Indian •
“I came here spur of the moment for dinner and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I seems like some down home Indian food. Nothing fancy looking but full of flavor. The owner is super friendly and the service was great. My new favorite spot in the neighborhood.“
“I keep coming back to this place. Great courteous service ! Don't forget to try their Fish Pakora ! They also do sell great Indian Sweets. I loved the Kaju Barfi and Alsee Pinni. Superb ! I heard great things about their catering. I have not used it yet. When I inquired about getting catering done for a birthday party, I was surprised to learn that they were booked for almost next 15 months. It only makes me believe that they must be pretty good.“
“My new favorite pizza place in Vallejo. The pizza I ordered was made with care and attention to details. The toppings were evenly distributed, the crust was perfect - not too thick, the cheese and the sauce were applied evenly covering the whole pizza. Great price, generous amount of toppings. I’ll definitely repeat.“
“My girlfriend and I recently dined at Momo Masala, and it was an experience we won't forgey. The menu offered a delightful array of options, but our hearts were set on trying their renowned momos and biryani. Let me tell you, they did not disappoint! The momos were bursting with flavor, each bite a symphony of spices and textures.The biryani was a revelation, perfectly cooked rice layered with tender meat and aromatic spices.What truly elevated our dining experience was the ambiance. Surrounded by lush indoor plants and subtle Himalayan decor, we felt like we were dining in a cozy mountain retreat. It was a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.But what truly set Momo Masala apart was their exceptional staff. Not only were they attentive and friendly, but their prompt service ensured that our evening flowed seamlessly.In conclusion, if you're looking for a culinary adventure that tantalizes the taste buds and soothes the soul, look no further than Momo Masala. It's more than just a restaurant; it's an experience worth savoring.“
“I deeply appreciate the owners dedication to creating a wonderful experience for their customers. Last time we went to Everest Kitchen, we had a hiccup with our Togo order. After learning about this, the owners and staff were quick to resolve the issue! We're glad we got to give them another go because it was well worth it! My husband and I had the veggie korma, lamb curry, garlic naan, mango lassi, and samosas. The entrees were flavorful, and paired nicely with the garlic naan (of course!). The samosas are MUST try. Wow. They were phenomenal!! I love samosas already, but I find that some places tend to over bread them. These were perfect. These had a nice outer shell that wasn't too thick, so you really get to enjoy the flavors. I could have eaten the whole order to myself, they were that good! The sauces that accompany the samosas are also very tasty. 10/10. Lastly, the Mango Lassi was a great treat. It was the right level of sweetness for my husband and I. Overall, after our experience and interactions with the staff/owners, we will definitely be back and thinks it's worth giving a try for those looking for quality food/service.“
“Nothing too fancy. But great food. Tandoori salmon was great! Tandoori chicken was a bit dry. Though they used chicken breast which is usually dry. Dipping the chicken in the tasty Tikka sauce helped. Excellent Naan! Mango lassi was thick and tasty. Lamb tandoori was overcooked. Would come back to try more dishes, now knowing which to avoid.“
“Low-key best Nepalese restaurant in the East Bay. Excellent meat and veg entrees, very reasonable prices, even in 2023. They have a great thali dinner selection, when thalis (or any combo really) are becoming an endangered species around here.“
“My first time trying Indian food and for sake of playing it safe I only ordered chicken tiki masala and garlic naan and basmati rice. The food was absolutely delicious. Served hot and full of flavor. I asked for mild to medium tiki masala and it was perfect . The garlic naan had right amount of garlic and toasted perfectly. I look forward to trying out more items. I ordered take out and person that answered phone is same person that I met and was very friendly and provided quick service. My order was correct packaged well. The restaurant looked very clean nicely decorated.“
“After noticing Guru take over an old Chinese food spot, have been trying to have a meal for a couple of months now but we keep trying to eat dinner at 430pm . Finally made it in and I think it's my new fave Indian spot in the area (sorry Cafe Raj). Friendly service, clean dining room. Quick service! The best chicken I've had in a curry in that it wasn't dry and over cooked; same with the prawns- perfectly cooked! We had aloo palak, chicken coconut curry, prawns tikka masala, veggie biryani, onion naan and chicken momos- after tax = $83! Great value!“
