Winner: India Palace

When he talks about opening India Palace in Midtown 11 years ago, owner Himmat Singh is not shy. “We have the best food in town; the day we opened, people were lining up.” Readers agree that India Palace’s offerings of traditional dishes including tandoori chicken, an array of curries and a bountiful lunch buffet are a winning combination.

The elephant mural and tasteful décor make a nice escape for diners, many of whom show up like clockwork. “We have one guy, he came seven days a week the last two years,” says Singh of his most loyal customer. “But now, he’s cut down to five days.”

1720 Poplar, 278-1199. Lunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and until 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; dinner 5-10 p.m.

Finalists: Mayuri, Golden India