In the competitive New York City dining scene, few restaurants have captured attention quite like Bungalow, the East Village Indian restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna. Since opening in 2024, this modern Indian spot has become one of the city’s most sought-after reservations, with its waitlist reportedly swelling to as many as 12,000 people at peak times.
Bungalow draws inspiration from India’s vintage country club and bungalow culture, offering a refined yet nostalgic take on Indian cuisine. The restaurant stands out for its commitment to traditional techniques, most notably its use of a genuine charcoal-fired tandoor oven — claimed to be the only one of its kind operating in this authentic style in New York City. This allows dishes to achieve that signature smoky char and depth of flavor that defines great Indian grilling.
The Reservation Battle
Securing a table at Bungalow is no easy feat. Reservations open 20 days in advance at 11 a.m. (excluding Tuesdays) on Resy and vanish within seconds. The restaurant’s Notify waitlist has become legendary, with thousands joining daily. Some eager diners have reportedly waited over a year for a chance to experience the menu. Walk-ins are extremely limited, though a few bar seats occasionally become available for those willing to try their luck.
This level of demand places Bungalow alongside other notorious New York reservation challenges like Carbone and Rao’s, cementing its status as a true “it” restaurant.
Signature Dishes and Menu Highlights
Chef Vikas Khanna, a prominent global ambassador for Indian cuisine and judge on MasterChef India, brings both tradition and innovation to the table. Standout dishes include:
- Anarkali Chicken: Pomegranate-chili marinated, tandoor-charred, and finished with a fragrant glaze.
- Yogurt Kebab: A crispy exterior giving way to spiced yogurt inside — frequently praised as one of the best dishes in the city.
- Smoked Sweet Potato Chaat
- Lamb Seekh Kebab
- Spice-Roasted Pineapple
- Regional specialties such as Alleppey Shrimp and Old Delhi Chole.
The menu also features fresh naan and paratha baked in the tandoor, alongside creative desserts like Rose Kulfi Falooda and a Molten Chocolate Cake paired with Gulab Jamun ice cream.
Atmosphere and Team
Bungalow offers warm, hospitable service in a stylish setting with pale pink walls and artistic murals that evoke old-world Indian elegance. Khanna remains hands-on in the kitchen, supported by partners from the acclaimed GupShup team.
Located at 24 1st Avenue in the East Village, the restaurant serves dinner only and is closed on Mondays. It has quickly earned acclaim for elevating Indian comfort food into a refined dining experience that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
For those hoping to visit, the best strategies are setting calendar reminders for Resy drops, staying persistent on the waitlist, or checking for last-minute cancellations. In the meantime, Khanna’s other projects and sister spots like GupShup offer more accessible alternatives while the Bungalow hype continues to build.
Whether you eventually secure a table or not, Bungalow has already made its mark as a defining destination in New York’s vibrant Indian dining scene.
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