Pongal

With dozens of Indian restaurants along Lexington Avenue in Kips Bay, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choice. We’ll make it simple. Just head to Pongal, a vegetarian restaurant with a novel-length menu that you can order blindly from and still leave happy. Most of the dishes can also be made to suit vegan and Jain dietary needs, which makes it an ideal spot for groups. The under-$15 lunch special is one of the best deals in town, and you’ll want to return repeatedly to try all 12 different kinds of chaat. We also love the Pondicherry masala dosa. There’s not a lot going on here in terms of decor, but you won’t miss it, because you’ll be very focused on your food.