Anār

Anār is a friendly Indian restaurant on Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan Valley, the stretch of the Upper West Side just south of Columbia. Its name means pomegranate, a fruit that has stood for abundance and welcome across South Asia for centuries, and the kitchen takes that idea literally with generous portions, fresh ingredients and an easygoing dining room. The menu is halal and full of vegetarian and vegan choices, which makes it an easy pick for mixed groups, and it is a preferred caterer for Columbia University. Neighbors use it for quick lunches and long dinners alike, and regulars talk about returning on every trip to the city. It is a reliable, warm neighborhood room that rewards repeat visits.

Start with vegetable samosas, spinach pakoras or batata dahi puri, the sweet and spicy crisp shells filled with potato and yogurt. For mains, the house features tandoori dishes, chicken tikka masala, Kashmiri lamb rogan josh, salmon fish masala and vegetable biryani, and diners rave about the smoky baingan bharta; each curry comes with its own basmati rice, and the garlic naan is a must. A mango lassi suits younger diners. The daily deal of an appetizer, entrée and dessert with naan and rice was $23 as of October 2026. Anār was featured by the YouTuber New York Turk in 2025. Dine in, take out or order delivery online.