I came to Veeray's with some friends while visiting New York. The ambiance itself is pretty cool -- the speakeasy theme does come through. Service was also excellent (which you definitely expect given the price point!) Overall, it was good, but nothing amazing. I will say that I am vegetarian and their standout offerings seem to be their meat dishes. The daal and paneer makhanis were good but nothing to write home about. The breads were a similar story. We ordered pav bhaji and that was amazing. My carnivore friends seemed to like the camel kebab but weren't wowed either. They definitely do not hold back on heat, which I love! read more

Now what if I told you guys I tried Camel? Specifically Camel Seekh Kebabs? Located in Midtown, owner and executive chef Hemant Mathur is the first Indian chef in the US to be awarded a Michelin star and retain it across 2 NYC restaurants. As someone who's been wanting to try more Indian food, VEERAYS has absolutely set the bar high and mighty. I started with The Rum-Rumming Queen cocktail and she definitely made an entrance. Smooth, refreshing, a little tropical, and perfect if you just turned 21 because she is strong! Chef surprised us with a complimentary bite of their crispy rice paired with tangy/spiced veggies, and tamarind sauce. For the first plate, we had the Duroc Baby Back Ribs and believe me when I tell you the only thing left on this plate were BONES. Marinaded in tamarind glaze and Indian spices, these babies were tender, flavorful, and honestly disappeared way too fast. Next we had the Camel Seekh Kebabs and hear me out, it did not miss a beat. It was flavorful, perfectly seasoned and mixed with veggies, and similar to the texture of lamb. Veerays is known for their exotic meats, so I highly recommend their tasting menu that features exotic meats like camel, ostrich, kangaroo, and more. Last we had their Chicken Madame Makhani and this was butter chicken on another level. She was Rich, creamy, packed with flavor, and paired with white rice and garlic naan? Absolutely necessary. And because there's always room for dessert in my book, we finished with the Masquerade Ball and HandCuff. Sweet, indulgent, and the perfect ending to our meal. I came in expecting a good meal and left planning what I'm ordering next time. ;) read more

See all

Dining at Veerays is a bit of a mixed journey. While the 1920s speakeasy ambiance and the Michelin guided selection set a high bar, the value was quite small The Breads: The clear highlight. Both the Coconut and Garlic Naans were exceptional, perfectly charred and came out superb fresh Butter Chicken (4/5): A crowd-pleaser, rich and well-balanced, especially when paired with the naan Shrimp Amboltik (3.75/5): A decent rendition of the Goan classic, offering a nice tang that complemented the bread. Duroc Baby Back Ribs (3.5/5): The flavor profile was spot on, but the bone-to-meat ratio was disappointing; I expected a bit more substance for the price. Pekin Duck Vindaloo (3.25/5): prob my least fave, wasn't a fan of the duck in this dish read more

See all

Veerays is a great Indian restaurant with a great intimate ambiance that's great for a date or friends gathering. We did not partake in the exotic meats tasting, but would definitely do it next time around. We ordered a whole bunch of appetizers and mains. In no particular order here is what we ordered. Daisy's Southern Bites- really tasty but hard to go wrong as it is fried and stuffed with lentils. Anarkali chicken kebab- also very good and super juicy. We really enjoyed the marinade on it as well. Portobello Mushroom- this was tasty and definitely vegetarian-friendly. I enjoyed the paneer and mushrooms a lot. However, the rice was a bit dry. Camel Seekh Kebab- don't knock camel meat before you try it! It honestly tastes like chicken and was delicious & the date chutney complemented it well. Pekin Duck Vindaloo- not one of my favorites, I have had a better vindaloo curry. The Don's Lamb Chops- i'll be it a bit pricey for their size, the lamb chops were cooked well and were tasty. All in all, my friends & I had a great time. I also wanted to give a shout out to our waiter Piyush who was very attentive without being overbearing & very helpful in guiding us with the menu. Aforementioned, I would be back for the exotic meats tasting. read more