“Honestly, all things considered this is probably the best indian food you will find nearby UC Berkeley, at least at an affordable price. For $16 they have an all you can eat lunch buffet with solid quality. The service was also great and everyone there was extremely nice. Worth checking out if you're craving some indian food and can't make the trip to SF or South Bay.“
“Wonderful. This is one of the best Indian / Pakistani restaurants in the area, and I'm including Berkeley in that assessment. It doesn't look like much on the outside, but it is a great family run spot that I plan to visit again.“
“Good food from friendly people. The room is not bad, but not ' special date' nice. The heater near the door helped make us cozy. You can see by my photo how good the food was;-)Vegetarian options: Typical vegetarian Indian food dishes, but the Johi Momo was new to me, and yummy!Parking: BevMo parking lot, I think, is shared with Aangan. At least part of it anyway. Usually nearby street parking too“
“As an Indian who is often skeptical of the restaurants around the Bay, I was quite impressed by this.Good value for money, overall good flavor (not too whitewashed lol), great service, nice ambiance.Wish the best to this restaurant and hope they include more South Indian dishes in the future!“
“Can't believe I didn't discover this place sooner! Been living in Berkeley for over a year and stopped by tonight for the first time. Had the most delectable samosas - what an explosion of flavor. The sauces were divine. And the cucumber cocktail had the perfect balance of sweet & spice. What a gem of a spot!!“
“Hands down one of the best Indian pizzas I've ever had. We ordered the Spicy Bread, Chicken Pizza Masala & Mango Monsoon. I felt like I couldn't eat it fast enough! Definitely worth the food coma. Ty for the good vibes and delicious noms ??“
“A couple of the bands I'm in played here (Sakful and Chino's burning).The Pa system is awesome.The engineer (Paul Shortridge) is very knowledgeable and has the house tone dialed in for any band expressing their style on stage.I was so impressed by the place I started going to the open mic nights on Mondays.And to top it off, the food is freaking awesome!This place is a must if you like good original music, great good and a super friendly atmosphere.“
Indian • $
“This place is unbelievably good. Some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had, and easily the best in the Bay Area. My partner and I eat here at least once a week, and we’d eat here more often if we could.Highly recommend the chicken tikka masala and butter chicken.“
“This place is one of my favorite in the Bay area. The quality has been remarkably consistent over the past year and every dish I've tried has been very good. The khichari got me through COVID.I am really not a fan of picking up from here because it's always packed with delivery drivers; making parking difficult and talking to the staff quite frustrating. My mitigation strategy is to wait at the window that's to the right of the front door so they see you when they come up.Even though the above is frustrating, the food is always worth it. If the price was lower, I'd eat here more often.Vegetarian options: Lots of options!Parking: It's almost always packed with drivers. Just find the first spot nearby and walk.“
“This is THE best Indian restaurant in Berkeley. We only order to-go and they give generous portions that I can eat over the next two days. This is our go-to place and have yet to find another restaurant that blows us away as much as Mehak does.“
“Quality and presentation is great and the food is good. However, a great meal (especially the Indian cuisine) isn’t just about sustenance. The Ingredients and Spices are the magical tools, adding depth, warmth, and complexity to every dish transforming ordinary meal into extraordinary experiences. So with that in mind, I recommend the sizzling dishes, we had fish and prawns which were good & tasty. I was not impressed by the Chicken Tikka Masala which is my favorite dish, it was too ordinary and just dull. The Fish curry was ok. The rice is too ordinary and not what I expect for an Indian Basmati rice. Nan/Garlic-Nun are good as well as the Samosas. 3.1/2 Starts for Food.(3= Good, 4= Great, 5= Exceptional.)“
