The crystal structure of the title compound, C15H13NO3, is stabilized by inversion-related N—H...O and C—H...O intermolecular hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions. The N—H...O hydrogen bonds generate two C(6) chains, one within the other, and these chains are linked by C—H...O intermolecular hydrogen bonds forming R 4 4(21) ring motifs. The phthalide part of the molecule is planar, and the dihedral angle between the phthalide group and the other benzene ring is 62.81 (8)°.