(212) 685-5200

  Full halal menu

  Alcohol-free

  $ out of $$$$

   accepted

  Available to-go

  Marginal quality restrooms

  Mass transit nearby

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★★★★★ Haandi is a halal Pakistani restaurant located in the Murray HIll ("Curry Hill") neighborhood of midtown Manhattan. The restaurant is a favorite among cabbies, as seen by the Toyotas lining the street at the taxi relief stands (don't park there). On-street parking is available a few blocks down or on the side streets, though it might be tough to find. Given the universally practiced parking-by-Braille technique in NYC, you should leave the 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo with the 200hp 3S-GTE in Crimson Red at home. And leave the 2013 Toyota Camry in Attitude Black Metallic at home, too, because you'll never find it again among the cabs. There is a very small prayer spot, enough for about 2 people located downstairs. There's a decent amount of seating, you might be able to bring a party of 6-8 people, though probably at off peak times. Don't come here expecting anything fancy -- Haandi is oriented toward serving good quality, inexpensive food cafeteria-style in a down-home atmosphere to its mostly cab driver clientele. As such, women may be a bit of a novelty around here, especially at later hours. The chicken seikh kababs (seasoned ground chicken shaped into a hot-dog shape and grilled) pair perfectly with the freshly-made steaming naan. The nihari (a classic Pakistani dish) is richly seasoned stew with tender falling-off-the-bone beef -- try this with naan also (but it also goes great with white rice, however unorthodox.) Downstairs is what seems to be a separate little kiosk serving "chaat" (appetizers) -- try the dahi bari (fried chickpea patties, submersed in a yogurt sauce and topped with potatoes/cilantro/onions and a tamarind sauce). The chai ("dood pati" = literally "milk leaves") is simple straight chai without the cardamom, etc. frequently added in Pakistani chai. Your reviewer's experience at Haandi was far superior to those described in other reviews. It's unclear if Haandi has improved or the authors were expecting something Haandi isn't trying to deliver. Come for the great food in an unpretentious setting. 5 out 5 stars if that's what you're looking for. Posted on February 5, 2017

★☆☆☆☆ worst food ever, horrible service and horrible place to eat. Dinning area upper and lower floor very dirty. Food was expensive and have no taste. I was watching the owner heated up food in the microwave. That really mean it was not fresh with horrible taste. Never recommend. Posted on January 4, 2017

★★★★★ Good food with very good portions Posted on July 24, 2016

★★☆☆☆ The food was ok but the serving staff is pathetic.spoke very rudely and made my son scared. Posted on April 4, 2016

NR Classic Dhaba style food served in a cafeteria style room with little or no customer service. Service is fast, the place is clean and food is good and cheap. We all had the meat combo platter, Four of us ate well for $40. Posted on January 8, 2015

★★★★☆ Classic taxi cab joint for good Pakistani food. Place is not that fancy but food is good for the price and they are always open. Recommend for friends but not families. Posted on April 10, 2011

★★☆☆☆ The food is ok here but be warned the service is shocking !!! The guy behind the counter is a junglee with a rude arrogant attitude,then when your food arrives it's literally thrown across your table. I have been to this place twice now and it's become a joke with the way they serve and throw food at you !!!! Posted on March 2, 2011

★★★☆☆ i actually stopped eating here after a man groped me four years ago. enough said. one afternoon i was passing by at lunchtime and had their lunch buffet. talk about value for money. btw, they let drunk people loiter here. no one ever gets thrown out. Posted on October 22, 2010

★★★★☆ I read the reviews before going there. It is not a place to sit down and eat with your family. We ordered take out with chicken kebab, lamb chops, daal and naan. Although the food was reheated in the microwave, it tasted very fresh and was delicious. Posted on July 20, 2010

★★☆☆☆ This restaurant is by Baruch College, so you might see a lot of desi college kids in there. The food is average at best as is the decor. Kind of a disappointment. Posted on December 13, 2009

★★☆☆☆ Very good tea. Food is very oily. Posted on November 28, 2009

★★★★☆ Great food but horrible decor. they now have a lunch buffet in the basement. For $10 you can go to town. They have some dishes that you don't normally find at your typical lunch buffet places. Again great food but horrible sitting area. My rating is based on price plus taste of the food. Posted on September 9, 2009

★★★☆☆ The food is good. Especially the recently added buffet downstairs. The workers can be kinda of rude on occasions but the service is not bad. I recommend this place. Posted on August 16, 2008

