Indian buffets in Philadelphia do not follow one formula. New Delhi, in University City, serves curries, biryani, naan, tandoori dishes and vegetarian options Tuesday to Sunday; Veda, in Rittenhouse, limits its buffet to Saturday and Sunday and pairs it with a contemporary bistro setting. The first address is west of the historic centre, the second in Center City, so the choice also depends on where you are staying and what you plan to visit afterwards.
New Delhi’s menu, updated September 4, 2026, lists US$16.95 for weekday lunch, US$18.95 on Saturday and Sunday, and US$22.95 for dinner. The family-run restaurant has operated since 1988, and its rotating selection combines familiar recipes with vegetarian dishes and desserts. Veda does not publish the same price table on the page checked, so ask the cost before sitting down; diner opinions are more divided between praise for the setting and specific curries, and criticism of the buffet’s seasoning or freshness.
New Delhi diners often value the range and the chance to sample several flavours for one fixed price, though some find temperature or seasoning uneven. At Veda, guests value the location and dining room, but buffet experiences vary. If this is your first Indian meal, start with small portions, ask about heat and return for the dishes you like best. Self-service lets you choose, but it does not mean every dish suits allergies, strict vegetarian diets or dairy-free eating.
Choose New Delhi for a broad buffet with clearly published prices, especially at weekday lunch; consider Veda if your plan already passes through Rittenhouse and your meal fits its weekend service. Check buffet hours rather than just the restaurant’s hours, and add drinks and tax to the budget. That grounds the decision in the actual seating and route instead of the assumption that every buffet is automatically cheap.
Check current details and choose according to your budget, time and way of travelling.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
New Delhi Indian Restaurant
4004 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
In University City, New Delhi has served North Indian cooking to students, neighbours and travellers since 1988. Its daily buffet from Tuesday to Sunday combines butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, curries, biryani, fresh naan, vegetarian choices and desserts. The official menu, updated September
Family-run since 1988; buffet of curries, biryani, tandoori, naan, vegetarian choices and desserts.
Veda - Modern Indian Bistro
1920 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Veda presents itself in Rittenhouse as a contemporary Indian bistro, with a weekend buffet for anyone who wants to compare curries and vegetarian dishes without ordering a full meal of each. Its website lists service on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; on other days, the à la carte
Modern Indian cooking in Rittenhouse; weekend buffet and dishes prepared à la carte.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of New Delhi Indian Restaurant ↗
Primary source
New Delhi Indian Restaurant, menú oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of New Delhi Indian Restaurant ↗
Primary source
New Delhi Indian Restaurant, sitio oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Veda - Modern Indian Bistro ↗
Primary source
Veda, sitio oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
New Delhi, menú oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Veda, sitio oficial · Accessed October 2, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Valoración y número de reseñas ↗
Secondary source
Birdeye, New Delhi Indian Restaurant · Accessed October 2, 2026
La página mostraba 4.1/5 en 1,476 reseñas en Google. Se contrastaron comentarios de clientes sobre buffet, variedad, trato y calidad desigual entre preparaciones. Consultado el 2/10/2026.
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Valoración y comentarios ↗
Secondary source
Restaurant Guru, Veda Philadelphia · Accessed October 2, 2026
La ficha mostraba Google 4.3/5 en 1,777 opiniones. Reseñas visibles elogian ambiente, ubicación y platos especiados; otras muestran impresiones dispares sobre frescura, servicio y sazón del buffet. Consultado el 2/10/2026.