Veerays - Lamb Chops, Camel Seekh Kebab - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Veerays hosts a modern takes on Indian classics in a very vibey space. We came for their 45$ restaurant week (2026) 3 course dinner offering. The food was good but not great - nothing blew us away. First course: The classic chaat was good but lacked texture (some crunch was missing which made the app feel one note). The daisy Southern bites (3 piece) was on the other hand a great small app with sufficient taste/texture. Second course: Madame Makhani (Paneer): A tasty and filling entree served with rice/naan - satisfying. Beet Carrot Kofta: An interesting take - the texture of the kofta beet ball was good and the sweetness of the carrot in the sauce came through in the sauce. Dessert: Chai panna cotta - by far the better dessert of the two. You can taste the complex medley of spices of the chai in this panna cotta. Mango panna cotta - mango lassi in a panna cotta - sweet but quite one note. Overall a decent meal, but for the price and elegance of the restaurant, I expected a bit more. A few of the dishes could have been filled with more texture/complexity to uplift it and make it feel less of a one note dish. I also think if the panna cotta was plated in a flatter vessel and garnished with more edible decor, the desserts could have left a better impression on me. read more

See all

Tasty food in a space with a cool theme. My meal started with a complimentary and simple bite of dahi vada. The pav bhaji was my favorite dish - spicy and rich vegetable curry paired with buttery grilled buns. The oyster mushroom and jackfruit biryani was also very flavorful, with layers of perfumed rice and savory, tender jackfruit pieces. Everything came to around $50 after tax and tip, and I had plenty of biryani to take home. read more

See all

The concept was intriguing as a speakeasy style restaurant. The interior certainly gives this vibe with the red and black color theme. If you are vegetarian, there isn't much that is very unique. The 'exotic' dishes are mainly meat dishes like camel. The server gave me a single dahi puri as a complimentary starter. The pav bhaji was tasty, the samosa chaat is basic, and guava cheesecake was okay. I'd probably just come back for a drink as a vegetarian considering the higher price point of vegetarian items. Staff could be more attentive. While it wasn't busy I had to flag someone down a few times for water refills, questions on the menu and overall no one smiled. I even mentioned it was my birthday and was later told oh sorry they forgot the candles. Just felt like they didn't care about the customer experience. Just bringing out orders even though it was not busy at the time. One customer complained about the lack of salt in their meal a few times and instead of saying 'ma'am let me fix this' the server's response was 'well, you are the first to ever complain about that.' That was a little off-putting to hear from him. read more

See all

Came for restaurant week and ordered their 3 course option. For starters I had the anarkali chicken. It was pretty good and had a good marinade. My main was a salmon curry which I thought was fine, I didn't feel it stood out. For dessert I had the mango panna cotta which was also very good and very similar to a mango lassi flavor. The inside is a small space but decorated well and very intimate. Overall I didn't feel anything stood out to me but it was a decent meal read more

See all

Eaten jackfruit biryani a couple of times on takeout and it's been good. Peeked inside when picking up and the place looks nice, will try to dine in. read more

I came here for restaurant week. Thought everything was great- the staff was extremely friendly and stopped by multiple times to check in, the food was good, and the atmosphere was nice. I would take off a point for the price. For restaurant week, I ended up spending around $70 (this included a mango lassi). While that is the price of upscale Indian dining, I thought the food was great but not exceptional for that price. If I came back, I would probably only order the chicken makhani (but I do think I could get something similar for half the price somewhere else) read more

See all

Server was very helpful and pleasant. Very upscale Indian food in a speakeasy like restaurant. Food was delicious. Went back and the sever remembered me, which was a pleasant surprise. read more

See all

Had a great dinner here last week with a friend. The ambiance is cool, going after that speakeasy vibe; a bit upscale to the point where you'd feel uncomfortable under dressed. It's definitely 'understated' on the street (read: kind of hard to find), so make sure you know the address and don't just try to walk by and see it. Cocktails were interesting and delicious, as I would expect as a place fashioning itself after a speakeasy. For food we did the 3-course dinner tasting menu. Appetizers were Chaat and Southern Bites. Southern bites were like pan fried little idli and they were delicious. The Chaat was a very well executed aloo tikka chaat. For the main we got the chicken makhani (sometimes I just crave the classic..) and the lamb chops. Both were very good, the lamb chops were truly fantastic. Perfectly marinated and cooked, absolutely melt in your mouth. The desert's were good, but we were happily stuffed already at that point. Service was very pleasant and responsive. read more

Veerays - Daisy's southern bites were very interested, like pan fried idli bites. Tasted like Idli with a bit of an extra crunch - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Mediocre food.. participated in restaurant week and it was truly just "ok".. location is great but wouldn't be my first or second choice for Indian food read more