★★★☆☆ This place is okay; the staff definitely give preference to their favourite customers, and the food is all pre-made and microwaved upon order. As a result the food tastes a bit stale, and all the curries are swimming in oil. The taste and quality is very average for fast-food Pakistani food, though. The seating area is also sufficient (they have added a basement level) but is nothing special; they are cafeteria-style tables in a white light setting and Pakistani news playing in the background. I would go here for a quick bite to eat, but don't expect anything great. Posted on February 3, 2008

★☆☆☆☆ ... the food may look good n tasty but the place is very unclean. the waitress touches money and God knows wat else.. and with those same hands she touches ur food... and wen u ask her abt it.. she tells u her hands r clean... i agree with some of the people who said that they dont care abt customers.. and plsu theyr very rude.. in one of my incidents.. me n my friend went to buy iftari.. n they thot we were from another country so the 2 bengali waitreses were talking abt me n my friend and cursing at customers in bengali... but she didnt realize that we were bengali too.. so later we actually had the courage to tell them.. but they denied they said anything and instead made us look like liars...newayz.. Allah knows da best.. but i'll have to say that all my experiences were bad... Posted on October 1, 2007

★★☆☆☆ Awful. Food tastes fresh and yummy.. until the next day when you have to go see the doctor with stomach aches... DON'T take takeout for your kids... please spare them this for-big-men-with-iron-bellies-food!!! Posted on May 31, 2007

★★★★★ Out of the 7 days we were in New York we spent 4 of them dining at Handi, simply because the quality of food was good and appetising! Great little place serving good Pakistani food. Ok it's not that big and seating is limited and from the outside it looks a bit shabby but don't let that put you off! Food is really good. For us it was perfect source of home cooked food in a city where there is not much too eat if you're a Muslim tourist staying in a central location. We will definitely go there again on our next visit to NY. Posted on November 27, 2006

★★★★★ The location is good, the food is great (the naan is to die for!), and the service and prices are satisfactory. All in all its a great place for a casual lunch. Posted on May 31, 2006

★★☆☆☆ First of all, this place is not a spot to take your family. This appeared to be a hangout for cabbies and students. The service was poor and it took the guy atleast 10 minutes to take my order even though I was the first in the line. The food is average. Nothing great about it. It is already made and the guy microwaves it before he serves it to you. Posted on February 14, 2006

★★★★☆ Good desi food, the service is ehhh. This is a fast food place. Get in and get out. That is why you are paying $5 for a double kabab roll and a soda. Kababs are good. Posted on December 8, 2004

★☆☆☆☆ i used to go their all the time but not anymore that guy tipu(bilal) doesnt really care if there are a customers waitiing to order their food he takes his time to finish his conversations with his friends, i feel sorry for qari sahib(owner)he is gonna lose his biz cuz of that idiot. Owner is really nice and really takes care of u, when he is their but he is not their all the time, i wont recommend it to anyone anymore Posted on October 22, 2004

★☆☆☆☆ I'm not sure what the hub bub is about this place. It is extremely aggravating trying to get the guy at the counter to take your order. He gives preference to people he knows and the food is nothing to rave about. I went during the day and the "mehm sahib" behind the counter told me the cost of the meal was $9.00. Okay and then she had the nerve to tell me to also put in 6 extra bucks! Considering that there is absolutely zero service and the food quality is average at best I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone! Posted on September 9, 2004

★★★★☆ Located in the heart of Lexington Avenue's desi area, Haandi is nothing exquisite but above average considering the options next door and across the street. The food is OK, nothing spectacular. This is NOT a family dining atmosphere; It is more of a taxi hangout / hungry college student type of atmosphere. Freebies include pakistani newspapers located at the entrance and PTV satellite television for your dining pleasure. Just make sure the guys behind the counter microwave your food properly (otherwise you'll be eating a dinner plate that starts out sizzling and ends up ice cold). Posted on July 27, 2004

★★★☆☆ Good Food, I went twice with friends. Lack of service, neatness and serving style. I don't mind paying extra 2 bucks for serving. Good thing at least they don't serve in plastic desposible plates unlike other desi restaurants in town. Posted on January 13, 2004

★★★★☆ EXCELLENT Food! Authentic Pakistani dishes. The ambiance could be improved. Posted on December 13, 2003

★★★★★ Best food in downtown. If you love desi food you will love haandi! Posted on November 30, 2003

★★★★★ The most genuine (spicy) Punjabi food this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Posted on September 7, 2002

★★★★☆ Food is EXCELLENT! Authentic Pakistani/Punjabi food you can have anywhere in New York. Have known Qari Sahab (ex-Chatkhara Chef) for over 8 years and have moved to Handi when he started his own restaurant. Posted on September 7, 2002