50 Best Indian Restaurants near El Cerrito

“Best In Bay area.“

“We had pani puri, dahi puri, wai wai sadeko, and the goat thali, and everything was absolutely delicious. The pani puri was fresh and flavorful, the dahi puri was perfectly balanced and creamy, and the wai wai sadeko had the right amount of spice and tang. The goat thali was the highlight rich in flavor, well-cooked, and very satisfying. Overall, the food tasted authentic and fresh, and the experience was excellent. Highly recommend this place. We will definitely back“

“Delicious food , best Momo in the Bay Area“

“Nepa graciously accommodated our reservation of 15 mixed age revelers. The hospitality and service were top-notch, they allowed for special wines brought in with corkage, and helped pace the meal, which was served family style at our request. Loved the tikka masalas, the naan, chai - everything we ordered. We so appreciated all our gracious servers. We will be back.“

“The food was excellent and mouth watering! The staff, friendly and attentive. I highly recommend.“

“I was here for the AYCE lunch on a slow weekday afternoon and the owner offered me unlimited free chai even though I wasn't doing the buffet and just ordered off the menu. The aloo naan and mango lassi were delightful and the service is so pleasant and prompt. This is my new go to!“

“Have been here a few times now, and Tiya has been consistent with the quality of food and service. I ended up taking their tasting menu everytime so can only comment to those .. and they never disappointment. Being a person of Indian origin, I must say that they have done justice to the flavours of India... a modern take on traditional flavours while maintaining the true essence.“

“This place serves CHEESE STUFFED NAAN. It's just so legit. You can ask them to stack multiple as whole cheesy pillows or get the standard single-sliced-into-4 basket. Also everything on the menu I've tasted so far is deliciously layered and complex, satisfyingly spicy and salty, and just good solid comfort-food tasty. Only short is that it gets chilly during dinner with the doors open for when they bring out our tandoori (sizzling plates). Dinner here on the weekend brings out families and friend groups along with me and my trans partner.
My current go-to for Pakistani Indian noms 🇵🇰🇮🇳💯“

“Had a great dinner at Copra. Food was great - we had the gunpowder goli vadai, thattukadai fried chicken, masala dosai, Dindigal biryani and dessert. The biryani was a little mild, but rest all very good. We all really enjoyed the dessert especially - gods own coconut variation. My only complaint is that the lighting is way too dim and low that it gives a headache.“

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

“Hey there foodie friends, Guess what? I just had the most delicious and authentic North Indian food during my visit to San Francisco! I never expected to find such yummy flavors in the USA. From buttery naan to spicy curries, my taste buds were dancing with joy! If you ever get the chance, you HAVE to try it out. Trust me, you won't be disappointed! Keep on adventuring and trying new things!“

“I am meeting friends here. We are quickly welcomed and seated on our table. Reservations are a must I think.

I see a smoking plate being carried to a nearby table and I know what I’ll be ordering.

Our host is friendly and efficient. Our server attentive and checks our order for correctness. The service and attention to detail is good. Our table is cleaned a number of times and waters are refilled fast. I don’t think I got to anything less than 1/2 a glass.

The smoking plate is dahi puri. Nicely done. The yoghurt mousse on it is unique. There a bit of a kick from the masala. Very tasty. Very enjoyable.

For the mains we had lamb shank nihari and butter chicken. The playing is gorgeous. The food has a nice unique taste. A bit different from the regular flavors of these dishes but in a good way. The garlic naan bread delivers.

The texture of milk looks beautiful, tastes just right, and offers an excellent capper to a delicious meal.

Great experience. Nice ambiance. Good vibes.