WOW! I loved everything about this place, starting with the health department rating of A. I am a clean freak and admittedly somewhat grossed out when trying to find a clean place to eat while in the Big Apple. Luckily, Yelp provides those ratings which help me choose where to go that is not rodent infested or suffering from inadequate plumbing. When I found Veerays I was surprised to find it walking distance from my hotel. Actually, right next door! This was a welcome start to my trip seeing that it was a torrential downpour outside. Just coming off the train I was in very casual clothes without an umbrella, so I was pretty much resembling those rats I hate to see in a Yelp health department score. It was just past 2 PM and when I entered, I found it dark, intimate and classy. I apologized for my attire and asked if it was okay if I grabbed a late lunch. They were so kind and happy to see me, which made sense when I saw I was the only one in there. About four people smiled, welcomed me and showed me to my table. It's like they were just waiting for me to walk in the door! The service by Priscika was excellent. I began with a glass of Annabella Cab at $19.00 Hefty price, but generous pour. I was brought some sort of appetizer on the house. It was interesting. I'm still not sure what it was, but the gesture was nice and I was starving after a long day of travel. I really enjoyed the Lamb Rogan Josh. Rogan Josh is my go-to when getting Indian food. This one came complete with a lamb shank. Beautiful presentation, tasty and tender lamb and the sauce was delicious! The olive garlic naan was exceptional. I could have eaten that all day long. So good! I finished off my meal with a slice of cheesecake. I found the total bill to be very reasonable by NYC standards, and I left very satisfied after a fantastic meal and glass of wine on a cold rainy day. Great service here and a beautiful small bar tucked in the corner. Love it! read more

See all

We had a great experience at Veerays. They offer traditional Indian fare as well as exotic meats and innovative dishes. Our favorite things were the fried okra, Southern Bites, cheese naan and chicken makhani. The speakeasy vibe is swanky yet laid-back and the service is excellent! read more

Veerays - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Take out order of samosa chaat, chicken tikka and jackfruit biryani. All good. Would definitely come back!

Had a wonderful time at Veerays last night to celebrate my birthday. Ordered off the Restaurant Week menu (plus one extra starter) and had the Vintage Rajasthani Sule for my first course while my wife had the Chaat, and we both ordered the Camel Seekh Kebab for our mains. The lamb was spiced but not too spicy, the chaat was warming, simple yet refined, and the camel was such a pleasant surprise; kind of a cross between beef and lamb in flavor profile. Then for dessert, as they came with our chai and mango Pana Cottas, they also brought out a complimentary guava cheesecake which was delicious. Drinks were on the money for a speakeasy themed restaurant as well (and not that expensive), and our waiter also clued us in to an Indian beer not on the menu that we had to try called The Godfather. Overall it was everything I was hoping it would be, and we will definitely be back! read more

Veerays - Camel Seekh Kebab with date chutney and olive garlic naan - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

If you're a frequenter of Lutyens' Delhi or have a membership at your local gymkhana, you might enjoy the intentional colonial stuffiness which constitutes the premise of Veerays, the upscale cousin to the East Village's Veeray da Dhaba (which for the record I love). The food is not bad, but the price tags are a bit obscene for items like the "jubilee vegetables," a glorified veg tikka kebab with a measly single piece of paneer (which was admittedly very tender). People have mixed views on whether veg biryani can ever truly be successful, but in any case it was rather mediocre here - I've found myself believing in the dish's potential far more wholeheartedly at Angel. Overall certainly not a bad option in East Midtown, but Veerays is not on the cutting edge of South Asian cooking in New York. read more

Veerays - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Food was so delicious. Ambience was amazing. I cannot wait to go back again. The service was seamless and everyone was so friendly!

Veerays is set to bring culinary mastery of Chef Hemant Mathur, the first Indian chef in the U.S. to be awarded a Michelin star and retain it across New York City restaurants. Located in the heart of New York City. Chef Hemant has captivated the taste buds of food enthusiasts around the world. Experience the unique speakeasy vibes and that touch of 1920s luxury at Veerays, right in the heart of midtown East. Derived from the Punjabi word for "good friends," Veerays is a concept inspired by the clandestine speakeasies of the prohibition-era, infused with motifs of the Roaring 20s with fun dining, exotic Indian fares, prohibition era cocktails, and Bollywood beats. What we tried Drinks Diamond Joe Cosmopolitan Appetizers Gatsby Kebab Vintage Rajasthani Sule Main course Bhuna Gosht Charleston Chicken Dal makhani Bharva Dum aloo Lamb Keema Naan and lachha Paratha Dum Goat Biryani Desserts Masquerade Ball Hancuff As you step through the doors, you'll be transported back in time to an era of secret rendezvous and underground revelry. Pull up a chair, grab a napkin, and join them on this exciting ride through the flavors of India. It's an elegant, sophisticated, and adventure fare served on a platter! The result is a vibrant and trendsetting place, full of energy and sophistication. It is a place of gathering, a place of celebration, a place for business and a place for pleasure. Together, Mathur and Solomon have envisioned Veerays, a culinary venture that harmoniously merges tradition with contemporary flair, ensuring an unparalleled dining odyssey for all patrons. Special Mention Mr. Sonny Solomon , Yankee & to the entire staff of Veerays Midtown East Manhattan ... ___________________________ read more

