29 Best Indian Restaurants in Berkeley

“My first visit. Not familiar with south Indian food so I asked for a recommendation. Braised chicken in a spicy sauce with spicy biryani style basmati rice and a mango shake. Ok, but next time I will ask for something less spicy. Friendly helpful staff. Street parking.“

“A Berkeley treasure in the making! Stellar cocktails, delicious dishes, friendly staff and awesome Dj appearances make this place shine. Finally a quality bar in South Berkeley!

2022 Update: Still excellent.

2025 Update: They're back!

2022 Update 2.0: 👍🏼“

“A cute restaurant that serves flavors akin to North Indian food for their lunch specials. They pile up your plate, but I can be hungry sometimes after. Their chai is some of the best I can get in Berkeley and is decently priced. Their chicken is well seasoned, and their veggie options are delicious. Their rice is well cooked. The little booths are cute, but the seating area can be a little stuffy.“

“Clean efficient great for gathering (outdoors) or to grab and go. The food is fresh with dishes like dosa, made to order. Indian food is part of my heritage, so the grocery store next door is a bonus.“

“Best Indian cuisine in all of Berkeley, do yourself a favor and stop in! great people, great food, a real gem in the city.“

“There are so many places that say they are Himalayan or Nepalese or whatever, and there are ones closer to my house than MoMo Masalas, but I really like the menu here and the prices are fair. I like the Chilli Paneer (or chicken, if you want), a kind of street food-style dish that seems to walk the line between Indian and Chinese. Dahi Chicken is nice, too.“

“My dinner partner and I both agree that the physical atmosphere, and food were excellent. The place was almost empty on a Sunday night yet the service was mediocre. We had to keep tracking down the waiter for our hot water for the tea, box for take away, etc. Inattentive. The staff also seemed unhappy or dissatisfied with their jobs. The prices have gone up so don’t feel we got value for our money“

“love this place. Food is fresh and delicious. Owner is also very hospitable and always greets us with a warm 😃“

“Noor is an absolute gem. The food is consistently exceptional - fresh, flavorful, and beautifully balanced. We’ve tried nearly everything on the menu (samosas, paneer rolls, chana, butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, paneer tikka masala, and more), and every dish has been a hit. We’ve gone back several times, and it’s been a guaranteed success every single visit.

Recently, we hosted a Diwali party for 30 people and asked Noor to cater..with only six days’ notice. Nity, the owner, personally called to plan the menu. She was patient, knowledgeable, and incredibly accommodating, offering thoughtful suggestions and adjustments without hesitation. Her quote was also refreshingly reasonable, and the entire process was seamless, truly one of the easiest party experiences I’ve had.

The food was the star of the evening, everyone raved about it. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience or a more reliable restaurant to partner with. Noor has earned a permanent spot on my go-to list, and I’ve already recommended them to others in our community (who’ve loved them just as much). We order from them regularly, and after this catering experience, I’m officially a lifelong fan.“

“Came here for an impromptu dinner with my boyfriend!

Good:
- Super nice staff and they checked in us a ton despite this place being fairly casual
- Loved the Himalayan burrito - the paratha wrap and the paneer inside was so delicious
- The noodle soup was pretty good too - sweet and savory
- Portion sizes were great - super full at the end of it

Bad:
- The wait time was a bit long for our two entrees
- A bit more casual and self-service

Overall this was a good find after a long day of walking around and was the perfect thing to get us energized for a long night.“

“I had an amazing experience at this Indian restaurant! Every dish was full of authentic flavor and perfectly cooked , especially the curry and tandoori items, Aslam chicken is the star among . The spices were balanced beautifully, and the naan came out soft and fresh. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect from start to finish. The atmosphere was warm, colorful, and felt just like being in India. Highly recommend this place for anyone who loves real Indian food. definitely a 5-star experience.“

“Munch India operates with quiet rigor from a compact storefront just off Shattuck. There is no dining room, only a kitchen. The entire floor plan is devoted to the hotline and prep station. There is no freezer, only refrigeration. Ingredients are purchased daily, mostly from Berkeley Bowl a few blocks away. Orders are placed online each morning before noon; cooking begins after.

The daily walk-in menu is limited, changes daily, and is prepared to order. The results are consistently superb. Spicing is precise, textures are balanced, and the dishes—drawn from across India—reflect deep training and care. The chefs, Diana Afroza and Nick Ahmed, have cooked professionally since the early 1990s, with backgrounds in Boston, Europe, and India.

Prices are extremely reasonable given the quality and labor involved. They are searching for a larger, dine-in location. If they find one, their costs—and likely their prices—will rise. For now, this is high-level regional Indian cooking, offered at below-market prices. It smells wonderful inside and the people you’ll meet are awesome. Order while you can.“

“I would recommend the butter chicken wrap if you’re an omnivore. The naan is made fresh in front of you, and you get to choose your own toppings. The onions and cilantro are a must, they bring the rich makhani sauce to life with little aromatic explosions, and if you like spice there’s jalopenos too. The chicken has a varied texture, there’s tender bits and crispier bits, you won’t get bored eating it. Spring mix is an option, and though I’ve never seen it in Indian food, it works very well for texture and flavor. The chutneys to top it off will bring you down to flavor town. There’s Tamarind (sweet), Mint (moderately spicy), and Raita (Creamy).“

“I’d give it 10 stars if I could.