Will be back.“

“The menu covers both Indian and Nepalese dishes. We ordered Tandoori Chicken Kebab, Mutton Kebab, Dal Makhani, Chicken Momos, and Naan. The tandoori chicken and mutton kebabs had a nice smokiness and rich meatiness. The restaurant is also willing to adjust spice levels based on your preference, which is a plus. The chicken momos had a juicy filling and a good texture. The Dal Makhani—a butter-rich lentil dish—was creamy and flavorful. The naan was a bit thick; it would have been better if it were slightly thinner and puffier. We also tried the Nepalese beer, but it wasn’t as good as expected. Overall, the service was pleasant, and the atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming.“

“Not the best Ive had, Royal indian on uber eats still beats the butter chicken. The pistachio Kulfi was amazing and the service was very good. We had roti, naan, butter chicken and rice. I will be back here for another dinner and try some of the other things on the menu.“

“I went at 8:10PM (20 minutes before closing), and they treated me so kindly and let me stay and eat past the closing time. I had a great experience because not only was the food delicious, so was the service, ambiance, and treatment. The food is 100% made with love and you can taste it.“

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

“Wonderful food on a comfortable patio with very friendly staff. Thumbs up 👍🏾“

“Best saag I’ve ever had! Wonderful salmon tandoori. Amazing chai 👏🏻!“

“Absolutely delicious cuisines, lovely ambience, excellent customer service and friendly staff. 100% recommend!! ❤️“

“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“

“Curry corner Indian pizza is one of the best Pizza I ever had, best price n great pizza 🍕.“

“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.“

“Grabbed a quick bite to eat with my husband, we had some Mango Lassi smoothies and chicken samosas. DELICIOUS!“

“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.“

“great food & atmosphere! 5 stars!!“

“Best food in town. If you love Indian food then you should go and try their authentic Indian food. I am pretty much sure that you won’t be disappointed. I give them 5 out of 5.“

“I got Karahi Gosht and it was authentic and flavorful. Serving quantity was decent as well. I live in the South Bay and most places over there don't get this dish right. 5* from me, for the Karahi Gosht and Naan. Service understandably took some time because they make it fresh and piping hot. And I went there in between performances of standup comedy at Cobb's next door.“

“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.“

“Wonderful authentic Indian cuisine served by a fine group of people.“

“Excellent food and friendly service!!!“

“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.“

“Hole in the wall with delicious food! Today we had saag with potatoes (medium spicy was SO tasty) and vegetable korma with vegetable dumplings and sesame naan. Big fan of the sesame naan! Our usual order is bindi (okra) and lamb vindaloo, and veggie samosas - all of which we consistently love. My husband also got the cumin-spiced lemonade but thought it was a bit salty.“

“Absolutely excellent meal! We usually go to Indian restaurant in Berkeley but wanted to try something closer to home. We got the samosas, chicken momo, chicken tikka masala, goat curry and the butter naan.

The goat curry was one of the most flavorful dishes we’ve had in a long time. The meat comes on the bone so expect a little bit of work but it’s well worth it for the flavor. Extremely rich, flavorful, and spicy. Chicken momo is also worth calling out as a must have. Odd yet true, but the water was surprisingly pure and fresh. Don’t know the last time a restaurant’s water caught my attention for a good reason. Overall a surprisingly great meal with a nice view.

Service was wonderful and all the food came out hot. Definitely our new favorite local Indian spot and we’re already looking forward to returning.“

“The staff is wonderful—alert, courteous, and engaging. However, the litti choka was a bit disappointing. It’s baked rather than grilled over charcoal, which makes it hard to bite into and takes away from the authentic texture. Traditionally, litti should have a firm yet moist bite that comes from slow charcoal roasting—something that was missing here.“

“I had the Chicken Tikka Masala and Aloo Naan. It was very good I recommend this restaurant.“

“Two of our party (not me) had the chef's tasting menu. It was an amazing value--an incredible amount and variety of food, and they thought it was really high quality. I had a chicken curry that was delicious and satisfying. The staff were very nice but maybe a little overworked.“

“The signature Momo dumplings were outstanding, fresh flavor with a beautiful savory sauce. Lamb shank was melt off the bone deliciousness. awesome outdoor seating & excellent friendly service“