See all

Let me start off by saying it's a must go!! The service here was amazing, we loved our server and he helped give us amazing recommendations on the menu items. The food is phenomenal, if I had to pick a favorite it would be the southern bites. But I don't think you can go wrong with the menu here. Everyone was nice, food was amazing and I can't wait to go back again! The entrance is also a little hidden so definitely hits the speakeasy vibe they were going for! When you walk in you can feel the "prohibition vibe" that they were going for - it was such an amazing feel! read more

See all

Everything was so delicious, the decor was beautiful, and service was impeccable. I came here for a work lunch and we all got the préfix menu, which was a great deal/ perfect amount of food. The naan was so fresh, puffy, and buttery and everything tasted authentic but not overly sweet (like some Indian restaurants). We also ordered cocktails (solid), dessert (also excellent and not too sweet) and the masala chai, which was delicious (unsweetened). Will definitely be back! read more

See all

...definitely the finest Indian cuisine I've tasted in my life. Menu takes some deciphering, but does not disappoint. Unique new school twists on your all-time old school favorites. Chicken Tikka Masala on the menu is called (Madame Makhani), so you won't want to miss that. The Don's Lamb Chops, Rogan Josh, some rice and the Coconut Naan completed our order and left us amazed. Desert selections are also coded into the menu, the Cardamom Culfi (Handcuff) is a sort of ice cream the pairs excellently with the Gulab Jamun which is called (Masquerade Ball). We dine here every-time we come to NYC. The ambiance is elegant and servers are more than happy to help you select the ideal entrees for your personal tastes. I absolutely love Indian food, this is the best I've tasted anywhere in my life. read more

Veerays - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

The exotic meat tasting was very tasty and fun! Ostrich, kangaroo, camel, yak, and alligator. Each dish was unique with fun flavors. The service was great, the staff were very attentive and the whole experience felt very fancy. read more

Veerays is definitely a unique and wonderful experience. Speakeasy meets authentic Indian cuisine. Honestly the perfect combo: comfort and elegance. The service was impecable; friendly and knowledgeable staff, excellent recommendations. The food itself was incredible; large portions and full of flavor. Top of the list for me! read more

Veerays - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

Went for restaurant week with a party of three and shared all of the dishes which were amazing. The only low spot was the chai panna cotta which was just too heavy on the cardamom. The cocktails were strangely unbalanced which was surprising so taking a star off - but overall amazing ambience and very very delicious food. I'll be thinking of the naan as some of these best I've ever had for years to come. read more

We chose this restaurant for a special evening, expecting the complete Michelin-star fine dining experience. The food was excellent and beautifully prepared, which makes this review all the more disappointing. Unfortunately, our dinner was overshadowed by an extremely loud group of about 12 people seated nearby. The noise was so excessive that it was difficult to have a conversation or fully enjoy the meal. We asked if we could move to another table, but were told none were available. The owner did speak with the group, and we appreciate that effort, but the situation never really improved and the noise continued throughout much of our dinner. The atmosphere became so unpleasant that we decided to skip dessert, even though we had planned to order it. Instead of extending what should have been a memorable evening, we chose to leave as soon as we finished our main course. If we had wanted a loud, high-energy atmosphere where conversations are drowned out by other tables, we could have gone to any sports bar. We chose a Michelin-star restaurant because we expected an elegant, relaxed dining experience where we could appreciate the food and enjoy each other's company. Great food is only one part of fine dining. The atmosphere and overall guest experience matter just as much. While I understand that a restaurant can't completely control its guests, I expected a more effective solution to preserve the dining experience for everyone. The cuisine was outstanding, but the atmosphere prevented us from enjoying what should have been a special and memorable evening. read more

Delicious food & amazing service. 10/10 would recommend to anyone who enjoys solid Indian food!

