9 Best Indian Restaurants In Palo Alto, California

1. Curry Up Now

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Graffiti-filled walls and the chic setting of the restaurant create an ambiance similar to the high-end restaurants of Mumbai. Specializing in Indian street food, you must try out their samosas (savory pastry) and bhel puri (savory puffed rice) from a menu of numerous delectable dishes. While you are at it, don’t forget to try out some of their amazing fusion dishes such as the tikka masala burrito or the deconstructed samosas.

Curry Up Now

Address: 321 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Website: Curry Up Now

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

2. Darbar

A restaurant with an ambiance that is quintessentially India, the place oozes welcoming warmth. You will see strategically placed traditionally dressed figurines similar all across the place. These evoke memories of the typical dhabas or streetside eateries found along the highways in India. The restaurant has won numerous awards that are all displayed on its walls. The menu here features numerous North Indian dishes as well as a wide selection of vegetarian dishes.

Darbar

Address: 129 Lytton Ave Palo Alto, CA 94301

Website: Darbar

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 11am - 2.30pm, 5pm - 9:30pm; Thu - Fri: 11am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm; Sat: 5pm - 10pm; Sun: 5pm - 9:30pm

3. Amber Dhara

Get to taste exquisite Indian cuisine at a location that epitomizes fine dining. The restaurant has a bar attached and one can also take advantage of the happy hours. Restaurant patrons get to choose from North Indian, South Indian as well as Indian-Mexican fusion dishes. Take your pick of delicacies from their seasonal menu that includes Indian classics such as dosas or savory crepes to desserts like the jalebi or funnel cake.

Amber Dhara

Address: 150 University Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Website: Amber Dhara

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10:30pm; Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 10:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm

4. Zareen's

This cozy and colorful little spot offers authentic Indian dishes at a reasonable cost. The restaurant is vegetarian-friendly and offers a variety of paneer-based dishes as well as vegetarian salads. From snacks to thalis or plate meals, Zareen’s has something for everyone. While tikka masala wraps are great for a quick takeaway, sweet treats such as firni or rice pudding make for the perfect ending to a relaxed meal.

Zareen's

Address: 1477 Plymouth Street, Suite C Mountain View CA 94043

Website: Zareen’s

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 9pm (closed on Mon)

Nearby Indian restaurants

5. Dosa Paratha Indian Cuisine

This quaint little restaurant offers its patrons a basic seating arrangement but makes up for it by serving heavenly food. For those of you craving South Indian food, this is the place to be as it serves idlis or steamed rice cakes as well as different assortments of dosas or crispy crepes. It has a large selection of parathas or stuffed flatbreads for those who are looking for more variety.

Dosa Paratha Indian Cuisine

Address: 2105 Old Middlefield Way, Suite C Mountain View, CA

Website: Dosa Paratha Indian Cuisine

Opening hours: Mon, Wed - Fri: 11am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 9:30pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 10pm (closed on Tue)

6. Passage To India

Established nearly two decades ago, this ethnically designed restaurant offers seating for up to fifty people and also comes equipped with a bar area. The restaurant boasts a lavish buffet with all the food served in large copper vessels that are reminiscent of an Indian wedding buffet. The items on the menu include tandoori specialties, lamb dishes, seafood, and a lot more. A la carte items include biryanis made of fragrant rice and tender meats that are a must-try, as are the sweet desserts such as kheer or rice pudding and kulfi that is saffron-flavored ice cream.

Passage To India

Address: 1991 W. El Camino Real Mountain View, CA 94040

Website: Passage To India

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 11:30am - 2:30 pm, 5pm - 10:30pm; Sat: 11:30am - 3pm, 5pm - 10:30pm; Sun: 11:30am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm

7. Mantra India

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Set on the premises of the old Bijou theater, the unique ambiance of this restaurant is to be experienced rather than described. The restaurant houses contemporary art as well as Indian colors and decorations making it an ideal location for fine dining. Along with Indian dishes, get to try some unique fusion dishes like paneer ravioli and spicy fried calamari. The appetizing blend of Indian spices with fresh California produce offers a culinary experience like no other. Be sure to drop in on the weekend to listen to live performances featuring Latin jazz and sitar music as well as Bollywood item numbers.

Mantra India

Address: 632 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA. 94301

Website: Mantra India

Opening hours: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 11pm (daily)

8. Chennai Kings

A regular haunt of cricket fanatics, the restaurant has a big-screen television that regularly telecasts cricket matches. The restaurant is a must-go if you are craving for some South Indian dishes like idlis or steamed rice cakes, vadas or fried dumplings, and dosas or crispy crepes. For non-vegetarians, the chicken and fish curries are a must-try. Chennai Kings restaurant has indoor as well as outdoor seating and even has a weekend buffet. Soak in the cozy ambiance of the restaurant even as you feast on mouthwatering delicacies served by courteous staff.

Chennai Kings

Address: 856 W EI Camino Real Mountain View, CA 94040

Website: Chennai Kings

Opening hours: Mon, Wed - Thu: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 11pm; Sun: 11:30am - 10pm (closed on Tue)

9. Annachikadai

Drawing inspiration from a restaurant based in Tamil Nadu, the ambiance brings about a rustic vibe with its heavy dependence on natural sunlight and banana leaf plates. The restaurant has a large number of South Indian dishes to choose from such as poondu kuzhambu or a stew of vegetables and lentils as well as mutton kuzhambu where meat is substituted. Start off with one of their tasty appetizers such as cauliflower fritters in a spicy marinade with chicken and fish substitutes for the non-vegetarians. Take your pick of flatbreads and curries before finishing up with kesari, a sweet semolina dish or halwa. With high emphasis given on eco-friendliness and health, this is one restaurant that you can’t miss out on.

Annachikadai

Address: 80 W EI Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040

Website: Annachikadai

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 6pm - 10pm; Sat: 11:30am - 10:30pm; Sun: 11:30am - 9:30pm (closed on Mon)

Options galore

Indian cuisine has a great variety of food with specialties from different regions having their own unique flavors and ingredients. There is a large array of vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian options on offer. With a whole lot of Indian restaurants in Palo Alto to choose from, you are bound to find something you like!