protein. PANEER $20 | CHICKEN $22 GOAT $24 | LAMB $24 | FISH $24 Served with rice.

TIKKA MASALA
Silky combination of tomato, onion, and bell peppers. Protein will be cooked in tandoor.
KORMA
Nutty puree of cashew nuts and fennel seeds.
SAAG
Creamy spinach gravy with ground coriander.
VINDALOO
Spicy vinaigrette with potatoes.
MADRAS
Roasted coconut gravy with smoked garam masala.
MALABAR
Spicy tamarind gravy with coconut milk.
BUTTER CHICKEN$22.00
Tandoori chicken simmered in a decadent tomato gravy and cashew cream.
MUTTON SHUKA$24.00
Semi-dry sauteed goat seasoned with a special spice blend and curry leaves.

BIRYANI

Biryani is a traditional rice dish that is slowly steamed with freshly ground spices and a choice of vegetables and/or protein. (GF AND VEGAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE)

VEGETABLE BIRYANI$18.00
CHICKEN BIRYANI$24.00
GOAT BIRYANI$26.00
LAMB BIRYANI$26.00

BREAD

NAAN PLAIN$4.00
NAAN BUTTER$6.00
NAAN GARLIC$6.00
NAAN BULLET$7.00
NAAN PESHWARI$8.00
KULCHA PANEER$8.00
KULCHA ALOO$8.00
ROTI$4.00
LACCHA PARATHA$7.00
MALABAR P ARATHA$7.00
ASSORTED BREAD BASKET$16.00
An assortment of breads, including plain naan, butter naan, garlic naan, and roti.

DESSERT

KHEER$7.00
GULAB JAMUN$7.00
RASMALAI$8.00
GAJAR HALWA$7.00

What 94 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.5Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Philadelphia
Healthy
Philadelphia
Most Booked 1000-Point Tables

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Sura Indian Bistro offers a captivating blend of traditional and modern Indian cuisine with "amazing authentic flavors." Guests rave about the "exceptional standards" of food, highlighting dishes like Saag Paneer and Khumb Majestic. The "charming ambiance" and "impeccable service" from a "knowledgeable and attentive" staff create a memorable dining experience.

94 Reviews

N
Nidhi
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The ambinece & vibe of the restaurant is great! the food was outstanding, we had a variety to choose from. However the vegetable curry options can do better. Also some better lighting will help. It was a bit difficult to read the menu card with the current lighting. But overall taste, quality, and service was excellent.
Is this helpful?
A
Adam
VIP
Philadelphia
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent Indian dinner. First timers and we were not disappointed. Fairly new place, but it was excellent service, ambience, and especially the food. Vindaloo was great and a nice spice at 4/5. My wife enjoyed her lamb saag. Will definitely return.
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W
Wendy
VIP
Philadelphia
32 reviews
5.0
32 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
We two shared three dishes, for a small plates light lunch: vegetable pakora, the chicken 65 appetizer, and eggplant (baingan bharta). Each dish was very tasty, offering a slightly different take on similar dishes we've tried in other establishments. The eggplant was particularly memorable. The restaurant is really lovely inside (though today, a cold day, we did get a bit of draft each time the front door opened). Background music was lovely. Service was very competent, but a bit slow, the only downside to a lovely meal.
Is this helpful?
A
Aleshia
Philadelphia
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Good food and excellent drinks... What more could you ask for? Must try!
Is this helpful?
L
Lee
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
20 minutes after our apps, we asked where our mains were. We were told they’re currently working on them, which was fair as the place was packed. But after 2 tables that were seated after us got their mains, which was 45 minutes after we finished our apps, we asked again. We were told the waitress forgot to place our order for the mains. The food was ordered on the fly and out at our table 10 minutes later. We were there for almost 3 hours. We were kind of hoping for some sort of discount on the check for the inconvenience of about an hour wait for our mains, but we did not. Besides the logistical error, the food was phenomenal and we’ll def be coming back!
Is this helpful?
M
Mehul
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The service here was amazing. The food was good too, I would definitely recommend a visit if you are in the Philly area!
Sura Indian BistroResponded on December 6, 2024
Thank you for your wonderful feedback Mehul! We’re so pleased to hear you enjoyed both the food and the service. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Is this helpful?
J
Janki
San Francisco
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on November 24, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The food was overpriced for the quality—it lacked flavor and wasn’t worth the cost. On top of that, the guy at the front was rude, which made the experience even worse. Definitely wouldn’t recommend.
1 person found this helpful
C
Caden
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 20, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The service and the food was amazing. I will definitely be going back in the near future!
Sura Indian BistroResponded on November 22, 2024
Thank you so much, Caden! We're thrilled to hear you had an amazing experience with both our food and service. We look forward to having you dine with us again soon!
Is this helpful?
R
R
Montana
25 reviews
4.0
25 reviews
Dined on November 10, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
This restaurant provides a great opportunity for something different before a show. The ambience is quiet and subdued. I enjoyed the food although I missed having papadum served. The staff was pleasant.
Sura Indian BistroResponded on November 14, 2024
Hello, thank you for the review! We’re glad you enjoyed the quiet ambiance and unique dining experience at Sura. Looking forward to serving you again!
Is this helpful?
R
Robert
Philadelphia
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 9, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Very well prepared Indian cuisine with very good service. I will definitely return.
Sura Indian BistroResponded on November 14, 2024
Hi Robert, thank you for your thoughtful comments! We’re pleased you enjoyed our Indian cuisine and attentive service. We look forward to welcoming you back for another delightful meal.
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FAQs