“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.“

“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!“

“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 Definitely recommend their momos. its super tasty and juicy.“

“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.“

“Ive been eating at Shalimar for 27 years-I have eaten 100 if not 1000s of Indian places globally including NY LA UK DE GE etc. THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE. I had it tonight and sometimes its like how can it get better than that one time and then it is. The Tikka is unique and 1000% its own recipe apart from any I have ever found. Its simple but mega flavor, not overtly creamy a little oily but it the Tikka I compare all others too. Now I have had Indonesian that dresses up dishes like no other but for straight up dishes its the jam. Also the oven baked tandooris are over the top good too. Too bad Im moving finally from SF. This place is very much a part of me and my history, all the old times with friends (even the old Polk location)....all the conversations with staff, so friendly and nice. It will be missed!“

“Our kids really wanna try food here as they have seen the menu and pictures. Finally we manage to go on her birthday to celebrate with family and friends . We had Mango lassi, pani puri , samosa, chicken Momo, Briyani, paneer lababda, muglai chicken, butter naan, butter chicken,jeera rice ,Chicken Briyani, tres lache cake and lal Mohan with ice cream . Of course gentlemen had wine 🍷 too.All the food were yummy , desent portion . I was expecting 8 pieces of Momo but it was only 5. Shout out to Briyani . It was yummy . Do visit this place . I bet you won’t regret.“

“Overall: Easy Indian street-food style lunch!
My Order: Tandoori Chicken over rice.
Price Breakdown: I believe around $15 total more or less. Typical pricing.
Portions: Great portions and very filling for the price!
Halal/Vegetarian Friendly: Chicken is halal! And clearly marked vegetarian options.
Would get again: Likely, especially one of their daily specials.

Stopped by here to try out some Indian food in Berkeley, and this did not miss! I believe we visited this spot for lunch last year, and I clearly remember the food being incredibly fresh and SO hot. Each bite was packed with flavor, and the gravy was delicious! Will be back soon to hopefully try their other meals.“

“Was in town for a few days and was craving some Indian food, when I saw this spot I got excited when I saw the name. Just as I hoped, the menu said they also offered Tibetan/ Nepali dishes. I have always wanted to try Momos, so I had to go. Yoyo Momoss is a small spot, the kind I grew up finding the best food at, so I couldn't resist. I am so happy I found them! I got delicious Momos, Chicken Tikka Masala, garlic Naan, Aloo Gobi and oh my, everything was so good. I felt like I was home, or someone's grandmother's house. The kind of food only a seasoned chef could produce. I had been to 4 restaurants before being lucky enough to find Yoyo Momoss, and I am so glad I did. I only review restaurants I really, really enjoy, this has been the best since my arrival in Oakland! Bodhi and the cook that was with him preparing the food couldn't have been nicer. That made the visit so much better. The world needs more businesses like this one, do yourself a favor and eat here, if you're a local you will probably become a regular customer. This spot makes me wish I could stay in Oakland for a long, long time. Thank you for the wonderful food, I will be sure to come back next time I come to town.“

“We had a great meal here on a quiet Tuesday night, and I’d love for more people to know what a gem this spot is! The food was tasty — we had a variety of vegetarian dishes — and the service was super friendly. I loved the calming water feature and a lack of screens in the dining room; the presence of screens seems to be becoming the norm at more casual restaurants. Looking forward to coming here regularly!“

“Just stopped in as a business owner staying at the Clancy hotel up the street and found this place open. They were amazingly open towards helping me with my food choices since I haven’t been always open to it. I wanted simple, not too spicy and they nailed it. I got a great simple chicken appetizer followed by an easy lamb dish with potatoes. Holy moly! She came back with a small dessert on the house.Don’t expect a freebie when you come but I always love it when I’m appreciated. Give these guys a chance. They are special. They now have cocktails too. I happened to stumble in on the week they got their license.“