Top 10 Indian Restaurants In Berkeley, California

indian restaurants in berkeley
Demos
Demos 
Published
| 4 min read

Berkeley is a bustling city that’s situated in Alameda County, California, and by the eastern shore of San Francisco. This city has the oldest university in the region, namely, the University of California. And for this reason, the downtown area is often frequented by students. So, it’s not surprising that plenty of interesting and diverse bars and restaurants have popped up here. If you enjoy Indian cuisine, then you’ll find many good options to satisfy your taste buds. These include Ajanta for its upscale dining experience, East Bay Spice Company for its exciting Indian Fusion menu, and Mehak Indian Cuisine for its excellent Chicken Tikka Masala. Check out our amazing list of top 10 Indian restaurants in Berkeley, California - and plan your trip accordingly!

1. Viks Chaat

Chicken Biryani in Chennai
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Rupamdas75 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Viks Chaat is a contemporary and funky Indian fast food outlet that’s a hit in the Bay Area. But do keep in mind that due to its popularity it does get busy and noisy during peak hours. Nevertheless, it’s still a great choice if you’re looking for quick and efficient service. Some of its specialties include its delicious Tandoori Chicken, mouthwatering Murgh Noorjehani, and unforgettable Lucknow Korma. Viks Chaats also features a grocery store and catering services where you can purchase Indian treats, vegetables, and buffet-style trays.

Viks Chaat

Address: 2390 Fourth St, Berkeley, CA 94710, United States

Website: Viks Chaat

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 6pm; Fri - Sun: 11am - 8pm

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2. Mehak Indian Cuisine

Chicken Tikka Masala-01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user hellosputnik used under CC BY 2.0

If you’re seeking a traditional Indian restaurant with great service and quality foods, then look no further than Mehak Indian Cuisine. The establishment has earned its reputation for its delicious Chicken Tikka Masala and relaxed ambiance. A few other choice dishes include their tasty Chicken & Prawns, Garlic & Cheese Naan, and Samosas. You can wash all that down with Indian Masala Tea, Mango Lassi, or an ice-cold soda.

Mehak Indian Cuisine

Address: 2449 Sacramento St, Berkeley, CA 94703, United States

Website: Mehak Indian Cuisine

Opening hours: 11:30am - 9:30pm (daily)

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3. East Bay Spice Company

Chicken Tikka Kebab
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sumit Surai used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The East Bay Spice Company is a trendsetting Indian bar and restaurant. What makes it stand out from other Indian restaurants is its eclectic range of cocktails and focus on street foods. So, if you don’t mind sampling Indian-inspired treats that break away from tradition, then you should try out this establishment. A few of their dishes include their scrumptious Crispy Chicken Wings, Oxford St. Samosas, and Tandoori Street Tacos. But don’t leave without trying out their tasty drinks such as the Cry of Dolores, Golden State Curry, and Skeleton Key.

East Bay Spice Company

Address: 2134 Oxford St, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States

Website: East Bay Spice Company

Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 5pm - 2am; Wed - Sun: 2pm - 2am

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4. Flavors of India, Berkeley

Vegetable Samosa, Black Pinky, Paris 14 February 2017
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Guilhem Vellut used under CC BY 2.0

What do you look for when visiting an Indian restaurant? Well, if you like cozy surroundings with tasty food, then Flavors of India is worth checking out. Furthermore, this establishment has a wide range of vegetarian specialties such as Aloo Tikki, Garden Salad, and Vegetable Samosa. Alternatively, you can try out their delicious Chicken, Methi, Wala, Raita, and Shrimp Kabab. And, don’t forget to try out their tasty desserts such as Gulab Jamun, Kulfi, and Mango Ice Cream.

Flavors of India

Address: 3211 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705, United States

Website: Flavors of India

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 10:30pm

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5. Jot Mahal Palace of Indian Cuisine

Awadhi seekh kebab
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user reivax used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Spicy and delicious food is the order of the day at the Jot Mahal Palace of Indian Cuisine. Not only that, expect great service and a buffet of delicacies that will have you and fellow patrons salivating! We recommend their Chicken Tikka Masala, Onion Paratha, and Seekh Kebab. They also serve Indian desserts such as Gulab Jamun, Kheer, and Kulfi. Finally, they offer a range of tasty beverages such as Apple Juice, Coconut Juice, and Mango Lassi.