“Brief Summary: - Good portions, one dish fills up- Low-spice tolerance, mix of "not so spicy" and "I need some water"- Located past the North gate of the university campus- Places to sit and eat insideFeeling like eating Indian, we headed for Bollywood Cafe. The interior is like a narrow hallway and it opens up to a cluster of tables and chairs. The staff walks to and fro the narrow hallway to take orders from guests and to the lower kitchen. We took a seat inside. While we did get menus, this was served by a standee card menu, so we gathered around and chose what we wanted to eat that day. The staff was kind and helped answer our questions. From my memory, there aren't many places that serve dosa, so I'm happy that this cafe serves this dish. I ordered the paneer dosa, the masala dosa, and the vegetable curry over rice. For the curry over rice, we got to choose 2 of 3 different curry sauce options, so we picked the paneer and chickpea.The dishes came at different orders: the curry over rice arrived first, the masala dosa came next, and mine arrived last. I took photos of the three dishes, but looking back the two dosas looked identical. Speaking of dosa, they come with two sauces: coconut chutney and the other, which I don't recall the name but it tasted like very spicy pea soup.The paneer dosa wasn't spicy at all but as I was eating the pea soup it grew spicy. The masala dosa was on the spicy side, so I was able to take a few bites. The curry and rice dish was nice as well; not spicy either but this depends on the curry sauce -- and the person. One of my relatives has a higher spice tolerance, and they didn't think the dishes were spicy.I ate this during dinner time and we were starting to grow hungry, and eating one dish made us pretty full. The portions are perfect for lunch or dinner, so we were happy after we finished our dishes. Conveniently located near the university campus, I might come here again.“
“Went here for some drinks and to watch the Tennessee Vols football game (visiting from out of town). Staff was very friendly, and Eddy was great! Enjoyed talking to him, and he put the game on for us and was overall wonderful. I wish we hadn’t eaten lunch before going there, because the food looked great. We did have the fries which were perfect.“
“I tried finally some takeout from this place after hearing so much buzz about it. The paneer tiki masala and rice I had was very tasty. The spices were nicely balanced and not too bold. The paneer was slightly chewy rather than the more firm texture I'm used to. At some point I will go back for a sit-down meal there since the dining area looked cozy and inviting. I'm not 100% sure I'd try the paneer again, but menu had all the usual suspects so I'm sure I'll find an alternative. The service was very friendly and fast.“
“Party of 4 for mid-week lunch on quiet large patio Food + service very good. Chicken biryani was large ( took some home for dinner) + chicken was tender. 2 persons had the veggie tandoori appetizer of mushrooms + asparagus. Garlic Naan ordered-delicious as was the mango drink“
“Everything was delicious! My favorite was the chana masala. The fried peanuts are like nothing I've had before, in a great way (but not date food since it's loaded with raw onions and garlic ?). People are really nice and it's now my go-to spot when I'm in the area. I can't wait to try more of the menu!“
“Arriving on a rainy weekday just before closing, my family revisited this establishment after many years, formerly a Thai restaurant owned by an elderly couple. We reminisced about our frequent visits until their retirement.Upon arrival, the restaurant was moderately occupied, with most tables already dining and a few finishing up. It took about five minutes for us to be seated, and a bit longer for menus and water, which arrived for two instead of four, despite our party of two adults and two children.Opting for Butter Chicken, Chicken Vindaloo, Beef Sha Bhaley, Chicken Jhol Momo, regular Naan, and Garlic Naan, we placed our order after a slight delay. Despite the lack of rush, service seemed preoccupied.The dishes arrived after a 20-minute wait. The Beef Sha Bhaley stole the show with their juicy, flavorful profile and accompanying sauces. The Butter Chicken impressed with its seasoning and smoky taste, though the chicken was slightly dry and shredded. The Chicken Vindaloo boasted robust flavors and satisfying chunks of meat.The Chicken Jhol Momo had decent flavor but erred on the salty side, although the accompanying sauce added depth. The Naan and Garlic Naan were passable, lacking in garlic flavor.The dhal soup, while offering a good curry taste, lacked substance with minimal split peas and an overly watery consistency, deemed unappealing by the rest of the group.Highlighting the Beef Sha Bhaley and Butter Chicken, I would recommend these dishes. However, the overall service left much to be desired, with lapses in attention evident, such as neglecting to provide plates for all members of our party.“
“$30 for one Lamb Karahi and Garlic Naan including tip and tax. Good sized portion for after the gym.Taste was really good, but I’ve had better Lamb Karahi, of a similar portion, for less money in the East Bay.If the value doesn’t bother you this is a great place.“
“We used to come here periodically before Covid and then hadn't been around for a while. Was a great place, had some great beers. Tried a lot at the little bar in the back.Finally got back here when I was at the vet next door. Looks like Covid may have hit him hard. Freezer was half full (compared to pre-Covid when it was packed). There were beers there that were literally 3 years old. I hope people support this place and get them back on their feet. I took a star off because of the 3 year old beer but the guy who runs this place is a good guy (no place should be selling 3 year old beer for any reason)When they get rid of the old beer and get the freezer back up with good, new beers, we'll definitely buy beers here again.“
