Restaurant

Nadu

Name: Nadu
Address: 2518 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614, US
Telephone: (312) 590-5676
Price range: value

Indian•Chicago•value

Nadu is one of the best indian restaurants in Chicago for dinner, especially if you want a strong option in Chicago.

Nadu is not running a pan-Indian survey course.

Editorial review updated•Jul 28, 2026

Nadu is not running a pan-Indian survey course. The menu draws deliberately from coastal Goan, Mughal, and regional South Asian traditions, and the range between dishes is wide enough that the geographic distance feels intentional — a kitchen with a point of view rather than a crowd-pleasing instinct. At a price point that keeps the bill genuinely accessible, this is one of the Chicago Indian spots that resists sanding down the edges, and diners who follow the city's South Asian dining scene are taking notice fast. The room is small; booking ahead is reportedly essential. The Mushroom Galawat is the dish that gets cited most often as the kitchen's statement of intent — the slow-cooked give that galawat preparations are known for is typically achieved with minced meat, and landing that texture with mushroom is understood to be a skilled, deliberate choice. The Prawn Balchao represents a Goan preserve technique that most menus only gesture at: known for its fermented heat and vinegar brightness, it's a preparation that takes patience to execute correctly, and Nadu is noted for committing to it rather than softening the profile. Paneer Ghotala is described as the street-kitchen end of the menu — scrambled, direct, nothing precious. On the slower-cooked, northern-leaning side, the Jackfruit Kosha reportedly reads close to a Bengali meat preparation in its braised depth, while the Murgh Makhani is consistently described by diners as a version that hasn't been sweetened into something unrecognizable. For practical ordering: the Prawn Balchao is widely recommended as an early anchor that sets the register for the meal. A table of four lets you move across both coastal and northern registers without sacrificing range. Weeknights are said to offer the most focused room. Come ready to read the menu.

Priya Sharma, Dining Editor

Methodology•Chicago guides•Editorial team•Report outdated information

Indian dinner takeoutwarmaromatic

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Taste ID

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Taste Score 7.1/10

Rating (Google) 8.6

328 reviews

Chicago

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

7.1/10

Taste Score

Google 8.6 from 328 reviews

Best for

dinner and Indian

Price and pace

Good value

Neighborhood

Chicago | 2518 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA

Price

Good value

Taste Score

7.1/10

Phone

(312) 590-5676

Watch

Nadu on video

Short: Stirfryable (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Short: Soumiz World (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Short: Payal Sharma (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Menu and ordering

Nadu menu: what to order

Start with the dishes below, drawn from the restaurant details and TastyPals notes available on this page. Nadu is listed in the Good value price range. Menus, availability, and prices can change, so confirm current details before visiting.

Prawn Balchao

Tiger prawn cooked in a tangy masala with garlic, tomato, fermented chili paste and peppers, flavored with coconut vinegar, kokum and cinnamon

Mushroom Galawat

Velvety mushroom kebab seasoned with traditional kebab masala, served on a saffron sheermal bread, accompanied by refreshing mint and cilantro chutney

Paneer Ghotala

Crumbled paneer cooked with tomato, onion and young garlic. Layered with creamy Amul cheese, served alongside buttery ladi pav

Jackfruit Kosha

Tender jackfruit slow-cooked with potato in a rich and spiced gravy, offering a plant-based alternative that's deeply satisfying

Murgh Makhani

Chicken tikka slow cooked in a luscious gravy of tomatoes, butter, fenugreek, cashew, and house made garam masala. Pair with garlic naan

Check the current menu

Why go

What makes Nadu worth the move

Nadu is a strong indian option in Chicago when you want somewhere that already has a solid public track record. Mushroom Galawat and Paneer Ghotala also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.6 rating across 328 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

8.6 from 328 Google reviews

Best for

dinner and Indian

Style

Indian in Chicago

Spend

Good value

Best for

Indian dinner takeout warm aromatic

Know before you go

Google rating: 8.6 from 328 reviews

Price point: value

Popular dishes: Mushroom Galawat, Paneer Ghotala, Prawn Balchao

Website linked on this page

TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Priya Sharma for Nadu

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Google snapshot

8.6 from 328 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Priya Sharma

No diner notes for Nadu yet.

Boka Group has a knack for making a room feel more expensive than it is, and Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna at 531 N Wells St.

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Plan the visit

Quick details

Visit Website Menu Directions

Address: 2518 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Phone: (312) 590-5676
Price: value
TastyPals score: 7.1/10
Google rating: 8.6 (328 reviews)
Cuisine: Indian
Neighborhood: Chicago

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Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Nadu serve?

Nadu is a Indian restaurant located in Chicago, Chicago. Nadu is not running a pan-Indian survey course.

What is Nadu best for?

Nadu is best for indian, dinner, takeout, warm, aromatic. Nadu is a strong indian option in Chicago when you want somewhere that already has a solid public track record. Mushroom Galawat and Paneer Ghotala also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.6 rating across 328 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Nadu?

Nadu is in the Good value price range (value). Google rating: 8.6 from 328 reviews

What should I order at Nadu?

Start with Prawn Balchao, Mushroom Galawat, Paneer Ghotala and Jackfruit Kosha. These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Nadu worth visiting?

Nadu holds a 8.6 Google rating from 328 reviews. Nadu is a strong indian option in Chicago when you want somewhere that already has a solid public track record. Mushroom Galawat and Paneer Ghotala also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.6 rating across 328 Google reviews.