DIYA Indian Cuisine in Alexandria, VA (Restaurant Review)

For authentic, mouthwatering Indian and Nepali dishes with friendly service in a charming atmosphere, head to DIYA Indian cuisine in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

If you find yourself in Old Town Alexandria craving Indian food, head to DIYA Indian Cuisine and you won’t be disappointed. A friend who adores Indian food even more than I do suggested it to me, and I’ve been there a few times since then.

Warm, cozy, and welcoming with exposed brick, white tablecloths, real plants, and interesting artwork, DIYA is just the kind of relaxed, yet elevated space you’d expect in Old Town. And it’s the kind of restaurant that keeps you coming back. The food quality is great (their website says they use halal, organic ingredients) and the service is friendly. Even more than that, there are so many unique dishes that will pique your interest you’ll want to keep coming back to try them!

In addition to their signature Indian dishes, what sets this restaurant apart is that they also serve classic Nepali food. Our waiter/co-owner (Saurav) told us that it’s a family owned and operated business. Even the Nepali chef (Rijat) is a relative! I love that.

Nepali Chef Rijat at DIYA

Born and raised in Nepal, Chef Rijat learned how to cook from his mother during his childhood. He mastered traditional dal bhat (rice and lentil soup), which is the national dish of Nepal, at a young age. Later, he moved to India, started his career as a chef, and attended cooking school. There he learned a variety of cuisines, mastering both Indian and Nepali food.

Along his journey, Chef Rijat had the opportunity to work and further grow in United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Subsequently, he moved to the U.S. and is currently the head chef at DIYA. He’s been in the industry for over 15 years and his passion shines in every dish he makes.

Chef Rijat’s favorite foods to make and eat are chicken momo and goat curry, and both dishes are available on the menu at DIYA.

The Food at DIYA

I’ve heard it rumored that the most-ordered Indian dish in India is biryani, and here in the U.S. it’s murgh makhani (butter chicken). I tried them both (and more!) at DIYA, and I’m dishing it all up for you.

Mango Lassi

A beautiful balance of sweet mango and tangy yogurt. Creamy and cooling, this is the perfect accompaniment to a spicy curry.

Samosa Chaat

Mashed samosa and chana masala topped with raita (spiced yogurt sauce), tamarind chutney, and green chutney. Crispy and creamy, sweet and spicy, this classic street food dish is a must-try.

Pani Puri

Crunchy shells filled with mashed, spiced potatoes (puri), tamarind chutney, and fresh cilantro, served with pani (flavored water) to pour into the shells. Their pani is a particularly lovely combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors with the addition of nutty, roasted flavor notes from toasted puffed rice.

Chili Momo

A classic Nepali dish, chili momo consists of pan-fried chicken momo (aka spiced chicken dumplings) with tomato, onion, bell pepper, and chili sauce. The sauce is reminiscent of a flavorful Chinese sauce: sweet, savory, and spicy, and the dish is a great example of Indo-Chinese cuisine.

These were good, but I’ve also had the regular chicken momo here, and that’s my preference. The website describe their regular chicken momo as: “Ground chicken marinated with fresh garlic and spices, wrapped on flour dough and steamed. Served with tomato chutney.” They’re soft and succulent with juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken mince. And the tomato chutney they’re served with reminds me of a cross between Malaysian curry and Indian butter chicken gravy.

Garlic Naan

I’m a sucker for garlic naan, and even though their naan is much thinner than the chewy, fluffy version I’ve had at many Indian restaurants, it’s absolutely delicious. And I almost like it better because it’s not as filling as other naan (so you won’t fill up on the bread!). Crisp along the outside, perfectly chewy, and beautifully finished with melted butter, garlic, and cilantro. Yes, please!

Butter Chicken

Let’s just say butter chicken is a signature dish for a reason. Their menu describes it as: “Grilled chicken breast chunks cooked in onion, tomato, and butter creamy sauce.” I’m happy to report that the chicken breast is moist and beautifully seasoned, and the sauce is richly spiced and buttery with a velvety mouthfeel.

I’ve also had their mango butter chicken, which is the same dish but with mango added for pops of sweet/tart flavor. It’s also lovely.

TIP: If you can handle a little bit of spicy heat, I recommend getting at least a “medium” spice level. I’ve tried the mild and compared with the medium, it lacks depth.

Tandoori Chicken

If you want to order a showstopper dish, this is a good option. The tandoori chicken comes out covered, steaming hot on a bed of bell peppers and onions. When they open the lid and the steam and aroma pour out, you’ll be hard-pressed not to oooh and aaah over it. The chicken is a gorgeous red color, perfectly juicy, and features a subtly smoky, spicy flavor.

Lamb Biryani

Last but not least, the lamb biryani. Tender pieces of meat tossed with seasoned basmati rice and fresh herbs. Absolutely delicious, especially topped with the cooling raita (spiced yogurt sauce) that they serve with it.

Unpictured, But Worth Mentioning

It bears noting that even though they’re unpictured here, I’ve also tried their pakora and chicken 65. Both are delicious, but the pakora was my favorite of the two. It’s well-spiced and comes out piping hot and crispy, and doesn’t lose its crunch.

The Verdict

I will absolutely be back!

A few things on the menu I’m excited to try include their goat curry, paneer makhani, palak paneer, and jhol momo (which they describe as “steamed chicken momos drowned in a bowl of liquid chutney”).

DIYA’s Buffet Lunch Special and Banquet Hall

If you want to eat here but you don’t know what to order or what you like, their buffet lunch special is perfect! Sample a little bit of everything. (As of October 2026, their buffet lunch is $21.99, available from 11:30am to 2:30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.)

Location

218 N Lee St 2nd Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314

Website: https://diyaindiancuisine.com

If You’re a Fan of Indian Food, You Don’t Want to Miss These Recipes

• Restaurant-Style Paneer Butter Masala
• Keema Pav (aka Indian Sloppy Joes)
• Sourdough Naan
• Dal Makhani (Butter Lentils)