Sura Indian Bistro

4.5 (284)

$30 and under

Contemporary Indian

1726 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5120

About this restaurant

Vegetarian-friendly
Charming
Good for special occasions

At SURA Indian Bistro, discover India's multi-cultural culinary dialogue, centuries in the tasting, nestled in the heart of Philly. Be it the Biryani from the southern part of India or the famous Amritsari Fish from Punjab, each dish tells a story of flavors, meticulously crafted to transport your senses across time and tradition. Our exclusive personalized service will surely bring you back to us again and again! Book your reservation today!

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary Indian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Indian
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:30 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Phone number
(215) 478-8777
Website
https://www.surabistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Private party facilities
Restaurant, event space, wedding venue, and catering. Seated: 150 | Standing: 200 Private dining for 10–150 guests, receptions up to 200. Ideal for weddings, parties, meetings, or corporate events. Offering refined cuisine, buffet services, bar, AV capabilities, and more!
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
1726 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5120
Neighborhood
Center City
Parking details
None
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

Happy Hour Offered at the First Floor Bar-
1 - 15 people
Multiple dates available
Mon - Fri - 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Treat yourself to an array of freshly crafted selective cocktails infused with the exquisite blend of fruits and herbs at reduced prices. TAP WINES $5.00 DRAFT BEERS $5.00 HOUSE VODKA $7.00 HOUSE GIN $7.00 ENDLESS SUMMER (Vodka) $8.00 GINGER SPICED MARGARITA (Tequila) $8.00 THE ELEVATED G&T (Gin) $8.00 CHAI RYE (Whiskey) $8.00 MASALA POUTINE $6.00 Crispy fries topped with spiced masala gravy, melted cheese, and fresh herbs VEGETABLE PAKORA $6.00 Seasoned mixed vegetable fritters, golden-fried and served with chutneys PANEER TIKKA $8.00 Fresh paneer cubes marinated in spices, roasted in the tandoor to smoky perfection FISH PAKORA $7.00 Fresh fish fillets marinated in spices, batter-fried to golden, crispy perfection CHICKEN TIKKA $8 Fresh, marinated chicken roasted in the tandoor for a smoky, flavorful classic TANDOORI WINGS $8 Free-range chicken wings marinated in spices, roasted in the tandoor LAMB SEEKH KEBAB $11 Fresh ground lamb blended with spices, skewered and grilled to smoky perfection

Videos

Shared by creators who recently dined at this restaurant.

lifez_beautifull
Hottest Indian Fine Dining , lounge and bar in Philly, PA! @suraindianbistro If you’re searching for a dining spot that’s as stunning as the food, @suraindianbistro in Downtown Philadelphia is truly unmatched. Set inside a beautiful multi-floor building, Sura Indian Bostro gives you luxury at every level — from chic dining spaces and warm ambience to bold multi-cuisine Indian dishes and handcrafted cocktails. And when the night picks up, their stylish lounge turns into the perfect place to party. Whether you’re here for dinner, weekend vibes, or planning catering for your next event, Sura delivers flavor, elegance, and an unforgettable experience right in the heart of Philly. Definitely worth the trip from NYC & NJ! sura indian bistro philadelphia, multi floor restaurant philly, indian fine dining philly, downtown philly restaurants, upscale indian cuisine, philly lounge bar, chic ambience restaurant, party lounge philly, event catering philadelphia, holiday catering philly, philly dinner spots, lunch in downtown philly, indian restaurant near new jersey and new york #SuraIndianBistro #philadelphiaeats #phillyfoodscene #DowntownPhilly #PhillyDining #PhillyNightlife #PhillyLounge #FineDiningPhilly #IndianCuisine #indianfoodlovers #visitphilly #EastCoastEats #FoodieFinds #PhillyVibes #PhillyEvents #partyinphilly #pennsylvania #pennsylvaniafoodie

Videos are powered by Seekeasy. How this content is generated

MULLIGATAWNY SOUP (V, Gf)$10.00
Creamy vegetable and lentil soup blended with freshly ground spices
INDIAN KA CHUMBER SALAD (V, Gf)$10.00
Freshly chopped cucumber, chickpeas, onions, tomatoes and herbs.
PANEER TIKKA SALAD (Gf)$15.00
Lettuce, tomato, and cucumber tossed in a tangy vinaigrette.
CHICKEN TIKKA SALAD (Gf)$17.00
Lettuce, tomato, and cucumber tossed in a tangy vinaigrette.
Shrimp Tikka (GF)$19.00
Lettuce, tomato, and cucumber tossed in a tangy vinaigrette.