It is authentic Pakistani taste. LEGIT family owned and operated (the owner’s grandkids are often seen which is so sweet). I feel comfortable taking my baby there in her stroller as the temperature is perfect for her and they’re very kid friendly in case she has a meltdown.

Tastes like a feast in a Pakistani home. Which is like Indian taste but slightly better (in my honest opinion Pakistani taste and masalas are more flavorful)”. A Pakistani baji/aunty (who i think is the daughter in law of the owner) is the chef so it’s as authentic as it gets.

Their Nihari is second to none. I drive an hour from Pacifica to have it. Their chai (“milk tea”) is good too not overcooked at all which some establishments do.
Goat Paya is a delicacy of slow cooking mutton feet which isn’t attempted by many restaurants because of how time consuming and technical the dish is. They do it soo well.

Everything is halal. Highly highly recommended. They’ve been operating here for decades and have a fan base spanning years and years. And for good reason. They’re really sweet. Shout out to Hina baji who is the nicest server ever, she even remembered my order from when I used to come here with my pregnancy cravings!

BUT the best thing is that it is never too crowded that i cant find a seat. They always accept walkins. Prices are reasonable. Parking is easy to find too. Do try it!“

“We haven't been to Ajanta in years - it was good to be back! The munu now offers three types of meals: a modest dinner, a dinner with one more course, and a la carte (including specials of the month). Everything was as good as we remembered; it is good to have more choices now.“

“Arvin and Puja prepare authentic Nepalese Food that is delicious. My favorites are the Palak Panner, Mixed Vegetable, and Paneer Tikamasala as I am vegetarian. The Nan and Roti are to die for. I love the down to earth homie atmosphere and friendly service. It you want good quality wholesome food in a relaxed and friendly setting, this is your place. I highly recommend Mount Everest to anyone.“

“I have come here a couple times to take out Kulchas and Parathas. The quality is extremely good and breads are tasty and hot and cooked through. The pricing is very good and the service has always been very friendly. I have yet to try any of the food yet but plan to do so because the menu looks super interesting. Probably“

“I went in for the weekend special and was blown away by the hospitality—they were incredibly kind and welcoming. The food smelled amazing, and with the very first bites I was instantly reminded of the Halwa Puri from Burns Road I loved as a child. It was a truly nostalgic experience that brought back a cherished childhood memory.“

“We ordered their signature dish, the ThayirSadam, along with curry puffs, masala bites, and filtered coffee.

Everything tasted fresh and was excellent

The coffee was foaming up top and rich.

Great place but really wish they served dosas

I would come here every week if they had dosas“

“If there’s one thing to say about Udupi it’s that it hits the spot.

A pure vegetarian spot that offers familiar South Indian favorites this is.

It prominently serves as a place where students bring their entourage of family and friends to spend time over a meal.

Plenty of casual dining and date nights occur here too.“

“Yummy, inexpensive Indian food in a no-frills place with good service and no atmosphere. Go here for the food and nothing else. Unless you like sports on TV. I had the chicken with spinach and it was predictably delicious. Self service chilled carafes of water in the fridge. You pay in advance which means no waiting for the check. Vegan options too.“

“More curry variety than I'm used to, really well spiced. This is my go-too in Berkeley for Indian food. I think they also make their chai fresh, it took forever but was delicious.

They also independently do local delivery which is really cool in the era of Doordash. I live down the street and my friends and I love to order it for dinner parties.“

“Tried and true favorite in the area! The curries are flavorful and thick, portions are super generous, and you just can't beat their special lunch menu for value. I do not usually like lentil soup, but the one they make here is magic. SO MUCH FLAVOR. Physically I am at home, mentally I am here on a cold fall day sipping a hot bowl of that soup. Staff is super friendly and fantastic too.“

“Great food and great drinks! Friendly staff. You have to come by and check it out.“

“ordered through UberEats, so no clue on the atmosphere or in restaurant service. 1st off, the Lassi i ordered was missing from my delivery. Don't know if it was missing from the restaurant or a mess up by ubereats driver.
Pavbhaji was amazing! very flavorful and perfect portion.
Chicken Naan was a bit too doughy and had very little flavor.
will try this place in restaurant.“

“I had the pleasure of dining at this amazing halal restaurant, and I can confidently say it exceeded all expectations. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the service was attentive without being overbearing.
The food? Absolutely phenomenal. Every dish was bursting with flavor, clearly made with fresh ingredients and authentic spices. Whether you're into curry lamb , fried momo or vegetarian options, there’s something for everyone on the menu. You can really taste the care and tradition in every bite.
I especially appreciated the clean, family friendly environment and the clear attention to maintaining halal standards. It’s not easy finding places that get both the taste and the ethics right but this one nails it.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for a top-tier halal dining experience. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“Great food and lots of outdoor seating“

“Since the place is kind small, the seating is communal (it can get tight). There were a few fruit flys when we first walked up to the taps. (I have to be honest) However the atmosphere was still smooth it was great big portion of chicken / fries and they were very tasty. I definitely would be back. My video i didn't save so I'll post pictures after my next visit.“

“Good cheap eats. Sort of fun to get your own chai, as much as you want.“