Unique Sri Lankan & South Indian coastal cuisine. Highly praised for crisp dosas, fluffy hoppers, and a memorable banana leaf dining experience.
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.
This Upper East Side gem offers a unique culinary journey through coastal South Indian and Sri Lankan flavors, drawing inspiration from the chef's grandmother's traditional recipes. From perfectly crisp dosas and fluffy hoppers to flavorful Kerala-style beef and a substantial Lamb Lamprais, the menu is a vibrant tribute to both regions. While the banana leaf special meal offers great value, some gravies can be a bit heavy, but the "short eats" provide excellent drinking snacks.
Specializing in coastal South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine, the restaurant is celebrated for its "textbook-perfect" dosas and fluffy hoppers. Dishes like Kerala-style beef and Lamb Lamprais are also recommended. While the Banana Leaf Special Meal is a good value, some reviewers note that certain curries can be heavy. The 'short eats' are highlighted as excellent 'drinking snacks'.
"Highly recommended dishes include the "textbook-perfect, crisp-brown masala dosa" and "fluffy hoppers." The "Lamb Lamprais" and "Eggplant Moju" are also noted positively, with the "short eats" section being praised for "drinking snacks.""
Customers generally have a positive sentiment, frequently recommending the restaurant for its authentic Sri Lankan and South Indian dishes, particularly highlighting the quality of dosas and hoppers.
Important Note
The banana leaf dining experience is primarily available for Sunday brunch, and some of the curries may be perceived as heavy. One user found the kothu roti to be too mushy.
"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."
Neutral"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."
Positive"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."
Positive"Lungi is recommended as a restaurant option that can cater to both vegan and non-vegan diners, fitting the user's general cuisine preferences."
Positive"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"This commenter clarifies that the banana leaf service at Lungi is only available for Sunday brunch."
Neutral"This commenter suggests Lungi for a proper thali served on banana leaves at a reasonable price."
Positive"The user mentioned Lungi as a preferred spot for South Indian cuisine, but noted it's not ideal for mid-week takeout."
Positive"Recommends Lungi, clarifying that it serves Sri Lankan cuisine, not Indian. This was suggested as it could fit the original poster's request for a banana leaf style meal."
Positive"Strongly recommends Lungi for the banana leaf dining experience sought by the original poster (who was looking for Indian options), assuring they won't regret it. Lungi is known to serve Sri Lankan cuisine."
Positive"Commenter finds Lungi delicious and clarifies its location is E 62nd St/UES, not technically upper Manhattan."
Positive"Commenter recently visited Lungi for the first time and enjoyed it."
Positive"Recommends Lunghi in (incorrectly identified as) Upper Manhattan for Sri Lankan and South Indian food, relevant to the original post's request."
Positive"For Kothu Paratha, try Lungi, a South Indian/Sri Lankan restaurant in uptown."
Neutral
