Pijja Palace

Set in a Silver Lake retail center anchored by a Comfort Inn, Pijja Palace is a modern sports bar built entirely around Indian-American cooking. The name is a direct, tongue-in-cheek nod to the common Indian pronunciation of “pizza,” and the whole concept is a personal reflection of the founder’s first-generation upbringing. Inside, the 80-seat room intentionally avoids the usual sports bar gloom. Instead of dark wood and sticky floors, the space is bright, with light woods and a clean aesthetic meant to feel like it was designed by a sportswear brand. Multiple flat-screen TVs are mounted throughout, always tuned to a game, confirming its identity as a place to watch sports. The menu is where the concept comes to life, reinterpreting American bar food through an Indian lens. Pizzas are thin-crust, tavern-style pies with toppings that run right to the edge – think green chile chutney instead of marinara. Pasta is just as central, particularly the Malai Rigatoni, a creamy, rich dish inspired by the way the owner’s family would mix Indian ingredients with boxed pasta. Other options include a Lamb and Shell pasta, and starters like Dosa Onion Rings made with a crisp Urad lentil batter or spicy Okra Fries. The bar keeps a wide selection of beer and mixes cocktails using Indian ingredients, like Rooh Afza in the “pata-quiri” or chai in a whiskey sour. From a vintage soda fountain, you can get Indian-style Slurpees or a Cookies & Cardamom soft-serve. Given its size and popularity, making a reservation is almost essential. For those without one, the only real option is to try for a seat at the bar. The whole menu is designed for sharing, which is how most people approach a meal here, passing plates around to sample the different flavor combinations. Just be prepared for some legitimate spice across many of the dishes.