FALLS CHURCH
Haandi
Known for its excellent waitstaff and daily buffet, Haandi has offered its sprawling menu for more than two decades. Pink walls featuring traditional Indian scenes are featured in the dining room, which has a combination of roomy booths and tables, both good for larger parties. Spicy and sweet vindaloos – shrimp, chicken and lamb –  are popular here, as are the Mughlai rice dishes, rich with spices, nuts and dried fruits.
1222 W. Broad St., Falls Church; haandi.com
Raaga
Lamb dishes shine at this Bailey’s Crossroads mainstay, including chops marinated in a ginger-yogurt sauce and cooked in a clay oven, and creamy boneless rogan josh, layered in a spicy, yogurt-based curry of tomatoes and onions. The building’s white stucco exterior opens into a modest dining room with light yellow walls, white tablecloths and fresh flowers. The parking lot is always full, especially during lunch when the buffet includes northern Indian favorites such as chicken tikka, more than a dozen vegetarian options and 11 breads, including a specialty puffed naan stuffed with mozzarella and tomatoes.
5872 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; raagarestaurant.com