Darjeeling Kitchen & Café — Restaurant in New York

I had a meeting at my child's school nearby and was about to hop on a CitiBike across the street from here to grab lunch at this Thai place I like on 28th Ave. But then I saw the awning for Darjeeling and decided to go check it out. And I'm so glad I did. It was on the earlier side for lunch, but fortunately they were open.

Tashi greeted me so kindly and I soon learned that they had just had their grand opening days prior. He shared that this had always been a dream for his wife's Auntie who is the chef. After I was done with lunch, she actually came out and all of us who had just savored every bite gave her much deserved applause. The food was incredible.

This wonderfully chatty Korean man who was doing his rounds selling his kimchi to various markets and restaurants nearby ducked in to see what type of cuisine they had, and when he saw my curry, he asked if I liked it and whether it was spicy. I told him yes and no, respectively. It had just the right amount of spices but wasn't spicy. However, there are spicy selections on the menu.

So he sat down and ordered the same thing and also really enjoyed it. He said it was a very unique spice combination that he'd never experienced before and I quite agree. I've had many dishes all over the world and this was truly special, even the sides. The rice was cooked to perfection and the button mushrooms were seasoned and prepared in such a way that I forgot that I didn't particularly like mushrooms. They were so good. And the Chinese broccoli had a nice crunch and there were little bits of carmelized onions that really brought out its flavor. You could tell that so much care went into how each item was presented.

The space is very nice and there's even a little nook table in the back for a more intimate meal for two. But for my experience, it felt like I was in someone's home. Everyone there having lunch was solo-dining, yet we were all sharing stories, as well as other restaurants in the area that we liked. It was such an NYC moment.

I can't wait to bring my kids back here because they have MOMOs and if their momos are as good as their curry, they're going to be blown away.

Definitely make this your next restaurant to try in the neighborhood. It's...

Darjeeling Kitchen and Cafe is hands down one of the most charming and memorable dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. From the moment we walked in, the cozy and vibrant ambiance wrapped us in a sense of comfort and authenticity, it truly feels like a hidden gem with so much heart.

The service was exceptional. Tenzing, our server (the gentleman with glasses), was incredibly kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. He took the time to walk us through the menu, recommended dishes based on what we were in the mood for, and checked in regularly to make sure everything was perfect. His energy and care made the whole experience feel even more special.

And the food… wow. Every single dish was bursting with flavor, warmth, and tradition. The jhol momo was my absolute favorite, so juicy, flavorful, and tender, it practically melted in my mouth. The chutney it was served in was beautifully balanced, spicy, nutty, and deeply aromatic. I also loved the kothey momos, with their perfectly crisp bottoms and soft tops, and the Nepali thali, a wholesome, vibrant plate full of flavor, texture, and soul.

Even the small things stood out: the fluffiness of the tingmo buns, the comforting spice in the Himalayan curry, and the delightful ending with gajar ko halwa, which was sweet, rich, and perfectly portioned.

This isn’t just a meal, it’s a full experience. You can feel the love, thought, and care in every part of the restaurant. I can’t wait to come back, and I’ll definitely be bringing friends with me next time. Thank you, Darjeeling Kitchen & Café, and a special thank you to Tenzing for making it...

Last night, I was lucky enough to stumble upon this restaurant by accident. We later found out it’s become popular online, but my partner and I were just in the area and picked the closest spot to eat — and we were so glad we did. They were quite busy when we came in but were still able to seat us without a reservation immediately.

We started with some teas and the Shabhaley as our appetizer, both of which were amazing! We originally hoped to try the Oyster Mushroom Jhol Momos, but they had unfortunately run out — which just means we’ll have to come back. Instead, we got the chicken and shrimp momos, as well as the fried mixed veggie Kothey Momos, and every single one was fantastic.

The service was wonderful. Our server was very attentive and even explained the steaming process for the momos so we understood the wait — which we didn’t mind at all. We also asked to switch tables halfway through and the staff was super accommodating.

The atmosphere was cozy and charming — perfect for a date night or just a casual dinner. We also got to hear a bit about how the owners started the restaurant, and it was genuinely heartwarming. I’m really happy to see their success.

If you’re looking for delicious Tibetan-style food, I absolutely recommend this spot. We’ll definitely be back — especially to try those Oyster...