48 Best Indian Restaurants near Pinole

“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.“

“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.“

“Best In Bay area.“

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

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

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“Wonderful downtown Benicia dining experience. Felt like we were back in India! Very good food and service.“

“Delicious food , best Momo in the Bay Area“

“This is genuinely one of my favorite restaurants in the East Bay! There are a ton of great vegetarian/vegan options, and the flavor and spice is perfection! Simple/cozy set up in the restaurant, and options for delivery/pick up. Very friendly staff too! 10/10!“

“The staff is friendly. Food is really good. My favorite is the SAMOSA. Yummy. Will go again. Try it out!“

“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.“

“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 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).“

“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.“

“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: 👍🏼“

“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 came on recommendations of a friend and cannot speak highly enough about the food and people. The restaurant is clean and welcoming, and when we came with a large party, all of our food came out quickly, piping hot, and delicious. I enjoyed my dinner immensely and I am surely going back.“

“Always delicious Indian food! My family and I always come here when we are in the neighborhood. Maude and Rosemarie are very gracious hosts. I highly recommend this restaurant seven days a week. :)“

“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“

“Pizza was fantastic as well as the custom garlic bread pizza. Food is almost as good as the staffs friendliness and customer service.“

“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.“

“Yesterday I had the pleasure of walking into this family owned establishment, The environment was clean, and the people were very kind. The menu was exceptional with great prices. I got the chicken Marcella, the naan, and the salmon which was the daily special. The chicken Masala was perfectly spiced. I got the mild because I can't eat spicy food. I dipped the naan in it and it tasted perfect. The naan was big and fresh and its own separate bag, so I was able to take it home and munch on it later now the salmon was delicious. It was super crispy and juicy on the inside, and the seasoning was complementary to the fish. it was wonderful to be able to talk to the Chef and get to know the people that cooked my food. The chef that's been working there. He's on the establishment for a while and he's been cooking for over 40 years. He also told me that he is from New York, which definitely shows in his food because this Indian Pakistani restaurant is definitely authentic. I will drive an hour and a half to come back here again. Definitely would recommend them for Catering or a nice dinner date.“

“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.“

“Good food, I always like to eat over here because food are soo good and tasty, momo is best and chowmein too“

“The food is true to the native street food in the northern part of india. Prices are great.
This a small place, and go to would be the best option, but the they do have few tables. So overall, a highly recomend by me.

Thanks for the delicious meal.“

“Great food and customer service too match!“

“Words cand describe how delicious this food was! Not my first time either! 10 out of 10 for me! VERY FRIENDLY AND ATTENTIVE STAFF! Make you feel so comfortable OMG IM DEFINITELY GOING BACK! 🤤🤤🤤🤤♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️“

“Delicious food at a very good price. Highly recommend.“

“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.“

“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.“

“We've come here many times and have enjoyed everything, veg and non-veg. Favorite non-veg is the tandoori chicken, but the veg is where they really shine. Love the gobi paratha and saag paneer, and I would put their chole bhatura up against any in the world. The service is always gracious. If we lived closer, it would be our weekly treat.“

“Love it thank you My kids love the chicken tika masala and the mango lassi“

“I study right across the street, so I’ve been eyeing this place and its momo for a while. Well… curiosity officially cured. The momo was a solid C—, like the grade you get when you show up to class but don’t really try. I ordered the mixed ones, steamed, and the dough was a bit chewy and torn.The portion was big, the filling was so mysterious I couldn’t even tell what I was chewing—could’ve been chicken, could’ve been my hopes and dreams.

On the bright side, the service was terrific and the food came out steaming hot.“

“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 enjoyed the falafel wrap sandwich. The bread was soft and fresh. The vegetables were fresh and crisp. The falafel was kind of different. Like chickpea French fries. The service was friendly and helpful. The ambiance needs some work. Otherwise, it's a nice new place in my neighborhood!“

“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.“

“Food is delicious! My server was welcoming and the food was served hot and neatly. I was offered GF and vegetarian options that were delicious! Definitely recommended.“

“Best restaurant in town .Food was amazing.“

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

“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.“

“Our family hosted a 62nd Bday party at the lovely Zaiqa Indian and Pakistani Restaurant Banquet Hall. This place truly deserves 5 star plus rating. Excellent experience dealing with the restaurant owner Ron. All of his staff made us feel very welcomed and were very accommodating during our event. Food was very delicious and our guests complimented it very highly. Would highly recommend this place for it's authentic Indian/Pakistani food!!“