“We always order momos from this place, and they never disappoint. Last time, we tried some other dishes, and the noodles weren't great. Still, the momos are the best around, The momos have amazing flavors, and the prices are fair. We usually do takeout, but we're excited to eat in sometime. Despite the noodle issue, it's still our favorite spot for satisfying our momo cravings.“
“I love the menu here there’s always something different as the menu changes month to month. The specials always have a detailed description that offers context and region to the dishes.Vegetarian options: They had 3x veg dishes n their monthly specials and a number of standard Indian veg dishes as well.“
“One of the few Indian restaurants in Berkeley that stays open late. The food and drinks are incredibly good. However, it's quite difficult to get a table unless you're willing to hang out at the very loud trendy bar for an hour or more with the young hipster college crowd.“
“Oh Man !!! It was a ' Bomb ' !!! Absolutely ' Hit The Spot ' !!!! I ordered the ' Lamb Vindaloo & Paratha Bread ' !!! It was ' Just Right ' !!! The Lamb was ' Tender & Well Cooked ', & Wheat PARATHA / Leavened Bread ' was like ' Grandma used to Make ' ... I believe that ' Vindaloo ' is a Goan Dish ' from Coastal India .... The Entree was ' Spiced Just Right ' !!! Not too Pungent so as to bury all the Spice Flavors. Potatoes were ' Ample n Well Cooked !!! Cheers n Njoy this Albany Gem that stays Open till 11 p.m. en General ....“
“I ordered two veggie biryani's and palak gosht. I have tried tikka masala at Kabana as well. I love the spinach They have lunch specials as well during weekdays. I was a regular at indus village for years. They closed, unfortunately. Kabana is good quality.“
“Super solid and very substantial meal for the money! There isn't much (if any) sit down space, so it's definitely a grab and go option (they're on Snackpass too if you want to order ahead). You build bowls/burritos by specifying the main protein and all the sides, very similar to Chipotle, but for Indian food. It's certainly not the best Indian food you can find in Berkeley, but seeing as it's a fast-casual restaurant, the quality and price are quite good. Just a note that they will fill your burrito with so much filling that it barely closes - sounds good at first due to the volume of food, but it's impossibly messy to eat. I stick with the bowls now, which makes it easier to save the remainder to eat later vs. a burrito, which will get all soggy and disintegrate. You've been warned :D The lunch rush can bring some long lines, but since most of the food is already cooked, the assembly is quite fast. At peak lunch rush, you should anticipate a 15 minute wait, or use Snackpass to order ahead.“
“Good food. Consistent in quality. Very nice staff. Plenty of dining space and options on the menu as well as weekly specials. Food is fresh and served hot. It's a order at the counter and seat yourself place. Free delicious tea with dine in service. Parking can be hard sometimes but not terrible. A true staple in the community.“
“The food was DELICIOUS! My partner and I ordered a bunch of stuff for her birthday and we were happy with every dish. The Bombay Chicken and the Samosas were so tasty and spiced differently than a lot of other places in the East Bay, setting Munch India apart. My partner said it reminded her of how her food was spiced when she lived in India. We will be back to try more!“
“Dining at Kathmandu Restaurant was a culinary experience I'll never forget. My meal, the Chicken Tikka, was a masterpiece of flavors, perfectly cooked and richly seasoned, making each bite a delight. Accompanied by their garlic naan, which was soft, buttery, and infused with just the right amount of garlic, it was a combination that I found myself savoring long after the meal had ended.What truly elevated the experience, however, was the service, particularly from our server, Daniel. His friendliness and attentiveness were unmatched, making us feel welcomed and valued throughout our visit. His recommendations were spot on, ensuring that our meal was not just food, but an experience to remember.Kathmandu Restaurant's commitment to authentic Nepalese cuisine, coupled with outstanding service, makes it a must-visit for anyone in Albany looking for an exceptional dining experience. It's not just about the delicious food, but the warm hospitality that makes you feel like part of the family. Five stars are well deserved for this gem of a restaurant.“
