Located in the gourmet wing of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, The Crossing does more than serve Indian food. It serves Indian journeys. Drawing from the culinary traditions of Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and beyond, the restaurant reinterprets the familiar through a Parisian lens, crafting dishes that are at once authentic and inventive.
Table of Contents
- A Restaurant That Crosses Borders — Literally
- Butter Chicken – A French-Indian Love Affair
- Cauliflower 65 – A Southern Indian Street Snack Reinvented
- Lamb Korma – Subtle Spice Meets Parisian Comfort
- Chicken Biryani – A Royal Recipe Reborn in Paris
- Dahi Puri – Bombay’s Favourite, with a View of Haussmann
- Paneer Butter Masala – Vegetarian Luxury, Redefined
A Restaurant That Crosses Borders — Literally
Located in the gourmet wing of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, The Crossing does more than serve Indian food. It serves Indian journeys. Drawing from the culinary traditions of Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and beyond, the restaurant reinterprets the familiar through a Parisian lens, crafting dishes that are at once authentic and inventive.
The menu reads like a map — but each stop tells a story. From the spice-scented streets of Lucknow to the coconut-rich coastlines of Kerala, each dish is a passport stamp.
Let’s take a closer look at the 12 standout dishes that define The Crossing as Paris’ best Indian restaurant.
Butter Chicken – A French-Indian Love Affair
You’ve heard the legend. You’ve tasted the takeaway. But until you’ve had The Crossing’s version, you haven’t really tasted butter chicken. Crafted with yellow chicken and a sauce of slow-reduced tomatoes, cashew cream, and toasted fenugreek, it’s indulgent but never heavy. The chef’s secret? A final kiss of charred aromatics that brings complexity without overwhelming.
It’s the perfect expression of East meets West, and the dish many guests say brings them back — again and again.
Cauliflower 65 – A Southern Indian Street Snack Reinvented
Born in Tamil Nadu, Cauliflower 65 is the vegetarian cousin of the iconic Chicken 65. At The Crossing, this dish becomes a crispy, fiery revelation. Bite-sized florets are deep-fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a house chili sauce infused with curry leaves and mustard seeds.
It’s spicy, it’s crunchy, and it’s oddly addictive — like tempura met masala and decided never to part ways. Parisians unfamiliar with Indian street food quickly find themselves converted.
Lamb Korma – Subtle Spice Meets Parisian Comfort
While many associate Indian food with heat, lamb korma is the dish that whispers rather than shouts. At The Crossing, boneless lamb is braised slowly in a sauce made with cardamom, mint, and yogurt. The result is a silken, almost stew-like dish that comforts with every bite.
This version leans into subtlety — making it a favorite among first-time visitors wary of spice but eager for depth. It’s best enjoyed with a side of buttery naan or fragrant basmati.
Chicken Biryani – A Royal Recipe Reborn in Paris
If there’s one dish that embodies the grandeur of Indian cuisine, it’s biryani. At The Crossing, the Lucknowi version is recreated using long-grain basmati rice, saffron, cardamom, and gently spiced chicken layered and sealed for slow steaming.
Each bite delivers aromatic complexity and textural contrast, from the fluffiness of the rice to the tenderness of the meat. Served in a traditional steel tiffin, it’s a nod to both heritage and sustainability — guests can even opt to take it home in an actual tiffin box.
Dahi Puri – Bombay’s Favourite, with a View of Haussmann
For something playful, start your meal with Dahi Puri, a street food staple from Mumbai. These crisp semolina shells are filled with spiced potato, tamarind chutney, and cool yogurt, then crowned with coriander and crunchy sev.
Each one is a perfect, edible burst of sweet, sour, spicy, and creamy, meant to be eaten in a single bite. In Paris, where amuse-bouches are a culinary art form, Dahi Puri fits right in — no translation needed.
Paneer Butter Masala – Vegetarian Luxury, Redefined
Homemade paneer (Indian cheese) is rare in Paris, but at The Crossing it’s made fresh and folded into a sauce of tomato, onion, and cashew. The result? A dish that’s every bit as luxurious as its meat-based counterpart, butter chicken.
This is comfort food for the vegetarian gourmet, balancing indulgence with brightness, spice with creaminess. Add a side of truffle and goat cheese naan for a bold, Paris-worthy twist.
Final Thoughts
In a city overflowing with culinary experiences, it takes something truly special to stand out. The Crossing does so not just through its menu, but through its philosophy of culinary storytelling. Each dish is rooted in a region, yet designed for Paris — with an emphasis on technique, freshness, and flavor harmony.
Whether you’re Indian, Parisian, or just hungry for something meaningful, these 12 dishes offer a taste of tradition and the thrill of reinvention.
And if you’re wondering whether The Crossing is truly the best Indian restaurant in Paris — well, we suggest starting with the butter chicken and deciding for yourself.