Jot Mahal Palace of Indian Cuisine

Address: 1543 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709, United States

Website: Jot Mahal Berkeley

Opening hours: 11:30am - 10pm (daily)

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6. Tigerlily Berkeley

Roghni Naan
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user SyedaTaleaImam used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Tigerlily specializes in Indian-inspired California cuisine with a focus on organic food, making it quite special. Furthermore, it’s a great choice if you enjoy brunch, and there’s even plenty of parking near the premises. A few of our favorite items on the menu include the Tandoori Mint Chicken, Tikka Masala Chicken & Waffles, and Pork & Naan. And they also have a few interesting cocktails on the menu such as the Green Thumb and Michael’s Pollen, and a range of craft beers.

Tigerlily Berkeley

Address: 1513 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709, United States

Website: Tigerlily Berkeley

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 5pm - 11pm; Sat: 10am - 11pm; Sun: 10am - 9pm

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7. Indus Village

Tandoori Roti in clay oven
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kamalsahansi used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Indus Village specializes in Indian and Pakistani cuisine and boasts a cozy ambiance, making it the ideal venue for meals with friends and family. Moreover, it’s relatively inexpensive, and the food is of high quality and incredibly tasty. A few of their incredible dishes include the Beef Jalferezi, Chana Masala, and Lamb Curry. Also, they serve refreshments such as bottled water, Mango Lassi, and sodas.

Indus Village

Address: 1920 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94702, United States

Opening hours: 11:30am - 9:30pm (daily)

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8. Urbann Turbann

Vegetable Raita
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bingo2310 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you’re craving Indian Fusion and vegetarian specialties, then pop by Urban Turbann when you’re in Berkeley. The establishment is renowned for its quick service and wide range of spicy foods. Their Butter Chicken, Chicken Naan Wrap, and Tandoori Chicken are popular with the locals. But they also sell Rice Bowls, Samosas, and Sweet and Spicy Pork Wraps, which are ideal if you’re looking for a meal on the go. And you can wash all that down with a refreshing Chai, Mango Lassi, or an ice-cold soda.

Urbann Turbann

Address: 1870 Euclid Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709, United States

Website: Urbann Turbann

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

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9. Ajanta

Saag paneer
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jeff Warren used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Ajanta constantly changes its menu to expose patrons to new flavors based on their organic Indian cuisine. Moreover, the interior of the restaurant is elegant, and the staff members are always friendly and helpful. Due to the extra care that goes into preparing the food, expect to pay more than you would in competing restaurants in the area. We recommend their Lamb Rib Chops, Tandoori Portobello Mushrooms, and Saag Paneer. They serve beverages such as Mango Lassi, Masala Chai, and Pomegranate Juice. Don’t forget to ask for their wine list that features red and white wines, which are carefully paired with the food items.

Ajanta

Address: 1888 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707, United States

Website: Ajanta

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 5:30pm - 9pm (closed on Wed); Fri - Sun: 11:30am - 9pm

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10. Udupi Palace, Berkeley

Vegetable biryani
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Turbo1232112321 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Casual and traditional are the best ways to describe Udupi Palace. It’s one of those cozy restaurants that has won customers over with its super tasty South Indian cuisine and friendly service. They have a comprehensive menu that’s bound to satisfy both vegans and fans of spicy food. These include Paneer Makhani, Pineapple Uthappam, and Vegetable Biryani. And, they also serve several delicious beverages such as Madras Coffee, Masla Tea, and Mango Lassi. But we also recommend their desserts such as Carrot Halwa and Galub Jaumn to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Udupi Palace

Address: 1903 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704, United States

Website: Udupi Palace

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 11:30am - 10pm (closed on Tue)

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Indian cuisine is the spice of life

If you haven’t tried out Indian food, then you’re missing out on some of the tastiest and spiciest delicacies out there. So, if you’re visiting Berkeley, you’ll have many opportunities to expose yourself to this type of cuisine given the wide range of excellent Indian restaurants found in this city.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Demos, a freelance writer, boasts an entrepreneurial background that informs his diverse writing portfolio. His articles span across various topics, encompassing travel, business, technology,...Read more

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