CHIGuide
Where To Eat On Devon Avenue
photo credit: Veda Kilaru
Since the 1970s, the stretch of Devon Avenue known as Little India has been a hub for South Asian businesses selling everything from fresh spices to crystal-studded lehengas. Pre-pandemic, you’d also have found a bunch of fantastic Indian, Nepali, and Pakistani restaurants. Many long-time favorites in the neighborhood have since closed, but there are still places where you can get a great meal. If you need help choosing where to dip paper-thin dosa in some sambar or order a sizzling platter of seekh kabobs, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our guide to the best places to eat on Devon.
And for more spots, check out our full guide to the best South Asian restaurants in Chicago.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
If you’re not already someone who dreams about eating lamb seekh kabob so tender that it melts in your mouth, a visit to Bundoo Khan will change that. This fantastic Pakistani restaurant also serves the best biryani in the city, the juiciest chicken malai boti we’ve ever had, and special rolls stuffed with beef or chicken wrapped in naan so soft and fluffy we’d like to take a nap under it. Bundoo Khan is probably not where you want to bring your vegetarian roommate (besides rice and paratha there are exactly three vegetarian options on the menu), but your cousin who fancies themselves a grill master will appreciate the massive operation right at the entrance, complete with whole raw chickens being skewered and barbecued to perfection.
Annapurna is a counter-service cafe that has the best dosas on Devon, and probably in the city. We repeat: The best dosas in the city. The small dining space fills up quickly during lunchtime, with people who must also be obsessed with their dosas and the other South Indian, Gujarati, and vegetarian dishes on the menu. Skip the samosas and go for one of the other 9,372,505 different types of chaats. Or grab a Thumbs Up and some cassata ice cream from Annapurna’s little grocery section, and sit on the brightly colored patio for some fun people-watching.
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
This brightly lit, sit-down restaurant has been a staple on Devon since 1995. There are plenty of tables in the spacious dining area, so it’s a great spot for groups—perfect for sharing the large servings. The crispy vegetable pakora are fantastic starters but make sure to order some of the grilled and stewed meats. Some of our favorites are the smoky, barbecued chicken boti, the spicy karahi chicken, and their sabri nihari, which has a rich, flavorful gravy and incredibly tender beef.
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Like its sister location in the South Loop, Nepal House on Devon Avenue is a small sit-down restaurant serving Nepali and Indian food. We like this location a little more because the food is just as good, if not better, and it’s relatively mellow on weeknights. You should opt for an order of not-too-doughy samosas and a plate of momos, plus a basket of pillowy-soft garlic naan to go with whatever curry strikes your fancy.
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Half-Indian cafe, half-dessert shop, Sukhadia is a Devon institution that's perfect for a light bite and cup of chai. This casual counter-service spot has been the go-to snack shop for the community for nearly 30 years, and the weekend crowds are a testament to how popular Sukhadia still is. The dining room doesn’t have much in the way of ambiance, but you won’t care once you get your hands on some vada pav and papdi chaat. Round out your snack-turned-meal with dessert—any of the 9,372,505 options in the glass case up front will do.
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Ajwaah Sweets is another great snack and sweets shop. It has an assortment of desserts like gulab jamun and halwa, along with a menu full of chaats. They no longer have tables, so come here expecting takeout. Still, on a summer day it’s a great spot to pop in, order a sweet and spicy samosa chaat and some cham cham to-go, and stroll down Devon.
