Our Story
The Journey from Punjab to Jackson Heights
Chef Amrit's Culinary Journey
Born in the mid-1980s in Pathankot, a city in the northern Indian state of Punjab, Chef Amrit Pal Singh's culinary journey began in his family kitchen. His mother, a vegetarian, and his father, a former military officer who learned to cook in the army, instilled in him the principles of authentic Indian cooking.
In his mother's kitchen, the philosophy was simple but profound: "Simple but good." Heavy cream and excessive spices were avoided to preserve the original taste of vegetables like eggplant and cauliflower. This approach to cooking would become the foundation of Angel Indian Restaurant's culinary philosophy.
From Australia to Jackson Heights
After completing his secondary education in India, Amrit pursued formal culinary training in Australia. His younger brother followed a similar path and now runs two restaurants in Sydney. However, Amrit's journey took a different turn when his wife wanted to live near her mother as they started their family.
In 2013, they moved to the United States and settled in Jackson Heights, a neighborhood long known for its Indian restaurants, markets, and sweet shops. Despite the abundance of Indian dining options, Amrit felt that "no one had passion" for authentic Indian cooking.
The Path to Angel
After working at a local Indian restaurant for two years, Amrit moved to Manhattan where he met Chef Chintan Pandya, a passionate advocate for authentic Indian cuisine. Pandya hired Amrit to cook at his Indian bistro Rahi in the West Village, then brought him to Queens when he opened Adda in Long Island City in 2018.
Adda received enthusiastic reviews for its home-style, canteen-style menu that embodied the "simple but good" philosophy. After a year at Adda, Amrit invested all his savings to open his own restaurant in Jackson Heights, feeling the neighborhood still lacked the authentic Indian food he loved.
Angel Indian Restaurant
Named after Chef Amrit's young daughter, Angel opened in Jackson Heights in October 2019. The restaurant quickly gained recognition, first for its connection to Adda, then on its own merits as an excellent halal vegetarian restaurant.
The restaurant's signature dishes include dahi batata puri (yogurt and potato-filled wheat puffs), kale pakora (chickpea fritters), vegetable dum biryani(slow-cooked mixed rice dish), and lassuni gobi – garlic cauliflower that "never tasted so good."
Our Philosophy
At Angel Indian Restaurant, we believe in preserving the original taste of ingredients. Our cooking avoids heavy cream and excessive spices, focusing instead on the natural flavors of fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and traditional cooking methods.
Every new menu item is taste-tested at home with Chef Amrit's family before being served to customers. "My family and my customers eat the same food," he says, ensuring that every dish meets the highest standards of authenticity and quality.
Recognition & Growth
Angel Indian Restaurant has earned the prestigious Michelin "Bib Gourmand" distinction, recognizing our commitment to good food and good value. We are one of the rare New York-based Indian restaurants to hold this honor.
Today, Chef Amrit continues his daily routine: arriving at 9:00 AM for prep work, staying until closing at 10:00 PM, then driving home to Staten Island where he lives with his family of four – including his daughter Angel and her younger brother.
Our Locations
37th Rd - Original Location
7414 37th Rd, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Tuesday-Sunday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
The original Angel Indian Restaurant featuring Chef Amrit's authentic North Indian cuisine and signature dishes like dahi batata puri and lassuni gobi. All food is 100% halal.
Experience Authentic North Indian Cuisine
Join us at Angel Indian Restaurant to experience the passion, tradition, and authentic flavors that Chef Amrit brings from his mother's kitchen in Punjab to your table in Jackson Heights. All our food is 100% halal, ensuring the highest quality and dietary standards for all our guests.