APPETIZERS

VEGETABLE PAKORA (V, Gf)$12.00
Crispy vegetable fritters made with seasoned chickpea and rice flour.
VEGETABLE SAMOSA (V)$10.00
Fried turnover filled with potatoes and green peas served with chutney on the side.
CHICKEN 65 (Gf)$14.00
Fried, battered chicken thighs seasoned with curry leaves.
TANDOORI CHICKEN WINGS (Gf)$15.00
Marinated chicken wings that are slow cooked in the tandoor.

CHAAT

Chaat is a category of Indian street food that is a harmonious combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy. (VEGAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE)

SAMOSA CHAAT$15.00
Deconstructed samosa topped with chole, onions, tomato, and cilantro. Drizzled with yogurt, mint chutney and tamarind chutney.
SPINACH$15.00
Crispy chickpea battered spinach topped with onions, tomato, and cilantro. Drizzled with yogurt, mint chutney, and date chutney.
TIKKI CHAAT$15.00
Smashed potato patty topped with chole, onions, tomato, and cilantro. Drizzled with yogurt, mint chutney and tamarind chutney.

TANDOOR / GRILL (Gf)

A tandoor is a large clay oven that is traditionally used for baking and cooking. Please allow 15 minutes preparation time.

PANEER TIKKA$18.00
House-made paneer marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend.
TANDOORI GOBI$16.00
Roasted cauliflower marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend. (VEGAN OPTION AVAILABLE)
CHICKEN TIKKA$20.00
Smoked chicken breast marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend.
TANDOORI CHICKEN$20.00
Half chicken marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend
PAHAADI JHINGA$25.00
Grilled tiger prawn marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend.
TANDOORI S ALMON $25.00
Grilled salmon marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend.
LAMB CHOPS$28.00
Coriander crusted lamb chops marinated in ginger, garlic, yogurt and freshly ground spice blend.
LAMB SHEEKH KEB BS$24.00
Minced lamb with herbs rolled and roasted on a skewer
MIXED PLATTER$30.00
Chef’s choice of paneer and meats.

VEGETARIAN CURRY

VEGAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

DAAL MAKHNI$18.00
Rich lentils slowly cooked with spices and cream.
DAAL TADKA$18.00
Smoky lentils tempered in a spicy tomato gravy and topped with traditional tadka. (Spice infused oil)
BINDI MA SALA$18.00
Semi-dry dish featuring okra, onion, tomato and fragrant spices.
CHANA MASALA$18.00
Chickpeas simmered in an onion and tomato gravy.
VEGETABLE JALFREZI$18.00
Indo-Chinese vegetable stir-fry seasoned with freshy ground spices.
BAINGAN BHAR TA (V, Gf)$18.00
Smoked eggplant and green peas sauteed in an onion and tomato gravy.
ALOO GOBI (V, Gf)$18.00
Potato and cauliflower combined with aromatics.
MALAI KOFTA$20.00
Indian croquettes made of house-made paneer and potato, simmered in a spicy tomato curry

CURRY

TIKKA MASALA
Silky combination of tomato, onion, and bell peppers. Protein will be cooked in tandoor.
KORMA
Nutty puree of cashew nuts and fennel seeds.
SAAG
Creamy spinach gravy with ground coriander.
VINDALOO
Spicy vinaigrette with potatoes.
MADRAS
Roasted coconut gravy with smoked garam masala.
MALABAR
Spicy tamarind gravy with coconut milk.
BUTTER CHICKEN$24.00
Tandoori chicken simmered in a decadent tomato gravy and cashew cream.
MUTTON SHUKA$28.00
Semi-dry sauteed goat seasoned with a special spice blend and curry leaves.

BIRYANI

Biryani is a traditional rice dish that is slowly steamed with freshly ground spices and a choice of vegetables and/or protein. (GF AND VEGAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE)

VEGETABLE BIRYANI$20.00
CHICKEN BIRYANI$26.00
GOAT BIRYANI$28.00
LAMB BIRYANI$28.00
SHRIMP BIRYANI$30.00

BREAD

NAAN PLAIN$5.00
NAAN BUTTER$7.00
NAAN GARLIC$7.00
NAAN BULLET$8.00
NAAN PESHWARI$8.00
ALOO KULCHA$9.00
PANEER KULCHA$9.00
ONION KULCHA$8.00
ROTI$5.00
LACCHA PARATHA$8.00
MALABAR P ARATHA$8.00
ASSORTED BREAD BASKET$18.00
An assortment of breads, including plain naan, butter naan, garlic naan, and roti.

DESSERT

KHEER$10.00
GULAB JAMUN$10.00
RASMALAI$10.00
GAJAR HALWA$10.00

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Sura Indian Bistro.

