TLDR
Bold, authentic South Indian and Sri Lankan flavors on the UES. Known for textbook-perfect dosas, fluffy hoppers, and a Bib Gourmand pedigree.
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
Located on the Upper East Side, this vibrant spot serves coastal South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine that has earned it a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction [1] and a spot on the NYT top 100 list [2]. The kitchen excels at regional specialties, from crisp masala dosas and fluffy hoppers to flavorful sambols and curries [3]. While the main dining room can feel a bit disjointed, the covered back patio offers a more seamless atmosphere [3].
Food Overview
The menu features standout coastal Indian and Sri Lankan dishes, including well-regarded masala dosa, hoppers, and flavorful sambols like pol and seeni [3], [8]. The seafood, particularly the red snapper curry, is highly praised [9], though some critics have found certain curries or the kothu roti to be occasionally heavy-handed with gravy [3].
Caveats
Some diners have noted that the main dining room layout can feel disjointed and that certain gravies can be heavy-handed [3].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About LUNGI
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Any Musteat Restaurants In This General Vicinity
"Recommended neighborhood spot."
PositiveFrom post: Any Musteat Restaurants In This General Vicinity
"Mentioned as a recommended restaurant."
NeutralFrom post: Will Michelin Star Restaurants Source Halal Meat
"The commenter identifies this place as a Bib Gourmand restaurant that offers halal options."
PositiveFrom 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."
Neutral