TLDR
Coastal South Indian & Sri Lankan cuisine on the UES [1]. Praised for crisp dosas & fluffy hoppers [1]. Offers authentic flavors & a great thali special [2].
Sonal Shah reviews Lungi, an Upper East Side spot for coastal South Indian and Sri Lankan food, praising its crisp dosas and fluffy hoppers as a welcome addition to the neighborhood.
Details
This Upper East Side establishment offers a delightful journey into coastal South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine. Renowned for its authentic flavors and a vibrant atmosphere, it's a destination that brings a unique culinary experience to the neighborhood, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts. The restaurant has also been recognized on the NYT top 100 list and holds a Bib Gourmand distinction.
Food Overview
Lungi specializes in coastal South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine, receiving acclaim for its authentic flavors. Highlights include textbook-perfect masala dosas and fluffy hoppers, as well as various curries, sambols, and seafood dishes like red snapper curry. The restaurant also offers a good value thali special and can cater to both vegan and non-vegan preferences.
Highlights / Recommended
"Highly recommended dishes include the Masala Dosa, fluffy hoppers, jackfruit curry, pol sambol, seeni sambol, and the seafood thali platter. The red snapper curry and various other curries and sambols are also praised."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •pol sambol(4)
- •jackfruit curry(3)
- •seeni sambol(3)
- •hoppers(3)
- •masala dosa(2)
Caveats
One commenter noted that the banana leaf service is only available for Sunday brunch, and another found the kothu roti to be a bit mushy due to an excessive amount of gravy. While some curries can be heavy-handed, the 'short eats' section offers good 'drinking snacks.' The Banana Leaf Special Meal, while generous, can have repetitive gravies.
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About LUNGI
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: New York Times Top 100 Restaurants X Michelin
"Lungi is listed on the NYT top 100 list for 2026 and holds a Bib Gourmand distinction."
NeutralFrom post: Nytimes The 100 Best Restaurants In Nyc 11100
"This is one of many restaurants listed by the commenter from the NYTimes list."
NeutralFrom post: Whats A Restaurant Youve Eaten At Recently That
"This user was "blown away" by Lungi, especially the jackfruit curry, pol sambol, and seeni sambol, noting the restaurant's fearlessness with heat and spice and its savory flavors."
PositiveFrom post: Whats A Restaurant Youve Eaten At Recently That
"This user was "blown away" by Lungi, particularly the jackfruit curry, pol sambol, and seeni sambol, noting the restaurant's fearlessness with heat and spice and its savory flavors."
PositiveFrom post: Whats A Restaurant Youve Eaten At Recently That
"This user was "blown away" by Lungi, particularly the jackfruit curry, pol sambol, and seeni sambol, noting the restaurant's fearlessness with heat and spice and its savory flavors."
PositiveFrom post: Any Sri Lankan Tamil Restaurant
"This user mentioned Lungi on the UES, suggesting it serves South Indian-Sri Lankan cuisine. They also noted it's pretty good and offers a good deal on the thali special."
PositiveFrom post: Any Sri Lankan Tamil Restaurant
"Lungi on the UES specifically offers Sri Lankan and Tamil food, although the user has only tried the thali there and is not certain if it is Tamil."
PositiveFrom post: Influencedeinfluence My Seafoodheavy Restaurant
"Lungi offers fantastic South Indian/Sri Lankan seafood dishes. The commenter loves their red snapper curry and recommends the seafood thali platter for lunch."
PositiveFrom post: Any Higher End Fine Dining Restaurants That You
"This restaurant is mentioned as an Indian establishment that typically serves halal food."
PositiveFrom post: Celebratory Indian Meal
"The user recommends Lungi on the UES as an easy place to get reservations last minute."
PositiveFrom post: Best Porotta And Beef Curry And Eggpuffs In Nyc
"This user mentioned Lungi as a fancier Sri Lankan restaurant option in Manhattan, suggesting it as an alternative for Kerala-style food. Sigri was also mentioned as a similar option."
NeutralFrom post: Nyc Dining Culture
"Lungi on the Upper East Side was recommended as a local and lesser-known Indian restaurant, suggested as a better alternative to trendy or expensive Indian dining options."
PositiveFrom post: Indian Lunch Buffet Or Thali Combo
"The user had a good Thali at Lungi, which offers seafood, meat, or vegetable options. The comment was in response to a query about Indian lunch buffets or Thali combos."
PositiveFrom post: Restaurant Good For Vegans And Non Vegans In
"Lungi is recommended as a restaurant option that can cater to both vegan and non-vegan diners, fitting the user's general cuisine preferences."
PositiveFrom post: Any Really Spicy Food In New York
"Lungi is mentioned as a place in Manhattan that, if their spicy offerings aren't enough, the user might be out of luck for spicier options in the borough."
NeutralFrom post: Best South Indian Food Midtown
"This commenter clarifies that the banana leaf service at Lungi is only available for Sunday brunch."
NeutralFrom post: Best South Indian Food Midtown
"This commenter suggests Lungi for a proper thali served on banana leaves at a reasonable price."
PositiveFrom post: South Indian Meat Best Spots
"The user mentioned Lungi as a preferred spot for South Indian cuisine, but noted it's not ideal for mid-week takeout."
Positive