4.5

(284)

4.5Food
4.4Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

284 Reviews

J
Joseph Gold
New York City19 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 28, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our pre-Kimmel Center Happy Hour meal at Sura. Everything was great. We plan to return soon - probably June 4. Thank you.
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D
Dera
Charlotte5 reviews
2.0
Dined on May 17, 2026
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
It was really busy and the restaurant didn't have enough staff. This is the 3rd time going and I've yet to have decent service.
Sura Indian BistroResponded on May 18, 2026
Hi Dera, thank you for your honest feedback and for visiting us again. We sincerely apologize for the service experience during your recent visits. It is currently graduation season, and we have been exceptionally busy. Unfortunately, a few team members had to take unexpected time off, which left us short-staffed during your visit. We truly appreciate your patience and continued support. Your feedback is very important to us, and we hope to have another opportunity to provide you with a much better experience.
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S
Shreena
Chicago1 review
1.0
Dined on May 17, 2026
1. Overall 1
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
My boyfriend and I went to Sura on 05/17. The experience was abysmal. When we arrived at the restaurant, we weren't greeted or seated for about 3-5 minutes – there was no one at the host's stand. There was even a line forming behind us. When we were finally seated, we weren't offered any water. They advertised on the sign outside/website free mango lassi's for lunch, so we ordered those. We didn't order any apps, just entrees and ordered them around 1:15 PM (basically, when we sat down). Then we sat there, and sat there, and sat there, no updates on the food, no one came around to see us, nothing. The food finally came at 2:05 PM, a whole FIFTY minutes later. They brought it out without any full size plates. After eating on the small appetizer plates, we waited for someone to come around to give us/request full-size plates, but they never came – I had to get up out of my seat, walk to the back where the kitchen was, and request plates. The owner/employee (not sure) was sitting at the bar and asked if I needed anything, to which I explained, and the plates were brought over. After waiting so long for our food, we were frustrated, so we ate quickly and requested the check and four containers. Ten minutes go by, nothing. At this point, we're even more frustrated and want to get out as soon as possible, so again, I get up to request the check because it seemed like no one was serving us. It was like no one was working our table at all. The bill comes, and of course, the 'free' mango lassis were on the bill, $8 each. I told them to take this off. They apologized, saying "You could've just called later and gotten it removed." How about you don't charge for free things. After she brings over three lids for four containers, we finally pack our food and leave. Was extremely disappointed by the service and the establishment. They were understaffed and the staff that was actually serving did a poor job. Worst restaurant experience in Philadelphia I've ever had.
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J
Joseph Gold
New York City19 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 14, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We enjoyed a pleasant, quiet pre theater dinner at the bar in Sura. The friendly service, relaxing music and a warm ambience added much to our evening in the city.
Sura Indian BistroResponded on May 18, 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Joseph. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your pre-theater dinner at the bar and appreciated the friendly service, relaxing music, and warm ambiance at Sura. It was our pleasure to be a part of your evening in the city, and we truly look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
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J
James Gold
Baltimore3 reviews
1.0
Dined on May 9, 2026
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
DO NOT GO The good- Nobody in our party of 4 got sick….as of now - food was edible The bad- slow service - food was not hot - ambience not even close to website- kind of like most peoples pics on dating profiles - ordered a bottle of Cabernet from Chile. They gave us a $10 bottle of Sutter Home and charged $55 - put a 21% service charge on bill. We had 4 people at the table. Said it was because the original reservation was for 6 people. We called and emailed the restaurant 3 times and left messages with the changes. They do not answer the phone Other than that it was great.
Sura Indian BistroResponded on May 11, 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback, James. We take all guest comments seriously and strive to provide a high-quality dining experience. Our team confirmed that the meal was fully consumed and not sent back to the kitchen. While service took longer than usual due to the graduation weekend rush, we appreciate your patience. Regarding the ambiance, each of our three floors has a unique design, and you were seated on the third floor, which differs from the first two. You selected an alternative after sampling it because your first choice was unavailable and restaurant pricing differs from retail pricing, as it reflects service, atmosphere, and overall dining experience. Additionally, our records indicate that a 21% gratuity was not applied, but rather left at your own discretion.
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M
Meg Gold
Philadelphia294 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 6, 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
A lovely place . I just wish the staff would package the leftovers instead of leaving that to the diners.
Sura Indian BistroResponded on May 8, 2026
Thank you, Meg, for your kind words and feedback about Sura Bistro. Please feel free to let our staff know during your visit, and they will be happy to assist you with packing leftovers on the spot. We look forward to welcoming you again soon!
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L
Lydia Gold
Philadelphia68 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 2, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Absolutely the best Indian food we’ve had in Philadelphia. We had the vegetable fritters along with two curries: goat and lamb. Everything was fantastic and the naan and basmati rice nicely done. Highly recommend.
Sura Indian BistroResponded on May 4, 2026
Hi Lydia, Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the vegetable fritters, goat and lamb curries, as well as the naan and basmati rice. It means a lot to us to be considered the best Indian food you’ve had in Philadelphia. We truly appreciate the recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back soon!
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P
Puneet
Orlando1 review
5.0
Dined on April 30, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Overall Enjoyable experience with good food & drinks, prompt service.
Sura Indian BistroResponded on May 4, 2026
Hi Puneet, Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re glad you had an enjoyable experience and appreciated the food, drinks, and prompt service. We look forward to welcoming you again soon!
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M
Margaret
Philadelphia4 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 27, 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great options for vegans and carnivores alike! Level 2 spice was pretty hot.
Sura Indian BistroResponded on May 4, 2026
Hi Margaret, Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the variety of options for both vegans and non-vegetarian guests. And yes, our Level 2 spice can definitely bring some heat! We’re always happy to adjust spice levels based on guest requests. Looking forward to hosting you again soon!
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H
H
Philadelphia1 review
3.0
Dined on April 25, 2026
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Server was polite and paid attention to us. We were seated on 3rd floor. The decor was modern and aesthetically pleasing. But way too pricey for the quality and quantity of food. We went with the whole family of 6, and was super pricey for 3 appetizers and 4 entrees, plus bar tab.
Sura Indian BistroResponded on April 27, 2026
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re glad to hear that you had a positive experience with our service and enjoyed the ambiance on the third floor. We understand your concerns regarding pricing and value. At Sura, we use high-quality meats and ingredients, and our pricing is designed to remain competitive for the Rittenhouse Square area while maintaining the overall dining experience. We hope you’ll consider visiting us again, and we’d be happy to guide you through options that may better suit your preferences and provide a more satisfying overall value.
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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary Indian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service, Indian
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–2:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:30 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Phone number
(215) 478-8777
Website
https://www.surabistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Private party facilities
Restaurant, event space, wedding venue, and catering. Seated: 150 | Standing: 200 Private dining for 10–150 guests, receptions up to 200. Ideal for weddings, parties, meetings, or corporate events. Offering refined cuisine, buffet services, bar, AV capabilities, and more!
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
1726 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5120
Neighborhood
Center City
Parking details
None
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Sura Indian Bistro

