Agni’s South Indian thalis (lunch-only) arrive on platters lined with banana leaves. The menu changes every day for vegetarian and the non-vegetarian versions, but dishes such as kootu — lentils cooked with spices — and sour tamarind rasam soup are staples. Get free refills of anything on the platter. Only bread comes with an additional charged. 

Situated in a strip mall in Silver Spring, Jewel of India is a hidden gem that specializes in familiar flavors of North Indian cuisine done well. The house special vegetarian thali lets guest pick three dishes in addition to dal, a pulao rice, and a choice of naan or roti. The malai kofta, cheese and vegetable fritters in a creamy sauce, are a must try, but there are also around 15 vegetarian curries available.

India’s western state of Gujarat is known for its focus on vegetarian dishes and sweet and sour flavors. Rupa Vira is one of the few places in the area to serve up a traditional Gujarati thali, which is available for dinner on Fridays through Sundays. It starts with an assortment of appetizers known as farsaan, and the main platter features dishes including sweet, yogurt-based kadhi, puri fried puffed bread, and assorted vegetables. You might need a nap afterwards, but it’s totally worth it.

Kalpasi doesn’t shy away from spices. Featuring the rich flavors of the Chettinad region of South India, the restaurant packs lots of black pepper and red chiles in the food. its lunch-only thali ($11 to $14) is a fantastic deal with eight to 10 dishes revolving around meat — there’s an option for chicken, mutton, or fish — or vegetarian curries along with rice, chapati bread, and a small dessert to finish.

Come hungry and bring a friend or a date, because the impressive thali for two at Bombay Street Food is not for the faint of heart. It includes greatest hits like tandoori chicken, saag paneer, lamb curry and gulab jamun. There’s also a vegetarian thali on weekdays for lunch that’s designed for one person. 

Pappe serves terrific thalis in a dining room brightened with colorful silk fabrics from New Delhi and hand-drawn wall murals. The maharaja thali — which includes lamb, chicken curry, and lentils, among other goodies — is as nice as the setting. It’s available for lunch and weekend brunch. 

This kitschy mom-and-pop restaurant in NoMa has high quality home-style food. The thali option comes with five different vegetarian entrees or with a choice for one meat and four veggies. The pumpkin curry and the goat are fantastic here, as are the okra and the saag chicken. It’s a popular spot without much indoor seating, so go on a nice day when you can eat at one of the picnic tables in the patio. 

The Samundari thali at accomplished restaurateur Ashok Bajaj’s first place will please seafood lovers. There’s a fish curry, tandoori seafood, and creamy black lentils served on a silver platter.