Chicago’s Best Restaurants to Celebrate Diwali

Diwali is a South Asian holiday with numerous food traditions, a time to celebrate for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains. However, the festival of lights has become a global phenomenon, observed in many countries. Last year, New York declared it a state holiday, giving public school students a day off starting in 2024.

This year, Diwali — also known as Divali or Deepavali — starts on Thursday, October 31.

Awareness of the holiday has crossed over to Chicago’s South Asian restaurants, providing a way for folks of all backgrounds to celebrate. Below are some of the more notable Diwali menus and events held at Chicago restaurants. Eater Chicago also has a South Asian restaurant guide for more ways to celebrate.

Basant, Wednesday, October 23 through November 3.

This North Center restaurant has pushed the boundaries for what to expect from an Indian restaurant not located along Devon or in downtown Chicago. Neighborhood Indian restaurants often trot out the same generic Northern Indian menus, but not Basant.

For two weeks, Basant is offering a special a la carte menu and will decorate its space with diyas painted by workers, and a hand-drawn rangoli. The menu includes raj kachori chaat; mango duck kebabs with spicy white sauce & chili crisps; “mini-thali” with raswale alu, masala puri, halwa, and boondi raita; seafood khichdi; and lamb shank dum biryani. Reservations are available via OpenTable.

Sifr, Sunday, November 3

While not serving traditional Indian food, Sifr, a Middle Eastern restaurant boosts a menu from James Beard nominated Sujan Sarkar and culinary director Sahil Sethi. Sarkar’s Indienne is Chicago’s only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant.

Sifr’s holiday offerings consist of a four-course prix fixe. Items include dahi bhalla papdi chaat, papad with pindi chloe, baigan bharta, tamatar ki chaat, sliced onion, aloo tuk, and a mint and cilantro chutney. Entrees include paneer pasanda with lababdar gravy, jackfruit kofta with kadai gravy, butter chicken, or goat do pyaza. Reservations and $75 tickets are available on OpenTable. Sifr is also offering reservations upstairs on its enclosed patio.

Sifr

Patel Brothers

Patel Brothers, the iconic South Asian supermarket chain, launched its Patel’s Fresh Kitchen about three years ago, coinciding with the opening of its new store along Devon. The goal was to serve younger customers who don’t know how to cook but still wanted a taste of home. Fresh Kitchen is 100 percent vegetarian, specializing in flatbreads — there are 20 different types of paratha. For folks throwing Diwali parties at home, they can email the bakery manager at their local Patel Brothers — find the emails on the chain’s website — to order parathas, samosas, and more.

Umami From Scratch, October 23 to 31 for pickups.

Divs Ray has been running Umami From Scratch, a micro bakery that takes online orders, since 2020. Her snacks are creative, blending traditions from different regions together with modern baking techniques. She’s launched a special Diwali menu with specials like rose-lime mooncakes, mithai canele, muhallahbiah with poached red fruits and kataifi, and chaat masala sweet potato focaccia. Order online and pick up October 23 to 31.