“I was in the neighborhood so I stopped by for lunch. I had Salad and Tandoori Salmon. The salad was organic, it was light and delicious and not laden with too much ranch or fat. The tandoor salmon was really moist, delicious and served sizzling. Tandoori salmon came with basmati rice and aloo palak saag. That saag was light yet flavorful. Overall a very nice meal. I think it is a must try if you are in the area.“
“The cocktail I had was beautiful and tasty. The secret speakeasy room was such a disappointment, though. It was a small room that was hot, smelled gross, and didn't even have any music. It was so weird, we just left the room and went back to the outer bar.Wheelchair accessibility: No stairs“
“This place is great. The staff there are so friendly, it's really well priced, and the portions are filling. We typically get their chicken tikka masala, vindaloo, or curry. I really enjoy their fresh naan, and also appreciate that they have gluten free mains which is important for my partner. They offer a small tasting sample if you need it, as they have many options and you may want one before deciding. My only wish, and I agree with some other reviews on this, is that you could order something extra spicy. Enjoy!Dietary restrictions: I was told all their main pot dishes, salad, and rice were gluten free! This is great news for my household.“
“Stopped in to try the food while visiting a friend in Pinole. The food was excellent, (not spicy enough for me) though I did ask for spicy.The service and hospitality was great and the treats were also very excellent.I will definitely be coming back in the future.“
“Highly underrated! My favorite Nepalese/Indian restaurant in Berkeley. The food is consistently delicious, not too oily or salty and full of flavor. The naan is also some of the best I've had anywhere. Would recommend the chili momos, chicken tikka masala, and saag paneer, but it's hard to go wrong.“
“My go to indian restaurant. Flavors of India has the only good paneer pakoras around, and the veg somoasa chaat is equally as good. Furthermore, I ordered flavors of India for my boyfriend (who is Indian), and he agreed that the appetizers were not bad. However, I’ve tried the paneer tikka masala and was disappointed. In general, I’ve struggled to find good Indian restaurants in the area, and although the paneer tikka masala was disappointing, I am happy with everything else that I’ve tried. That being said, I would highly recommend their appetizers.“
“Great place to dine in for Indian street food and snacks. I rely on their grocery store for Indian staples, frozen and dry snacks.Atmosphere is casual and friendly with indoor and outdoor seating.Parking lot can get full on weekends, but there is plenty of on street parking.“
“We were at Udupi Palace for lunch. Quiet place with friendly staff. We ordered plain dosa, masala dosa with a idli vada combo. We also got a bisibele baath and bagalabaath for later. The food was delicious. Especially enjoyed the sambar and chutney and the idli was better than any restaurant idli I’ve had in the US. The bisibelebaath was outstanding. Highly recommend!“
“I’m a bit baffled at the strong negative opinions since I’ve gone here several times and have always loved the food, friendly service, very fair prices, and bar/back-of-the-store atmosphere that makes you feel very much like a local :).Because it is literally at the back of a liquor store, DON’T expect a typical restaurant experience with waiters checking in on you, it’s much more of a casual vibe. But everything I’ve tried on the menu has been tasty!“
“Typically with restaurants that have North and South Indian dishes, only one excellent and the other so-so. This is the case here. The south Indian dishes were excellent. The samosas were also excellent. We went on a Friday night and they were out of papad and coke. Garlic naan was extremely dry.“
“tasty food that always hits the spot. it seems like a cute family run place that usually have tables open. service was great - we went in around 30 minutes before closing but they were still willing to serve us. have to order rice/naan on the side on top of original dish so it comes out to be on the pricier side. garlic naan was a bit too oily, so id recommend the original one to go with the curries.“
“One of my absolute favorite hole in the walls. Came back after 4 years, so happy the quality is the same after Covid. This is a no frills dining experience, you come for the food. And the food delivers. You can tell everything is made with intention and doesn’t cheat with using too much diary or sugar or oil. The flavors are bombastic but the feeling is nourishment. Their lunch specials are complete and generous, they give you naan and rice and lentils and aachar and salad with any entree!! I wish all restaurants were like this.“
“100% Halal meats! This place is delicious, my husband and I got takeout and we ordered the Punjabi masala bhindi (mild) Malai Kofta (mild) Chicken curry (medium) Chilli chicken (mild) Tandoori roti and plain rice The mild is perfect but the medium could be a tad more spicy. Looking forward to trying some more, especially the Indo Chinese.“