The BEST meal I have had in a long time. The spices were interesting and spot on and the service was perfect. Intersting menu with creative drinks and a speakeasy atmosphere. Would recommend 100% to anyone looking for a truly special experience! read more

Terrible waitstaff, rude service , and the servers make fun of you. Don't bother to go here. Much better Indian places. Food was below average and the place has a moldy vibe. I would rate it ZERO if I can. read more

Veeray's completely exceeded my expectations! Every single thing we ate was so flavorful and the drinks were classic prohibition era drinks made to perfection! We started with the GATSBY CHICKEN KEBAB, the ACHARI QUAIL, and the SAMOSA CHAAT. It was the great mix of starters before we started the main course of CAMEL SEEKH KEBAB, which was our first time having Camel and it was DELICIOUS. We had that along with the DAL MAKHANI and the Gobhi Taka Tin with this delicious Cherry COCONUT NAAN and every single thing was gone by the end of the night. The service was also great and very attentive, the owner Sonny was great and came over to check in on us. I can't recommend this place enough! Come hungry and leave with a great memory of the 1920s in New York ambiance with amazing Indian food. read more

Veerays - CAMEL SEEKH KEBAB with COCONUT NAAN and DAL MAKHANI - Indian Near Me - New York, New York

See all

5 stars for the atmosphere, service and vibe of the restaurant. The food was delicious, the shrimp and tandoori chicken was fantastic as was the salmon. Restaurant week really was a good choice for this restaurant. The Madam Makhani (chicken tikka like dish) didn't wow us but was still good. Would definitely come back to order the camel (maybe) read more

See all

The food is amazing!!! The service is 5 STAR! James was our waiter and he was very knowledgeable of the menu and recommended some great food options. We had Camel for the first time and it was absolutely Devine!!! Restaurant decor was amazingly beautiful! read more

Everything went well. The ambiance , the seating arrangement , the noise level , the cleanliness , the staff, the service , and then VOILA!!! The food. It was well presented and delicious . I'm going back soon read more

I am truly torn about writing this review. I REALLY want to gatekeep this place but that wouldn't be fair to the incredible chef and wonderful staff (or the Yelp community, of course) that provided me one of my best meals of the year. I am often in NYC for work near Grand Central and usually stroll around the neighborhood and pop in somewhere. As I was walking along 45th street, I noticed this beautiful mural that I had never seen before (apparently there was scaffolding in front of it). Lo and behold, it was the entrance to this speak-easy styled Indian gem. They have a nice selection for restaurant week but the menu was so enticing, I opted for the chef's tasting menu. At $70, it came with six-courses and I left more than satiated. The food was extraordinarily well-balanced but I didn't feel weighed down afterwards. Service was also top-notch. The primary server was very kind and took his time explaining the dishes, the chef's pedigree and the restaurant's history. The decor is very cool 1920's inspired with rat pack music playing. Loved it all and can't wait to make this a regular stop on my NYC visits (assuming it doesn't become one of THE places and I can no longer get in!) read more

Had an unbelievable meal there a week ago. Every dish was amazing. The Rogan Josh is not to be missed -- rather than the chunks of lamb meat, we got a whole lamb shank! But really you could not go wrong with anything. The atmosphere was equally fantastic -- dark and moody -- and lives up to its speakeasy billing. read more

Great food, great ambiance, and great service. Both dishes I ordered were delicious and I would come back again.

Such a great vibe coming down from the street into a classy quiet space. Food was super flavorful and service was excellent. Will need to come back for cocktails read more

Went for a lunch with coworkers. Very nice place. Camel kebab are very delicious. Service is impeccable, beautiful interior and excellent food. Prices are very reasonable. Thank you read more

Overrated. Nice cozy set up in a dimly lighted interior. They were nice to accommodate is early although the reservation was for later. We asked for a table that was not in the way of waiters bringing out food and serving other guest, the waiter said sure go ahead and order and then let me check and come back to reseat you, instead he completely ignored it and after a long wait just brought our food. Food was definitely not up to par. They had well balanced tasty sauces but they were not blended with the dishes- for example Dum Aloo was served as a skinned/boiled or baked potato draped or decorated with a small amount of sauce. None of the flavors or spices blended with the potato. Same deal with 3-4 other dishes we ordered. Jack fruit biryani was also not up to the mark- tasted like a pulao, very basic. It was high priced but a disappointment. I would not go again. read more