About this restaurant

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Happy Hour Offered at the First Floor Bar-

SOUP & SALAD

MULLIGATAWNY SOUP (V, Gf)$10.00

INDIAN KA CHUMBER SALAD (V, Gf)$10.00

PANEER TIKKA SALAD (Gf)$15.00

CHICKEN TIKKA SALAD (Gf)$17.00

Shrimp Tikka (GF)$19.00

APPETIZERS

VEGETABLE PAKORA (V, Gf)$12.00

VEGETABLE SAMOSA (V)$10.00

CHICKEN 65 (Gf)$14.00

TANDOORI CHICKEN WINGS (Gf)$15.00

CHAAT

SAMOSA CHAAT$15.00

SPINACH$15.00

TIKKI CHAAT$15.00

TANDOOR / GRILL (Gf)

PANEER TIKKA$18.00

TANDOORI GOBI$16.00

CHICKEN TIKKA$20.00

TANDOORI CHICKEN$20.00

PAHAADI JHINGA$25.00

TANDOORI S ALMON $25.00

LAMB CHOPS$28.00

LAMB SHEEKH KEB BS$24.00

MIXED PLATTER$30.00

VEGETARIAN CURRY

DAAL MAKHNI$18.00

DAAL TADKA$18.00

BINDI MA SALA$18.00

CHANA MASALA$18.00

VEGETABLE JALFREZI$18.00

BAINGAN BHAR TA (V, Gf)$18.00

ALOO GOBI (V, Gf)$18.00

MALAI KOFTA$20.00

CURRY

TIKKA MASALA

KORMA

SAAG

VINDALOO

MADRAS

MALABAR

BUTTER CHICKEN$24.00

MUTTON SHUKA$28.00

BIRYANI

VEGETABLE BIRYANI$20.00

CHICKEN BIRYANI$26.00

GOAT BIRYANI$28.00

LAMB BIRYANI$28.00

SHRIMP BIRYANI$30.00

BREAD

NAAN PLAIN$5.00

NAAN BUTTER$7.00

NAAN GARLIC$7.00

NAAN BULLET$8.00

NAAN PESHWARI$8.00

ALOO KULCHA$9.00

PANEER KULCHA$9.00

ONION KULCHA$8.00

ROTI$5.00

LACCHA PARATHA$8.00

MALABAR P ARATHA$8.00

ASSORTED BREAD BASKET$18.00

DESSERT

KHEER$10.00

GULAB JAMUN$10.00

RASMALAI$10.00

GAJAR HALWA$10.00

Additional information

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Not available on OpenTable