About Us

Named for South India’s harvest festival, this casual fine dining restaurant brings together heartfelt service, kosher-certified cooking, and a menu centered on vegetarian cooking with a dedicated vegan selection. Since 1996, Pongal in NYC has welcomed guests into a rustic, historically preserved building where the mood feels lively, polished, and easy to settle into. The kitchen moves between crisp dosai, soft uttappams, and thoughtfully composed thalis, while the experience stays grounded in care, comfort, and tradition.

Welcome to Pongal Restaurant

Named after a sweet rice dish, Pongal is a popular three-day harvest festival in South India that starts on 14th January of each year. On the first day, Pongal is offered to bhoji or Indran (the rain gods) for providing rain for the harvest. On the second day, it is offered to the Sun (Surya). On the third day, the family’s cattle (mattu) is cleaned and dressed up with flowers, bells and color powder. This is the day to honor the cattle’s hard work for ploughing the fields.

Festivities vary in different regions. Some families clean their houses and throw away their old clothes but the main activity people from the entire village get together for a community feast to share their crops and thanks to all who have contributed to a successful harvest.