Sura Indian Bistro offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Sura Indian Bistro also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (215) 478-8777.

Sura Indian Bistro is rated 4.5 stars by 94 OpenTable diners.

Sura Indian Bistro does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Not bookable

This restaurant is temporarily offline. Please contact the restaurant directly or check back shortly for availability.

Order delivery or takeout

1726 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5120

Additional information

Neighborhood
Center City
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:30 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary Indian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Indian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.surabistro.com/
Phone number
(215) 478-8777
Private party facilities
Restaurant, event space, wedding venue, and catering. Seated: 150 | Standing: 200 Private dining for 10–150 guests, receptions up to 200. Ideal for weddings, parties, meetings, or corporate events. Offering refined cuisine, buffet services, bar, AV capabilities, and more!
Private party contact
Team Sura: (215) 478-8777

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

Sura Indian Bistro

Not bookable

Order delivery or takeout

There’s more to explore

Private dining

Additional information

Gift card

CHICKEN

CHICKEN MAKHANI

CHARRED OCTOPUS

SOUP & SALAD

MULLIGATAWNY SOUP (V, Gf)$8.00

NATTU KOZHI SOUP (Chicken Soup ) ( Gf)$10.00

INDIAN KA CHUMBER SALAD (V, Gf)$8.00

PANEER TIKKA SALAD (Gf)$12.00

CHICKEN TIKKA SALAD (Gf)$15.00

APPETIZERS

VEGETABLE PAKORA (V, Gf)$12.00

VEGETABLE SAMOSA (V)$8.00

CHICKEN 65 (Gf)$12.00

TANDOORI CHICKEN WINGS (Gf)$12.00

FISH PAKORA$14.00

CHAAT

SAMOSA CHAAT$12.00

SPINACH$12.00

TIKKI CHAAT$12.00

TANDOOR / GRILL (Gf)

PANEER TIKKA$16.00

TANDOORI GOBI$14.00

CHICKEN TIKKA$18.00

TANDOORI CHICKEN$18.00

PAHAADI JHINGA$23.00

TANDOORI S ALMON $23.00

LAMB CHOPS$25.00

LAMB SHEEKH KEB BS$21.00

CHARRED OCTOPUS$24.00

MIXED PLATTER$28.00

VEGETARIAN CURRY

DAAL MAKHNI$16.00

DAAL TADKA$15.00

BINDI MA SALA$16.00

CHANA MASALA$16.00

VEGETABLE JALFREZI$16.00

BAINGAN BHAR TA (V, Gf)$16.00

ALOO GOBI (V, Gf)$16.00

CURRY

TIKKA MASALA

KORMA

SAAG

VINDALOO

MADRAS

MALABAR

BUTTER CHICKEN$22.00

MUTTON SHUKA$24.00

BIRYANI

VEGETABLE BIRYANI$18.00

CHICKEN BIRYANI$24.00

GOAT BIRYANI$26.00

LAMB BIRYANI$26.00

BREAD

NAAN PLAIN$4.00

NAAN BUTTER$6.00

NAAN GARLIC$6.00

NAAN BULLET$7.00

NAAN PESHWARI$8.00

KULCHA PANEER$8.00

KULCHA ALOO$8.00

ROTI$4.00

LACCHA PARATHA$7.00

MALABAR P ARATHA$7.00

ASSORTED BREAD BASKET$16.00

DESSERT

KHEER$7.00

GULAB JAMUN$7.00

RASMALAI$8.00

GAJAR HALWA$7.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs